South Suburban Citizen 4-05-2023

2ND ANNUAL CULINARY FUTURES EVENT RAISES $67K FOR NO MATTER WHAT

On Sunday, March 5, the 2nd Annual Culinary Futures Fundraiser benefiting No Matter What took place at the Zhou B. Art Center in Bridgeport. Over 200 guests enjoyed sweet and savory delights (mostly) prepared and catered by students in the High School Culinary Arts Programs of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) as well as performances from two-time Grammy nominee John Primer and a live DJ. More than 100 students participated in the evening’s preparations from schools including Charles A. Prosser Career Academy, Neal F. Simeon Career Academy, Roberto Clemente Community Academy, and others. Emceed by NBC Chicago’s LeeAnn Trotter, the event raised more than $67,000 for No Matter What. Initiatives this year’s fundraising directly impacts include summer camp scholarships for CPS students as well as an upcoming trip to Ireland. Five scholarships were awarded during the evening’s festivities. They included:

Ashley Hardin - Areolatte Culinary Futures

Scholarship

Jamari Hayes - Marcato Culinary Futures

Scholarship

Azaria Randle - Culinary Futures

Scholarship

Rachel Brooks - Culinary Futures “Future Star” Scholarship

Morohunkeii Akinremi - Rogers Park

Juneteenth Community Scholarship

No Matter What is a not-for-profit founded by Kenneth Griffin dedicated to the youth of Chicagoland. The organization creates programs to support CPS students in their career endeavors within the restaurant and hospitality industry through mentorship, career readiness training, and mental health healing to help the students reach their highest potential. The annual Culinary Futures event raises crucial funds to support those programs.

NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EXCEEDS GOALS FOR ITS BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM

CHICAGO, PRNewswire -- Access---all deserve it, yet too many barriers still prevent equitable access in the workforce. The Business in Enterprise Program (BEP), created by the state of Illinois in 1994 to promote the economic development of underrepresented businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, bridges this gap by ensuring fair access and equitable opportunities.

Northeastern Illinois University believes in a diverse student body and the importance of diversity among the vendors they utilize to provide goods and services to the institution.

Under the purview of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, BEP requires state agencies and public universities to conduct a certain percentage of business with BEP vendors. NEIU’s commitment to the program surpassed goals. In the fiscal year 2022, Northeastern Illinois University exceeded their BEP goal by almost 16%. The University was able to surpass their goals because of the Procurement Office’s continued efforts to reach out to registered BEP firms to provide contracting opportunities through Invitations for Bids, Requests for Proposals and Qualifications Based Selection solicitations that include a 30% BEP goal, where feasible.

Manish Kumar, Vice President for Finance and Administration at NEIU, supported the procurement office in initiating and implementing an eProcurement process to increase efficiency and compliance in business transactions which increased NEIU’s capacity to participate in the Business Enterprise Program.

NEIU also reaches out to current vendors to encourage registration in the BEP program and provides in-house training to NEIU personnel on how to search for vendors in the BEP database. In their commitment to exploring additional opportunities where they can engage BEP vendors for future projects, the Purchasing Office often helps new and existing vendors register for the Business Enterprise Program by providing information about the program, sharing the registration link and explaining the benefits of being registered in the Program.

Continued from page 1

Custom shoe brand uses artistic elements to highlight individuality

BY TIA CAROL JONES

LaToya Shaw created LØVCHLD out of pain. She lost someone close to her in November 2019 and she needed to find a creative outlet. That outlet was to paint on shoes. She continued to paint on shoes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine.

“It’s been a ride. But, it’s just kind of digging through those dark moments and trying to find something that makes life feel worth living and brings out the light at the end of the day,” she said. Shaw feels like fashion is a creative outlet. She started LØVCHLD as an artist brand, using shoes as an art canvas, which has transitioned into a fashion brand.

She recently premiered her film “Love Child,” in Los Angeles. The premise of the film is based on a poem Shaw wrote about growing up in a single parent household. It is a look at how Shaw felt different, and she grew to understand herself and her relationship to others based on how she grew up. Shaw was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, but her father is from Los Angeles. She has dual citizenship. She has been acting for the last 12 years.

Shaw advises others who are looking for a creative outlet to try anything and everything. From an early age, she started dancing and acting classes, which felt natural for her. Then, she experienced the tragedy of loss of someone very close to her.

“I felt like I wanted to start painting. I journaled and it didn’t feel like what I was feeling was being translated through the words on the page. I also turned

to photography,” she said, adding that a friend had a camera and suggested she start taking pictures. “I just feel like reaching for any kind of outlet of expression and then seeing what works for me.”

With LØVCHLD, Shaw wants to merge all of her creative outlets into one, in order to tell a story. She wants to create her shoes and put them into films she has written and created and tell stories, using that outlet. She also paints and customizes shoes for people, and takes portraits of them, and turns that into another piece of art.

The shoes Shaw creates have been described as ethereal with punk qualities, using bright colors and edgy tones. Each shoe is meant to highlight the individuality of the person who wears them. It also is a celebration of life and liberation. It is a dream come true for celebrities to wear the shoes Shaw creates. It is surprising to her because she didn’t start the brand for success, it was something she was doing to “collect” herself.

“To move out of quarantine and have people really respond to my work and want to wear it, having people with names wanting to wear it and having it in a movie, it’s just really been groundbreaking for me and I’ve been so honored and excited because it’s more than I have envisioned when I began all this. So, it’s really cool and very exciting,” Shaw said, adding that she is ready to design and create her own shoe.

For more information about LØVCHLD, visit www.lovchld.com

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL ANNOUNCES HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION INCREASING OVERSIGHT OF HEALTH CARE MARKET CONSOLIDATIONS

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the Illinois House of Representatives on Friday passed his legislation to increase oversight of health care transactions, namely mergers and acquisitions that include health care facilities and large provider organizations, which can lead to higher prices for health care services while quality of care worsens or remains stagnant.

“Increasing oversight of proposed health care mergers and acquisitions is a positive step toward ensuring every Illinoisan has access to quality health care services in their neighborhood,” Raoul said. “This important legislation will give my office timely notice to better assess whether action is needed to protect the public from health care facility mergers that lessen competition. I look forward to continuing our work in the Illinois Senate.”

Raoul’s measure – contained in House Bill 2222 –would ensure proposed health care facility mergers are reviewed at the state level. State-level review is vital, as many mergers are not scrutinized at the federal level due to a failure to receive timely notice of the transaction or because the merger is too small for federal action. While the Attorney General’s office currently works with the federal government to review large-scale transactions, state-level review would fill current gaps that allow mergers to occur without review.

Specifically, House Bill 2222 would: Require health care facilities to notify the Attorney General within 30 days of a proposed merger or acquisition.

Establish a premerger notification program at the state level for health care facility mergers.

