U.S.-Based Fintech Platform OKY Celebrates Ground-Breaking First Year

July 8, 2021

MIAMI, July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — OKY, a Hispanic-owned and founded U.S.-based fintech platform, today reported a banner first year after the launch of its unique fintech platform, offering e-commerce that is helping to build economic prosperity for immigrant communities in the United States and across Latin America. With over 20,000 active users, OKY now offers over 1,000 points of sale across 176 U.S. cities in 23 states where app users can connect with more than 100 retail partners in Latin America to make purchases without the need for credit cards or bank accounts.

As the only financial platform designed to give immigrant communities the ability to digitize cash for cross-border e-commerce, users can send funds directly to their relatives in their homeland to make purchases at participating retailers. Given the platform’s success, it is currently on track to launch in six more countries in Latin America over the coming year, beginning with El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico.

Language, financial, and technological barriers continue to remain a challenge for immigrants and other underserved communities in the United States. Through OKY, they can not only provide more efficiently for their families back home but also partake in the day-to-day necessities, allowing them to be part of their family’s daily life experiences and building closer emotional bonds from far away.

“Our commitment is to those hard-working immigrants, our brothers and sisters, who continuously provide an economic lifeline of support via the value they send back home. Even at a distance, they seek to remain actively present and involved in the lives of loved ones who they left behind,” said OKY CEO and Founder Victor Unda. “Allowing senders to buy from the US, with cash, goods and services for their friends and relatives abroad is the core of our offering”

In a time of continued uncertainty, OKY delivers a strategic and results-driven solution that ensures sustained sales growth and reduces customer attrition through dynamic digital incentives. Its booming success, after raising more than three and half million dollars to fund the early stages of the startup, has positioned OKY to pursue an active and successful Series ‘A’ funding round, which will be open to investors later this quarter.

OKY’s founders, who hail from the world of business and technology, launched the company in 2019 to improve the lives of immigrants and uplift their communities through the use of technology. Together, they built an innovative fintech approach for cross-border transactions and competitive digital solutions that help promote the economic development of immigrants and their families back home. Through OKY, they provide the only cross border e-commerce platform in the United States that can be used through the simple use of an active smartphone.

For more information or interview requests, please contact Julio E. Ligorría at [email protected] or at 305-916-1757

ABOUT OKY
OKY was founded in 2019 for immigrants and by immigrants, with the vision of helping underserved communities achieve financial equity and overcome common financial barriers through the use of technology. OKY achieves this by enabling users to make e-commerce transactions without the support of financial institutions, which often impede the immigrant community from attaining financial stability. Today, OKY users across the United States and other countries have access to a marketplace that connects the Central American region including retail service providers in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and also some offerings for México. For more information, please visit the company’s website, https://okyapp.com/en/

Media Contact:
Julio Ligorria
[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1559670/OKY_Logo.jpg

SOURCE OKY

Fall Favorites Return to the Disneyland Resort from Sept. 3-Oct. 31, 2021, with Halloween Time, Plaza de la Familia and the Separate-ticket Event Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party

July 8, 2021

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort returns with frightfully fun experiences for guests of all ages from Sep. 3 through Oct. 31, 2021, with Halloween magic throughout Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

ANAHEIM, Calif., July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort returns with frightfully fun experiences for guests of all ages from Sep. 3 through Oct. 31, 2021, with Halloween magic throughout Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. From transformed Halloween-themed attractions Haunted Mansion Holiday and Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, to sightings of favorite Disney characters and villains, beloved seasonal décor including the Mickey Mouse jack-o’-lantern and delightfully delicious treats, there is family-friendly fun for every ghoul or goblin to enjoy at the Disneyland Resort. Downtown Disney District gets in the spirit as well, from Sept. 9 through Oct. 31, with delightful décor, seasonal treats and an all-new Halloween-themed pumpkin hunt, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit.

Plaza de la Familia adds to the fun with an immersive, limited-time celebration at Disney California Adventure inspired by the tradition of Dia de los Muertos. Guests will enjoy a spirited extravaganza, including live entertainment, delicious food, interactive experiences and special merchandise.

For family fun after-park hours, Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party* will be offered as a separate-ticket event at Disney California Adventure park on 25 select nights starting Sept. 9. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning July 13 on Disneyland.com.

At Oogie Boogie Bash, kids and guests of all ages can trick-or-treat their way through the park in their favorite Halloween costumes and encounter characters both spooky and fantastic. Guests will experience Disney California Adventure in a unique way, with exclusive offerings like immersive treat trails, “Frightfully Fun Parade,” Villains Grove at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, “Mickey’s Trick & Treat” show and more.

