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Ben Brunton, co-founder of Prestige Motorsports in San Antonio, is a prolific entrepreneur with multiple successful business ventures under his belt. Ben has an extensive background in business, specifically healthcare. He is a founding partner of Medical Facilities Holdings (MFH), PSN Affiliates, and, most recently, BE Enterprises, LLC.

Ben’s most recent venture, BE Enterprises, encompasses his and his business partner’s luxury lifestyle brands. Ben spends much of his time curating these unique lifestyle brands, ranging from luxury estate experiences with Edward Anthony Lifestyles, a bed and breakfast vineyard in Napa, Chateau De Vi, and most recently, opening a motorsports club and luxury car service, storage, and leasing business, Prestige Motorsports.

“Since childhood, I have had a massive passion for vehicles, cars, and motorsports. I saw a need in Texas, nationally, and globally with people like myself who have a car collection. These folks want to ensure each vehicle is serviced well, all while showing off their collection. This niche brings like-minded people together, and we saw an opportunity to create a country club-esque membership for people with this shared passion. That was the impetus for starting my storage and service facility. It allows me to enjoy my cars while giving back to the larger vehicle-loving community,” says Brunton.

At their state-of-the-art facility spanning 19,000 square feet in the northern part of San Antonio, members can enjoy a wide array of amenities. Provided by their in-house boutique dealership, car enthusiasts have the opportunity to purchase, sell, trade, or consign their vehicles. The members-only clubhouse boasts an opulent viewing lounge situated on a 3,000-square-foot mezzanine, complete with a full-service bar, large-screen TVs, a cutting-edge realistic Formula 1™ simulator, and more.

A range of services is offered to their members to ensure their vehicles remain in optimal condition. The Prestige Performance Shop, their official service and performance provider, can provide a spectrum of detailing services, from routine maintenance washes to comprehensive paint correction and ceramic coating. Also, the climate-controlled and secure storage facility presents an enticing and distinctive option for the storage needs of car collectors.

Moreover, members gain access to an array of social events, including Formula 1™ and other major sports viewing parties, poker nights, networking events, and more. Prestige Motorsports also holds exclusive access to Edward Anthony Lifestyles' property portfolio in Napa Valley. With every curated experience and event, the Prestige team takes care of every detail for an elevated excursion.

Prestige Motorsports continually hopes to expand its offerings for its members and strives to continue to give back to the San Antonio community. The team is highly focused on their commitment to customized customer services. Bruton hopes that Prestige Motorsports will leave a legacy and open up opportunities for community, partnership, and connections with shared vision and passions. He wants Prestige Motorsports to cultivate a place where people can connect and make memories.

About Prestige Motorsports

Prestige Motorsports is the premier automotive social club in the San Antonio area. Surround yourself with the most “prestigious” people and cars San Antonio has to offer. Our beautiful dealership, storage facility, and lounge are the ultimate places for motorsports enthusiasts and car lovers to enjoy. Whether you’re coming by to have a drink, enjoy the clubhouse, or network with our membership community—Prestige Motorsports has you covered. From drive days and watch parties to members-only events with special guests, we are more than just a show gallery for your vehicles. We are a group where you can connect and build friendships. With our full-service bar, state-of-the-art Formula simulator, and luxurious automotive-themed lounge, members are sure to enjoy their time at Prestige Motorsports.

Media Contact

Madison Baber

+1 210-213-2426

madison@rprfirm.com

AdvicePay, the leading platform for processing payments and overseeing compliance of fee-for-service financial planning so advisors can get paid for their advice, announced today that it has launched new integrations with eMoney, a leading provider of technology solutions that helps people talk about money, that will offer efficiencies for joint customers navigating between the two platforms.

With the integration, advisors can eliminate redundant tasks like logging in or creating client profiles in each platform. Advisors will also be able to send AdvicePay-generated documents, such as planning agreements or invoices, directly to their client’s eMoney vault, centralizing all important information related to their engagement with the advisor.

“As more and more financial advisors charge standalone fees for their financial planning services, existing AUM-based workflows for billing from portfolio management systems may not work anymore. Instead, as financial planning becomes the central value proposition, financial planning software like eMoney becomes the central hub for clients… and so it’s only natural that financial planning fee billing capabilities become more deeply integrated to financial planning software,” said AdvicePay co-founder Michael Kitces. “We view the eMoney partnership as a unique opportunity to join forces with another leader in this space. Together, we are building an entire fee-for-service planning ecosystem to help advisors capitalize on the growing demand from consumers to be able to simply pay one-time or ongoing subscription fees for the advice relationship they want.”

For AdvicePay and eMoney, the integration creates a natural synergy. The idea for the integration originated with AdvicePay clients, who expressed interest in having a tie-in between the two systems, and will be available to all eMoney advisors looking to begin charging financial planning fees (or to expedite their billing workflows if they already charge for financial plans.)

“We look forward to helping advisors simplify and streamline their workflow so they can more easily get paid fees for their value, and spend their time doing what matters most: working with their clients to plan for the future,” said Ricky Illigasch, VP, Product Management at eMoney Advisor.

In November, AdvicePay announced that it had completed its one-millionth transaction since its launch in 2018. Over the past two years, AdvicePay has experienced a 102% increase in advisors added to the platform and a 193% growth in transaction volume. In 2023, for the second straight year, AdvicePay was named one of America’s fastest-growing private companies on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list.

Want to know more?

Check out our blog post, “Introducing the eMoney and AdvicePay Integration” for more insights and how to get set up.

To learn more about the AdvicePay platform, head to www.AdvicePay.com.

About AdvicePay

Established by well-known financial advisors Michael Kitces and Alan Moore, AdvicePay is the industry-leading billing and payment workflow solution created specifically for fee-for-service financial planning. Financial services firms and their advisors benefit from efficient workflows designed exclusively to support their fee-for-service financial planning revenue, including up-to-date compliance and data security management, all in one unified platform.

Media Contact

Shannon Beck

406-412-2047

media@advicepay.com

To instill confidence and foster innovation in the agricultural biologicals sector, DPH Biologicals announced the expansion of its science-first, data-verified approach with a multi-year effort to quantify the comprehensive value potential of biologicals.

“DPH Bio has been committed to science that yields results from day one. Based on multi-year field research and through collaborations with our partners, we aim to provide customers a deeper understanding of the distinct value potential unlocked by biologicals,” said Mick Messman, President and CEO of DPH Bio, speaking at the 2024 Commodity Classic agricultural trade show in Houston that annually convenes thousands of growers. “Historically, return-on-investment has been measured by the cost to increase yield. However, our customers see the long-term value that biologicals deliver, such as improved soil health, water use efficiency, disease control, and plantability.”

A review of 107 corn trials conducted over three years using TerraTrove SP-1 Classic revealed increased fertilizer efficiency in addition to average yield increase of 2.5 bu/A.

“Although yield is an important metric, we believe it’s critical for growers to be able to measure the holistic value of biologicals in the field and across their entire business,” said Messman. “As we expand our portfolio and industry partnerships, we are pioneering the concept of ‘BioAgonomics’ to capture and maximize the full value proposition of biological solutions. As we further analyze the data, we are seeing some interesting trends based on management practices and soil conditions.”

For example, in a multi-year study, SP-1 averaged 6.5 more bushels per acre in high-yield, 220-bushel per acre corn in the Midwest.

DPH Biologicals Introduces BioAgonomics™ to Redefine On-Farm Value

Defined by DPH Bio as the branch of knowledge in agriculture focused on the connection between agronomic practices in crop production and the transfer and consumption of value uniquely unlocked by biologicals, BioAgonomics™ uses biologicals to create sustainable profitability and ingenuity across the supply chain, delivering the highest value in the field and for channel partners, including growers, ag retailers and advisors, product manufacturers and food companies.

