Tag Archives: Washington D.C. Business

U.S. Mortgage Industry Launches ‘NOT OK? THAT’S OK’ Borrower Awareness Campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Today, an independent coalition of U.S. mortgage industry leaders launched the 'NOT OK? THAT'S OK' campaign to raise awareness among customers who have missed one or more mortgage payments in 2020 and may be eligible for forbearance assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Faith Schwartz, president of Housing Finance Strategies, spearheaded the industry effort.

Said Schwartz, "Sometimes customers don't call their mortgage company because they don't have the funds to make a payment. They just don't engage. Payment relief programs exist for almost all loan types where mortgage servicers may provide instant relief to struggling homeowners, but a discussion is needed."

The borrower awareness campaign supplements the significant existing outreach efforts undertaken by servicers, both on their own and as required by the GSEs, FHA, VA and the CFPB.

Pete Mills, senior vice president of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), said, "The goal is to expand our reach by creating more conversations in this space so customers know there are tools to help them."

Members of the MBA, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the American Bankers Association, and the Housing Policy Council played an integral role in the initiative's development and successful launch. In addition, housing counseling agencies such as Neighborworks America, the National Housing Resource Center and the National Housing Conference also participated.

The vast majority of loan servicers are expected to participate in the effort, uniting under the common purpose of leaving no COVID-19 impacted borrower behind.

The need for the outreach campaign was identified during meetings of the Mortgage Markets COVID-19 Collaborative, convened by the Urban Institute's Housing Finance Policy Center in March, 2020.

Urban Institute research found that more than three million mortgage borrowers are in active CARES Act forbearance programs today but that 400,000 delinquent borrowers not in forbearance, who qualified for the same forbearance programs, could be made aware of this assistance via a broad outreach campaign.

Alanna McCargo, vice president for the Housing Finance Policy Center noted that, "Providing data and evidence that allow practitioners to develop collaborative solutions to ensure sustainable homeownership and equity in response to the COVID-19 crisis just like the 'NOT OK? THAT'S OK,' campaign is exactly why we created the MMCC."

Schwartz, who led the 2008-2009 housing crisis-era HOPE NOW Alliance, summarized the effort, saying, "The message should be clear to COVID-19 impacted borrowers that your mortgage company has tools to help you if you are struggling - and consistent with the CARES Act, most of the programs provide streamlined access. Borrowers who may not be comfortable calling their mortgage company but want support should know that a HUD-certified housing counselor is just a call away."

To access 'NOT OK? THAT's OK' project materials, visit https://www.covidhelpforhome.org/. Industry partners can download images for use in emails, social media and other customer communications.

For more information about Housing Finance Strategies, visit: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

Today, an independent coalition of U.S. mortgage industry leaders launched the 'NOT OK? THAT'S OK' campaign to raise awareness among customers who have missed one or more mortgage payments in 2020 and may be eligible for forbearance assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Faith Schwartz, president of Housing Finance Strategies, spearheaded the industry effort.

Related link: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

Campaign Guru® Dr. Singh Releases New Website: Twitterism.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Dr. Singh, also known as the CampaignGuru®, has released a new website; WWW.TWITTERISM.COM which analyzes over 50,000+ of President Donald J. Trump's "social media voice" from his tweets in real-time using AI. The website provides the Tone in which the tweets are delivered.

Dr. Singh, who formerly founded ElectionMall.com, is available to debunk the popular mainstream media narratives that Donald Trump's tweets often come across as harsh or negative - and proves this via a quantitative scientific study.

In addition:

* Dr. Singh identifies himself as a conservative turban-wearing Ph.D. holding a Master's in Political Science, a Master of Science in Social Media, and one of the first in the academic world to achieve a Doctor of Philosophy degree specializing in social media and technology. http://www.ravisingh.com/mediakit

* Dr. Singh has already published a 450-page scientific research paper, for his dissertation from Ashford University, under the guidance, in part, of Dr. Sinan Aral, a professor in social media from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Sinan Aral sat on his Ph.D. Dissertation Committee. Dr. Aral is a world authority on social media and fake news. https://search.proquest.com/openview/30286d466b8904f5004ab2d895bcdab5/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

* Dr. Singh's new self-published book, "TWITTERISM: RAISE YOUR VOICE," will be available on Amazon in November 2020 with a foreword written by Professor. Anthony Edward Schiappa, an expert on communication and rhetoric from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://vimeo.com/295769011

* Dr. Singh's research for both his website and the book is based on a quantitative study and debunks several media outlet's theories on Donald Trump's tweets, including but not limited to Tone, his anger, and his overall follower engagement. Tucker Carlson had one big takeaway from the 2020 presidential debate: "Tone is everything" (Owen, 2020).

* This website is the first to measure the Tone of a world leader in real-time, and it explores the link between tone and follower engagement, creating a "Trump Follower Engagement Index." The website should be of great use for any social media activist interested in developing followers. Dr. Singh has developed a patent-pending software that analyzes Donald Trump's tweets in real-time by using Artificial Intelligence. For example, "The mood of Donald Trump is 76% confident right now." Here is the link to the website http://www.Twitterism.com.

About Ravneet (Ravi) Singh MA MS Ph.D.

Dr. Ravneet (Ravi) Singh was born in the United States of America. He wears a turban as a requirement of the Sikh religion from northern India. Dr. Singh grew up in the cornfields of Illinois in the village of Prestbury. His favorite hero is Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican (GOP) President. He adopted at an early age the Lincoln notion of "perseverance." At the age of 11, he met the first Sikh President of India and fell in love with politics.

His grandfather encouraged him to pursue a career in politics, while his father insisted on medicine. Dr. Singh was the first Sikh (with uncut hair and turban) to attend and eventually graduate from a USA Military Academy in American history. Due to the uniqueness of his case and harsh military rules, a legislation was introduced on his behalf to allow him to graduate with full USA military honors as a 2nd lieutenant (ARMY) while wearing a turban which was enacted under President Ronald Reagan's administration. He then attended Valparaiso University, where he followed his passion and became Student Body President, Captain of NCAA Division 1 Golf Team, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med and Political Science.

He then enrolled at Northwestern University and pursued a Master of Arts in American Political Science. Ravi Singh served as a public servant in Illinois State Government under Governor Jim Edgar's administration, working for Lt. Governor Bob Kustra and State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, who he refers to as his "political mother." During his time there, he learned the art of politics and campaigning, which inspired him to run as the first turban-wearing American, for the Illinois State Representative open seat in his hometown Aurora, Illinois, at the age of 25. He was one of the first to have a political website for his campaign and an online town hall, in 1997. He lost the campaign but won the Kane County nomination for the GOP (Republican Party), becoming the first Asian American to win the nomination. During his campaign, he started a website through which ElectionMall.com was born, and led to him being profiled in Business Week Magazine and USA Today, as the "CampaignGuru."

ElectionMall Technologies Inc. main purpose was to help promote e-democracy and enable candidates, regardless of party affiliation, gender, or religious affiliation, to have access to technology tools for their political campaigns, regardless of their budget. Something Dr. Singh was persecuted for when he ran for State Representative. As CEO of ElectionMall.com, Ravi Singh became a Washington DC politician and maverick. Dr. Singh was a dot com pioneer who worked extremely hard to offer campaign technology in the early days of the "Digital Era." The campaign and elections industry were full of "good old boys and American political consultants" who were not very welcoming to his Chicago hustle and turban identity. In 2010, the company co-branded with Microsoft Inc., developing the first cloud application for the political vertical, called Campaign Cloud powered by Microsoft. Ravi Singh received an infusion of investment and marketing dollars that launched for worldwide operations. Ravi Singh opened offices all over the world including, Ukraine, Malaysia, Mexico, Colombia, Brussels, and India, working on world leader's campaigns like Juan Manuel Santos (Colombia), Enda Kenny (Ireland), Jose Sera (Brazil), and Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia).

The company helped over 9 world leaders and various heads of state with their "digital campaign war rooms." "Campaign Guru" his software committed to over 7000+ political websites worldwide. In 2014, the company faced charges of election fraud for two campaigns in San Diego, California. The company was forced to shut down operations in 2016 due to litigation cost, but the CEO, Ravi Singh, was personally charged with four federal felonies. He later appealed to the US 9th Appellate courts and eventually the US Supreme Court in 2020; however, the case did not get heard amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017, Ravi Singh went back to graduate school and pursued a Master of Science in Social Media Management from Liberty University, a Harvard Certificate in Digital Strategy, the prestigious digital marketing program from Duke University, and MIT Sloan Business School Executive ACE program; at the same time finishing his doctoral (Ph.D.) in Social Media and Technology from the University of the Rockies in Denver Colorado, now Ashford University. He successfully completed all these programs in less than three years and, in the process and has settled down in Miami, Florida.

Ravi Singh is a patriotic American who currently offers his social media expertise to business, brands, celebrities and is no longer able to participate in political campaigns without notifying the US government. The science behind his book, "Twitterism" will be published on Amazon in November 2020.

For more information on Dr. Ravi Singh please visit: https://www.ravisingh.com/.

IMAGE LINKS FOR MEDIA:

[1] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-1016s2p-trump-tone-300dpi.jpg

Caption: Trump's Tone Intensity shows that Anger is the least Tone used.

[2] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-1016s2p-dr-ravi-singh-300dpi.jpg

Caption: Dr. Ravi Singh MA, MS, PhD; Social Media Expert; former CEO of ElectionMall.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jenny Kefauver
+1 (703) 850-3533
jenny@jkpublicrelationsdc.com

Dr. Singh, also known as the CampaignGuru®, has released a new website: TWITTERISM.COM which analyzes over 50,000+ of President Donald J. Trump's "social media voice" from his tweets in real-time using AI. The website provides the Tone in which the tweets are delivered.

Related link: https://www.ravisingh.com/

Executives Call for Congressional Action to Prevent Homelessness

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Faith Schwartz, President, Housing Finance Strategies, Washington, D.C. and Lee Raagas, CEO, Skid Row Housing Trust, Los Angeles, Calif., issue statement on housing crisis:

With the Congress' inability to come together to pass a COVID-4 relief package, we and those that we collaborate and represent rise to give voice to what we see as an upcoming wrecking ball coming to a community and neighborhood near you. That significant impact is homelessness.

This is not a new challenge; it is one that has been on the radar for multiple years in multiple industries that have been advocating housing as a human right. This challenge spans all "housing" whether it is mortgage and homeowners to market rate renters all the way through affordable housing spectrums. A challenge we posit should have been addressed in the same manner the CARES Act addressed mortgage forbearance.

For homeowners impacted by COVID-19, Congress provided unlimited relief. Troubled mortgagors simply had to raise their hand, attest to a COVID-19 impact, and their federally-backed mortgage servicer was on the hook for mortgage payment relief for up to a year.

We applauded and supported this action for homeowners because it facilitated a process and safety net to ensure that homeowners did not lose their home and "housing." Even as the CARES Act was rolled out to a questioning mortgage industry, we saw the need as urgent and imperative and that mortgage companies needed to take swift action. In record time, mortgage servicers met the challenge and performed in a fastidious manner taking the worry and risk off of homeowners battling COVID-19.

And while we applaud the Centers for Disease Control action last month to halt evictions through year-end, we see this step as a half-measure. Yes, it postpones near-term evictions, but it provides no funding mechanism to support multi-family property owners or owners of rental properties - only the Congress can authorize such payment. This demographic and "housing" group represents a significant amount of our citizens and more importantly, represents those that are struggling due to COVID-19 financial, economic and health impacts.

We are learning with each new unemployment report that the coronavirus is hitting the service sector, retail and food and beverage industries harder than white-collar jobs. The contrast is even more significant when you compare high tech no collar jobs to those lower-income jobs and impacted employees who often pool a higher percentage of income to afford rental payments.

