Posts made in August 2020

Blacc Zacc – 803 Legend

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Blacc Zacc (South Coast Music Group/Interscope Records) solidifies his status as Columbia, South Carolina’s hometown hero with his soulful banger “803 Legend.” Directed by Camera Ricoo, Zacc’s lyrical agility and street swagger prove why he’s his family’s heartbeat. Gifting his loved ones a fistful of gifts such as cash and clothes, Zacc’s most significant victories come from seeing his people smile off his success. Watch HERE.

Zacc is coming off his booming single “Let’s Get It,” which exhibited why his steely bars remain pandemic proof. Since the release of his 11-track debut album Carolina Narcos, Blacc Zacc has emerged from the trenches with his trap-laden raps. Featuring his rap compatriots DaBaby, Moneybagg Yo, Yo Gotti, Stunna 4 Vegas, fans have gravitated towards Zacc’s street appeal. The album also boasts production by Young Kio, OG Parker, Romano, and more.

Hispanic Heritage Awards

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The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced today that the 33rd Hispanic Heritage Awards, presented by Target for the eight year, will be broadcast on October 6th on PBS stations and stream on PBS.org. The historic program, which was created by the White House in 1988 to commemorate the establishment of Hispanic Heritage Month in America, is among the highest honors by Latinos for Latinos and supported by 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions.

In keeping with current COVID-19 mitigation guidance and with the safety of participants in mind, the Hispanic Heritage Awards and PBS broadcast will not include a live ceremony but will feature more intimately filmed performances and Honoree segments filmed on location across the United States and Latin America.

“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is thrilled to once again partner with Target and PBS to collectively celebrate and share the great promise, accomplishments, and cultural pride of the Latino community through the 2020 Awardees and powerful performances during Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “More than ever, it’s important to shine the spotlight on the tremendous value Latinos provide this great country we all share, especially during this pandemic which has tragically impacted the Latino community and other communities of color at a higher rate.”

The 2020 Honorees will be announced over the coming months followed by the performers, hosts, presenters and other sponsors (visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C92ZiK5MxAs).

“Target is excited to be the presenting sponsor of the Hispanic Heritage Awards for the eighth year in a row. We’re proud to be a part of a program that highlights the amazing accomplishments of the Latinx community and the lasting contributions it has had on our country and the world, especially those working on the frontlines during this pandemic,” said Laysha Ward, Target’s Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer. “We congratulate and thank all of this year’s honorees and we are inspired by their tireless commitment to service of others.”

“While it would have been great to come together in person, we are delighted to join the Hispanic Heritage Foundation in this virtual celebration of Latino Americans and their extraordinary contributions to our country,” said Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS. “Building on our longstanding commitment to diverse stories and storytellers, we look forward to sharing the Hispanic Heritage Awards with our viewers during the sixth broadcast on PBS.”

The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round, award-winning programs which inspire, prepare, and connect Latino leaders in the classroom, community, and workforce to meet America’s needs as well as promoting cultural pride. HHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.hispanicheritage.org.

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at nearly 1,900 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. For the latest store count or more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit Target.com/abullseyeview or follow @TargetNews on Twitter.

PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV— including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

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Slatt Zy – Drama

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17-year-old rising rapper Slatt Zy drops his new video and song Drama today. Listen and watch the video (directed by DrewFilmedIt) here.

The Chattanooga, TN, rapper has only been recording for nine months and has already amassed over 10 million streams on his own. His self-released debut mixtape Zy Story charted on Apple Music. Slatt Zy hails from a musical family (with 12 brothers and sisters) and prides himself as a rapper that can sing and freestyle with an incredible worth ethic. In less than a year, Slatt Zy has released not only Zy Story but over 10 music videos. With early support from WORLDSTARHIPHOP, SAY CHEESE!, LYRICAL LEMONADE, and ELEVATOR MAGAZINE, he’s well on his way to rap stardom turning his life struggles into art.

Slatt Zy delivers raw-unfiltered melodic street verses with southern swag. Despite his young age, Slatt Zy has experienced more than most. He makes his stance clear that he handles drama anyway he sees fit, rapping in the hook: First off, rest in peace to my brother and/I’m sorry to my momma/Out my top block hot like summer bitch/We strictly bout that drama/I can’t get this out my head/he want some smoke we leave him dead/Imma stand on ten fore i let them get me dead/I been steady city rollin on the top where we stay.

