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Canada Life Reinsurance announces €4.7 Billion longevity agreement with Athora Netherlands

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DUBLIN, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Canada Life Reinsurance is pleased to announce that it has recently entered into a long-term longevity reinsurance agreement with Athora Netherlands covering €4.7 billion of in-force liabilities and 104,500 in-payment and deferred policies.

Jeff Poulin, Global Head of Canada Life Reinsurance, affirms this agreement is another example of Canada Life Reinsurance’s strength as a partner for longevity reinsurance transactions globally.

“We are pleased to build and grow our relationship with Athora Netherlands with this major reinsurance agreement,” says Poulin. “It demonstrates our ability to work together with our partners to meet their reinsurance needs and adapt our solutions to their needs over time.”

Canada Life Reinsurance offers a range of innovative risk and capital management solutions for life, health and non-life risk to insurers, reinsurers, and pension funds globally.

About Canada Life Reinsurance

Canada Life Reinsurance provides its clients with reinsurance solutions for life and health, annuity, and property & casualty business through its offices in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Bermuda, and Barbados. Canada Life Reinsurance is a division of The Canada Life Assurance Company and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Canada Life Assurance Company is a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. To learn more, visit canadalifere.com.

About Great-West Lifeco Inc.

Great-West Lifeco is an international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. We operate in Canada, the United States and Europe under the brands Canada Life, Empower Retirement, Putnam Investments, and Irish Life.  At the end of 2020, our companies had approximately 24,500 employees, 205,000 advisor relationships, and thousands of distribution partners – all serving our more than 30 million customer relationships across these regions.

Great-West Lifeco and its companies have approximately CDN $2.0 trillion in consolidated assets under administration as at December 31, 2020 and are members of the Power Corporation group of companies.  Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol GWO.  To learn more, visit greatwestlifeco.com. 

Contact: Eamon Loughnane, Head of European Business Development, Canada Life Reinsurance, Tel: 00 353 1 254 1508, Mobile: +353 86 042 1056, E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Canada Life Reinsurance

MoneyGram Announces Agreement to Join Pay+ Mobile Wallet to Expand Digital Presence in the Middle East

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MoneyGram Logo

DALLAS, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — MoneyGram International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGI), a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers, today announced it signed an agreement to launch its leading international money transfer capabilities on Pay+, a mobile wallet powered by Ooredoo Oman and the National Bank of Oman (NBO). Pay+ is a first-to-market development that will empower consumers in Oman to make deposits, withdrawals, bill payments and local and international money transfers. This partnership will give customers the ability to use the mobile wallet to transfer money in near real-time with access to the MoneyGram global distribution network which spans over 200 countries and territories.

MoneyGram Logo

“Consumer demand for real-time payments and mobile wallets continues to surge, so this expansion with one of our largest and fastest growing digital partners is yet another milestone on our journey to lead the evolution of digital P2P payments,” said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As our digital partners are increasingly looking to utilize our modern, mobile and API-driven infrastructure, this integration through Pay+ will provide scale to its existing digital offerings and instant access to our cross-border payments and money transfer services.”

This strategic partnership expansion will build upon the strong momentum MoneyGram has already developed in the Middle East market and further accelerate digital growth as the Company plans to expand its customer-centric capabilities to Oman, one of the largest markets in outbound international remittances.

“This major, first-to-market, development will change the way customers transfer money,” said Ian Dench, Chief Executive Officer at Ooredoo. “Pay+ was designed with customer needs in mind and together with our partners, MoneyGram and NBO, the ground-breaking mobile wallet will continue to set standards in the Sultanate’s evolving digital payments ecosystem.”

“As we successfully execute our strategy to accelerate digital growth and expand access to mobile wallet capabilities, consumers around the world are seeing the value in our digital transformation,” said Grant Lines, MoneyGram Global Chief Revenue Officer. “Through this upcoming launch, we are doubling down our efforts in key send corridors such as Oman and, in turn, providing new and innovative technologies and more digital payment options to consumers around the globe.”

The partnership is expected to be live for consumers in the next month.

About MoneyGram International, Inc.
MoneyGram is a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers. Its consumer-centric capabilities enable family and friends to quickly and affordably send money in more than 200 countries and territories, with 90 now digitally enabled.