As housing professionals - one from the public policy side, and one from the development side - we implore the Congress to prioritize what we see a looming eviction risk driven by COVID-19 job loss.

The protections afforded to homeowners in the CARES Act must now be allocated to renters, in like size and fashion, especially as we witness the disproportionate job loss in sectors ravaged by COVID-19 week after week after week. That impact has disproportionately affected brown and black individuals and families.

Therefore we join together with 31 national organizations, including the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Alliance to End Homelessness in their August 21, 2020 letter to Congress; and we support their call for action including their statement:

"Failure to act will put tens of millions of renters at risk of being evicted, undermine the stability of our rental housing system, and needlessly prolong our nation's ability to fully recover from the economic damage that has been wrought by this pandemic."

We understand election year politics is contributing to the impasse surrounding the COVID-4 legislative funding package, yet we implore Members to reach across the aisle and fund federal relief for COVID-19 impacted renters. And while we acknowledge and appreciate the recent action by FHFA and HUD to extend eviction moratoriums, more must be done by the Congress through appropriation to address specific COVID-19 measures that afford rental relief.

With specific expertise in permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families, our street level view is that we are on the brink of a health crisis becoming a rental crisis leading to a surge in homelessness. Our vantage point at Skid Row Housing Trust leverages three decades of real estate development and more than 20,000 formerly homeless housed. The cliché of 'drinking from a firehose' is a daily reality for those of us serving growing homeless numbers compounded by a pandemic.

Data and experience from that organization and vantage point is key because it provides a threefold benefit; 1) a data driven verification of what is being communicated today, 2) an opportunity to look back and see what could have been modified to avoid current circumstances and 3) an opportunity to look forward to forecast what could happen if we do not take this combined crisis of how health meets housing seriously and expeditiously.

Fortunately, Skid Row Housing Trust has innovated development models that are replicable across the country, but time is not on our side. Skid Row's pipeline of development projects is like many other real estate businesses where five-year plans and strategic initiatives create a nexus of housing units delivered. Yesterday, as a nation, homeless providers were strapped by funding, resources and demand. Today, those needs are stretched beyond what we could have quantified just months ago. And the trend line is worsening.

It is our goal to avoid the trauma of a national housing crisis. Housing Finance Strategies knows all too well we have too many lessons learned from the 2008-2009 housing crisis not to see this one coming. Both Skid Row Housing Trust and Housing Finance Strategies are working together on proven and innovative resources of bringing together like-minded, solution oriented individuals to explore public, private, for profit, and non-profit entities together to forecast, create and execute on plans to solve housing and homelessness risks.

Please join us in calling attention to the plight of millions of renters perilously close to homelessness ... and join us in calling our Congressional leaders so they hear our bi-partisan voices. Finally, join us in caring for the needs of all of those impacted by job loss associated with COVID-19.

References in press release:
* https://housingfinancestrategies.com/
* https://skidrow.org/about/our-mission-values/
* https://nhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Coalition-letter-FINAL-8-21-20-003.pdf
* https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-19654.pdf

Faith Schwartz, President, Housing Finance Strategies, Washington, D.C. and Lee Raagas, CEO, Skid Row Housing Trust, Los Angeles, Calif., issue statement on housing crisis.

Related link: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

Author Paul Orwell Launches an Interactive Voice Experience: CallDonaldTrump.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- A new and interactive web experience created by author Paul Orwell, lets users apply for a job with someone who sounds just like Donald Trump. It's CallDonaldTrump.com and its piquing curiosity for people on both sides of the aisle.

This parody site is akin to the infamous Mad Libs game where players randomly select words to fill in story gaps and end up with wildly amusing results. CallDonaldTrump.com gets equally funny and sometimes even terrifying outcomes. It just depends on how the user answers "President Trump's" questions.

During an exhaustive interview of five true or false questions, the faux President Trump will decide whether the user is fit to serve in his administration or not. In less than one minute, he or she will be hired or fired. Be dishonest with him and get the job; honesty will likely end up in a hang up.

Users are encouraged to share their employment results on Twitter via a single click. After all - it's Trump's social media platform of choice, so he'll be glad when people do.

How does it work?

It's free to use and users simply click a button and interview for a job working for "Donald Trump." The site uses Google Chrome's in-browser speech recognition coupled with a Donald Trump voice impersonator to give anyone who clicks the green call button on the website the experience of interacting with Donald Trump. It's responsive and interactive with random elements so no two phone calls are exactly the same.

"It's one thing to hear Trump on the news, but quite another to get him on the phone and talk with him one-on-one," Orwell says. You can also call the Donald Trump experience at: 202-655-2529.

This interactive experience works on phones, tablets, laptops and desktops and Orwell has similar apps in the works. Next up is a Montreal Cognitive Assessment delivered by President Trump to check each user's memory recall and compare it to his own. Other applications in design will have fun with James Comey and Stormy Daniels too.

"Change your words and change the world," Orwell suggests.

Visit https://calldonaldtrump.com/ to find out what fate has in store.

About Paul Orwell

A businessman and writer living in Washington, D.C., Orwell yearns to return to a world where politicians reach across the aisle and engage in healthy debate and bi-partisan compromise.

Orwell has written three books about Trump, including: "Sad! Donald 'Biff' Trump is President," and "Best Library Ever! Worst President Ever." He points out that his namesake, George Orwell, once said, "We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. Power is not a means; it is an end."

Learn more: https://paulorwell.com.

Disclaimer: Website is not endorsed, created or managed by Donald Trump, or any company or subsidiary owned by President Trump. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0810s2p-calldtrump-300dpi.jpg

A new and interactive web experience created by author Paul Orwell, lets users apply for a job with someone who sounds just like Donald Trump. It's CallDonaldTrump.com and its piquing curiosity for people on both sides of the aisle.

Related link: https://paulorwell.com/

Leigh Geramanis-Arnold Named Chief Washington DC Correspondent at LTC NEWS

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- LTC NEWS, LLC, publishers of website www.ltcnews.com, has named Leigh Geramanis-Arnold as Chief Washington Correspondent. Formed in July 2015, LTC NEWS is an online resource for long-term care planning, aging, caregiving, health, and retirement issues to help consumers plan for and better understand the family and financial impact of aging.

Arnold is an award-winning medical reporter, TV news producer, and communications consultant. Arnold honed her craft reporting medical news in the shadows of the Mayo Clinic at KTTC-TV, Rochester, Minnesota, where she interviewed countless physicians and researchers on cutting-edge medicine.

Arnold also served as Senior Communications Consultant for the research firm Frank N. Magid Associates, in addition to working for several TV news stations in the Midwest as News Director and Assignments Editor. She has also worked in corporate communications for Trinity Regional Health System, based in Rock Island, Illinois (now Unity Point). She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

"Americans are focused on the consequences of health and aging. They are looking for accurate information to prepare their families and finances for future aging issues or deal with a current crisis with a loved one. Leigh's unique experiences will help her cover the campaigns, the White House, and Congress with a laser beam focus on these topics. Her experience will well serve the readers of LTC NEWS," said Matt McCann, LTC NEWS publisher.

Press releases or story ideas can be emailed to newsroom@ltcnews.com

Learn more about LTC NEWS at: https://www.ltcnews.com/

LTC NEWS, LLC, publishers of website ltcnews.com, has named Leigh Geramanis-Arnold as Chief Washington Correspondent. Formed in July 2015, LTC NEWS is an online resource for long-term care planning, aging, caregiving, health, and retirement issues to help consumers plan for and better understand the family and financial impact of aging.

Related link: https://www.ltcnews.com/

Four Pandemic Preparedness Experts Call for 9/11-like Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Four co-authors of the recently published "Preparing for the Next Pandemic," in a virtual roundtable with consulting firm CollaborateUp and the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, issued a call for a 9/11-style commission to investigate and unearth lessons learned from the U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Co-author Christine Crudo Blackburn, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Pandemic & Biosecurity Policy Program at the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at Texas A&M University, emphasized the importance of understanding exactly what happened during the response to COVID-19, saying that, "We can't forget after this pandemic is over. We always talk about 1918 and how we are afraid of it recurring, but I think a lot of people don't know that everyone forgot about 1918 after it happened. It was not in history books; it's called 'the forgotten pandemic' by historians...."

"I think we need to make sure that we don't forget about COVID-19 and that we move forward remembering how difficult it was, remembering the challenges and learning from those challenges."

Co-author and Associate Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University Gerald Parker, Ph.D., said that, "Emerging infectious diseases with pandemic potential constitute and ought to be treated like other national security threats."

Dr. Parker elaborated on the role of citizens and leaders at every level in this paradigm shift through grassroots movements and campaigning, stating that, "It's going to be up to us, you and I, as individual citizens to play more of a public advocacy role going forward so our politicians will have to make more political and resource commitments [to pandemic preparedness]. I'm hopeful that we will get beyond this boom-and-bust cycle that we've had over the last 15 years and have pandemic preparedness recognized as a national security issue."

In addition, co-author and CollaborateUp CEO Richard Crespin said, "We need to call a spade a spade. 'America' isn't failing at addressing the pandemic. 13 states are failing, in part due to a lack of national leadership. 37 are doing a pretty good job. That means we now need distinctly different approaches. Leaders in the 37 states that have managed to bring their caseloads under control can take a short breath and then get back to work preparing for the fall and winter. The 13 failing states need to take immediate action to bring their cases under control."

The co-authors explored steps that local leaders can take to manage the recent uptick in infection.

Dr. Blackburn mentioned the need to diversify supply chains and increase their agility beyond our current just-in-time system; "if we don't understand where the gaps are in our supply chains and what could go wrong in the case of a pandemic then we're going to be unprepared. We also need to have more ability to supply our own PPE or supply our own vital pharmaceuticals so that a supply chain disruption isn't going to lead to the death of Americans because we aren't able to get those supplies."

"That's not a protectionist thing, I think that is about asking 'if we have a pandemic and everything fails what do we need to make sure we are able to produce for ourselves?' It's not calling for the elimination of global supply chains, it's saying understand those but also know what things we need to be able to produce ourselves."

Leslie E. Ruyle, Ph.D., Assistant Director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, noted the value of viewing zoonotic disease like COVID-19 through the lens of the global One Health approach by seeing that, "The health of the community really depends on the health of the environment, and that depends on the health of animals, both wild and those that are domesticated for food ... this is something that all of the human population needs to think about and move forward with."

Dr. Parker also touched on the inherently local nature of many tough questions surrounding re-opening the economy and schools in the coming months, as well as the need to consider unintended consequences caused by lockdowns. He said that, "Community mitigations, interventions, and closures have had many unintended consequences, just in the health and medical lane that go far beyond the consequences of COVID-19. Whether that be mental health, whether that be people not seeking care for other conditions and other deaths that have occurred because they were afraid to go to the hospital for whatever reason."

"We still are in the very early stages of this, I and many other scientists believe. We do have to figure out how we can live with the virus as safely as possible, and I think we can. We're going to have to mitigate the risk. We understand how to live with many other risks in our life, and this is a new risk that we're going to have to figure it out."

A more detailed summary of the virtual roundtable and its 8 key recommendations for leaders and policy makers can be found in CollaborateUp's recap blog, found here: https://collaborateup.com/preparing-for-pandemics-in-the-modern-world-8-lessons-on-managing-covid-19s-coming-waves-future-outbreaks/

About the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs

The Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs is a research institute housed in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. The Institute is named in honor of Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, USAF (Ret.), whose long and distinguished career in public service included serving as National Security Advisor for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. The Institute's core mission is to foster and disseminate policy-oriented research on international affairs by supporting faculty and student research, hosting international speakers and major scholarly conferences, and providing grants to outside researchers to use the holdings of the Bush Library.

