Mazda CX-5 Awarded as Car and Driver 10Best for Fourth Year in a Row

November 18, 2020

Compact SUV praised for driving dynamics, design and value

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The 2021 Mazda CX-5 today was named as a Car and Driver 10Best winner, the fourth consecutive year that Mazda’s compact crossover SUV has received the award.

Recognized by Car and Driver for its driving dynamics, design and value, Mazda’s CX-5 had its best sales month ever in October. The 2021 model offers many premium features as standard, such as Mazda’s suite of i-Activsense safety features, including Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. A new 10.25-inch center display, the largest screen ever in CX-5, features the latest Mazda Connect infotainment interface and adds capabilities for Mazda Connected Services and in-car Wi-Fi hot spot. Along with Apple CarPlay^TM and Android Auto^TM, the 2021 CX-5 provides occupants seamless integration with their smartphone and helps enhance the sophisticated experience in the vehicle.

“The Mazda CX-5 is the crossover we recommend to friends who are shopping for crossovers,” said Sharon Silke Carty, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver. “It is polished enough to compete with more upscale brands, and its effortless steering and controlled suspension make it fun to drive. It has the right combination of good looks, price and handling and has become a regular on our 10Best list.”

The upper trim 2021 CX-5 models come with the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine that delivers up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium 93 octane fuel or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque with regular 87 octane fuel. The standard four-cylinder Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine delivers 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. CX-5 also features a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual-shift modes, G-Vectoring Control Plus, and front-wheel drive as standard. Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive with off-road traction assist is available on all trim levels.

New for 2021 is the CX-5 Carbon Edition. Sharing similar features to the CX-5 Touring with Touring Preferred SV Package, the Carbon Edition offers exclusive styling with Polymetal Gray exterior paint, gloss black door mirrors and 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels. The interior has red leather seats and special interior trim. The Carbon Edition offers the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine as an option and is available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Car and Driver’s staff evaluated 57 vehicles during two weeks of testing, before voting on its 2021 10Best winners. The award recognizes the smartest, most entertaining cars, trucks, SUVs and vans on sale. “We judge vehicles with an emphasis on value, mission fulfillment, and whether they are fun to drive,” Carty said. “Each of the 10 winners competes against the entire market to earn this recognition.”

To be eligible for a 10Best award, a vehicle must be new or substantially changed from the prior model year, or be a returning winner from last year’s awards. It also must have a base price of less than $90,000 and be on sale in the United States by Jan. 21, 2021.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the U.S. and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

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SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

(Español) Actualización sobre el coronavirus (COVID-19): La FDA autoriza la primera prueba de COVID-19 para autodiagnosticarse en el hogar

November 18, 2020

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) logo (PRNewsfoto/FDA)

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Twenty Years of Design Innovation: Acura MDX

November 18, 2020

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Twenty Years of Design Innovation: Acura MDX

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — After more than two decades and one million units sold since the debut of the first-generation MDX in 2000, the new MDX Prototype previews the nameplate’s most ambitious redesign yet. Utilizing a clean sheet design and clear focus on delivering Precision Crafted Performance, the fourth-generation MDX reimagines the three-row SUV’s proven formula with a more emotional, exciting and premium design.

The clean sheet approach harkens back to the pioneering 2001 MDX, the first SUV designed by Acura in California, and the industry’s first three-row SUV to be based on a unibody platform. Both challenging designs were undertaken by the same person – exterior design leader Catalin Matei.

In a new video released today, Matei reflects on the disparate design intentions between the first and fourth-generation MDXs, while also highlighting similarities such as a distinct character line which runs the perimeter of both models, below the headlight on the original, and higher on the all-new MDX to communicate strength and performance.

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/BBv8-gXVvIs

MDX Design Reimagined
Previewed in Prototype form, the fourth-generation MDX makes a bold statement with its more dynamic and muscular design. A more upright front fascia and long, sculpted hood convey power and presence along with an impressive six-inch increase in dash-to-axle dimension versus the outgoing MDX. Inspired by the wind-shaped rocks of the Antelope Canyons, the new MDX’s alluring and sculpted body sides give the vehicle a constant impression of movement.