For instance, TerraTrove™ Residuce® Complete delivers more than increased yield and fertilizer savings. As a comprehensive biodigester, Residuce accelerates the breakdown of crop residue, like corn stover and tough organic matter. A Michigan State University study revealed that corn stover contains 100 pounds of nitrogen (N), 50 pounds of phosphorus (P), and 210 pounds of potassium (K) an acre on a 200- bushell crop. In a recent field trial, Residuce delivered 19.7% degradation after a fall application. By leveraging these findings, Residuce can be calculated to provide 19.7 pounds of N, 9.85 pounds of P and 41.37 pounds of K, or more than $45 per acre in fertilizer savings.

Furthermore, additional value can be quantified by accounting for factors, such as more uniform seedling emergence, reduced farm equipment wear and tear, reduction of the disease host, and improved plant standability, as well as the retention and conversion of carbon within the soil. Through collaborations with trusted advisors, including prominent researchers at University of Illinois, DPH Bio will continue to collect and evaluate data to calculate biologicals’ comprehensive value to growers in aspects beyond yield.

“With advanced scientific research and on-farm trials, results can easily be seen in the field, but we aspire for more,” said Messman. “The pivotal convergence of biologicals, agronomy and economics holds the key for a triple bottom-line impact by improving crop production, land stewardship and rural livelihoods. Looking ahead, and in collaboration with our partners, our mission is to give growers an even clearer, comprehensive view of their investment in biologicals.”

For more information, growers participating in Commodity Classic are invited to visit DPH Bio at Booth 6945 on the third floor of the George Brown Convention Center. In addition, the company plans a series of workshops, including a CropLife webinar on March 5th.

About DPH Biologicals

DPH Biologicals, LLC attracts, develops and scales technologies improving broad market access and simplifying the grower experience with biologicals. Based on investments in scientific research, field testing, partner relationships and product development, and leadership-owned since 2024, DPH Bio yields success through science and relationships, standing at the leading edge of clarity, trust and proven, profitable solutions for agricultural biologicals. For more information, visit www.dphbio.com.

Media Contact

Sara Winters

sara@agtechpr.com

Cognia®, the leader in school improvement and evaluation, announced today that it is acquiring fellow nonprofit CenterPoint Education Solutions, which supports educators in their use of assessment and curriculum. This acquisition, which was approved by Cognia’s board of directors Tuesday, enables Cognia to expand its assessment program to offer curriculum-based assessments offered at multiple intervals during the year.

The new assessments and aligned professional learning offered by CenterPoint provide an alternative for state education agencies, districts, and schools that want something more than traditional large-scale summative assessments. The assessments used by most states today for accountability purposes are not designed to help improve teaching and learning because they are given at the end of the year and do not reflect the curriculum that has been taught.

Based in Washington, D.C., CenterPoint has an extensive K-12 assessment item bank in mathematics, English language arts, and science. “CenterPoint is one of the most highly regarded curriculum-based assessment providers,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia. “This acquisition allows Cognia to be competitive in an emerging market immediately—this will have a direct impact on our existing summative work.” Cognia now offers options for next-generation assessment of learning for students across K-12 with learning alignment between classroom instruction and student assessments that are aligned to state standards and meet accountability requirements.

“CenterPoint has an important resource in curriculum-based assessments that are of great value to schools, districts, and states,” said Sue Krause, interim CEO of Center Point. “Cognia has a vast network of schools, districts, and states that are committed to improvement and want their assessments to reflect what students are learning.”

CenterPoint works with schools, districts, and states to provide reliable curriculum-based assessments, high-quality academic services, and expert professional learning solutions. This acquisition primes Cognia for growth and expands what Cognia offers states and districts that are looking to improve and be more responsive to students, parents, and teachers.

“These are two like-minded, mission-driven organizations that together will develop opportunities for states to align assessment with curriculum, improve their accountability systems, and drive improvement,” said Laura Stover, managing director, ETS and former CEO of CenterPoint.

The acquisition expands Cognia Assessment Solutions from grades 3 to 8 in English language arts, mathematics, and science to a full complement of K-12 summative and interim curriculum-based assessment solutions. The important grant-funded work CenterPoint is doing in K-12 science assessment will continue. CenterPoint staff will become a part of Cognia to support the design and delivery of curriculum-based assessments, and professional learning training on assessment use and literacy. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by June 30, 2024. Cognia will assume responsibility for the operation of CenterPoint on July 1.

About CenterPoint

CenterPoint Education Solutions is a nonprofit organization that supports schools, districts, and states in designing and implementing aligned systems of high-quality curriculum, assessments, and professional learning that drive high achievement for all children.

About Cognia

Cognia® is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping schools and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and professional services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning. Find out more at cognia.org. The news release can be found on the website here.

Media Contact

Shep Ranbom

+1 202-365-4774

sranbom@communicationworks.com

In an exhilarating display of art, innovation meets space exploration; Space Blue has catapulted bitcoin and art preservation into a celestial realm, marking a historic moment as the first bitcoin and bitcoin ordinal art projects landed in the Lunaprise, a payload bolted to the lunar lander. This monumental feat was achieved through the curation of 222 avant-garde art projects, encased for 1 billion years within the Lunaprise time capsule, now sitting on the lunar landscape since successfully landing there on February 22, 2024.

From Earth to Moon: A Journey of Bitcoin Art and Legacy

On a mission that sounds like the plot of a sci-fi blockbuster, the Lunaprise Moon Museum, aboard a payload in the SpaceX Falcon 9, embarked from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 15, 2022. Its successful lunar touchdown on February 22, 2024, as the Lunaprise museum was bolted to the lunar lander, was not just a triumph of logistics and engineering but a bold statement on the future of indestructive art.

Dallas Santana, the curator and founder behind Space Blue, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. With an exhilarating career spanning defense contracting, executive producing programming for major television networks, and pioneering Web 3.0 innovative projects minting on the blockchain the first sneakers, some of the first photo collections, and Academy Awards moments. Santana's latest venture curating art being permanently placed in space is a testament to his vision of merging cutting-edge technology available with the brilliant inventors of the nickel Nanofiche disks that are the lunar library, with human expression in art. He comes from a family who set records in technical innovation and art, his family are Ivy League graduates in art and art history, his grandparents both art professors set a world record for their art collection sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, and his grandfather was a young Yale engineer, working in media innovations with radio pioneer de Forest on the first broadcast of radio over bodies of water across Cape Cod.

The first project sent to the moon to be inscribed on Bitcoin for future art authentication was a motion picture and art collection called "The 9th Raider", a post-apocalyptic film (think Mad Max) Santana directed and which was funded entirely through Ethereum and Bitcoin, stands archived as the first feature film in the Lunaprise Museum on the moon. To make the film, Santana teamed up in projects with many of the other web 3.0 leaders including casting CL7, the most influential industry-famous digital art collector and the largest most influential collector of space art in the world. CL7 was cast in a starring role as an astronaut selected by AI in the future to save mankind by attempting to retrieve a knowledge ark left on Mars. The motorcyclist and actor CL7  boasts a space art collection in the tens of thousands of art pieces. CL7's film frames from the movie are now inscribed on the nickel nano fiche disks on the moon set to last over 1 billion years and now inscribed on the Bitcoin network as bitcoin ordinals. Talk about Hollywood's legacy immortalized with your images from a movie poster on the moon for a billion years and as indestructible bitcoin will certainly outlast the rusty metal inscriptions torn up every year on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

A Legacy Encoded in Bitcoin Ordinals

The Lunaprise Moon Museum hosts the first-ever Bitcoin ordinal art, embedding digital masterpieces directly into Bitcoin's DNA. Among these, Marshmello, the first pet character to reach the moon since the iconic Snoopy, has landed, bringing a touch of "lovable" to this stellar collection. The lovable moon pup Marshmello has 1,111 art pieces in the Lunaprise and had 11 super rare art pieces inscribed as bitcoin ordinals at the birth of bitcoin art as an ordinal in early 2023 as well on the largest digital collectible network in the U.S. on Nifty Gateway, where her art pieces have reached floor prices of over $1 million.

What's a Bitcoin Ordinal?