More information can be found at: https://bush.tamu.edu/scowcroft/

About CollaborateUp

CollaborateUp is an elite consulting firm serving clients across the United States and the world. The firm works to bring companies, nonprofits, and governments together to tackle society's biggest challenges, from combating fake news to combating wildlife crime and from building a more inclusive workforce to building a more inclusive society. CollaborateUp brings decades of experience tackling problems within communities, across regions, and among countries, deploying a lean startup toolkit of adaptable tools that community leaders can adapt and use themselves, providing training services to accelerate the impact leaders can have using the tools, and providing hands-on consulting services that cover the full lifecycle of social impact programs from conception to management to scale. Clients have included private companies like 3M and IBM, large international NGOs like PSI and WWF, and government agencies like the US Departments of Defense and State.

More information can be found at https://www.collaborateup.com/.

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0720s2p-CollaborateUp-logo-300dpi.jpg

Four co-authors of the recently published "Preparing for the Next Pandemic," in a virtual roundtable with consulting firm CollaborateUp and the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, issued a call for a 9/11-style commission to investigate and unearth lessons learned from the U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related link: https://www.collaborateup.com/

Engineered Data, LLC Announces the World’s 1st Flocculant for Remediation of PFAS Chemicals from Water

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Engineered Data, LLC's Advanced Materials Group has begun micro-batch production of a Flocculant that remediates PFAS chemicals (as well as Toxic Heavy Metals + Phosphate [a main ingredient in Storm Water Pollution + Algae Tides]) from polluted water. Jar-testing samples are available to entities interested in applications testing advanced technologies that improve remediation performance.

The 3 conventional technologies for remediating PFAS chemicals from water are Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resins + High-Pressure Membranes. Today, a 4th technology is added to that list. Sourced from Military Research and scientifically classified as Nanoporous Iron Oxide ("NIO"), our Flocculant comes in 2 grades: NIO-G (premium) and NIO-C (standard).

Little published research on nanostructured sorbents like NIO exists. Hence researchers like the PFAS Specialists at The Interstate Technology Research Council (https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/) tend to classify NIO as a Hybrid: part Nanofilter (NIO has nanometer-sized pores, but doesn't utilize membranes), part Flocculant (NIO removes colloids, not by single-function ionic aggregation, but by dual-function aBsorption + aDsorption).

Extraordinarily high surface area (one gram of NIO has enough surface area to cover 3.33 US football fields) and [2] concurrent micro + meso porous particle architecture (verified by independent lab: https://www.synthetic-metals.com/Isotherm2019.pdf) give NIO its accelerated remediation speed + increased capacity. For example, when tested against Phosphate in very high concentrations (+/-25mg/L: typical algae bloom phosphate concentrations hover below 5mg/L), NIO remediates more phosphate in 1 minute than National Science Foundation (NSF) Certified flocculants + sorbents can in 48 hours ... even when NSF flocculants + sorbents are given a 20X dosing handicap. Skeptical? Watch the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVFCLif0eqE).

Univ. of Arizona + Rice University Researchers confirmed the efficacy of iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles for remediation of PFAS in 2012 (https://www.synthetic-metals.com/UnivArizona_PFOA-PFOS.pdf). Based on aggregate surface area comparisons, NIO (also Fe2O3) is estimated to be 17.5X more powerful than the nanoparticle mixture used in 2012. NIO is also safer than nanoparticles, as nanoparticles, once introduced into water, either dissolve or become suspended and disburse, becoming logistically impossible to recover. NIO safely sinks to the bottom of settling tanks for easy removal in as little as 30 minutes. NIO is projected to perform best against PFAS chemicals in environments where PFAS concentrations are highest and the pH level of water being treated can be adjusted below +/- 6.0.

For more information, go to https://www.synthetic-metals.com.

ABOUT ENGINEERED DATA, LLC:

ENGINEERED DATA, LLC is a Washington, D.C. based Technology Firm that custom builds software solutions across a wide array of platforms that enable federal & commercial clients to reach their operational, financial + logistical goals. Profits from software development activities self-fund development of niche-dominating, best-in-class systems + inventions. ENGINEERED DATA LLC's Advanced Materials Group has patents awarded + pending in the field of Nanostructured Sorbents and is a pioneer in the field of Centrifugal Sintering.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tim Rolf
President: Engineered Data, LLC
(202) 716-9400
timrolf@engineereddata.com

*VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/UVFCLif0eqE

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0720s2p-engin-data-300dpi.jpg

Social tags: #PFAS #PFOA #waterpollution

Engineered Data, LLC's Advanced Materials Group has begun micro-batch production of a Flocculant that remediates PFAS chemicals (as well as Toxic Heavy Metals + Phosphate [a main ingredient in Storm Water Pollution + Algae Tides]) from polluted water.

Related link: https://www.engineereddata.com/

Datasembly’s Real-Time Data is Helping Retailers Respond and Plan Ahead

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Datasembly is providing real-time insight into product pricing and availability data for retailers across America. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a landscape requiring retailers to focus on challenges posed by increased competition, omnichannel execution and contactless data acquisition. The solution to all three challenges, without ever stepping foot into a store, is Datasembly.

Datasembly's proprietary technology collects data on billions of products a week and then leverages it to create customized, shareable insights that clients use to make real-life decisions. This technology is helping its customers eliminate the need for manual or averaged data to identify customer issues or local market opportunities.

They have helped their retail customers to:
* Understand real-time, store-level pricing and promotions
* Improve their pricing strategies using a full history of competitive pricing data
* Improve pricing of key value items such as eggs, milk, and butter
* Improve margins
* Improve strategy and execution of seasonal items and new product launches

"The Datasembly difference is in the real-time method of collection of the data and the customized, actionable data provided," says Ben Reich, CEO of Datasembly. "Our clients have the benefit of seeing what's happening in their stores and their competitors,' without moving from their desks, and that's invaluable," he added.

In the aftermath of COVID-19 it will become more of a necessity for retailers to respond quicker to what's actually happening in their stores and their local market - that allows them to remain competitive and will help to provide customers with a positive experience in-store and online. Datasembly helps them do that.

Datasembly ( https://www.datasembly.com/ ) empowers brands and retailers to make data-driven decisions about prices and promotions in real time. Datasembly collects hyper-local, real-time data from tens of thousands of retail, grocery and QSR locations across North America. Datasembly's intuitive web app leverages this data to solve real-world problems and deliver immediate visibility and insights that save time, money and improve efficiencies.

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0708s2p-datasembly-app-300dpi.jpg

Datasembly is providing real-time insight into product pricing and availability data for retailers across America. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a landscape requiring retailers to focus on challenges posed by increased competition, omnichannel execution and contactless data acquisition.

Related link: https://www.datasembly.com/

PULLING BACK THE MASK: Masks Do Not Conceal Government Policies and Private Towing Companies’ Practices that Wound Poor Families and Damage Local Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Today, the Fair Towing Alliance, has begun an intense period of records research and analysis in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland, to pull back the mask on government agencies and private towing companies that seize and often sell the cars of people who are poor - and for a profit.

This chain of events begins when a person does not have enough money to pay a parking ticket, a license plate registration renewal fee, or is forced to live in their car after falling on hard times. The result is often homelessness and unemployment for offenses that are non-criminal and non-safety related.

Pulling Back the Mask

If a person does not pay certain taxes the government sends them letters, takes them to court and may eventually garnish their wages or place a lien on their house. From start to finish there is an orderly and fair process.

If a person, for example, is too poor to pay a $55 vehicle registration fee - the government can impound their car which is then held by a for-profit towing company until the government fines are paid. Assuming the person has the money to pay the government fines they then must pay exorbitant tow yard fees. If they do not have the money to pay those fees the tow company may take legal ownership of the car and sell it out from under the owner and at a profit. Simply put, reconciling one's fees with the government does not mean the person will ever get their car back from the for-profit towing company.

William Wallish Gorman, the Founder of the Fair Towing Alliance stated "It is stunning that government agencies take numerous steps before filing a property tax sanction but will sanction the seizing of private property without warning and without adjudication and after a person commits no crime and poses no threat to others." Further, he stated "in a time of economic strain businesses should not have to worry about employees who are poor getting to work because their car was seized by the government and sold by a for-profit company."

Began Before COVID-19

Studies have shown that up to 25% of the cars in California, for example, are towed because of unpaid parking tickets, a vehicle registration that has expired, or for parking in the same spot for more than 72 hours. In San Francisco 50% of cars towed for these three reasons are never recovered. The owners simply abandon them. On average it costs about $1,000 to retrieve a car after paying the tickets or renewing the registration when paying the tow and impound fees. Individuals who lose their car are more likely to lose their job, destabilize their family, and become dependent on the government. Trained and experienced employees not showing up for work and being fired is not in the best interest of the business community.

There Is Another Way

Some government agencies, such as the Portland Bureau of Transportation, suspended the towing of vehicles that were "abandoned" and in which people lived to minimize the harm of COVID-19. Those individuals would be afforded an outreach for the provision of appropriate services. "Services and self- reliance are mechanisms for success," according to Gorman, "and vehicle seizures are mechanisms to increase government dependence."

As reported in 2019 by CityLab, several religious organizations and nonprofits have begun creating "safe parking areas" for people living in their vehicles. These services are extremely rare and most poor families are subject not only to losing their car, but hefty fines and fees as well.

The Fair Towing Alliance advocates for the change of public policy and that procedures be amended so the government does not tow the cars of citizens for non-criminal and non-safety reasons. Doing so leads to unemployment among the working poor, harms local economies, and puts families at risk.

Current practices devastate poor families and force individuals into unsafe homeless shelters, during an epidemic, while government and towing companies profit.

The Fair Towing Alliance ( https://www.TowJam.org ) raises awareness of laws and policies regarding the towing of cars and their disproportionate impact on the poor.

Contact Information:
Fair Towing Alliance
Contact: William Gorman, Founder
wwg@WilliamWGorman.com
https://www.towjam.org/

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0708s2p-william-gorman-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: William Wallish Gorman.

Today, the Fair Towing Alliance, has begun an intense period of records research and analysis in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland, to pull back the mask on government agencies and private towing companies that seize and often sell the cars of people who are poor - and for a profit.

Related link: https://www.TowJam.org

Top Housing Officials and Execs to Speak At #NEXTDC20

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- NEXT Mortgage Events, LLC (NEXT(tm)) and Housing Finance Strategies have announced an all-star lineup of Washington and housing industry luminaries that are confirmed to speak at #NEXTDC20, a virtual executive summit that will take place on November 10, 2020.

Hundreds of top lending executives are expected to attend the second annual event. Speakers include:
* Brian Brooks, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, OCC
* Terry Sullivan, Founder, Firehouse Strategies
* Bill Emerson, Vice Chairman, Quicken Loans and Rock Holdings, Inc.
* Lisa Rice, CEO of National Fair Housing Alliance
* Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of Mortgage Bankers Association
* Lindsey Johnson, President, USMI
* Jay Bray, President, CEO and Chairman, Mr. Cooper
* Sanjiv Das, CEO, Caliber Home Loans
* Bernadette Kogler, CEO, RiskSpan
* Stan Middleman, CEO Freedom mortgage
* Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition
* Brent Chandler, CEO and founder, FormFree

"It's easy to see why so many have already signed up to attend #NEXTDC20," said Faith Schwartz, president of Housing Finance Strategies and co-founder of the NEXTDC series. "With so much on the line this November, executives need experts to break down the election's implications to housing finance, regulations and the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We're looking forward to some lively and informative discussions."

