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Modern hip-hop music is incredibly diverse. Over the past few decades, the music industry has seen international figures like Drake, Stormzy, and many in between put their international hometowns on the map and infiltrate the US market to dominate the charts. While the rise of English-speaking European hip-hop has certainly grown, one country has yet to break that barrier: The Netherlands. Despite the fact that most Dutch urban artists embrace the English language in their music, there is still a massive gap between Holland-based talent and the mainstream US market. Two professional athletes, who have both had immense success in music, are on a mission to change that – and the face of urban hip-hop across on both sides of the pond.

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When world-renowned soccer player Ryan Babel founded Underrated Music Group (UMG) BV (Holland) in 2013, he found great success in releasing music with Holland-based hip-hop artists, but quickly realized that no real urban music artist had successfully crossed over into the US market. Committed to bridging that gap, Ryan partnered with former professional basketball player and successful music label owner Michael Gomez to launch Underrated Music Group USA. In an industry dominated by White-run urban labels, Ryan and Michael created a powerhouse music group that is 100% Black-owned and run, and is poised to change the face of music as we know it.

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"Everything we do is a show of respect. How we show up, how we treat our artists, and most importantly how can we give them every tool to succeed." – Ryan Babel

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Both Ryan and Michael have achieved unprecedented success in their careers as athletes, music label owners, managers, promoters, and artists. Together, they hold unparalleled combined experience within the music and creative industries. The duo has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Chris Brown, T.I., Usher, G-Eazy, Marc E. Bassy, Timbaland, Dem Jointz, and many more.

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"I have learned from some of the greatest to ever do it – Jean Nelson, Gee Roberson, Al Branch, Cortez Bryant, Ray Daniels and more. The one thing they always taught me is to find a star, see who sticks out like a sore thumb." – Michael Gomez

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Underrated Music Group USA is proud to announce its expansion to the United States, as they look to put Holland-based artists on the map and inspire a new generation of music with grit, determination, and unmatched work ethic.

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"No shortcuts at UMG. We are trying to develop the best artists in the world. If you are a creative and need a place to cultivate your talent, find us here at UMG." – Ryan Babel

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Through proof of concept, dedication to the craft and unwavering commitment to bridging a gap in the urban music industry, UMG's purpose-driven vision has come to fruition. UMG is thrilled to introduce their next Hip-Hop Urban crossover superstar, T. Goodwin to the American market in 2022.

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To learn more about Underrated Music Group, please visit: http://underratedmg.com

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Gregory K. Mohr's new book Real Freedom: Why Franchises are Worth Considering and How They Can Be Used For Building Wealth is now available on Amazon. This Wall Street Journal bestseller is an essential guide that provides readers with all the information they need to make an informed decision about franchising as a way to build wealth. With topics ranging from the different types of franchises available to how SBA loans can be used for financing, this book has everything aspiring franchisees need to get started on their path to success.

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Time is a precious commodity. Everyone has the same time in the day, but some never seem to have enough time to get everything done. Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to get more done in less time? Gregory K. Mohr has figured out how to do just that. In his book, he shares his methods for increasing productivity and achieving success. He shows readers the types of franchises, the pros and cons of the services industry, horizontal vs. vertical growth, and much more. Mohr has a proven record of success with over 200 clients who've learned his methods.

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Mohr began his working life in the restaurant industry. He first came into contact with franchising when he worked at a fast-food restaurant chain straight out of high school. He later managed a twenty-four-hour chain restaurant before earning degrees in electrical engineering and physics and becoming an engineer.

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Mohr had always been interested in business, and he knew that he wanted to be his own boss someday. However, he never imagined that it would happen the way it did. After working in the corporate world for fifteen years, Greg was laid off from his job in the semiconductor industry. While this was initially a difficult experience, Greg saw it as an opportunity to finally pursue his dream of owning his own business. With the help of a franchise consultant, he found a great fit for his goals and criteria and never looked back. Today, Greg is the proud owner of a successful franchise business, and he loves being able to share his passion with others.

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His experience in the restaurant industry has been invaluable in his current role as a franchise consultant. In particular, it has given him a deep understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by franchisees and how to overcome them. The former corporate ladder climber and best-selling author was named the 2019 Franchise Consultant of the year at the #1 franchise consulting company in the U.S. As a result, he is uniquely positioned to help franchisees succeed in their businesses.

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Mohr also hosts the Franchise Maven podcast, which is all about franchising, becoming a franchise and growing a business. On the podcast, Mohr educates people about franchising and helps them to decide whether or not it is right for them. He does this by providing information and resources to help them make an informed decision. For Mohr, it is all about helping people to achieve their business goals, whatever those may be.

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"I believe jobs are tools to help us live happy, fulfilled lives. That's why I help entrepreneurs and corporate holdouts create wealth, financial freedom and security through franchising," Mohr said.

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Real Freedom: Why Franchises Are Worth Considering and How They Can Be Used For Building Wealth is now available on Amazon.

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CaliforniaListings.com, the industry's trusted one-stop daily resource for all things Golden State real estate, is proud to announce the launch of California Listings Magazine. Flip through all the pages to discover California's top agents featured by neighborhood expertise, the latest luxury property listings throughout the state, and exclusive editorial content delivered every two weeks at www.californialistings.com/magazine.