A revolutionary canvas for digital artists, Bitcoin ordinals inscribe art into Bitcoin's foundational elements, bitcoin ordinal platforms marking a new era for art commerce with over $334 million in bitcoin ordinal art sales worldwide in January 2024 alone in a new art innovation barely a year old. Space Blue got into the bitcoin art alongside one of its marketing partners BitBasel, who is also announcing that they will launch lunar art on their bitcoin ordinal network soon.

A Dream Fueled by Passion and Purpose

Dallas Santana's journey from aspiring astronaut to space art curator is fueled by a lifetime of dreams and determination. Inspired by the Apollo missions and a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps heading for naval aviation, Santana's path to Space Blue has been anything but conventional. Today, his dream of space exploration lives on through the Lunaprise mission, blending art, history, and technology.

The Art of the Universe: Preserving Humanity's Legacy

Under Santana's curation, the Lunaprise mission carries a treasure trove of human creativity, from Stan Lee's marvels to masterpieces of the Renaissance. This celestial archive ensures that humanity's cultural and scientific achievements are preserved for millennia, symbolizing a leap forward in our quest to immortalize human knowledge and creativity.

A New Era of Lunar Exploration and Art

It is NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services and the Arch Mission Foundation, that make Space Blue's Lunaprise mission more than an artistic endeavor; it's a cornerstone for future lunar exploration, a vision for securing humanity's culture, and knowledge for billions of year and a testament to humanity's unyielding spirit of discovery.

"Climate Refugees," a documentary directed by Michael P. Nash, has not only garnered critical acclaim since its premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival but has also become a symbol of hope and urgency in addressing the pressing issue of the human face of climate change.

Now, in 2024, "Climate Refugees" takes on a new journey as it becomes part of a groundbreaking initiative: the SpaceBlue Lunaprise time arts and humanity capsule. "Climate Refugees" is the sole documentary film that now rests on the lunar surface, a testament to humanity's quest for exploration and enlightenment.

Now destined to be inscribed as bitcoin ordinals are the filmmaker's private notes and storyboard original artwork, dating back to the years 2007–2009, while the film was in the conception and production phases.  These artifacts offer a glimpse into the genesis of the documentary: the original story thoughts, possible titles, production notes, and storyboards that shaped a narrative that would change the way the world perceives climate change.

How Bitcoin Art Projects Could Help Humanity with Impact Projects

As with the other projects, a large part of the proceeds are earmarked for impact-driven initiatives. These funds will fuel call-to-action campaigns for the sequel currently in production, titled "Chasing Truth." The process used to create the bitcoin ordinals and authenticate its contents is entirely sustainable, with a net-negative carbon footprint. This aligns seamlessly with the themes of environmental stewardship and social responsibility at the heart of "Climate Refugees."

Space Blue has achieved remarkable milestones in content curation for the mission. Notably, 222 creators’ works of art spanning 30,000 years of art history have been organized under Santana’s direction. This contributed unique pieces which include: Stan Lee (Marvel co-creator), Legion Universe/Nova Family Offices (collaboration with Lee Baker and Stan Lee), the film "The 9th Raider," Lunar Records (hit songs and artists), acclaimed photographer Pepe Soho, 5x Grammy winner Timbaland (with beats from Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z’s beatbox project”), the Cryptopup animation by Marshmello the "Moon Pup," and award-winning director Michael P. Nash’s soon-to-be-released documentary on climate change. Also featured, “Ryūzan: FACE the DRAGON” by Sir Godric Rei8gn, is a 47-Ronin-inspired art collection of legendary Japanese Samurai art and history, not to mention over 100 masters of the Renaissance era from Michelangelo to Leonardo da Vinci on board the mission with twin copies inscribed into nickel and Nanofiche lunar discs that will last over 1 billion years. All projects which will have a bitcoin ordinal dimension to their added art mediums.

The Lunaprise Moon Museum's mission is to establish a lunar repository of human knowledge, symbolizing a giant leap for mankind in preserving our cultural and scientific legacy. This partnership exemplifies the fusion of innovation, creativity, and a shared commitment to immortalizing human achievements.

About Space Blue

Space Blue is building a global influential community for lovers of art and space with exhibits they do all over the world. Its vision is to be at the vanguard of merging space exploration with artistic expression, dedicated to inspiring humanity's celestial journey while championing impactful earthbound projects through art, film, and music. Discover their universe of projects and join the adventure at www.spaceblue.club.

For more information on "The 9th Raider" movie lunar collection, visit https://gamma.io/ordinals/collections/the-9th-raider.

For more information on Marshmello, the Arctic pup on the moon, visit https://gamma.io/ordinals/collections/marshmello.

For more information on the Legion Universe/Nova Family Offices Ordinals, visit https://gamma.io/ordinals/collections/legion-ordinals.

For more information on the "Climate Refugees" movie, visit http://www.climaterefugees.com.

The Backpack ecosystem of companies, creators of the Backpack wallet, the Mad Lads NFT collection, and Backpack Exchange, today announced the first joint closing of their $17 million strategic Series A round at a $120 million combined valuation. The round was led by Placeholder VC, with participation from a select group of other strategic investors including Hashed, Robot Ventures, Amber Group, Wintermute Ventures, Selini Capital, Delphi Digital, and founders of leading web3 ecosystems such as Solana, Tensor, Jito, Zeta, Marginfi, Drift, Monad, Galxe, and other influential supporters worldwide.

Armani Ferrante, CEO of Backpack commented on the news:

“The history of finance is littered with scandals, but Backpack is doing things differently. Over the past year, we’ve set the foundation to build a crypto-native financial institution, and with the conclusion of this round, with trust minimization and compliance as foundational principles, we begin a new chapter for ourselves and, hopefully, for the rest of the industry.”

The Backpack ecosystem comprises several products and services, including the popular Backpack noncustodial wallet, Backpack Exchange, a fully regulated global cryptocurrency exchange with industry-leading speed, security and functionalities, and Mad Lads, currently the top NFT community in the Solana ecosystem. Backpack is also the creator and developer of Anchor, the Solana smart contract framework, the executable NFT (xNFT) token standard, and others.

Backpack’s strategic fundraising was led by Placeholder VC. “We’ve been impressed with Backpack’s ability to not only deliver high-quality applications, but also build a strong community around their ecosystem,” said Joel Monegro, General Partner at Placeholder VC. “After building a relationship with the team over the past year, we’re convinced they have the skill, ambition and drive to create one of the most trustworthy global exchanges in the industry with a strong focus on performance, compliance, and auditability.”

“The Backpack team is an all-star team that really understands the community with a focus on building compliant services. Their ability to create the best user experience is top notch, and the synergies within their ecosystem are evidenced by their strong track record of user acquisition within the industry to date.” Baek Kim, General Partner at Hashed said. “We are very excited to work with the team and resonate deeply with their compliance standpoint in terms of being optimally regulated and entering the mainstream of the global financial infrastructure.”

The round also attracted strong interest from other leading web3 ecosystem players. “The Backpack team is a great example of what happens when crypto natives are also strong builders. They understand that crypto is not just the underlying technology, it is also the culture that forms around it,” said Evgeny Gaevoy, founder of Wintermute Ventures, one of the largest liquidity providers in digital assets, “For me, Backpack is having the success I would expect, when a team figures out the intersection of tech and culture. I’m excited to see them continue to grow.”

Backpack’s fundraising was applauded by the Solana ecosystem as well. “Backpack has not only pioneered exceptional products such as the Backpack Wallet but has also cultivated a remarkable community through the Mad Lads. Armani and the Backpack team have exemplified what it means to focus on great products and user experiences and iterate relentlessly,” said Anatoly Yakovenko, founder of Solana Labs, “Watching Backpack build a global exchange that stands out for its user experience and trustworthiness has been truly inspiring.”

