Posts tagged with "non-profit"

Vans × Wyland

New Vans x Wyland Limited Edition “Kraken” Sneakers Put Spotlight on a Healthier Ocean.

Vans has joined together with renowned marine life artist Wyland and the Wyland Foundation for their latest classic slip-on sneaker collaboration designed to inspire people everywhere about the beauty of the ocean. The shoes, affectionately nicknamed, “The Kraken,” are inspired by the artist’s stunning depiction of the ocean’s original master of disguise, the octopus.

Building on the artist’s playful aesthetic, the octopus appears to spread its tentacles and travel in silhouette from one shoe to the other. “The octopus is not only one of the most awe-inspiring animals in the ocean, it’s in many ways a designer’s dream with its fluid movements and endless ability to camouflage,” Wyland says. “It’s just one of the reasons why people love the ocean so much.” The new Vans x Wyland “Kraken” classic slip-on sneaker is made with cotton sourced from the Better Cotton Initiative which works to reduce the environmental impact of cotton production and improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas. Vans has sourced BCI cotton since 2014, with the goal of sourcing 100% sustainable cotton by 2025

All proceeds from the new collaboration directly support Wyland Foundation efforts for clean water and healthier oceans, including mobile science education for underserved students, after school marine art education, and numerous programs designed to reduce upstream pollution before it can impact the ocean. Wyland “Kraken” slip on sneakers retail for $110 each and are available for a limited time online exclusively at the Wyland Foundation store. To order, visit HERE.

About the Wyland Foundation

The Wyland Foundation, founded in 1993 by environmental artist Wyland, is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through community events, education programs, and public art projects.

For years, Wyland Foundation has rallied the support of mayors and cities nationwide to urge constituents to consider their environmental impact through its National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The group works on educating constituents about CO2 emitted from our homes and everyday habits. Thousands participate nationwide annually pledging to save billions of gallons of water.

JEWELS HERITAGE PROJECT

In celebration of Black History Month, 360 MAGAZINE will be accepting contributions on behalf of The Jewels Heritage Project, Inc. (JHP), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) entity.

The Mission

JHP intends to build a monument to commemorate and showcase an important part of African American history and culture: the beginning of Black Greek-Letter Organizations, also known as “The Divine Nine.” Specifically, the JHP will build a monument at the birthplace of Alpha Phi Alpha. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., was the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans. The monument will be located at 411 E. State Street, in upstate, Ithaca, New York.

African American Historical Sites

Once completed, this monument will join other national historic sites in central New York State as part of a freedom trailway dedicated to African American history and culture, including:

The Harriet Tubman Residence and the Harriett Tubman Home for the Elderly Residence, located at 182 South Street and 180 South Street, in Auburn, New York
The Birthplace of Alex Haley, the celebrated author, best known for his books: “Roots: The Saga of an American Family,” and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” who lived at 212 Cascadilla Street, Ithaca, New York
The St. James AME Zion Church, located at 116 Cleveland Avenue, Ithaca, New York, was built in 1833. St. James served as a station on the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves in route to Canada. Famous leaders of the Underground Railroad who visited St. James AME Zion Church include Harriett Tubman and Frederick Douglass.

Alpha Phi Alpha in History

On December 4, 1906, seven African American men attending Cornell University met at 411 E. State Street, in Ithaca, New York, and established Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, to support each other and provide service to, and uplift, the African American community. Following in the footsteps of Alpha Phi Alpha, eight other Black Greek-letter Fraternities and Sororities were founded upon similar principles of service to the African American community. Together, the nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations came together to form the National Pan-Hellenic Council or the Divine Nine.

Alpha Phi Alpha was a leader in establishing voter rights and civil rights for African Americans in the United States. For example, the Fraternity was an early leader in the voting rights struggle for African Americans and founded the national campaign, “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” to register Black voters. Moreover, in 1919, the Fraternity pioneered the campaign, “Go-to-High School, Go-to-College.” Further, Alpha Phi Alpha played a central role—in providing funding, legal expertise, and public relations—in many landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases that ultimately eradicated racial segregation.

