Blue Shield of California Brings More Benefits and Cutting-Edge Technologies to Medicare Advantage Members; Expands Geographic Footprint in Northern California

October 1, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Shield of California announced that its Medicare Advantage members will be eligible for new benefits and services to help them improve their health, as well as an expansion to serve Medicare beneficiaries in the full counties of Alameda, San Mateo and Sacramento.

“The mission of our nonprofit health plan is to bring affordable and quality health care to as many Californians as possible,” said Krista Bowers, General Manager of Senior Markets, Blue Shield of California. “As more of the baby boomer generation ages into Medicare, offering more benefits and services has become a priority.”

Blue Shield’s Medicare Advantage plans offer services such as coverage for hearing aids, routine vision services including exams and eyewear as well as the SilverSneakers^®Fitness Program. Benefits vary by plans and service areas.

Blue Shield is also providing its Medicare Advantage members access to Wellvolution^SM, a best-in-class and largest in the industry network of clinically proven health-management and wellness resources that use lifestyle to prevent, treat and even reverse disease. The platform – previously only available to Blue Shield’s commercial health plan members – will be available to Blue Shield’s Medicare Advantage plan members as of January 1, 2020. Wellvolution helps address:

Sleep quality
Stress management
Physical activity
Diet and nutrition
Tobacco cessation
Cardio-metabolic disease prevention (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
Chronic condition reversal

Blue Shield will be offering Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO plans in Alameda County and a Medicare Advantage HMO plan in San Mateo County. It will also expand its Medicare Advantage HMO service area to serve all of Sacramento County.

As part of the expansion into additional geographic regions, Blue Shield has added Brown & Toland (San Mateo and Alameda counties) and Sutter Health (San Mateo County) to its Medicare Advantage provider network.

Medicare’s Annual Election Period is October 15, 2019 to December 7, 2019. For more information about Blue Shield’s Medicare plan offerings, please visit https://blueshieldcamedicare.com/.

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a health care system worthy of our family and friends that is sustainably affordable. We are a nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with 6,800 employees, more than $20 billion in annual revenue and 4.3 million members. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medi-Cal and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have a positive impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit our News Center at www.news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

CONTACT:	Carol Thornton
	Blue Shield of California
	415-229-5359
	[email protected]

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SOURCE Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California Offers Innovative Benefits, Services to Medicare Advantage Members, Expands Geographic Footprint in Southern California

October 1, 2019

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage members will be eligible for new benefits, services and clinically-proven technological tools to help them improve their health and get to the doctor starting in 2020. The nonprofit health plan is also expanding to serve the full counties of Los Angeles, Riverside (including Palm Springs), San Bernardino, Kern and Ventura.

“The mission of our nonprofit health plan is to bring affordable and quality health care to as many Californians as possible,” said Krista Bowers, General Manager, Senior Markets, Blue Shield of California. “As more of the baby boomer generation ages into Medicare, getting them access to new services, benefits and technology is a priority.”

Blue Shield’s Medicare Advantage plans offer services such as coverage for over-the-counter (OTC) items, access to physicians via smartphones or computer, and transportation to appointments. Benefits vary by plans and service area.

In addition, Blue Shield has added access for Medicare Advantage plan members to its Wellvolution℠ platform, providing personalized online and in-person programs that use lifestyle to prevent, treat and even reverse disease. The platform – previously only available to people enrolled in Blue Shield’s commercial health plans – gives members access to a best-in-class network of clinically proven health-management and wellness resources that empowers members to take control in improving their own health. The conditions that Wellvolution can help address include:

Sleep quality
Stress management
Physical activity
Diet and nutrition
Tobacco cessation
Cardio-metabolic disease prevention (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
Chronic condition reversal

Select Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will also include a benefit for routine transportation services to access non-emergent health care, such as physician office visits and to other plan-approved health care related destinations, at no additional cost.

Blue Shield is introducing two new plans for Southern California: Blue Shield Inspire and Blue Shield Vital. Blue Shield Inspire will be offered in Los Angeles and Orange counties and will offer members supplemental benefits including a personal emergency response system, routine dental, hearing aids, and the SilverSneakers^®Fitness Program. Blue Shield Vital provides members with a reduction to their monthly Part B premium, up to $600 annually. Blue Shield Vital will be offered in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Also, in order to give members more care provider options in Southern California, Blue Shield has expanded its network relationship to provide its Medicare Advantage plan members access to UCLA Health.