MoneyGram leverages its modern, mobile, and API-driven platform and collaborates with the world’s leading brands to serve millions of people each year through both its walk-in business and its direct-to-consumer digital business.

With a strong culture of innovation and a relentless focus on utilizing technology to deliver the world’s best customer experience, MoneyGram is leading the evolution of digital P2P payments.

For more information, please visit MoneyGram.com and follow @MoneyGram.

About Ooredoo Oman
Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company SAOG (“Ooredoo”) was founded and registered in the Sultanate of Oman in December 2004. Services were launched its service in March 2005, originally operating under the name Nawras.  As Oman’s data experience leaders, Ooredoo provides individuals and businesses with cutting edge digital products and services, so that customers can enjoy the internet. Ooredoo generated revenues of OMR 285.5 million as of 31 December 2019 and is listed on the Muscat Stock Market (MSM) under the “ORDS” ticker.

About Ooredoo
Ooredoo is an international communications company operating across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia. Serving consumers and businesses in 10 countries, Ooredoo delivers the leading data experience through a broad range of content and services via its advanced, data-centric mobile and fixed networks. Ooredoo generated revenues of USD 8.2 billion as of 31 December 2018. Its shares are listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. 

About National Bank of Oman
NBO, the first local commercial bank in the Sultanate of Oman, was founded in 1973 and is today one of the leading banks in Oman. The Bank serves its customers in Oman through 60 Branches, more than 180 ATM/FFM/CCDMs as well as two Branches in U.A.E.

The Bank is committed to community improvement through its corporate citizenship programs and is an active supporter of a range of worthy causes in Oman, with emphasis on health and human services, civic, education, environment, youth, women, arts and culture.

MoneyGram Media Contact
Stephen Reiff
[email protected] 

Ooredoo Media Contacts
Emily Shotter
[email protected]                                          

Sudipta Dasgupta
[email protected] 

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600838/MoneyGram_International_Logo.jpg  

SOURCE MoneyGram

Ethnic E-Grocer Weee! Raises $315M in Series D Led by DST Global with Participation from Blackstone, Arena Holdings, and Tiger Global

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FREMONT, California, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Weee! (www.sayweee.com), the leading ethnic e-grocer in the United States, today announced $315 million in Series D financing led by existing investor DST Global. New investors include funds managed by Blackstone, Arena Holdings, and Tiger Global; significantly deepening the company’s capital base. The new capital will be used to further accelerate the company’s geographic expansion with the most efficient fulfilment technology, build a stronger and more diverse product assortment, recruit exceptional talent, and invest in engaging the broader Asian and Hispanic communities with state-of-the-art personalization features.

“Ethnic communities have been overlooked in the online and retail space. We believe the opportunity to provide these fast growing communities access to exciting and affordable groceries is tremendous,” said Larry Liu, founder and CEO of Weee! “We are thrilled to leverage DST Global and our new investors’ strategic view on the future of retail and vast experience building and scaling technology companies to accelerate our mission.”

“Weee! has a unique understanding of how explosive growth can be achieved sustainably in the emerging online grocery space,” said Rahul Mehta, managing partner at DST Global. “The team’s back-to-basics focus on merchandising, everyday low prices, and remarkable social shopping approach are what sets Weee! apart, and we’re excited to deepen our support for their mission.”

While grocery remains the lowest penetrated retail segment within the e-commerce landscape, the grocery market for ethnic customers is expected to surpass $464 billion by 20301. Weee!’s current category assortment spans ethnic ingredients essential to Asian and Hispanic cuisines, catering to an underserved population with >20% growth since 20102. Weee! Currently serves 14 key regions coast-to-coast and aims to expand to 30 cities across North America by 2024.

About Weee! Inc.

Weee! was founded in 2015 with the belief that quality, freshness, and accessibility shouldn’t ever be compromised when it comes to food. Loved and recognized as a trusted household brand among underserved communities, Weee! makes convenient and affordable access to specialty products and everyday essentials possible. Products are guaranteed to be delivered at peak freshness and priced lower than or comparable to offline stores. No subscription is required to shop and next-day delivery is free with a low order minimum. The company continues to redefine online grocery shopping by leveraging social e-commerce and proprietary forecasting technology.

Weee! is headquartered in Fremont, California and has received $415M+ in funding from Arena Holdings, Blackstone, DST Global, Goodwater Capital, iFly.vc, Lightspeed Ventures, Tiger Global, VMG, and XVC.