Elegantly crafted details include multi-faceted diamond surfaces on the grille creating dynamic reflections and light play while moving around the vehicle. The new MDX’s headlight and taillights, “the jewelry of the vehicle” as described by Matei, deploy Acura’s unique Chicane light signature at both the front and rear.

The new MDX’s performance intent is underscored by its broad shoulders and tapered cabin, drawn rearward on the lower and wider body. Larger and wider wheels are pushed to the corners, anchoring the MDX to the ground and further communicating performance.

The Original MDX: First-Generation Changes the SUV Game
The original 2001 MDX redefined the luxury SUV segment as the industry’s first three-row SUV to be based on a unibody platform, offering superior comfort, space and driving performance than existing truck-based SUVs. From a design perspective, the first-generation MDX artfully balanced between muscularity and elegance, while communicating strength and stability with its clean look, sharply chiseled front fascia and wide stance. The first gen MDX earned critical praise, including 2001 North American Truck of the Year and 2001 Motor Trend SUV of the Year awards.

Designer Bio: Catalin Matei
Catalin Matei is a principal designer and exterior design technical expert at Honda R&D Americas (HRA). After graduating from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Matei joined HRA in Torrance, California in 1988. His passion for finding creative solutions to technical problems, combined with his love of cars and drawing, are what led him to vehicle design.

Matei’s first role as a designer was on the 1993 Honda Civic Coupe. Following that, Matei designed both the 2000 Acura MD-X Concept and the 2001 Acura MDX production vehicle. He also led the exterior designs of the 2006 Honda Pilot, 2007 Honda Element SC, and two generations of Honda Odyssey (2011 and 2018).

Matei’s responsibilities for the 2022 MDX ranged from the overall exterior design all the way down to details such as the textures used inside the headlights and taillights. In addition to achieving a highly emotional appearance for the MDX, Matei had to consider the vehicle’s engineering layout and overall packaging.

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance – a commitment to expressive styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models – the ILX and TLX sport sedans, the RDX and MDX sport-utility vehicles and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar. All Acura models sold in North America for the 2021 model year are made in the U.S., using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Additional media information including pricing, features & specifications and high-resolution photography is available at AcuraNews.com. Consumer information is available at Acura.com.

¹ Based on MotorIntelligence cumulative total sales among all 3-row luxury SUV and CUV models, January 1980 through October 2020.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBv8-gXVvIs
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SOURCE Acura

Experts hold debate on emotional development programs to prevent depression and violence among youth

November 18, 2020

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MIAMI, Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — An expert from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) called for the implementation of emotional development programs to prevent depression, violence and death among youth.

“80% of deaths among young people are from preventable causes, from violence. Suicide is also a very concerning issue, with high rates in the region, turning it into a public health problem,” said Dr. Sonja Caffe, regional advisor in Adolescent Health with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

She made these statements at the II Forum on Alliances for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), organized by the Ismael Cala Foundation around the theme “Emotional Intelligence, A Pathway to Peace and Quality Education.”

Dr. Caffe also pointed out that “depression, anxiety, and interpersonal violence are current drivers of disability,” while praising “programs like The Flight of the Kite, which is what our young people need.”

The PAHO/WHO expert commended the Ismael Cala Foundation team for organizing the forum and “for the work they do for young people and children.”

Melanie Reimers, Director of the Tigo Foundation, also participated in the multi-sector panel at the forum. She mentioned the resources her institution has allocated to the development of education in Guatemala, especially to improve the infrastructure of schools, with over 365 schools receiving aid and more than 1,600 computers installed.

“We’ve recently implemented a program called Click to Learn and put educational content within the reach of teachers and kids,” added Reimers. They also have a program in place called Connected Teachers, which is 100% virtual and free-of-charge, to spread knowledge on the use of technological tools, neuroeducation, and emotional intelligence brain exercises, with over 20,000 participants nationwide.

Karina Reyes, corporate director of Human Resources at a major international gas and oil company present in five Central American nations, said the following about The Flight of the Kite program: “It teaches us as facilitators to lead ourselves, and young people to realize that they can achieve their goals.” Reyes is also a certified facilitator with The Flight of the Kite Program.