The #NEXTDC series is a joint production of NEXT Mortgage Events and Housing Finance Strategies.

Registration is open at no cost to housing industry professionals at https://nextmortgagenews.com/nextdc20.

About NEXT Mortgage Events LLC

In January 2018, NEXT Mortgage Events broke the mortgage industry's unspoken barriers that have limited women's access to competitive intel, when it introduced NEXT, the women's executive mortgage summit. NEXT is an exclusive boutique symposium that takes place over two days. The tech-centric content focuses on competitive intel from and for senior lending executives. Roughly 85-90% of NEXT's lender attendees hold a title of VP or higher and approximately 85% of attendees are women. NEXT's flagship events, the #NEXTWINTER and #NEXTSUMMER series are held twice a year, in winter and summer. NEXT also hosts the #NEXTDC series in partnership with Housing Finance Strategies. For more information visit NEXTMortgageNews.com, follow @NEXTmtgEvents or email info@NEXTmortgageEvents.com.

About Housing Finance Strategies

Housing Finance Strategies is a small woman-owned business founded in 2016 to provide Strategic Advisory Services, Government and Industry Relations, Public Policy Expertise, Roundtable and Event Management and Professional Speaking Services. The firm brings 25+ years of expertise to the forefront of mortgage, including leading fintech change, advising on GSE reform and ensuring non-bank readiness for regulatory oversight. For more information, visit HousingFinanceStrategies.com, follow @HousingFinanceStrategies or email admin@housingfinancestrategies.com.

NEXT Mortgage Events, LLC (NEXT) and Housing Finance Strategies have announced an all-star lineup of Washington and housing industry luminaries that are confirmed to speak at #NEXTDC20, a virtual executive summit that will take place on November 10, 2020.

Related link: https://www.nextmortgageconference.com/

ITA and Getting to Global Announce New Partnership

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Getting to Global and the International Trade Administration (ITA) have partnered to help exporters better navigate federal government trade resources. As such, all federal assistance available to exporters will now be made available on Export Connect, a new platform that brings together in one place all the resources businesses need to export smarter.

This new partnership highlights how industry and government are working together to support U.S. businesses by providing a better access to critical resources to help economic recovery. Getting to Global's growing momentum includes other federal agency partnerships such as the U.S. Export-Import Bank and State trade offices through the State International Development Organization (SIDO). These partnerships help bolster Export Connect as the de facto platform for U.S. businesses to access valuable tools, expert advice, and government and industry resources needed to expand overseas.

This partnership will help ITA, a department of the U.S. Department of Commerce, fulfill its mission to improve the global business environment and help U.S. organizations compete at home and abroad. Export Connect is only one of the many technological solutions created by Getting to Global to multiply the impact of leading trade and investment organizations in the U.S.

"There is such a wealth of knowledge already available for trade support. It's been our mission to make it easier for trade and investment agencies to help small and medium enterprises find the right resources and engage with them. As a public-private partnership, we bring together the speed of industry and the insights of government on behalf of our U.S. stakeholders." - Patrick L. Perreault, President of Getting to Global.

"Having come from ITA, I'm pleased to help shine a light on all the great work the inter-agency Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, led by ITA, does for U.S. companies. ITA brings such a wealth of knowledge and perspective to our audience and network of local, state, and federal trade promotion and investment organizations." - Joshua Halpern, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Getting to Global.

"This partnership could not have come at a better time. As our U.S. companies struggle to find their footing in this unstable environment, the ability to look beyond their borders through the use of digital trade tools and ecommerce sale channels will play a crucial role in the acceleration of our national economic recovery," - Phil Bond, Executive Director, Foundation for American Science and Technology.

Memorandum of Understanding

Partnership activities may include collaboration and the exchange of information in support of ITA's strategic initiatives. In particular, the parties may collaborate on activities to:
* Counsel U.S. businesses in building an eCommerce export strategy to succeed in eCommerce sales channels;
* Provide eCommerce export training and education for small and medium businesses;
* Provide eCommerce-related capacity building resources for U.S. and overseas ITA personnel;
* Educate small and medium businesses selling online about trade policy and legislation impacting eCommerce exporters and the U.S. eCommerce export sector; and
* Lecture, form panels, participate, and support programs.

The partnership will support activities to facilitate international trade and commerce as well as educate the public about the economic benefits of trade. It will help enhance awareness of ITA and other U.S. Government resources available to U.S. companies and foreign investors, and encourage U.S. businesses interested in exporting and foreign businesses interested in investing in the United States to seek the assistance of ITA,

About Getting to Global

Getting to Global build and deploy innovative technology solutions and programs that multiply the impact of leading economic development, trade, and investment organizations around the world. They deliver unique technologies that make trade and investment organizations more efficient through digital transformation, digital platform development, and a global helpdesk. Export Connect is one of their many platforms, alongside Export Accelerator and Blueprints, all designed to help trade and investment promotion organizations multiply the economic impact of their work.

The Foundation for American Science and Technology (FAST) is a 501 (c)(3) non-lobbying entity that promotes policies to strengthen American science and technology. Getting to Global initiative in the U.S. is supported by FAST, the management of which seeks to provide unbiased programs, resources, and information to catalyze an exponential increase in the number of U.S. small and medium businesses exporting through eCommerce.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@gettingtoglobal.org.

Learn more:
* https://gettingtoglobal.org/
* https://export-connect.org/en/networks/international-trade-administration

MEDIA CONTACT
Patrick L. Perreault
Getting to Global
plperreault@perimetre.co
1-514-242-7915

Getting to Global and the International Trade Administration (ITA) have partnered to help exporters better navigate federal government trade resources. As such, all federal assistance available to exporters will now be made available on Export Connect, a new platform that brings together in one place all the resources businesses need to export smarter.

Related link: https://gettingtoglobal.org/

National Community Stabilization Trust Announces Leadership of Two National Initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Today, the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) announced its leadership of two national initiatives. First, NCST announced the formation of the Homeownership Alliance, which will advocate for more resources and better policies to increase affordable homeownership opportunities for American families.

Second, NCST announced it will join NeighborWorks America as a partner in leading the Middle Neighborhoods Initiative, which brings attention to neighborhoods across the country that have long been stable communities for middle- and working-class families, but that today are at risk of either decline or displacement from gentrification.

These initiatives both arose in response to unmet needs the national advocacy landscape, and they aim to fill those gaps. Together, they represent a significant new commitment of resources to NCST's policy work aimed at preventing neighborhood blight, promoting stable communities, and supporting affordable homeownership.

Homeownership Alliance

The Homeownership Alliance's members comprise some of the leading nonprofit, mission-focused homeownership practitioners from across the country. These organizations prepare families to become successful homeowners and finance, renovate, and develop affordable homes that are assets for communities and the families that live in them.

"The organizations in the Alliance share the belief that in the United States, homeownership has long served as the most accessible path for families to build assets," stated Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership President and CEO John O'Callaghan, one of the founding members of the Alliance. "In addition to increasing wealth, homeownership provides families with the stability needed to achieve other positive outcomes, especially for children."

The Homeownership Alliance will focus on both legislative and regulatory opportunities to increase funding for affordable homeownership by improving and expanding existing programs and creating new sources of funding. Guided by its members, the group's advocacy will reflect the experiences of and lessons learned by some of the nation's most innovative and resilient homeownership developers and lenders.

Kris Siglin, Vice President for Policy and Partnerships at NCST, who is leading the formation of the group, explained, "Mission-driven homeownership practitioners need a voice in Washington that secures new resources for affordable homeownership and bolsters the capacity of nonprofits who operate in this sector. Creating this coalition will provide a more focused, practitioner-driven voice for homeownership than currently exists in the housing advocacy spectrum."

"As we look for look for strategies to confront inequality and reduce the racial wealth gap, affordable, sustainable homeownership is our nation's most proven tool to build wealth for families and stabilize communities," added NCST President Julia Gordon.

The Homeownership Alliance has 21 Founding Members. They are: Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (GA); cdcb (TX); Center for Community Self Help (NC); Champlain Housing Trust (VT); CHN Housing Partners (OH); Cinnaire (MI); Community Housing Capital (GA); Fahe (KY); Homewise (NM); Hogar Hispano (DC); Housing Development Fund (CT); Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership (IN); MaineStream Finance (ME); Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (IL); NeighborWorks Columbus (GA); NeighborWorks Southern Colorado (CO); NeighborWorks Western Vermont (VT); New Jersey Community Capital (NJ); Renaissance Community Loan Fund (MS); The Housing Partnership, Inc. (KY); and The Resurrection Project (IL).

In addition, ten national partners will participate in the Homeownership Alliance's policy development and advocacy: Enterprise Community Partners; Grounded Solutions Network; Habitat for Humanity; Housing Partnership Network; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; NALCAB - National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders; National NeighborWorks Association; Opportunity Finance Network; Prosperity Now; and Unidos US.

Middle Neighborhoods

NCST is joining with NeighborWorks America as a partner in leading the Middle Neighborhoods Initiative, previously housed at The American Assembly at Columbia University. By bringing attention to middle neighborhoods, this initiative supports the continued health and vitality of these neighborhoods so that they can remain safe, affordable communities that offer a high quality of life and access to opportunity. You can learn more at http://middleneighborhoods.org/.

"We are delighted to announce that NeighborWorks America and NCST will be leading the fight for America' middle neighborhoods. Both of these organizations have a track record of supporting practitioners working to strengthen and rebuild neighborhoods across the country," said Nedra Sims Fears, Executive Director of the Greater Chatham Initiative in Chicago, IL. Fears is a member of the National Middle Neighborhoods Steering Committee and a co-chair of the Middle Neighborhoods Community of Practice.

Going forward, NCST will coordinate national Middle Neighborhoods activities, including conducting research on neighborhood dynamics and developing policy proposals for supporting and investing in middle neighborhoods. NCST will also lead a communication effort focused on the importance of devoting resources to middle neighborhoods. The Steering Committee will continue to advise NCST on the direction of the initiative.

NCST President Julia Gordon stated: "Strong, stable middle neighborhoods offer a high quality of life, affordable housing, and access to opportunity for their residents, many of whom are households of color. The fate of middle neighborhoods matters immensely for racial and economic equity, and NCST is excited to bring its commitment and experience in fighting disinvestment and blight to the Middle Neighborhoods Initiative."

NeighborWorks America will support the Middle Neighborhoods Community of Practice, which brings city officials and neighborhood-based organizations from across the nation together with policy makers, academics, financial institutions, and foundations interested in these efforts. The Community convenes for peer-to-peer learning to share local best practices for supporting middle neighborhoods.

"We are excited to connect local stakeholders who are focused on stabilizing and revitalizing middle neighborhoods with their peers from across the country," said Paul Singh, Vice President of Community Initiatives at NeighborWorks America. "Through the Community of Practice, we hope to expand the toolkit for practitioners who are working to build strong and vibrant middle neighborhoods."

In the coming months, the Middle Neighborhoods Community of Practice will redouble its efforts at recruitment, communication, and collaboration among practitioners and will also catalogue how communities are responding to the COVID-19 crisis. NCST will publish new research on the dynamics and importance of middle neighborhoods and develop policy agendas for supporting and investing in middle neighborhoods.