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From the mountains of Tahoe and the beautiful Bay Area to coastal cool Santa Barbara and luxurious Beverly Hills, the Golden State has every style of home for every type of lifestyle. But with so many real estate options and thousands of agents and brokers in California, deciding where to look and who to work with can be a daunting task.

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That's where California Listings Magazine and website come in!

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California Listings Magazine is the latest extension of our digital platform, showcasing the top real estate agents—and their listings—in each market territory in the state. CaliforniaListings.com is not only reinventing how buyers shop for homes, but also how they shop for agents, featuring only the best market territory experts.

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Averaging more than 2+ million monthly impressions and more than 95,000+ unique visitors per month (as of July 31, 2022), readers have quickly found CaliforniaListings.com to be their trusted source for real real estate news. And because great real estate isn't limited to Southern California, CaliforniaListings.com expanded to include CaliforniaListings.com/NorCal earlier this year. Here, consumers will find daily news and data curated for Northern California home shoppers, as well as the top NorCal agents—and their listings—from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco, Sacramento to Lake Tahoe and everywhere in between!

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For more information on expert qualification criteria and advertising opportunities for all California Listings products, e-mail at hello@californialistings.com

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On August 4th, Newark NJ native, Lisa Durden, social justice journalist, award-winning filmmaker, content creator and multi-hyphenate media maker will be honored during the Women in Media-Newark's (WIM-N) 13th annual Women's International Film Festival, for her tireless commitment to giving a voice to the underserved and overlooked in our community. Lisa Durden is the founder of Lisa Durden Unlimited Productions, a multi-media company, specializing in developing content for film, television, streaming and live audiences, with a focus on telling compelling stories. She recently earned her Master In Fine Arts degree in Social Documentary film, from New York's School Of Visual Arts, with her sights set on teaching the next generation of media-makers.

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Lisa is also a national media contributor, committed to shaping narratives that speak to the diversity of underserved communities, not just the trauma. Lisa is well known as a brilliantly outspoken social justice journalist, thought leader, and the voice of the people, whether she's producing award-winning films about issues that matter to the Black community, or seen as a contributor on such elevated, national platforms as - Revolt TV's 'Revolt Black News;' Fox Soul's 'Being Black With Tammi Mac;' CBS' The Dr. Oz Show; #APlusPanel Contributor on #TheOpinionZone for the former Chasing News Series on the My9 Network; and 'The African American Leadership Forum,' to name a few.

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Lisa has committed her life's work, to holding those in power accountable for highlighting varied perspectives and experiences within the Black community. Whether it is a story about a new dynamic Black mayor of a big city with a bright political future, like then-mayor Cory Booker, where Lisa served as Associate Producer of the Peabody award-winning, Prime-Time Emmy and NAACP Image award nominated, Sundance Channel's, docu-series, Brick City 1, or Director of the powerful short documentary, Girls Matter, that highlights young girls in a positive light, which also WON Best Animation at the Tokyo International Short Film Festival '21 - for it is her belief, representation matters!

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As WINNER of the 2021 Lightbeam TV National Pitch Competition at the African American Women In Cinema International Film Festival, Lisa is currently leading the production of 'Blind Divas,' the highly anticipated documentary that explores the lives of Krystle Allen and Naquela Wright-Prevoe, two Black women, entrepreneurs, determined to challenge the stigmas and stereotypes about the blindness community.

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"This has been an exciting year for me. One of hard work, perseverance and impact. It is always an honor to be recognized by my hometown for my work, passion and commitment. I have spent my entire career ensuring that the power in our truth, in our communities, gets told from concept to execution!"

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The award program will take place Thursday, August 4, 2022 at ODR Studios located at 89 Madison street, Newark, NJ at 4pm.

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Since 2020, the family of Joaquin "Guac" Oliver has thrown a lively birthday party for him, dubbed "Guacathon," riffing on Joaquin's nickname "Guac" and making it an annual tradition following Joaquin's assassination at the Parkland, FL school shooting.

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Joaquin's parents Manuel and Patricia Oliver, vocal advocates of creative activism and youth empowerment toward common sense gun laws, want more young people to experience the party and celebrate Joaquin's birthday and life—and to make a positive impact on their world. To do this, they and the organization they founded, Change the Ref, have enlisted the leading metaverse development studio MELON to bring Guacathon to Roblox on August 4, 2022.

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On August 4, Joaquin's 22nd birthday, a celebration will take place in the Guacathon experience. An in-person, exclusive event will accompany this day's celebrations in New York City, with invitees that are close friends and allies to Patricia and Manuel Oliver, who have been invited to this gathering to commemorate the life and continued legacy and activism of their son.

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Guacathon will unfold as a virtual urban festival, packed with people listening to music, interacting with art, and shooting hoops. Fiercely independent Miami-raised MC Denzel Curry will perform on the mainstage, bringing songs from his most recent album, the critically-acclaimed Melt My Eyez See Your Future, as well as his storied catalog to the stage. Curry has worked closely with some of the most exciting names in music, from rap titans like Ross Ross and T-Pain, to idiosyncratic bass maestro Thundercat and legendary producer Robert Glasper, among others. He has recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NPR's Tiny Desk Concert and performed show stopping freestyles for Funk Flex and LA Leakers. 2022 has seen Denzel Curry cement himself as one of the most vital names in rap after a decade-long ascent from underground icon.