For more information, please visit www.sayweee.com/en or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “strive,” “will” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements in this announcement include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our disclosure concerning the Company’s operations, cash flows, financial position and dividend policy.

Press Contact
pr@sayweee.com

1 U.S. Grocery Market Share, Statista
2 U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2019 Population Estimates by Demographic Characteristics 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1457814/Weee_Mixed_Produce.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1457815/Weee_Series_D.jpg

SOURCE Weee

Vice President Kamala Harris and Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin Join CIEE in Congratulating the 2021 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows

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The 2021 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — At an online St. Patrick’s Day roundtable today, Vice President Kamala Harris and Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin joined Nettie Washington Douglass, the great-great-granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, and representatives from the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to recognize the winners of the 2021 Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, a competitive award for diverse student leaders to attend a four-week summer study abroad program focused on leadership, intercultural communication, and social justice. 

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs will co-sponsor the 2021 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows in Dublin, Ireland, to honor the 175th anniversary of the meeting between 27-year-old abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the Irish reformer Daniel O’Connell in Dublin in 1845. 

The following high-achieving students were selected for this prestigious award:

  • Sophia Kathryn Jackson, Bard College
  • Leeah Derenoncourt, Emerson College
  • Carolina Jimenez, Harvard University
  • Brielle Smith, Howard University
  • Katherine Sanchez, Lehman College, CUNY
  • Iesha-LaShay Phillips, Oberlin College
  • Corinne Bobb-Semple, Pomona College
  • Mikayla Tillery, Stanford University
  • Paul Douillon, University of Miami
  • Nikita Joshi, University of Missouri – Kansas City
  • Jaylen Antoine, University of Puget Sound
  • Delali Gadzekpo, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
  • Isaiah Franco, Wofford College
  • Ayodele Theard-Lewis, Xavier University of Louisiana

You can hear from all 2021 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows in this video.

In Ireland, the Frederick Douglass Global Fellows will study leadership, effective communication, and strategies to affect positive social change as they explore the life stories and legacies of Frederick Douglass and Daniel O’Connell. They will be joined on their program by the 2020 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows who were unable to travel to Cape Town, South Africa, last summer as scheduled due to COVID-19.

At the roundtable event, Vice President Harris congratulated the Frederick Douglass Global Fellows. She expressed her pride, and America’s pride, in their accomplishments. She said to them: “You will create friendships around the globe as an extension of the work we do as a country to inspire and to work on and to build on the friendships we have around the world.”

“Many of you know that I attended Howard University, a school that was founded at a time when few recognized the potential of Black students to be leaders,” said Vice President Harris. “At HBCUs, and at fellowship programs like this, students of color are prepared to lead. Like Frederick Douglass in Ireland, you can come as you are, and you can leave who you aspire to be.”

Following the roundtable, which was attended by many of the Frederick Douglass Global Fellows who will travel to Ireland this summer, the Taoiseach said: “I was delighted to join Vice President Harris this morning in meeting these exceptional young people. Frederick Douglass has a vital and valued legacy on either side of the Atlantic and my Government is delighted to mark the 175th anniversary of his historic tour of Ireland by welcoming twenty brilliant American students from minority backgrounds to follow in the great abolitionist’s footsteps and learn of the influential relationship between Daniel O’Connell and Frederick Douglass. Today’s meeting with the Fellows is also a great opportunity to recognize the great diversity that powers both our countries and our relationship today.”

“It’s fitting that this diverse group of young people will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in a place so special to Frederick Douglass,” said Nettie Washington Douglass, chairwoman and co-founder of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, and the great-great-granddaughter of Frederick Douglass and great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington. “The welcome and respect with which Frederick was greeted across his tour of Ireland affected him profoundly. I can think of no better place for future American leaders to gain a global perspective and prepare to be agents of change.”

“Frederick Douglass was transformed by his time in Ireland and returned to America in 1847 as a free man, spending the next 50 years of his life agitating for positive change in our world,” said James P. Pellow, president and CEO of CIEE. “We know this group of exceptional students will have a similar transformative experience in Ireland and return home with enhanced skills and passion to change our world for the better.”

The Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship was launched in 2017 by CIEE to expand access to international education to underrepresented students.