Medicare’s Annual Election Period is October 15, 2019 to December 7, 2019. For more information about Blue Shield’s Medicare plan offerings, please visit https://blueshieldcamedicare.com/.

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a health care system worthy of our family and friends that is sustainably affordable. We are a nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with 6,800 employees, more than $20 billion in annual revenue and 4.3 million members. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medi-Cal and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have a positive impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit our News Center at www.news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

CONTACT:	Carol Thornton
	Blue Shield of California
	415-229-5359
	[email protected]

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SOURCE Blue Shield of California

CMC Annual Summit Comes to New York City April 27-29, 2020

October 1, 2019

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AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is rebranding as Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing, which will continue to elevate the quality and effectiveness of U.S. marketing by harnessing the power of cultural expertise and impact to drive business results.

FAIRFAX, Virginia, Oct. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, CMC: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing announced that its annual multicultural marketing summit will take place at the Westin Hotel Times Square in New York City from April 27-29, 2020.

With 52 percent of individuals under 18 years old being ethnically and racially diverse, the 2020 CMC Annual Summit is a call to action for brands and agencies to hone their Multicultural Readiness in order to navigate this seismic shift in the nation’s cultural landscape.

“Marketers who are neither investing in this new majority nor culturally fluent when it comes to this diverse mainstream are losing market share every day,” said CMC Chair-Elect and Conference Chair Gonzalo Del Fa, president of GroupM Multicultural. “No other marketing conference will focus more on this new majority, giving insights, strategies and best practices to help brands understand that today’s marketing must be inherently culture-driven.”

Attendees can expect C-suite executives and top leaders from agencies and top brands, headliners in entertainment and journalism, creatives, trendsetters, influencers, futurists—all bringing their own multicultural experience and lessons, inherently valuable to the entire marketing community.

Registration will open in January. For more information, visit culturemarketingcouncil.org and follow the CMC on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter at @cmchispanic.

About CMC

Founded in 1996 as the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies, the Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is the national trade organization of all marketing, communications and media firms with trusted Hispanic expertise.

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SOURCE Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing

Mazda Reports September Sales Results

October 1, 2019

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Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 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 www.mazdausamedia.com.

IRVINE, California, Oct. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total September sales of 18,838 vehicles, a decrease of 11.4 percent compared to September 2018. Year-to-date sales through September saw a decrease of 11.5 percent, with 208,167 vehicles sold. With 23 selling days in September, compared to 25 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 3.7 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

September sales were strong for Mazda’s CX-3 with 1,449 vehicles sold, an increase of 18.9 percent compared to last year.

CPO sales totaled 4,445 vehicles in September, a decrease of 4 percent compared to September 2018. Year-to-date CPO sales increased 16 percent, with 39,835 vehicles sold.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported September sales of 4,296 vehicles, a decrease of 9 percent compared to September last year. Year-to-date sales through September increased 6 percent, with 38,480 vehicles sold.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 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.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.


	Month-To-Date				Year-To-Date

	September	September	YOY %	% MTD	September	September	YOY %	% MTD
	2019	2018	Change	DSR	2019	2018	Change	DSR

Mazda3	3,507	4,635	(24.3)%	(17.8)%	40,506	51,294	(21.0)%	(20.7)%
Mazda6	1,119	2,123	(47.3)%	(42.7)%	17,285	24,741	(30.1)%	(29.8)%
MX-5 Miata	512	756	(32.3)%	(26.4)%	6,351	7,460	(14.9)%	(14.5)%
CX-3	1,449	1,219	18.9%	29.2%	11,780	13,715	(14.1)%	(13.7)%
CX-5	10,332	10,538	(2.0)%	6.6%	113,702	116,728	(2.6)%	(2.2)%
CX-9	1,919	1,986	(3.4)%	5.0%	18,543	21,184	(12.5)%	(12.1)%


CARS	5,138	7,514	(31.6)%	(25.7)%	64,142	83,495	(23.2)%	(22.8)%
TRUCKS	13,700	13,743	(0.3)%	8.4%	144,025	151,627	(5.0)%	(4.6)%

TOTAL	18,838	21,257	(11.4)%	(3.7)%	208,167	235,122	(11.5)%	(11.1)%


*Selling Days	23	25			229	230

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SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

100 Days 100 Ways Helps Consumers Sprint to Savings this Holiday Season

October 1, 2019

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When Debt is the Problem, We are the Solution...