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"There's been a lot of misuse of guns in the United States that claim the lives of many, I've lost a lot of friends and family members to gun violence," remarks Curry. "Today isn't a sad day for the family of Joaquin…today is a day we celebrate the life of Joaquin to the fullest to show his legacy will never be forgotten and that we have brighter days yet to come."

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Around the virtual block party, Roblox community members will be able to view a new portrait of Joaquin, created by underground legendary artist and viral phenom Shepard Fairey, whose ubiquitous OBEY campaign and Obama HOPE poster designs impacted and moved millions. In addition, Fairey's work has been exhibited in museums such as MOMA and the Victoria and Albert. This is Fairey's first interactive public art project on Roblox.

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"I've seen how art can shift the conversation and bring us together in politically and culturally meaningful ways," notes Fairey. "I'm eager to watch this same thing unfold in the metaverse and to see if we can start a new conversation around gun safety and violence that's led by the young people too often impacted by it."

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Along with performances and participatory art experiences, Guacathon will also feature custom minigames reflecting Joaquin's loves, including street art and basketball. Paint Zone lets visitors grab a virtual spray paint can and compete in a race to tag as many areas and earn as many points as possible. Hoop Jam challenges sports fans to beat the clock and make increasingly difficult shots. In both minigames competitors earn tokens that can be used to unlock virtual merch that commemorates the event, including a Roblox version of Guac's guitar and a special Guac jersey. All proceeds from these sales go to Change the Ref. In addition, Shepard Fairey and Denzel Curry will offer several special virtual items, with half the proceeds from the sale of these items going to Change the Ref.

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In celebrating Joaquin's life, the Olivers want to highlight the role young people can play in speaking up and supporting meaningful change in their communities. "We're not having a moment of silence. We're having a party," explains Joaquin's mother Patricia. "I'm grateful for the metaverse, for having a place where my son can help people connect and share his life. I want his peers to enjoy a party in his honor and make friends with his metaverse self."

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Most importantly, Joaquin will appear as an avatar at his family's request throughout the experience, serving as an inspiration for the festivities. It reflects Change the Ref's belief that we can shift our relationship to gun violence and safety through positive, artful work together. This metaverse edition of Guacathon continues several years of tech-forward, celebrity-hosted virtual events on platforms like Facebook Live and Twitch, all of which reflected this commitment to creative activism and youth empowerment.

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"It's an honor to work with the Oliver family and bring Joaquin to the metaverse. Manuel and Patricia's strength and love for life is an inspiration that has driven this project," notes Josh Neuman, co-founder and co-CEO of MELON. "We hope that Guacathon moves young people through this celebration, and that they can feel the passion of this special family and the community they have built around them."

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Guacathon opens on August 4, 2022. Denzel Curry's premier performance takes place at 3pm PST on Friday, August 5 and he will repeat an encore performance every hour until 11pm PST on August 7.

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Today, family-owned Bush's Beans announced that its Foodservice Team has partnered up with Version1, a professional gaming and esports entertainment company, and GENYOUth, a national non-profit organization which creates healthier school communities and battles youth food insecurity, to host an invitational collegiate Rocket League Tournament during Hunger Action Month this September.

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Since 1908, Bush's Beans has been passionate about serving the community and finding opportunities to give back. Through this new partnership and upcoming tournament with Version1 and GENYOUth, Bush's Foodservice Team will look to raise awareness of the student hunger issue among Gen Z, a generation which is passionate about expressing themselves, global causes and doing well by doing good.

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"Student hunger is a serious issue," said Ken Oakley, Senior Brand Manager of Bush's. "As a food supplier, it is very close to our hearts and an issue we believe that we can positively impact."

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"Connecting with the Gen Z audience through this partnership will help us mobilize more of the support we all need to make a greater impact on the cause, help solve hunger and reduce food nutrition issues," Oakley added.

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"30 million students rely on school nutrition programs for a significant portion of their daily nutrition, and for many it's the only source of good nutrition that they receive on some days. With rising food costs, supply chain issues, labor shortages and the elimination of COVID-era waivers, school nutrition programs will continue to be in financial peril and children may go hungry," said Ann Marie Krautheim, registered dietitian and CEO of GENYOUth. "We are proud to be a part of this purpose-driven partnership with Bush's and Version1 to engage the Gen Z and esports communities to end student hunger."

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Version1 will host the Rocket League tournament on Twitch and is targeting top collegiate esports teams to compete. While the Rocket League teams and players will compete remotely, all the action will be live-streamed in real-time with event hosts and casters.

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Leading up to and during the one-day tournament, Bush's, Version1 and GENYOUth will cultivate meaningful experiences to inform, engage and connect with audiences about student hunger issues, in addition to a variety of unique content offerings featuring Version1's content creators and professional players. The event and initiative will be further amplified through various multimedia content offerings, the inclusion in various collegiate Rocket League streams, and Version1 broadcast and social media assets. Version1 and Bush's expects to announce the schools that will be invited to participate in the tournament in the coming weeks.

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"It is clear Bush's Beans is interested in authentically engaging young people in its pursuit to support GENYOUth's efforts to end student hunger," said Brett Diamond, chief operating officer at Version1. "Rocket League is a high-energy game that attracts all types of fans, but it's hard to find a more engaged audience in esports than students and college-age fans. We anticipate this tournament will help Bush's and GENYOUth realize a new, authentic way to engage with its Gen Z audiences."

