Toyota and Discovery Education Announce TeenDrive365 Video Challenge Winners as Part of Digital Learning Program Supporting Students’ Lifelong Safe Driving Habits

May 19, 2020

Toyota logo. (PRNewsFoto/Toyota Media Relations)

PLANO, Texas, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) and Discovery Education announced the winners of the TeenDrive365 Video Challenge, a national safe-driving public service announcement competition for high school students. From the nearly 1,000 submissions, ten winners were selected, along with 24 state merit prizes and one People’s Choice winner. See all the winners at teendrive365.com

High school senior Palmer W. from Hillgrove High School in Georgia takes first place for his original video entitled “HEY!” urging peers to keep their hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and yield from distractions. The full list of winners are:

Grand Prize: Palmer W. for “HEY!” from Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Ga., receives $15,000 and the chance to work with a Discovery Education film crew to reshoot the winning video as a TV-ready PSA
Second place prize: Giselle C. for “Don’t Do What I Did” from Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Ark., receives $10,000
Third place prize: Holden B. for “The Three R’s of the Road” from Aptos High School in Aptos, Calif., receives $7,500
Fourth to tenth place prizes: Each of the following receives $2,500

Isaiah C. for “Look Up” from Great Valley High School in Malvern, Penn.
Ethan W. for “Stash it, Stow it, Hide it!” from McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, Texas
Ethan W. “Driving Mindfully” from Barnstable High School in Hyannis, Mass.
Jadin B. for “Distractathon Decathlon” from Bay Port High School in Green Bay, Wis.
Grayson Z. for “Cars in the Wild” from Palm Beach Gardens Community High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Lynsey R. For “Stay Focused” from Parkland High School in Allentown, Penn.
Ayden P. for “A Lesson from Bud” from Village Tech School in Cedar Hill, Texas

People’s Choice prize: Ethan W. for “Stash it, Stow it, Hide it!” from McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, Texas, receives an additional $5,000
NEW! State Merit prizes: A total of 24 teams of teens across the country receive exclusive prize pack from TeenDrive365

Since 2011, TMNA’s TeenDrive365 Video Challenge has awarded more than a quarter million dollars to high school students across the United States to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Students submit self-directed 30-60 second videos for a panel of judges to vote. The student-created PSAs are published nationally by TMNA, effectively sharing the importance of safe driving to teens and families.

“The TeenDrive365 Video Challenge demonstrates the power of peer role modeling while showcasing creativity through this dynamic project-based learning initiative,” said Lori McFarling, President of Corporate Education Partnerships at Discovery Education. “We’re proud to partner with Toyota to amplify the importance of teen safe driving.”

The TeenDrive365 Video Challenge supplements TeenDrive365, a digital program produced in partnership between Toyota and Discovery Education, offering no-cost digital learning resources empowering educators, families, and teens with life-saving habits. The Toyota TeenDrive365 resources are available at teendrive365.com and through Discovery Education Experience.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com

About TeenDrive365
TeenDrive365 is a comprehensive program designed by Toyota and Discovery Education to help teens avoid distractions and stay safe behind the wheel. The initiative offers a range of content, tools and resources designed specifically for educators and teens. The program aims to help guide teens through those critical first years behind the wheel, as well as a develop a lifetime of safe driving habits.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences, and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education currently serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 140 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.

Contacts
Victor Vanov Toyota Motor North America [email protected]
Grace Maliska, Discovery Education, [email protected]

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

Toyota Launches All-New 2021 Sienna to Suit a Variety of Lifestyles

May 19, 2020

PLANO, Texas, May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Aiming to redefine the segment, the fourth generation Toyota Sienna reimagines the minivan to support a wider array of life stages and activities. With a standard hybrid powertrain now across all trims and an array of new tech and amenities, the 2021 Toyota Sienna raises the bar for style, safety, comfort, versatility and fuel efficiency in its segment.

Designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S., the all-hybrid 2021 Sienna, influenced by the bold and robust character of SUVs, hosts many premium features: kick-open and closed sliding side doors and rear gate, four-zone climate control system, heated second-row super-long slide captain’s chairs with ottomans, onboard vacuum and refrigerator, a segment-first power tilt and telescoping steering column with heated steering wheel, a digital rear-view mirror, 10-in. color head-up display and 12-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna is also ready for life’s outdoor adventures with its all-wheel drive option – and is well-positioned for Yakima® accessories, such as a rooftop carrier, cross bars, bike rack and more. The Sienna will also offer an available tow hitch and factory optional 1,500-watt inverter with 120V AC outlet to power camping equipment.

What’s more, all versions of the 2021 Sienna are rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds. That’s enough to pull a well-equipped compact travel trailer, or simply carry your bikes for that weekend getaway.

Sienna: All-New from the Foundation Up
The fourth-gen Sienna, designed by the combined effort of CALTY’s Newport Beach, CA and Ann Arbor, MI studios, delivers a combination of room, comfort, convenience, fuel efficiency and versatility that other types of vehicles can’t match. Starting with an all new minivan structure based on the TNGA-K Platform, the goal was to optimize everything that is great about minivan function, while wrapping it all into a bold, sexy, and provocative design, expanding the definition of what a next generation minivan should be.

“This is an all-new vehicle from the ground up, including a new chassis platform as well as a new electrical platform,” said Chief Engineer Monte Kaehr. “The development of the fourth generation Sienna was a huge undertaking but we always worked towards one single mission—to make the best van yet.”

This bold and innovative approach enabled the design team to create strong and robust proportions with a shoulder-themed body design, and muscular wheel flares that express athleticism. The body surface is boldly sculpted, a fresh departure from the typical, boxy minivan driving on the roads today.

The front design was inspired by the iconic Shinkansen Japanese Bullet Train to appear sleek, speedy and confident. The headlights are mounted high and stretched around to the sides as if they are being shaped by the wind. The bold lower grille is contrasted by slim, high tech LED fog lights that are pushed to the corners, enhancing the wide and stable stance.