Kylie Jenner Appears on Vogue Hong Kong Cover

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By Elle Grant

In recent months, the metropole Hong Kong appears almost daily in news feeds: ongoing protests, clashes with Beijing, the impacts of the new security law, and more. This week, however, Hong Kong finds itself in the news with a less then predictable name: Kylie Jenner.

The 22-year-old makeup and reality television mogul graces Hong Kong Vogue’s self-titled “Action Issue.” She poses in cranberry latex with white hot nails with the text “Act Now” printed across her lap. While the imagery of the cover is elegant, many are calling into question the decision to have Jenner fronting the issue, citing the ongoing dynamics currently in Hong Kong. The cover reveal comes just two days after Hong Kong delays its election, in what many are calling an effort to support the growing pro-Beijing presence in the city and cripple pro-democracy candidates. Both revelations follow years of protests in favor of democracy, with heightened tensions over the last few months due to the coronavirus and a new national security law imposed at the end of June.

Vogue Hong Kong cites on Instagram: “At the age of just 22, her beauty brand #KylieCosmetics has achieved far reaching success, and she is also active in charitable causes including funding surgeries for children with cleft lips and palate through Smile Train” as its reasons behind making Jenner the cover star. Similarly, Jenner gushed about her excitement on her own Instagram, but made no reference to the current political situation in the region. The cover appears especially interesting in context of the September issue of Vogue U.K. which features 20 different activists photographed in black and white.

Diet Prada on Instagram, a notorious critic of the fashion community, writes “Y tho?” when questioning the “Kendall for Pepsi move.” The latter statement is in reference to Kylie’s older sister Kendall Jenner’s own brush with controversy. Severe backlash and accusations of political tone deafness followed her now infamous 2017 Pepsi ad. In the ad, Kendall Jenner hands a police officer a Pepsi at a protest, seemingly in reference to the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests.

Comments, especially on social media, have called out Jenner and Vogue Hong Kong for the decision. “$5 she doesn’t even know what’s going on in Hong Kong,” joked one Instagram user. Another argued for criticism to be steered away from Jenner and instead towards the magazine: “How about you actually put an activist on the cover that stands for the message you’re trying to portray?” Currently, neither Vogue Hong Kong nor Kylie Jenner have commented on the criticism.

See full issue here.

Michael Brun – Bayo Tour

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Michael Brun has been touring his critically acclaimed BAYO performances since the show’s inception on the streets of Haiti in 2016. Inspired by Haitian block parties, BAYO brought the energy and soul of these parties, as well as performances from numerous Haitian artists to sold-out venues across the US and Canada.

2020 would have been Bayo’s biggest year to date, but Coronavirus has halted touring around the world. Undeterred, Brun has sought out a pioneering new approach and model to touring during the Covid 19 crisis. This August, Brun will play three city specific Bayo shows which will give fans the unique sense of connection, intimacy and experience that we have all been missing in the absence of live touring. Brun will bring his BAYO Showcase to Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles August 14-15.

These Bayo concerts will be limited to ticket buyers located within 100 miles of each city. Brun will perform each show fully live with audiovisual technology creating a unique look and feel for each event, while also allowing fans to join in and be featured in the stream. Each show will feature exclusive footage from its respective cityscape, as well as past Bayo events and personal footage Michael shot in Haiti.

These digital performances grew out of Brun’s recent experimentations with his IG streams, which have featured guests like J Perry, Paul Beaubrun and international stars like J Balvin and Jojo. In keeping with the Bayo tradition and Michael’s IG streams, fans can expect surprise guests during the upcoming tour.

Brun has always sought to push boundaries in the music industry. He has served as YouTube Foundry artist, consultant to Spotify, and Beats1 Guest DJ with Apple Music as well performing non-profit work with APJ and The Audio Institute in Haiti. A collaboration with BACARDÍ has been in discussion since last year, and their contribution enabled Michael to create a show that he felt was strong enough to push forward this new model and allow him to continue championing music and artists from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora despite the limitations of social distancing.

Michael will perform each show from a fully built out production space, featuring state of the art audio visual technology, a full front of house lighting set-up and a multi-camera team. Tickets for each show will be available for sale on Tixr on August 1st at 10am PT starting at $4.99 and each event is 21+. Tixr innovated Bayo’s ticketing plus live-streaming solution, Tixr Play, powering a seamless purchase and viewing experience for fans. Limited edition merch offerings will be available in each city.