Retail locations throughout both parks will offer seasonal merchandise. Guests may add to their wicked wardrobes with apparel and accessories, and find novelty items such as pins, plush and decorative items to cast their own Halloween spell at home. For guests looking to add a sweet treat to their day of tricks, food and beverage locations will offer Halloween-themed specialty items.

At Disneyland Park

Guests will encounter favorite Disney characters throughout Disneyland. On Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey and friends show off their Halloween finest with Minnie as a witch, Donald dressed as a pumpkin and the rest of their pals adding to the Halloween family-friendly fun. Other characters found throughout the park include dastardly Disney villains who have come out to cause some mischief.

Guests will find festive seasonal décor and pumpkins galore to add to the Halloween magic. The Main Street Pumpkin Festival transforms Main Street, U.S.A., with whimsical pumpkins displayed in store fronts. Guests of all ages will enjoy taking photographs with the iconic giant Mickey Mouse jack-o’-lantern. As guests journey into the park, they will find pumpkin statues representing Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Critter Country and Frontierland surrounding the Partners Statue in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Befitting the supernatural season, Haunted Mansion Holiday will feature a merry makeover of the beloved eerie estate. Jack Skellington is behind the mayhem, decorating the mansion with frightfully festive touches inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Dedicated fans of the holiday house will look forward to spotting the annual bespoke gingerbread house on its precarious perch on the ballroom table, making its 20^th appearance for this collision of two holidays. Other favorite sights await, including Sally, Zero and other characters from the movie.

And every night from Sept. 3 – Oct. 31, in Walt Disney’s original park, guests will enjoy a dreadfully delightful treat in the form of “Halloween Screams”, a supernatural projection and special effects show. On weekend nights, “Halloween Screams” also will take to the skies and enhance the mischief with fireworks.* Guests will be able to view the spectacular from several different locations throughout the park, including Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and near “it’s a small world.”

In Frontierland, guests may commemorate the celebration of the Day of the Dead with a colorful Día de los Muertos tribute featuring a musical trio of iconic skeleton figurines, brightly colored flowers and other decorative items.

At Disney California Adventure Park

Oogie Boogie, from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” will loom over guests at the entrance to Disney California Adventure as he uses his magic to create a forever Halloween for everyone to enjoy. Under his spell, favorite attractions will be transformed for the Halloween season. Guests will mosey on over to Cars Land as Radiator Springs becomes Radiator Screams, where residents decorate their homes with frights and delights for a unique Haul-O-Ween makeover. Lightning McQueen, Mater, Cruz and Red will be ready to greet guests in their “car-stumes” before they race off to go “trunk-or-treating.” Guests can continue the family-friendly fun by taking a spin on popular Cars Land attractions that rev up with Halloween spirit: Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree croons spooky songs to become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, and Luigi’s Rolickin’ Roadsters takes guests on a wicked whirl as it becomes Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.

The façade of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will spark a state of total emergency as the attraction is transformed at night into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, offering an exciting Halloween adventure filled with creepy creatures and thrilling drops. While the Guardians of the Galaxy have successfully escaped The Collector’s Fortress, Groot was accidentally left behind. Guests can successfully complete their rescue mission to save Groot by helping Rocket distract creatures from around the galaxy that have gotten loose. By teaming up with the Guardians, every guest can find their inner hero this Halloween season.

Over on Buena Vista Street, Mickey Mouse and friends will be throwing it back with old-fashioned Halloween costumes. Guests of all ages will enjoy seeing fortune teller Minnie Mouse or taking a photo of Daisy for a be-witch-ing family keepsake. Donald is also looking devilishly handsome and Goofy has a ghostly grin that is ready for any picture.

Seasonal décor will add to the Halloween ambiance on Buena Vista Street. At night, the façade of Carthay Circle Restaurant oozes with Halloween magic as bats swarm, energy pulses from within and projections light up the iconic tower structure with a spellbinding display. Guests can also commemorate the Halloween magic with a photo in front of the 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman holding his jack-o’-lantern head to the sky.

Plaza de la Familia

Guests will experience the return of Plaza de la Familia in Paradise Gardens from Sept. 3-Nov. 2, 2021. This immersive limited-time celebration honors the spirit of Dia de los Muertos, with entertainment, festive foods, crafts and interactive experiences. Among the activities to enjoy are “A Musical Celebration of Coco,” an entertaining street show honoring Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” and the everlasting bonds of family. Guests at this seasonal festivity also will be treated to Mariachi music at Paradise Gardens Bandstand; The World of Coco, an evocative art exhibit; a photo opportunity with a hand-animated figure of Miguel from “Coco” as well as the iconic Arbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) photo location and memory wall.