Members of Alpha Phi Alpha have been leaders in the community and occupy prominent roles in American and African American history and culture. They include: W.E.B. DuBois, Jesse Owens, Duke Ellington, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Paul Robeson, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Senator Edward Brooke, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Joseph Lowery (featured on cover), Justice Thurgood Marshall, Comedian and Activist Dick Gregory, Coach Eddie Robinson, Ambassador Andrew Young, Professor Cornel West, Singer/Songwriter Lionel Richie, and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock. Reverend Joseph E. Lowery, the dean of the Civil Rights Movement, delivered the benediction for President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

About the Monument

The JHP will build a monument in central New York State, in Ithaca, New York, at the birthplace of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. We intend to build the monument in two years at an estimated total cost of $4 million. The monument will include a giant wall resembling the front façade of the original residence at 411 E. State Street. In addition, the monument will feature a series of walls that will narrate the historical significance of historic site. See a picture of the proposed design of the monument below.

How You Can Help

To donate to build this monument and showcase a part of African American history and culture, visit our website at www.jewelsproject.org or you may donate by using the QR code below:

Listen to JHP Chairman + Architect on 360 MAG podcast HERE.

Donate to JHP

#JewelHeritageProject

Marine Toys for Tots 75th Anniversary

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program

Celebrates 75 Years of Providing Hope to Children in Need!

Marine Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s premiere Community Action Program, announces its 75^th Anniversary of supporting children in need across the Nation and the kick-off of the Program’s 2022 holiday campaign.

U.S. Marines and volunteers will be conducting over 830 local toy collection and distribution campaigns in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands. This year, Toys for Tots will highlight our extraordinary Reserve Marines, past and present, as well as showcase the incredible effort from communities across the Nation that has enabled Toys for Tots to support over 281 million less fortunate children.

Who: U.S. Marines and 55,000 volunteers, millions of local supporters, hundreds of corporate partners of Toys for Tots.

What: Marines and volunteers engaging with local businesses, media and individuals within their communities collecting new, unwrapped toys and distributing those gifts to less fortunate children allowing them to experience the joy of Christmas or any celebrated holiday.

When: November 1, 2022 – December 25, 2022

Where: Toys for Tots is conducting more than 830 local campaigns in communities throughout the U.S. Find a local TFT campaign near you by visiting our website at www.toysfortots.org.

Why: Across the Nation, 1 in 6 million children are living in poverty. The mission of Marine Toys for Tots is to bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children with the goal of delivering a message of hope that will inspire youngsters to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Now, in Toys for Tots’ 75^th year, we are asking our supporters to make this important milestone another record-breaking year. It is our goal to deliver the magic of the holidays to every family seeking holiday help from Toys for Tots.

The idea of the Marine Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 at the helm of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks. Major Hendricks’ wife, Diane, was the inspiration behind the Program after she asked Major Hendricks to deliver some handcrafted dolls to an agency that supported children in need. When Major Hendricks reported back to his wife that he could not find an agency for the handcrafted dolls, Diane encouraged her husband to “start one”!

The Marine Toys for Tots Program began as just one campaign in 1947 with Major Hendricks and the Marines in his Reserve unit collecting over 5,000 toys and delivering them to children in need in the Los Angeles area. The following year, under the direction of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Clifton B. Cates, every Marine Corps Reserve unit implemented a Toys for Tots campaign—which transformed Toys for Tots into a National Community Action Program.

In recent years, Marine Toys for Tots has distributed millions of educational toys, books, games, and sporting equipment to children in need during the spring and summer months. These children and their families were facing adversity and exceptional circumstances including pandemic related challenges, natural disaster recovery, and other extenuating events. “Toys for Tots is more than a Christmas charity—that is why we wanted to DoGoodNOW and continue to expand our partnerships with other non-profit partners,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “With the assistance of various non-profit organizations throughout the country, Toys for Tots has the ability to extend our reach and provide support to families who are facing tremendous year-round challenges.”

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program has also expanded since its inception in 2008 by providing books to non-profits to distribute books to Title I funded schools across the Nation. Over 47 million books have been distributed, and with each and every book provided, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program hopes to break the cycle of poverty. Another Program that has allowed Toys for Tots to reach even more children in need is the Toys for Tots Native American Program. Each year, 180,000+ Native American children living on remote Reservations across the United States receive toys and books leaving a positive impact and assisting in the development of these children.

