ServiceMaster Teams With Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to Increase Minority Business Ownership

By: ServiceMaster | 0 Shares 187 Reads

Joint effort to promote college education, expand African-American entrepreneurship

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 9 // PRNewswire // -- The ServiceMaster Company announced today that it has teamed with Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) to create new college scholarship opportunities and expand African-American entrepreneurship.

Beginning in 2010, ServiceMaster will fund a pair of $10,000 CBCF scholarships to African-American college students pursuing a bachelor's degree in environmental science. In addition, CBCF will help ServiceMaster identify qualified candidates for its highly successful Shane Battier Minority Franchise Scholarship program, as part of the company's continuing pledge to diversity, business development and community outreach across the United States.

"Today's announcement really represents the best of ServiceMaster's foundational objective, to honor God in all we do," said J. Patrick Spainhour, ServiceMaster's chief executive officer. "Through this alliance with CBCF, we are strengthening our pledge to provide more educational opportunities for minority students, and more opportunities to women and minorities to open their own businesses."

CBCF's new ServiceMaster Environmental Studies Scholarship Program will provide $10,000 scholarships to two African-American college students entering their senior year with a declared major in environmental science or a related field. ServiceMaster places a strong emphasis on protecting the environment, not only in its educational outreach efforts, but also within its business operations. Its TruGreen, Terminix and ServiceMaster Clean businesses play an important role in enhancing the environment through lawn and land care, termite and pest control and residential and commercial cleaning. The company employs industry experts in horticulture, entomology and eco-friendly cleaning processes that protect and safeguard the environment.

"We're excited about this collaboration with ServiceMaster, and pursuing a mutual commitment to educating and empowering the next generation of leaders," said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., CBCF's president and chief executive officer. "These programs support CBCF's critical mission to reduce disparities in education and economic development, and have the potential to make a real difference in creating a diverse, global workforce."

ServiceMaster last year announced it would award 34 new franchise licenses, valued at $1.3 million, to women and minorities, plus make another $1 million available in special financing to help pay for equipment and other start-up costs associated with franchise ownership. A total of 10 franchises have been awarded to date, and the company has committed to an additional 24 by 2012.

"Commitments such as these are what we need in America," said Rep. Kendrick B. Meek of Florida, CBCF chair. "This partnership provides our next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs in environmental science with the opportunities they need to grow and succeed."

Added Spainhour: "We recognize that, beyond being good for our business, reaching out to help and expand education and business ownership opportunities for minorities and for women is a very meaningful way for us to attract great talent to our company and continue to live our faith-based corporate mission."

For more information on the Shane Battier Minority Franchise Scholarship program or to apply online, visit www.ownafranchise.com/battierprogram. For more information on the CBCF's ServiceMaster Environmental Scholarship Program, visit www.cbcfinc.org/cbcf-scholarships.html.

About ServiceMaster

ServiceMaster Clean is a member of the ServiceMaster Family of Brands. ServiceMaster currently serves residential and commercial customers through a network of more than 5,500 company-owned locations and franchised licensees. The company's brands include TruGreen®, TruGreen LandCare®, Terminix®, American Home Shield®, ServiceMaster Clean®, Merry Maids®, Furniture Medic®, and AmeriSpec®. The core services of the company include lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, home warranties, disaster response and reconstruction, cleaning and disaster restoration, home cleaning, furniture repair and home inspection.

About CBCF

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) was established in 1976 as a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative and public policy arenas.

SOURCE The ServiceMaster Company

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