In the spirit of optimizing interior roominess while avoiding a boxy design, the rear cabin features a speedy pillar that is dynamically angled forward. The taillight flows seamlessly from the sculpted body to the rear, using thin bands of LED lighting to create a signature impression. There is an integrated black taillight canard that not only looks cool, but also improves aerodynamic performance. The crisp, deeply sculpted tailgate with an integrated spoiler is made possible by a molded resin process.

The ultra-sporty XSE model amps up the excitement, sportiness and driving experience to a level never before seen in minivans. With dark 20″ split 5 spoke wheels and aggressive front and rear bumpers that are unique to XSE, this model looks like it was born on a race track.

Bold Design Meets Spacious Interior

Toyota called the third-generation Sienna a “swagger wagon,” but the 2021 model takes it to a whole new level.

Learning from today’s minivan customers that they do not want to feel like they are driving a bus, the design team took this to heart and thought carefully about how to combine the practical attributes of a minivan with the emotional desire for having a more personalized driving experience.

The key terms used to redefine the minivan experience were Confidence, Refinement, and Smart innovation. With this in mind, a modern instrument panel was created of bold, horizontal layers to express a wide and spacious interior, with a large center touch display, handy storage capability, and the innovative Bridge Console, which is the key to allocating personalized space to the driver and front passenger.

The Bridge Console is an innovative solution that is a departure from common minivan layouts. The bridge is ergonomically positioned high between the driver and passenger for ease of use, and elegantly connects the instrument panel to the center armrest. This unique feature enables the driver to have a more stress-free and comfortable driving experience. The shifter and necessary functions are all within easy reach, along with cup holders, available wireless charger, and ample storage bins for smaller items. Beneath the bridge is a large open area for convenient storage of larger personal items such as a purse or bag.

To further celebrate the interior spaciousness, the available Super Long Slide second-row captain chairs slide 25 inches, providing unprecedented legroom and flexibility to maximize comfort, especially when used with the available ottoman feature. Even large adults can relax comfortably. With all the features, the best seats of any row in the segment!

The Sienna LE and some XLE models come equipped in eight-seat configurations with two captain chairs, a long slide second row seat and a stowable middle seat. Some XLE models, as well as the XSE, Limited and Platinum are seven-seat models featuring the Super Long Slide second-row captain’s chairs with the Limited and Platinum FWD models equipped with ottomans.

There are smart solutions and first-class comfort throughout the interior to make this the most sophisticated, versatile and enjoyable Sienna ever.

Safety

In addition to exemplary collision protection provided by the TNGA-K Platform the 2021 Sienna comes standard with second-generation Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0), a comprehensive active safety system that includes:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection/Lowlight Detection
Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
Lane Trace Assist
Automatic High Beams
Road Sign Assist

Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection is designed to provide automatic braking capability should the driver not react in time in certain emergency situations. The PCS system is not only designed to detect a vehicle ahead, but it can also detect a bicyclist and even a pedestrian in low light situations. Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) is standard on all Sienna models, as well.

The 2021 Sienna is equipped with 10 airbags: driver and front passenger airbags; driver’s knee airbag; passenger seat cushion airbag; front seat side airbags; rear outboard seat side airbags, plus curtain side airbags for all three rows. Toyota’s Star Safety System includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

Toyota takes safety a step further with a features like a rear passenger seatbelt reminder and electric parking brake (EPB) – as well as a new feature called Rear Seat Reminder. Designed with family safety in mind, the rear occupant detection is based on door sequencing logic in which the Combi Meter MID provides a warning “Attention: Check Rear Seat for Passengers and Cargo.”

Confident Driving Performance

To give the Sienna driver confidence to compete with all the SUVs on the road, a natural and intuitive connection between the driver and the vehicle is achieved with the optimized geometry of TNGA-K Platform combined with a trailing-arm multi-link rear suspension and increased body rigidity.

A Quiet Place to Make Some Noise

Like all Toyota vehicles built on the new TNGA-K Platform, the 2021 Sienna benefits from a multitude of measures that bring library quiet to the cabin. In particular, Toyota engineers focused on reducing noises in the frequencies where conversation takes place.

The high-strength TNGA-K Platform resists noise intrusion and curbs vibration through the steering, floor and vehicle structure. Extensive, strategically placed noise insulation and body sealant further keep outside noises where they belong – outside.

Of course, with all the onboard connectivity Sienna offers (seven USB ports, available WiFi, optional JBL 1,200-watt amp/12-speaker Premium Audio and 1080p HD rear entertainment system), conversation is just one of the things made better by the quieter cabin.

If interior noise level should rise, say, due to a minor altercation between certain young passengers, Sienna’s unique available Driver Easy Speak is the driver’s best friend. Introduced on the third-generation Sienna, this feature is essentially a built-in PA system that carries the driver’s voice through the audio system’s rear speakers right to the source of the disturbance.

In short, the Sienna offers all of the luxuries of a large SUV, but with room for a family, (7) USB ports and up to 18 cup holders.

Seeing the Invisible

The Sienna has always offered a high, broad view of the road that instills a feeling of confidence behind the wheel. The high seating position and big windows make the Sienna an excellent sightseeing machine, while privacy glass behind the front row means passengers are not riding in a fishbowl.

Over the years, the Sienna has augmented its excellent outward visibility and sightlines with technology to see more of what’s behind and around the vehicle. The 2021 model delivers the latest generation of that tech:

The standard backup camera features projected path, while higher grade models have a wide-angle monitor to show even more of what is behind the vehicle.
Every driver could use a little magic now and then, and the Sienna has it with an available digital rear-view mirror. It functions as a standard mirror most of the time. But if rear-seat passengers or some cargo block the view to the rear, the touch of a switch makes all obstructions disappear, replaced by the camera’s image from behind the vehicle. The digital mirror also integrates a HomeLink® transceiver to conveniently operate garage doors and other compatible devices.
The available Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan is the next-best thing to launching a camera drone to look around the vehicle, but a lot easier to use. This tech provides a live, 360-degree view to help the driver to see potential obstacles. This is especially critical for seeing children or small animals that might be close to the vehicle. And, Curb View can help prevent scuffing those beautiful 20-inch wheels.
The 2021 Sienna Platinum comes standard with a 10-inch color head-up display, controlled via voice recognition and steering wheel switch. The display projects vital information at eye level, such as speed, navigation directions and TSS 2.0 functions.

