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Igniting a literary revolution among teens sounds like a fantastic idea to the team at Charleston Literary Festival, and they are turning this dream into a reality by launching the Charleston Literary Festival Young Writers Awards. The initiative encourages and amplifies creative growth and expression among high school students across Charleston, SC, through prose and writing.

The Charleston Literary Festival Young Writers Awards serve as a stepping stone for young writers toward careers in the literary arts and those looking to hone their craft while finding new ways to express themselves through the written word. It aims to demonstrate to these talented individuals that their voices are valuable and their unique perspectives can contribute to the broader literary community. In alignment with the Festival's core mission to foster emerging voices, all public high school students in grades 10 to 12 are/were invited to participate.

Jennifer Chestnut Comer, the architect and director of the Charleston Literary Festival Young Writers Awards, is an experienced advocate and creator of youth initiatives that have proven essential to the health and resiliency of the arts and culture sector. She shares her enthusiasm for the program:

"We believe in the power of storytelling and literature to shape lives. By providing a platform for young writers to express themselves, we are nurturing their creative potential and celebrating the transformative power of the written word. In honoring their voices, we contribute to the longevity of the Charleston literary scene by seeding the next generation of bibliophiles while empowering these talented individuals."

Research has shown that writing fosters critical thinking skills, enhances communication abilities, and nurtures emotional intelligence in young individuals. The Charleston Literary Festival Young Writers Awards aims to instill a love for literature while providing a supportive environment for teenagers to explore writing skills. The awards aim to spark curiosity and drive creative growth by encouraging students to explore their personal voices at a time when many are grappling with their place in the world. 

As a collective effort to give back to the community, The Charleston Literary Festival Young Writers Awards also aims to establish a comprehensive support system for Charleston teachers and students. Future plans include providing professional development opportunities featuring festival authors, scholarships, and fellowships for young writers, hosting teen writing workshops, and providing educational resources. By investing in the next generation of wordsmiths, the Festival hopes to cultivate an enduring literary community that supports and nurtures aspiring writers throughout their journey.

“This young writer's initiative is important to students for the opportunity to flex. Engaging with those highly experienced and expert in the fields of writing and interpreting stories reinforces their developing constructs of knowledge, conviction, and trust in the context of their own lives. Their stories center the nature of the human experience today and will do so a hundred years from now,” added Cassie Keene, English Teacher at Burke High School. 

The awards' inaugural year has seen enthusiastic participation from local public high schools, with over 60% signing on over 400 students, with 51 students gaining the opportunity to have their work scored by a panel of literary professionals in a blind review process. Award winners will be notified by the third week of October and receive cash prizes and recognition for their achievements. Winners also have their work showcased online, offering them added exposure and networking opportunities with acclaimed authors. Additionally, thanks to the generous contribution from Buxton Books, winners will have the opportunity to continue to build their personal libraries.

"I am truly so excited to be a part of the Charleston Literary Festival's Young Writers Awards! This kind of initiative is so invaluable to young people like the ones I teach. This chance for kids to be able to show off and be celebrated is huge. I cannot tell you all how excited some of these kids were at the chance to be published," said N. Aubrey Moore, English Department at Wando High School.

The 2023 Adjudication Panel for the Charleston Literary Festival includes esteemed individuals such as Dr. Tamara Butler, Executive Director of the Avery Research Center and Associate Dean at the College of Charleston Libraries; Harlan Greene, Award-winning Writer, Historian, and Outreach Archivist at the College of Charleston; Victor Young, Director of ALL4SC at the University of South Carolina and board member of multiple organizations; Natalie C. Hauff, Deputy Director of the Charleston County Public Library, Board Chair of My Sister's House, and former Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist; and Asiah Mae, Poet Laureate of Charleston and accomplished writer, producer, performing poet, community curator, and organizer.

The Charleston Literary Festival Young Writers Awards aims to enable all students to become proficient writers, readers, and critical thinkers by igniting a 'Writing Revolution,' fostering the voices of emerging writers, and encouraging dialogues stirred up by literature. The awards clearly reflect the Festival's commitment to amplifying the voices and viewpoints of our local youth through writing.

Charleston Literary Festival runs November 3–12, 2023, in Charleston, SC.

Program details and tickets are available at https://www.charlestonliteraryfestival.com/program-2023.

About Charleston Literary Festival

Charleston Literary Festival is a boutique literary festival that runs every November for ten days in Charleston, South Carolina. With roots in the Charleston House in the UK—home of the radical writers, artists, and thinkers of the Bloomsbury Group—Charleston Literary Festival is committed to maintaining an international perspective while building up and giving back to the local community on which it is built. Founded in 2017, we specialize in high-quality Festival events that create perspective-altering conversations with world-renowned authors and thinkers. Charleston Literary Festival’s distinctive international ethos allows attendees to engage with renowned authors in unique settings and contribute to conversations around outstanding books and ideas.

The Festival’s programming is carefully curated based on literary and artistic excellence, originality, and critical acclaim. The Festival has established a reputation for presenting exceptional speakers from diverse backgrounds in intimate venues. Pulitzer, Booker, and Nobel Prize-winners take the stage for unscripted conversations—then meet and sign books for the audience immediately after the sessions. Speakers and attendees return year after year to experience the Festival’s unrivaled hospitality and social events. Charleston Literary Festival is committed to offering a diverse program of events regarding speakers and topics, reaching out to all communities, and initiatives that widen access to its programs.

For more information, visit https://www.charlestonliteraryfestival.com.

Media Contact

Sterling Eason, Eason Creative Studio

sterling@easoncreative.com

843-300-8879

Chptr, the vanguard platform for digital video-centric community memorials, is thrilled to announce an unparalleled collaboration with IrishCentral, the leading platform for Irish-interest news and culture. This groundbreaking alliance will launch a sensational new feature on IrishCentral’s website: Interactive Digital Memorials, a transformative evolution in the way we remember, honor, and celebrate lives.

Interactive Digital Memorials & Exclusive Packages

Forget what you knew about mourning and celebrating the lives of loved ones. With IrishCentral and Chptr's revolutionary new collaboration, Interactive Digital Memorials, the experience of remembrance has been reborn for the digital age. These memorials are far from the outdated, static obituaries that populate dusty corners of newspapers and websites. Instead, they provide a living, breathing digital canvas that perpetually evolves and richly captures the essence of a life well-lived.

By intertwining IrishCentral's masterful storytelling abilities with Chptr's technologies, we've created a platform that redefines how we commemorate our dearly departed. Each memorial is a vibrant, multimedia journey that deeply incorporates the legacy of your loved ones into the Irish and Irish-American narrative.

Utilizing embedded videos, rich timelines, interactive photo galleries, and even audio memories, these memorials become living testaments to the people they honor. Imagine a digital space where families can upload that cherished video of grandpa playing the fiddle at a family gathering, or where friends can contribute stories and photos that captured a person's humor, kindness, and spirit. Every memorial will be posted on irishcentral.com as well as the Chptr app, where the community memorializing a particular person can participate and contribute. These are not just online repositories but sacred digital spaces where communities can converge, share, and contribute in real-time.

Remember and celebrate your loved one alongside your community with these exclusive packages by IrishCentral and Chptr:

• Standard Digital Memorial - $49: This foundational package invites an unlimited number of contributors to build a digital monument filled with memories, photos, and sentiments. Complete with a personalized link, your memorial becomes an evergreen haven to visit and revisit, keeping the legacy alive for future generations.
  
  
• Standard Video Package - $249: Elevate the experience with an orchestrated Memory Party session. Up to six participants can join a professionally guided remembrance, led by an award-winning journalist. This package not only gives you all the features of the Standard Digital Memorial, but it also enriches it with a 60-second video or slideshow, seamlessly integrated to capture the quintessence of your shared memories.
  