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For more information on the partnership between Bush's® Beans, Version1 and GENYOUth and the upcoming 2022 Invitational Rocket League Tournament, please visit bushbeans.com/fightyouthhunger or for more information on GENYOUth or to make a donation, visit www.genyouthnow.org/donate.

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The launch of a new wealth management firm, WealthVisory℠, was announced today by its four principals. WealthVisory is a merger of three successful Texas-based financial advising firms, Waits Financial Group, Source Rock Capital Management, and Lollis Financial Advisors. WealthVisory brings together its leaders' extensive experience and complementary skills and credentials to offer a deep bench of talents and services in integrated financial planning and investment portfolio management.

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WealthVisory will guide continuing and new wealth management clients through its proprietary financial planning process, the SmartMethod℠. Developed by WealthVisory's principals based on their combined decades of professional expertise, the SmartMethod integrates wealth management with risk and debt management, income and tax planning, estate planning, and philanthropy. It is designed to continually monitor and adjust for critical life, market and financial events as they occur, keeping individuals and families financially secure and on track to reach their financial planning goals.

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WealthVisory's founding team brings together two CFP® professionals, three AIF® designated advisors, a CWS® professional, and a CEFEX Analyst® expert on 401K advising. This expanded team expertise serves clients with customized, comprehensive wealth management services. WealthVisory's leadership will maintain its longstanding affiliation with Prospera Financial Services, an award-winning firm of independent professionals built by advisors, for advisors. Prospera will continue to provide back-office administrative support, technology, trading platforms and compliance for WealthVisory.

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WealthVisory is led by George Lollis, Brian Fees, Casey Waits, and Chris White. Each offered commentary on the new firm:

• "As friends and colleagues, we've long planned and discussed this founding as our next step. The Vision has now become reality, and we're thrilled to bring an elevated level of client experience and added value services to longtime and new clients," said George Lollis.
• "WealthVisory is truly more than the sum of its parts. With deep respect for each other's expertise and professional success, we've built a team to serve our clients, together, in newly expanded ways," said Brian Fees.
• "We're looking forward to bringing the best of our combined experience, with more support for client service and even more investment and planning expertise," noted Casey Waits.
• "Together, as WealthVisory, we can do more. We're very excited to bring the SmartMethod to serve our clients with more personalized, comprehensive planning than ever before," stated Chris White.

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Ashia Fortenberry, owner of local spa Renique U Spa Boutique, has published a new book titled The Business Credit Blueprint. The book is intended to be a step-by-step guide on establishing business credit.

“This beginner’s guide is the key to finally getting on the right track,” said Fortenberry. “I’m thrilled to provide this manual for entrepreneurs all across the world.”

The Business Credit Blueprint will be available on August 5, and includes information on business credit, the startup phase, and establishing net 30 accounts. This book is intended to help entrepreneurs navigate the often-confusing world of business credit with an easy to use, self-guided solution.  

To purchase the book, and for more information, visit: www.reniqueuboutique.com.

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Jeans4you.shop, a leading online retailer specializing in fashionable denim apparel, today announced the launch of its new line of biker jeans, catering to the motorcycle enthusiasts as well as customers who enjoy fashion everywhere. The products will feature wear-resistant and waterproof Kevlar fabric.

The biker jeans will also qualify for the company's 2022 Season Sale, a promotion that offers free international shipping and 10% off on all orders over $100. The deal extends to all of the company's denim products for men and women, including jeans pants, jackets, dresses, overalls, and skirts. The promotion will only be available until September 1st.

“We are thrilled to introduce our new range of biker jeans for men and women online,” said Andrius Lebedevas, owner of Jeans4you.shop.

For more information, please visit: www.jeans4you.shop.

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Joyce Farms, a premier provider of all-natural and heritage breed meat and poultry products, announced today that Ryan Joyce, formerly VP of Finance, and Stuart Joyce, formerly VP of Operations, have assumed the roles of President & CEO and Executive Vice President of Joyce Farms, respectively. Ron Joyce, who has served as President & CEO for the last 40 years, will remain Chairman of the Board and will play an active advisory role with the company moving forward.

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The change comes as part of a succession plan to ensure company longevity and success. "Both of them grew up in the business," says Ron Joyce. "They helped build Joyce Farms into a successful third-generation company. I am proud of them and what they have already accomplished. This will allow Joyce Farms to continue to grow as a family-owned business long into the future."

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Ryan and Stuart represent the third generation of Joyces to lead Joyce Farms since it was founded in 1962 by their grandfather, Alvin Joyce. They follow in the footsteps of their father Ron Joyce, who joined the business in 1971 and spearheaded its growth from a small chicken wholesaler to a multi-species meat and poultry producer specializing in heritage breeds and regenerative farming practices.

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"Ron leaves behind big shoes to fill," said Ryan Joyce, "but thanks to his hard work, we have a strong foundation to build on as we lead Joyce Farms into the future."

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Ryan first joined Joyce Farms in 2008 after graduating from N.C. State University with a degree in Business Management. In 2010, he left the company to attend Wake Forest University, where he earned his JD/MBA, and soon after, passed the NC Bar. Ryan returned to Joyce Farms in 2014 as VP of Finance before assuming his role as President & CEO.

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Executive Vice President Stuart Joyce joined Joyce Farms after graduation from N.C. State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business Management. He has played an active leadership role in the company, overseeing all poultry operations from the plant and hatchery in Winston-Salem to the grow-out of birds for Joyce Farms' Heritage Poultry line.