Consolidated Credit’s interactive holiday budget planner streamlines preparation and savings

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, Oct. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — There are less than 100 days left to shop for the winter holidays, and Consolidated Credit has created a sprint-style campaign to help consumers stay out of debt.

The thrill of enticing deals can make you throw down money around the holidays, but it’s important to budget and not get wrapped up in debt. The first thing people need to do is create a holiday budget. An easy way to do this is with Consolidated Credit’s Holiday Spending Planner.

The free interactive holiday spending planner helps consumers set a practical holiday plan based on their annual income. It includes all the expenses people need to cover during the holidays, from gifts and decorations, all the way down to travel costs and shipping.

Consolidated Credit’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest have money-saving daily tips for the “100 Days, 100 Ways to Save” campaign. “The 100 days, 100 ways tips are designed to help people learn practical ways to keep holiday costs low,” says April Lewis-Parks, Education Director for Consolidated Credit.

This campaign also features a social media contest for those following Consolidated Credit. People who retweet, like, share, pin, and repost are entered for a chance to win $100 each month through December. One social action equals one contest entry, and there is no limit to how many entries a follower can submit. Drawings will be conducted on October 16^th, November 16^th, and December 16^th.

The Holiday Survival Guide included in this campaign helps consumers reflect, plan, and shop for the holiday season. First, consumers can ask themselves a series of thought-provoking questions at the outset of the guide. Then, consumers can use the Holiday Spending Planner to help them keep track of spending and avoid credit card debt.

“The winter holidays are the most expensive time of year for most families,” explains Lewis-Parks. “The “100 Days, 100 Ways to Save” campaign, the Holiday Spending Planner and Survival Guide help consumers avoid overspending.”

About: In 26 years, Consolidated Credit has helped over 6.5 million people overcome debt and financial challenges. Their mission is to assist families throughout the United States to end financial crises and solve money management issues through education and counseling.

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SOURCE Consolidated Credit

LISC, Maestro Cares Foundation, Good Bunny Foundation and Cubs Charities team up to launch Play Ball Again to rebuild community baseball fields in Puerto Rico

September 30, 2019

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NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — When Hurricanes Irma and Maria ravaged Puerto Rico in 2017, they devastated community baseball programs across the island, shredding more than 300 fields where young people once played and world-class talent had long been nurtured.

Now, music icon Marc Anthony and Latin star Bad Bunny lead funding for a new program called Play Ball Again to help rebuild some of those damaged fields and facilitate local programming for 17,500 youth. Organizers hope to generate “an upward spiral of opportunity” for local residents that goes far beyond the dugout, according to Maurice A. Jones, president and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which created Play Ball Again and is coordinating development work on the ground.

“Sports and recreation activities help restore a sense of normalcy, in the wake of disasters,” explained Latin music icon Marc Anthony, whose Maestro Cares Foundation is among the program’s earliest supporters. “Baseball isn’t just a game in this context. It helps young people do better in school and improves family life and health in difficult circumstances.”

Maestro Cares teamed up with the Good Bunny Foundation and UNICEF USA to fund the first $300,000 of what LISC expects to be more than $1.6 million in field renovations. Cubs Charities joined the effort with an additional $100,000 in support, and the Kohler Company made a commitment to donate bathroom fixtures for onsite facilities.

All told, LISC anticipates funding will revitalize 25 fields, including sites in Vega Baja, Carolina, Yabucoa, Yauco, Utuado, Loíza, Caguas, and Casteñer. These communities represent a diverse geographic slice of Puerto Rico, encompassing some of the most concentrated numbers of youth players in rural areas, and those hardest hit by the hurricanes. Field repairs will augment larger community development work undertaken by LISC and local partners.

“Growing up on the island I spent a lot of time in some of these parks that are now destroyed,” noted Bad Bunny, whose San Juan-based Good Bunny Foundation is rallying support for the initiative. “In parks similar to these, a lot of great athletes like Roberto Clemente, Yadier Molina, Roberto Alomar, Edgar Martinez, and Ivan Rodriguez grew up. Our commitment is to rebuild these parks so that we can help new athletes grow. This is the first step for the rebirth of sports within the island,” he said.

Construction is underway on the first six fields, with renewed baseball programming in process as well.