Better equip the Attorney General’s office with information necessary to determine whether a proposed transaction warrants an investigation and, when necessary, a challenge for anticompetitive conduct that could substantially lessen competition or harm the public or employees.

House Bill 2222 is sponsored in the Illinois House by State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.

“The cost of healthcare is already a strain, and sometimes an impossibility, for far too many families in Illinois. Increased competition in a marketplace leads to better outcomes for consumers – and at some point in our lives, we are all consumers of healthcare,” said Rep. Gong-Gershowitz. “This legislation ensures that the Attorney General has sufficient notice of healthcare mergers and acquisitions so that these transactions can be reviewed for any potential antitrust violation – and keep healthcare costs for consumers down. This bill puts patients and everyday people ahead of Wall Street investors.”

House Bill 2222 will next head to the Illinois Senate for consideration.

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Shoes created by Latoya Shaw for her LØVCHLD brand.

Photo provided by Anderson Group Public Relations.

Gov. Pritzker Announces 116 Non-profit Organizations Awarded $20 Million for Enhanced Security Across Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) announced $20 million in grants have been awarded to 116 non-profit organizations across the state through the 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The funding will be used to help organizations strengthen efforts to protect against public safety and security threats. Many of the grantees are places of worship, reproductive health providers, cultural institutions, and education centers who were deemed at high-risk of a terrorist attack.

must be fully completed during the three-year (36 month) performance period.

“At a time when threats against cultural and religious institutions have occurred in record numbers, this critical security funding is particularly important,” said State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield). “I am grateful to Governor Pritzker and IEMA for getting these resources to the places they are needed most.”

POLITICAL AFFAIRS

CASTEN, KELLY INTRODUCE BILL TO REDUCE GUN TRAFFICKING IN ILLINOIS

On Thursday, March 30th, U.S. Representatives

Sean Casten (IL-06) and Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced the Gun Trafficker Detection Act to require gun owners to report if their gun is lost or stolen within 48 hours.

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

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SOUTH END

Washington Heights,Roseland,Rosemoor, Englewood,West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman,Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

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Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island,SouthHolland,and Dolton.

Shopping- their favorite pastime!

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Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores,Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland,South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND

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Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGII), Publisher of the ChathamSoutheast,South End, ChicagoWeekend,South

“As Governor, my top priority has always been—and will continue to be—keeping Illinoisans safe,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This $20 million investment will provide grantees—from mosques and synagogues to education centers and cultural institutions—the resources they need to enhance safety measures amidst the rising tide of extremism. From Skokie to Peoria, Illinoisans deserve to be able to congregate safely with their communities, and that’s exactly what the Nonprofit Security Grant Program achieves.”

“When the nonprofits that provide spaces to worship, create, and educate are secure, our communities grow and thrive,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “In Illinois, we stand against extremism and hate. These statewide grants are part of our sustained commitment to help broaden protective measures so all Illinoisans can feel safe and well.”

“Though we have taken historic steps to make Illinois the most welcoming state in the nation, there has been a rise in anti-Semitism, anti-Asian American hate, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and hate crimes,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We must stay vigilant and provide as many tools in the toolbox as possible to root out hate. In that vein, I am grateful to the advocates and the work that was done to allocate resources to organizations in our communities to protect our constituents from harm.”

“The 116 non-profit groups will be able to immediately purchase and implement safety measures at their facilities,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Security equipment, facility hardening, and other operational actions are just some ways these groups are increasing safety measures for their organizations.”

While Illinois has taken steps in its state government to prevent gun violence, these efforts are often undermined by weak gun laws in neighboring states like Indiana and Wisconsin. In Illinois in 2019, guns trafficked across state lines comprise about 63% of the total number of illegally possessed guns. Theft is a significant avenue through which these illegally possessed firearms are diverted from lawful commerce and ownership into criminal hands. The primary source of stolen firearms is theft from private citizens’ vehicles, homes, and persons. While more than 95% of stolen guns originate via thefts from private citizens, federal laws and most states do not require private individuals to report the theft of a firearm. The Gun Trafficker Detection Act is poised to prevent further trafficking of illegal guns and decrease the number of violent crimes involving guns by requiring gun owners to report if their gun is lost or stolen.

Rep. Sean Casten said, “The people of Illinois deserve to feel safe and protected against gun violence. Our state laws are continually undermined by the insufficient gun safety laws of our neighboring states, enabling traffickers to bring deadly weapons across our borders and into the hands of those who should not have them. Each year, we see thousands of stolen or trafficked guns used in violent crime. The Gun Trafficker Detection Act will help law enforcement address this issue with the seriousness it demands and prevent needless deaths caused in our communities by trafficked weapons.”

“No one is safe until all of us are safe,” said Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02). “Gun trafficking puts more guns on our streets and in our communities and puts people like my constituents in harm’s way. The Gun Trafficker Detection Act will support local officials to keep our communities safe and help prevent illegal guns from taking more lives.”

“The Gun Trafficker Detection Act is a crucial step in preventing the trafficking of illegal guns and reducing the devastating impact of gun violence in our communities. By requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 48 hours, this legislation will help law enforcement identify and prosecute traffickers who often use this loophole to avoid accountability and put lives at risk. Brady is proud to endorse this critical bill and urges Congress to act swiftly to pass it,” said Brady President Kris Brown.

Adzi Vokhiwa, Federal Affairs Director of Giffords, said “Lost and stolen firearms pose a significant risk to public safety and are often recovered at the scene of a crime. When firearms are not reported as lost or stolen, law enforcement cannot investigate the path of the firearm from lawful ownership to the perpetration of the crime. The Gun Trafficker Detection Act would require that lost and stolen firearms are reported to police, ensuring that law enforcement gets near real-time information about the loss or theft of firearms and can potentially disrupt gun trafficking operations that target lawful gun owners and divert their weapons into the illicit market. We thank Representative Casten for his leadership on this important issue.”

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Funds must be used for target-hardening activities, which include active shooter trainings, the purchase/installation of security equipment on property owned or leased by the not-forprofit organization, and the hiring of contracted security personnel. Security enhancements must be for the locations that the notfor-profit occupies at the time of the application, and the projects

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the IEMA Office of Homeland Security will continue to identify all expanding threats and work collaboratively with partners to monitor all enhancements and document proven successes.

To learn more about this funding opportunity, visit IEMA’s website and download the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Fact Sheet.

Additional information about the grant programs is also located on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.

The Gun Trafficker Detection Act would help end gun trafficking and future violent crimes related to gun violence in the US. While federal law requires firearm dealers to report firearms that are lost or stolen from their inventory to local authorities and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), it does not currently require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement.

Specifically, the Gun Trafficker Detection Act would prevent further trafficking of illegal guns by:

Requiring gun owners to report their gun lost or stolen within 48 hours.