In addition to funding the Frederick Douglass Global Fellows, CIEE provides all students who complete the fellowship application a $1,500 grant to attend a CIEE summer study abroad program. Known as the Frederick Douglass Summer Scholars Grant, this award is matched by many colleges and universities, making an international education experience financially attainable for many more students from diverse backgrounds.

To learn more about the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, visit ciee.org/FDGF.

About the Council on International Educational Exchange

CIEE, the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization, transforms lives and builds bridges by promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences. To help people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world, CIEE sponsors a wide variety of opportunities for cultural exchange, including work exchange programs, teach abroad programs, and a worldwide portfolio of study abroad and internship programs for college and high school students. www.ciee.org.

Contact: Leslie Taylor, (207) 553-4274, [email protected]

The 2021 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGJyOD_xqdw

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1458502/CIEE_2021_Fellows_Announcement.jpg

SOURCE Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

Statement of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health on Historic Confirmation of Xavier Becerra as Nation’s 25th Secretary of Health and Human Services

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WASHINGTON, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “With Secretary Becerra, the nation has the leader of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that it needs to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and who will bring equity to our nation’s health and human services to ensure all have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We welcome this historic confirmation and look forward to working with Secretary Becerra to ensure the best health for all,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

“Under his leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will lead the COVID response in a way that recognizes the sacrifices and losses that so many have endured and create a new path forward. His decades of experience with government at all levels and legislative and regulatory processes have prepared him to be the DHHS Secretary that the country and indeed the global community needs. As the first Hispanic Secretary of Health and Human Services, his example will continue to be a beacon of achievement and possibility for all and especially for the next generation of Hispanic leadership,” concluded Dr. Delgado.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance)
The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States with a mission to achieve the best health for all. For more information visit us at www.healthyamericas.org

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Mexico’s Government, Direct Relief Transport Polio Vaccine to Ecuador in Response to International Appeal

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Officials from Direct Relief and the governments of Mexico and Ecuador discuss the humanitarian shipment of polio vaccine to Ecuador at an event on March 16, 2021. (Photo: Edmundo Montes de Oca, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.)

MEXICO CITY, March 17, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — People may think of polio as an eradicated disease, like smallpox, but that is not the case.

Officials from Direct Relief and the governments of Mexico and Ecuador discuss the humanitarian shipment of polio vaccine to Ecuador at an event on March 16, 2021. (Photo: Edmundo Montes de Oca, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.)

Last year, there were 441 reported polio cases worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the last-known case of the crippling disease in the United States was in 1979, the CDC recommends that all children should receive a series of four polio shots.

“No country is safe from polio until the virus has been eradicated globally,” says the World Health Organization.

Ecuador last month launched a national campaign to inoculate infants against polio, but it ran short of the vaccine doses needed.

Ecuador’s Ministry of Public Health issued an international appeal for polio vaccine to organizations including Direct Relief and nations including Mexico.

In its communication to Direct Relief, the Ministry warned of “a critical shortage of basic vaccines” as a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ecuador requested 95,000 doses of the polio vaccine and 138,000 doses of other vaccines commonly given to children.

The Government of Mexico responded to the appeal, offering to donate the polio vaccine from its stockpile at the national vaccine agency BIRMEX.

To transport the humanitarian aid, Mexico’s government turned to Direct Relief, which is registered as a civil association in Mexico with tax-deductible status (donataria autorizada).

Like most vaccines, the polio vaccine is a cold-chain medication; it must be kept refrigerated at all times to between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, delivered in special containers, with the temperature monitored.

Pharmaceutical distributors—and Direct Relief—are among the only organizations with cold-chain vaccine shipment capability.

Direct Relief has extensive experience working with the world’s largest medical manufacturers to distribute cold-chain prescription medications connected with humanitarian and emergency-response efforts.

In 2020, Direct Relief completed 1,953 cold-chain deliveries of such products, managing end-to-end distribution to health facilities across the United States and 52 other countries. Deliveries contained 21.6 million doses of temperature-sensitive medications, including insulin, cancer drugs, hemophilia treatments, vaccines, and biologic therapies for patients with rare genetic diseases.