About NCST:

The National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) strengthens communities by facilitating the redevelopment and reuse of vacant, single-family homes by providing community-based buyers an opportunity to acquire distressed properties through its REOMatch(TM) platform and by advocating for policies that prevent neighborhood blight, promote stable communities, and support affordable homeownership. Learn more: http://www.stabilizationtrust.org/

About NeighborWorks America:

For more than 40 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a national, nonpartisan nonprofit known as NeighborWorks America, has strived to make every community a place of opportunity. Our network of excellence includes nearly 250 members in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. NeighborWorks America offers grant funding, peer-exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools and access to training, as the nation's leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations provide residents in their communities with affordable homes, owned and rented; financial counseling and coaching; community building through resident engagement; and collaboration in the areas of health, employment and education. In the last five years, our organizations have generated more than $40 billion in investment across the country. Learn more: https://www.neighborworks.org/

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0624s2p-ncs-trust-300dpi.jpg

oday, the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) announced its leadership of two national initiatives. First, NCST announced the formation of the Homeownership Alliance, which will advocate for more resources and better policies to increase affordable homeownership opportunities for American families.

Related link: http://www.stabilizationtrust.org/

African-American Mother and Daughter Team Develop Solutions in New Cosmetic Lines

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Entrepreneur Raquel Riley Thomas and her 14-year-old daughter Maria Raquel Thomas have both started cosmetic lines to bring solutions to problems women and girls have. Raquel, an Army Veteran and former Pageant Queen, is the founder of Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty.

Raquel's brand focuses on the challenge of time. Many women do not have a lot of time to do make up. She has invented a concept called 3GL: Glamorous lips, glamorous Lashes, and Glamorous lids (eyeshadow). During this new normal, she has come up with products that help women still look glamorous well shortening the amount of time to get ready.

Her daughter, Maria Raquel Thomas is the founder of Maria Raquel Thomas Beauty. Maria's brand focuses on the challenge of brittle and chapped lips. For years she had this challenge, herself, so the future scientist invented an exfoliant to solve the problem. She also invented lip glosses to coincide with the exfoliant to give young girls more confidence. The lip glosses have names such as: unique, determination, beautiful etc.

To learn more about the duo, visit their websites:

Raquel's website: https://www.raquelrileythomas.com/ | Instagram @raquelrileythomas

Maria's website: https://www.mariaraquelthomas.com/ | Instagram @mariaraquelthomas

For interviews, please contact Sandahl Taylor at pr@aoagwllc.com

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0619s2p-raquel-and-maria-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Raquel Riley Thomas and her daughter Maria Raquel Thomas are bringing solutions to the cosmetic world.

Entrepreneur Raquel Riley Thomas and her 14-year-old daughter Maria Raquel Thomas have both started cosmetic lines to bring solutions to problems women and girls have. Raquel, an Army Veteran and former Pageant Queen, is the founder of Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty.

Related link: https://www.raquelrileythomas.com/

Zoetic Global Announces Addition of Trammell S. Crow to Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Zoetic Global, a US-based clean technology firm, is proud to announce the appointment of Trammell S. Crow to their board of directors.

Mr. Crow is a businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and innovative champion for a sustainable future. He is the founder of EarthX, the world's largest annual exposition and forum that brings together environmental leaders, businesses, government agencies, academic institutions to address our most pressing environmental challenges. EarthX draws over 200,000 visitors to downtown Dallas for its EXPO.

His philanthropy benefits numerous nonprofit organizations that are active in environmental conservation and education. He is also the President of the Crow Family Foundation which operates and manages the Trammell & Margaret Crow collection of Asian Art.

"I am so pleased to have Trammell joining the board of Zoetic. His breadth of knowledge and experience will help us on our mission to deliver critical solutions to the world," said Jerome Ringo, Executive Chairman of Zoetic Global. "Trammell's focus on now solutions aligns with Zoetic's focus on impactful, innovative and immediate answers to the world's core problems around energy, water and food security."

"I am excited to join Zoetic's board and work closely with other dedicated board members," stated Mr. Crow. "All of us dedicated to sustainability must roll up our sleeves and focus on implementation. The time for action is now."

ABOUT ZOETIC GLOBAL

Zoetic Global is a leading solution provider that has assembled a portfolio of critical technologies in energy efficiency and generation. Its mission is to catalyze critical innovations and deploy to the areas of greatest need.

Learn more at: http://zoeticglobal.com/

Zoetic Global, a US-based clean technology firm, is proud to announce the appointment of Trammell S. Crow to their board of directors. Mr. Crow is a businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and innovative champion for a sustainable future.

Related link: http://zoeticglobal.com/

Americans Reminded to Enjoy the Sun Safely this Summer

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- To turn the tide against rising rates of skin cancer in the United States, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention - and it's broad national member coalition of over 45 organizations - has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as the 12th annual "Don't Fry Day" to encourage sun safety awareness and to remind everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors. The theme of this year's campaign is "Because Sun Safety Looks Good on You."

"As we get ready to kick off the summer with Memorial Day Weekend, it's more important than ever to be sun safe and practice social distancing. Everyone can do it by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and throwing on a wide-brimmed hat while maintaining a safe distance from others when you go outside," says John D. Antonishak, executive director of the National Council for Skin Cancer Prevention. "This years' Don't Fry Day is a reminder that you can still enjoy the outdoors while protecting yourself and those around you from skin cancer and COVID-19."

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the nation, with almost 5.5 million cases diagnosed in Americans each year - more than breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers combined. In fact, 1 out of every 5 Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.

Skin cancer is highly preventable. Over 90% of all skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or indoor tanning devices.

Americans can dramatically reduce their risk of skin cancer by:
* Not burning or tanning intentionally - no tan is a safe tan;
* Generously applying sunscreen (remember to reapply every two hours);
* Wearing sun-protective clothing;
* Seeking shade during peak times of the day; and
* Using extra caution near water, snow and sand.

About Don't Fry Day:

"Don't Fry Day," now in its twelfth year, is the nation's unified public awareness campaign that aims to reduce the number of new skin cancer diagnoses by promoting sun safety and encouraging people to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors. Learn more at https://www.skincancerprevention.org/programs/dont-fry-day

For more information on how to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer and help raise awareness, visit SkinCancerPrevention.org. Follow the National Council on Facebook (Facebook.com/Natlcouncilskincancerprevention) and Twitter (@SkinCancerPrev).

About the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention:

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention is the united voice of more than 45 organizations, associations and agencies dedicated to prevent skin cancer through education, advocacy, and raising awareness. National Council members represent the nation's premier physicians, researchers, clinicians and advocates for skin cancer prevention.

Learn more at https://skincancerprevention.org/

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0520s2p-dont-fry-day-300dpi.jpg
Photo caption: Friday before Memorial Day Declared "Don't Fry Day" to Turn Tide against Skin Cancer.

To turn the tide against rising rates of skin cancer in the United States, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention - and it's broad national member coalition of over 45 organizations - has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as the 12th annual "Don't Fry Day" to encourage sun safety awareness and to remind everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors.

Related link: https://skincancerprevention.org/

BHERC ‘Operation Love’ Set to Deliver Mother’s Day Sunday Meals and Essential Goods to Homeless Families in Washington, DC and Baltimore

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) continues its "Operation Love" outreach Saturday May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 2020 in Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland targeting homeless families with "underlying" health and psychosocial conditions who have been extremely impacted by COVID 19 shelter in place mandates and need assistance.

This effort will provide A Mother's Day meal or grocery box with two weeks of food with healthy recipes, Laced with Love on how to prepare the meals and a gift basket of essential items for 500 families living shelters, special housing and homeless encampments. The program has reached over 2000 seniors and homeless individuals since the start of the pandemic. Some of the agencies will pick up the gift boxes from 3532 Massachusetts Ave NW, while others will be delivered directly to the shelter or encampment, a list of the agencies can be found below.

"Operation Love" meals and gift baskets are for homeless families living in the shelters or special housing programs including their children, and caregivers. As we begin to celebrate Nurses Week, "Year of the Nurse and Midwife," the Mother's Day dinner, grocery boxes and gift baskets are being donated in honor of Dr. Bernardine M. Lacey an extraordinary nurse leader. Dr. Bernardine Lacey, is credited with starting the movement to include care of the underserved in the nursing curriculum and she started the first nurse operated homeless clinic at the D Street Shelter, in Washington, D.C. Because of this movement, the profession is better prepared to care for the most vulnerable populations in the American society.

"This small showing of love is both a practical and a heartfelt demonstration of the importance of our most vulnerable populations. We want the homeless to know they have not been forgotten in the midst of our mandated and necessary physical distancing," states Sandra Evers-Manly, President of BHERC.

The gift basket includes feminine hygiene products, hard to find items such as: gloves, toilet paper, face masks, hand sanitizer and various other essential items. In addition, the children's book Raised by Mrs. Manly and her Ls, written by Ms. Sandra Evers-Manly and other toys will be given to the children. The meals and baskets will be prepared and delivered using City/State and CDC guidelines. Contributors to the gift baskets include the Living Legend Dr. Bernardine Lacey, Dr. Shirley Evers-Manly, President All Health Care/Imani's, the National Black Nurses Association, Gwendylon Johnson, member Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority,

During this unprecedented time in our lives, the COVID19 worldwide health and humanitarian pandemic is redefining the very way we live our lives daily. In many instances, eclipsing the future of what daily work, education, entertainment and play will look like in the future for all of us. In addition to the need for essential supplies is the need for emotional support. "Operation Love delivers a strong message that you are not alone in these difficult times. We are with you!" says Evers-Manly.

At BHERC, this is the kind of action that has made the BHERC family, its friends and colleagues, unique as we demonstrate an enthusiastic abiding support and responsive manner when called upon over the years. BHERC encourages everyone that can to act.

"Let's remind the ones around us how much they matter. Encourage them to stay strong and steadfast," states Evers-Manly.

The BHERC family encourages everyone to consider supporting the vulnerable populations, You can:
* Contact a homeless shelter to check on their needs
* If shopping (do so under City/State and CDC guidelines), pick up an item or two for a homeless family or someone in need (practice social distancing)
* Donate or make mask for the shelter or isolated seniors
* Send an online order to someone in need

In addition to the focus on homeless, the BHERC Operation Love is focused on distributing masks to seniors and supporting the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). Last week the BHERC president made a contribution to the NBNA to create a special fund to support nurses on the front-line battling COVID19 and to curate an online instructional program for Nurses to Help Nurses. The NBNA donation will also provide 1000 masks for NBNA nurses and provide support for their distribution of masks, meals, nursing education, and culturally sensitive health education materials where chapters are located across the country.

"Each and every one of us must reach out in a safe way to make sure vulnerable populations have someone to talk to, have medications and have enough food to eat during these difficult times," expressed Dr. Martha A. Dawson, President of the National Black Nurses Association. "We are pleased to partner with Ms. Sandra Evers-Manly during these challenging times."

Everyone can all join in the fight by making just a quick phone call or sending a simple text message. Keeping each other positive and reminding your neighbors and loved ones that even in our isolation, we are not alone. #BHERCStrongTogether

Operation Love Organizations

House of Ruth Provides safe and stable housing to women, children and families in the DC area who have experienced homelessness and abuse. Twenty-five hot meals will be delivered Saturday May 9, 2020.

Hope House DC offers programs to prisoners and their families aimed at decreasing recidivism and keeping incarcerated men connected to the community. Not surprisingly, studies have shown that prisoners who remain in contact with their families while incarcerated have a lower recidivism rate.

New Endeavors by Women helps keep women in DC safe and healthy with housing and supportive services, including one-on-one case management.

Seniors Organized for Solutions NOW!!! Masks were delivered Friday May 1, 2020 to isolated seniors, many who have not been able to come outside since the shelter in place was implemented in Washington, DC.

DC Child and Family Services Agency Ten families living in a tent encampment.

The Family Recovery Program, Inc. (Baltimore) The Family Recovery Program serves parents ages 18 and over of Baltimore City children ages 0-10 who have been removed from their care for at least one night for reasons substantially related to substance abuse. The presenting child must have never been adjudicated Child in Need of Assistance. Substance Abuse Treatment Individuals will be referred to treatment services which may include: Individual and group counseling, Relapse prevention, Self-help groups, General health and nutrition education, parenting skills, and domestic violence education. According to families in her program are having a having a rough time getting food.