Helping law enforcement identify and prosecute gun traffickers who often claim their gun was lost or stolen only once it turns up at a crime scene across state lines. Making traffickers liable for any damage done by their guns.

Prohibiting repeat violators from purchasing a gun for 5 years.

Creating a web-based portal to report a firearm as missing or stolen.

The text of the bill can be found here.

The Gun Trafficker Detection Act is endorsed by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and Giffords.

“When the nonprofits that provide spaces to worship, create, and educate are secure, our communities grow and thrive,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.

Grants awarded through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to help organizations protect against public safety and security threats

Meet the 10 Tech Startups in the Inaugural Geekz Ventures Pre-Accelerator

ATLANTA, PRNewswire -- US-based pre-accelerator Geekz Ventures has announced its class of 10 startups for its inaugural cohort program.

The GROWTH pre-accelerator program supports Black and Latinx-led early-stage companies from any industry, with a focus on MediaTech, Entertainment, and Mobile Technology. Applicants were assessed on their product, video pitch, potential impact, and capacity to build a scalable business.

“We were inundated with applications. After a rigorous application process, we have selected founding teams that we truly believe can build sustainable and scalable brands.”

Kicking off in March 2023, the highly competitive ten-week program offers training, mentorship, and resources to help founders build successful businesses. Geekz Ventures provides access to world-class mentors and coaches, peer-to-peer networking, and an equity-free grant with the possibility for follow-up funding.

Topics such as branding, scaling operations, knowing your numbers, product market fit, and emotional intelligence in leadership will be covered.

In addition, founders participate in workshops and one-to-one office hours. They will also gain media exposure, including opportunities to be featured on the digital news platform, UrbanGeekz.

Geekz Ventures is founded by award-winning BBCtrained journalist-turned-serial entrepreneur Kunbi Tinuoye. Former WeWork Enablement executive Brandon Wilkins will serve as the program manager.

“We were inundated with applications,” said Tinuoye.” After a rigorous application process, we have selected founding teams that we truly believe can build sustainable and scalable brands.”

Geekz Ventures program manager Brandon Wilkins said, “What’s exciting me the most is being able to wit-

ness up-and-coming black-founded tech startups. Black people still represent the tech space in low numbers, and I’m excited to see the innovation and growth.”

Speaking about one startup that has caught his eye, Wilkins cites The Barter Shop. Aimed at creating an inclusive micro-economy for small businesses and solopreneurs, the startup was founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the home of Black Wall Street. For Wilkins, “with the history of what happened there, this takes determination and great bravery.”

Mentors and coaches include Mandela SH Dixon, the former CEO of All Raise, a non-profit on a mission to accelerate the success of female and non-binary investors, founders, and operators in tech.

Gary Stewart, MD of Techstars NYC powered by J.P. Morgan joins Hodge Dixon alongside other high-profile leaders in the media or tech startup ecosystem.

Other mentors include Kathryn O’Day, partner at Atlanta Ventures; Marguerite Pressley Davis, founder of

Finance Savvy CEO, Aniyia L. Williams, Principal at Omidyar Network, and Terry (Kojo) Oppong, Creator Manager at LinkedIn, among others.

“I am impressed with the cohort of early-stage founders that Geekz Ventures has assembled and proud to serve as a mentor,” said Danielle Nicholson, Geekz Ventures coach, and founder and CEO of BuilderBloc, a legal and business advisory firm that works with early-stage founders in emerging markets. “I look forward to providing these founders with the legal guidance required to build a solid foundation for future success.”

Geekz Ventures also provides an outlet for its entrepreneurs to work on their emotional health, professional relationships, and stress management.

“Our mission is to empower business owners and entrepreneurs of color to create the lives they always imagined for themselves,” said Geekz Watch coach Chantel Cohen and founder of CWC Coaching & Therapy, which provides therapy and coaching services to entrepreneurs and professionals alike. “We are excited to work with Geekz Ventures. Through this partnership, our goal is to promote prosperity for underrepresented founders on a global scale.”

Meet the 10 Startups:

1. Hayti, Founded by Cary Wheelous

2. Animteam, Founded by Victor Williamson

3. visuEats, Founded by Sophronia McKenzie

4. InColorStock, Founded by Claritza Jimenez

5. Lyricster, Founded by Summer “Soulstress Williams

6. Spawnn, Founded by Buchi Obi and Will Hollingsworth

7. ALIVE Podcast Network, Founded by Angel Livas

8. Seed At The Table, Founded by Pierre Le Veaux

9. The Barter Shop, Founded by Shanice Brown

10. PrimoStats, Founded by Shayla Price

Glossier’s 2023 Grant Program for Black-Owned Beauty Businesses now accepting applications

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Glossier’s vision is to change the way the world sees beauty — and the brand aims to do that by helping change the beauty industry itself. As part of Glossier’s continued investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion in beauty (and beyond), the brand announces the launch of its third Grant Program for Black-Owned Beauty Businesses, committing $300,000 and doubling down on mentorship provided by Glossier team members, towards six visionary businesses in the U.S.

Glossier’s Grant Program will provide financial support by way of grant money, access to Glossier’s expertise in areas relevant for the specific grantee such as supply chain or product development, and exclusive access to Glossier’s network including VCs, C-Suite Executives and past Grantees.

In 2022, Black founders raised only 1% of all venture capital funding— a disappointing decrease from the 1.3 percent raised in 2021. Despite the fact that Black consumers make up over 11 percent of the U.S. beauty market – spending over $6.6 billion on beauty annually — Black-owned brands only capture 2.4 percent of revenue in the overall beauty market.

Since the Grant Program’s inception in 2020, Gloss-

ier has been honored and humbled to partner with 30+ founders leading 26 innovative beauty brands. There’s a strong track record of success, with Grant Program alumni like Range Beauty, Young King, and Luna Magic appearing on Shark Tank, and Skimdo winning an Allure Best of Beauty Award. Grantees have also gone on to national retail distribution such as Golde and Eadem.

The application window is now open. Submission criteria includes:

Purpose: The inspiration and purpose behind your business and the impact you hope to achieve both for your customers and the broader community

Differentiation: What sets your brand and products apart from others in your category

Business Plan: Your plans for business growth and how Glossier’s Grant Program will help you achieve your goals.

Applicants must be beauty brands with physical beauty products (not service providers, not salons, not spas) who are seeking support and resources, and are available to actively participate in four months of programming.

How it Works

Grantees will be paired with a Glossier executive ad-

visor for mentorship, have access to business programming on topics ranging from supply chain to product development to influencer marketing, and participate in 1:1 meetings with functional experts across the Glossier team, connect with alumni grantees from previous years, and receive support from Glossier’s community of partners like Shopify and Google.

The application window is open now through April 11 at 12 a.m. EDT. Click here to apply. Applicants will be notified in June 2023.