Hybrid Done Right

The 2021 Sienna driver might not even notice the new model’s most significant engineering advance: the hybrid powertrain. That’s the point. The Toyota Hybrid System II delivers 243 total horsepower and a manufacturer-estimated 33 combined MPG fuel economy, the latter setting a benchmark for the segment, all while operating seamlessly and transparently.

The Sienna driver will feel ultra-smooth acceleration and hear very little noise. What is noticeable is the kick in low-speed torque from two electric motors working in concert with the high-efficiency 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine.

Critically, the Sienna has no plug, and there is no need to ever recharge the hybrid battery pack, and certainly no need to spend a couple of thousand dollars installing a battery charger in a garage. The Toyota Hybrid System II charges the hybrid battery automatically as the vehicle drives.

Many Sienna owners have been repeat customers; a 2021 might be their second, third or fourth Sienna over the years. They’ll appreciate that, like all past models, the new version is strictly gas-and-go, but now with fewer stops for gas thanks to the hybrid system’s efficiency.

The Sienna, though, does offer some performance-control surprises. Selectable EV, NORMAL, ECO and SPORT driving modes let the driver tailor the van’s driving personality. NORMAL mode is ideal for everyday driving; SPORT mode unlocks boost from the hybrid system for improved acceleration response; ECO mode extracts maximum mileage from the fuel and battery, and EV mode allows electric-only driving at low speeds for short distances.

The driver can use a sequential shifting feature to “downshift,” which increases the regenerative braking in steps. It’s ideal for driving in hilly areas, for example, acting as a lower gear while increasing recovered energy sent to the HV battery. As a bonus, the Sienna’s hybrid system enhances ride smoothness by finely controlling the drive torque to suppress pitch and dive under acceleration and deceleration.

The Sienna benefits from Toyota’s 20+ years of global hybrid leadership and well documented quality, dependability and reliability. Plus, the powertrain warranty covers all hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, for 8 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Gearheads buy vans, too. They’ll be intrigued by the gas engine’s 41-percent thermal efficiency, one of the highest of any internal combustion automobile engines on the market (excepting other Toyota hybrid models). The gas engine employs Variable Valve Timing-intelligent system by Electric motor (VVT-iE) on the intake camshaft, and VVT-i on the exhaust camshaft. A variable cooling system (electric water pump and electric thermostat) and a fully variable oil pump further improve engine efficiency.

The Hybrid That Thinks About Fuel Economy

A 7-inch color Multi-information Display within the instrument panel includes a Hybrid System Indicator to show system output and regeneration status and encourage eco-driving habits. As on other Toyota hybrid models, the display suggests the optimal acceleration amount for eco driving and provides a game-like scoring function for the driver.

Using navigation system operation (when equipped), Predictive Efficient Drive (PED) analyzes driving habits and memorized road and traffic conditions to optimize hybrid battery charging. When the driver activates PED, the system learns repeating routes and can predict when and where the vehicle is likely to slow down or stop. Then, through optimum accelerator pedal release timing guidance, the feature can reduce energy consumption, especially when driving through hilly areas or in traffic congestion. All the owner has to do is drive. Sienna will optimize fuel economy on its own.

Electronic On-demand All Wheel Drive

Sienna has long offered optional all-wheel drive, and the 2021 model is no exception. The 2021 Sienna is the only vehicle in its segment that combines a hybrid powertrain with AWD, and the system is available on all model grades for an exceptionally attractive price.

Sienna uses a new kind of AWD called Electronic on-demand AWD. Instead of a heavy AWD transfer case and space-robbing driveshaft to the rear wheels, this AWD system uses a separate independent electric motor to power the rear wheels the instant additional traction is needed and at all vehicle speeds.

Like the hybrid system, the Hybrid AWD system works seamlessly and transparently. During off-the-line starts, Hybrid AWD pre-emptively sends up to 80 percent of driving force to the rear wheels to help prevent front-wheel slip. The Hybrid AWD system also enhances cornering agility by helping to reduce understeer, giving the Sienna a more confident handling feel.

Torque distribution then varies with conditions, from 100:0 in constant-speed driving to 20:80 on slippery surfaces. Torque distribution is indicated on the Multi-information Display.

Sienna, the Entertainer

Got devices? The 2021 Sienna offers a smorgasbord of connectivity and entertainment, with new Toyota Audio systems offering something for everyone aboard:

Toyota Audio (standard on LE grade): includes a 9-in. touch-screen, 6 speakers, AM/FM, Android Auto^TM , Apple CarPlay® and Amazon Alexa compatibility; 7 USB ports; hands-free phone capability, advanced voice recognition and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, and SiriusXM® with 3-month All Access trial. Toyota Connected Services include Safety Connect® with 1-year trial and Wi-Fi Connect capability.
Toyota Audio Plus (standard for XLE, optional for LE): adds to the above: AM/FM/HD radio, 8 speakers, Siri® Eyes Free and Safety Connect® with 3-year trial, and Wi-Fi Connect powered by Verizon (up to 2GB within a 6-month trial).
Toyota Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation (standard on XSE): adds navigation to the Toyota Audio Plus system.
Toyota Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL® Premium Audio (standard on Limited and Platinum, optional for XLE and XSE): adds 12 speakers including subwoofer and 1,200-watt amplification, plus Clari-Fi® digital restoration technology to Toyota Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation.

Sienna Feature Highlights

In the Toyota tradition, the 2021 Toyota Sienna comes well equipped in the LE grade and adds more amenities and tech in the higher grades. Options are conveniently grouped in the LE Plus, XLE Plus and XSE Plus packages.

The Limited and Platinum grades have no packages but do offer two factory options: Digital Rearview Mirror and 1080p HD Entertainment Center with 11.6-in. display, HDMI input, remote control and two wireless headphones (also optional on XLE and XSE). A 1,500-watt inverter is also available for XLE grade and above.