DC Department of Human Services.

According to Scott Sibley, Community Liaison Partner, Sponsor & Donor, "DC Human Services need 500 reusable masks targeting the needs DHS' served residents and staff. We will provide them with 200 reusable masks and 100 medical grade masks towards this effort."

About the BHERC

Founded in 1996 by Sandra Evers-Manly, the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center is a nonprofit, public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history and future of Black images in film and television. Through film festivals, award ceremonies, book signings, script readings, contests, scholarships, other programs and special events, BHERC recognizes the contributions of Black men and women in front of and behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

LIKE us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter & Instagram. Website: https://bherc.org/.

SOCIAL INFO:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/black.hollywood.9/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Bhercdotorg
Instagram Bhercdotorg | #ILoveSistaFilms

Hashtags: #BHERC #SEManly #BHERCSistas #SistaFilmmakers #BHERCIndie #BHERCShorts

VIDEO: https://mediazilla.com/4tvztX8opR

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0506s2p-bherc-logo-300dpi.jpg

The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) continues its "Operation Love" outreach Saturday May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 2020 in Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland targeting homeless families with "underlying" health and psychosocial conditions who have been extremely impacted by COVID 19 shelter in place mandates and need assistance.

Related link: https://bherc.org/

Towing Companies in US Profit from the Poor Without Government Intervention says Fair Towing Alliance

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Fair Towing Alliance insists that as Congress drafts additional COVID-19 relief legislation, that they reconsider current laws and practices on car towing that devastate poor families and force individuals into unsafe homeless shelters, all while the government and towing companies profit.

The COVID-19 response requires individuals to be sequestered in controlled spaces. However, current parking laws put families experiencing vehicular homelessness at risk. As reported in 2019 by CityLab, several religious organizations and nonprofits have begun creating "safe parking areas" for people living in their vehicles. These services are extremely rare and most poor families are subject not only to losing their car, but hefty fines and fees as well.

The recent report "Towed Into Debt: How Towing Practices in California Punish Poor People," revealed that in California, the average cost to get back a towed car is $1,100 and in one month alone, Los Angeles towed 9,400 vehicles. In San Francisco, 50 percent of vehicles towed for unpaid parking tickets and 57 percent for lapsed registration were never recovered by their owners. Instead, these cars were sold at auctions. By continuing to enforce these laws, families and individuals will be forced into homeless shelters, increasing their risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.

"It is essential that government agencies not order the towing of people's cars at a time when those actions may increase the risk of entire families contracting a deadly virus," says William Wallish Gorman, the founder of the Fair Towing Alliance and former decorated police officer.

Gorman adds, "Private for-profit towing companies must cease towing vehicles for non-emergency and non-public safety reasons. Across the world businesses have taken honorable actions. We expect no less from for-profit towing companies that have long reaped the benefits of towing and selling the cars of poor families after they were unable to pay the exorbitant fees. Private towing companies should publicly commit to not sell these cars at auctions."

In addition to increased threats from COVID-19, individuals who lose their car are at increased risk for prolonged poverty. Research from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville found that unemployed people with cars were more likely to find jobs and leave welfare than those who do not have cars. Those who have a car, after leaving welfare, are twice as likely to be employed for 18-24 months than individuals without a car.

Gorman further stated, "Many of the employees who have lost their jobs are the working poor who staff businesses that drive local economies. We want everyone to obey the law, have a job, work hard, be free of government assistance, and do right by their families. Fulfilling these responsibilities should not be constrained by excessive government actions and companies that prey upon poor families. Now is the time for our lawmakers to defend the poor from unjust business practices, poverty, and COVID-19."

The Fair Towing Alliance raises awareness of laws and policies regarding the towing of cars and their disproportionate impact on the poor. Learn more at: https://www.TowJam.org.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0407s2p-gorman-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: William Wallish Gorman.

Media Contact:
Fair Towing Alliance
William Gorman, Founder
wwg@WilliamWGorman.com
https://www.towjam.org/william-wallish-gorman

Additional media resources: https://www.towjam.org/media

The Fair Towing Alliance insists that as Congress drafts additional COVID-19 relief legislation, that they reconsider current laws and practices on car towing that devastate poor families and force individuals into unsafe homeless shelters, all while the government and towing companies profit.

Related link: https://www.TowJam.org

Economic Growth and Public Policy Propel Homeownership Rates

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- In the first of a three-part series on the impact of economic growth and public policy on homeownership rates, housing policy consultant Allen Jones, Managing Director, Housing Finance Strategies, provides commentary on the drivers of recent increases.

"Today's economic climate combined with private sector recognition of the value of all hard-working Americans is lifting homeownership prospects across the board," says Jones.

The housing crisis of 2008 wreaked havoc on millions of individuals and families. The allure of building generational wealth proved illusory to many who saw the promise of homeownership slip away, taking with it down payments and credit ratings.

Some communities are still recovering, but recent data published by the Census Department may point to a glimmer of light to those hardest hit by the crisis, including African American homeowners. With statistics now supporting incremental improvement to African American homeownership rates from Q4 2016 to Q4 2019, rising from 41.7% to 44% in 2019, it is appropriate to examine the trend and consider the macro factors involved.

It has been said that a rising tide lifts all boats, and that may be true in this case. The US Department of Labor's G. Bryan Slater, Assistant Secretary for Administration, notes "Historically disadvantaged groups are benefiting the most from today's tight labor market. In 2019, the unemployment rates for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans all hit record lows. Those without a high school degree and people with disabilities also set record-low unemployment rates last year."

It is clear that the increasing labor participation rate is a boon to all, but add to it pointed economic incentives such as the federal government's Opportunity Zones and the private sector's Second Chance programs, a case can be made that homeownership rates in all socio-economic groups may be the beneficiary of economic success.

Yet, even as many housing experts acknowledge the positive direction of African American homeownership, they lament the burgeoning gap compared to white homeownership which is some 28 percentage points higher. Policy makers therefore must continue to sharpen the pencil to level the playing field - or widen it - so that homeownership opportunities can be aspirational for all.

The 2020 Presidential campaign is already producing an overdue discussion on criminal justice reform that follows bi-partisan legislation passed in December 2018 called The First Step Act. That bi-partisan legislation was designed to prepare inmates to successfully rejoin society and is supported by a broad coalition spanning the political spectrum, including business groups, faith-based organizations, law enforcement and State and local leaders.

In fact, ahead of the legislation, a big bank announced several major steps to encourage second-chance hiring for those with criminal records. The bank is officially "banning the box"-removing all questions about criminal records from its job applications. The bank also launched a new "policy center," and its first agenda item is reforming rules that effectively bar former felons from employment, in finance and elsewhere.

A further alignment of government and private sector efforts must continue to grow economic investment so that all workforce participation increases and the opportunities for homeownership broaden. Because what Jack Kemp said in 1989 rings just as true today: "Homeownership is essential, we think, to the American dream."

About Housing Finance Strategies:

Housing Finance Strategies provides currency to a broad constituency of mortgage influencers. These include mortgage company executives, fintech leaders, regulatory compliance senior management and public policy officials working in the Capitol and for Washington, D.C. based trade associations and academics.

Learn more about Housing Finance Strategies at: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

Media may contact: Allen Jones, Managing Director, Housing Finance Strategies, at: (202) 441-1854.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0225s2p-allen-jones-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Allen Jones, Managing Director, Housing Finance Strategies.

In the first of a three-part series on the impact of economic growth and public policy on homeownership rates, housing policy consultant Allen Jones, Managing Director, Housing Finance Strategies, provides commentary on the drivers of recent increases.

Related link: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

FIL-AM EXPO 2020 in Northern Virginia billed as the largest Filipino-American event in DMV area on June 13-14, 2020

FALLS CHURCH, Va. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Metro Washington DC (PACC-DC), in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, is spearheading what is now being billed as the largest Philippine-American event in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area - the Fil-Am Expo 2020 on June 13 and 14, 2020, following the June 12 Philippine Independence Day.

"This marks the beginning of an unparalleled future of creative collaboration between PACC-DC, the members of the Fil-Am community at-large, and the DMV community in general - we aim to bring the Fil-Am community together in a unifying cultural celebration as we showcase Filipino-American excellence in business, the arts, community development, education, entertainment and much more," says PACC-DC president, Cristina Sison.

The Fil-Am Expo 2020 will have exhibitor booths featuring a host of products and services, many highlighting Philippine-themed items, including food booths by popular Filipino restaurants like Bistro 1521 in Arlington, Virginia, Kuya Ja's and Gwenie's Pastries in Rockville, Maryland. There will also be an Arts and Culture Corridor showcasing Philippine culture, history and artistic talents.

Family being an important cornerstone of the Filipino mindset, the Expo also boasts of a Kids' Corner to entertain the little ones so you need not leave them home and kids age 10 and below come in for free.

To feed the mind, there will be panel discussions highlighting Filipino-Americans who have shown excellence in their chosen fields in business, the arts and government with the likes of Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategist Sonia Aranza, 2019 James Beard Awardee for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic Tom Cunanan, master chef and TV food show host Evelyn Bonoan, 2019 Helen Hayes awardee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play Regina Aquino, Maryland Delegate Kris Valderrama, to name a few.

It is not a true Filipino celebration without entertainment, so there will be cultural and stage performances suitable for all ages on both Event days, featuring lots of music, singing, dancing and comedy with a talented cast of local and international artists: actor Cesar Montano, Seattle's pride drag chanteuse Arnaldo!, local songbird Katrina Manabat, popular mixed hip-hop band SNRG, and many others, with the help of Erwin Gomez, successful salon owner and a legend in the D.C. beauty make up scene.

From PACC-DC PRO Olma Inocentes, "We have something for everyone! For those who wish to participate, exhibitor booths are going fast so reserve yours now."

Sponsorship packages are available and we also encourage local performers to apply to perform.

Please visit our website at https://filamexpo.com/

Expo tickets may be purchased at Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filipino-american-expo-2020-tickets-81075718657

About Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Metro Washington D.C. (PACC-DC):

PACC-DC recently celebrated its 26 years of service to the community and its vision is to further grow that presence in the DMV area. It is committed to develop programs and events that have a positive impact on the business community and to foster community outreach initiatives that benefit the entire region.

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1216s2p-fil-am-expo-2020-300dpi.jpg
*Image caption: FIL-AM EXPO 2020 event poster.

The Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Metro Washington DC (PACC-DC), in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, is spearheading what is now being billed as the largest Philippine-American event in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area - the Fil-Am Expo 2020 on June 13 and 14, 2020, following the June 12 Philippine Independence Day.

Related link: https://www.pacc-dc.org/

NEXT and Housing Finance Strategies Announce #NEXTDC20

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Capitalizing on the success of their recent executive summit in Washington D.C., NEXT Mortgage Events and Housing Finance Strategies announced #NEXTDC20, their second annual event to be held shortly after the November 2020 election in Washington, D.C.

The #NEXTDC event series consists of annual executive summits that focus on delivering housing, policy and tech intel to women executives. Each event brings together the most influential housing policy leaders, mortgage lenders and fintech firms in an intimate, boutique setting to share intel, exchange ideas, and build and strengthen alliances with top executives from each of these overlapping segments. #NEXTDC events are produced in partnership by NEXT Mortgage Events and Housing Finance Strategies.

The inaugural #NEXTDC event was held on November 18-19, 2019 at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C.