Glossier is a beauty brand inspired by real life, whose vision is to change how the world sees beauty. The brand launched in 2014 with four essential products and today, has over 46 everyday essential products spanning skin care, makeup, fragrance and body care, as well as a successful line of merch, a passionate dedicated following of more than 2.7 million followers on Instagram and 1.5B TikTok views on #Glossier. Glossier has nine retail locations and recently launched a wholesale partnership with Sephora in North America.

Applications are open through April 11th. Learn more: https://www.glossier.com/blogs/company-blog/2023-grant-program

Founders from the Geekz Ventures GROWTH Inaugural Pre-Accelerator Program. Geekz Ventures.

CURLS Launches TRANSLATE Campaign to Empower Women with Textured Hair

DALLAS, PRNewswire -- CURLS, the most recognized natural hair care brand in North America, the textured hair aisle, and the multicultural community, is excited to announce the launch of its 2023 Hair Trend Release TRANSLATE: a compilation of defined hair textures, forms, and angles using cornrows, braids and lots of curls to create five elevated, consciously curated yet versatile hairstyles using CURLS high performance styling products. This collection is truly designed to empower women with textured hair to speak their truth and express themselves through their hair.

COACH UNVEILS “IN MY TABBY” CAMPAIGN

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Coach today unveiled “In My Tabby,” a campaign that celebrates the defining moments that make us who we are, featuring the brand’s iconic silhouette, the Tabby bag. Directed and photographed by Charlotte Wales, the campaign underscores the message that what we carry makes us stronger through the personal narratives of Coach Family, including Lil Nas X, Camila Mendes, Kōki, and Wu JinYan. “In My Tabby” tells these stories through the lens of identity, constant evolution, and the journeys of the cast to become all of who they are today.

Reimagining and disrupting the popular “What’s In My Bag” phenomenon, the campaign redefines what we carry not just in terms of physical objects, but emotions—the experiences, personal journeys and aspirations that shape who we are—that we carry with us as we continue to create ourselves. In the films, Lil Nas X explores his future creative aspirations, Camila Mendes shares her story of embracing her multiple selves as a Brazilian-American actress; Kōki sheds light on trying new paths in life; and Wu JinYan discusses turning career challenges into opportunities. Stories of courage that are both authentic and accessible, these journeys capture the emotional message of self-creation central to “In My Tabby”—to inspire audiences to express and explore all of who they are. The campaign also powerfully redefines fashion as a platform to tell human stories, and bags as symbols for something much more meaningful than style or status.

At the center of the story sits the Coach Tabby, a modern icon the house has reimagined for the next generation’s spirit of individualism, fluidity and courageous self-expression. Envisioned by Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers as a reimagination of an archival bag from the 70s and featuring Coach’s Signature hardware, the Tabby captures the brand’s quintessential American design language of character and craftsmanship for a new generation. Explored in recent years in a multitude of aesthetic iterations, the Tabby has also garnered cultural resonance through TikTok, where it gained a cult following.

PRNewsfoto/CURLS

“Our hair is a statement of who we are,” said Mahisha Dellinger, Founder of CURLS. “It’s a reflection of our heritage, our culture, and our identity. We created a campaign that empowers Black women to embrace their individuality and express themselves confidently through their hair. WE are tastemakers, WE are trendsetters.”

The launch will kick off with a campaign video to introduce TRANSLATE and tell the story of how this portfolio of hairstyles and products were thoughtfully designed with a bold perspective to connect to the CURLS consumer and empower them to speak their truth

The five hairstyles in the TRANSLATE collection are each named to express CURLS’ perspective on the spirit and beauty of black women now, 20 years ago at the founding of CURLS, and forever. The hairstyles and products are as follows:

EMPOWERED: A striking hairstyle featuring a braided Bantu knot crown supported by a buzz cut on both sides. Long face-framing braids hang elegantly, and cowrie shells and gold bands add the final touch.

Capsule includes: Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner, Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste, Ultimate Styling Collection B N Control Sculpting Gel, Sea Moss Sea Mineral Infused Curl Slime

CAPTIVATING: An effortless high bun with controlled texture, perfect for a polished, chic look day or night.

Capsule includes: Aloe & Blueberry Juice Curl Moisturizer, Sea Moss Mineral Infused Curl Slime, Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste

RESILIENT: A tribute to the rebounding spirit of women, this hairstyle features defined cornrows fanning back towards a halo twist. Thicker braids hang effortlessly down the side

of the face, beyond the backdrop of a textured blunt cut.

Capsule includes: Hair Under There Bomb Braid In Conditioner, Hair Under There Protect Me Styling Pomade, Hair Under There Soothing & Cooling Scalp Potion, Blueberry Bliss Repair and Grow Sculpting Mousse

CONFIDENT: A combination of smooth textured hair on both sides, with defined cornrows climbing up to the crown of the head leading to cascading curls and effortless volume.

Capsule includes: Blueberry Bliss Blueberry and Coconut Hair Milk, Sea Moss Nourish & Shine Sea Moss Foam, Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly

READY: This style kit includes everything women need to protect their scalp and hair and stay ready, whether they’re wearing side bangs or braids.

Capsule includes: Hair Under There Bomb Braid In Conditioner, Hair Under There Soothing & Cooling Scalp Potion, Hair Under There Protect Me Edge Styling Pomade

Each hairstyle in the TRANSLATE collection comes with a specially curated kit of CURLS products to help women recreate the look at home, including leave-in conditioners, styling gels, and more. Additionally, each kit comes with a free CURLS Edge Brush or Texture Turban.

Founded in 2002 by Mahisha Dellinger, CURLS has developed into a leader in the haircare market for over 20 years, creating innovative, high-performance hair styling and care products inspired by nature and the freedom of self-expression for the diverse needs of curly and textured hair. Visit curls.com or follow us @CURLS on Instagram.

“I’ve always believed that fashion should be about more than only style, it should be about community, and creating safe spaces where people feel free to express themselves,” said Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers. “’In My Tabby’ brings together our Coach Family and collaborators to celebrate stories of creativity and courage that embody our vision for Coach to inspire people to fully express all of who they are.”

“’In My Tabby’ is a continuation of our journey to tell stories and connect emotionally with our audiences through the Courage to Be Real, our brand purpose focused on inspiring courageous self-expression and exploring all of who you are,” said Coach Global Chief Marketing Officer and North America President, Sandeep Seth. “Today, we are only at the start of this journey, aiming to disrupt the traditional approach of putting the brand at the center of everything, instead shifting our focus to the consumer. Our goal is to create an emotional connection with Coach’s consumers through storytelling rooted in insights about their lives—and creating human experiences at every touchpoint across channels. With everything we do, we want to inspire people everywhere to have the confidence to express themselves in their own way.”