  
• Premium Video Package - $849: For those who want to leave no stone unturned, the Premium Video Package provides an Extended Memory Party for up to 12 participants and a comprehensive 3-minute video that delves into the deeper stories, significant moments, and emotional arcs that shaped a life. This is the ultimate package for larger families or groups wanting a more in-depth tribute.
  
  
• Memory Party: Each of the one-of-a-kind video packages includes the ability to host a Memory Party—a dedicated time for your group to gather on a private video call and talk through a set of memories with a Chptr storytelling expert. These clips are uploaded to a Chptr so others can interact with them. These sessions provide an opportunity for a community to come together and share memories, stories, and sentiments in a guided setting.

From the varied textures of individual stories to the broad strokes of a life's major milestones, these packages are your tools for crafting a digital tapestry that is both deeply personal and widely communal. They are more than just memorial options; they're heartfelt invitations to contribute to the shared history and collective memory of the Irish experience.

Why IrishCentral & Chptr: A Match Made in Heritage Heaven

When it comes to delivering impactful, Irish-centric news, features, and human stories, IrishCentral reigns supreme. With more than 5 million monthly page views and a network that spans across continents, IrishCentral’s reach is both deeply rooted and expansively global.

Chptr, on the other hand, is the undisputed industry leader in digital video memorials, reshaping the way we commemorate lives in an increasingly digital world. Their pioneering technology brings human connection to the digital sphere, ensuring that every life is remembered in the most extraordinary way.

This monumental collaboration is more than a merging of technologies; it's a synthesis of culture, heritage, and community. It captures the essence of what it means to be Irish—in the past, present, and future.

Community Impact & Engagement

"We are incredibly excited to offer this groundbreaking service to our audience. Not only does it give a platform for the Irish and Irish-Americans to celebrate the lives of their loved ones, but it also serves as a rich tapestry that adds new dimensions to our community's shared history," said Kate Hickey, CEO of IrishCentral.

"Rehan Choudhry of Chptr added, "This collaboration will forever change how we engage with memories and legacies. It is a significant milestone in our mission to enrich lives by providing a holistic, interactive experience that stands as a testament to human resilience and the beauty of storytelling. It's an honor to play a part in ensuring every person in the Irish and Irish-American community can now be remembered forever."

The Interactive Digital Memorials will be accessible through IrishCentral's website, optimized for a diverse range of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking initiative that redefines the way we honor our heroes and loved ones.

About IrishCentral

IrishCentral’s mission is to be the trusted source for information related to Ireland and the Irish - be it news, history, travel, opinion, or cultural information. IrishCentral’s focus is on connecting the Irish and friends of the Irish across the globe and working to keep them informed and inspired. IrishCentral caters to 39 million Irish Americans and 70 million Irish diaspora. For more information about IrishCentral, visit www.irishcentral.com.

About Chptr

Chptr is a mobile-first memorialization platform to gather, share, and hold memories of lives well lived for generations to come. For more information about Chptr, visit www.chptr.com.

Media Contact

Kate Hickey

kate@irishcentral.com

Nick Kuzma

nick@chptr.com

Flume Health, a health technology company focused on modernizing payer operations, has announced a strategic shift to deliver greater value to the U.S. healthcare industry. The company will be focused on advancing its Relay software, a data exchange platform purpose-built for payer-related information. Given this strategic focus, Flume Health is poised to reduce administrative burden and costs associated with data integrations between payers and the plethora of systems, vendors, and health solutions in the industry.

The focus on Relay accentuates Flume Health's evolution from technology-enabled services to software, further solidified by its recent decision to sell its third-party administration division to Vitori Health. The sale will enable Flume Health to further invest in R&D and strategic partnerships with payers and third-party administrators.

"Today's announcement marks an exciting step towards a more interoperable ecosystem, addressing a foundational problem challenging payers, TPAs, plan sponsors, vendors, and innovative digital health companies," said Cédric Kovacs-Johnson, founder and CEO of Flume Health. "The TPA division was a strong, digital-first service that I'm confident will continue to flourish. We had wonderful clients who inspired us to create what is now called Relay: an automated, modern solution to integrate with the vendors they needed for their membership."

Looking ahead, Flume Health will continue to shape the future of payer operations—eliminating friction in the exchange of data between all parties that need to administer care. The company's focus on its software business is a testament to its commitment to administrative data interoperability in U.S. healthcare.

About Flume Health

Flume Health builds tools to help payers efficiently exchange data. Flume's Relay platform is software designed specifically for health payers to connect various systems, vendors, and point solutions. A single platform for scalable integrations, Relay automates key elements of data operations, serving as a universal translation layer. Flume enables Payers and TPAs to bring modern health plans to market faster, deliver commitments with ease, and set the foundation for personalized access to healthcare.

Media Contact

Molly Gallagher

molly.gallagher@flumehealth.com

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) Marketing Cloud’s PRophet, the first and only generative and predictive AI SaaS platform built by and for PR professionals, today announced a new partnership with EZ Newswire, a platform that makes it easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes to create and publish their company announcements to media outlets.

This collaboration brings together two leaders in the comms tech space and enables PRophet customers to benefit from EZ Newswire’s AI-powered platform and integrated publisher network to draft and publish press releases. Through this partnership, PRophet will integrate EZ Newswire as its preferred newswire for both its free and professional accounts. By leveraging EZ Newswire's technology, PRophet users can expect AI-generated press releases, seamless distribution and transparent pricing, enhancing visibility and reach across key national, local and trade outlets at an affordable price point.

PRophet uses a combination of AI, language processing and machine learning to generate, analyze and test new content that predicts earned media interest and sentiment. PRophet’s Taylor, the industry’s first generative AI writing tool, enables brands and agencies to create compelling content more quickly than ever before and provides insights into which types of content are most effective. PRophet also provides a multi-pitch tool, which can generate up to 25 personalized pitches in under three minutes, as well as biography and blog generators, empowering communications pros to be more performative, predictive and productive.

Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO of PRophet, said, “Our mission has always been to empower the PR community with cutting-edge AI solutions to create more compelling content and reach key audiences effectively. Partnering with EZ Newswire allows us to drive even more value for our trial and PRO customers using our platform by helping to reduce time, cut costs, and simplify PR efforts.”

Added Neel Shah, founder of EZ Newswire, “We are thrilled to partner with Aaron and PRophet on this commercial collaboration. It is a win-win-win for EZ Newswire, PRophet, and our respective customers.”

About PRophet

PRophet is the first-ever generative and predictive AI SaaS platform designed by and for the PR community. The platform uses AI to help modern PR professionals become more performative, productive and predictive by generating, analyzing and testing content that predicts earned media interest and sentiment. PRophet was founded in 2020 by PR and marketing industry thought leader and entrepreneur Aaron Kwittken and is part of the Stagwell Marketing Cloud, a suite of SaaS solutions that powers research, communications, and media activation for in-house marketers. To learn more, visit prprophet.ai.

About Stagwell Marketing Cloud

Stagwell Marketing Cloud (SMC) is a suite of data-driven SaaS solutions built for the modern in-house marketer. Born out of Stagwell's (NASDAQ: STGW) network of award-winning marketing agencies, SMC's technology empowers marketers to drive business impact by giving them intuitive tools equipped with proprietary, actionable data. SMC's portfolio of solutions powers strategic customer research, communications, and media activation for brands worldwide by leveraging technology such as generative artificial intelligence, shared augmented reality, and more. Get your head in the cloud at www.stagwellmarketingcloud.com.