As our Nation has faced the many challenges and national crises over the past 75 year, the American public has never let Toys for Tots down. Our Marines and volunteers have been able to support millions of children in need year after year. Marine Toys for Tots had a record-breaking year in 2021 and distributed an unprecedented 22.4 million toys to 8.7 million underprivileged children.

Since Marine Toys for Tots Program’s inception in 1947 with a single hand-crafted doll, we have distributed 627 million toys to over 281 million children in need over seven decades. We’ve adapted and overcome many challenges, but always accomplished the mission.

Today’s children are tomorrow’s future, and Marine Toys for Tots is dedicated to ensuring it’s as bright as possible for children living in challenging circumstances. Because of the support we have received over the last seven decades from the American public, our wonderful Corporate Sponsors, and our dedicated local Coordinators and volunteers – we are 75 years strong! Now, in our 75^th year, the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program also provides support year-round to families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus fulfilling the hopes and dreams of millions of children in need Nationwide at Christmastime – and beyond. Help Marine Toys for Tots fulfill the Christmas Holiday dreams of millions of impoverished children who otherwise may be forgotten, after all – every child deserves a little Christmas.

About Marine Toys for Tots

Marine Toys for Tots, a 75-year National charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness, and hope to children in need. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 8.7 million less fortunate children in over 830 communities Nationwide. Since 1947, over 281 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

DOLCE&GABBANA POINT SCHOLARSHIP

DOLCE&GABBANA ANNOUNCES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW SCHOLARSHIP

Applications for the Scholarship opens on October 26th 2022, and can be accessed HERE.

Continuing in its commitment to support young talents and promote their education, Dolce&Gabbana, on the occasion of International Coming Out Day 2022, announces the establishment of the “Dolce&Gabbana Point Scholarship.”

Dolce&Gabbana will collaborate with Point Foundation – the largest LGBTQ+ scholarship granting organization in the US that aims to empower promising students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – by sponsoring a four-year scholarship in fashion or related fields in an accredited college or university in the US.

The recipient will be announced in June 2023 and the Scholarship will start in September 2023, for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The establishment of the “Dolce&Gabbana Point Scholarship” follows the brand’s longstanding support of educational initiatives including collaborations with Humanitas University in Milan, Italy, which supports selected MedTech students, an innovative degree program in Medicine.

Susan G. Komen Partner Proceeds

Each year, Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, gathers products and services from its partners during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to continue our commitment to help fund research and care services that support people living with breast cancer. Proceeds from these products support individuals living with breast cancer through their diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.

GT + Komen Echelon® GT+ Connect Bike — Susan G. Komen Edition
$899.99

The Echelon GT+ Connect Bike – Susan G. Komen Edition incorporates the historic color of breast cancer awareness. With a padded comfort seat, ergonomic bullhorn handlebars, and 32 resistances levels, the GT+ delivers an impactful workout experience while supporting a great cause. Pair with the Echelon membership for live and on-demand cycling classes led by motivating instructors and compete on the Leaderboard with members from around the world. A portion of every Echelon bike sale will be donated to Susan G. Komen!

Echelon x Komen Metal Water Bottle
$14.99

The Echelon x Komen stylish metal water bottle will keep your drink hot or cold, whether working out or on the go.

Echelon x Komen 2lb. Dumbbells
$19.99
These dumbbells feature an easy-grip neoprene coating, which helps ensure a secure hold during use. The rubber-like coating also helps protect floors and allows the weights to be used both indoors and out.

Echelon x Komen Exercise Mat
$19.99

Enjoy the perfect balance of comfort and a supportive surface while you work out on our moisture resistance exercise mat.

National Tree Company 4ft. Tinsel Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree

$29.99

Featuring hundreds of individually crafted branch tips to create full bodied branches, this tree is designed to look and feel lifelike. Features 70 white lights that remain lit even when a bulb goes out. The lights are strung on the tree before packaging, offering an easier, more convenient set up.

Natura Bissé Nourishing Natural Balm

$54.00

Made from 100% ingredients of natural origins, this balm deeply moisturizes your skin helping to promote its suppleness, softness, and beauty. Formulated with mango and shea butters, vitamins and antioxidants, it visibly improves the appearance of rough, dry or scaly skin and contributes to provide an incredible feeling of well-being.