Coach will additionally bring “In My Tabby” to life around the world with experiences inspired by the campaign’s message, including a series of colorful pop-ups and activations where customers can explore and discover the Coach Tabby bag that best fits their personality and style, and a metaverse experience created for Decentraland’s Metaverse Fashion Week this month where users go inside a Coach Tabby bag and discover a world where they can interact with digital artists and collect Coach Tabby wearables designed in collaboration with AR fashion platform Zero10. Coach will also introduce a new “Made to Order Tabby” service where customers can design their own Tabby with a choice of leather, colors and hardware—offering the traditionally exclusive luxury experience of designing your own bag to customers at an accessible price-point, further highlighting the Coach Tabby as the bag that’s truly for everyone.

Building on Coach’s Courage To Be Real mission introduced last fall, “In My Tabby” disrupts the role of the brand campaign to a powerful vehicle for telling human stories connected by a shared purpose. Part of a decisive shift integral to Coach’s broader vision of Expressive Luxury and its vision to evolve into a platform for the next generation’s self-expression, the campaign aims to create emotional relevance with its Generation Z and younger Millennial target audiences—as reflected in its recent ranking on The Lyst Index: Fashion’s Hottest Brands.

Coach is a global fashion house founded in New York in 1941. Inspired by the vision of Creative Director Stuart Vevers and the inclusive and courageous spirit of its hometown, the brand makes beautiful things, crafted to last—for you to be yourself in.

Coach is a Tapestry, Inc. brand. Tapestry is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker TPR.

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Education Department Announces Use of Secret Shopping to Protect Students, Crack Down on Institutions that Lure Students with Lies

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced that the Enforcement Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will use secret shoppers as an additional tool to monitor postsecondary institutions’ compliance with the laws and regulations governing their participation in the federal student aid programs. In particular, secret shoppers will evaluate recruitment, enrollment, financial aid, and other practices of postsecondary institutions to help identify potentially deceptive or predatory practices used to recruit and enroll students.

“Secret shopping is another tool in FSA’s toolbox as we expand our oversight work to hold predatory schools accountable,” said FSA Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray. “Our focus—as always—is to ensure that students, borrowers, families, and taxpayers are not being preyed upon to make a quick buck.”

Specifically, secret shoppers will look for misrepresentations regarding the transferability of credits, job placement rates, completion and withdrawal rates, graduates’ future earning potential, career services, the cost of attendance, the amount of federal student aid, and accreditation status, along with any other practices that may violate the laws and regulations governing an institution’s participation in the federal student aid programs.

Findings from secret shopping may serve as evidence to support an ongoing investigation or review, or provide a basis for opening a new investigation or review. Where appropriate and permitted, FSA will refer findings from its secret shopping efforts to other Department offices, including the Office of Inspector General, and share findings with other law enforcement partners at the state and federal levels.

“Schools that engage in fraud or misconduct are on notice that we may be listening, and they should clean up accordingly,” said Kristen Donoghue, FSA’s chief enforcement officer. “But schools that treat current and prospective students fairly and act lawfully have nothing to fear from secret shopping.”

Improving Student Outcomes by Bolstering School Oversight

This work represents some of the latest progress on the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to improving student outcomes, including by holding low-performing and predatory schools accountable for swindling students out of time and money and leaving taxpayers holding the bill.

In October 2021, the Department reinvigorated school oversight and accountability efforts within FSA by reestablishing an Enforcement Office and hiring a chief enforcement officer, who reports directly to FSA’s chief operating officer. That has already paid dividends. For example, in fiscal year 2022, FSA:

Initiated dozens of actions, including denying 10 school recertifications; revoking six Provisional Program Participation Agreements, which enable schools to participate in the Title IV program; and issuing two terminations, five suspensions, seven debarments, and eight fines totaling $2.3 million;

Opened new investigations into fraud and deceptive practices at multiple schools and completed related site visits;

Strengthened its relationships with state and federal partners, including the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Veterans Affairs, and state attorneys general, to identify

and take action against schools that do not put their students’ interests first;

Released guidance outlining how it will implement long-standing provisions in the Higher Education Act that grant the Secretary authority to require leaders of private colleges that fail to operate in a financially responsible way to assume personal liability for the cost of unpaid debts owed to the Department of Education; and Approved group discharges based on borrower defense findings, providing approximately $11.4 billion in relief to 875,000 students who attended Corinthian Colleges, Inc., ITT Tech, Marinello Schools of Beauty, and Westwood College.

In addition to today’s secret shopper bulletin, FSA issued two other enforcement bulletins to bolster school compliance and better communicate with outside stakeholders. The first bulletin warned schools that the Department will act aggressively when it finds misrepresentations made to servicemembers and veterans by schools. FSA’s chief enforcement officer also wrote about the Department’s commitment to protecting military-connected students. The second bulletin announced a new avenue for knowledgeable sources to submit tips about potential violations of the laws and regulations governing the federal student aid programs.

FSA conducts oversight to protect students who receive federal student loans, grants, and work-study funds to attend postsecondary schools. FSA’s oversight also ensures the quality of educational programs and safeguards the interests of taxpayers through audits, investigations, and program reviews, among other oversight actions.

ROCK THE BELLS FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS AUGUST CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF HIP-HOP

QUEENS, N.Y., PRNewswire -- Rock The Bells, the global platform dedicated to elevating Hip-Hop culture from its roots to the modern day, announced the return of the Rock The Bells Festival, taking place on Saturday, August 5, at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY. The dynamic, daylong celebration will serve as THE pinnacle moment to celebrate 50 Years of Hip-Hop, with a legendary lineup in the city that launched a movement and shifted culture.

It also marks the 5-year anniversary of Rock The Bells, marked by the premiere of Rock The Bells Radio on SiriusXM. In celebration of these milestones and their continued partnership, a dedicated billboard will be on display in Times Square above the Pedestrian Plaza, live for 24 hours only.

The festival lineup will be announced in April, and attendees can expect performances by some of Hip-Hop’s most revered icons, including MCs, DJs, and producers, in addition to one-of-a-kind immersive experiences underscoring Hip-Hop’s impact on fashion, art, and food over the span of five decades.

“For 50 years, Hip-Hop has impacted the world, often without recognition. At Rock The Bells, we consistently honor the culture through creative content, commerce, and experiences and this year, we’ve made it a priority to show up for the culture on another level,” said LL COOL J, Founder and CEO of Rock The Bells. “The Rock The Bells Festival is the place to be to celebrate HipHop and capture the breadth of its impact throughout generations in music, fashion, art, and more. It’s a oncein-a-lifetime experience. If you love Hip-Hop, you know where to go on August 5.”

The festival also kicks off a week of live events, activations, and programming moments leading up to National Hip-Hop day on August 11th, the official, recognized anniversary of the culture.