The sporty XSE and lavish Platinum grades fill their wheel wells with standard 20-inch aluminum clad wheels with P235/50R20 tires for FWD – the first-ever 20-inch wheels on a Sienna. (A minivan can look snazzy without giving up room.) While the Limited FWD grade comes standard with 18-inch wheels.

Feature	Availability
Power windows with one-touch auto up/down, jam protection in all positions	Standard for all
Dual power sliding side doors	Standard for LE
Kick-type hands-free dual power sliding side doors and power back door with back door with jam protection	Standard on XLE and above
Three-zone automatic climate control with air filter, individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers and separate rear digital control panel	Standard for LE
Four-zone automatic climate control with air filter, individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers and separate rear digital control panel	Standard on XLE and above
Fabric-trimmed front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way adjustable driver’s seat	Standard for LE
Softex® trimmed heated front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat	Standard for XLE
Softex® sport–trimmed heated front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat; 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat	Standard for XSE
Heated front seats	Optional on LE (when combined with heated steering wheel); Standard on XLE and above
Leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with driver memory function; 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat and power tilt and telescoping steering column	Standard for Limited and Platinum
Vacuum and storage box	Standard for Limited
Vacuum and refrigerator	Standard for Platinum
Second-row sunshades	Standard for LE, XLE, XSE
Second-and third-row sunshades	Standard for Limited and Platinum
Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade	Optional for LE, standard for all others
10-in. color head-up display (HUD) with speedometer, navigation and Hybrid System Indicator	Standard for Platinum
Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan, Overhead 360 Degree View and Curb View	Standard for Platinum
Front and Rear Parking Sonar	Standard on XLE, XSE, Limited and Platinum
Tow Hitch	Available on LE, XLE and XSE
Tire Fix Kit	Standard for all
Spare Tire	Optional on all

Toyota Limited Warranty
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60-months/60,000 miles and against corrosion with no mileage limitation. Hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for 8 years/100,000 miles.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Media Contacts:

Nicky Hamila
469-292-3596
[email protected]

Note to Editors: Photos and b-roll can be found on ToyotaNewsroom.com
For customer inquiries, please call: 800-331-4331

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

Canela Media Launches Free Streaming Service Targeting U.S. Latinos

May 19, 2020

NEW YORK, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Canela Media, a minority and female-owned leading digital media tech company, announces the launch of Canela.TV, a streaming service that enriches the new generation of U.S. Latinos by providing free access to unique, culturally relevant content. With more than 8,000 hours of entertainment for adults and children including comedies, docuseries, novelas, cartoons, dramas and action films, the brand aims to disrupt the television model and serve as the destination for premium video at home and on-the-go.

“Hispanic millennials are a diverse and intricate generation in search of quality content that reflects the depth of our culture through an accurate portrayal of Hispanics’ life experiences,” said Isabel Rafferty, CEO and Founder at Canela Media. “Through Canela.TV we are expanding and enhancing the entertainment options available to this consumer through content that is captivating, high-quality, culturally relevant and free 24/7, accessible on any device of their choice.”

Entertainment is a significant part of Hispanic households with more than seven in 10 Hispanics streaming movies and shows on a weekly basis, according to Mintel. However, as the bilingual population continues to grow, their choices are not only driven by language, but rather relevance. Canela.TV has carefully curated a library of series and films in Spanish and English that will reflect and celebrate the Hispanic identity through compelling storylines from leading partners including Atr3s Media, Caracol Television, Legendary, Polka, Shoreline, and Spanglish, to mention a few. Among the award-winning content includes:

Mas de 100 Mentiras (Series) – this Spanish thriller will keep viewers on their toes as a hacker leaks the deep, dark secrets found in five students’ mobile phones, turning it into the worst digital catastrophe of their lives.
Argentina, Tierra de Amor y Venganza (Series) – an Argentinian drama that follows the journey of Torcuato and Bruno, two Spanish friends, who flee from the Civil War to take refuge in Argentine territory, but their differing luck leads them to betrayal.
Guapas (Series) – this dramatic comedy from Argentina features five women between their 30s and 50s, who all lose their fortune when their bank closes overnight, forcing them to reevaluate their priorities as they form a priceless friendship.
Huevo Kids (Kids) – from the popular Huevocartoon productions, come Huevo Kids, featuring five eggs who live inside a refrigerator and offer educational content for children including math problems, geometry, colors, etc.
Todos tus Muertos (Movie) – what would you do if you woke up to find a pile of corpses on your land? This award-winning Colombian film features Salvador, a farm worker who discovers dead bodies on his crops and must deal with it without the help of local authorities.
Chavela (Documentary) – this award-winning documentary features the captivating life of Costa Rican singer Chavela Vargas, and how her passionate rendition of ranchera songs transformed her into an icon.
Underground: La Historia del Reggaeton (Series) – set in the 90s, this series features a group of young music producers and singers in Puerto Rico who create Reggaeton, a new music genre that initially wasn’t well-received but ended up conquering the world.

Canela.TV can be accessed anytime, anywhere at no cost and is now available for download at App Store and Google Play, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Smart TVs.

About Canela Media

Canela Media is a leading digital media tech company offering brands a complete ecosystem to connect with multicultural audiences leading with its free streaming service, Canela.TV, offering on-demand Latino-focused movies and TV entertainment through multiple platforms. Additionally, Canela Media reaches more than 20 million unique Hispanics across its 180+ premium Spanish-language sites and influencer database. Combined with the company’s proprietary data, Canela Media possesses in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to establish meaningful and culturally relevant connections with the new mainstream – U.S. Hispanics. Headquartered in New York, Canela Media is ranked as the fourth largest Hispanic ad-focused company and is female- and minority-owned. For more information please visit http://www.CanelaMedia.com.

SOURCE Canela Media

Children Not Immune To Coronavirus; New Study From Pandemic Epicenter Describes Severe COVID-19 Response In Children

May 19, 2020

NEW YORK, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — While most children infected with the novel coronavirus have mild symptoms, a subset requires hospitalization and a small number require intensive care. A new report from pediatric anesthesiologists, infectious disease specialists and pediatricians at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, describes the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children hospitalized with COVID-19, during the early days of the pandemic.