“At UNICEF, we believe that play is the right of every child, and sport is a powerful tool that can build community and bring people together,” said Caryl M. Stern, president & CEO, UNICEF USA. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of partners like LISC, Maestro Cares and the Good Bunny Foundation. In rebuilding these fields, they are not only helping a community who has endured so much over the past two years, but also giving kids the chance to play and just be kids.”

“Two years after these devastating storms, the need to rebuild the island remains strong,” said Cubs infielder Javier Báez, whose family is from the Bayamón area. “Cubs Charities understood the need and has stepped up to the plate to help restore baseball fields and give kids throughout Puerto Rico the opportunity to play the game. This rebuild will make a big difference for the community, and I am proud to continue my efforts to restore the island.”

LISC has been working with a range of organizations to identify priority fields and outline redevelopment plans with community members, including local groups like Little League Puerto Rico and PathStone, Enterprise Center, sports nonprofits like Pitch in for Baseball, and disaster relief organizations like All Hands and Hearts.

“After the storms, we were the forgotten, rural towns,” said Rafael Surillo Ruiz, mayor of Yabucoa, who teared up as he spoke about the future of local fields. “To have an icon of a park being built by the community, for the community, and supported by all these stakeholders—it means so much for the spirit of our city.”

LISC expects most of the field renovations will be completed in time for the 2020 baseball season.

About LISC
With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1979, LISC has invested $20 billion to build or rehab 400,500 affordable homes and apartments and develop 66.8 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. Play Ball Again builds on LISC’s significant expertise in financing recreational facilities and athletic fields in underserved communities, as well as providing technical assistance to advance youth sports, including a 20-year partnership with the NFL to create 350 fields serving 600,000 youth, as well as work with ESPN to reclaim vacant lots for basketball courts in 14 cities. To learn more, visit www.lisc.org.

About Maestro Cares Foundation
Maestro Cares Foundation is a nonprofit Foundation headquartered in Chicago and founded in 2012. The foundation aims to improve the quality of life of orphaned and disadvantaged children in Latin America and the United States. Maestro Cares Foundation works to achieve its mission by creating safe and healthy environments for children to live, learn and play while supporting their development and academic needs. The Foundation helps to raise the necessary funding to continue to grow their mission by collaborating with corporate and nonprofit partners. Since the launch of its first home for orphaned boys in the Dominican Republic in 2014, the foundation has opened youth homes, community centers, school, foster homes, and launched an educational program in Lima and Cusco, Peru. Altogether, the foundation has committed to 18 projects providing safe and loving spaces for thousands of orphaned and disadvantaged children in Dominican Republic, Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador, Bolivia, Chile, Puerto Rico, and Chicago, IL. To learn more visit: www.maestrocares.org.

About the Good Bunny Foundation
The Good Bunny Foundation works to improve the quality of life of Puerto Rican youth through the support of youth arts and sports initiatives, in collaboration with other non-profit organizations. The Foundation led two relief initiatives providing aid after Hurricane María, which included the handing out of meals and the complete reconstruction of 10 homes. In 2018, the Foundation organized the first annual “La Nueva Tradición” event, in which 30,000 Puerto Rican children received gifts of toys and musical instruments. Currently, the Foundation’s efforts are focused on the Play Ball Again initiative to restore Little League baseball fields in different municipalities of Puerto Rico.

About UNICEF USA
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States, working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and when every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

About Cubs Charities
Cubs Charities harnesses the passion of Cubs fans to improve the lives of children and families across Chicago and beyond. Cubs Charities’ goal is to provide increased access to sports opportunities and targets improvements in health, fitness and education for those at risk. Through grants to quality nonprofit programs, development of parks and baseball fields, and other community initiatives, the Cubs and Cubs Charities help fulfill a commitment to be the best in the game, on and off the field. For more information, visit www.cubscharities.org.

Media Contacts:
Amanda Fox for LISC – [email protected] or 347-581-6498
Blanca Lassalle for Marc Anthony and Maestro Cares Foundation – [email protected]
Sujeylee Solá for Bad Bunny and Good Bunny Foundation – [email protected]
Alyson Cohen for Cubs Charities – [email protected] or 773-404-4128
Ann Reinking Whitener for UNICEF USA – [email protected]

SOURCE Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Acacia Network’s Annual Gala

September 30, 2019

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NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acacia Network’s long-standing history of serving communities is celebrated once a year at our Annual Gala taking place October 16, 2019, from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm at the New York Midtown Hilton Hotel. This annual event raises awareness and funds for the important work that Acacia does throughout New York State as well as in Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Washington, Arkansas and Puerto Rico. Nearly 500 people gather to celebrate the organization’s top partners and advocates, showcasing their contributions to our work and the communities we serve.