Produced in partnership with AWAL, EventCRU, New Epoch Software, Tixr, ToneDen

Follow Michael Brun: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Doug Disraeli, D.D.S. Engages Local Economy

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With the dental industry accounting for roughly two million jobs and contributing over $200 billion to the national economy annually, Doug Disraeli D.D.S. has proudly kept all seven staff members as part of the team throughout 2020, without interruption, while also complying with all new local, county, state, and federal guidelines.

As part of the Hillcrest, San Diego community for over 35 years, “Dr. D.,” as his patients affectionately call him, is among the practicing dentists estimated by the Journal of American Dental Association to positively impact his local economy.

Says Disraeli, “Our community is everything. I am deeply committed to San Diego where I’ve lived my whole life. I know that our community engagement is even more important now and I’m honored to be a small business that supports our local economy and community members.”

Since 2020 began, in addition to employing seven local team members, the office of Doug Disraeli D.D.S. regularly supports and collaborates with local businesses and contributed to four local Hillcrest, San Diego nonprofits related to LGBTQIA+, homelessness, COVID response and veterans.

ABOUT DR. DOUG DISRAELI: Dr. Disraeli is a general and cosmetic dentist with a degree from the University of Southern California, one of the top dental schools in the world. In practice for over 35 years, he participates throughout the United States in continuing education dentistry courses and is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the San Diego County Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Pacific Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists. Since 2008 and every year since, Dr. Disraeli has been awarded, “Top San Diego Dentist”, as voted by other dental professionals in San Diego County.

FOLLOW DR. DISRAELI: News

ABOUT DOUG DISRAELI, D.D.S. DENTAL PRACTICE: Offering cosmetic dentistry, implant, restorative and general dentistry throughout San Diego, Doug Disraeli, D.D.S. is committed to providing its patients with comfortable, efficient and comprehensive dental care. Procedures offered include teeth whitening, bonding, veneers, cosmetic fillings, removable partial dentures, extractions, periodontics. Doug Disraeli, D.D.S. is located in the Uptown San Diego, Hillcrest community at 3645 Fourth Avenue.

FOLLOW DR. DISRAELI, D.D.S. DENTAL PRACTICE: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Visit Rovaniemi × Sustainable Travel Finland

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The future of travel is in sustainability, and responsibility is the new luxury. Visit Rovaniemi is among the first to join Sustainable Travel Finland program, which was made possible on June 1, 2020 for companies and destinations to undergo in order to achieve a Sustainable Travel Finland label. The first companies have already been awarded with the label- the first labelled company in Rovaniemi being The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, one of the six Sustainable Travel Finland labels awarded to Lappish companies by Visit Finland.

Because of the crisis, the development of sustainable travel industry in Lapland, Finland has experienced a boost. Sanna Kärkkäinen, the managing director of Visit Rovaniemi states that this is the perfect time for everyone to take these steps towards sustainable tourism; “Sustainability and responsibility are the core values of tomorrows destinations, through our communication we, at Visit Rovaniemi, ensure that local companies making responsible and sustainable actions, will prosper in the future.”

Businesses can join the program free of charge

Visit Rovaniemi, with its partners, has taken the responsibility and sustainability seriously and now runs a Sustainable Travel Finland programme, helping the local tourism to develop more responsibly. Kärkkäinen encourages all local businesses to join this program free of charge. It provides companies and destinations with a sustainable development process including ecological, social, economic and cultural dimensions, a concrete toolkit to gain the Sustainable Travel Finland label, and access to a continuous development model.

By taking the local voices into account in the planning and offering locally produced services and products, Rovaniemi stands a chance of serving a variety of more sustainable experiences to travellers of the future.

Read the whole story about Sustainable Travel Finland here.

Keep up to date with Visit Rovaniemi here.

Caring for Our Caregivers

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Caring for Our Caregivers, an initiative launched in response to the real and rigorous toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on healthcare workers, is providing frontline heroes around the world with wellness and relaxation resources via apps preloaded onto donated tablets. Led by nonprofit organization Sufi Psychology Association (SPA), the initiative was developed in an immediate response and driven solely by donations, volunteers and good will, the initiative has resulted in 491 donated tablets and 16,300 headsets among 151 hospitals to 16,791 healthcare heroes across the globe to date, spanning four countries and 25 states in the U.S. Diligently working to expand their reach as the pandemic continues on, the SPA delivers tablets with a preloaded Sufi meditation and mental health app to doctors, nurses, therapists and other medical professionals internationally in an effort to offer frontline heroes the opportunity and resources to decompress and take care of themselves during an extremely challenging time. Sufism, which is based upon experiential learning and understanding, offers techniques for managing the long-term impacts and effects the pandemic has taken on many.