Ismael Cala, founder and president of the Ismael Cala Foundation, moderated the gathering from home and stated: “We’re not intimidated by the figures we see when it comes to the emotional health of adolescents; rather, on the contrary, they challenge us to take action. We feel the responsibility to respond, and an example of this is this forum.”

Dilcia Prieto de Ruan, Director of International Alliances and Projects at the Ismael Cala Foundation pointed out that The Flight of the Kite Program endeavors “to train teenagers and young people to acknowledge and manage their emotions,” zeroing in on three main themes: self-control, leadership, and acknowledgment one’s own emotions.

SOURCE Cala Enterprises Corporation

PRSA Chicago Launches Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship

November 18, 2020

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CHICAGO, Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago, one of the country’s largest chapters, is proud to announce the launch of the PRSA Chicago Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship. The new initiative was created to grow the pipeline of upcoming multicultural talent in the field of public relations and communications while honoring the impactful contributions of one of the nation’s leading marketing communications veterans.

“PRSA Chicago is creating more opportunities to close the diversity gap in the public relations industry by launching the Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship Program,” explains Dane Roth, president of the PRSA Chicago Chapter. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the ethnic makeup of the PR industry in the U.S. is nearly 88 percent white. As a Chapter that represents one of the most diverse cities in the world, we must invest in the development of the next generation of multicultural PR practitioners. We are working toward creating a future state of PR that is dynamic, equitable and inclusive. The Fellowship Program establishes a long-term investment in our profession and builds a highly qualified pipeline of diverse talent.”

The program consists of two awards, each in the amount of $3,000, which will be presented to two talented juniors who major in communications and are of African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native, or Pacific Islander ancestry. The two fellows will be announced in February 2021. Interested college students can visit www.michelleflowersfellowship.com to learn more and apply for the fellowship.

The fellowship will include a summer internship at a Chicago agency affiliated with PRSA Chicago between the Fellow’s junior and senior year. The award is renewable for the Fellow’s senior year based on attaining a 3.0 GPA. While in school, Diversity Fellows will be able to attend PRSA Chicago chapter events and programs at no cost. The Fellows also will be recognized at PRSA Chicago’s annual Skyline Awards. Following graduation, the Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellows will be considered for additional employment opportunities at PRSA Chicago member agencies. Membership in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is preferred, but is not a requirement.

By providing financial assistance and employment opportunities, PRSA Chicago aims to attract, train and retain people of color to the practice of public relations and communications. The Diversity Fellowship pays tribute to the meaningful contributions of Michelle Flowers Welch, an award-winning expert in the field of multicultural communications. The visionary public relations and marketing entrepreneur founded Flowers Communications Group, one of the nation’s top multicultural integrated marketing agencies, in 1991.

One of the firm’s core values is focused on cultivating the next generation of multicultural communications practitioners. In support of Flowers Welch’s lifelong commitment to diversity in the public relations industry, Flowers Communications Group is a founding sponsor of the PRSA Chicago Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship Program.

A strategic, innovative thought leader, Flowers Welch serves as a trusted senior counselor to clients and an inspiring mentor to young professionals. She holds a master’s degree in advertising from Northwestern University and is a magna cum laude graduate of HBCU Winston-Salem State University. A charter inductee into Northwestern University’s Medill Hall of Fame, Flowers Welch is the recipient of the Publicity Club of Chicago’s Lifetime Achievement Award, was named PRSA Chicago’s 2017 Distinguished Senior Leader and is a member of the PR News Hall of Fame. She currently serves on the boards of The Salvation Army Metropolitan Chicago, PRSA Chicago and the PR Council. Her firm has received more than 150 industry awards for communications excellence. Most recently, Flowers Communications Group was named to Forbes list of America’s Best PR Agencies.

About PRSA Chicago
PRSA Chicago is one of the largest chapters in the country. The chapter was founded in 1948 to provide professionals with programs and activities designed to meet their needs for professional development and networking. Today, its nearly 500 members represent a cross-section of industries, with a diverse mix of Fortune 100 corporations, public relations agencies, associations and non-profit organizations. The goal of PRSA Chicago is to advance the profession of public relations, promote high professional and ethical standards and build the reputation of the profession in the Chicago area.