Fans can sign up today to be first in line to access presale tickets on April 11 at rockthebellsfestival.com for the most talked about 50 Years of Hip-Hop celebration during the festival.

Rock The Bells is the preeminent voice for timeless Hip-Hop. Founded in 2018 by LL COOL J, Rock The Bells focuses on content, commerce and experiences that honor the CULTURE and the core elements of Hip-Hop — MCs, DJs, Breakers, Graffiti Artists — and more. Rock The Bells is the bridge between OG’s and those inspired by their groundbreaking influences on the culture. Visit us at www.rockthebells.com, stream LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio on SiriusXM Channel 43, and follow us @RockTheBells.

The Bowery Presents, an AEG Presents company, is the leading East Coast concert promoter, whose mission is to bring the best artists to New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and beyond while providing an excellent concert experience for both fans and artists. Since its inception, The Bowery Presents has been a purveyor of true artist development and consistently strives to work with artists like Brandi Carlile, LCD Soundsystem, Maggie Rogers, Gary Clark Jr., Khruangbin, Leon Bridges and Lake Street Dive to grow from performing in intimate clubs to performing in sold-out arenas. As a trusted industry tastemaker, The Bowery Presents produces dynamic entertainment experiences at dozens of venues nationally, presenting thousands of shows annually. For more information, visit www.bowerypresents. com.

The Rock The Bells Festival is co-produced by The Bowery Presents. Festival updates and lineup announcements can also be found across Rock The Bells’ Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Hollywood Star Halle Bailey Helps Disney Dreamers Academy Students DREAM BIG at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – One hundred students from across the country celebrated the conclusion of the 16th year of Disney Dreamers Academy with an emotional commencement ceremony at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, featuring an inspirational speech by Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey, who will play Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.’’ The annual four-day event also included empowering sessions from a host of celebrities; special once-in-a lifetime surprise opportunities for students; performances from Disney Live Entertainment; and a moving ring ceremony to mark the teens’ special achievement at the culmination of the event.

The teens, recognized as Disney Dreamers, were selected from among thousands of applicants to participate in the mentoring program. Created and hosted by Walt Disney World, the program is designed to broaden career awareness and create opportunities for Black students and teens from underrepresented communities across America.

The 100 students, along with a parent or guardian, received an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to participate in the program.

“Disney Dreamers Academy is an important part of Walt Disney World’s commitment to supporting Black students and teens from underrepresented communities across America, by encouraging the next generation to think big and to carry what they learn back

home with them,” said Tracey D. Powell, Vice President of Travel Services/ Pricing and Revenue Management and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “We hope to encourage these dreamers to relentlessly pursue their dreams and make a difference in the lives of others.”

The event was highlighted by some unique experiences for all the students as well as some special surprise moments, where select teens received “dream-come-true’’ career opportunities and experiences, such as:

All 100 students enjoyed an exclusive opportunity to be part of a magical parade at Magic Kingdom Park with Bailey.

Several students experienced the new TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise ahead of its official opening at Magic Kingdom Park on April 4.

Two aspiring teen filmmakers were surprised by Bailey with a personal invitation to join her on the red carpet at the upcoming world premiere of the live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” in Hollywood.

Three teens interested in music careers got a surprise visit from Grammy award-winning artist H.E.R., who gifted each teen an autographed guitar.

One student interested in a broadcast career was surprised by ABC’s Good Morning America, which invited the teen to take part in an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the show from its New York studios.

www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com

PRNewsfoto/Rock The Bells

Harvey’s Incumbent Mayor Projected The Winner

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Mayor Christopher Clark has won his re-election against challenger Anthony McCaskill.

As of 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4th, the Suburban Cook County Consolidated Election Results showed that Christopher Clark received 47.79% of the votes. According to the Cook County Clerk’s Office, 2,854 ballots were cast, making up 23% voter turnout.

Clark said once declared winner, he would spend the first part of his day thanking residents for their confidence and vote. He will continue with his plan to Build A Better Harvey.

“This will mark nearly more than three months into this year without one homicide. Probably above everything else I am trying to accomplish, I mostly want to continue this trend. We have to stop being so cavalier about saving lives. Any decrease in the homicide rate means lives were saved,” Clark said, adding that new policing strategies and manpower contributed to the decrease in homicides and shootings in the last year. “We have a lot more work to do. I’m grateful the residents of Harvey have trusted me with another chance to continue building on the success that we have had over the past 4 years.”

Clark believes that engaging the com munity is crucial for any successful admin istration. He has provided open and direct access to his office. he will engage the community. Throughout his first term, he has hosted Community Solution Meetings and spent a great deal on the streets, meeting directly with residents. Harvey also has worked hard to relaunch the Public Access Channel, where residents can find Conversations with the Mayor and more informational content about the city.

As a lifelong resident of Harvey, public safety, economic development and quality of life are issues that aren’t new to him. He wants to see more job opportunities, safer streets, and better schools for their children. He also is concerned about the lack of affordable housing and the need for better access to healthcare.His first term was focused on these

issues and he will continue to address these issues day one of this term.

Clark plans to continue working diligently on a comprehensive plan that is focused on public safety, economic development, job creation and attracting new businesses to the city. He wants tocontinue to better equip the police department with the technology and tools to improve public safety.

“I will also continue to work with our local, county, state and federal partners to provide new opportunities and funding for economic development, public safety and blight reduction projects. Also, I am thrilled that we recently announced the City of Harvey’s first Comprehensive Plan in over fifty years. This plan will serve as a roadmap to guide our city’s growth and development for the next decade and beyond. I encourage all residents to participate in this important process,” he said.

Clark believes the residents of Harvey re-elected him because they believed he possessed the experience, knowledge, dedication and relationships to move the city forward. He is committed to improving the quality of life for our residents and will work tirelessly to address the issues that matter most to thecommunity.

Clark has been able to make Harvey attractive to the business community. And, he said, Harvey is open for business. Harvey has attracted new businesses to the city because it has highlighted its strategic location, transportation infrastructure, and the available workforce in the area.

The city of Harvey has reached out to businesses in various industries, including technology, healthcare, and manufacturing, to showcase the benefits of setting up operations in Harvey.

“We have secured development and investment opportunities, such as: the Southland Logistics Center on the former Dixie Square Mall site; $94 million Wood Street reconstruction; and $70 million Metra/Pace reconstruction will provide job and economic development opportunities and skills that our residents can use now and in the future,” Clark said. “Harvey residents want something better for themselves. Their choice is reflected by this election.”

Instacart Announces Instacart Health Products For Providers Designed To Power Food As Medicine Programs At Scale

SAN FRANCISCO, PRNewswire -- Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, announced the availability of a suite of digital tools for providers across the country to enhance collaborative care, promote healthy choices, and deliver nutritious foods to patients and their families. The announcement is in collaboration with today’s White House event that continues the work started at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to help end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.

