Northern Trust Sponsors Akola Jewelry Displays

CHICAGO, December 14, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Northern Trust announced today that it is supporting Akola, a nonprofit jewelry brand, by funding in-store displays with an app at select Neiman Marcus stores.

Dallas-based Akola is a not-for-profit whose sole mission is the empowerment of women in Uganda and Dallas, seeking to transform their families and communities by focusing on their economic development.

“Northern Trust is pleased to invest in Akola to support their work of empowering women through economic development,” said Connie Lindsey, Northern Trust head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Diversity & Inclusion. “The impact of this investment aligns with our guiding principles of service, expertise and integrity. We are dedicated not only to meeting the needs of our clients and shareholders, but also giving back to the communities we serve.”

The Akola app will allow customers purchasing Akola Jewelry at Neiman Marcus to track the impact of their purchase in the lives of the Akola women and their families in both Dallas and Uganda. The app shares Akola’s mission, Social Reinvestment model, and images of Akola women.

“The sponsorship provided by Northern Trust to Akola makes an incredible impact in the lives of the women we serve in the US and abroad,” said Brittany Merrill Underwood, founder and CEO of Akola. “Together, we are educating Neiman Marcus customers on the transformative impact that Akola jewelry products have on the lives of women and children. As the first full-impact nonprofit brand to retail at Neiman Marcus, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to share Akola’s mission with the community and show case our new retail model that transforms lives. We are grateful to partner with Northern Trust to further our mission to empower women across the globe.”

At this time, customers can find an iPad with an Akola Impact Tracker in these Neiman Marcus locations: Lenox Square in Atlanta, Ga.; Charlotte, N.C.; Downtown Dallas and NorthPark Center; Fort Worth; Houston; Palm Beach, Fla.; and The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, Texas.

“This is an amazing opportunity for our customers to understand their impact in helping woman in poverty,” said Erica Foland, Neiman Marcus Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Designer Jewelry. “It's the perfect gift - who doesn't want to give or receive a gift that gives back?”

Akola was founded in 2006 by Underwood after she met a Ugandan woman who took care of over 20 children in her home. Underwood learned that thousands of children could be helped by employing women who are unable to find work in their communities. Today, Akola provides training, work opportunities, and education programs to more than 500 women who care for thousands of children in Uganda and Dallas.

The women she employs play an integral part in the production and distribution of Akola’s handcrafted jewelry. The women are given various roles from the creation and assembly of the jewelry to working in Akola’s distribution center in Dallas.

About Akola

To learn more about Akola's mission, products and founder - Brittany Merrill Underwood - visit our website at akolaproject.org. Akola purchases provide work opportunities, donations, social programming, and education for the Akola Women to thrive.

About Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC is a luxury, multi-branded, omni-channel fashion retailer conducting integrated store and online operations under the Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, Horchow, CUSP, and mytheresa brand names. For more information, visit www.neimanmarcusgroup.com.

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About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has offices in the United States in 19 states and Washington, D.C., and 23 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 30, 2017, Northern Trust had assets under custody/administration of US$9.7 trillion, and assets under management of US$1.1 trillion. For more than 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Visit northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Global legal and regulatory information can be found at http://www.northerntrust.com/disclosures.

Contacts
Northern Trust Corporation
Media Contact:
Doug Holt
(312) 557-1571
Doug.Holt@ntrs.com
http://www.northerntrust.com