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Desti, the dating and social application designed to allow users to filter potential matches based on date destinations, announced today its official launch in Austin, Texas. Desti provides users a first-of-its-kind dating app experience unlike any other platforms on the market by not only saving users from the dreaded "small talk" of existing dating apps, but also by allowing potential matches to identify where and when they plan to meet up in their city.

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"It's been about 10 years since dating apps like Tinder and Bumble emerged,'' said John Taylor, CEO of Desti. "In that time the landscape of social media has evolved but they haven't as much. We feel that Desti creates a new lane and is positioned for this generation of users."

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Desti's innovative technology gives users control of their own experience by letting them filter who they see based on where they want to go, while simultaneously allowing users to discover hundreds of local businesses through engaging Desti videos. In an effort to drive people to start conversations with other users, Desti has removed the "send like'' feature. By removing the feature to only "like'' people and never start a conversation with them, Desti is on a mission to save users time and energy by avoiding the small talk and rather, starting a natural social conversation.

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"When developing Desti, our goal was to create a distinctive user experience that offered at least 10 times more efficiency than competitors," said Nick Dominguez, COO and Lead Designer/Developer of Desti. "We decided to bet on short form video being the future and provide people a way to communicate with far less friction. If you take a look at any woman's dating app inbox it's not hard to see the issue. I looked to books I read like Zero to One by Peter Thiel for capitalizing on the last movers advantage."

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Desti was created with single women's best interest in mind. Managing any current dating app is a full time job, and between drowning in small talk, boring dead-end conversations, terrible one-liners, and flakey matches that never go anywhere, Desti's founders saw there was clear friction in communication. Desti wants to bridge the gap between matching with someone and never conversing with them, and help foster real relationships.

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"Desti's mission to shift online dating towards in-person dating is a change we can all get behind," said Julia Chesbrough, designer at Desti and former designer at Hinge. "When I heard that Desti wanted to bring people off of their phones and into the real world, pushing people to meet their matches in real life, I was really excited. Having worked in the dating app industry before, I knew just how difficult it was to motivate people to get outside their comfort zones and onto a date."

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Desti launched on the App Store on July 31, 2022 for all smartphone users in the Austin area on iOS.

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Today, nationally-recognized culture & leadership expert Jason V. Barger celebrates the release of his latest book: Breathing Oxygen: How Positive Leadership Gives Life to Winning Cultures. The book is on sale now via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Amplify Publishing, and more.

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Nine out of every ten employees say they would take a pay cut to work for a more meaningful culture. It's widely-known that a leader's job is to cultivate a positive environment for themselves and their employees. This is a challenge, though. Every move made is either breathing life into the organization or killing it. The atmosphere can easily turn toxic, with negativity, blame, and doubt poisoning the culture.

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Over the past decade, noted author, consultant, and podcast host Jason Barger has advised some of the world's biggest brands—including Deloitte, Wendy's, Caribou Coffee, Ultimate Software, Syracuse University, Nationwide Insurance, NetJets, Kaiser Permanente, and many others—on how to engage the minds and hearts of their people.

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In his newest book Breathing Oxygen, Barger explores six key mindsets:

• Clarity
• Inclusivity
• Agility
• Grit
• Rest
• Ownership

that bring energy to every team and expand their productivity and your organization's potential.

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"We all need air to breathe. When its good air, we are able to sustain the energy we need to complete our missions in life. It's the same when it comes to leadership. A manager breathes life into their team. Positive, healthy thinking is as essential to great leadership and building a winning culture as air," says Barger.

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Jason V. Barger has always been committed to engaging people's minds and hearts. As the founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting—recognized as a Top 20 Leadership Development training and coaching company by HR Tech Outlook—Jason is a sought-after keynote speaker and culture consultant.

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His previous books—Step Back from the Baggage Claim, ReMember, and Thermostat Cultures—have been celebrated by the New York Times and global media. He has been recognized as a Top 200 Thought Leader to Follow by PeopleHum and a Forty Under 40 leader by Business First. He is also the host of the hit podcast The Thermostat with Jason Barger.

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Breathing Oxygen is on sale now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Amplify Publishing, and other major retailers. Learn more here.

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Cobb Children's Learning Center, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to ensuring equitable access to high-quality childcare and early education, today announced it is launching the “Grow Your Own Teacher” program for all full-time employees. The center will provide full college tuition and any out-of-pocket expenses for eligible employees to earn an undergraduate certificate, associate’s degree, and/or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. The program is designed to recruit, develop, and retain teachers who are already in the community.

“We recognize our emergent and child-centered approach is a unique offering in Southern Oregon,” says Jessica Gaul, executive director and head of people of Cobb Children’s Learning Center. “The ‘Grow Your Own Teacher’ program draws from people who have a passion for a child-centered approach but are not yet familiar or perhaps not yet comfortable with putting all the pieces together. Through thoughtful support and mentorship, employees who participate in the program develop a comprehensive understanding of our method while forging meaningful and lasting relationships with our existing teaching teams.”

Three years ago, in an effort to recruit and retain the best talent, Cobb Children’s Learning Center adjusted salaries to above-market rates, embedded paid professional development, and expanded its benefits program. This evolved into the idea of supporting its employees in pursuing post-secondary education. “Our dream became an achievable goal with ‘The Grow Your Own Teacher’ program, and we are so pleased to now invest in educators at every level to grow their careers and ultimately improve early education and long-term outcomes for our community,” says Gaul.