“As the COVID-19 crisis demanded healthcare workers take on unimaginable stress and sacrifice their mental health to keep us all safe, we knew that we must do something to mitigate the effects and make sure they were being taken care of, too,” said Saloumeh Bozorgzadeh, PsyD., President of Sufi Psychology Association. “Launching the Caring for Our Caregivers initiative has made a direct impact on the lives of many selfless medical professionals. The key to our program is that the sessions can be utilized on the user’s time, as we know daily schedules are anything but regular while the world fights this virus. Whether recipients utilize the technology before a shift or after a hard day’s work, we want to ensure they have the tools needed to unwind and recharge.”

From PTSD to exhaustion, burnout and trauma among healthcare workers has been on the rise long before quarantine fatigue. The need for access to these resources is crucial to prevent deterioration of mental health amongst healthcare industry workers, and Caring for Our Caregivers has many donations scheduled to continue on with their mission.

Launched in a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and led by Sufi Psychology Association, Caring for Our Caregivers delivers tablets preloaded with meditation, wellness and relaxation resources to healthcare workers via hospital deliveries around the globe. Driven solely by donations, volunteers and goodwill, they have donated 491 tablets and 16,246 headsets to 149 hospitals around the globe spanning four countries and 25 states in the U.S. to date.

Sufi Psychology Association (SPA) is a nonprofit organization based in California specializing in exercising the principles of Sufi Psychology of M.T.O Shahmaghsoudi®, a.k.a The Science of the Soul, in order to expand upon the current limitations of psychology, encompassing the entirety of the human being. SPA practices the principles of Sufism so that each individual may come to know his or her innermost self, far beyond thoughts, feelings and behaviors, reacquainting them with their true identity, the “I”. In identifying the “I”, one moves past the habitual patterns of behavior, repetitive thought process and emotional reactivity to discover harmony, balance and joy from within. The SPA reminds individuals that there is more to them than just their situations and circumstances. In addition to holding workshops and experiential conferences at universities throughout the school year, The SPA offers many other means of learning, including workshops, educational information at weekend retreats and Tamarkoz® classes for credit. Additionally, the SPA conducts research on Sufi Psychology, the practices of Sufism and publishes a semi-annual journal, Sufism: The Science of the Soul.

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Police Kill Mike Ramos

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By Eamonn Burke

New footage of the shooting of 42 year old Mike Ramos in Austin, Texas was released by the Austin Police Department last week. On April 24 of this year Ramos was shot after being cornered by police when a 911 was placed reporting two people (the other was his girlfriend) doing drugs in a car. Despite yelling that he was unarmed, which it was later proved he was, the police fired non-lethal bullets at Ramos. He then tried to flee the location in his car, but was shot and killed. His girlfriend survived the altercation.

Ramos became one of the names that was chanted in the streets of Austin during BLM protests over the death of George Floyd. There were demands for the termination of Austin Police Chief Brian Manley as well as calls for more systemic changes such as defunding the police in the city, which has a history of inequality and racism.

The new videos of the murder from four different body cameras do not show the shots that killed Ramos, but they can be heard. The video was reviewed by the District Attorney Margaret Moore, and the Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit alongside Texas Rangers are working to determine whether there will be charges against Officer Christopher Taylor, who fired the bullets that killed Ramos. The attorneys for Taylor say that the video is misleading and should not have been released to the public. “No judge has ever even ruled on whether or not evidence the government has released will even be admissible at trial” said attorney Doug McConnell.

Mike Ramos’ mother Brenda Ramos is devastated and believes that the killing was unjustified. “I’m going to be in pain for the rest of my life,” she says, and states that she is unable to watch the videos.

Murda Beatz × Kidrobot Figure Dropped

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GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum hip-hop producer Murda Beatz is known for producing beats for Drake, Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, and more, and now he’s producing his own limited edition figure with Kidrobot. Supporting this Loot Launcher is the only way to get this exclusive Murda Beatz x Kidrobot 8” figure!