SHEROES OF NY Launches as the First Bipartisan Campaign of Women Candidates Promoting a Summer of Collaboration Leading up to the Primary Elections in New York City

July 20, 2017

NEW YORK, July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Women’s Political Caucus of New York City (NWPC-NYC), a leading multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process, launches SHEROES OF NY. This campaign aligns with the celebration marking 100 years since New York State signed women’s suffrage into law.

Running a 9-week countdown until the primaries on September 12, SHEROES OF NY seeks to drive voter registration, voter participation and increase awareness of qualified female candidates running for office.

“Women are underrepresented in the political world, often their names go unrecognized and women are often discouraged to run for office,” said Sharon Nelson, President of the NWPC in New York. “This campaign is designed to make sure we not only elevate the profiles and stories of female candidates but also raise the importance of voter turnout during local elections. Our vision is for SHEROES OF NY to serve as a blueprint for the nation that shows that women candidates are capable, ready and most important willing to work together and unite to serve their communities,” Nelson concluded.

Less than 20 percent of eligible New Yorkers voted during the last primaries, the second lowest turnout after the Louisiana primary, according to the analyst Michael McDonald of The Elections Project. While women do lead the way in voter turnout in New York, there is still a significant gap in representation of their voice and political choice at the ballots.

The candidates, in alphabetical order, participating in the SHEROES OF NY campaign are:

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D) – Manhattan Borough President
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R) – Mayor
Councilwoman Margaret Chin (D) – City Council, District 1
Vanessa T. Aronson (D) – City Council, Midtown, District 4
Cristina Furlong (D) – City Council, Queens, District 21
Rebecca Harary (R) – City Council, District 4
Helen Hines (D) – City Council, S. Bronx, District 17
Tamika Mapp (D) – City Council, E. Harlem & S. Bronx
Lucretia Potter (R) – Assembly, Brooklyn, District 43
Carlina Rivera (D) – City Council, District 2
Marjorie Velazquez (D) City Council, Bronx, District 13

The campaign includes online, offline and mass media elements. It aims to galvanize the spirit of women, as well as New Yorkers, to exercise the power of their voice with their vote in the upcoming primary. The candidates will take part in a media tour, borough-to-borough visits, digital and social media communications and most importantly, will demonstrate that despite party lines, SHEROES OF NY work together to represent the party of America.

An exclusive event for supporters, media and special guests will take place on July 27th at the New-York Historical Society, bringing together the SHEROES OF NY. The event will include bipartisan women advocates and community leaders who are united in their commitment to promote a summer of political parity and civic engagement in the City of New York. Included will be a tour of the current exhibit Saving Washington, highlighting the contributions of women whose behind-the-scenes efforts helped implement the Constitution “on the ground.”

Photographer Tatiana Villamil, immediately felt compelled by the story behind the campaign and decided to voice her support by becoming the official photographer of SHEROES OF NY. Villamil was born within an artistic family and is currently based in New York City, where she aims to captivate her audience with her influential work.

The integrated multichannel campaign was developed in partnership with award-winning research and marketing firm CIEN+, a women-owned and minority-owned company based in New York City co-founded by Lili Gil Valletta, a nationally recognized advocate for the role women and minorities play in the American economy.

For more information about the SHEROES OF NY campaign, to get involved please visit http://www.sheroesofny.org/. Follow the campaign on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sheroesofny and Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheroesofny. For press inquiries or to attend special events, please email [email protected].

ABOUT NATIONAL WOMEN’S POLITICAL CAUCUS (NWPC-NYC)
The National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC-NYC) is a multicultural, intergenerational, and multi-issue grassroots national organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation regardless of party preference in the political process and creating a true women’s political power base to achieve equality for all women. NWPC recruits, trains and supports women candidates for elected and appointed offices at all levels of government regardless of party affiliation. The Caucus offers campaign training for candidates and campaign managers, as well as technical assistance and advice.