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party

On select nights beginning Sept. 9, through October 31, the separate-ticket, after-park hours event Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will add to the spooky fun during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. This limited-capacity event features special entertainment, character sightings, food and beverage and more. Kids and guests of all ages may enjoy donning their favorite Halloween costumes while taking in all the spook-tacular sights and trick-or-treating experiences.

Guests attending Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party also will be able to explore Disney California Adventure, including Avengers Campus, the new land where guests may encounter Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. In fact, most areas inside the theme park will remain open during Oogie Boogie Bash, giving friends and families a chance to enjoy the park’s seasonal attractions and more during the party.

Highlights of Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party include:

Entry to Disney California Adventure Park before the party. The party begins at 6 p.m. PT and guests have the opportunity to play in Disney California Adventure three hours before the party starts.
Wonderfully wicked, immersive treat trails appear throughout Disney California Adventure, offering kids and guests of all ages to don costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating – with an assortment of candy provided by Mars Wrigley confectionery products – under the watchful eyes of favorite characters, some familiar – some new!
“Frightfully Fun Parade” – The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow leads this spooky showcase, arriving on his ghostly black steed just ahead of the parade and carrying his flickering jack-o’-lantern. A cavalcade of Disney characters and mischievous villains follow, ready to stir up some trouble!
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail becomes Villains Grove, a wondrous and ethereal world of imagery inspired by Disney villains. Redwood Creek is completely transformed with lighting, projections, sounds and special effects, creating a dreamlike environment. This experience unfolds in a series of scenes, each creating a hauntingly beautiful space of color, sound, light and shadow, as stories emerge from the darkest night to create an enchanting world.
Character sightings feature beloved Disney characters including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck– plus villains, too. Guests may be surprised at who they discover at this Halloween party, ready for photos and waves.
Halloween magic also appears on the facade of Carthay Circle Restaurant on Buena Vista Street. Carthay Circle is enchanted throughout the night as bats swarm, green energy pulses from within and spellbinding moments transform the iconic tower structure.
Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the night are included with admission to Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party. With the help of Disney Photo Pass photographers located throughout the party, it’s easier than ever to capture spooktacular memories – with the whole family in the photo.

Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will go on sale beginning Tuesday, July 13, (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) at Disneyland.com/OogieBoogieBash. Tickets are limited and guests may check out the website for important details and availability for the 25 nights: Thursday, Sept. 9; Saturday, Sept. 11; Sunday, Sept. 12; Tuesday, Sept. 14, Thursday, Sept. 16; Sunday, Sept. 19, Tuesday, Sept. 21; Thursday, Sept. 23; Sunday, Sept. 26; Tuesday, Sept. 28, Thursday, Sept. 30; Sunday, Oct. 3; Tuesday, Oct. 5; Thursday, Oct. 7; Sunday, Oct. 10; Tuesday, Oct. 12; Thursday, Oct. 14; Sunday, Oct. 17; Tuesday, Oct. 19; Thursday, Oct. 21; Sunday, Oct. 24; Tuesday, Oct. 26; Thursday, Oct. 28; Saturday, Oct. 30; and Sunday, Oct. 31, Halloween night. Online and mobile purchases are not available the day of the event. Parking is not included in the ticket price; however, for added convenience, guests will have the option to purchase a parking voucher in advance when purchasing their event tickets. Visit Disneyland.com/Updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort.**

Guests planning to experience Oogie Boogie Bash and Halloween Time can extend the magic by staying at one of three Disneyland Resort hotel properties, just a short walk away from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks and the Downtown Disney District. Guests may find the latest offers and vacation packages online at Disneyland.com/offers.

For a limited time, California residents can visit the Disneyland Resort theme parks for as low as $83 per person, per day with a special 3-day ticket offer. These 3-day, 1-park per day tickets start at $249 and eligible guests may purchase a park hopper option for an additional $55. The limited-time tickets are available for purchase now, and California residents may redeem their tickets on any three separate days through September 30, 2021, subject to park reservation availability.* These special tickets may be purchased at Disneyland.com, through a travel agent, or by calling call (866) 572-7321. Valid admission and park reservation for the same park on same date are required for park entry.***

* Performances are subject to change or cancellation, including due to weather.