Mohawk Flooring SmartCushion™

Pricing Varies

Get the softest step possible by adding SmartCushion^TM to your carpet purchase. Mohawk’s exclusively engineered carpet cushion enhances the feel and performance of your carpet and adds 20 years to your warranty. Mohawk manufactures both carpet and cushion, so you can be sure you’ll get a perfect match for your new Mohawk carpet while supporting a great cause.

Wacoal Bras with a Cause

Pricing Varies

From October 23, 2022 through October 29, 2022, Wacoal will conduct its 2022 Wacoal Bras with a Cause promotion and will donate a portion of sales to Komen for every regularly-priced Wacoal bra and b.tempt’d bra sold online.

The Kent Bicycles 26″ Women’s Susan G. Komen Floral Cruiser Bike

$248.00

The Kent Bicycles 26″ Floral Cruiser has a sturdy step-thru steel frame for easy on and off. It’s perfect for the boardwalk or a neighborhood adventure and with seven speeds, you won’t get stuck pushing it up hills. Front and rear alloy linear pull-brakes make stopping easy.

GT + Komen Echelon® GT+ Connect Bike — Susan G. Komen Edition
$899.99

NFT-VIP RECAP

After two jam-packed days, NFT-VIP proved to be a major success. Thanks to its close-knit team of organizers, professionals, involved in press groups and discussions about the impact an NFT, many had an enjoyable experience.

Below are some of our intimate conversations with some of the speakers as well as participants at NFT-VIP.

Warren Buffett's Nicole Buffett is interviewed by Joseph Lowery's grandson Vaughn Lowery of 360 Magazine at the NFT-VIP series in nyc

Listen to ‘NFTs for Impact’ on 360 MAG Podcast HERE.

360’s Vaughn Lowery had an impromptu dialogue with a list of enthusiastic humanitarians: Jesse Dylan, Co-founder of Snowcrash; Sarah Porter, Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Hope for Haiti; Fabiola Coupet, Since Eve Collective; Nicole Buffett, NFT Artist; Morgan Carroll, Field Marketing Manager for The Giving Block; and Daphne Darbouze, Since Eve Collective.

Listen to Darryl Scipio on 360 MAG Podcast HERE.

Darryl Oliver Scipio is a graduate of Rutgers University and Rutgers Law School.
He began his professional career in the dot-com industry and then onto finance news, launching CNN Money.

After law school, he organized the Racial Justice Program at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
(ACLU).

Today, Darryl is a proud father to twins and happily married to his beautiful wife Erika. Over the past few years, he established the Newark Chess Club — a youth advisership platform which teaches life skills for future milestones by applying the game’s rulesets. Lastly, he helms a boutique real estate and contracts law firm Downtown Newark.

picture of Adam Anderson via Adam Anderson for use by 360 Magazine

Listen to Adam Anderson on 360 MAG Podcast HERE.

Adam Anderson, the author of Fire Yourself, the Entrepreneurial Endgame and co-host of the Two Stones, One Bird podcast, is a cyber security and space entrepreneur who has been the advisor, founder and/or primary investor in over 30 startups.

As a cybersecurity venture, Adam is responsible for the cyber economy by reporting cybercrime and researching companies to ensure they are trustworthy.

He is also a venture capital walking alongside startups from the beginning stage of the business to the final launch and production. He is now serving as the Chair of the Board for Hook Security and as Managing General Partner for Ansuz Capital.

Listen to Wayne Scot Lukas on 360 MAG Podcast HERE.

Wayne Scot Lukas is a former celebrity wardrobe stylist for Janet Jackson as well as TLC’s co-host of the makeover reality series, What Not to Wear. As of late, he dropped by 360 Magazine’s kiosk during NFT-VIP in NYC to chop it up with Vaughn Lowery about Nipplegate, Janet’s b-day bash and Teyana Taylor.

Listen to Carrie Taylor on 360 MAG Podcast HERE.

Ms. NFTy, also known as Carrie Taylor, is an Asian American who attended the Harvard Business School for Disruptive Marketing. As an NFT architect, she wants to continue to create a space for underprivileged young people to learn about cryptocurrency with unique digital identifiers. Last week, she served as a keynote speaker at the NFT-VIP and NFT.NYC.