For more information on Cobb’s Children’s Learning Center, please visit: www.cobbschool.org.

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Rockstar Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is excited to announce that they are now serving the Washington, DC area! Washington, DC residents will enjoy the office's excellent dental and orthodontics care. "With our extensive experience and knowledge, we are confident to provide our patients with the best possible care in Washington, DC," said Dr. Stella Chukwu.

Rockstar Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is located in Washington, DC and committed to serving the surrounding communities of Shepherd Park, Takoma Park, Brightwood, Chevy Chase, Manor Park, and Silver Spring, MD. Our dental office has a design where children feel comfortable during their treatment. The office will adhere to the Rockstar business model that has made them leading pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in Maryland.

The pediatric dentistry department offers fluoride treatment, nerve treatment, hospital dentistry, infant dental exams, and tooth-colored fillings. In addition, services provided include tooth extractions, pediatric dental emergencies, routine cleaning and exams, and teeth whitening. Other special services include space maintainers, digital x-rays, zirconia crowns, and laughing gas. Orthodontic services include braces, early treatment, traditional braces, porcelain braces, adult orthodontics, and precise aligner therapy. Combining all these services from a premier orthodontist in Washington, DC, makes them an ideal orthodontics center.

About Rockstar Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

At Rockstar Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we provide the best orthodontics and pediatric dental treatment for children in Washington, DC and surrounding areas. We believe that children deserve to have rockstar smiles, and we do everything we can to help them achieve that goal. Laughter and smiles flood our office in Washington, DC, but that's simply the work of our Rockstar team. We love working with children and seeing them enjoy a dental experience built around their needs. Our team has the right skills to work with anxious children and make them feel relaxed in our dental office. Our dental team will communicate openly and clearly about all procedures (both children and parents) to ensure you're comfortable. We put kids at center stage as we guide them to a lifetime of healthy smiles! We set ourselves apart from the competition with our unwavering commitment to excellence and the constant pursuit of the best possible results for our clients.

Contact Information

Name: Dr. Stella Chukwu
Organization: Rockstar Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
Address: 7838 Eastern Ave NW Suite D, Washington, DC 20012
Phone: (202) 596-9094
Website: www.rockstarpediatricdentistry.com
Email: info@rockstarkidsdental.com
Facebook: @rockstarpediatricdentistry
Instagram: @rockstarpediatricdentistry

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The Functional Chocolate Company® is pleased to announce that its products are available through Goody - the gift-giving platform on a mission to spur genuine connections with friends and family.

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Goody is a mobile app and a business gifting platform which allows you to send amazing personal, employee, client, and customer gifts as easily as a text or email. Goody's defining features are its unique gift recipient experience, which allows users to select their choice of gift flavor, color, size, or swap their gift for another item, and enter shipping information themselves, and its curated collection of 300+ trendy gift brands, now including The Functional Chocolate Company.

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The Functional Chocolate Company's award-winning vegan dark chocolate is paired with a blend of condition-specific nutraceuticals - vitamins, minerals, botanicals and amino acids, to help address a variety of everyday health realities - from sleep to energy, stress to focus and much more.

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"Functional Chocolate helps make every day a little better," explained Nicole Smith, CEO, The Functional Chocolate Company. "We're delighted to collaborate with Goody to help make the gift of health more accessible to everyone. Functional Chocolate is the perfect gift to show some love for someone special, for motivating a team, thanking a partner, or simply as a bit of self care."

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Goody offers the most popular products from The Functional Chocolate Company including individual products and several curated bundles including:

• Health Realities Starter Pack
• Trusty Traveler Pack
• Sexy Me Feel Good Pack
• Back in Balance PMS Pack

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Sweet Dirt, a Maine-based, vertically integrated cannabis company, today announced the grand opening of its Bridgton, Maine adult use cannabis store. Located at 1 Beaver Creek Farm Road, the new store will open its doors at 9am ET, Friday, August 5. The refinished 2,500 square-foot retail location is the Company's third recreational cannabis store and its second store in Cumberland County.

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Only 40 minutes from North Conway, New Hampshire, and an hour west of Portland, Maine, Bridgton is part of Maine's Lake Region and is bordered by Long Lake, Highland Lake, Moose Pond, Sebago Lake, and the nearby Naples Causeway. Bridgton is also home to Pleasant Mountain, southern Maine's tallest mountain, known for its extensive trail system and Shawnee Peak ski resort. Strategically located near the intersection of Routes 117 and 302, Sweet Dirt Bridgton will proudly serve the greater Bridgton community plus guests visiting the areas 33 lakes and ponds, mountains and trails, and Bridgton's shops and galleries.

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Sweet Dirt Bridgton will feature a thoughtfully curated mix of Maine-grown and Maine-made products including flower, pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates, hemp, CBD, and ancillary products. Sweet Dirt will also offer its own brands and its organically-grown cannabis certified clean by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).

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Sweet Dirt has hired more than two dozen employees to support the new location including a dozen retail staff in and around Bridgton and additional cultivation and manufacturing employees at the Company's nine-acre campus in Eliot, Maine.

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"With Summer in full-swing, we are thrilled to be opening our Bridgton location and eager to become part of the Bridgton community" says Jim Henry, Chief Executive Officer, Sweet Dirt. "Bridgton - with its abundance of natural beauty, year-round outdoor recreation opportunities, and appreciation for the arts - is an ideal location to introduce our Sweet Dirt retail model and in-house brands to Mainers and visitors alike."