**The number of tickets available are limited and valid only for the specific event date and hours. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date. Tickets not required for Guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-refundable and may not be resold or transferred for a commercial purpose. Costumes are subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive; please check special event costume guidelines at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress for restrictions. Disney PhotoPass is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy found at Disneyland.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Offer and event elements are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice.

***
Offer valid only for California residents within ZIP codes 90000-96199 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000-22999; proof of eligible residency, including valid government-issued photo ID, is required for purchase and admission. Tickets expire 9/30/2021 and are limited in availability. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. May purchase up to five tickets per eligible person per day with valid ID. Tickets are nonrefundable, may not be sold or transferred for commercial use and exclude activities/events separately priced. Offer may not be combined with other ticket discounts or promotions. Ticket may not be upgraded. Offer subject to restrictions, change and cancellation without notice.

About the Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprising unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club units; the magical, 973-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties – and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” theme. For information on attractions and vacations at the Disneyland Resort, visit Disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. Located in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort opened July 17, 1955.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1560315/Mickey_and_Minnie_Halloween.jpg

SOURCE Disneyland Resort

Miami International University of Art & Design to Host SWIM SHOW at PARAISO Miami Beach

July 8, 2021

MIAMI, July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Miami International University of Art and Design (MIU) will host its annual SWIM SHOW on Thursday, July 8th at PARAISO Miami Beach. This year, more than 20 Associate and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design students will present their latest collections for the highly anticipated, in-person, Miami Swim Week 2021.

MIU Fashion Design students return to kick off Swim Week at the PARAISO Tent with the first runway show on the schedule. After a year of virtual events and pandemic lockdown, students representing 10 countries make their fashion comeback at this year’s show as they present over 30 garments swimwear designs that project the upcoming year’s swimwear trends. After the runway show, student winners will be announced on stage for category awards such as Editorial, Avant-Garde, Menswear, and Overall Design.

“This year’s Swim Week is extra special for our students, who are delighted to reemerge after the pandemic and proudly present the collections they’ve been so passionately working on,” says Oscar Lopez, M.A., Lead Faculty of the Fashion Department at Miami International University of Art & Design.

Miami International University of Art & Design’s SWIM SHOW
Thursday, July 8th at 2PM
PARAISO Tent
2100 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Instagram: @miamiintluniversity

“PARAISO Miami Beach has been an incredible partner of MIU,” added Lopez. “They provide a highly visible and truly unique platform for our design students during one of the most significant events in Miami that brings together designers, buyers, and press from all over the world.”

Find the full PARAISO Miami Beach schedule here, and for more information on Miami International University of Art & Design and its program offerings in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising please visit: https://www.artinstitutes.edu/miami

About Miami International University of Art & Design
Founded in 1965, Miami International University of Art & Design is located near the heart of the arts district offering degree programs in the areas of Fashion, Media Arts and Design. The campus has more than 100,000 square feet of classroom, computer lab, library, and office space. Miami International University of Art & Design and its branch campuses, The Art Institute of Tampa and The Art Institute of Dallas, are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award diplomas, associates, baccalaureate, and masters degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Miami International University of Art & Design. For more information on Miami International University of Art & Design, visit us at www.mymiu.edu.

Miami International University of Art & Design is one of The Art Institutes, a system of private, non-profit schools throughout the United States. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 100, Miami, FL 33132. © 2019. The Arts Institutes International LLC. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Miami International University of Art & Design

Summary Judgment Entered Against Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida Finding Semi-Submerged Land to Be Privately Owned by NE 32nd Street, LLC

July 8, 2021

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — NE 32^nd Street, LLC (NE 32^nd), a Boca Raton-based real estate developer, prevailed on March 8, 2021, in Florida’s 15^th Judicial Circuit Court against the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida (BOT) over the ownership of certain currently semi-submerged lands on the Intracoastal Waterway in Boca Raton, Florida.

The lawsuit involves claims against the BOT to quiet title because of BOT’s claims that land owned by NE 32^ndwas actually sovereignty land of the State of Florida, notwithstanding NE 32^nd having record title to all of the land. NE 32^nd’s chain of title emanated from a State of Florida deed from 1892, that the BOT attempted to invalidate after 129 years of acquiescence. The partial final summary judgement against the BOT was issued on June 28, 2021 by Judge Donald W. Hafele following months of delays caused by the BOT attempting to reargue the ruling after losing in Court.