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SOURCE The National Women’s Political Caucus of New York City (NWPC-NYC)

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day In Las Vegas With World-Renowned Entertainers

July 20, 2017

LAS VEGAS, July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Every September, the “Entertainment Capital of the World” invites visitors from around the world to celebrate Mexican Independence Day with a lineup of exciting events and entertainment. Throughout Las Vegas, revelers can enjoy performances by unforgettable headliners, championship boxing and hilarious comedians during the 2017 El Grito festivities.

World-class Latin performers taking over iconic Vegas venues include:

Singer, dancer and actress Jennifer Lopez will continue her residency at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Sept. 13, 15 & 16.
Ricky Martin will bring his “All In” residency back to Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Sept. 15-16.
Latin music superstar Enrique Iglesias returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Sept. 15-16.
Carlos Santana will take over the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Sept. 13 and 15-17.
The “fluffy” comedian Gabriel Iglesias brings the laughs to Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Sept. 15-16.
Latin music legend Pepe Aguilar performs his countless hits at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Sept. 16.
Middleweight boxers Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin will face off in the ring at T-Mobile Arena, Sept. 16.
Mexican rock band MANÁ will perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena inside MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Sept. 15-16.
GRAMMY Award-winner Marc Anthony will perform his No. 1 hits at Mandalay Bay Events Center inside Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Sept. 16.
Mexican mariachi singer Alejandro Fernández will wow audiences at T-Mobile Arena, Sept. 15.
Award-winning Guatemalan singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona will take the stage at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Sept. 15.
Marco Antonio Solis & Jesse and Joy will entertain the crowd with their chart-topping songs at Mandalay Bay Events Center inside Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Sept. 15.
Iconic singers Gloria Trevi vs. Alejandra Guzmán will perform together at The Colosseum inside Caesars Palace, Sept. 14 and 17.
Franco Escamilla will bring his hilarious standup to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Sept. 15.

To plan your unforgettable trip to Las Vegas visit www.VisitLasVegas.com.

Images are available at press.lvcva.com.

About the LVCVA

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With nearly 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and more than 11 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA’s mission centers on attracting ever increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. Download the virtual reality app, Vegas VR, to experience Las Vegas from your iPhone or Android by visiting http://www.vrtv.vegas/. For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.visitlasvegas.com.

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SOURCE Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)

SC Laboratories Receives ISO Certification for Laboratory Standards

July 20, 2017

SANTA CRUZ, California, July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — SC Laboratories, a leading third party, privately-owned analytical laboratory serving the Cannabis industry, announced today that their Santa Cruz laboratory facility has been granted ISO accreditation for its cannabinoid panel. ISO / IEC 17025:2005 is considered to be the gold standard accreditation for calibration and testing laboratories around the world and across multiple disciplines. Laboratories that are accredited to this international standard have demonstrated technical competence and the ability to produce accurate, precise data.

For More Information on SC Laboratories, please click: https://www.sclabs.com/about/.

“We are thrilled to announce our ISO accreditation as this is one of our most important achievements over the past seven years of serving the cannabis industry and demonstrates our commitment to serving our clients with integrity,” said SC Labs co-founder and CEO Jeff Gray. “Being accredited to this International Standard demonstrates our robust quality system, technical competence, the calibration and suitability of our instrumentation and our ability to produce precise and accurate test data. For clients, it enhances their confidence in our services and their choice in a business partner, provides them with additional legal defensibility in complying with upcoming regulations, and enhances the integrity of their products based on SC Labs results.”

Cannabis is an emerging industry in the U.S. that is expected to generate close to $7 Billion in sales in 2017. Many states, however, are still scrambling to implement practical safety regulations and standards.

SC Laboratories remains committed to providing cannabis companies with the tools and data they need to produce better cannabis products and comply with changing regulations. Their commitment to achieving relevant, third-party, accreditations at their facilities underscores their mission to prioritize quality control and integrity of their test results. This announcement comes as SC Laboratories continues to expand their Santa Cruz and Southern California laboratories, as well as add multiple field offices throughout the state of California in an effort to keep up with industry growth and better serve their clientele.