"Executives in all three segments-policy, mortgage lending and fintech-raved about the value they got from meeting both peers and constituents at our inaugural event," said Faith Schwartz, founder of Housing Finance Strategies. "They were urging us to host an event in 2020 because in addition to quality intel, they got access to a cross-segment mix of high caliber influencers they can't find anywhere else."

"The numbers speak for themselves," said Jeri Yoshida, co-founder of NEXT. "#NEXTDC19 exceeded our goals and expectations in feedback, quality and reach. We're looking forward to making #NEXTDC20 even better than our wildly successful 2019 event."

"With our post-election timing for #NEXTDC20, we anticipate an even better turnout than we saw for our first #NEXTDC event," said Molly Dowdy, co-founder of NEXT. "We're already planning ways to maximize the exchange of ideas, solutions and partnerships."

Persons interested in keeping apprised of #NEXTDC20 sessions, speakers and other information can follow NEXT Mortgage Events on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

About NEXT Mortgage Events LLC

In January 2018, NEXT Mortgage Events broke the mortgage industry's unspoken barriers that limit women's access to competitive intel and information exchange by introducing NEXT, the mortgage technology summit for women. NEXT is a two-day, tech-focused symposium for senior lending executives to gather and exchange competitive intel with their high-ranking professional peers. A boutique gathering, each NEXT event hosts roughly 200 attendees. Roughly 85-90% of lender attendees hold a title of VP or higher and approximately 85% of attendees are women. NEXT hosts its flagship events twice a year, in winter and summer, and partners with Housing Finance Strategies on a policy and fintech summit in Washington DC each fall.

For more information visit NEXTMortgageNews.com, follow @NEXTmtgEvents or email info@NEXTmortgageEvents.com.

About Housing Finance Strategies

Housing Finance Strategies is a small woman-owned business founded in 2016 to provide Strategic Advisory Services, Government and Industry Relations, Public Policy Expertise, Roundtable and Event Management and Professional Speaking Services. The firm brings 25+ years of expertise to the forefront of mortgage, including leading fintech change, advising on GSE reform and ensuring non-bank readiness for regulatory oversight.

For more information, visit http://www.housingfinancestrategies.com/, follow @HousingFinanceStrategies or email admin@housingfinancestrategies.com.

Capitalizing on the success of their recent executive summit in Washington D.C., NEXT Mortgage Events and Housing Finance Strategies announced #NEXTDC20, their second annual event to be held shortly after the November 2020 election in Washington, D.C.

Related link: https://www.nextmortgageconference.com/

Inaugural NEXT Excellence in Leadership Award Goes to Lee Raagas, CEO of Skid Row Housing Trust at NEXTDC19

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Ahead of the highly anticipated #NEXTDC19 summit on November 18, 19 in Washington, D.C., from NEXT Mortgage Events, conference co-host Faith Schwartz, President of Housing Finance Strategies, announced that Kerri Milam, president of Depth Public Relations will present the inaugural NEXT Excellence in Leadership award to Lee Raagas, Chief Executive Officer of Skid Row Housing Trust.

To be presented on November 18 at #NEXTDC19, the Excellence in Leadership award is given to the individual who inspires and delivers change to an underserved market in housing finance.

Faith Schwartz said, "Too often, as we debate huge issues like Housing Reform, we lose sight of what's most important - and that is as basic as a roof over our heads. The growing epidemic of homelessness challenges our hearts as well as our best and brightest minds. Lee Raagas of Skid Row Housing Trust stands out in leading innovative solutions and delivering housing to the homeless. We applaud her efforts and the success of Skid Row Housing Trust."

With over 20 years' experience in financial services, including the investment sector, distressed assets and housing/mortgage industries, Lee Raagas is leading transformative change at Skid Row Housing Trust with three new properties currently in development and an additional 21 projects under contract. These new developments will nearly double the Trust's existing 26 projects.

Skid Row Housing Trust, founded in 1989, provides permanent supportive housing so that people who have experienced homelessness, prolonged extreme poverty, poor health, disabilities, mental illness and/or addiction can lead safe, stable lives in wellness. By providing an integrated approach to housing, primary healthcare, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and counseling, the Trust provides many of the tools needed to overcome the causes of homelessness.

"Housing affordability is a cornerstone of household stability and a platform for economic mobility," said Kerri Milam. "That is why the work Lee Raagas has undertaken with Skid Row Housing Trust accomplishes more than simply housing and serving the homeless - it is the work of delivering on our nation's promise of opportunity. I look forward to presenting her with the inaugural NEXT Excellence in Leadership Award."

The Excellence in Leadership award will be delivered to Raagas at #NEXTDC19, the first women's executive summit that brings together Washington policy makers, fintech luminaries, and mortgage lending executives, for a dedicated, ongoing conversation on housing policy's impact on mortgage lenders and fintech providers. The summit's sessions will focus on current policy as well as housing issues that could be impacted by the 2020 election.

For more information and to register for #NEXTDC19, please use this link: https://nextdc19.splashthat.com/

About NEXT Mortgage Events LLC

In January 2018, NEXT Mortgage Events broke the mortgage industry's unspoken barriers limiting women's access to competitive intel when it introduced NEXT, the mortgage executive summit for women. NEXT is a multi-day, tech-focused symposium based on lending executives sharing competitive intel with other lending executives. A boutique event, NEXT targets a select group of decision making executives: roughly 85-90% of NEXT's lender attendees hold a title of VP or higher and approximately 85% of attendees are women. NEXT hosts several events each year. For more information visit https://nextmortgagenews.com/, follow @NEXTmtgEvents or email info@NEXTmortgageEvents.com.

About Housing Finance Strategies

Housing Finance Strategies is a small woman-owned business founded in 2016 to provide Strategic Advisory Services, Government and Industry Relations, Public Policy Expertise, Roundtable and Event Management and Professional Speaking Services to the housing finance industry. The firm brings 25+ years of expertise to the forefront of mortgage, including leading fintech change, advising on GSE reform and ensuring non-bank readiness for regulatory oversight. For more information, visit https://housingfinancestrategies.com/ or email admin@housingfinancestrategies.com.

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1105s2p-next-and-hfs-300dpi.jpg

Ahead of the highly anticipated #NEXTDC19 summit on November 18, 19 in Washington, D.C., from NEXT Mortgage Events, conference co-host Faith Schwartz, President of Housing Finance Strategies, announced that Kerri Milam, president of Depth Public Relations will present the inaugural NEXT Excellence in Leadership award to Lee Raagas, Chief Executive Officer of Skid Row Housing Trust.

Related link: https://www.nextmortgageconference.com/

Media Advisory: Byte Back Brings National Digital Inclusion Week to DC with Congresswoman Norton and Mayor Bowser

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Local residents and nationally known digital inclusion leaders are celebrating National Digital Inclusion Week October 7 to 11. Though Washington, D.C. is a capital of innovation and technology, the District still struggles with a stark digital divide. Byte Back is a nationally recognized tech nonprofit that has led digital inclusion in the D.C. area for more than 20 years.

This year, the organization is hosting its 3rd annual DC Community Tech Day, leading D.C.'s National Digital Inclusion Week activities. The event will feature U.S. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and tech career workshops for Byte Back students, alumni, and other community members.

The fourth annual National Digital Inclusion Week includes about 40 events around the country and is organized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, which has more than 385 members representing 44 states and the District. Byte Back's participation is part of a nationwide effort to close digital gaps, from California to the Carolinas.

"We have the ability to bridge the digital divide. We have the resources. We have the know-how. What we're missing is being brave enough and committed enough to do so," said Elizabeth Lindsey, Byte Back executive director, in her recently released TEDx talk, a widely shared resource on digital inclusion.

"Not everyone wants to code, but everyone needs basic and intermediate tech skills in order to thrive," Lindsey said, explaining the need for access to tech training in today's digital economy.

EVENT: DC COMMUNITY TECH DAY
When: Wednesday, October 9, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Byte Back, 899 North Capitol Street NE Suite 850, Washington, DC 20002

What: This event brings together adult learners for an introduction to tech careers, job skills, and networking practice.

Who:
* U.S. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, representing the District of Columbia
* D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser
* Elizabeth Lindsey, Byte Back executive director - national digital inclusion thought leader, recently recognized in The Root 100 most influential African Americans
* About 80 students and alumni, who are gaining tech skills for living-wage careers that use technology (Note: Students and program alumni will be available for press interviews)

Media Contact: Please contact Yvette Scorse, communications director, yscorse@byteback.org, (301) 456-4699, to arrange in-person interviews and/or filming on location.

ABOUT BYTE BACK, INC:

Byte Back provides a pathway of inclusive tech training that leads to living-wage careers. As a leader in digital inclusion since 1997, Byte Back has helped hundreds of graduates launch living-wage careers that use technology. In 2018, 50 graduates were hired, earning $27,599 more per year than before Byte Back training. Please see more at http://www.byteback.org/.

ABOUT DIGITAL INCLUSION, FROM THE NATIONAL DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCE:

"Digital inclusion" refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This includes 5 elements: 1) affordable, robust broadband internet service; 2) internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; 3) access to digital literacy training; 4) quality technical support; and 5) applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration. Digital inclusion must evolve as technology advances. Digital inclusion requires intentional strategies and investments to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional and structural barriers to access and use technology. Please see more at https://www.digitalinclusion.org/.

Local residents and nationally known digital inclusion leaders are celebrating National Digital Inclusion Week October 7 to 11. Though Washington, D.C. is a capital of innovation and technology, the District still struggles with a stark digital divide. Byte Back is a nationally recognized tech nonprofit that has led digital inclusion in the D.C. area for more than 20 years.

Related link: https://byteback.org/

Jump$tart Coalition’s 2019 National Educator Conference Is Sold Out

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Jump$tart Coalition's 2019 National Educator Conference - an all-scholarship event for personal finance teachers - is sold out. The conference, set for November 1 - 3, 2019 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, is underwritten by the Cornell-Douglas Foundation, Experian, and the Wells Fargo Foundation and many other generous sponsors, which enable 350 teachers from across the country to attend the event on a scholarship that covers their hotel stay, meals and full participation in the event.

The Jump$tart National Educator Conference (#JSNEC19) supports the goals of Check Your School, Jump$tart's public engagement campaign to get more-and more effective-financial education into our nation's elementary, middle, and high schools. Jump$tart's Essential Elements of Effective Financial Education, found on CheckYourSchool.org, identify qualified educators as one of the essential elements and the National Educator Conference provides the professional development opportunity that many need. Teacher attendees are eligible to receive a certificate for 15 professional development hours.

The National Educator Conference also addresses the need for a variety of reliable financial education resources-another of the Essential Elements of Effective Financial Education. Conference breakout sessions and the dedicated financial education exhibit hall introduce teachers to curriculum materials and tools to help them bring personal finance to life in their kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms. Most of the session presenters and exhibitors are national Jump$tart Coalition partners.

"The Jump$tart National Educator Conference lets us offer substantive and focused professional development to personal finance teachers and those who incorporate financial content into any subject at any grade level," said Laura Levine, Jump$tart Coalition President and CEO. "We're also very proud that the conference demonstrates the best of what we are as a coalition-with supporters, presenters, and exhibitors working together to support financial education. It's truly a collaborative effort and we are grateful to everyone involved."

Exhibitor registration will remain open until October 11 or when capacity is reached. Visit the Jump$tart website or contact info@jumpstart.org for more information.