NE 32^nd contends that the ruling now allows NE 32^nd to pursue slander of title claims against the State for slandering NE 32^nd‘s 129-year unbroken chain of title, and to seek as damages attorney’s fees and costs under the wrongful act doctrine incurred by NE 32^nd during five years of litigation, as a result of the BOT’s refusal to acknowledge NE 32^nd‘s ownership and honor the deed the State issued in 1890.

Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida consists of the Governor, the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.

The law firm of Tobin & Reyes, P.A. of Boca Raton, FL represents NE 32^nd. For further information please contact attorney, Ricardo A. Reyes, of Tobin & Reyes, P.A., at [email protected]. The BOT was represented by counsel with the State of Florida Office of the Attorney General.

The case is NE 32^nd Street LLC v State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. The trial court case number is 50-2016-CA-03800 (15^th Jud. Cir.).

SOURCE NE 32nd Street LLC

Heifer International and IBM Work with Coffee and Cocoa Farmers in Honduras to Increase Access to Data and Global Markets

July 8, 2021

Smallholder coffee and cocoa farmers use IBM Food Trust blockchain technology and powerful AI in IBM Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture to improve farm-level decision-making and speed up transactions.

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Smallholder coffee and cocoa farmers and their cooperatives in Honduras are harnessing the power of technology to access new markets and make better business decisions through IBM Food Trust and IBM Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture, working with Heifer International and IBM (NYSE: IBM).

Small-scale coffee farmers operate at an average of 46–59% loss, with farmers earning less than 1% of the sale of a cup of coffee at a coffee shop. Providing transparency along the supply chain through Food Trust, built on IBM Blockchain technology, will help give coffee buyers who purchase from the COPRANIL cooperative in Honduras and Chocolate Halba, which buys cocoa from farmers in Heifer Honduras’ Chocolate4All project, a better understanding of their product supply chains, and enable farmers to secure higher prices.

Food Trust helps enable farmers and buyers trace coffee and cocoa beans from the farm to the point of sale, improving transparency along the supply chain and increasing market access. It is currently being used by coffee farmers in the COPRANIL cooperative and cocoa farmers that are part of Chocolate4All. The blockchain technology also provides a record of provenance for smallholder farms, providing farmers with a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Heifer International and IBM, together with CATIE, an international organization focused on sustainable and inclusive human well-being in Latin America, are also working with farmers to deploy the Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture. The system combines predictive AI technology with geospatial, weather, environmental and IoT field data in a comprehensive dashboard tailored to a farmer’s land. It delivers weather alerts and other information, such as optimal planting patterns and expected yields linked to market pricing. These insights can help farmers and agribusinesses make more informed decisions for improving crop yield and value, as well as food safety and sustainability. The technology is expected to play an important role in increasing the incomes of coffee and cocoa farmers.

“For 18 months, we’ve worked alongside farmers to identify the best ways to improve production processes, digitize the value chain, and ultimately open market access to smallholder farmers so they can secure premium prices,” said Jesús Pizarro, Vice President of Financial Innovation at Heifer International. “As one of the first cooperatives in the world to deploy the system, COPRANIL is leading the way, equipping its farmers with the tools and technology they need to build and sustain profitable farm businesses.”

Last year, the COPRANIL cooperative produced approximately 1.6 million pounds of coffee beans. Improving quality and traceability can help farmers receive a fair price for their high-quality beans and improve the economic sustainability of coffee farming communities.

“When the people drinking our coffee know where it comes from, the farmers in our cooperative benefit,” said Jorge Lopez, Vice President of coffee-producers cooperative COPRANIL. “Food Trust can help our network of farmers command a better premium for their beans, and potentially improve their livelihoods.”

Food Trust will also help coffee and cocoa farmers and processors verify certifications, improve treatment processes, and assist producers with growing high-quality beans.

“Our work with Heifer International and COPRANIL is an important test of how AI and blockchain technology can advance social good and support sustainability by helping even small-scale producers,” said Kareem Yusuf, Ph.D., IBM General Manager AI Applications and Blockchain. “With predictive AI working to help increase crop yield, and blockchain establishing a record of provenance and proof of quality, these farmers are empowered with new data and insights so they can command more at market.”

To trace the beans, users along the supply chain are given permissioned access to upload data onto the Food Trust platform and use it to access documentation, helping ensure an ethical and more equitable supply chain. The process begins with Heifer International uploading information about nurse plants shipped to farmers. After harvest, farmers then tag and ship their beans to the COPRANIL processers. At COPRANIL, additional data is uploaded to the blockchain about the beans, including whether and how the beans are cleaned, dried, and roasted, and if they meet thresholds for Fair Trade, organic, or other designations. All this information is then shared with corporate buyers, who can also access data about the beans to understand their price.