As part of PRSA Chicago, members have access to the national Public Relations Society of America, the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals. The Society has nearly 32,000 professional and student members. PRSA is organized into more than 100 Chapters nationwide, 19 Professional Interest Sections and Affinity Groups, which represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has nearly 300 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

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SOURCE PRSA Chicago

PenFed Credit Union Launches Personalized Financial Education Tool

November 18, 2020

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TYSONS, Va., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — PenFed Credit Union, the nation’s second largest federal credit union, today announced the introduction of a new mobile-first, financial education resource to help members build financial health and confidence for themselves and their families. PenFed Financial Know How is made available, free of charge, through PenFed’s relationship with the leader in financial wellness technology solutions, EVERFI, Inc. and further expands PenFed’s high school financial education program in Puerto Rico to adults across the island and everywhere.

PenFed Financial Know How offers English and Spanish language content through a robust library of learning topics around important personal financial education concepts including budgeting, investing, homeownership, retirement planning and more. The interactive financial education platform is designed to provide members with the tools and personalized knowledge necessary to make informed financial decisions.

“PenFed is proud to work with EVERFI to expand our financial literacy resources and help our members and their families achieve their financial well-being,” said PenFed President/CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO, James Schenck. “PenFed’s Tu Dinero, Tu Sueño [Your Money, Your Dreams] financial literacy program offered to high school students in Puerto Rico through EVERFI has been very successful and we received a lot of feedback indicating that parents and adult family members would also like to take the courses offered to students.”

PenFed currently serves over 222,000 members in Puerto Rico with financial centers in San Juan, in Hatillo, and on the United States Army Garrison Fort Buchanan. As part of its commitment to the people of Puerto Rico, PenFed and EVERFI have joined forces over the past two years to bring an innovative and scalable financial education technology platform at no cost to 1,200 public and private K-12 school students in 24 schools across Puerto Rico. Students are provided access to a proven curriculum teaching them how to make smart financial decisions and achieve success in life.

A recent EVERFI study found that 78% of adults wish they had more information readily available when making financial decisions. From opening a credit card to taking out a student loan, buying a home or saving for retirement, most adults feel unprepared to make large financial decisions without additional information. Through PenFed Financial Know How, users are guided through interactive exercises that allow them to practice making financial decisions most relevant to them in a fail-safe environment. Each topic area offers a 3-6 minute module designed to enable users to apply what they have learned to their personal financial goals. The mobile-first design is available on all internet-enabled devices so that learners can access it anytime, anywhere.

“Understanding your finances and making sound financial decisions is key to a strong future, but many people don’t know where to turn to get the information they need in a way that is easily digestible and understandable,” said EVERFI Co-Founder and President of Financial Education, Ray Martinez. “This program is a testimony to EVERFI’s commitment to providing financial education to learners of all ages and we commend PenFed for making this commitment to educate their consumers, allowing them to take control of their financial health.”

To learn more about the program, visit https://penfed.everfi-next.net/welcome/pr.

About PenFed Credit Union
Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America’s second-largest federal credit union, serving over 2.1 million members worldwide with over $26 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services. Our mission is to empower members of our community to achieve their financial well-being. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on Twitter. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

About EVERFI, Inc.
EVERFI is an international technology company driving social change through education to address the most challenging issues affecting society ranging from financial wellness to prescription drug safety to workplace conduct and other critical topics. Founded in 2008, EVERFI is fueled by its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) community engagement platform and has reached more than 41 million learners globally. Recognized as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2020, EVERFI powers community engagement in a sustained manner to empower individuals and organizations to make an impact within their communities. Some of America’s leading CEOs and venture capital firms are EVERFI investors including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Twitter founder Evan Williams, as well as Advance, Rethink Education, Rethink Impact, The Rise Fund, and TPG Growth. To learn more about EVERFI and how you can #answerthecall please visit everfi.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter @EVERFI.

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SOURCE PenFed Credit Union

Mazda CX-5 Awarded as Car and Driver 10Best for Fourth Year in a Row

November 18, 2020

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