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SOURCE SC Laboratories

Survey Reveals Fresh Avocados Boost U.S. Hispanics’ Confidence In Reaching Diet Goals This Summer

July 20, 2017

MISSION VIEJO, California, July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With summer being the most likely time for U.S. Hispanics to start dieting, Fresh Avocados-Love One Today^® conducted a national survey to investigate their motivations and barriers associated with eating healthier. While the majority of Hispanics (70%) reported a specific weight loss goal for the year, more than half (54%) admitted to a poor track record, confessing they broke past resolutions to eat better just after a month or less. Further, a quarter (25%) of those polled anticipate they will likely quit new tries to eat healthier in under two weeks. Delicious and creamy, fresh avocados are sometimes mistakenly thought to be too rich for dieting but actually do fit into a variety of healthy eating plans. After a little education about how fresh avocados can support weight loss goals, nearly all (91%) felt more confident about tackling their dieting plans for this summer.

The national survey, conducted in May 2017, asked Hispanics to address their top reasons for abandoning a diet and found solutions in the nutrients and taste of fresh avocados. A good source of fiber, fresh avocados help provide a feeling of fullness quicker and for a longer period of time with fewer calories, relieving top concerns about feeling hungry and unsatisfied when counting calories. Avocados taste delicious and can be enjoyed alone or used to boost the flavor and enjoyment of a variety of recipes from salads to smoothies, diminishing worry that healthier eating means compromising, being bored with food options and destined to feeling deprived while dieting. Plus, healthy avocados are virtually the only fruit with naturally good fats and so can play a dual role in the diet to help people meet fruit and good fat recommendations.

“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasizes making small dietary shifts to achieve an overall healthy eating pattern,” said Sylvia Klinger-Melendez, registered dietitian and Love One Today^® spokesperson. “Changing how you eat is hard to do overnight so be sure to be sensible and start with baby steps that are easier to sustain. With each delicious bite, healthy avocados add fiber and good fats to your diet and can help you get closer to reaching your weight loss goals.”

Dieting is hard work. The survey revealed the majority (62%) of Hispanics polled have put off starting a diet with the average Hispanic having started and stopped a diet at least four times in the last year. News that avocados, already a family favorite for nearly a third of respondents, can help with reaching weight loss goals in a healthy way was welcomed and empowering.

Love One Today^® is a science-based food and wellness education program developed to encourage Americans to include fresh avocados in everyday healthy eating plans to help increase fruit and vegetable intake and as a delicious, cholesterol-free, whole food source of naturally good fats. To find easy-to-prepare recipes featuring healthy avocados such as the new Fresh Fruit and Sweet Pepper Salad with Avocado Citrus Dressing recipe, consumers can visit LoveOneToday.com and for Spanish recipes, visit SaboreaUnoHoy.com.

Survey Methodology

This survey of 1000 U.S. adults included 250 Hispanics or Latinos and was conducted May 17-23, 2017 by Market Researchers OnePoll and commissioned by Aguacates Frescos – Saborea Uno Hoy. The random double-opt-in survey adhered to the Market Research Society code of conduct.

About the Hass Avocado Board

The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) is an agriculture promotion group established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass Avocados in the United States. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass Avocados directs HAB’s promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Funding for HAB comes from Hass avocado producers and importers in the United States. In 2010, HAB established a nutrition research program to increase awareness and improve understanding of the unique benefits of avocados to human health. For a comprehensive collection of published nutrition and scientific literature, authoritative reports and other articles on or related to avocados, their nutrients and eating patterns that include them, visit avocadonutritioncenter.com. For tips and recipes in Spanish, visit SaboreaUnoHoy.com or in English visit LoveOneToday.com. Follow HAB on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

Contact: Vickie Fite for Hass Avocado Board
[email protected]
(310) 613-0937

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SOURCE Hass Avocado Board

CVS Health Opens Employment And Training Facility To Serve Fort Bragg Military Community

July 20, 2017

WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — CVS Health [NYSE:CVS] today announced the opening of the company’s Talent Connect Center (TCC) to serve the Fort Bragg, NC military community. This innovative employment and training facility will be dedicated to helping veterans and their families transition from military life to private sector civilian careers.