Direct Relief’s Mexico office managed the complex customs procedures. Its logistics partner Kuehne + Nagel packed the vaccine and flew them to Ecuador while maintaining cold-chain integrity. The 95,000 doses of bivalent oral polio vaccine landed last week at Quito International Airport.

“With this donation, Mexico joins the noble cause of the Strategic Plan of the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate polio in the world,” Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

About Direct Relief

A humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies, Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources throughout the world to communities in need—without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. For more information, please visit https://www.DirectRelief.org.

Polio vaccine from Mexico arrives in Ecuador via Direct Relief in response to an international appeal for additional doses.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1458531/Direct_Relief_March_16_Event.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1458532/Direct_Relief_Polio_Vaccine_Shipment.jpg

SOURCE Direct Relief

FDA Celebrates National Nutrition Month® in March 2021

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — According to a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) survey, 71% of U.S. adults strongly agree that eating a healthy diet is important for long-term health. However, only 44% strongly agree they are confident they know how to choose healthy foods, and just 29% think their overall dietary habits are excellent or very good. This March, during National Nutrition Month®, learn how you can use the updated Nutrition Facts label to make informed food choices that contribute to lifelong healthy eating habits with the FDA’s Nutrition Education Resources and Materials! 

What’s New with the Nutrition Facts Label

The new and improved Nutrition Facts label can be found on food and beverage packages. Some of the changes include updated serving sizes; larger, bolder calories; and updated Daily Values and nutrient listings. Learn more about the changes with The New Nutrition Facts Label: What’s in it for you? campaign: www.FDA.gov/NewNutritionFactsLabel. Use these education materials to learn how to use the label as a tool for maintaining healthy dietary practices.

For Health Educators

For Youth & Youth Educators

  • Read the Label materials challenge kids ages 9 to 13 to look for and use the Nutrition Facts label on food and beverage packages.
  • Science and Our Food Supply is a collection of free supplementary curricula about nutrition, food safety, and agricultural biotechnology, designed for middle and high school classrooms.
  • Whyville Snack Shack games test tweens’ knowledge about making healthy snack choices that can keep them feeling great.

For Older Adults

  • The How-To Guide for Older Adults is a tool to help older adults make informed food choices that can have positive effects on their health and wellness.

For Physicians & Healthcare Professionals

Use FDA’s resources and materials this month and throughout the year to learn about the importance of good nutrition. For more information about the refreshed Nutrition Facts label and Nutrition Facts label education campaign, visit www.FDA.gov/NewNutritionFactsLabel and watch this Q&A video featuring the Director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Contact: Media: 1-301-796-4540 Consumers: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (toll-free)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESFp8lmuJVo 
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/585467/ucm519149_Logo.jpg

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Nearly 70% of Women of Color Small Business Owners Saw an Average Revenue Decline of 46% During the Pandemic, New Caress and IFundWomen of Color Research Shows

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ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — For the past year, crisis after crisis, including the fight against racial injustice and the pandemic, relentlessly challenged communities and impacted their livelihood – especially for women of color. New research from Caress and IFundWomen of Color shows the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened these gaps. Nearly 70% of women of color small business owners surveyed saw their revenue diminish in 2020 – and of those, they saw an average decline of 46%.

In partnership with IFundWomen of Color, the leading platform for diverse entrepreneurs to raise capital, Caress is unveiling new data revealing the ongoing challenges women of color entrepreneurs are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Caress x IFundWomen of Color Virtual Summit.

Today’s half-day virtual summit will unmask the collective barriers to success including lack of resources and navigating systems of inequity, while helping entrepreneurs navigate the path forward through a series of learning sessions and intimate fireside chats led by women in leadership, including Esi Eggleston Bracey, EVP & COO NA Beauty and Personal Care, Unilever.

Financial support was amongst the biggest challenges cited in the research report and will be addressed head on in the virtual summit. While some businesses found respite and access to federal funding to keep their businesses afloat, many women of color-owned small businesses continued to struggle. 81% did not receive emergency government assistance to support their business in 2020 with 49% relying on their personal savings.

“Women of Color and their businesses have suffered disproportionately during this pandemic and receiving grants and aid through federal relief programs has been challenging for many,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, EVP & COO North American Beauty and Personal Care, Unilever. “Last year, through our partnership with IFundWomen of Color, Caress committed $1,000,000 to support women of color entrepreneurs over the next two years including immediate relief directly going towards small businesses impacted by economic strain due to COVID-19 and the biases of systemic racism. This new research further proves how imperative it is to continue to support women of color entrepreneurs through their journey and we’re proud to use the Caress x IFundWomen of Color Virtual Summit as a platform to create a space of equity and drive such an important conversation.”