About EZ Newswire

EZ Newswire is a platform that makes it easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes to create and publish their news. Our technology produces professional announcements in minutes with no writing or public relations experience required, while our publisher network guarantees placement to ensure the news reaches the right audience. Find out why thousands of organizations, big and small, trust us to power their headlines at www.eznewswire.com.

Media Contacts

Alex Birmingham

KWT Global

abirmingham@kwtgloblal.com

The Female Quotient (The FQ), a woman-owned business creating experiences, media, and research for women and companies committed to advancing equality, today announced the full lineup for its highly anticipated signature Equality Lounge® @ Advertising Week New York 2023.

The FQ’s programming will include 34 panel conversations featuring 150 speakers across two days of programming. Speakers at this year’s Equality Lounge® @ Advertising Week New York include Sherri Shepherd, Host of The Sherri Show; Haley Sacks, Zillennial Finance Expert and founder of Mrs. Dow Jones and Finance Is Cool; Linda Bethea, Chief Marketing Officer, Danone North America; Carla Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer, JPMorgan Chase; Zach Greenberger, Chief Business Officer, Lyft; and many others. Each panel conversation will focus on critical issues related to advancing workplace equality ranging from the gender-based skills gap in AI and the future of the sheconomy to securing women’s financial futures and supporting women’s health in the workplace. 

The FQ’s signature Equality Lounge® will also challenge the bias of AI with an immersive installation celebrating more than 100 notable women as part of The FQ’s new #RAISEHERPROFILE campaign. 

“Join us for the transformational conversations leading to intentional action,” said Shelley Zalis, founder and CEO of The Female Quotient. “Stay to drive visibility and connections for women on a global scale. Together, we can unmask the bias of AI and make the invisible visible.”

The FQ’s Equality Lounge® will take place October 16 and 17, 2023 at the PENN District located at 100 W. 33 St., New York, NY. The FQ is intentionally inclusive. The Equality Lounge® was built by women for everyone, and is open to all. To access the full agenda and RSVP for a free pass, click here. 

Highlights from this one-of-a-kind experience include the following panel conversation topics: 

#RAISEHERPROFILE: Elevating Women to Overcome Biased AI

Why do women only account for 19% of Wikipedia entries? Why does AI portray Advertising’s Most Influential Person of the Year as a white man? Across industries, women are the driving force behind groundbreaking medical discoveries, transformative contributions to film and music, and thriving businesses. So, how can we ensure women are as discoverable by AI as men? Join us as we discuss specific strategies to elevate women’s visibility in all industries, allowing them to shine, own their achievements, and gain global recognition.

AI’s Future is Female: Why a Responsible, AI-Powered World Depends on Women and Girls

Women hold just 26% of data and AI-centered jobs, with a significant gender gap at the executive level. This is an increasingly troubling statistic considering the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, its pervasiveness, and the threat of data bias. The solution lies in hiring, promoting and retaining more women leaders, changing company culture, and especially in elevating women’s stories in order to inspire the next generation of young women and girls to enter the field. Join us as we convene Google’s visionary women leaders who are driving change in the sector.

Fun, Joy, and Laughter with Sherri Shepherd: How to Use Entertainment & Inclusion to Elevate Your Brand

Join Emmy and NAACP award-winning host and comedian Sherri Shepherd in a sit down with BigCommerce’s Tom Bourdon to discuss how she reinvigorated daytime TV while living her dream and leading by example on her hit talk show Sherri. Joined by her Executive Producer Jawn Murray and SVP of Brand Partnerships Karen Bonck, Shepherd and her team will provide insight on bringing their winning feel-good formula to TV every day and how that creates a rich environment for brands to thrive.

How Female Creators Are Fueling the Sheconomy

The financial industry has long been male dominated—until now. With the rise of social media, and platforms like Instagram and TikTok democratizing idea sharing, #womeninfinance finally have a share of voice. These creators are making financial advice accessible to all by pulling back the curtain to help women earn—and spend—what they deserve. Join us for a conversation with Haley Sacks, the Zillenial Finance Expert behind @MrsDowJones, to learn how she has built a business by helping millions of women thrive.

The Power of the Woman Consumer: Meet the CMOs Who Are Meeting This Moment

Join us as we look at the power shift in marketing spends and campaign creative due to the impact of Barbie. We’ll discuss what’s on the minds of marketers as they leverage trends including women as economic powerhouses and the power of multigenerational audiences coming together.

Meet The Men Who Are All In on the Sheconomy

Join us as we meet with top Marketing Execs who are proudly Swifty Dads, Barbie’s Kens, Beyoncé’s Boys and World Cup Fans. We’ll discuss the trend of women powering the trillion dollar economy, what it means for men, for marketers and why they personally are fans of the icons leading the Sheconomy.

About The Female Quotient

The Female Quotient (The FQ) is a woman-owned business creating experiences, media and research for conscious leaders and companies committed to advancing women in the workplace. As an engine of equality, The FQ offers visibility and connections for women at a global scale. The FQ’s signature Equality Lounge® has changed the business agenda at tentpole business conferences including CES, Davos, Cannes Lions and more. As the Business of Equality®, The FQ’s mission is to change the equation and close the gender gap. For more information on the Business of Equality®, visit thefemalequotient.com and join the equality conversation on social @femalequotient on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Brooklyn Community Foundation today announced that it has adopted a new name, Brooklyn Org, and is launching a new platform at brooklyn.org designed to mobilize the people and resources required to achieve its vision for a fair and just Brooklyn. Brooklyn Org (BKO) reimagines the community foundation model to become a more inclusive and engaging partner for all Brooklynites and backers of social change.

“We are working to evolve local philanthropy to create an organization that is accessible, inviting, and driven by the community, and Brooklyn Org reflects those ambitions,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Org. “Brooklyn Org demystifies the work of our community foundation and conveys our focus on rallying resources for Brooklyn, from Brooklyn, in order to exponentially build the strength and capacity of the nonprofits that serve our communities to make Brooklyn a beacon of possibility.”

Inspired by the organization’s new online home at Brooklyn.org, and designed to target a new generation of emerging Brooklyn givers and a new wave of Brooklyn residents, the Brooklyn Org name signals that it is a gateway for learning about the vast, innovative, and deeply underfunded Brooklyn nonprofit sector. Despite being home to 30% of the City’s population and 30% of the City’s nonprofits, Brooklyn organizations receive just 7.6 percent of charitable funding.

Brooklyn Org was founded in 2009 as Brooklyn Community Foundation, to be the first public foundation dedicated to New York City’s largest borough, leveraging increased development and a growing population to encourage greater investment in the borough’s nonprofit community. Since then, Brooklyn Org has moved $100M+ to nonprofits through strategic grantmaking and donor-advised funds. Brooklyn Org has also built a reputation among community foundations globally for advancing new models for participatory grantmaking and community engagement, and organizing community action for racial justice, COVID-19, and immigrant rights.

Acknowledging that the fundamental challenge it was established to address remains, Brooklyn Org relaunches with a new strategic plan and a call to action for every Brooklynite to join this new and growing movement of champions for Brooklyn—to exponentially increase its ability to address inequity and injustice across the borough. By mobilizing an untapped base of new champions for Brooklyn, Brooklyn Org aims to rapidly expand the funding and resources it provides to the Brooklyn nonprofit community aimed at urgent needs and systemic challenges.

“Brooklyn Community Foundation has grown tremendously over the past 15 years and been an important institution for our borough, but we know that for a community of our size, we should be doing much more—and that starts with getting far more Brooklynites engaged,” said Harsha Marti, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Brooklyn Org. “Our new identity helps people connect instantly with our mission. Brooklyn Org is the place where those who live in and love Brooklyn can come together to support Brooklyn.”