The Talent Connect Center (TCC) is part of the newly dedicated Fort Bragg Career Resource Center which, in partnership with Columbia Southern Education Group, serves as an employment, skills-focused facility and connects service members who are transitioning off active duty with companies who can provide training and employment. The TCC combines state-of-the-art virtual reality technology with hands-on support to help veterans and their spouses throughout the human resources process, from resume assistance and simulated interviewing practice to speaking with leaders of various departments to learn about the many opportunities within the company. CVS Health will be one of approximately 20 companies with training centers within the Career Resource Center.

“By 2020 the health care industry will need a projected 5.6 million highly-skilled workers, like our veterans, necessary to compete and grow and there is no reason why we can’t ‘connect’ the two,” said Lisa Bisaccia, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, CVS Health. “The Talent Connect Center is designed to expertly walk veterans through the expanded opportunities at CVS Health, which extend past retail and into distribution, IT and nursing, providing a gateway into high-demand, good paying fields.”

Equipped with video conferencing technology to serve and reach military and CVS Health personnel beyond Fort Bragg, the TCC will offer training in the Army Career Skills Program (ACSP) for management, retail and logistics. The ACSP allows active duty soldiers within 180 days from separation from the military to train in an interested career field.

CVS Health has established a long history of recruiting, hiring, training and retaining veterans to build a pipeline of workforce talent. Since 2015, the company has hired almost 8,000 people with military experience and more than 2,300 military spouses.

Leo Trimble, who served in the U.S. Army for 21 years as a Signal Support Technician, said CVS Health took steps to ease his transition when he applied for a job at the end of his service.

“When I first made the decision to leave the military, I was all over the place on what to do next,” said Trimble, now a Field Support Technician for CVS Health. “I was drawn to CVS Health because they helped me to identify IT opportunities that allowed me to continue to do what I love. I wouldn’t change where I am today for anything.”

On average, enlisted service members have been leaving the U.S. military at a rate of roughly 200,000 each year, and the U.S. Department of Defense estimates the rate will remain high through 2019.

“As a new generation of service men and women come home, we owe them every opportunity to live the American Dream that they helped to defend,” said David Casey, VP, Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer, CVS Health who also served as a U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant in Operation Desert Storm. “The Talent Connect Center is dedicated to helping to make the transition process easier for veterans through in-person and virtual skill-building, training and mentoring, and to create an environment that values diversity, leadership and working collaboratively.”

CVS Health supports our nation’s military in many ways. Through a partnership between MinuteClinic, the company’s retail medical clinic, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans in Phoenix, AZ are able to access high quality care and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries at the walk-in clinic. The Company also provides charitable support to military and veteran-focused organizations, including the National Guard, Fisher House, Operation Homefront, Operation Military Embrace, Operation Reinvent, ThanksUSA and the USO. CVS Health’s colleague resource group – Valor – is comprised of over 500 colleagues with a passion to serve those who have served our country.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its nearly 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contacts:
Joe Goode, CVS Health
(401) 770-9820; [email protected]

Fort Bragg Public Affairs Office
(910) 396-2920

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SOURCE CVS Health

BLACK ENTERPRISE Publishes Rankings Of The Nation’s Largest Black-Owned Businesses

July 19, 2017

NEW YORK, July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —BLACK ENTERPRISE marks 45 years of listing America’s largest black companies with the publication’s May/June 2017 issue of the BE 100s, universally recognized as the most authoritative analysis and annual ranking of the nation’s top grossing black-owned companies. The BE 100s ranks America’s largest black-owned companies, including automobile dealers, banks, asset managers, investment banks, and private equity firms.

In our 45th Annual Report on Black Business under the theme, “Evolution,” our editors found scores of BE 100 CEOs who have remodeled their companies for opportunity and expansion. In fact, scalability has been the foundation of growth for the billion-dollar revenue leaders—technology integrator World Wide Technology Inc. with $9.3 billion in revenues and workforce solution juggernaut ACT-1, which generated over $2 billion in revenues.

When BLACK ENTERPRISE first compiled its “Top 100” in 1973, combined sales for the 100 component companies totaled $473 million. Results of the 2017 report show that the Top 100 collectively grossed more than $27 billion in 2016, a $3 billion increase in revenue over the previous year.