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Sweet Dirt Bridgton will be open daily, 9am to 9pm, for adults aged 21 and older. Online ordering is available at https://shop.sweetdirt.com

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A ribbon-cutting, hosted by the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce, will be held at Sweet Dirt Bridgton on Thursday, August 4, at 10am.

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Shawarma Press, the award-winning quick-service franchise committed to bringing authentic, healthy Mediterranean fare to the masses, continued to dot the Texas landscape with the recent opening of its sixth location in Frisco. Enthusiastic customers swiftly welcomed the restaurant to the community by showing up hours before the grand opening and forming a line that snaked throughout the parking lot. Members of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce and other local dignitaries joined in the festivities that included free samples of mouthwatering shawarma and discounts on wraps and signature menu items. Located at 6363 Dallas Parkway, Suite 107, the Frisco locale is the sixth Shawarma Press operating throughout Texas, including restaurants inside Walmart stores in Arlington, Plano, San Antonio and Georgetown, and the company's flagship headquarters in Irving.

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"We are overwhelmed by the warm reception we are receiving from the Frisco community," said Shawarma Press Franchising CEO and co-founder Sawsan Abublan. "Seeing so many eager customers show up on opening day, and then returning later with family and friends, is truly a blessing. "We are passionate about bringing our concept of healthy Mediterranean food to the Frisco area."

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Open daily from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., the new location is the go-to place for authentic and innovative Mediterranean fare, including shawarma wraps made with all-natural chicken and premium beef, made-from-scratch falafels and hummus, and fresh soups, salads, bowls, and pastries. The menu, as well as an interactive nutrition calculator to assist customers on restricted diets or concerned about allergies, reflects the brand's commitment to health and acknowledgment of the Mediterranean Diet notably ranked as the healthiest diet in the world.

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"Customers are realizing that Shawarma Press is an alternative to quick service food that is sometimes loaded with empty calories and high in sugars, fat, preservatives, and sodium," said Abublan. "We are thrilled to offer our guests delicious, nourishing, heart-healthy dishes they can feel good about."

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In addition to dining at the cheerful, colorful restaurant, take-out and delivery options are available, as well as catering for special occasions or events. Customer favorites include the incredibly addictive, freshly made hummus as well as wraps to please all taste buds, including Chicken Shawarma, the traditional Tandori Press™ and the spicy original Tex-Mex Press™.

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Co-founded by Dallas entrepreneurs Sawsan Abublan and Dr. Ehap Sabri, the first Shawarma Press opened its doors in Irving in 2017. Since then, restaurant's growing popularity resulted in franchise inquiries throughout Texas and nationwide. According to Ehap Sabri, PhD, who is a former KPMG supply chain leader and an adjunct professor at UTD's School of Business, additional restaurants will be opening throughout Texas this year, followed by Wichita Falls, Lufkin, and Temple. He said the expansion plan is to open more than 100 restaurants inside Walmart stores and stand-alone locations during the next five years.

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In addition to rapid expansion, Shawarma Press is receiving recognition and praise from the restaurant franchise industry. The co-founders were recently recipients of the 2022 Innovation Award presented by Franchise Update Media, which recognizes the top franchisors in the nation who are creating the most successful strategies to build their brands. Shawarma Press received the Most Innovative Supply Chain Award. In addition, Sabri and Abublan were recently named to fastcasual.com's Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, which recognizes the industry's most successful fast casual restaurant brands based on criteria such as profitability, creativity, expansion, and dedication to innovation, leadership, and resilience.

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In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Lotus Moon Skin Care created a limited edition, commemorative "Peace Begins With Me," candle. As founder and CEO, Lake Louise sends a message, "With all of the turmoil and fighting going on in the world, we wanted to create something that would encourage us to turn inward and reflect on how we can create more peace within ourselves so that we may shine it on others."

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This commemorative candle uses 100% coconut-based wax, blended with essential oils of lavender, geranium, and ylang ylang, designed to relax the body mentally and emotionally. It includes crushed rose petals, a symbol of love, and topped with a citrine crystal, which is associated with positivity and optimism.

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Entrepreneur Louise founded Lotus Moon Skin Care in Oakland, CA, in 2002. As a lifelong learner and former educator with a master's degree in education from Stanford University, she states, "I ‛dug my heels' into ingredients and wellness research to launch Lotus Moon Skin Care."

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Lake says she was the first ecommerce brand in the clean beauty space. In 2002 there were no website design plug n play apps, so she enrolled in an HTML course at the local junior college to learn how to code her own website from scratch.

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"Brick by brick" her business grew, and subsequently they moved to their current location in Atlanta, GA, in 2014. From day one, sustainable business practices have always been a part of what the team at Lotus Moon Skin Care focuses on. Consideration of the impact on the environment is woven into their business culture.

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The premiere product, Skin Regen, a scar-fading oil, was actually created for Lake's mother to help her heal a post-surgical scar. It was the start of the brand's vision of wanting a cleaner alternative to petroleum to help heal the skin after an injury or surgery.

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Their key to progressing forward is in giving back. Lotus Moon Skin Care is on a mission to support social and economic justice organizations through their 1% donation program. Also, they have a mission-driven hiring practice that seeks to employ formerly incarcerated and other marginalized people. Products are plant-based and cruelty-free. In addition, manufacturing, bottling, and filling takes place in the U.S.A.