“Freeing ourselves from the old, outdated expectations of philanthropy allows Brooklyn Org to distinguish itself as an organization working with Brooklyn for Brooklyn, centered on helping the borough’s residents to support each other,” said Nicole Gueron, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Brooklyn Org. “Brooklyn Org aims to democratize philanthropy and give every Brooklynite a seat at the table.”

Brooklyn Org’s website at Brooklyn.org is a hub for understanding the challenges communities are facing and pooling resources to support vital local nonprofits. The website tells the stories of nonprofits changemakers working in the borough and offers visitors an opportunity to make an impact by supporting those organizations through Brooklyn Org memberships, merchandise, and more. Brooklyn.org will also offer nonprofits one simplified entry point to apply for funding, and allows nonprofits to apply for funding at any time.

Brooklyn Org also expands opportunities for Brooklynites to create Donor Advised Funds and to consult with the Brooklyn Org team to understand how they can use their tax advantageous funds to support nonprofits across Brooklyn and beyond, while their fund fees directly support Brooklyn Org’s mission.

The Brooklyn Org brand was created pro bono by Brooklyn-based creative agency Mother and design studio Mother Design. Images of how the new Brooklyn Org brand will appear in social media and other settings are available here. Mother is also creating an advertising campaign, based on the call to action, “For the Love of Brooklyn,” to introduce Brooklynites to Brooklyn Org. The campaign, which will debut this fall, will highlight how easy it is to support local philanthropy on brooklyn.org.

"This organization has been influential in empowering social justice initiatives that benefit the local communities. Being based in Brooklyn ourselves, we're honored to have worked with the now Brooklyn.org for the rebrand of its next chapter,” said Danielle Horanieh, Managing Director, Mother Design. “Our designs capture the spirit of Brooklyn and provide the organization with a fresh visual identity that matches their dynamism and all the impactful work they do day in and day out.”

Brooklyn Org will be publicly unveiled this evening at the Brooklyn Changemakers Ball at Weylin in Williamsburg, which aims to raise over $1 million to propel the organization’s expanded grantmaking to Brooklyn nonprofits. Hosted by comedians Ana Gasteyer and Phoebe Robinson, the Ball is both a celebration and a powerful call to action highlighting Brooklyn Org’s mission for Brooklyn. The 2023 Changemakers Ball honorees are Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Gabriel Schwartz and Jolie Curtsinger Schwartz.

About Brooklyn Org

Brooklyn Org is a champion for Brooklyn. We celebrate Brooklyn’s brilliance and resilience, its incomparable culture and uncompromising grit—and we demand more for our communities. We are a new model for community philanthropy. Building on the “big idea” born 15 years ago as Brooklyn Community Foundation, we are bringing together Brooklynites, Brooklyn backers, businesses, and broader believers in equity and justice to make Brooklyn a beacon for the world. We are a platform for galvanizing giving. We are here to ensure that ideas are met with resources, challenges are met with solutions, and inequality is met with justice. Learn more at brooklyn.org.

The Ibu Movement, a pioneering force in poverty disruption and cultural preservation, is delighted to announce its upcoming event, "Colombiana!." This distinctive fundraising experience will celebrate the rich cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and cuisine of Colombia. Set to take place on November 15, 2023, this event will unfold across 10 different homes in Charleston’s historic South of Broad neighborhood, promising an unforgettable evening for all attendees.

“Colombiana!” will immerse guests in the rich and diverse tapestry of Colombian traditions, offering a unique opportunity to explore the country's heritage and culinary excellence. Artisans and luminaries from Colombia will come to Charleston to share their rich history, traditions, and craft over intimate dinners. This event exemplifies Ibu Movement's ongoing mission to foster understanding and appreciation of cultures from around the world.

Guests will enjoy authentic Colombian meals with the menu personalized by Mariana Velasquez, an award-winning food stylist and author of the celebrated cookbook, “Colombiana: A Rediscovery of Recipes and Rituals from the Soul of Colombia.” The evening will culminate with a stroll to a Lamboll Street residence for a grand finale of desserts prepared by FIG, dramatically styled by Mariana. 

Following dessert, attendees will be invited to shop treasures crafted by Ibu artisans at a Colombian pop-up boutique curated by Ibu Movement’s partners at El Dorado Edit. The entire evening is a tribute to culture and craft, and the ancient wisdom these indigenous artisans possess.

“I have met these luminaries in the artisanal world of Colombia, crafting not only beauty but change. It is an honor to listen to the remarkable stories of the First Nations indigenous artisans the week before we celebrate our own Thanksgiving, and to learn how their culture and craft carry ancient wisdom, how their food carries rich history, how their hearts carry such light,” shares Susan Hull Walker, Founder and CEO of the Ibu Movement. 

Tickets for "Colombiana!" are available for purchase on the Ibu Movement website at Ibumovement.org. This event promises to be a memorable experience and an indelible celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and the timeless wisdom of indigenous artisans.

About Ibu Movement

The word Ibu means “a woman of respect” in the Malay language of Indonesia. Ibu is a global movement of women rising into self-sufficiency through the art of their hands and hearts. A 501(c)(3), offering a marketplace for the made goods of our global artisan partners in over 50 countries, and grants for operational growth. Ibu organizes events and global travel to connect allies with artisans around the world. For more information, visit ibumovement.org.

Media Contact

Brianna Martinelli, Account Executive

Wawner Strategies

brianna@wawnerstrategies.com

EZ Newswire, a platform that makes it easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes to create and publish their news, announced today an exclusive partnership with Big Technology, the leading online publication about big tech and society with more than 142,000 subscribers and read by thousands of Silicon Valley decision makers. Available only on EZ Newswire, businesses will now be able to publish their news and announcements on Big Technology and tap into its prestigious and growing audience.

An innovator in the newswire industry, EZ Newswire is an AI-powered platform and integrated publisher network that enables businesses to easily and affordably create and publish press releases to media outlets, including the Associated Press and now Big Technology. Since its beta launch in May, EZ Newswire’s offering has attracted a wide range of customers, including Priceline, College of Charleston, and hundreds of small businesses in over 800 cities and towns across the country. In August, EZ Newswire added The Post and Courier, a Pulitzer Prize winner and South Carolina’s paper of record, to its exclusive publisher network, with Big Technology and a slate of other leading media outlets to follow over the next few months.

Founded in 2020 by Alex Kantrowitz, author and one of the world’s most prolific and influential tech reporters, Big Technology is the leading independent media company covering the tech business and its impact on society. Known for its compelling interviews with industry veterans like Brian Chesky of Airbnb and insightful discussions on AI development with experts from DeepMind, Snowflake, and Conviction, Big Technology has a strong reputation for presenting important narratives that shape the landscape of the tech industry. Recently, its podcast charted as the No. 1 tech news show in the U.S. on Apple Podcasts, ahead of The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The Economist.

The inclusion of Big Technology in EZ Newswire's exclusive network enables users to gain significant exposure in the technology sector and amplify the voices and stories that are shaping the future of technology—from seed-stage startups to publicly traded tech giants and everything in between.

"Joining the EZ Newswire publisher network is a fantastic opportunity for Big Technology and our subscribers. This partnership will help us broaden our content and enrich our industry discussions,” said Kantrowitz. Added Caitlin Kelly, founder of EZ Newswire, “Having known and worked with Alex for nearly a decade, I’m excited to partner with him and for EZ Newswire to be the first newswire to offer distribution to the publications that will define the future of media.”

About EZ Newswire

EZ Newswire is a platform that makes it easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes to create and publish their news. Our technology produces professional announcements in minutes with no writing or public relations experience required, while our publisher network guarantees placement to ensure the news reaches the right audience. From Main Street to Wall Street, find out why thousands of organizations trust us to power their headlines at www.eznewswire.com.