MEET OUR HONOREES:
COMMUNITY APPRECIATION AWARD
This year’s Community Service Award is presented to Denise Scott for her commitment and dedication to our work in New York and Puerto Rico. A community leader, activist, and major supporter of Minority-run developers, Ms. Scott has advised, assisted and supported Acacia Network in becoming the premiere nonprofit developer it is today.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Congratulations to our Lifetime Achievement Awardee Hector Diaz. Mr. Diaz is a trailblazer in the Latino community and has helped advocate and advance policies, innovations, programs and services for the all residents of New York State. Hector has been a partner to Acacia Network since its inception and his work set the stage for much of what we do at Acacia today!

“We are just a few weeks away from the 2019 Acacia Gala where we will honor local and national leaders and influencers whose work positively impacts our communities. Come celebrate with us and acknowledge the power of leaders as advocates and innovators!” stated Raul Russi, President & CEO Acacia Network.

For more information, contact Julia Jones at [email protected]

About Acacia Network, Inc.
Acacia Network, an integrated care organization with offices in New York City, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse in New York State, as well as Florida, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, Connecticut, Arkansas and Puerto Rico, is the leading Latino integrated care non-profit in the nation. The Network incorporates 60+ affiliates, managed under one executive and senior leadership team. With 63 years of combined experience, Acacia Network has demonstrated ability to scale high quality, comprehensive services for thousands of the most vulnerable residents in the communities we serve. Our mission is realized through three main service delivery systems: Primary Health Care, Behavioral Health Care, and Housing.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Melany Compres, Acacia Network
[email protected]

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SOURCE Acacia Network Inc.

Honda Opens Doors to U.S. Safety Research & Development Labs

September 30, 2019

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Honda recently opened the doors to its U.S. safety research & development labs to highlight new safety technology developments and R&D capability.

RAYMOND, Ohio, Sept. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Honda recently provided an immersive look into its safety research & development efforts as part of its “Safety for Everyone” initiative when it hosted a small group of media at the company’s R&D labs in Raymond, Ohio. The group interacted with top safety engineers, toured state-of-the-art test facilities, and spent some time behind the wheel to experience a variety of vehicle and pedestrian-related tests. Honda also showcased a new passenger front airbag designed to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities in a wider variety of frontal collisions. Plus, the company conducted a small overlap crash test of a 2019 Honda Civic to highlight its innovative crash safety features including the company’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.

An extensive array of video and photographic assets were produced for the event, including interviews with top Honda safety engineers, dynamic component testing, two different tests of the new airbag, Honda Sensing® on-road testing, and slow-motion video of the small overlap crash test from multiple angles. To assist media in covering Honda safety-related news and activities, the collection of assets can be viewed and downloaded from a dedicated media website: https://bit.ly/2NjO4JO

Honda’s Ohio safety center is one the most sophisticated facilities for safety research, development and testing in the world and includes facilities dedicated to advanced crash simulations, pedestrian safety, collision testing and advanced restraint system development and tuning.

About Honda Safety Leadership
Based on its “Safety for Everyone” approach, Honda has a long history of leadership in the development and application of advanced technologies designed to enhance the safety of all road users, including automobile occupants, motorcycle riders and pedestrians.

Toward Honda’s goal of a “zero-collision society,” the company is broadly applying active safety and driver-assistive systems such as Honda Sensing® and AcuraWatch™. These technologies can significantly reduce the likelihood or severity of a collision and also serve as a bridge to highly automated vehicles of the future. Honda is targeting 2020 for the deployment of vehicles with highly automated highway driving capability and 2025 for the technological achievement of SAE Level 4 automated vehicles for personal use.

About Honda R&D
Operating 14 facilities in the United States, Honda R&D Americas, Inc. (HRA) was incorporated in 1984 after beginning operations in California in 1975. HRA is responsible for creating advanced products and technologies that provide new value to Honda and Acura customers. HRA conducts all phases of product development in the U.S., from market and technology research and styling through engineering design to prototype fabrication and testing, local parts procurement and support for mass production preparation.