Published in the Journal of Pediatrics, the report compares 46 children between one month and 21 years old, who received care either on a general unit, or in the Pediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) at CHAM. This is the largest single-center study from the United States to date to describe in detail the full spectrum of COVID-19 disease in hospitalized children.

Researchers found that children requiring intensive care had higher levels of inflammation and needed additional breathing support, compared to those who were treated on a general unit. Of the children being cared for in the PCCU, almost 80% had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is more commonly associated with critically ill adult COVID-19 patients, and almost 50% of children with ARDS were placed on ventilators. On average, children in the PCCU stayed in the hospital four days longer than children on the general unit. Researchers at CHAM and Einstein also found that while obesity and/or asthma was highly prevalent in children in this study, these complications did not increase the likelihood that a child would need enhanced levels of care.

“We know that in adults, obesity is a risk factor for more severe disease, however, surprisingly, our study found that children admitted to the intensive care unit did not have a higher prevalence of obesity than those on the general unit,” said lead author Jerry Y. Chao, M.D., M.Sc., pediatric anesthesiologist, CHAM, and assistant professor of anesthesiology, Einstein.

Researchers also found that more than half of the children had no known contact with a COVID-positive person. This may reflect the fact that the virus can be spread by asymptomatic people and COVID-19 may be more prevalent in communities with a high population density.

“Thankfully most children with COVID-19 fare well, and some do not have any symptoms at all, but this research is a sobering reminder that children are not immune to this virus and some do require a higher level of care,” said senior author Shivanand S. Medar, M.D., FAAP., attending physician, Cardiac Intensive Care, CHAM, and assistant professor of pediatrics, Einstein. “These preliminary findings contribute to our understanding of COVID-19 in pediatric patients, but more research is needed to determine how the virus truly impacts children.”

Co-authors of the paper include Kim Derespina, M.D., critical care attending, CHAM, and assistant professor of pediatrics, Einstein; Michael D. Cabana, M.D., M.P.H., Physician-in-Chief at CHAM and The Michael I. Cohen, M.D., University Chair, Department of Pediatrics at Einstein and Montefiore; and Betsy Herold, M.D., chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases and vice chair for research, CHAM and Einstein, and professor of pediatrics, of microbiology & immunology, and of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health, Einstein.

For next steps, the investigators plan to follow the patients and examine their long-term outcomes.

About Montefiore Health System
Montefiore Health System is one of New York’s premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 11 hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and more than 200 outpatient ambulatory care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter and view us on Facebook and YouTube.

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SOURCE Montefiore Health System

HITEC Announces 2020 HITEC 50 Recognizing Top Hispanic Technology Leaders In Latin America, Spain and Portugal

May 19, 2020

CHICAGO, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — HITEC, the premier global executive leadership organization of senior-level business and technology executives, announced today the award recipients of the 2020 HITEC 50.

“During these unprecedented times, we are proud to recognize the top 50 technology leaders across the Americas that have contributed to the advancements in their field, which ultimately, allows the world to stay connected,” said Omar Duque, HITEC President. “We’re living in a world where physical contact is limited, yet we stay connected across the globe now more than ever and technology has been the driving force providing us this ability of interconnectedness. We are proud to recognize these global technology leaders,” Duque said.

The HITEC 50 list, highlighted since 2011, is a compilation of the top Hispanic Professionals in Technology across Latin America, Spain and Portugal to celebrate their leadership and achievements. Honorees are evaluated on their accomplishments in the ever-changing global landscape of technology and for their mentoring and professional development activities.

“The HITEC 50 represents a group of technology leaders that we, as a global community, look to for inspiration, innovation and impact. It is an honor to recognize and celebrate the HITEC 50 leaders and to showcase HITEC’s global reach throughout Ibero-America,” said Guillermo Diaz, Jr., HITEC Chairman and CEO of Kloudspot, Inc.

Click here to view the full list of the HITEC 50.

HITEC 50 – Latin America/Ibero-America Objectives:

Recognize talented individuals and highlight their achievements.
Foster business and professional growth for our members
Build and develop strategic business relationships that will encourage growth within the industry globally.

About HITEC:
Founded to increase Hispanic representation in the diversity-challenged technology industry, HITEC, is a premier global executive leadership organization of senior business and technology executives who have built outstanding careers in information technology. HITEC’s premiere network spans the Americas and is focused on building stronger technology and executive leaders, leadership teams, corporations, and role models in a rapidly changing, flatter, and information technology-centric world. These global leaders include executives leading Global 1000 corporations while others lead some of the largest Hispanic-owned technology firms across the Americas. HITEC enables business and professional growth for its members and fills the executive pipeline with the next generation of Hispanic technology leaders.

SOURCE Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council

Money Management International Meets Growing Consumer Demand in Florida, Opens Tampa Office

May 19, 2020

SUGAR LAND, Texas, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Money Management International (MMI), a leader in nonprofit financial education and empowerment, today announced the opening of a location in Tampa, Florida. A bilingual counselor will staff the office at 100 South Ashley Drive. While services at the branch are temporarily paused due to COVID-19, confidential one-on-one consultations will soon be available by appointment. In the interim, certified experts are available by phone and online 24/7.

Upon counseling 45,000 Floridians since 2015, and helping local debt management clients repay more than $86 million in the same period, MMI is proud to launch a new location in the Tampa Bay area. The announcement is especially timely, as Florida is among the top three states from which MMI is receiving COVID-19-related counseling requests.

“MMI has a strong history in West Central Florida and we are affirming our commitment to the community by providing bilingual services in Downtown Tampa,” said Emanuel Rivero, Director of Counseling at MMI. “Over the last few years, we’ve seen a significant influx of Tampeños navigating a variety of financial challenges. Our physical presence here was a natural next step and will afford us new opportunity to stabilize households and strengthen neighborhoods.”