About Big Technology

Big Technology is an independent media company founded by Alex Kantrowitz in 2020. Since its debut in 2020, Big Technology’s audience has steadily grown and today exceeds 142,000 tech decision-makers. For more information on Big Technology and to stay up to date with its latest episodes and articles, please subscribe at www.bigtechnology.com.

Ibu Movement, a company dedicated to expanding markets for global women artisans and building their capacity for success, is pleased to share that founder Susan Hull Walker was a panelist at the Women for Women Summit hosted by the College of Charleston Business School in Charleston, SC on October 5 at 10:30 a.m.

The panel discussion titled "Think Globally, Act Locally" emphasized the need for individuals to consider the health of the entire planet and take action in their own communities. By focusing on the local environment and engaging in small acts, individuals can contribute to the much-needed changes. The speakers highlighted how their work not only has a local impact but also addresses broader global issues. Speakers included LaVanda Brown, Executive Director, YWCA of Greater Charleston; Reshma Khan, M.D., Founder, Shifa Clinic; and Jennet Robinson Alterman, Non-Profit Consultant and Women’s Rights Advocate.

Susan Hull Walker's participation in the Women for Women Summit was significant as she shed light on the mission of Ibu Movement. With a mission of elevating women artisans worldwide, Ibu Movement disrupts poverty and fosters change through the artistry of these talented individuals. The company is expanding into new markets for global women artisans and provide them with the necessary support, such as workspace and training, to enhance their success.

Looking ahead, Ibu Movement is committed to doubling its impact on women artisans over the next ten years. The company will continue to expand markets for these talented individuals and provide them with the necessary resources and training to enhance their skills and success. Through these efforts, Ibu Movement aims to create lasting change and improve the lives of women artisans globally.

For more information about Ibu Movement and its mission to elevate women artisans, please visit https://ibumovement.org/.

KraveBeauty, the direct-to-consumer skincare brand, announces the launch of Oil La La, a watery oil serum that aims to #pressreset on conventional harsh, drying, and oil-free acne treatments. With a blend of linoleic acid-rich oils, skin-soothing peptides, and cica ingredients, Oil La La helps prevent breakouts by balancing the skin’s lipid profile to support a healthy sebum composition. 

#PressReset on the oil-free myth. Oily Skin needs oil, too.

Oil La La challenges the conventional wisdom that oily skin needs to be stripped of oil. In fact, it needs more linoleic acid-rich oils to balance out the skin’s natural oils. Oily, acne-prone skin’s sebum is naturally deficient in free fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. This imbalance in lipid composition causes the natural sebum to be waxy, gloopy, and comedogenic, leading to breakouts. 

The Science Behind the Serum

KraveBeauty Oil La La contains a blend of non-comedogenic, nourishing omega fatty oils high in linoleic acid, including 100% traceable rosehip oil upcycled from the jam industry, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and sunflower oil. These ingredients help transform the sebum into light, protective fluid, reducing clogged pores  and improving the skin's appearance. It also features the Cicatide™ Complex, a blend of five skin-soothing peptides and madecassoside for anti-inflammation and redness reduction. Additionally, Shiunko Oil increases moisture hydration and improves the skin barrier function.

Oil La La is now available at www.kravebeauty.com and retails for $28. This product is PETA-certified vegan & cruelty-free and free of fragrance, essential oil, colorant and dye.

About KraveBeauty

KraveBeauty was founded by beauty influencer, Liah Yoo, to #PressReset on the way we think about skincare. KraveBeauty's mission is to humanize the beauty industry for the people and the planet to create a more sustainable and equitable world. KraveBeauty seeks to inspire the industry to press reset on every harmful industry norm and prioritize stakeholder capitalism over shareholder capitalism through its #SlowDownSkincare campaign and its venture studio, PressResetVentures.

To learn more, visit KraveBeauty.com and follow along with the brand on Instagram, @kravebeauty.

In celebration of Green Sports Day, Bold Reuse, a global leader in reusable packaging systems, in collaboration with the Portland Trail Blazers and Moda Center’s hospitality partner, Levy, are proud to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind full-venue reusable packaging initiative within U.S. professional sports. Starting on October 27th, 2023, Rip City Reuse is poised to significantly advance progress toward phasing out single-use packaging in sports and entertainment venues.  

Over the 2022–2023 season, Moda Center took its first steps toward phasing out single-use packaging by converting single-use boats into reusable trays on the club level. This pilot program achieved remarkable success, boasting an 88% average return rate by the end of the season. This achievement was due to successful fan engagement in partnership with Moda Center’s environmental services team. Moreover, 95% of the fans who participated in the pilot expressed their desire to see the initiative expanded to encompass additional products and levels within the arena. This resounding support from the Portland community fueled the decision to introduce reusable cups for alcoholic beverages on an arena-wide scale.

The Portland Trail Blazers, a long-time leader in sports sustainability, is leading the charge again by making reusable cups the default option for every event and game held within the arena, at no additional cost to guests. Implementing the Bold Reuse system provides a world-class fan experience while reducing carbon emissions, water consumption, and energy usage. Furthermore, it exemplifies the Blazers’ unwavering commitment to improving the local Portland community, generating more environmentally friendly jobs, and significantly reducing landfill waste.  

“We're proud to lead the zero waste movement in professional sports," said Brittany Saulsbury, Sustainability Operations Manager for the Portland Trail Blazers. "Our partnership with Bold Reuse shows our ongoing dedication to offering world-class fan experiences while being at the forefront of sustainability within the industry. Rip City Reuse also highlights sports' potential to drive sustainability education and global climate impact.”

Rip City Reuse is spearheading a movement that is already inspiring other venues and teams across the nation. Before, many leaders in the industry didn’t believe reuse at scale was possible, this program now proves that it is possible. Implementing the Bold Reuse system enables packaging to become a revenue generator, sets a new standard for fan experience, and dramatically changes the norms around waste creation. 

"The Trail Blazers’ decision to adopt reusables arena-wide sets an extraordinary standard for venues and businesses nationwide," said Jocelyn Quarrell, CEO of Bold Reuse. "We are honored to partner with the Portland Trail Blazers and Levy to implement this transformative program. The success of Rip City Reuse is a win for our local Portland community and the world. The most exciting part is we’re just getting started."

Rip City Reuse officially kicks off arena-wide at Moda Center on October 27th. 

About Bold Reuse

Bold Reuse transforms how businesses support their customers' reusable packaging business operations to reduce their waste footprint while expanding brand awareness and customer loyalty. Oregon Convention Center, Starbucks, Imperfect Foods, and the Portland Trail Blazers have partnered with Bold Reuse to help implement and scale reuse systems into their organizations. Bold Reuse has helped customers avert over 3 million pounds of waste from the landfill. For more information, visit https://www.boldreuse.com.

About the Portland Trail Blazers

Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 and purchased by the late Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team’s rich heritage includes 37 playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, an NBA championship in 1977, and a commitment to community service and sustainability. The Trail Blazers are dedicated to positively impacting underserved kids and their families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington where they live, learn and play. Portland is the first and only professional sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate and community service. The Trail Blazers' home arena, Moda Center, is the first existing arena to earn LEED Platinum Certification in 2019 after receiving LEED Gold Recertification in 2015 and becoming the first existing professional sports venue in the world to receive LEED Gold status in 2010. The team is also one of the founding members of the Green Sports Alliance. For more information, visit trailblazers.com.

About Levy Restaurants

The disruptor in defining the sports and entertainment hospitality experience, Levy is recognized as the market leader and most critically acclaimed hospitality company in its industry. Twice named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company magazine and one of the top three Best Employers for Diversity in America by Forbes, Levy’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants; iconic sports and entertainment venues, zoos and cultural institutions, theaters and music festivals, and convention centers; as well as the Super Bowl, Grammy Awards, US Open Tennis Tournament, Kentucky Derby, Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals, and NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, and MLS All-Star Games.