Official NFT-VIP Press Release HERE.

Listen to CEO Julie Lamb of NFT-VIP HERE.

Listen to JDM Labs’ co-founder/software developer Mikee Trompeta HERE.

H&M Foundation Award

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H&M Foundation awards 5 innovations a total €1 million grant for their efforts to make the fashion industry planet positive.

A laundry solution that prolongs garments’ life, AI helping smallholder cotton farmers to increase yield and income, an invention realising the circular recycling of elastane and polyester blends, carbon-negative viscose made from CO2 emissions and regenerative agriculture making planet positive alternative to goose down – these are the five Global Change Award winners 2022, sharing a €1 million grant from the non-profit H&M Foundation.

The H&M Foundation launched the Global Change Award in 2015 to transform fashion and make it planet positive, in order for the industry to fulfil the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. That means finding and supporting disruptive innovations that address one or several of the earth’s global commons – land, water, oceans, climate and biodiversity. As the aim is to find innovations that allow major change for the entire industry the winners are free to collaborate with any actor they want.

“The winners of the Global Change Award hold the key to the complex challenges we are facing and prove that it’s possible to reinvent fashion. Their game-changing innovations are really inspiring and can help transform the fashion industry into a planet positive one” says Karl-Johan Persson, board member of H&M Foundation and Chairman of H&M Group.

The response from applicants was overwhelming and made it clear that there is no shortage of disruptive innovations out there. The momentum to transform the fashion industry into a planet positive one, to protect our planet and improve people’s living conditions has never been stronger. This year’s winners are:

BioPuff® by saltyco (UK) – A planet positive alternative to goose down, crafted from plants that heal damaged land.

BIORESTORE (Sweden) – A laundry solution that restores old and worn garments to mint condition.

CottonAce by Wadhwani AI (India) – An AI solution that reduces pesticide use, increases yield and raises incomes for smallholder cotton farmers.

Re:lastane (China) – The first mild process making elastane and polyester blend fabrics recyclable.

Rubi (US) – Planet positive viscose and lyocell made from carbon emissions.

In addition to the financial grant, all five winners also get access to the one-year GCA Impact Accelerator programme provided by H&M Foundation in partnership with Accenture, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and The Mills, offering the winners invaluable coaching and support, along with a strong network and memories for life. The GCA Impact Accelerator aims to help the winning ideas scale at speed through business, technology, investor and innovation readiness, and industry access. It also offers winners a mix of inspiring digital sessions and meetups at key locations.

The Global Change Award was initiated in 2015 by non-profit H&M Foundation to transform fashion and make it planet positive. By catalysing early-stage innovations that can accelerate this shift, the aim is safeguard humanity and our planet. Planet positive fashion means that every garment made needs to have a positive impact on earth’s shared resources – it’s global commons: land, water, oceans, biodiversity and climate.

Each year, five winners share a 1 million euro grant and get access to the yearlong GCA Impact Accelerator provided by the H&M Foundation in collaboration with Accenture, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and The Mills Fabrica. Neither H&M Foundation nor H&M Group take any equity or intellectual property rights in the innovations, as the aim is to find innovations that allow major change for the entire industry.

The H&M Foundation is privately funded by the Stefan Persson family, founders and main owners of H&M Group. Its overall aim is to accelerate the progress needed to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

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L.A. Tourism × OBEY × House Industries

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Bouncing back from the prolonging COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles Tourism announced their brand-new partnership with OBEY Clothing and House Industries on an exclusive, limited-time-only collection that captures the SoCal essence enthralled by the city of Los Angeles.

The collection dropped on February 11 and sports Los Angeles Tourism’s latest logo with a set of three other designs on a selection of tees and sweatshirts. Los Angeles Tourism, OBEY Clothing and House Industries have pledged to contribute all funds from the project to The Midnight Mission, a non-profit that aims to fight the problem of homelessness in L.A.

The energy that encapsulates the city of L.A. is like no other, often chased throughout differing locations across the nation. The distinctive cities that encompass the area are rich in culture, experience and opportunity, entailing everything that L.A. is notorious for.