Florida is a key market for MMI, as more than 500,000 residents accessed the organization’s online resources over the past five years. Additionally, Tampa is a leading region for MMI’s housing counseling activities, with more than 2,000 households seeking mortgage or rental support in 2019 alone.

The nonprofit previously operated as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Florida & The Florida Gulf Coast (est. 1974) before merging with Clearpoint, a division of MMI, in 2009. MMI maintains another location in Florida, with its award-winning Hispanic Center for Financial Excellence in Miami.

To learn more about the organization’s impact, visit MMI’s 2019 Annual Report.

About MMI 
Money Management International (MMI) is changing the way financial challenges are solved. MMI helps create, restore, and maintain a life of financial wellness through empowered choices. For over 60 years, our clients have achieved financial confidence through nonprofit programs that educate, motivate, and liberate. MMI inspires action by delivering expert professional guidance and timely solutions aligned with our clients’ goals. Experiencing a financial challenge? Find your solution 24/7 at 866.864.8995 and MoneyManagement.org.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Powell, Pierpont Communications
[email protected]
972-567-3937

Thomas Nitzsche, Money Management International
[email protected]
713-394-3290

SOURCE Money Management International

The Home Depot Announces First Quarter Results; Supports Associates with Approximately $850 Million of Expanded Benefits; Suspends 2020 Business Outlook; Declares Quarterly Dividend of $1.50 Per Share

May 19, 2020

ATLANTA, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot^®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $28.3 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a 7.1 percent increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were positive 6.4 percent, and comparable sales in the U.S. were positive 7.5 percent.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, we anchored to the core values of our Company by focusing on two key priorities: working to ensure the safety and well-being of our associates and customers, and providing our customers and communities with essential products. We took early and decisive action to intentionally limit customer traffic in our stores which we believe had a significant impact to sales in many markets,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO, and president. “Even with these actions, the robust and flexible interconnected infrastructure that we have invested in for over a decade allowed us to quickly adapt to changing customer preferences and achieve strong sales performance in the quarter.”

In support of these two objectives, the Company took several actions to prioritize safety and enhance associate benefits. To promote a safe environment for associates and customers, the Company implemented a number of operational changes in mid-March, including closing stores earlier to allow more time for sanitation and replenishing of essential products, limiting customer traffic in stores, and canceling traffic-driving events such as Spring Black Friday.

To support its associates during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company took the following actions:

Expanded paid time off for all hourly associates with additional hours that can be used at their discretion and will be paid out at year-end if not used;
Provided additional paid time off for associates who are 65 and older or deemed to be at higher risk according to CDC guidelines;
Provided weekly bonuses for hourly associates in our stores and distribution centers, and doubled overtime pay; and
Extended dependent care benefits and waived related co-pays.

As a result of the actions taken to support our associates, the Company incurred a total of approximately $850 million of pre-tax expense, or approximately $640 million after tax, equaling $0.60 per diluted share.

Net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $2.2 billion, or $2.08 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.5 billion, or $2.27 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2019. For the first quarter of fiscal 2020, diluted earnings per share decreased 8.4 percent from the same period in the prior year.

“I want to thank our associates and express how grateful and proud I am of the resilience and strength that our teams have demonstrated as we navigate these extraordinary circumstances together,” said Menear.

Fiscal 2020 Guidance

While sales trends were strong at the end of the first quarter and into the first two weeks of the second quarter, as a result of the uncertainty related to the duration of COVID-19 and its impact on the broader economy, the Company is suspending its previously communicated fiscal 2020 guidance.

Dividend Declaration

The Company today announced that its board of directors declared a first quarter cash dividend of $1.50 per share. The dividend is payable on June 18, 2020, to shareholders of record on the close of business on June 4, 2020. This is the 133^rd consecutive quarter the Company has paid a cash dividend.

The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at ir.homedepot.com/events-and-presentations.

At the end of the first quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,293 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the impact on our business, operations and financial results of the COVID-19 pandemic (which, among other things, may affect many of the items listed below); the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and vendors; international trade disputes, natural disasters, public health issues (including pandemics and related quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, and similar restrictions), and other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of regulatory changes; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2020 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on the actions of third parties, or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 2, 2020 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
*in millions, except per share data*	May 3, 2020		May 5, 2019		% Change
Net sales	$	28,260	$	26,381	7.1	%
Cost of sales	18,635		17,364		7.3
Gross profit	9,625		9,017		6.7
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	5,829		4,940		18.0
Depreciation and amortization	520		480		8.3
Total operating expenses	6,349		5,420		17.1
Operating income	3,276		3,597		(8.9)
Interest and other (income) expense:
Interest and investment income	(17)		(15)		13.3
Interest expense	324		288		12.5
Interest and other, net	307		273		12.5
Earnings before provision for income taxes	2,969		3,324		(10.7)
Provision for income taxes	724		811		(10.7)
Net earnings	$	2,245	$	2,513	(10.7)	%

Basic weighted average common shares	1,073		1,101		(2.5)	%
Basic earnings per share	$	2.09	$	2.28	(8.3)

Diluted weighted average common shares	1,077		1,106		(2.6)	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.08	$	2.27	(8.4)

	Three Months Ended
Selected Sales Data ⁽¹⁾	May 3, 2020		May 5, 2019		% Change
Customer transactions (in millions)	374.8		390.0		(3.9)	%
Average ticket	$	74.70	$	67.31	11.0
Sales per retail square foot	$	466.58	$	435.18	7.2
—————
(1) Selected Sales Data does not include results for the legacy Interline Brands business, now operating as a part of The Home Depot Pro.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

*in millions*	May 3, 2020		May 5, 2019		February 2, 2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,696	$	1,882	$	2,133
Receivables, net	2,610		2,317		2,106
Merchandise inventories	14,989		15,495		14,531
Other current assets	982		859		1,040
Total current assets	27,277		20,553		19,810
Net property and equipment	22,697		22,270		22,770
Operating lease right-of-use assets	5,634		5,629		5,595
Goodwill	2,220		2,250		2,254
Other assets	909		813		807
Total assets	$	58,737	$	51,515	$	51,236