With major facilities in California, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida, HRA is engaged in the development of Honda and Acura automobiles and Honda powersports and power equipment products. HRA is also playing a lead role in the development of leading-edge safety, driver assistive and environmental technologies. Learn more at http://www.hondaresearch.com/.

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Century 21 Real Estate Collaborates With Eva Longoria Foundation To Empower Latinas And Inspire Next Generation Of Entrepreneurs

September 30, 2019

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Century 21 Real Estate announces collaboration with Eva Longoria Foundation to empower next generation of Latina entrepreneurs

MADISON, New Jersey, Sept. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Century 21 Real Estate LLC announces today its collaboration with the Eva Longoria Foundation as part of “Empowering Latinas,” a scholarship initiative that helps Latinas obtain their real estate license and provides hands-on experience to prepare them for success in the real estate industry. The new partnership, announced this weekend by CENTURY 21 President and CEO Michael Miedler at the annual National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) at L’ATTITUDE convention, will also connect local CENTURY 21 affiliated agents with Latina high school students in the Foundation’s Los Angeles mentorship program. Agents will serve as role models and encourage students to succeed in school, build confidence and prepare for college.

“Century 21 Real Estate and the Eva Longoria Foundation both believe in the incredible power and potential of Latinas. We know that when we empower Latinas to succeed in school and business, we’re building a better future for our country. Mentorship is the cornerstone of our partnership with Century 21 because everyone needs support and inspiration to reach their full potential,” said actress, director and philanthropist Eva Longoria Bastón.

Together, the Eva Longoria Foundation and Century 21 Real Estate will match high school students with local real estate affiliated agents and brokers to serve as mentors. The program will provide Latina students with the opportunity to interact with ambitious Century 21 affiliated sales professionals, creating a college-going and career-focused culture that helps the students cultivate the skills to succeed both academically and professionally.

“Century 21 Real Estate believes in the importance of the growing Hispanic community not only as consumers but also within the team of relentless affiliated agents who are helping them achieve their goal of home ownership,” says Michael Miedler. “We’re excited to see this program evolve as we partner with the Eva Longoria Foundation to inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs to advance their educational and career goals with the support of our local network of affiliated brokers and agents.”

The Eva Longoria Foundation mentorship program engages participants in a four-year curriculum, tailored to their high school grade level, to help them succeed in school, build confidence and prepare for college. In addition to building meaningful, long-term connections with professional women and their high-achieving peers, students participate in enriching extracurricular activities, including college visits and career exploration opportunities.

Since its inception in 2017, the Empowering Latinas program has offered an opportunity for more than 100 Hispanic women, in key markets across the country, to advance their educational and career goals with a global network of brokers and agents who share similar cultural foundations, including family, traditions and a relentless work ethic. In addition to the new collaboration, the CENTURY 21 brand will bring its campaign to women in the Los Angeles area who are interested in becoming real estate agents by providing 21 scholarships to offset the costs to obtain a real estate license in California. Subsequently, local CENTURY 21 affiliated brokers provide mentorships to the awardees and offer them the opportunity to hone their craft at various independently owned and operated offices.

“I wanted to be an entrepreneur and have it all: Success, my own house, love and family. I was a dentist assistant before I became a real estate agent with C21 and today, 20 years later, I have to say that it has been the best decision that I have ever made in my career”, said Lulu Perez, an affiliated sales associate from CENTURY 21 Realty Masters in Montebello CA. “I’m thrilled to be able to take my own experiences with the real estate world and use it to inspire the next group of Latina entrepreneurs who are sure to achieve great things in their own careers.”

For more information about the “Empowering Latinas Scholarship Program” visit: C21EmpoweringLatinas.com.

About Century 21 Real Estate LLC
The approximately 131,000 independent sales professionals in approximately 10,000 offices spanning 82 countries and territories in the CENTURY 21^® System live their mission every day: to defy mediocrity and deliver extraordinary experiences. By consistently chasing excellence, giving 121% and always elevating, the CENTURY 21 brand is helping its affiliated brokers/agents to be the first choice for real estate consumers and industry professionals worldwide. Century 21 Real Estate has numerous websites to help answer specific consumer needs. They are century21.com, century21.com/global, century21.com/commercial,
century21.com/finehomes, and century21.com/espanol.

Century 21 Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.