In addition to the BE 100s listings, the package also features profiles of the chief executives of the 2017 BLACK ENTERPRISE Companies of the Year:

Company of the Year: Powers & Sons Construction Co. Inc., Gary, IN; CEO, Mamon Powers Jr.

Auto Dealer of the Year: National Automotive Management L.L.C., Hamilton, NJ; CEO, Jessie Armstead.

Financial Company of the Year: CastleOak Securities, New York, NY; CEO, David R Jones.

“The BE 100s—the nation’s largest black businesses—continue to be the standard bearers for all American enterprises, demonstrating that sustained business growth comes when ideation and innovation is wedded to execution and excellence,” says BLACK ENTERPRISE Senior SVP/Chief Content Officer Derek T. Dingle. “As such, most exhibit elasticity, capability, technological adaptability and branding power in a seesaw economic recovery and hyper-competitive business environment.”

In developing the rankings for 2017, BE Research collected surveys from hundreds of companies as well as information from government agencies, professional organizations, industry associations, business information services, entrepreneurs, and corporations. The information included total revenues for calendar year 2016; a detailed description of business activities; historical ownership data; and confirmation that the entity is at least 51% black-owned, or that blacks own at least 51% of the controlling shares if the company is publicly traded. The May/June 2017 issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE—complete BE 100s rankings, full eligibility criteria, and company overviews -—is on newsstands today.

Also included in the issue is BE‘s listing of the 50 Top Companies for Supplier Diversity. The companies singled out represent the leaders in procurement spending and partnership with minority firms. The complete report, including methodology and selection criteria, is available in the May/June 2017 issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine.

BLACK ENTERPRISE is also marking the 45^th anniversary of the BE 100s by socializing some of the most exciting moments with the hashtag #45DaysofBE100s.

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate source for wealth creation, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides 6 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, BLACK ENTERPRISE produces television programming, business and lifestyle events, web content and digital media. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, and the authority on black business news and trends.

SOURCE BLACK ENTERPRISE

¡Vive Tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving!® Brings Needed Services and Day of Family Fun to Los Lunas

July 19, 2017

LOS LUNAS, New Mexico, July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On Saturday, July 29, 2017, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the Youth Development Inc. present the 11th Annual ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!^® event in Valencia County. The event promotes physical activity and good nutrition among Hispanic families for better health and wellness for people of all ages and sizes.

“For eleven years ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!, has provided nutrition education, free health screenings and wellness activities to communities across the nation,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group. “We are grateful and proud of the work and energy of all our partners and hundreds of volunteers that make these events such a success and celebration of family, culture, and health.”

“We believe in promoting wellness in our communities. Our ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!^® event emphasizes healthy eating, fun ways for families to exercise, and access to a whole host of health screenings and information. We invite one and all to come and enjoy a festive event for the entire family,” said Dr. Diego Gallegos, President and CEO of YDI.

What: ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving!^® event featuring —

Health Screenings: Blood pressure, glucose, mammograms, and STD testing
Fitness & Family Fun: Live music, cake walk, potato sack races, prizes and giveaways
Nutrition: Fresh fruits and healthy snacks, along with educational resources
Back to School Activity: 400 backpacks with school supplies will be given away at the event
Job Interview Preparation for High School Students

Where: Daniel Fernandez Memorial Park, 1103 Hwy 314, Los Lunas, NM 87031
When: Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: FREE!

“The National Alliance for Hispanic Health has a longstanding commitment to help create healthier communities. We are proud to contribute to their efforts through our continuing support of ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! events,” said Robert Forrester, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. The Foundation is marking its 8^th year as a national sponsor of the ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event series.

The events are also supported nationally by the Healthy Americas Foundation. This is the 11^th anniversary of the ¡Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event series that in its first decade has been attended by over 175,000 people and provided over 85,000 free health screenings.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance) – The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted non-partisan advocate for the best health outcomes for all. The Alliance represents thousands of Hispanic health providers across the nation providing services to more than 15 million each year. For more information, visit http://www.healthyamericas.org or call the Alliance’s Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at 1-866-783-2645.