On any given day, about 1 in 31 hospital patients has at least one hospital-associated infection, according to the Center for Disease Control and Infection (CDC). Clothing, especially worn by healthcare professionals, is susceptible to a high level of contamination in a hospital setting. Yet shoes––which nearly 40% in a community setting contain traces of Clostridium difficile (C. diff)––are often overlooked as a contributor.

A new study conducted by Hospital Epidemiologist Victor R. Lange, found indisputable evidence of Gales® shoes being the only footwear proven effective against contamination in a healthcare setting. This groundbreaking research, published in a report available on Nurse.org, highlights Gales® as the only footwear that adequately removes contaminants from the shoe surface while preventing strike-through of harmful bacteria and disease.

Key study findings include:

1. Gales® Tops in Germ Removal & Prevention: The study analyzed eight footwear brands to determine their resistance against contamination. A staggering 7 out of these 8 shoes could neither effectively combat the strike-through of disease nor efficiently clear germs from their surfaces. Emerging as the singular standout, Gales® shoes showcased unparalleled efficiency in both protective and germ removal capacities. The brand's proprietary technology, distinctive design, and superior materials contributed to the highest scores in cleanliness and contamination reduction, both externally and internally.
   
   
2. Unbeatable Protection from Strike-Through: Beyond mere surface cleanliness, Gales® demonstrated unmatched capability in preventing contaminants from migrating from inside the shoe to the wearer’s sock. This feature is paramount, ensuring healthcare professionals are shielded from possible pathogens, thereby minimizing the risk of inadvertently transporting these pathogens outside the workplace.
   
   
3. Footwear: A Game Changer in Infection Control: Dr. Lange’s insightful research draws attention to the instrumental role footwear plays in infection control. The healthcare setting, prone to heightened risks of pathogen transmission, demands intensified scrutiny. The findings emphasize that even with rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols in place, footwear remains a vulnerable point for pathogenic organisms to linger. This study serves as an urgent call for reconsidering footwear hygiene protocols in healthcare.

For those invested in safeguarding the health of our healthcare workers and ensuring the highest standards of infection control, Gales® shoes have established themselves as the unequivocal choice.

About Gales®

Gales® Founder and CEO, Rob Gregg, used his ten-plus years in footwear design and enlisted feedback from over 1,500 healthcare workers to create a lightweight, comfortable, and protective shoe at an affordable price point. For more information, visit https://www.weargales.com

PunchLineDrop, an exciting comedy event featuring live music, is taking place on Friday, October 13th from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at White Gallery, located at 709 Coleman Blvd in Mount Pleasant, SC. This event will showcase comedians "Rollin" Jay Moore and Dave "Ugly" Evans with special guest MC Dede Bishop Kennedy. The audience will also be treated to live acoustic music by Chris Roberts.

"Rollin" Jay Moore started his career over 25 years ago at the Comedy Zone in Charleston, learning to perfectly execute his stand-up routine. As a result, he is now headlining major clubs and colleges across the country and has become a cruise-ship favorite.

Also on the bill is another comedy veteran, Dave "Ugly" Evans. Dave has worked clubs, colleges, and has spent years as a host of his own internet radio show "The Dave Ugly Show."

PunchLineDrop is presented by White Gallery, Soul Shine Studios, Fatty's Beer Works, Mail & More, EZ Newswire, and ARW&CO.

For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/punchlinedrop-live-comedy-at-white-gallery-mount-pleasant-101323-tickets-723731720057.

Model B has announced two new hires to strengthen its leadership team and provide outsized impact for clients.

Jeremy Hoders has been appointed Executive Director at Model B. With over 15 years of experience in business, creative strategy, and brand building, Hoders excels at solving complex business challenges that drive growth. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading client growth initiatives using marketing methodologies to deliver optimal impact and ROI. Before joining Model B, Hoders was the Group Account Director at DNA, working with well-known brands such as Swerve Sweetener, Pabst Beer, Catalina Marketing, Tableau, and Amazon. Working coast to coast, he has also partnered with brands such as Microsoft, Under Armour, Peloton, Totino's Pizza Rolls, Toaster Strudel, and Old El Paso. Hoders is excited to unlock growth opportunities for clients and the agency, and he looks forward to pushing boundaries and positively impacting clients' businesses.

"We’re super excited to have Jeremy joining the team. His understanding of how businesses operate and marketing acumen will be invaluable in helping the agency grow and provide exceptional impact for our clients," said Chris Perkins, President of Model B.

In addition, Model B has hired Dan Kuhlman as its new Media Director. With ten years of experience in the advertising space, Kuhlman brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position. Joining Model B from Merkle, Kulhman has primarily worked in larger advertising agencies, with some publisher-side experience in programmatic and streaming audio channels.

Throughout his career, Kuhlman has worked with some of the world’s leading brands in the retail, financial services, healthcare, auto, and CPG verticals. His focus has been on integrated and performance marketing, with a focus on efficacy, agility, and tactical insights.

"Dan’s experience and expertise will be invaluable to our clients and agency. We look forward to seeing the great work he will produce in his new role," said Perkins.

Kuhlman is a transplant in Pittsburgh by way of Chicago. During Covid, he married and is now the proud father of a beautiful daughter, Millie (Amelia). Kuhlman loves to hike, travel, ski, sample local breweries, and watch soccer in his free time. He is also an open book and encourages anyone to start a conversation with him.

Hoders and Kuhlman have already proven their ability to provide smart new ways to help clients grow.

About Model B

Model B is a growth marketing agency that leverages modern marketing methodologies and the SaaS media platform Blueprint.tech to deliver data-informed, intelligent, sustainable business and brand impact. Working hand in hand with client teams, the agency Core Team defines the optimal pathway for marketing success and executes through a mixture of internal talent and external teams sourced from their global Partner Collective, assuring clients access to world-class resources at scale.

Charleston Literary Festival announces an international partnership with renowned global news organization, The Guardian, to produce two sessions that will take place at the newly opened International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina, on November 12th—the tenth and final day of the 2023 Festival.

The first session, slated for 2 p.m. in the African Ancestors Memorial Garden outdoor exhibition space at IAAM, will feature former Guardian journalist Gary Younge, currently Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester, in conversation with journalist Kerri Forrest, now Senior Program Director For Equity Centered Leadership and Philanthropy for MDC, a legacy nonprofit committed to equitable systems of change in the South, about his latest book "Dispatches from the Diaspora". Reflecting on three decades of his career as a journalist, the book “is a powerful collection of his writings on race, racism, and Black life and death” (The Guardian). It covers some of the most defining moments in recent history, including Nelson Mandela's election campaign in South Africa, Obama’s victory, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“We are excited to partner with Charleston Literary Festival and The Guardian to create space for ambitious reading lists and conversations. Media is storytelling, and we live in an era grappling with the truly challenging stories of slavery and reconciliation. We hope the museum’s mission to champion the authentic, empathetic telling of untold stories of African American history will be a powerful spark to personal and community reflections on this year’s festival themes,” said Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, President and CEO of IAAM.

The second session at 4 p.m. will feature a panel of journalists involved in The Guardian’s major journalism series, "Cotton Capital", which explores the links that the newspaper’s founding editor and financial backers had with the transatlantic slave trade. Chaired by Dr. Bernard Powers, IAAM Board Member and Director of the College of Charleston's Center for the Study of Slavery (CSSC), this panel will explore the findings from an independent academic report commissioned by The Guardian, that found that the newspaper’s founder John Edward Taylor had links to transatlantic slavery through partnerships in Manchester’s cotton manufacturing and merchant firms that imported raw cotton produced by enslaved people in the Americas. Alongside Gary Younge, the panel will include Maya Wolfe-Robinson, editor of "Cotton Capital", and Lauren N. Williams, Deputy Editor for Race and Equity at Guardian US. The conversation will cover the legacy and continued impact of transatlantic slavery and ways to make reparations.