About Backpack Wallet

Backpack Wallet is an all-in-one web3 app that functions as a noncustodial wallet, allowing users to buy, hold, sell, and transfer cryptocurrencies, as well as interact with xNFTs, a popular NFT standard that tokenizes applications. Backpack Wallet is also the creator of Mad Lads, the top NFT collection in the Solana ecosystem. For additional information on Backpack Wallet, visit https://www.backpack.app.

About Backpack Exchange

Backpack Exchange is a fully regulated global cryptocurrency exchange innovating to provide an exciting, fun, and easy-to-use trading platform for both experienced and new web3 users worldwide. For more information, visit backpack.exchange.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Backpack

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackpackExchange

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backpackexchange

Media Contact

Qimei Luo

press@backpack.exchange

In a historic moment that marks a significant milestone in the intersection of music and outer space, the Lunaprise Museum proudly announced the successful lunar landing of Brayden Pierce’s "Capture the Moon (MOOON.PARTY Mix)." Not long ago, all of Brayden Pierce’s music recordings were destroyed in one fatal rainstorm. He thought music was over for him, but the moon had different plans: On February 22, 2024, Brayden Pierce and his song “Capture the Moon (MOOON.PARTY Mix)" made history as the first music artist with an electronic dance song on the moon as part of Space Blue’s curated archive on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, coinciding with NASA's monumental return to the moon after over 50 years. This groundbreaking initiative, a time capsule of humanity’s creativity and innovation, sets Brayden Pierce alongside 222 legendary artists like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, and Elvis Presley, whose digitized recordings were also placed in the Lunaprise Museum. The digital museum is designed to withstand the test of time on the moon for a billion years, ensuring "Capture the Moon" will resonate forever. 

About Artist/Entrepreneur Brayden Pierce

As a lifelong music artist, Brayden is a true polymath, excelling in singing, multiple instruments, DJing, songwriting, producing, and mixing. Despite his impressive achievements, including sold-out shows in Los Angeles, songs with millions of plays, and performances at major festivals, Brayden has remained largely under the radar. In response to the challenges of navigating the digital music landscape, Brayden took an entrepreneurial approach and created Soundromeda, a revolutionary music entertainment platform. More than two years deep in Soundromeda’s development, Brayden’s platform evolves the traditional music listening experience by transforming songs into dynamic songworlds infused with magical game design, providing artists with a fresh canvas to showcase their creativity and be discovered in a crowded digital space. Through Soundromeda, Brayden seeks to unlock new value for music and empower artists to connect with audiences in innovative ways, bridging the gap between technology and creativity for a more immersive future of music consumption.

Capturing the Moon

Brayden kissed being a music artist goodbye in 2022 when his laptop and hard drives were destroyed in one fatal rainstorm, taking all of his music with it. That is, until he teamed up with designer and artist Kelly Max a year later. Brayden made a special Modernist edition of his song “Capture the Moon” for Kelly’s Modernist art series (a collection now archived on the moon).

Brayden originally wrote “Capture the Moon” in 2011 as an ode to the old Latin saying carpe diem ("seize the day"), encouraging the listener to live life to the fullest in each moment and achieve your dreams before our time on this planet is up. The song reincarnated at least six times in all of Brayden’s music projects, ending with Kelly’s urge for a more dance floor-ready version: the MOOON.PARTY Mix. 

MOOON.PARTY: A Festival Fusion of Music, Art, and Space 

Electrified by their collaboration, Brayden Pierce and Kelly Max co-founded MOOON.PARTY, a powerful entertainment venture aimed at redefining the festival experience. This innovative brand seamlessly merges art, music, and space exploration, offering audiences an unparalleled immersive experience with exclusive space content. MOOON.PARTY sets a new standard in global festivals, inviting attendees to engage with art and music in a new way. Brayden says, "Where humans go, art is there to define us. Embracing the moon's view offers a beacon of hope for humankind to see past our differences and open our eyes into compassion and kindness. MOOON.PARTY is more than a celebration. It symbolizes a new chapter for human culture existing beyond Earth.”

Capture the Moon (MOOON.PARTY Mix): A Historic Release Inspiring Generations to Dream Beyond

The Lunaprise Museum, curated by Dallas Santana (Founder of Space Blue), handpicked Brayden Pierce’s transcendent track, "Capture the Moon," in early 2023, cementing his status among 222 artists chosen to be archived on the moon for a billion years. The Lunaprise Museum landing not only signifies the establishment of the first museum beyond Earth, but also serves as a beacon of human creativity and ingenuity. Leveraging patented technologies and blockchain authentication, Lunaprise pioneers a historic disruption in space tech, offering collectors rare, verified assets linked to twin digital files stored in the lunar museum.

As Brayden Pierce's "Capture the Moon" becomes a moon anthem, Soundromeda pioneers a new era of  space-themed music entertainment and MOOON.PARTY redefines the global festival scene, Brayden Pierce will forever be the first-ever EDM artist to land on the moon with his music and immortalize his artistic voice in the cosmos. Reflecting on this monumental project, Brayden expresses profound gratitude, stating, "To have 'Capture the Moon' play among the stars is a dream realized."

Click here to listen to "Capture the Moon (MOOON.PARTY Mix)"

#CaptureTheMoon #BraydenPierce #MOOONPARTY #Soundromeda #Lunaprise 

Media Contact

Claudia Safavi

+1 305-864-3434

claudia@taraink.com

DSP and social media links to "Capture the Moon":

https://hypeddit.com/braydenpierce/capturethemoon

https://www.instagram.com/braydenpierce

http://youtube.com/c/kingdoms

https://www.twitter.com/braydenpierce

https://soundcloud.com/braydenpierce

https://www.tiktok.com/@braydenpierce_

https://www.facebook.com/braydenpiercemusic

https://www.bandsintown.com/a/14375859-brayden-pierce

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6zjHf8TW9Hg6dCTYZzgjdW?si=ZyNPJt84QmWayKO4HSmYhg

To learn more about the Lunaprise Museum and its curation by Space Blue, click here.

To learn more future of music, visit Soundromeda here.

The Lunaprise Moon Museum proudly unveils a historic lunar landing, a testament to human creativity that transcends earthly bounds. This momentous occasion features the pioneering digital artworks of designer/artist Kelly Max, the imaginative creations of artist Samy Halim, and the captivating music of producer/artist Brayden Pierce, heralding a new era for art, music, and space exploration.

A Tale of Resilience and Inspiration

This event marks more than a milestone in technological achievement; it celebrates the enduring spirit of its contributors. Faced with potential extinction in 2022, the Modernist project, under the stewardship of Kelly Max and Samy Halim, not only survived but thrived, emerging as one of the most celebrated art collections both on Earth and now, uniquely, in space. Their journey from near dissolution to achieving a place among the stars highlights the resilience and unity that the endeavor inspired. This remarkable story of overcoming adversity underscores the transformative power of art and belief to foster hope and bring people together across the universe.

In 2022, Brayden Pierce, a multi-talented singer/producer/DJ, lost all of his recorded music to a fatal rainstorm. Introduced to the Lunaprise Museum mission by Kelly a year later, Brayden's artistic contributions have now carved a unique niche in the annals of space history with the song "Capture the Moon."

The Modernist Artworks: A Legacy Encased in Moon Dust

The digital "Modernist Art" collection, a collaborative effort between Kelly Max and Samy Halim, features the MoonRider piece, a digital tapestry carrying 180 names pivotal to their journey. This collection also comprises 420 Modernist originals and 9,724 generative Modernist genesis artworks. Selected for lunar preservation, these pieces embody human creativity and the collective spirit of innovation, expected to last over a billion years on the lunar surface.

Brayden Pierce: A Sound Pioneer

Brayden Pierce's contribution, the soul-stirring "Capture the Moon", becomes the first electronic dance song to grace the lunar landscape. Available in two versions: The Modernist Edition and the MOOON.PARTY Mix, Pierce's work symbolizes a bridge between worlds, echoing humanity's aspirations and dreams among the stars. Pierce states:

"Being part of this lunar legacy is an honor that transcends words, to have 'Capture the Moon' play among the stars is a dream realized."