“We know that access to nutritious foods can deliver healthier outcomes, but a number of challenges have prevented healthcare providers from effectively adopting food as medicine programs at scale. With Instacart Health, we have the unique opportunity to partner with providers to expand proven nutrition programs and more deeply integrate food as medicine into standard patient care,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, Vice President and General Manager of Instacart Health. “We’re proud to offer these products to help providers expand access to nutritious food and make medically-tailored groceries and meal advice more actionable. Together, we can help patients and their families take an active role in their health through food.”

It is widely accepted that nutrition is critical to health but today over 30 million people in the U.S. live in food-insecure households – including as many as 9 million children1. Studies have shown that nearly 46% of adults and 56% of children in the U.S. have an overall poor-quality diet2, and unhealthy diets account for more than $50 billion in U.S. healthcare costs3.

Providers understand the role nutritious diets can play in keeping people healthy, whether it’s ensuring a patient has access to day-to-day nutrients, helping a patient manage their diet-restrictive disease, or supporting a patient that needs to adhere to a strict diet to heal after surgery.

Instacart Health tools make it easy for providers to prescribe food just as they would medications, establishing new programs including virtual food pharmacies and expanding

access to nutrition. Instacart Health’s provider products today include:

Fresh Funds - Providers can give patients Fresh Funds – customizable Instacart stipends – to enable patients to directly purchase nutritious foods on Instacart from their provider’s curated selection of recommended items, or specific ingredients for medically-tailored meal plans. With Fresh Funds, patients can select the foods that best fit their personal tastes and dietary needs and order directly from Instacart grocery retailers using their stipend. Patients can also use SNAP benefits or traditional funds to complete

These access products can be combined with additional provider tools designed to educate and inspire patients to make healthier choices, including:

Virtual Storefronts - Now available across the country, Instacart’s custom Virtual Storefronts help providers educate and inspire their patients to make choices that will positively impact their health. Patients can visit their provider’s curated shop, browse specific foods recommended by their provider, and order them directly from their favorite local retailer for same-day delivery. Virtual Storefronts make it easier for patients to identify the best foods for their health and prioritize nutritious choices.

Shoppable Recipes - Instacart’s recipes widget lets providers make their recommended healthy recipes shoppable, enabling patients and caregivers to add recipe ingredients directly to their Instacart grocery cart with the click of a button. Shoppable Recipes were built to help make healthy choices easier.

Lists for Nutrition - With Lists, providers can easily build and share medically-tailored grocery lists with their patients, making a food as medicine plan immediately actionable and convenient for the patients in their care. Instead of leaving the appointment with a printout of a recommended diet, patients can shop from their provider-recommended foods through Instacart, and have those items delivered to their homes in as fast as an hour.

their weekly shopping trip online in one order. As part of this program, patients can consent to share their purchase history back to their provider. Today, Instacart is available to more than 95% of U.S. households, allowing providers nationwide to use this tool to increase patient access to nutritious foods and incentivize the adoption of healthier habits.

Care Carts - Using Care Carts, providers can send custom grocery deliveries – based on a physician recommended diet – directly to patients in their care. This technology can also give providers tools to measure program effectiveness and identify where nutritious foods can make the greatest impacts in health.

1 No Kid Hungry. “Facts About Child Hunger in America.” https://www.nokidhungry.org/who-we-are/ hungerfacts#:~:text=Yet%20it%20happens%20%2D%20 every%20day,to%20lead%20a%20healthy%20life

2 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. “Strengthening national nutrition research: rationale and options for a new coordinated federal research effort and authority.” July 20, 2020. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/ article/112/3/721/5873352

3 PLOS Medicine. “Cardiometabolic disease costs associated with suboptimal diet in the United States: A cost analysis based on a microsimulation model.” December 17, 2019. https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002981

FDA Works to Further Improve Nutrition, Reduce Diet-Related Chronic Disease with Dietary Guidance Statements on Food Labels

SILVER SPRING, Md., PRNewswire -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued draft guidance that provides food manufacturers with recommendations on how and when to use Dietary Guidance Statements on the label of food products to ensure the label statements promote good nutrition, provide greater consistency in labeling, and assist consumers in making informed choices. This guidance is part of the FDA’s overall goal to help reduce the burden of chronic disease and advance health equity through improved nutrition.

“Diet-related chronic diseases, are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. and disproportionally impact communities of color and people living in rural areas,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “The FDA is committed to being a part of the solution to improve the health of millions of Americans. Today’s action is another step towards helping consumers make informed choices about the foods they eat.”

Today’s eating patterns in the U.S. do not align with current federal dietary recommendations, which focus on the entirety of the diet and how foods and beverages work together to affect health. Dietary Guidance Statements are statements in food labeling which are based on key recommendations from consensus reports, such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, that discuss how a food or food group can be a part of a nutritious dietary pattern. The statements may include symbols or pictures that convey to consumers that a food or a food group may contribute to, or help maintain, a nutritious dietary pattern.

Examples of Dietary Guidance Statements include: “Make half your grains whole grain,” and “Eat leafy green vegetables as part of a nutritious dietary patten.” The draft

guidance provides the agency’s thinking about the use of such statements, including recommendations that products contain a meaningful amount of the food, or category of foods, that is the subject of the statement, and that they also not exceed certain amounts of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. The recommendations in the guidance can enhance consistency in the use of such statements and consumer understanding as well as facilitate industry innovation toward healthier foods. Like other labeling statements and claims, Dietary Guidance Statements act as quick signals on food packages to help consumers better understand nutrition information and make healthier food choices.

This action is part of the FDA’s overall nutrition initiatives, which include empowering consumers by providing more informative labeling and education, including tailored messages for various audiences to help consumers identify foods that can contribute to healthier diets. It is also part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, which provides a roadmap of actions the federal government will take to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030 – all while reducing disparities. Complementing today’s guidance and the National Strategy, the FDA issued a proposed rule in September 2022 to update the definition of “healthy” on food labels and help consumers more easily identify healthy food choices. The agency’s work also supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, a nationwide call-to-action to stakeholders across all of society to make bold commitments to advance the Strategy’s goals. The Challenge builds on the success of the $8 billion package of private and public sector commitments that the Administration announced as part of

the historic conference.

Another priority of the FDA’s nutrition efforts is to create a healthier food supply for all. In October 2021, the FDA issued final guidance for the food industry that provided voluntary, short-term sodium reduction targets for a broad range of processed, packaged and prepared foods to help reduce the amount of sodium in the U.S. food supply.

“In addition to the Dietary Guidance Statements draft guidance, reducing sodium intake and updating the definition of “healthy” are two other examples of how the agency is showing its commitment to fostering a healthier food supply for all and empowering consumers with more informative and accessible labeling to choose healthier diets,” said Susan Mayne, Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “We are making great strides in our nutrition initiatives in order to improve the health and wellness of our nation.”