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	—	$	372	$	974
Accounts payable	10,056		10,311		7,787
Accrued salaries and related expenses	1,974		1,418		1,494
Current installments of long-term debt	4,200		1,084		1,839
Current operating lease liabilities	853		793		828
Other current liabilities	6,265		5,695		5,453
Total current liabilities	23,348		19,673		18,375
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	31,622		26,804		28,670
Long-term operating lease liabilities	5,075		5,145		5,066
Other liabilities	2,182		2,036		2,241
Total liabilities	62,227		53,658		54,352
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(3,490)		(2,143)		(3,116)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	58,737	$	51,515	$	51,236

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
*in millions*	May 3, 2020		May 5, 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$	2,245	$	2,513
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	607		547
Stock-based compensation expense	88		86
Changes in working capital	2,834		1,471
Changes in deferred income taxes	(68)		5
Other operating activities	31		91
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,737		4,713

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(586)		(681)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	8		6
Other investing activities	—		(13)
Net cash used in investing activities	(578)		(688)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of short-term debt, net	(974)		(967)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts and premiums	4,960		—
Repayments of long-term debt	(27)		(15)
Repurchases of common stock	(791)		(1,368)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	18		34
Cash dividends	(1,611)		(1,499)
Other financing activities	(125)		(98)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,450		(3,913)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	6,609		112
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(46)		(8)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,133		1,778
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	8,696	$	1,882
—————
Note: Effective February 3, 2020, we reclassified cash flows relating to book overdrafts from financing to operating activities for all periods presented on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The amounts of these reclassifications were not material.

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SOURCE The Home Depot

Pitbull, Global Entrepreneurship Network & Hello Alice Launch The Hispanic Small Business Center To Provide Resources & Emergency Grants For Latino-Owned Small Businesses

May 18, 2020

MIAMI, May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In an effort to uplift Latino-owned small businesses across the United States, Pitbull joined forces with Jeff Hoffman, the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), and founders Carolyn Rodz and Elizabeth Gore of Hello Alice to launch the Hispanic Small Business Center to help business owners through COVID-19. In addition to offering invaluable resources, mentorship and step-by-step guides, they are also actively fundraising and deploying $10,000 emergency grants to Latino entrepreneurs. Owners can apply for emergency grants HERE, and chosen applicants are awarded grants on a rolling basis as funds are raised.

“It’s an honor to partner with Jeff Hoffman, The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and Elizabeth Gore and Carolyn Rodz from Hello Alice to support grants to Latino Small Business owners across the United States,” said Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull). “We are here to help those who need it the most. We’re not here to talk about it, we’re here to be about it.”

The global pandemic has upended and ravaged corporations worldwide. However, its damage, disruption, and decimation of Latino entrepreneurship borders on irrevocable and irreversible. Of the 5,337 Latino business owners who have already applied for help at Hello Alice, 93% are asking for emergency cash assistance. 76% cite declining sales due to social distancing. Even with the recent extension of government PPP loans, the Center for Responsible Lending predicts that 90% of all applicants will or have faced rejection. Given this widespread rejection, statistics show only 9% of Latino small business owners could possibly receive PPP stimulus money. Since the beginning of COVID-19, one-in-four American small businesses have already shuttered and projections predict the closure of another 40% within the next month. Unfortunately, the Latin community’s companies are closing faster than that of any other demographic.

“As a Latina entrepreneur, I know success in business is a direct result of the social capital, financial support and mentorship that amplify our hard work,” says Carolyn Rodz, Co-Founder of Hello Alice. “This is why I am so committed to ensuring that every Latino-led business has the resources they need to give their businesses a fighting chance. Time after time, Hispanic entrepreneurs have proven they can do more with less, but we need to step in and offer them the resources they’ve long deserved.”

Alongside GEN and Hello Alice, a consortium of organizations have come together under the umbrella of the COVID-19 Business Resource Center to provide specific resources, mentorship and guides for support through the Hispanic Small Business Center.

To further uplift the Latino community and raise awareness for the Hispanic Business Center’s resources and emergency grants, GEN Chairman Jeff Hoffman and Pitbull created a PSA that reinforces the shared sentiment that together, we will win. View the PSA HERE.

Pitbull, GEN and Hello Alice are with every entrepreneur to ensure #BusinessForAll #Negocioparatodos during COVID-19. For more information, please visit www.covid19businesscenter.com/ and direct media requests to Christanna Ciabattoni, [email protected].

ABOUT HELLO ALICE:
Hello Alice (helloalice.com) helps businesses launch and grow. A free multi-channel platform powered by machine learning technology, Hello Alice guides business owners by providing access to funding, networks and services. Through a network of more than 100,000 companies in all 50 states and across the globe, Hello Alice is building the largest community of business owners in the country while tracking data and trends to increase owner success rate. Hello Alice partners with enterprise business services, government agencies, and institutions looking to serve small- and – medium-business owners to ensure increased revenues and to provide the best-possible experience for owners who want to start or grow their companies. Founded in 2017 by Elizabeth Gore and Carolyn Rodz, Hello Alice believes in business for all – by providing access to all owners, especially women, people of color, veterans, the LGBTQ+ community and persons with disabilities. Alice exists to serve every American with an entrepreneurial spirit.

ABOUT GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK:
The Global Entrepreneurship Network operates programs in 170 countries aimed at making it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business. By fostering deeper cross border collaboration and initiatives between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurial support organizations, GEN works to fuel healthier start and scale ecosystems that create more jobs, educate individuals, accelerate innovation and strengthen economic growth. For details on the programs and initiatives that make up GEN, visit genglobal.org.