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

PACO Collective Celebrates Big Wins With Crain’s Chicago Business And The 38th Annual Telly Awards Competition

July 19, 2017

CHICAGO, July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Crain’s Chicago Business recognizes Cross-Cultural Marketing Agency PACO Collective (PACO) as one of the “Fast 50” in Chicago. This comes just weeks after receiving high honors as part of the 38th Annual Telly Awards competition.

Crain’s “Fast 50” reflects a list of the best and most innovative companies in the Chicagoland area. Businesses that reported sky-high revenue growth as defined by their winning strategies were awarded with this distinction. Crain’s annual Fast 50 is a reliable yearly snapshot of the economy’s growth sectors.

“Since our inception 11 years ago, PACO has grown to almost 50 employees, all of who are here to give insight to create ads that resonate with our changing audience,” said Ozzie Godinez, CEO and co-founder of PACO Collective. “Using our own propriety research and the input of our diverse team, PACO has created stories with universal themes that reach various demographics, all of which contribute to our placing in Crain’s Fast 50 in Chicago; we are proud to be recognized as one of Chicago’s fastest growing businesses.”

PACO’S ranking of #28 follows a particular busy award season. Just weeks prior, PACO Collective (PACO) announced that it received 11 awards as part of the 38th Annual Telly Awards competition. The awards are for creative elements related to various advertising campaigns created for two of the agency’s largest clients. PACO’s efforts were recognized in numerous categories including: Use of Music, Cause Marketing, Fundraising, Business to Consumer, Social Responsibility, and Education.

Crain’s researchers vet hundreds of applicants before choosing the 50 honorees. They look at companies with $15 million or more in revenue as measured by their three-year annualized growth rate.

About PACO Collective
PACO Collective is an award-winning cross-cultural agency that empowers brands to transcend cultural boundaries in today’s “minority majority” market. PACO is committed to working with brands that want to embrace the changing dynamics of American life and are invested in creating meaningful connections with consumers through cultural messaging and insight. Based in Chicago, PACO is a full-service agency offering public relations, marketing, and digital and creative services.

Media Contact (PACO):
Jessica Ortiz
[email protected]
O: 312-226-7830
C: 312-550-0102

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SOURCE PACO Collective

First National Latino Group Pulls Convention From Texas, Boycotts State Due To SB4

July 19, 2017

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) announced today that it is pulling their 15^th Annual National Summit of State Legislators from Texas due to the anti-Latino, anti-rule of law bill enacted by the State known as SB4. The group was scheduled to hold their annual conclave in Houston in November but in the aftermath of SB4 it has decided to move their convention to Chicago instead. NHCSL thus becomes the first major national Latino organization to boycott the Lone Star State because of its strong opposition to the controversial law.

“Texas’ SB4 is a ‘show me your papers law’ on steroids. As Latino state legislators, we cannot in good conscience invest in a great state that nonetheless has chosen to scapegoat immigrants and minorities while making communities there less safe and turning innocent Latinos into targets,” NHCSL President and Pennsylvania State Representative Ángel Cruz said. “Contrary to popular belief, SB4 does not just eliminate state and local sanctuary policies, it criminalizes the speech of public officials who support such common-sense practices and subjects them to removal from office if they even speak out against laws like SB4. This should be unacceptable to anyone in 21^st Century America; and it certainly is for NHCSL,” Cruz concluded.

Texas State Representative Roberto Alonzo, said that: “SB4 undermines the rule of law and wastes limited resources on unnecessary racial profiling instead of fighting crime. This law encourages abuse by some law enforcement officials who will now have cart blanche to harass anyone, including US citizens, just for who they are and not for any crime they have committed. The statute is so extreme that a witness could be cooperating with the police to solve a crime and be handed over to ICE. I fought this bill on the Texas House floor, I have not introduced a bill to repeal it, and am proud that my fellow Latino state legislators from across the country have joined us in standing up for what’s right.”