MOOON.PARTY: Uniting Through Art and Music

The newest venture in the creative pack, MOOON.PARTY, co-founded by Kelly Max and Brayden Pierce, represents a groundbreaking fusion of art, music, and space, aimed at forging a global community that celebrates human achievement and connectivity. "Our work is a testament to what humanity can accomplish when we unite in creativity and purpose," says Kelly Max. "MOOON.PARTY is more than an event; it's a movement towards a unified, inspired future."

This new venture has already gained traction, not only with its inaugural event at 2023 Miami Art Week 2023 but also by programming and co-producing the Lunaprise Rocket Launch Gala at Kennedy Space Center on February 14, 2024, together with Space Blue. By blending art, music, space, and space content recording, MOOON.PARTY is set to redefine immersive entertainment experiences. Leveraging the backdrop of space, it aims to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

Kelly Max reflects on what makes this journey so unique:

"What's truly special about our work and this historic moment is our passion for sharing this incredible journey with the world, to foster unity, belief, and mutual respect. Through the Modernist collection's inclusive art, the MoonRider's celebration of collective contributions, and Capture the Moon's musical bridge to space, we aim to cultivate a sense of global connection. MOOON.PARTY transcends mere events—it's about crafting a lasting community, inviting all to embrace this new viewpoint. Our vision of Earth from the moon inspires us to dream bigger and offer a unifying perspective for humanity. The Moonview."

A Cosmic Canvas for Humanity's Best

The Lunaprise Museum, curated by Dallas Santana (founder of Space Blue), not only marks the establishment of the first extraterrestrial museum but also showcases the limitless potential of artistic expression. Through the preservation and authentication of digital assets using blockchain, this initiative promises to keep the essence of human creativity alive for eons, inspiring future generations to explore the unknown.

Dive into the Artistic Cosmos

Join us on a journey beyond the stars and immerse yourself in the Lunaprise Museum's extraordinary collection. Discover the stories behind the Modernist Artworks, experience "Capture the Moon" by Brayden Pierce, and be part of a community that's redefining the boundaries of art and music.

For more information about the Lunaprise Moon Museum, its curation by SpaceBlue, and the historic contributions of Kelly Max, Samy Halim, and Brayden Pierce, please visit https://spaceblue.club/projects/lunaprise-mission.

For information about Modernist, please visit https://www.modernistxyz.com.

To listen to "Capture the Moon (MOOON.PARTY Mix)," please visit https://hypeddit.com/braydenpierce/capturethemoon.

Media Contact

Claudia Safavi

claudia@taraink.com

Park Slope Cleaning, a M/WBE-certified company specializing in commercial cleaning and janitorial services for establishments in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, today announced that it has been awarded certification as a women-owned business enterprise (WBE) by the New York State Department of Economic Development, Division of Minority and Women's Business Development (DMWBD). This certification confirms that Park Slope Cleaning meets the eligibility requirements set forth by New York State Executive Law.

This certification is a significant milestone for Park Slope Cleaning as it demonstrates the company's commitment to promoting diversity and supporting women-owned businesses in the commercial cleaning industry. By obtaining WBE certification, Park Slope Cleaning is now positioned to further expand its reach and serve a wider range of clients in the New York State area.

As a leading provider of commercial cleaning and janitorial services in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, Park Slope Cleaning's M/WBE and WBE certifications set it apart from competitors and showcases its dedication to excellence and inclusivity. Clients can trust that Park Slope Cleaning not only delivers top-notch cleaning services but also upholds the values of diversity and empowerment in the business community.

According to Diana Ciechorska, General Manager of Park Slope Cleaning, "We are thrilled to receive WBE certification from the state of New York. This recognition validates our ongoing efforts to provide exceptional cleaning services while championing women-owned businesses in the industry."

Looking ahead, Park Slope Cleaning plans to leverage its WBE certification to forge new partnerships, expand its client base, and continue delivering superior cleaning solutions to businesses across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

For more information about Park Slope Cleaning and its services, visit https://www.parkslopecleaning.com.

About Park Slope Cleaning

Park Slope Cleaning is a leading M/WBE and WBE-certified commercial cleaning company based in New York City. Renowned for its commitment to excellence and client satisfaction, Park Slope Cleaning provides a comprehensive range of cleaning services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses in the New York City area.

Media Contact

Diana Ciechorska

info@parkslopecleaning.com

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) announced today their support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as they undertake clinical research on kratom. Clinical research is necessary to expand understanding of kratom consumer safety, guide regulatory decision-making, and impact global health. The GKC is expressing support for an efficient research timeline that produces findings for real-life applications.

The GKC also applauded the FDA for the appointment of James “Jim” Jones, the first-ever Deputy Commissioner of the Human Foods Program. Jones comes to the FDA with intimate knowledge of the food program having served on the Reagan-Udall Foundation’s Expert Panel that reviewed and made recommendations for the program in 2022.

"The FDA is in a position to produce robust scientific data that evaluates the efficacy and safety of kratom, which can help guide regulatory oversight," said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the GKC. "When this research is made public, it will bring much greater certainty to the question marks that the FDA has had in relation to kratom's risk profile. These findings could be an industry and consumer game changer." 

In a positive demonstration of its commitment to risk-prioritization strategy and policy, the FDA last year appointed Jones. He will oversee areas involving human foods for the FDA. Overall, according to food and beverage market trade Food Navigator, the FDA will "pursue access to accurate information that is easy to understand and transparency into how FDA evaluates food safety." The February 2024 article also quoted Kimberlee Trzeciak, FDA Commissioner for Policy, Legislation and International Affairs: "FDA are doing as much as we can to be more transparent and to provide sufficient assurance that the decisions we are making are science-based."

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves have long been used as a mood booster and energy enhancer. Despite being used traditionally in Southeast Asia in global form for centuries, kratom's regulatory status and safety are debated in countries around the world, including the U.S., where it is now available in various forms such as ground leaf, extracts, and isolates.

As noted at the recent 3rd Kratom Symposium, the scientific community strongly encourages further research on the various forms of kratom to help firmly establish, clarify, or dispel inaccuracies. The FDA’s recent leaf kratom Single Ascending Dose (SAD) study and upcoming Human Abuse Potential (HAP) are critical components of the clinical research needed in this space.

The SAD study aims to learn about the safety, pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the substance), and pharmacodynamics (what the substance does to the body) of leaf Kratom.1 This SAD research will help determine the optimal dose range for further clinical development by identifying the maximum tolerated serving and assessing kratom's effect at various serving levels. Additionally, the single ascending dose data will provide valuable data on leaf kratom’s safety profiles, guiding subsequent dose selection for further clinical trials and public statements on kratom. Initial SAD results are expected to be released in late 2024.

The FDA has also released a request for proposal for Human Abuse Potential (HAP) research. The HAP research will evaluate kratom through controlled laboratory studies and observational research, which can provide critical insights into its addictive properties and abuse liability, informing regulatory decisions on how kratom should be adequately regulated in the U.S.

"By conducting robust research in these areas, the FDA can contribute to a more evidence-based understanding of the various forms of kratom's risks and benefits," said Lowe. "Altogether, clinical data will facilitate informed policymaking and regulatory oversight, which we believe will benefit kratom consumers across the country."

About the Global Kratom Coalition

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) exists to protect and expand access to leaf-based kratom around the world. The organization represents the interests of advocates committed to positive change benefiting consumers. The organization supports education and the development of kratom science, which is central to the GKC’s mission—to empower individuals worldwide with access to safe and responsibly sourced kratom products by advancing scientific research and sensible regulation.

The GKC operates on five key values:

• Access: The belief that individuals should have a choice as to how they look after their health, informed by the latest unbiased information available.
• Education: Providing accurate, evidence-based information about kratom (including on our website), allowing consumers to make informed decisions.
• Advocacy: Serving as a united voice for kratom consumers worldwide, seeking fair and sensible regulations that prioritize consumer safety, freedom of information, and good sourcing and manufacturing practices.
• Community: Fostering a global group of enthusiasts, experts, vendors, and advocates to promote the benefits of kratom and fight for informed and responsible use.
• Responsibility: Promoting the responsible use of kratom and encouraging vendors to adhere to strict quality and safety standards so that consumers have access to products that are safe, well-manufactured, and appropriately labeled.