Despite the challenges faced, women of color small business owners are hopeful, 60% of women of color business owners expect revenues to improve this year, and 73% of those whose businesses have been negatively impacted by the pandemic believe their businesses will fully recover by Spring 2022.

Most of the women surveyed cite community support and access to education and funding as the main drivers on the road to recovery. 

“COVID-19 has hit women of color-owned small businesses hard, but we’re optimistic they can and will recover. Through IFundWomen’s partnership with Caress, we’re proud to continue offering our growing community of diverse entrepreneurs access to capital through crowdfunding and grants, expert business coaching, and connections to follow-on capital, collaborators, and new partnerships,” said Olivia Owens, Creator and General Manager of IFundWomen of Color. “While 70% of women surveyed say the support of their peers was crucial to starting or maintaining their business in 2020, 2 in 5 feel disconnected from other women of color entrepreneurs and do not have people in their day-to-day network to collaborate with and problem-solve. The goal of today’s virtual summit, as well as one of our overarching goals of IFundWomen of Color, is to offer a space for women to cultivate meaningful      conversations and relationships that will help them continue to advance.” 

To join the summit, RSVP at caressvirtualsummit.splashthat.com, and follow the #caressxifwoc hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.

For more information on the Caress and IFundWomen of Color partnership, including COVID-19 relief grants and the Dream to Reality Fund, please visit ifundwomen.com/woc.

Follow @Caress on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter 
Follow @IFundWomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter

For additional information contact:
Kirby Brewster
Account Supervisor, Edelman
[email protected] 

About Caress®
Caress®, a U.S. Unilever beauty brand and trusted name for more than 30 years, is known for products that give women gorgeous skin they will want to flaunt. Offering an exceptional variety, Caress® beauty bars and body washes leave your skin feeling instantly moisturized and are paired with exquisite fragrances so women can have it all. Caress® has been committed to creating products that turn every shower into a fully immersive sensorial experience – moments that are proven to spur creativity. It’s what inspires Caress’ belief that no great idea should go down the drain. Caress® is committed to helping women, particularly women of color, take their ideas from dreams to reality. Visit www.caress.us for more information.

About IFundWomen of Color
Launched in January 2020, IFundWomen of Color is a platform dedicated to advancing BIPOC entrepreneurs through access to capital, coaching, and lucrative connections specifically needed for women of color to launch and grow successful businesses. After its first year in existence, IFundWomen of Color leveled the funding field across the IFundWomen platform. Learn more at www.IFundWomen.com/woc

About Unilever North America
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 2.5 billion people every day. We have 149,000 employees and generated sales of €50.7 billion in 2020. Over half of our footprint is in developing and emerging markets. We have around 400 brands found in homes all over the world. In the United States and Canada, the portfolio includes iconic brand such as: Dove, Knorr, Hellmann’s, Lipton, Magnum, Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, Degree, Dollar Shave Club, Q-tips, Seventh Generation, St. Ives, Suave, TRESemmé, and Vaseline.

Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose-led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. It goes back to the days of our founder William Lever, who launched the world’s first purposeful brand, Sunlight Soap, more than 100 years ago, and it’s at the heart of how we run our company today.

The Unilever Compass, our sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth, while:

  • improving the health of the planet;
  • improving people’s health, confidence and wellbeing; and
  • contributing to a fairer and more socially inclusive world.

While there is still more to do, we are proud to have been recognized in 2020 as a sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and – for the tenth-consecutive year – as the top ranked company in the 2020 GlobeScan/SustainAbility Sustainability Leaders survey.

For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit: www.unileverusa.com
For more information on Unilever Canada and its brands visit: www.unilever.ca

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1458808/Caress_IFWOC.jpg  

SOURCE Caress

Pepsi® to Introduce First Permanent Flavored Cola in Five Years – Pepsi Mango.