The cooperative and its stakeholders plan to extend their activities and eventually use Food Trust to track commercial documents used by traders and exporters, including bills of lading, invoices, purchase orders, sale orders and certifications, which can improve farm productivity by reducing paperwork and speeding up transactions.

Food Trust will also trace cocoa beans in pulp, prior to fermentation, through to the sale of the dried beans in large volumes to Chocolate Halba. Food Trust will replace the traceability files that currently have to be kept in Excel spreadsheets – a requirement from the company when purchasing ‘A’ quality cocoa. With the use of Food Trust, farmers will be able to register the traceability of all cocoa, ensuring that all producers are integrated into the market, increasing their visibility to large buyers of cocoa worldwide.

“Both Food Trust and Watson Decision for Agriculture technologies are helping our field teams better advise farmers on which cocoa tree varieties are ideal for their soil quality and on the benefits of fermenting and drying beans instead of selling them in pulp form or washed, which is how cocoa beans are traditionally sold,” said Pizarro. “With access to this information, farmers are able to make more informed business decisions.”

Heifer International and CATIE recently hosted a workshop with experts from IBM and the cocoa industry to explore combining macro-climate data and knowledge on cocoa physiology to develop predictive models. The experts aim to use Watson’s artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to provide smallholder cocoa farmers with access to data that will help predict cocoa yield and growth.

As part of a long history of harnessing technology to advance rural development, Heifer International is also participating in the 2021 Call for Code Global Challenge to tackle climate change.

About Heifer International
For 76 years, Heifer International has worked with more than 36 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Working with rural communities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports farmers and local food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income. For information, visit https://www.heifer.org.

About IBM
For more information, please visit IBM.com/food.

SOURCE Heifer International

Urban Skin Rx® Expands into Walgreens, Doubles Exposure at Walmart and Joins Prestige Section at Ulta Beauty

July 8, 2021

Brand to maximize accessibility to clinical solutions for diverse skin tones with major retail growth.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Urban Skin Rx® is excited to announce their retail expansion into Walgreens this summer, entering over 1,900 doors in the first phase of development. The brand is also growing their current distribution at Walmart by an additional 750 doors, increasing availability to 1,500 total Walmart stores in August 2021.

“Accessible clinical skincare has always been a part of the Urban Skin Rx® mission,” says CEO & founder Rachel Roff. “Partnering with Walgreens allows us to strengthen our brand presence in diverse cities to ensure that multicultural clinical skincare can be found at most major retail outlets. This is a huge move for my company, but the impact of access to inclusive options for our customer is the real win. With growth of Walmart and Walgreens, Urban Skin Rx® retail distribution has grown over 170% from last year, with a projected 20.5% increase in gross retail sales from 2020 to 2021.”

The initial Walgreens assortment will consist of seven hero products from the brand, with three more best-sellers added during phase two of the expansion in October 2021. In hopes of simplifying the shopping needs of their customer by utilizing Walgreens as a beauty destination, Urban Skin Rx® plans to drive consumer interest through innovative marketing tactics, such as using strategic interactive technology to increase foot traffic while monitoring consumer buying behaviors from different markets.

In continuation of its mission to provide accessible, efficacious skincare to all skin tones, the brand also recently unveiled a packaging redesign and expanded retail distribution for its Pro Strength™ collection at Ulta Beauty. With items now available in both mass and prestige sections at Ulta, Urban Skin Rx® is in a unique position to offer more solutions at multiple price-points to consumers, specifically providing advanced formulas for hyperpigmentation and resurfacing.

About Urban Skin Rx®
Urban Skin Rx® was founded in Charlotte, NC in 2010 to develop clinical skincare products that address the needs of consumers with melanin-rich skin tones. Urban Skin Rx® products deliver blends of high-strength ingredients formulated to address the most common skincare concerns of women of color, including improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Urban Skin Rx® products are sold at www.urbanskinrx.com and at over 5,000 retail locations across the U.S.

For more information on Urban Skin Rx®, please visit www.urbanskinrx.com.
For more information on the non-profit organizations Urban Skin Rx® supports, please visit https://urbanskinrx.com/pages/non-profits-we-support.
For press inquiries, please contact Rebecca Leiby, mml PR, at [email protected].