Please follow us at:

Website: https://globalkratomcoalition.org

Twitter: @kratomcoalition 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/globalkratomcoalition

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalkratomcoalition

Media Contact

Matthew Lowe

mlowe@globalkratomcoalition.org

Space Blue, a company that specializes in space exploration and innovation, today announced that the beloved Arctic pup character Marshmello has hitched a ride on a SpaceX Falcon 9 and will now be immortalized on the moon thanks to the Lunaprise Moon Museum and Time Capsule. This groundbreaking project marks a significant milestone in the intersection of art, technology, and space exploration, catapulting a piece of digital art linked to the adorable Earth-based Arctic pet, Marshmello, into lunar history.

The Lunaprise Moon Mission, which successfully landed Marshmello's artwork on the moon on February 22, 2024, utilizes cutting-edge nickel and nano technologies to preserve her 1,111 art pieces for over a billion years. This collaboration between SpaceX, private lunar lander companies, space contractors, and the Arch Mission Foundation, introduces Marshmello as the first pet animal character art project curated and archived in the lunar archive, dubbed Lunagrams.

The Pet project also makes history as the first Bitcoin and Bitcoin ordinal project to land on the moon. Discover the uniqueness of Bitcoin ordinals and Marshmello's collection: https://gamma.io/ordinals/collections/marshmello

As the first Bitcoin art project to reach the moon, Marshmello's collection employs Bitcoin Ordinals to ensure authenticity and provenance, connecting collectors on Earth with their counterparts on the Lunaprise. This innovative approach not only celebrates the bond between humans and pets but also pioneers a new era of digital art collection and preservation.

Perhaps thousands or millions of years from now, future archeologist will unearth the archive on the moon to discover that indeed someone on Earth loved their pet. At the entrance to the archive on Lunaprise upper layers of discs, before you get to see Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci paintings inscribed like cave drawings on nickel materials, you will find the modern-era Sphinx guarding the Great Pyramid, this time it is Marshmello, the beloved dog who lived on planet Earth and witnessed the space program connecting and meeting its many astronauts and scientists and who witnessed the actual launch of her artwork on the Space X Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center on February 15, 2024.

The project is the brainchild of the real human pet owner, Space Blue curator Dallas Santana, who travels everywhere with the real-life Marshmello, a tiny white Artic fox-type Pomeranian that many in the space and arts community have come to adore.

Dallas Santana, Space Blue curator and the visionary behind this project, emphasizes the importance of including a symbol of humanity's best friend in this lunar endeavor. His aim is to foster a connection between families, children, and the Artemis vision, highlighting the urgent need for off-Earth storage of our cultural, scientific, and biological heritage and even preservation of our animal's DNA in case something happens bad on the Earth.

The mission, a part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), showcases a diverse array of human creativity and ingenuity. From ancient Sumerian civilizations to the Renaissance and the modern digital era, Santana has curated a collection that spans the breadth of human expression, underscoring the significance of preserving our legacy beyond our planet.

"The moment I got appointed to oversee the curation of this project, I had my mind set that we would include a dog, a symbol of humanity's best friend and companion on planet Earth and a great way for families and children to connect and understand the Artemis vision and urgent need for specific storage off-Earth of a backup of our culture art, science, animal and biological DNA, digital files and the stories of human connection with animals pets," said Santana, curator of the Space Blue arts program.

Meanwhile on Earth, Marshmello the Arctic pup artwork will be auctioned off by Space Blue and 100% donated towards impactful projects for humanity. Through a space impact foundation called SI Fund each digital art piece that goes to the Lunaprise Moon Museum will have Earth-based twin files that are authenticated through blockchain technology. The sale of these helps to funnel proceeds to help humanity in various areas of need. Marshmello is well-known to social media stars. NBC’s "Deal or No Deal" star Olga Safari introduced Marshmello to Logan Paul for a video series about his dog Kong. In this series, Kong is looking for a date and discovers the new love of his life, a tiny teacup arctic fox Pomeranian he then dubbed “wifey." The video series with the romance completed with the episode “Smash Love Pad,'' resulting in over 50 million views. Marshmello was also spotted snuggling with models from "America’s Next Top Model." Also, she was featured on ABC’s "The Bachelor" television promotion with her cryptopreneur "Daddy Dog.” Marshmello most recently appeared in a Web 3.0 post-apocalyptic movie The 9th Raider. This is just one of many of Marshmello’s media feats managed by the team at Space Blue. 

Marshmello's journey from social media stardom to becoming a lunar pioneer captivates the imagination, bridging the gap between art, science, and exploration. Her digital collectibles, now valued at staggering amounts, contribute to impactful earth-based projects, demonstrating the potential of art to effect real-world change.

This historic mission, facilitated by space contractors and collaborators and the art curation team at Space Blue supported by a massive growing global community, celebrates our cosmic companions and the enduring human spirit of exploration and innovation. As Marshmello's artwork takes its place among the stars, it serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder of our shared destiny in the cosmos.

Space Blue: Honoring Our Cosmic Companions for Eternity

Discover more about this unprecedented mission and how Marshmello's art is making history on Space Blue's official website and Marshmello's digital collectibles website.

Media Contact

Curator's Office

curator@spaceblue.club

Leela AI, a provider of visual intelligence solutions for improving productivity and safety in manufacturing, today announced it has joined NVIDIA Metropolis, a partner program, application framework, and set of developer tools focused on bringing to market a new generation of vision AI applications. NVIDIA Metropolis nurtures a rich ecosystem and offers powerful developer tools to supercharge vision AI applications that are designed to make the world’s most important spaces and operations safer and more efficient.

Leela AI’s Leela Platform, powered by NVIDIA L4 Tensor Core GPUs, uses visual AI to deliver continuous time and motion studies of manufacturing activities. Its visual intelligence software measures and analyzes the complex interactions between people, tools, machinery, robots, parts, and products, and compares productivity across shifts and stations. To help achieve the fast, accurate analytics that manufacturers demand, the SaaS cloud platform uses NVIDIA accelerated computing solutions such as CV-CUDA, pretrained models, and NVIDIA Triton Inference Server, which are available with the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform.

NVIDIA Metropolis makes it easier and more cost-effective for enterprises, governments, and integration partners to leverage world-class, AI-enabled solutions to improve critical operational efficiency and safety problems. The NVIDIA Metropolis ecosystem contains a large and growing breadth of members who are investing in the most advanced AI techniques and most efficient deployment platforms and using an enterprise-class approach to their solutions. Its members can gain early access to NVIDIA platform updates to further enhance and accelerate their AI application development efforts. Further, the program offers the opportunity for members to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other AI-driven organizations.

“Everyone knows that if you are serious about delivering enterprise-class AI, you should be looking to use NVIDIA technology,” said Cyrus Shaoul, CEO, Leela AI. “By joining NVIDIA Metropolis, we can best achieve maximum value from NVIDIA’s industry-leading AI tools and services.”

About Leela AI

Leela AI is helping manufacturers achieve greater visibility into their operations and drive continuous improvement. Developed by a team from the MIT AI Lab, Google and AMD, Leela’s privacy-enabled visual intelligence software identifies and times every step in the manufacturing process to spotlight bottlenecks and best practices. Leela Platform helps improve productivity by comparing performance across shifts and locations and can spot safety violations and optimize staff redeployment.

Media Contact

Eric Brown

eric@leela-ai.com

The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts will host BIPOC Pop 2024, a three-day event, March 7–9, that will create an extraordinary space for BIPOC creators, scholars, students, teachers, librarians, and industry innovators to explore and share as well as to build and solidify BIPOC alliances and strengthen community through the sharing of cutting-edge, creative, critical knowledge-making practices in the graphic storytelling arts. Awards will be given for Best Student Essay, Best Emerging Creator, Best Animated Short, Best Animated Doc., and Best Student Animated Short.