©2019 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21^®, C21^® and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

About the Eva Longoria Foundation
Recognizing that Latinas are a rapidly growing group that lives disproportionately in poverty, the Eva Longoria Foundation’s mission is to help Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through education and entrepreneurship. Areas of programmatic focus currently include parent engagement, mentorship, STEM education, scholarships, microloans and business training for Latinas. Visit the Eva Longoria Foundation online at www.EvaLongoriaFoundation.org. (@EvaLongoriaFoundation)

Contacts:
Erin Siegel	Aleyso Bridger
Century 21 Real Estate LLC	Pólvora Advertising
Phone: 973.407.2145	Phone: 786.488.5683
Email: [email protected]	Email: [email protected]

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1002891/Century_21_Eva_Longoria_Foundation.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/649227/Century_21_Real_Estate_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Century 21 Real Estate LLC

eMerge Americas Expands Annual Startup Pitch Competition Tour To Additional LATAM Cities To Catalyze VC Investment In Region

September 30, 2019

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Inspiration, Innovation, and a Nod to the Future Take Center Stage at eMERGE Americas 2016

MIAMI, Sept. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — eMerge Americas, a platform which fosters innovation and serves as a catalyst for investment throughout the Americas, has announced the formal kickoff of the annual multi-city tour to host startup pitch competitions throughout Latin America. The cities that have been confirmed for the initial tour stops are São Paulo, Brazil and Mexico City, Mexico with additional stops slated at a later date for Bogotá, Colombia, Santiago, Chile, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The top two winners of each pitch competition will be fast-tracked into the curated eMerge Americas 2020 Startup Showcase, a multi-week high potential program – at no cost – which will culminate in a grand finale pitch competition in front of leading venture capitalists, corporate enterprises, government officials, and global media outlets at the annual eMerge Americas conference on March 30-31, 2020 in Miami Beach, FL. Additionally, all participating startups will be allocated prime space on the 2020 conference expo floor as an anchor tenant of the investor-startup matchmaking agenda. To date, more than 70 startups that have participated in the eMerge Americas Startup Showcase since the program’s 2014 inception have each raised a total of $500 million in venture funding.

“We believe the most compelling investment opportunities at a global scale will emerge from across the Americas,” said Felice Gorordo, CEO of eMerge Americas. “This has been a record year for venture capital investment throughout Latin America, and eMerge Americas seeks to be a catalyst for building sustainable startup ecosystems throughout the region by partnering with entrepreneurs, investors, large corporate enterprises, higher-ed institutions and governments in each market.”

The eMerge Americas multi-city tour will be hosted in partnership with the University of Miami through an initiative backed by the Hemispheric University Consortium – a platform for collaboration in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in partnership with leading universities across Latin America.

“The Startup Showcase is the heart and soul of eMerge Americas – it’s the cornerstone of our year-round programming and an anchor of our annual conference,” said Melissa Medina, President of eMerge Americas. “We have meticulously created programming to not only foster exposure to networks of venture capital funds and growth equity firms but also connecting stakeholders to nurture and scale the nascent technologies these innovative startups have created.”

The initial eMerge Americas tour stops throughout Latin America announced are:

Mexico City, Mexico

October 14th, 2019: Fintech Startup Pitch Competition in partnership with ScotiaBank
October 14th, 2019: Startup Pitch Competition at the Universidad de las Américas Puebla
October 15th, 2019: Startup Pitch Competition in partnership with Endeavor Mexico
October 15th, 2019: Startup Pitch Competition with Tec de Monterrey

São Paulo, Brazil

October 17th, 2019: Startup Pitch Competition at the Universidade de São Paulo

For more information or to apply to the eMerge Americas 2020 Startup Showcase, visit www.emergeamericas.com.

About eMerge Americas

eMerge Americas is the premier technology event connecting the Americas held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. By connecting global industry leaders and investors with corporate business executives, government leaders, and entrepreneurs, eMerge Americas is transforming Miami into the tech hub of the Americas. In 2019, eMerge Americas attracted over 16,000 attendees and more than 400 participating companies from over 40 countries. eMerge Americas serves as a catalyst in order to foster innovation and investment in South Florida and Latin America. The eMerge Americas founding partners include: Medina Capital, A Rod Corporation, Greenberg Traurig, Knight Foundation, Miami-Dade County, and the Miami Herald. The upcoming eMerge Americas conference is scheduled for March 30-31, 2020. For more information about eMerge Americas, please visit: www.emergeamericas.com.

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SOURCE eMerge Americas