The FDA remains committed to doing its part in the all-of-government approach to improving nutrition, which can have a lasting generational impact on reducing chronic diseases and advancing health equity. The agency is moving forward with additional nutrition and labeling priorities, including exploring a “front-of-pack” labeling initiative and recommendations for nutrition labeling for online grocery shopping sites. Additionally, the FDA will begin assessing further strategies to reduce added sugar consumption, which includes collaborating with others in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to hold a public meeting regarding future steps the federal government could take to reduce intake of added sugars.

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AUTOMOTIVE

Why You Should Consider a Hybrid for Your Next Vehicle

(StatePoint) With gas prices surging and national efforts being made to reduce carbon emissions, you may be eyeing car models that promise to reduce or even eliminate your reliance on gas.

However, depending on your lifestyle, location, finances, driving habits and other factors, you may not be ready to go fully electric just yet. The good news? A hybrid is a great transitional vehicle to put you on the path to more sustainable driving now.

Here’s why:

Hybrid vehicles, which combine smaller gas engines with battery-powered electric motors, make it possible for anyone to contribute to the fight against carbon emissions and reduce their gas expenses. In fact, today’s hybrids achieve 20-35% better fuel economy than conventional internal combustion engines, according to Green America. In the short term, hybrids are a cost-effective option compared with most all-electric vehicles currently on the market. While a battery electric vehicle will save you even further on fuel costs down the line, the average transaction price for one of these rides is still well above $60,000.

A hybrid is also a key alternative to electric vehicles for those who live in locations where the current electric vehicle infrastructure doesn’t yet support everyday transport, or for those who don’t own a home where they can charge a vehicle at night. With greater fuel economy than a traditional internal combustion engine, and requiring no lifestyle overhaul to operate, hybrids are one way to reduce carbon emissions today.

Given these varied benefits, and the rising number of available vehicles with a hybrid powertrain, it’s no surprise that annual hybrid sales in the United States have more than doubled since 2019.

As you shop around, be sure to look for manufacturers with hybrids available across their entire lineup, from pickups and SUVs to sedans. This will help you find a model that matches your needs.

Sporting blue badges, it’s easy to spot Toyota’s hybrid options on the lot. While hybrid technology has historically cost more, prices are leveling, and budget-conscious buyers will find options under $30k, including the Corolla Hybrid and the all-new Prius. Boasting all the latest safety and multimedia features, along with sleek exterior design, you won’t have to compromise on style or performance in the quest for efficiency. To learn more about electrified vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell electric and battery electric cars, visit toyota.com/electrified.

Whether you are experiencing pain at the pump or simply want to live more sustainably, making your next vehicle a hybrid is an effortless step you can take to save money at the gas pump and reduce your carbon footprint.

Research Shows New Car Safety Features Can Help with Crash Reduction

(StatePoint) At a time when highway fatalities are on the rise, new research shows that the widespread adoption of the latest vehicle safety features could mean fewer crashes and safer roads. However, it could be awhile before we see the full benefits of these advancements.

“With drivers holding onto their vehicles for 10 years or more, it could take many years before the fleet fully turns over,” says Rini Sherony, senior principal engineer, Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center. But what if every vehicle on the road was fully equipped with crash-prevention features?

And how do engineers identify which new vehicle safety features to prioritize next? To find out, Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center and Virginia Tech teamed up to research the potential benefits that different safety systems have in various crash scenarios.

The team took real-world crashes and reconstructed the data, performing multiple crash simulations. They started modeling with more traditional “passive” safety features, like the latest vehicle structures, and extended their work to include such technologies as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, etc. Assuming full deployment and optimal activation of safety features, such as those that were modeled, their research showed that over half of all U.S. crashes could be avoided and nearly 60% of moderate to serious injuries could be mitigated. At the same time, the research also identified what types of crashes are likely to still occur even if these safety features were deployed.

The research center has made the study’s data, found at toyota.com/CSRC, publicly available so that automakers, policymakers, technology research universities and tech companies can work together to continue to make safety gains and fill the crash prevention gap.

“While drivers can’t avoid every danger on the road, our research shows that safety systems have the potential to be very effective in reducing the risk and severity of crashes,” says Sherony. “It’s important to know that most automakers offer features like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, audio warnings and steering assist (often with additional functionality). When you search for your next car, consider these features, even possibly opting for

those that do not come standard-equipped. We hope that as drivers continue to adopt and use such technologies, we will be able to realize more of the accident mitigation and prevention benefits that they can offer, resulting in safer roads for everybody.”

MONEY

Finding Savings Where You’re Already Spending

(Statepoint) At a time when Americans are keeping a closer eye on their expenses, finding more value where they are already spending on the essentials is more important than ever.

In a recent study from Morgan Stanley, 64% of Americans said they plan to cut back on overall spending in the next six months as inflation continues to rise and impact wallets. And while many are making cuts in their everyday life, wireless shows no sign of being scratched from the monthly budget. With more than 60% of households having cut the cord to their landline, Americans increasingly rely on their mobile connectivity. This may be why that when it comes to prioritizing monthly bills, the same Morgan Stanley study showed that wireless was top ranked alongside other life essentials, with respondents saying that keeping their connectivity was nearly neck in neck with paying their mortgage.

Another survey, by opinion analytics and research firm CivicScience, had Americans weigh the importance of their wireless service compared to other popular out-of-pocket expenses.

When asked whether they’d rather give up wireless or a video streaming service, 77% said they’d give up streaming and continue binging their mobile connectivity. When it came to choosing mobile service over a food delivery service, 93% said they’d sacrifice food delivery. Even America’s favorite pastime was no match against reliable connectivity, with 86% saying they’d gladly give up attending a sporting event rather than part with their wireless service.

So, we know people would sacrifice spending on some of life’s little luxuries to stay connected, but do they really have to?

Inflation can be deflating, but you don’t need to be powerless against it. Simple money saving techniques can make a difference, and as it happens, if you have the right wireless service, you may not need to slash spending after all.

Designed to get the most for your money, T-Mobile offers an unlimited wireless plan, Magenta Max, featuring unlimited talk, text and premium data—so your smartphone data won’t slow down no matter how much you use—nationwide 5G coverage, a dedicated customer service team and more. The savings don’t end there. TMobile customers get $225 each month in extra stuff on the Magenta MAX plan with two or more lines. For the 94% of Americans concerned about inflation, having Netflix , Apple TV+, in-flight Wi-Fi and data in 215+ countries, plus a year of AAA on us, and Scam Shield protection all included can mean some serious savings. In a time of increasing sacrifice, you can be selective about your wireless phone provider, especially when it offers benefits your family can’t afford to live without.