SB4 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 7, 2017 and goes into effect on September 1st of this year. Among the most questionable provisions in the law, SB4 forbids cities, towns, counties, and universities from becoming or remaining sanctuary cities or sanctuary colleges for undocumented immigrants. The law also allows the Attorney General of Texas to request that the Texas State Court remove from office any elected or appointed official even for endorsing a sanctuary policy or enforcing one already in place. SB4 even subjects local law enforcement – and even campus police departments – to fines of up to $25,000 for merely refusing to ask individuals about their immigration status or reporting it.

“Chicago is exactly the type of city that welcomes immigrants, respects the rule of law, and protects communities by working together with all residents, regardless of their immigration status, to keep their neighborhoods safe. We are thrilled to be holding our annual summit in the Windy City and look forward to productive week while we’re there. Chicago is a model for other cities to emulate when it comes to the critical collaboration that needs to be nurtured between law enforcement and the communities they serve and that is why we chose this forward-thinking city for our annual Summit of Hispanic State Legislators,” NHCSL Executive Director Kenneth Romero-Cruz said.

Among the state organizations that opposed SB4 are: The Trust Coalition, the Texas Association of Business, the Association of Hispanic Evangelical Ministers, the police chiefs of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin along with the Sheriff’s Departments of Bexar County (San Antonio) and El Paso County, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Workers Defense Project, the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA), the Texas Association of Business, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, the University Leadership Initiative, the Texas NAACP, among several others.

The NHCSL is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 390 Hispanic legislators. For more information visit www.nhcsl.org.

SOURCE National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators

Kia Motors America Posts Largest Six-Month Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Sales Total In Company History

July 19, 2017

IRVINE, Calif., July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia Motors America’s combined Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle sales in April, May and June reached new heights with a best-ever quarterly total of 20,346 units, capping the best six-month CPO result in company history.

Autodata’s¹ June CPO retail sales report confirms that when it comes to pre-owned vehicles, Kia continues to outpace the industry with an overall 7.8-percent increase year-over-year.

“Kia is enjoying a terrific year for Certified Pre-owned vehicle sales. Kia has gained market share and is outperforming some of its big-name competitors. As its off-lease vehicles return to the market, Kia is in a strong position to maintain its momentum,” said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst for Cox Automotive’s Autotrader.

Administered by JM&A Group, Kia’s CPO program accepts only Kia vehicles that are five years or newer with fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer and every vehicle undergoes a meticulous 150-point Quality Assurance inspection by certified Kia technicians. CPO vehicles also come with a 10-year /100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty² and 12-month /12,000 mile-Platinum Coverage³. Whether it’s the midsize Optima sedan, iconic Soul or the Sorento SUV that drivers dream of, customers get a great price matched with superb quality, bypassing the stress, risk and uncertainty that typically comes with buying a previously owned vehicle.

About Kia Motors America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly built in West Point, Georgia.*

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About JM&A Group
JM&A Group, a leader in the F&I industry for 39 years, serves more than 3,800 automotive dealerships and retail outlets nationwide. The company provides a variety of products and services such as F&I training and consulting services, vehicle protection plans, used vehicle certification programs, pre-paid maintenance plans and GAP programs. JM&A Group is a division of JM Family Enterprises, Inc. headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Fla. JM Family is a diversified automotive corporation ranked No. 21 on Forbes‘ list of “America’s Largest Private Companies” and ranked on FORTUNE^®‘s 100 Best Companies to Work For^® list for the 19^th consecutive year. For more information about JM&A Group’s products and services, contact us at 1-800-553-7146 or visit us online at www.jmagroup.com.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts

¹ Autodata Corporation June 2017 Certified Pre-Owned Retail Sales

² The Kia CPO 10-year/100,000-mile limited warranty program begins on the original in-service date of vehicle and odometer mile “0.” The limited warranty program includes the remainder of roadside assistance, powertrain coverage and the New Vehicle Limited Warranty (Basic). See retailer for details or go to kia.com.

³ Platinum Coverage begins on the vehicle purchase date and odometer reading on purchase date. Platinum Coverage is limited; for exact coverages, exclusions and limitations, please review CPO contract or see retailer for details.

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SOURCE Kia Motors America

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