“One of the proposals laid out in the long-term programme of restorative justice is to help improve public understanding of transatlantic slavery’s ongoing impact, and debates around reparations and restorative justice through partnerships and programmes. As editor of The Guardian’s 'Cotton Capital' journalism series, we are committed to exploring how the connections between transatlantic slavery and The Guardian’s founders shaped Manchester, Britain, and the world, so we are proud to be partnering with Charleston Literary Festival to share some of these important, global conversations with communities in South Carolina,” said Maya Wolfe-Robinson, Guardian journalist and editor of "Cotton Capital".

The International African American Museum is located on the historically sacred grounds of Gadsen’s Wharf—one of North America’s most significant entry points in the transatlantic slave trade, serving as the arrival point for an estimated 40% of the enslaved Africans brought to the United States. Newly opened in Charleston on June 27, 2023, IAAM tells the untold stories of how Africans and African Americans—through their labor, resistance, and ingenuity—have shaped every aspect of our world.

"We are extremely proud of this partnership with The Guardian and IAAM, as it roots the global in the local. These sessions vividly spotlight the far-reaching effects and legacy of transatlantic slavery and provide an opportunity to highlight opportunities for us to move forward collectively,” added Sarah Moriarty, Executive Director, Charleston Literary Festival. 

Tickets for these two sessions and other featured sessions at Charleston Literary Festival, running from November 3rd to 12th, can be purchased now through the Charleston Literary Festival's website, charlestonliteraryfestival.com.

• Date: Sunday, November 12, 2023
• Program: https://www.charlestonliteraryfestival.com/program-2023
• Location: International African American Museum, 14 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC 29401

Tickets:

• Gary Younge with Kerri Forrest: https://charleston.boldtypetickets.com/events/143389629/gary-younge-with-kerri-forrest-dispatches-from-the-diaspora
• Maya Wolfe-Robinson, Lauren N. Williams, and Gary Younge: https://charleston.boldtypetickets.com/events/143389742/maya-wolfe-robinson-lauren-williams-and-gary-younge-cotton-capital-the-legacies-of-the-transatlantic-slave-trade

About Guardian Media Group

Guardian Media Group (GMG) is the publisher of theguardian.com, one of the largest English-speaking news websites in the world. Since launching its U.S. and Australian digital editions in 2011 and 2013, respectively, traffic from outside the UK now represents around two-thirds of the Guardian’s total digital audience.

Guardian US is renowned for its Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into widespread secret surveillance by the National Security Agency and for other award-winning work, including The Paradise Papers. Guardian US has bureaus in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, covering the climate crisis, politics, race and immigration, gender, and more.

About the International African American Museum

The International African American Museum (IAAM) explores the history, culture, and impact of the African American journey on Charleston, on the nation, and on the world, shining light and sharing stories of the diverse journeys, origins, and achievements of descendants of the African Diaspora. Across 11 galleries and a memorial garden with art, objects, artifacts, and multi-media interaction, IAAM is a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history. As a result, the museum will stand as one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as it evolves today. The mission of IAAM is to honor the untold stories of the African American journey at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf and beyond. For more information, please visit iaamuseum.org or call (843) 872-5352.

About Charleston Literary Festival

Charleston Literary Festival is a boutique literary festival that runs every November for ten days in Charleston, South Carolina. With roots in the Charleston House in the UK—home of the radical writers, artists, and thinkers of the Bloomsbury Group—Charleston Literary Festival is committed to maintaining an international perspective while championing literary excellence, building community, and fostering the next generation of writers and thinkers in South Carolina. An independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, previous attendees of the Festival include Brit Bennett, Geraldine Brooks, Tina Brown, Hernan Diaz, Eddie Glaude, Yaa Gyasi, Patrick Radden Keefe, Ian McEwan, Joyce Carol Oates, Imani Perry, George Saunders, Colm Tóibín, and Jeannette Winterson. For more information, visit charlestonliteraryfestival.com.

Media Contact

Sterling Eason, Eason Creative Studio

Email: sterling@easoncreative.com

Phone: 843-300-8879

On October 5, 2023, U.S. Fire Administrator, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, will address the fire problem facing the country during the Phoenix World Burn Congress at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Media is invited to attend.

• What: "The Burn Survivors Role in One Voice: Uniting for a Safer Tomorrow" at the Phoenix World Burn Congress
• Who: Dr.  Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator
• When: October 5, 2023, 1:00 pm EST 
• Where: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center: 201 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD 20745 (Room Baltimore 1-2)

Last year, the U.S. Fire Administrator hosted the first Fire Prevention and Control Summit since the Conference on Fire Prevention and Control hosted by President Truman in 1947. The October 2022 summit included a roundtable discussion where national fire service leaders made five recommendations to national leaders from the Biden Administration. These recommendations now outline the national strategy to address the fire problem facing the nation. The summit kicked off a series of “Fire Stop One Voice” outreach events that unite the fire service to speak with one voice.

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading connector for those affected by a burn injury, the primary resource for quality information and education, and the trusted authority for all in the burn community. Phoenix World Burn Congress is a bi-annual international conference that provides in-person and virtual education, support programs, and comprehensive resources for the burn community.

Phoenix Society and its curated speaker lineup will leverage the power of stories and shared experiences to shine a light on the collective strength of the burn community.

Speakers:

• Amy Acton, CEO, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
• Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator
• Dr. Rob Cartotto, President, American Burn Association
• Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation/First Responder Center for Excellence
• Lorraine Carli, VP Outreach and Advocacy, National Fire Protection Association
• Gina Russo, Burn Survivor Advocate from the Station Night Club Fire
• Rob Feeney, Burn Survivor Advocate from the Station Night Club Fire
• Tom Flamm, Burn Fund Coordinator, International Association of Firefighters Burn Foundation
• Vickie Pritchett, VP Advocacy & Outreach, National Fire Sprinkler Association

Click here for registration information and tickets to the Phoenix World Burn Congress. A brochure can be found here. A full schedule of events can be found here.

About Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors

For more than four decades, thousands of burn survivors, loved ones, healthcare professionals, and community allies have found comfort, support, and guidance—community—in the same place: Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. Burn survivors and their loved ones face a lifelong journey of physical, emotional, and social recovery. Connecting with others who have walked a similar path is essential for optimal recovery and social reintegration. Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading connector for those affected by a burn injury, the primary resource for quality information and education, and the trusted authority for all in the burn community. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Phoenix Society takes its name from the legendary bird consumed by flame but rises again, more vibrant than before. For more information, visit www.phoenix-society.org.

Media Contact

Rachel Kudlak

randerson@phoenix-society.org

CMO Huddles, the leading marketing community dedicated to inspiring B2B greatness, in partnership with the Marketing Insider Group, announced today the completion of the first comprehensive study comparing AI-generated content to human-only content. The study, conducted between June and September 2023, showed that, at least for now, human-generated content significantly outperforms AI-generated content in terms of driving site visibility, keyword rankings, and site traffic.

Marketing Insider Group, led by visionary content expert Michael Brenner, conducted the keyword research that drove the topics selected for the study. With these keywords, this same team then created a total of 60 one-thousand-word blog posts divided evenly among three author types: human-only, AI-only using ChatGPT 3.5, and a hybrid of both. Shares Brenner, “We structured the test to be as unbiased as possible since most content creators need to understand the real business value of generative AI copy which we already know is amazingly fast.”