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Pepsi Mango The Perfect Match

PURCHASE, New York, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, Pepsi is excited to announce the nationwide rollout of Pepsi Mango, the brand’s first new permanent flavored cola in five years. Surprising? Yes. Delicious? Heck yes. The bright citrus and rich caramel notes of an ice-cold Pepsi create the perfect cola base for the ripe, juicy flavors that make mango so irresistible. Beginning Monday, March 22, Pepsi Mango will be available nationwide for all to enjoy this surprising mix of cola and tropical fruit flavor. This new flavor launch also marks the brand’s first permanent release of a Regular and Zero Sugar variety at the same time, designed to support consumers’ growing preference for sugar-free offerings, without having to sacrifice great taste.

To support the launch, Pepsi created a new national TV commercial which will also run digitally. Set to the uplifting top 40 hit “Take You Dancing” by award-winning superstar Jason Derulo, the spot shows a mango pop out of a fruit bowl and roll over to its perfect match – a can of Pepsi – to create the exciting new flavor, Pepsi Mango.

“Our consumers are always looking for new and exciting flavors, so we couldn’t be more excited to introduce them to Pepsi Mango. Our team has created a surprisingly perfect match with Pepsi Mango, combining the delicious taste of Pepsi cola with the flavor of a sweet, juicy mango,” said Todd Kaplan, Vice President of Marketing – Pepsi. “Mango is one of the most popular fruits in the world, and it serves as the perfect complement to Pepsi, creating an irresistible combination that our fans can enjoy everywhere throughout the year.”

After proving some of the most perfect pairings can be found in the most unlikely places (or sips), Pepsi Mango is launching a new campaign dedicated to helping real people find their perfect match, even with the most surprising person. Dating has never been more challenging, with an overwhelming number of apps and platforms, yet minimal in-person interactions and not many opportunities for “meet cutes.” So, in early April, Pepsi is turning its advertising inventory on select social media platforms into real dating advertorials for a handful of interesting, young singles. The series, partly inspired by the video dating fad of the 80’s, will introduce the singles to the world with fun personality introductions and contact information so other singles at home can shoot their shot. Pepsi Mango will create avenues to ‘ship as many pairs as possible, all to help singles find their perfect match, like Pepsi and mango.

When it comes to creating surprising perfect matches, Pepsi Mango knows no bounds. Next month, Pepsi, together with longtime partners at ViacomCBS and its in-house branded content studio, Velocity, will unveil a fully integrated perfect match themed series starring some of the most adored dating reality show stars. Fans should stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Beginning Monday, March 22, Pepsi Mango will be widely available at grocery stores, mass retailers and convenience stores nationwide in Regular and Zero Sugar varieties, in 12oz 12 packs and 20oz bottles.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $70 billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. “Winning with Purpose” reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business strategy and brands.  For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAcvwV5d8mY
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1458857/Pepsi_Mango_The_Perfect_Match.jpg 

SOURCE PepsiCo Beverages North America

Raúl López’s New Book El Vuelo De La Mariposa Monarca, An Educational Narrative About The Amazing Life And Behavioral Patterns Of Monarch Butterflies

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Raul-Lopez

MCALLEN, Texas, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The book El vuelo de la mariposa monarca was created by Raúl López. Raúl is an author who was born in Ciudad Reynosa, Tamaulipas on January 22, 1966. He completed his studies as a dental surgeon at the University of Veracruz. In 1993 he Dr. Sandra Villarreal, producing two children. From 1998 to 2000 he completed his doctorate in the specialty of orthodontics at CASAE Monterrey, Mexico. From 2007 to 2009 he did a doctorate in the specialty of Maxillary Orthopedics at AMOM Monterrey, Mexico.

Raúl López said this about his book: “This story tells the migration of the monarch butterflies from Canada through the United States and their final destination, Mexico, combined with the efforts, obstacles, weather, and the great distance they travel with addition of fictional adventures to give a fun and entertaining journey into history.

At the same time, the readers will know and learn how they travel and what routes they have already drawn throughout their travels for thousands of years to reach their destination as well as the ten life tips that will serve to be a winner.”

Published by Page Publishing, Raúl López’s new book El vuelo de la mariposa monarca shares an in-depth look into the life of monarch butterflies through time, especially during their migration to faraway places.

Consumers who wish to learn about butterflies and their lifespans can purchase El vuelo de la mariposa monarca online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1457437/Raul_Lopez.jpg

SOURCE Page Publishing

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