Workshops and panels will focus on topics such as Chicanofuturism, stories for youth empowerment, performing pop culture, history telling through zines, life tales, shaping new K–12 learning spaces, and more.

Esteemed presenters, workshop leaders, expo guests, and facilitators include high-profile players in the industry such as Chispa/Scout Comics publisher, Veronique Medrano, publisher; White House consultant and CEO of Ad Astra Media, José Morey, M.D.; award winning filmmaker and CEO of L21 Consulting, Ben Lopez; Marvel creator Kevin Garcia; award winning author, Harvard professor, and member of the Cherokee Nation, Daniel Justice; and, Angélique Roché, producer of Marvel’s Voices; among many others.

The event is the brainchild of Professor Frederick Luis Aldama, the Jacob & Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at UT Austin, who is also widely known as Professor Latinx. Aldama is a prolific writer, documentary filmmaker, and founder and director of UT Austin’s Latinx Pop Lab as well as the Latinx Pop Magazine.

BIPOC Pop came as a natural strategic move to put UT Austin on the map for the creating, teaching, and studying of Latinx/BIPOC comics, gaming, animation, and multimedia storytelling arts.

Dr. Aldama describes the impact of this trailblazing event: “We have lots of big cons across the country, but nothing that brings creatives, scholars, teachers, librarians, and industry leaders under one roof—and certainly nothing that puts BIPOC pop culture front and center. BIPOC POP shouts from rooftops that our stories matter. That we are vital shapers of culture at large!”

The symposium will take place March 7–9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Patton Hall Glickman Conference Center on the UT Austin Campus at 305 E. 23rd St. Partners include Ad Astra Media, UT’s Latino Studies, Project Males, University of North Texas, Texas Orange Jackets.

For more information on the event schedule and how to attend, visit the event website at www.bipocpop.com.

About the University of Texas at Austin College Liberal Arts

The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts is dedicated to promoting cutting-edge research that helps people better understand human history, society, and culture. With over forty majors, it is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive academic community in which all members are equally respected and valued.

Media Contact

Frederick Luis Aldama

+1 510-367-9112

aldama@utexas.edu

Vinat, a startup making wine approachable for women, announced today the launch of their first line of wines, Valevino Skinny Dip Prosecco, Cha Cha Cha Red Blend, and Out of Office White Blend. The wines are available on www.drinkvinat.com in time for Women's History Month. The wines are produced in Italy and Slovenia and are priced between $20 and $24 per bottle.

The founders, Sarah and Emily Mack, are sisters who were fed up with how unapproachable and confusing wine can be. Emily Mack, co-founder and COO, says, "Every time I would tell a friend I was starting a wine company, they would apologize to me for not knowing enough about wine. To me, this was crazy! People who drink beer don't feel the need to know where the hops come from—why should wine be any different? We've become really determined to change this mindset. It's a high goal, but we'll start small and work our way there. Anyone can enjoy good wine; you don't have to be an expert."

Vinat works with vineyards to sell high-quality European wines directly to the customer. By doing this, the company can cut out middlemen and offer great wines (with super cheeky labels) at fair prices. Vinat's website also suggests easy pairings such as popcorn with its Skinny Dip Prosecco and unconventional wine pairings that include books and bingeable TV shows.

A recent Forbes article quotes the work of Dr. Christina Chi, a professor at the School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University. The article ("What Clues On A Wine Label Influence Women’s Perception Of How It Will Taste?") states Dr. Chi's findings that "a 'more feminine' wine label alters the female drinker's sensory expectation and the taste of the wine, ultimately swaying their buying intention." The article also highlights that although women represent 59% of wine consumers in the U.S., they are underrepresented in the wine industry as a whole—from label design to wine production.

Vinat has completed stints at IESE Business School's Summer Entrepreneurship Experience in Barcelona in 2022 and Cincinnati-based Aviatra Accelerator's virtual accelerator program in October 2022. In October 2023, Vinat was awarded Texas Woman University's StartHER Grant.

Media Contact

Sarah Mack

hello@drinkvinat.com

PerVista, a company dedicated to addressing the increasing issue of mass shootings in the United States, today announced that Dan Simons, co-founder and co-owner of Founding Farmers and Farmers Restaurant Group, is investing in PerVista's Wefunder campaign.

Investment from experienced founders like Dan Simons is further validation that PerVista's technology and team is well positioned to be a leader in digital security. In the first week alone, PerVista successfully raised more than 50% of their targeted goal of their Wefunder campaign.

"We are delighted to welcome Dan Simons to the PerVista family as an investor," said Vennard Wright, founder of PerVista. "His background in building and scaling Farmers Restaurant Group will be incredibly valuable as we ensure public spaces across DC, Maryland, and Virginia are protected. Given we have both spent the majority of our careers working locally in this community, this is a mission we share."

Today, PerVista's cutting-edge solutions have been deployed by the Baltimore Orioles, Prince George's County, and schools across Maryland, monitoring the safety and security of everyone entering these spaces each day. Funds from the Wefunder campaign will be used to further expand the company's operations and product, which are designed to be the most cutting edge solutions in the detection space. 

"Our missions are more aligned than they may seem at first glance. Safety and wellness go hand in hand —a healthy lifestyle means nothing if our children and our neighbors are not safe," said Dan Simons, founder of Founding Farmers. "I am proud to participate in this Wefunder campaign to take PerVista to the next level."

For more information about PerVista and its mission to combat school shootings, please visit https://pervista.com and https://wefunder.com/pervista.

About PerVista

Located in the Washington, DC region, PerVista is a company dedicated to preventing school shootings through innovative technology and comprehensive solutions. By leveraging data analytics, artificial intelligence, and proactive intervention strategies, PerVista aims to create a safer environment for students and educators. The company also provides training programs and resources to educate schools and communities on early detection, crisis management, and intervention strategies. For more information, visit https://pervista.com.

Media Contact

Vennard Wright

vwright@pervista.com

Fast-growing UK hair brand Glaze—a subsidiary of parent company Waldencast UK Limited—expands its presence in North America with its first U.S. physical retail partner, launching with Target starting today into 354 brick and mortar stores nationwide and on target.com.

Founded in 2021, Glaze creates accessible, easy-to-use, high-performance hair products that deliver confidence boosting, salon-worthy, glossy hair all day, every day. The brand is PETA-Certified Vegan & Cruelty-Free making it well positioned to capture the hearts of Zillennial, and the Target shopper. The brand first launched with a category game-changing semi-permanent color conditioning gloss with its distinctive, easy-to-use squeezy round bottle. They have since expanded the range into Care with GlaziPlex 4-IN-1 Super Bond Repair Treatment in September 2023 with new innovation to come being announced Spring 2024.

Rolling out into Target, and supported with a nationwide U.S. influencer campaign will be:

• SuperGloss Conditioning Gloss ($18.00 RRP): like a tinted moisturizer for the hair, SuperGloss is powered by KINDColor Technology to condition, care, hydrate and repair the hair as it colors for healthier, glossier, more vibrant hair in 10 minutes. In 16 shades, from a universal gloss to specific shades for highlights along with blondes, brunettes and redheads. Five of the brand’s best-selling shades will be available in-store—universal Sheer Glow, Brilliant Bronde, Glaze Cherry, Sleek Espresso and Luminous Liquorice.

• GlaziPlex 4-IN-1 Super Bond Repair Treatment ($22 RRP): infused with our QuadBond Technology, this conditioning treatment transforms damage to shine in just four minutes. It protects, strengthens, protects and glazes, and designed to treat all four types of damage from styling and color to chemical and heat.