ABOUT PITBULL:
Pitbull invites disruption on a global scale as a GRAMMY®-winning independent international superstar, education advocate, business entrepreneur and motivational speaker. With countless awards, dozens of international number ones, hundreds of gold and platinum certifications, single sales of over 80 million, and cumulative views in excess of 15 billion, one of the most impressive careers in music history set the stage for him to make true change. Not only did he successfully help establish Sports Leadership Arts and Management (SLAM!) tuition-free public charter schools across the country, he was honored by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of Clean Water Here; he is a partner in eMerge Americas, the annual tech and innovation summit held in Miami; and he was honored alongside music legends as well as Nobel Peace Prize and Pulitzer Prize winners at the 2019 International Achievement Summit. Pitbull and Horizon Media have partnered to launch 305 Worldwide, a new multicultural marketing agency. The first partnership secured through 305 Worldwide is Pitbull’s multiplatform marketing collaboration with Boost Mobile. Pitbull has performed for millions worldwide and even joined forces with the #1 life and business strategist, Tony Robbins, for numerous engagements around the globe. He maximizes his own creative, entrepreneurial and personal freedom yet again on the Latin album LIBERTAD 548 — his first project released independently under his own Mr. 305 Records on September 27, 2019.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1169132/HelloAlice_black_logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Hello Alice

Autism risk estimated at 3 to 5% for children whose parents have a sibling with autism

May 18, 2020

BETHESDA, Maryland, May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Roughly 3 to 5% of children with an aunt or uncle with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can also be expected to have ASD, compared to about 1.5% of children in the general population, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Researchers also found that a child whose mother has a sibling with ASD is not significantly more likely to be affected by ASD, compared to a child whose father has a sibling with ASD. The findings call into question the female protective effect, a theory that females have a lower rate of ASD than males because they have greater tolerance of ASD risk factors.

The results, derived from records of nearly 850,000 Swedish children and their families, appear in Biological Psychiatry. The study was conducted by John N. Constantino, M.D., at Washington University in St. Louis, and colleagues in the United States and Sweden.

“The results offer important new information for counseling people who have a sibling with ASD,” said Alice Kau, Ph.D., of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch of NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which funded the study. “The findings also suggest that the greater prevalence of ASD in males is likely not due to a female protective effect.”

Additional NIH funding was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health.

ASD is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in life and affects how a person interacts with others, communicates, and learns. Previous studies have found that roughly 3 times more males than females have ASD. Reasons for the difference are unknown.

One possible explanation is that females have a built-in resistance to the genetic factors leading to autism. With such a female protective effect, the theory holds that many women could carry such risk factors and be unaffected, but could transmit them to their sons, who lack the protective effect and may develop ASD.

In the current study, researchers analyzed data from Swedish national registers of births and family relationships. The children were born from 2003 to 2012. Roughly 13,000 children were diagnosed with ASD, about 1.5% of the total. Offspring of mothers with one or more siblings with ASD were about three times more likely than children in the general population to have ASD. Children of fathers with one or more siblings with ASD were twice as likely as children in the general population to have ASD, a rate that did not differ significantly than that of children whose mothers have a sibling with ASD. According to the study authors, the results provide the first population-wide estimate of ASD risk to children of parents who have a sibling with ASD.

This finding challenges the existence of a female protective effect, Dr. Constantino explained, because if such an effect existed, the children of mothers with a sibling with ASD could be expected to have up to a 30% higher risk of ASD. Similarly, the researchers found no statistically significant increase in ASD risk for children whose uncles have ASD, compared to children whose aunts have the condition.

Reference
Bai, D et al. Inherited risk for autism through maternal and paternal lineage. Biological Psychiatry. 2020.

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit https://www.nih.gov.

SOURCE Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health (NIH)

New Screening Tool Helps Californians Learn Quickly if They Might Qualify for Medi-Cal and Food Stamps

May 18, 2020

OAKLAND, Calif., May 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In an effort to help the millions of Californians in need of health insurance and food assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alluma has created a free screening tool that tells them in under three minutes if they may qualify for public benefits.

Called Quick Screener, the tool asks a few basic questions that let people know if they may be eligible for Medi-Cal or CalFresh (food stamps in California), and connects them immediately to the appropriate application based solely on ZIP code. The tool does not require a sign-in or email address, nor does it collect private data.

“People are in crisis right now, losing their jobs and their health insurance along with it,” said Tommaso Esmanech, executive director of solutions management with Alluma, a nonprofit social enterprise that develops technology solutions for government agencies and nonprofits that support people seeking public benefits. “The last thing they need is to spend time tracking down where and how to apply for help, and filling out an application, before they even know if they’re eligible. This screening tool lets them find out quickly if they might qualify, and takes them directly to the right place to apply – all while remaining anonymous.”

Helping first-time applicants navigate the process
With many people seeking public assistance possibly for the first time in their lives, Esmanech noted that many feel overwhelmed and have no idea where to turn for help. “People get online – maybe using Google – to find the right agency or department,” he said. “They often try multiple routes, and can run up against brick walls along the way, encounter wrong information, or endure endless circles before they find the right place for support. We want to reduce that level of frustration and anxiety.”

“At a time when more and more families are finding themselves vulnerable and in need of immediate support, it’s important that they find that help as easily as possible,” said Mayra E. Alvarez, president of The Children’s Partnership and board chair of Alluma. “The Quick Screener will save families valuable time as they try to juggle the many daunting challenges before them.”

Although the Quick Screener can be accessed by anyone with internet access and a computer, tablet or smartphone, the tool also can be valuable for eligibility workers or nonprofits that are helping people apply for benefits. “Now that many government and nonprofit staff are working from home, they may not have ready access to the same information they did from their office,” Esmanech said. “They can use the tool themselves, or refer applicants to it so that they can turn their attention to more complex matters.”

The Quick Screener is currently available in English and Spanish, for Medi-Cal and CalFresh in California. To try the Quick Screener, go to www.alluma.org/alluma-quick-screener.

About Alluma
Alluma is a leading nonprofit social enterprise on a bold mission: to eliminate barriers that keep people from connecting to essential services. We accomplish this goal by working collaboratively with government agencies, community organizations, and others to create thoughtful solutions that unlock the possibilities of both technology and policy. Our eligibility and enrollment solutions have connected more than 25 million people across the country to critical health and human services that change lives and create stronger communities. Alluma is based in Oakland, California, with offices in Sacramento, CA and Phoenix, Arizona. Learn more at www.alluma.org.

SOURCE Alluma

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