Over a 10-week period, the content was published on Renegade.com, a leading source of B2B marketing insights, 6 times a week, and its performance was tracked based on its ability to increase visibility, improve keyword rankings, and drive site traffic. The results showed that human-generated content significantly outperformed AI-generated content and outperformed the hybrid approach, demonstrating the unique power of human creativity and expertise. For the complete report, please click here.

Drew Neisser, Founder of CMO Huddles, commented on the results, saying, "The test reaffirms the value of human creativity and expertise in the B2B marketing landscape. While I have no doubt that these tools will get better and that marketers need to start using them now to gain experience, great content, content that resonates with your audience, will continue to originate from human experts and not bots.”

CMO Huddles' decision to conduct this groundbreaking test speaks to their commitment to providing the highest quality and most effective resources for B2B marketing leaders. Founded in 2020, CMO Huddles understands the biggest challenge faced by B2B CMOs is time. With this in mind, every aspect of CMO Huddles is designed to save CMOs time, enabling them to make faster, better, and more informed decisions. From expertly moderated peer-to-peer Huddles, an always-on Slack channel, arranged 1:1s, pithy weekly recaps, to unique PR opportunities, CMO Huddles brings together an elite cross-section of B2B marketing leaders, empowering them to share, care, and challenge each other to greatness.

Looking ahead, CMO Huddles continues to innovate and provide valuable resources to B2B CMOs. With a focus on supporting CMOs in transition and aspiring B2B CMOs, CMO Huddles offers both free and paid plan options. By joining the community of perpetually curious B2B marketing leaders at CMOHuddles.com, individuals can save themselves hours of searching for answers and gain access to a network of like-minded professionals dedicated to achieving greatness.

For more information about CMO Huddles and their mission to inspire B2B greatness, please visit https://cmohuddles.com.

For more information about the Marketing Insider Group and their content development programs, please visit http://marketinginsidergroup.com.

On September 28, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, addressed the SBA’s Regional Regulatory Fairness Boards at their annual meeting and welcomed 17 newly appointed board members.

The board members Including Janna Patricia Rodriguez, founder Innovative Daycare—small business owners, operators or officers—engaged in discussion and shared concerns with Administrator Guzman, Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed and agency leaders related to matters of federal regulatory issues for small businesses. At this meeting of the 10 Regional Boards, the first since 2020, 17 new members joined 20 current members, bringing diverse experiences, perspectives and business backgrounds to advance regulatory fairness. 

“I am pleased to grow our reach into small business communities with the expansion of the Regional Regulatory Fairness Boards. Our incredible volunteer small-business owners will serve as a valuable local resource for entrepreneurs experiencing challenges with federal regulatory enforcement or compliance actions,” said Administrator Guzman. “I appreciate the continued and new service of our dedicated board members who can provide insights and advice to SBA to help us better support small businesses as they navigate federal regulation.” 

The board members advise the National Ombudsman and Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness on small business matters related to federal regulatory enforcement actions and report instances of unfair, excessive enforcement actions taken by federal regulators. 

“The Regulatory Fairness Boards are a tremendous asset for the small-business community and the SBA. Now, with robust membership, including 37 board members coming from 21 states and 22 industries, we are better positioned to advance regulatory fairness,” said National Ombudsman Michele Schimpp. 

Additional information about the Regional Regulatory Fairness Boards can be found here.

Appointment terms are set for three years. Members of the advisory committee do not receive a salary, nor are they eligible to officially represent the SBA. Their selection does not connote an endorsement of their organizations. 

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small-business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow and expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit sba.gov.

Voosh.ai, a data-driven restaurant analytics platform that reduces order issues, increases sales and boosts delivery margins, announced today it welcomed PLNT Burger to its expanding clientele, marking a significant milestone in its journey of transforming the restaurant industry. Since onboarding, the restaurant has witnessed remarkable improvements in its dispute resolutions.

In an era where technology is reshaping the landscape of the U.S. restaurant industry, Voosh is leading the way by addressing the exponential growth of disputes as more customers embrace online food ordering. On average, 5 percent of all online orders result in disputes, translating to substantial revenue losses, directly impacting profitability and increasing customer churn. Voosh's unique platform harnesses the power of technology and data science to simplify and enhance restaurant operations, offering a strategic solution to this industry-wide issue.

PLNT Burger reported impressive results and a significant boost in their daily earnings, with a total of $480 (average per day of $69), with $370 still pending. Their win rate percentages for the weeks ending July 31 and August 7 stood at 17.5% and 61.29%, respectively.

"Voosh's Dispute Manager is a pivotal innovation for the restaurant industry, and we're thrilled to welcome PLNT Burger to our growing family of satisfied customers,” said Priyam Saraswat, CEO and Co-founder of Voosh. “The improvements in dispute resolution for PLNT Burger underscore the need for a standardized dispute process with third-party services like DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub."

“We’ve gotten a lot of value out of the Voosh Dispute Management module already, and our resolution rate keeps going up without having to manually intervene in the dispute process,” said Ben Kaplan, Co-Founder and CEO of PLNT Burger. “We’re also enjoying Voosh's one-stop shop for our third-party marketplace data, and being able to segment and slice up that data within the platform, which has allowed us to make quick, highly informed decisions in optimizing these sales channels.”

For more information, please visit voosh.ai.

About Voosh.ai

Established in 2020, Voosh is a revolutionary solution in the restaurant industry, empowering operators to maximize their potential on third-party marketplaces. Born from a need for a unified data platform, Voosh's Restaurant Marketplace Intelligence Platform enhances operational efficiency, customer experience, and profitability. Backed by reputable venture capital funds, including Y Combinator, Voosh has helped over 200 restaurant locations grow their third-party sales by 20%. With a mission to provide clear, actionable insights for data-driven decisions, Voosh is committed to revolutionizing restaurant technology and shaping the future of the industry. Visit voosh.ai to learn more.  

About PLNT Burger

PLNT Burger is a quick service restaurant concept dedicated to crafting and redefining some of America’s favorite foods. With a focus on juicy, indulgent burgers, soft-serve, savory snacks, and seasonal salads, our mission is to give people the ability to Eat The Change with delicious foods they love and crave. PLNT Burger offerings are free of any animal products, without compromising flavor or experience.

FAND, the leading collegiate athlete relationship management platform, today announced that it has successfully closed its pre-seed fundraise, led by Hivers and Strivers, an early stage VC investing in veteran founders. FAND manages and automates NIL campaigns and endorsements for marketing departments and their agencies. Unlike manual processes that lack scalability, FAND offers access to NIL-ready collegiate athletes who are available, experienced, responsive, and values-driven. With its cutting-edge technology, FAND aims to become the leading automated sports marketing cloud.

The completion of the pre-seed fundraise marks a significant milestone for FAND and showcases the company's commitment to revolutionizing collegiate sports marketing. By providing a streamlined platform for managing NIL campaigns, FAND eliminates the headaches associated with manual processes and offers marketing departments and agencies unparalleled access to college sports athletes. The company will provide as much information as possible for clients to make high-confidence decisions when selecting an athlete for a campaign.

According to Dominique Wright, Founder of FAND, "We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our pre-seed fundraise. This milestone not only validates the value and potential of FAND but also strengthens our position as the leading automated sports marketing cloud. We are excited to continue empowering marketing departments and agencies with our innovative platform."

Looking ahead, FAND has ambitious plans to further enhance its automated sports marketing cloud. The company aims to expand its reach, forge strategic partnerships, and continuously innovate to provide marketers with the most effective tools and solutions in the industry.

To learn more about FAND and its pioneering approach to collegiate sports marketing, please visit https://fand.com/.