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1276006/Urban_Skin_Rx.jpg

SOURCE Urban Skin Rx

Haus Of Thrones Pop-Up Bar Reigns In Downtown Houston

July 8, 2021

Haus Of Thrones (Game Of Thrones Inspired Pop Up Bar)

HOUSTON, July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Summer might be here, but winter is coming to downtown Houston beginning July 23, 2021 with The Haus of Thrones. A 21+ Game of Thrones inspired experience, located at 505 Main St. Houston, TX 77002, in a 10,000 square foot, multi-level recreation of Westeros, featuring: King’s Landing, The Infamous Wall of the Nights Watch, Winterfell and more. This photo-op rich, interactive experience features unique activities such as:

DAILY: “Iron Throne” contest: use everyday materials to build your best mini version of the Iron Throne
SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY: Game Night, with life-size game pieces
WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY: Game of Thrones inspired trivia with prizes
FRIDAY, SATURDAY: Game of Thrones inspired costume contest with prizes Early bird pricing is $20 per person until July 16, 2021, $40 per person after June

20, with experiences running every 2 hours: 4-6 p.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m., 9-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets can be purchased via Universe tickets. Food, drinks & merchandise are sold separately.

As a commitment to making fun accessible by those less privileged Haus of Thrones will be giving away 500 tickets for a pre-opening day, July 22, 2021, with priority given to Houston-based non-profits, relief and front-line workers. Please visit us on social media to enter to win free tickets. Find us on Instagram @hausofthrones Facebook- Haus of ThronesHTX.

Party like a Viking
We know some of you are over the top with GOT spirit like us! Bring your birthday buddy to Haus of Thrones for an unforgettable birthday party including:

Game of Thrones inspired 10″ cake your choice of (chocolate or vanilla)
One bottle of house champagne (non-alcoholic also available)
Sparklers
Special shoutout from the DJ

Birthday packages are $100, can be purchased as an add-on when purchasing tickets via Universe tickets.

Pre-party like a King or Queen
The Bus of Thrones is a 26 ft Game of Thrones Inspired Décor Party Bus that can serve as a pre/post party or experience it as a unique way to see downtown Houston, even if you are not attending the Haus of Thrones. Here’s what to expect:

Pickup at 400 Main St.
30 minute ride around downtown Houston
Game of Thrones Inspired Music & Top 40’s Hits
3 TV’s
your very own Haus Host MC
front door drop off at Haus Of Thrones (505 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002)
VIP Skip the line access
A Haus of Thrones t-shirt (T-Shirt Design separate from the merchandise )
To-Go beverages (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) available for purchase

Party bus tickets are $20.00 per person, reservations can be made here or to book a private party please contact [email protected]

“My goal with Haus of Thrones is to transport guests to Westeros, give fans a chance to reenact their favorite scene, take nostalgic and memorable photos that will leave them smiling and awe struck.” said Asha Holloway, Creator, Haus of Thrones. Holloway also is the brainchild behind Muggleless: a Harry Potter Experience, Dunder Mupplen: The Office Experience, JingledUp: A Christmas Experience.

About Haus of Thrones
Haus of Thrones is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with HBO, or THE GAME OF THRONES SHOW, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates. This is Four44 Creative Agency LLC’s artistic adaptation recreation of an iconic series that added value to our adulthood. Enjoy the story telling from our eyes in the most fun way! Learn more at www.hausofthrones.com

Asha Holloway
[email protected]
832-836-0272

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1559680/Copy_of_HAUS_OF_THRONES__1.jpg

SOURCE Haus of Thrones

FAU BEPI Report Shows Hispanics Upbeat about Finances, but Consumer Confidence Dips

July 8, 2021

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Consumer confidence among U.S. Hispanics fell in the second quarter, though optimism about their overall finances is building as the nation continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index decreased to 90.8 from 92 in the first quarter, but it remains high above the 82.8 during the second quarter of last year, according to the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative (FAU BEPI) in FAU’s College of Business.

In the second quarter of 2021, optimism declined slightly in three out of the five questions used to generate the index.

Fifty-one percent of respondents said good business conditions will exist in the next year, compared with 54 percent who felt that way in the first quarter. In addition, 59 percent said there will be good times for the country over the next five years, compared to 61 percent who said that in the first quarter. Meanwhile, 53 percent said this is a good time to buy a big-ticket item for a home, down from 54 percent in the first quarter.

Still survey respondents were upbeat about their finances, with 63 percent believing they are better off than a year ago, compared with 59 percent who said that in the first quarter and 47 percent who felt that way in the fourth quarter of 2020.