Waldencast Brands' Chief Business Officer, Dani Viloria says, “At Glaze we are all about providing accessible, easy-to-use, high-performance products with head-turning hair results. We are so excited to be launching with Target, a retail partner who shares our vision to help U.S. consumers nationwide achieve salon-worthy results right from their own shower.“

About Glaze

Founded in 2021, Glaze creates accessible, easy-to-use, high-performance hair products across color, care and styling that deliver confidence boosting, salon-worthy, glossy hair all day, every day. With care at their core, they are PETA-Certified Vegan & Cruelty-Free and have no parabens, no sulfates and no ammonia in any of their products. Available in the U.S. on Amazon and Glazehair.co and in the UK on Amazon and in Superdrug.

For more Information on Glaze:

Website: glazehair.co

Instagram: @glaze_hair

TikTok: @Glaze_Hair

Facebook: @glaze_hair

Pinterest: @glaze_hair

Media Contacts

Amanda Smeal

amanda@amandasmeal.com

Aimee Moss

aimee@aimeemoss.net

Wefunder, a public-benefit corporation with a goal to fund 20,000 more founders by 2029, today announced that on Wednesday, February 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Soho House Chicago, Serg Rodenzuela, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Wefunder, will host a closed-door conversation with Andy Dunn, a $300-million exited founder and best-selling author. This session will kick off the Founder Secrets series, where Serg will interview 15 of the most compelling founders of our generation to share real stories about financing, scaling, and best practices in cities across the U.S., including San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Austin, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Boulder, Miami, and Los Angeles.

This event is significant as it provides a platform for experienced founders to share their knowledge and insights with aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. By connecting successful founders with new entrepreneurs, Wefunder aims to foster a supportive community and provide valuable mentorship opportunities.

Wefunder's mission as a public-benefit corporation, with a goal to fund 20,000 more founders by 2029, aligns perfectly with the Founder Secrets kick-off event. By supporting and empowering founders, Wefunder is driving innovation and economic growth while creating opportunities for diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs.

According to Rodenzuela, "We are thrilled to kick off the Founder Secrets event series with Andy Dunn. This platform will enable us to inspire and educate the next generation of entrepreneurs, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant and inclusive startup ecosystem."

In the future, Wefunder plans to expand the series to additional cities across the country, providing even more founders with access to valuable insights and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs.

For more information and to register, visit the event listing on Pie here.

The joint organizers behind the first annual global Sui conference, Sui Basecamp, today announced the initial wave of confirmed speakers for the Parisian event taking place on April 10 and 11, 2024. Sui Basecamp is a celebration of the developers and entrepreneurs building on Sui, the innovative Layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform, and will feature speakers and thought leaders from all over the world and throughout the greater Web3 ecosystem.

Sui Basecamp’s initial wave of speakers includes:

• Arianna Simpson, General Partner at a16z
• Balaji S. Srinivasan, Angel Investor, Tech Founder and author of The Network State
• Meltem Demirors, Aspiring Cult Leader
• Evan Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Mysten Labs and Original Contributor to Sui
• Nikola Plecas, Global Head of Product GTM and Product Commercialization at Visa Crypto
• Rachel Conlan, Chief Marketing Officer at Binance
• Sam Blackshear, Chief Technology Officer at Mysten Labs and Creator of Move
• Vincent Chok, Chief Executive Officer of First Digital Trust
• Logan Jastremski, Managing Partner at Frictionless Capital
• Adeniyi Abiodun, Chief Product Officer of Mysten Labs
• Benoît Pellevoizin, Head of Marketing and Communications at CoinShares France
• Robert Knight, Features Writer at Cointelegraph
• Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of Sui Foundation

Hosted by Mysten Labs and Sui Foundation, Sui Basecamp will take place at two select venues—the first day and opening night party, Sui Soiree, will be at Pavillon Cambon Capucines, the former headquarters of Crédit Foncier de France, before attendees migrate to Pavillon Vendôme for the second day’s festivities. Both locations are adjacent to Paris Blockchain Week’s main event.

Early bird tickets, at the discounted prices of $99 USD, are available today through March 1. Ticket prices will remain discounted, at $149 USD, from March 2 through 31, then increase to the full price of $299 from April 1 until the event.

Registration is now open at https://sui.io/basecamp.

About Sui

Sui is a first-of-its-kind Layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform designed from the bottom up to make digital asset ownership fast, private, secure, and accessible to everyone. Its object-centric model, based on the Move programming language, enables parallel execution, sub-second finality, and rich on-chain assets. With horizontally scalable processing and storage, Sui supports a wide range of applications with unrivaled speed at low cost. Sui is a step-function advancement in blockchain and a platform on which creators and developers can build amazing, user-friendly experiences. Learn more: https://sui.io

About Mysten Labs

Mysten Labs is a team of leading distributed systems, programming languages, and cryptography experts whose founders were senior executives and lead architects of pioneering blockchain projects. The mission of Mysten Labs is to create foundational infrastructure for web3. Learn more: https://mystenlabs.com

About the Sui Foundation

The Sui Foundation is an independent organization that is dedicated to the advancement and adoption of Sui. The Sui Foundation supports the Sui community and its projects that enable individuals and creators to have unprecedented ownership over their data and content.

Media Contact

Lexi Wangler

lexi.wangler@mystenlabs.com

Sui Foundation

media@sui.io

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust (“the Trust”) today posted the estimated Federal income tax information of the Trust’s 2023 earnings to its website. Final information is anticipated to be posted no later than March 30, 2024. The information can be downloaded here.

Nothing contained herein or therein should be construed as tax advice. Consult your tax advisor for more information. Furthermore, you may not rely upon any information herein or therein for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Certificateholders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of the Trust’s distributions.

Additional information can be obtained on the Trust’s website.

About Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust (the “Trust”) was established to acquire 160 retail properties and 6 warehouse distribution centers (the “Properties”) from J.C. Penney as part of its Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. The Trust’s operations consist solely of owning, leasing and selling the Properties. The Trust’s objective is to sell the Properties to third-party purchasers as promptly as practicable. The Trustee of the trust is GLAS Trust Company LLC. The Trust is externally managed by an affiliate of Hilco Real Estate LLC. The Trust is intended to be treated, for tax purposes, as a liquidating trust within the meaning of United States Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-4(d). For more information, please visit https://www.ctltrust.net/.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “our vision,” “plan,” “potential,” “preliminary,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” or “would” or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology and include, but are not limited to, the Trust’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events and stock price performance. The Trust has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Trust believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control. These factors, including those discussed in the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Trust’s filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. The Trust cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Trust’s SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may not in fact occur. The Trust undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Media Contact

Jessica Cummins

+1 847-313-4755

jcummins@hilcoglobal.com

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust (“the Trust”) today posted amended Federal income tax information of the Trust’s 2022 earnings to its website. The previously posted tax information was amended to provide clarification on Schedule A row 170, Other Trust Income / (Expenses). This clarification does not apply to any of the Trust’s Monthly Report filings or its 2022 10-Q’s or 10-K. The information can be downloaded here.

Nothing contained herein or therein should be construed as tax advice. Consult your tax advisor for more information. Furthermore, you may not rely upon any information herein or therein for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Certificateholders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of the Trust’s distributions.

Additional information can be obtained on the Trust’s website.

About Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust (the “Trust”) was established to acquire 160 retail properties and 6 warehouse distribution centers (the “Properties”) from J.C. Penney as part of its Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. The Trust’s operations consist solely of owning, leasing and selling the Properties. The Trust’s objective is to sell the Properties to third-party purchasers as promptly as practicable. The Trustee of the trust is GLAS Trust Company LLC. The Trust is externally managed by an affiliate of Hilco Real Estate LLC. The Trust is intended to be treated, for tax purposes, as a liquidating trust within the meaning of United States Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-4(d). For more information, please visit https://www.ctltrust.net/.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “our vision,” “plan,” “potential,” “preliminary,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” or “would” or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology and include, but are not limited to, the Trust’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events and stock price performance. The Trust has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Trust believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control. These factors, including those discussed in the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Trust’s filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. The Trust cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Trust’s SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may not in fact occur. The Trust undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Contact Details

Jessica Cummins

+1 847-313-4755

jcummins@hilcoglobal.com