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Looking back over the past 20 years, Lake recounts, "Little did I know, what started as a single product to address my own hormone-related skin changes would turn into skincare solutions for 1,000's of women who experience the same."

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Ready or not, the way people receive mail and packages is about to drastically change. On Monday, August 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Ind., (a suburb of Indianapolis) history will be made when traditional mail is delivered to the world's first smart mailbox. That delivery will be followed by a McDonald's Big Mac and French fries drop to that same mailbox via drone to Schneider Geospatial.

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The postal delivery is part of a pilot project involving other Dronedek mailboxes, which are powered by Oracle, throughout the city.

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"We're showcasing how this mailbox is ready right now for traditional delivery and what it can do in the near future when federal regulations are relaxed to enable autonomous delivery," says Dan O'Toole, founder and CEO of Dronedek. "We're also marking the start of secure autonomous package delivery. It's historic."

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The Dronedek mailboxes are located outside La Hacienda at 5625 Lawton Loop E Dr.; Culver's 5525 N. Post Road; Bloomerang, 5724 Birtz Road; and Schneider Geospatial at 8901 Otis Ave. O'Toole says his company is in talks with major national delivery services, including UberEats, DoorDash and other major retail delivery companies.

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Mayor Steve Collier said it makes sense that Dronedek chose Lawrence for its global headquarters and first launch site. The Fort Ben Tech Campus and City of Lawrence won TechPoint's Rising Tech City Mira Award in 2020. Bloomerang is a current TechPoint Mira Awards nominee, and Schneider Geospatial is a two-time Mira Award winner.

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"Dronedek chose to grow with us because we are rapidly becoming known as a city that encourages tech innovation," he said. "We'd be happy to add 'birthplace of the smart mailbox' to our claims to fame."

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"McDonald's French fries are the best and we are excited to watch this new delivery option," said Eric Moore, McDonald's franchisee. "Dronedek's climate-controlled mailbox is a game-changer. We can't wait to see Dronedeks become a delivery option for everyone everywhere."

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Marco Dominguez, spokesperson for La Hacienda, said his restaurant staff is thrilled to prepare drone-delivered meals, too.

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"This is where the food delivery business is heading," he said. "We'd love to be among the first restaurants in the country to offer delivery via drone."

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Ross Hendrickson, CEO of Bloomerang, said his team is just as thrilled to be among the first to see their lunch arrive from the sky.

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"The pandemic got us used to delivery, but this is next level," says Hendrickson. "We're a tech company, so we're early adopters. We're also serious about delivering to our customers and to our team."

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Jeff Corns, CEO of Schneider Geospatial, said it won't be long before Dronedek mailboxes will be routine.

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"Robotic delivery at Purdue University was a novelty when that began, and now, no one even thinks about sharing the sidewalk with those devices," adds Corns. "The pandemic really increased consumer demand for delivery, and consumers want faster, more secure ways of getting their products. Dronedek solves for that in a really cool way."

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Industry experts project double digit growth in the drone delivery sector in the next few years if regulations ease and guidelines are established. Companies like Amazon and Alphabet say drone delivery is the future of e-commerce fulfillment.

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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. brother George Paasewe has published One Day, I Will Become an Alpha, a children's book about the fraternity to educate, inspire, and encourage youths of all ages to pursue membership when they get to college. Paasewe was initiated through the fraternity's Mu Alpha Lambda chapter in the fall of 2018 on the campus of Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, Illinois). One Day, I Will Become an Alpha is now available to consumers worldwide. Paasewe's children's book about Alpha Phi Alpha was approved by the fraternity's General President, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, in December of 2021.

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One Day, I Will Become an Alpha is about a boy named Eugene, who grows up admiring and emulating his father, a distinguished brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Eugene's father takes an active interest in enrooting Alpha's values, morals, and characteristics within his son. Throughout the book, Eugene's father gives him insights into what it takes to become an Alpha. Eugene explores his imagination and has a glimpse of his future as an Alpha man and joining the same fraternity as his father. By the end of Eugene's journey, he recognizes Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity's mission and the true meaning of brotherhood, scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind.

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"This book is dedicated to stimulating the interest of the youth and giving them a glimpse of what the future holds for them as members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.," says Paasewe. "It is also dedicated to the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha themselves to reflect on their journey of becoming members of this distinguished fraternity."

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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is the first intercollegiate Black Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men. Seven college men—known as the "Jewels" of the fraternity—founded Alpha Phi Alpha at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, on December 4, 1906. These seven founders recognized the need for a strong brotherhood that serves a social and intellectual purpose for men of African descent. The fraternity began as a study and support organization for minority students at Cornell who encountered academically and socially racial prejudice. Soon after its inception at Cornell, Alpha Phi Alpha chapters sprang up at other colleges and universities across the nation, emphasizing academic excellence, service, and advocacy among its members.

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"When I joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I gained a robust brotherhood comprised of intelligent and like-minded Black men who are determined to debunk all prejudice and stereotypes associated with Black men by being distinguished leaders and advocates in society," says Paasewe. "This children's book is for the culture. It is for the communities and families of color to see themselves in a book because representation matters and this book is about changing the narrative of Black men."

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Click the following link to purchase your copy of the book: One Day, I Will Become an Alpha

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