What’s more, 74 percent said they will be better off financially a year from now, up from 73 percent in the first quarter and 62 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020.

“Hispanics were affected tremendously during the COVID-19 recession, and the hardest-hit industries, such as leisure and hospitality, are those that employ the greatest share of Latinos and other racial minorities,” said Monica Escaleras, Ph.D., director of FAU BEPI. “However, the situation is turning around as these industries are hiring again and even offering higher wages. This translates to better opportunities for Hispanics to improve their personal finances.”

The poll is based on a sampling of 616 Hispanics, 18 years of age and older, from April 1 to June 30. The margin of error is +/- 3.95 percentage points. The polling results and full cross-tabulations can be viewed here.

SOURCE Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative

Goya Foods Pledges $2 Million To Combat Child Trafficking

July 8, 2021

Goya Foods launches Goya Cares, a global initiative dedicated to eliminating child trafficking both domestically and internationally.

Company Announces Launch of Goya Cares to Support ‘Sound of Freedom’ Movie and Human Trafficking Organizations

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —

WHO: Bob Unanue, President | CEO of Goya Foods; Eduardo Verástegui, Producer of Sound of Freedom; Dr. Ben Carson, Founder | Chairman of The American Cornerstone Institute; Jennifer Hohman, Founder #FightForUs; Kathy Givens, Survivor Overcomer, Twelve11 Partners

WHAT: Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic owned food company in the United States, hosts a press conference on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at The National Press Club in Washington D.C., to announce the company’s pledge of $2 million to combat child trafficking and to launch Goya Cares. Goya Cares is a global initiative dedicated to eliminating child trafficking both domestically and internationally. Goya will announce its support of the upcoming movie release Sound of Freedom, produced by Eduardo Verástegui, that brings attention to the urgent matter of child trafficking through the heroic actions of a former government agent. As part of the pledge, Goya Cares will work directly with organizations that combat, rescue, reunite families, and rehabilitate victims.

WHERE:
The National Press Club
The Holeman Lounge
13^th Floor
529 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20045

*Anyone attending the in-person event at the Press Club will be asked to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test result taken 72 hours prior to arrival at the Press Club.

*This event will be LIVE streamed and available for press viewing:
Registration/webcast URL: https://www.workcast.com/register?cpak=6453583853859115

Please register and click on “Join event” to view the player page.

WHEN:
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
11:00 a.m.

PRESS CONTACT:
All Press Must RSVP
Natalie J. Maniscalco | 845.659.6506 | [email protected]

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1560134/Goya_Cares.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1153368/GOYA_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Goya Foods, Inc.

2022 Kia Stinger Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award

July 7, 2021

IRVINE, Calif., July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The 2022 Stinger sport sedan has been awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) rating with the implementation of standard LED headlights. Previously a Top Safety Pick, the refreshed 2022 Stinger earned ratings of ‘good’ in all six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. The Stinger comes standard with Forward Collision Avoidance Assist that earned a superior rating in the vehicle-to-vehicle evaluation and an advanced rating in the vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluation.

For the 2022 model year, the Stinger is refreshed inside and out, including a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, more horsepower for the twin-turbo V6, along with interior and exterior design elements. The new model year also brought numerous standard Drive Wise advanced driver assistance systems that were previously not available across all trims, including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection, cyclist, and junction turning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Warning, and High Beam Assist.

“The Stinger fundamentally changed the way consumers viewed the Kia brand,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO of Kia North America, Kia America. “This latest Top Safety Pick Plus rating from IIHS validates Kia’s relentless pursuit of improvement and advancement, and perfectly complement the Stinger’s highly regarded performance capabilities.”

The Stinger is the second Kia model to earn TSP+ following the 2021 K5 (built after November 2020), which earned a its rating earlier this year. Kia vehicles with Top Safety Pick ratings are the 2021 Soul, Forte, Seltos (built after August 2020), Sportage, Sorento and Telluride when equipped with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights.

Kia America – about us

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of more than 750 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America.*

For media information, including photography,
visit

www.kiamedia.com

.
To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at

www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert

.

Press Release Information Accuracy Disclaimer

Information posted in press releases on the Kia Media website was accurate at the time of posting but may be superseded by subsequent releases or other information.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1556634/17026_2022_Stinger_GT_Line__1.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1442697/Kia_New_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia America

1...1,7441,7451,746...3,058 Page 1,745 of 3,058