For this upcoming collection, the collaboration sees this celebration of four differing locations in the L.A. area. Designs range from the price points of $34 – $77, honoring the distinguished cities of Venice, Griffith Park, Echo Park and the city of Los Angeles in total.

The collection is available for purchase at obeyclothing.com NOW!

Don Skeoch, Chief Marketing Officer for Los Angeles Tourism spoke to the new collection, stating, “When we launched our new brand identity, we received so many awesome messages from fans who wanted to see it on a shirt they could buy. We’re thrilled to partner with House Industries and hometown-based OBEY Clothing to create a special LA-themed line that also contributes to the higher good. It was important to us that 100% of Los Angeles Tourism’s proceeds go towards a cause so critical in Los Angeles –homelessness.”

CEO of OBEY Clothing, Steve Ternosky, expressed the excitement behind the collaboration, stating, “It’s exciting to get to work on a project based on your own backyard and the icing on the cake is getting to work on it with your friends. In this case, having the opportunity to represent the city we love and co-design a collection with House Industries, of which we have so much respect and history, is a perfect scenario for us. We would like to thank Los Angeles Tourism for solidifying the opportunity and their generosity to ensure the project gives back to the community in its support of The Midnight Mission.”

Andy Cruz with House Industries elaborated on the power of the collection, stating, “The fact that our artwork can help support people that are struggling makes the L.A. Tourism/HOUSE/OBEY collaboration even more impactful than just designing a defining logo for an iconic city.”

G. Michael Arnold, President and CEO of The Midnight Mission, detailed what the profits would be supporting, stating, “The Midnight Mission is delighted to be a beneficiary of this limited-edition capsule collection. Our goal is to restore people to self-sufficiency and combat the issues surrounding homelessness, and the proceeds from this project will help us provide individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a secure place to sleep and three nutritious meals a day.”

To find out more, visit @discoverla on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. If you plan on visiting soon, travel carefully and adhere to guidance from Los Angeles County Public Health.

L.A. Tourism/HOUSE/OBEY press image via Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board for use by 360 MAGAZINE

Jennifer Hudson Headlines InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball

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Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami raised an excess of $2.7 million net expenses at the annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball. This year’s InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball was held on Saturday, November 6, headlined by singer and actress Jennifer Hudson at InterContinental® Miami. Jennifer Hudson performed a captivating concert for the Ball guests where actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar returned as celebrity emcee of the Ball.

The theme of the annual Ball was “Galactica,” prompted by pop culture, vintage sci-fi films and space science. The “Galactica” theme led to some very innovative and inventive analyses on the Ball’s “white carpet.” The trio known as the “Three Amigos,” including Shareef Malnik, Glenn Sampert and Norman Wedderburn, welcomed guests to the 26th annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball.

All assets raised from the Ball benefitted Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida is a non-profit organization that grants life-transforming wishes for critically ill children.

The Ball’s space theme was theorized by the Ball’s Creative Direction Maxwell Blandford. InterContinental® Miami was creatively transformed by DECO Productions into a “galactic wonderland.” The space was attributed to retro space movies “Barbarella,” “Forbidden Planet” and “The Green Slime.”

Ball guests dined on a space-themed menu curated by Chef Jhonnatan Contreras. During the dinner, “Wish Kid” Jacob Schwartz was recognized. Jacob is a critically ill six-year-old that was diagnosed with high-grade osteosarcoma. His wish was to enjoy the ocean and was realized when his family traveled to Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, courtesy of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. Jacob’s mother, Helen Schwartz, spoke at the ball. She thanked the charity for granting her son’s wish that led to an unforgettable, stressless opportunity for him to just enjoy being a kid again. Gala Chair Shareef Malnik dedicated the Ball to Jacob.

Gabrielle Anwar, actress, filmmaker and Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida Ambassador, returned for her 10th year as a celebrity emcee to host her signature Wishes live auction. The auction showcased “nine out-of-this world experiences and one-of-a-kind items.”

Presented by the Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation, the Ball’s entertainer Jennifer Hudson performed a 45-minute set of fan favorites. Jennifer Hudson gave performances of “Natural Woman” and “Respect,” the title song from the Aretha Franklin biopic that she stars in. All guests received VIP gift bags that consisted of a coffee table book by artist Romero Britto, a custom star-shaped donut from The Salty and a $100 gift certificate from Alto car service.

The InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub presented by E11EVEN MIAMI was the official after-party, held following the Ball at InterContinental® Miami. The after-party was headlined by Ja Rule who also performed live. DJ Affect “set the tone for the evening,” highlighting a runway show that showcased looks by House of Skye. House of Skye is a global luxury fashion house by Skye Drynan. 42 custom designs strolled down the runway. The models wore “sky-high bling ponytails and alien-esque high twists coifed by in-kind donor Danny Jelaca of Danny Jelaca Hair.” Makeup was created by Beauty For real and further eye candy was supplied by Forealism.

The Ball’s partner, founder and in-kind donor InterContinental® Miami has contributed those donations to Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, which has further allowed the organization to raise more than $32 million. These donations have resulted in over 6,300 wishes being granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions in the chapter’s area.

Lemonade Day – National Entrepreneurs’ Day

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The Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneurship Program is offering leaders, small business owners and teen entrepreneurs as resources for both the media and influencers regarding the topic of entrepreneurship and entrepreneur education. Lemonade Day has provided educational support to many other youthful, productive entrepreneurs and wishes to continue to spread entrepreneurial education through the country.

Lemonade day is a non-profit organization that aims to inform the youth about valuable business, financial and also character-building life skills that they describe as the “key ingredients of entrepreneurship.” Playing such a vital part in the educational and workforce ecosystem, the non-profit is in 84 licensed markets in the United States, Canada, Bermuda and six U.S. military bases. For more information, visit lemonadeday.org.

The following spokespersons are available for interviews and questions regarding National Entrepreneurs’ Day.

Nicole Cassier-Mason, Lemonade Day National CEO. She is based in Houston, TX.

Joe Daly, Lemonade Day National Board Chairman and Senior Partner at Gallup. He is based in Washington, D.C.

Brianna Garcia, 2021 National Youth Entrepreneur of the Year: Brianna, 9, of Harbor City, California, is the founder of Bri’s Frozen Lemonade and made a significant profit in her first year participating in Lemonade Day. She donated 80% of her profits to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro. Brianna plans on participating in the 2022 Lemonade Day and is excited to sell more flavors and variety of her product.

Erika and Diego Garcia, parents of Brianna

Heidi Butzine, President/CEO of Lomita Chamber of Commerce: Heidi brought Lemonade Day to Lomita and was a key player in its success. She helped more than 100 kids set up 37 stands in the small, diverse business community with a population of under 25,000.

Mark Waronek, Mayor of Lomita, California: Mark supported Heidi and the Chamber of Commerce in all things throughout the inaugural year of Lemonade Day Lomita. He personally visited close to 20 lemonade stands. He, his wife, and city council members collectively visited every lemonade stand in Lomita.

Mikaila Ulmer, Me and the Bees Founder: At only 4 years old, Mikaila launched her first lemonade business in Austin, TX. From that early experience she started Me and the Bees Lemonade which is now commercially available throughout the United States in thousands of stores. Her product is buzzing off the shelves of Whole Foods Market, The Fresh Market, World Market, H-E-B stores across Texas and Kroger stores in Houston. Learn more at, https://www.meandthebees.com.

Rohit and Sidharth Srinivasan, Trashbots Co-Founders: The two brothers participated in Lemonade Day at the age of 8 and 7 which is how they caught the “entrepreneurial bug” and learned the skills needed to build their own company before even graduating high school in Austin, TX. They were featured speakers at the executive briefing “Business Startup Challenges and Youth Entrepreneurship Opportunities” that was co-hosted by Gallup and Lemonade Day at Gallup World Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 2018. Learn more at, https://www.trashbots.co/about.

Katie Vonder Haar and Hailey Hertzman, Ooh La Lemon Founders: Starting when they were only 11 years old, Katie and Hailey from Louisville, Kentucky turned their successful lemonade stand into a multifaceted company marketed towards tween girls. They won the 2017 National Youth Entrepreneurs of the Year. The girls have spoken at national conferences and recently started the “Send a Smile” gifts and COVID care packages to help brighten up the day. Learn more at, https://oohlalemon.com.