About Jump$tart Coalition:

The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in Washington, DC. Founded in 1995, Jump$tart's more than 100 national coalition partners and 51 state affiliates work collaboratively to advance financial literacy-especially among preschool through college-aged students. Jump$tart operates an online clearinghouse of financial education resources, is the publisher of the National Standards in K-12 Personal Finance Education, and may be best known as the original promoter of April as national Financial Literacy Month. @NatlJumpStart #aFinLitFuture

Check Your School is a public-engagement campaign launched by Jump$tart in 2019 on behalf of its partners and the financial literacy community. Check Your School supports the goals of Jump$tart's Project Groundswell-to get effective financial education into more U.S. classrooms-by harnessing the power of parents, families, educators, and others to start and join a national conversation about the need for financial education in our schools. @CheckYourSchool #CheckYourSchool

Learn more: https://www.jumpstart.org/

The Jump$tart Coalition's 2019 National Educator Conference - an all-scholarship event for personal finance teachers - is sold out. The conference, set for November 1 - 3, 2019 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, is underwritten by the Cornell-Douglas Foundation, Experian, and the Wells Fargo Foundation and many other generous sponsors, which enable 350 teachers from across the country to attend the event on a scholarship that covers their hotel stay, meals and full participation in the event.

Related link: https://www.jumpstart.org/

Real Change: Expanding Congress to Include a Citizens Assembly

WASHINGTON D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- An Assembly of 600 citizen-delegates is being established by NewUnity.Org and it is expected to eventually become a third-chamber of Congress via constitutional amendment, creating a tri-cameral legislature. The first session of the Assembly is scheduled to start in early 2020. Any U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can be a delegate to the Assembly, provided they satisfy some eligibility requirements.

The Assembly advances democracy and mitigates many of the issues that have plagued the political process. There are no special interests, no political parties and no big money donors involved in selection of delegates and therefore none of the conflicts of interests or compromises that afflict many who are elected to Congress. As a non-partisan body, the Assembly can reduce the polarization that permeates Washington and, indeed, the country.

There is no doubt Americans want real change. 66% of Americans say they want major structural change in government, according to a poll of Americans by U.Chicago Harris/AP-NORC which was released in May 2019. Reforming Congress is clearly the place to start. It has the lowest job-approval rating of any branch of government. Congress's approval rating is only 17%, according to Gallup Poll in Aug. 2019. For reference, approval of the Supreme Court is 51% and of the President is 39%, according to Gallup Polls as of September 2018 and August 2019, respectively.

These polls highlight the extent of America's frustration and disgust with the polarized state of politics and gridlock in government. Research by Greater Good at Univ of Berkeley in March 2019 describes the destructive impact that increasing polarization is having on America. In summary, the adverse impact includes: winner-take-all politics, demonization of opposing views, proliferation of partisan propaganda, increased stress and general distrust of government. As an institution whose members are not selected by political parties, the Assembly is a solution that can both improve democracy and unify the country.

Delegates will be chosen from a database of over 230 million adults by an independent non-partisan organization using a transparent selection process that is similar to selection for jury duty. Given the Assembly involves patriotic service to country, organizers believe many will consider it a supreme honor to serve their country.

As a group, Delegates will mirror the general population to a 99% confidence level with approximately 5% margin of error. A 55% super-majority of Delegates will be required to adopt any measure meaning, statistically, decisions of the Assembly are consistent with the majority of Americans 99% of the time. It is obvious that Congress, as currently structured, could not match the Assembly's 99% level of performance.

Furthermore, the Assembly's demographic composition will closely mirror America's whereas Congress' composition is very different. For example, in Congress, 25% are female vs 51% of America. Through its composition and its voting rules, the Assembly will be unique in reflecting the will of the people.

Direct participation in government by citizens is not a new concept. Citizens already participate directly in one branch of government, the judiciary, through jury duty. People who are called for jury duty are selected from a database of all citizens - a sort of lottery selection process modified with some eligibility requirements. Most Americans have been called to jury duty at some point in their life. Nearly 15% of American adults, over 30 million people, are summoned to jury duty each year, according to a study by the National Center for State Courts. The Assembly simply extends the concept of direct citizen participation to the legislative branch of government.

NewUnity.Org believes citizens should participate in making laws - not just administering them as a juror. Service in the Assembly may someday be referred to as 'Assembly duty.' As with jury duty, delegates will be compensated for service and expenses will be reimbursed.

Direct citizen participation alone would add a lot of value; but the Assembly does even more. Delegates are able to do research and they have access to data and resources to fully explore an issue. Then they debate the issue with other delegates who have opposing views and are equally well-informed. Some will be persuaded to change their original position on an issue. The outcome of this deliberative process are decisions that are well-considered and fully-informed. The government can look to the Assembly for guidance on what the American people really think about issues and policies - rather than relying upon polls of uninformed people. This clearly would be a significant improvement over the present situation.

The Assembly's model is applying, on a national scale, a concept that is being tested in Dallas this week at an event called America in One Room or A1R. Five hundred citizens have been selected to statistically mirror America and they will debate five major national issues over three days. A1R will show if citizens can come together to seriously debate and vote on major issues. Direct citizen participation has already been applied successfully in over 25 countries globally. A1R is a Helena Project and involves Stanford University's Center for Deliberative Democracy and NORC at the University of Chicago. Lessons from A1R will be useful in establishing the Assembly and other direct democracy initiatives. The New York Times published an Op-Ed about A1R in August and is expected to publish outcomes of A1R after the event. Lessons from A1R will inform the operation of the Assembly.

"Everyone will have the chance to be a modern 'Mr. Smith' as in the classic movie 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' - an ordinary citizen is able to have a meaningful impact on government," said Ms. Anderson, a spokesperson for NewUnity.Org. "The Assembly reflects the actual will of the people in the entire country rather than representatives that are influenced by their political party, special interests and reflect the narrow preferences of those in their district who happen to vote on one day." Finally, she stated, "New Unity.Org does not undertake this initiative with a view to favor, or disfavor, any political party. The Assembly's objective is solely to benefit America by bolstering our democracy. It is a solution that stems from a long-term general disenchantment with politics and government."

Standing up this new Assembly is a massive undertaking. It takes a large number of volunteers and millions of dollars of donations from individuals and institutions. NewUnity.Org is a grassroots effort. It is not backed by any corporation or special interests. It is not backed by any corporation or special interests. NewUnity.Org plans to raise over $2 million by the end of this year and to start the first session of the Assembly in early 2020. Those who volunteer or donate will be doing a patriotic contribution to American democracy. NewUnity.Org has opened a donation portal on its website.

The first session of the Assembly is expected to meet at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. NewUnity.Org is recruiting hundreds of volunteers to help achieve its mission. As an incentive, volunteers and donors will be granted a higher chance to be selected as a delegate to the historic first session of the Assembly.

About NewUnity:
NewUnity.org is a 527 non-profit organization. New Unity's mission is to promote direct democracy and advocate for non-partisan, independent voter participation in elections and government. See https://newunity.org for information about New Unity's mission and how to support it and follow us on Twitter @NewUnity_USA

An Assembly of 600 citizen-delegates is being established by NewUnity.Org and it is expected to eventually become a third-chamber of Congress via constitutional amendment, creating a tri-cameral legislature. The first session of the Assembly is scheduled to start in early 2020. Any U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can be a delegate to the Assembly, provided they satisfy some eligibility requirements.

Related link: https://newunity.org/

DJ Throdown, aka Ross Volpe, Continues Reign as America’s Best DJ, Capturing Second Consecutive DMC US Finals DJ Championship

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Washington, D.C. area's very own and most eccentric turntablist entertainer, DJ Throdown, AKA Ross Volpe, continued his reign as "America's Best DJ" by again winning the prestigious DMC US Finals DJ Battle. DJ Throdown will represent America on September 28 in London at the DMC World DJ Championships, where last year he finished 5th best in the world.

Based on the scores of a panel of former DMC champions, DJ Throdown, the "Sultan of Scratch" beat a large group of regional finalists in winning the 2019 DMC competition.

DJ Throdown is a DJ party fixture at nightclubs throughout America and Europe. He was born and raised and attended high school and college in Virginia. He also spends time teaching aspiring, young DJs in the DC area.

Throdown has teamed with his brother, award winning filmmaker Andrew M. Volpe of Crooked Foxes Productions - https://crookedfoxesproductions.com/ - to produce "Cat Scratch Fever (The Cat Video)," a comedy PSA film short about the benefits of pet adoption, which will be unveiled at future film festivals.

No matter what the outcome of the London competition, DJ Throdown said he will continue to produce influential music, adding, "I want to meld hip hop sounds from the golden era of old school music I listened to when I was younger and recast it with a more lively sound suitable for future club goers."

For more information, visit: FB - https://www.facebook.com/DJThrodownDC

Social media: Twitter - @djthrodowndc - https://twitter.com/djthrodowndc

Media Contact:
Mike Volpe
(703) 609-4865

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-0913s2p-djthrodown-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption and credit: DJ Throdown, 2019 DMC US Finals DJ Champion; photo courtesy of Dennis Shaw.

The Washington, D.C. area's very own and most eccentric turntablist entertainer, DJ Throdown, AKA Ross Volpe, continued his reign as "America's Best DJ" by again winning the prestigious DMC US Finals DJ Battle. DJ Throdown will represent America on September 28 in London at the DMC World DJ Championships, where last year he finished 5th best in the world.

Related link: https://www.facebook.com/DJThrodownDC

EPIC Launches New Employee Benefits Consulting Labor Practice Led by Kimberly Cicero in DC

DULUTH, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Kimberly Cicero has joined the firm as SVP, Labor Practice Leader. Cicero will be based in the Washington, D.C. Metro area reporting to EPIC's Duluth, Ga. office and Steve Needle, Managing Principal Employer Services, Southeast Region.

In her new role, Cicero will have responsibility for the development and oversight of a Taft-Hartley business practice which will focus on meeting the unique benefit and consulting needs of Trust Funds.

Cicero joins EPIC from Cigna Healthcare where she spent the past 12 years serving Taft-Hartley and Federal Business clients and their membership. While at Cigna, she managed the segment's Southeast region as well as a large Federal Business segment.

Cicero spent the first 16 years of her career with two third-party administrators, Carday Associates, Inc. and Zenith-American Solutions, working in all aspects of Taft-Hartley trust fund administration. Here she earned her strong, positive labor reputation by understanding the distinct needs of trust funds; and most importantly, serving the membership they represent.

"We are thrilled to continue the growth of our Employee Benefits Consulting operations in Georgia and the Southeast with Kim's addition," said EPIC's Steven Needle. "She is a well-respected, highly consultative employee benefits professional, well versed in the intricacies of Taft-Hartley joint labor/management plans, who will deliver great value to our clients and to other EPIC team members. I could not be more excited to have Kim join our EPIC team."

Kimberly Cicero can be reached at kimberly.cicero@epicbrokers.com or (240) 271-2753.

About EPIC

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 2,000 team members operating from 70 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $600 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Kimberly Cicero has joined the firm as SVP, Labor Practice Leader.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Ecsazza, Inc. Releases Digital Workflow Management (DWM) Industry Whitepaper

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Ecsazza, Inc. (www.ecsazza.com), an innovative Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of digital workflow management (DWM) software, just launched its latest industry research. Its white paper, "The Business Case for Digital Workflow Management Software", discusses the trends driving DWM adoption, why some businesses are still on the fence, and how to choose the right DWM vendor for your organization.

The global DWM software market - estimated at $7 billion in revenue as of December 2018 - is expected to double to $14 billion by 2023. This growth is being driven by new technologies like cloud computing, AI and machine learning. In addition, the data explosion has accelerated the need for organizations to better manage, store and leverage their data for competitive advantage.

Even with the benefits of digital workflow management solutions - namely increased productivity, compliance, communication and customer experience - 40% of businesses have yet to purchase them. Ecsazza's white paper explains why, and provides a framework to help these businesses more easily navigate the DWM purchase process.

To download a copy of the white paper, click here.- https://www.ecsazza.com/dwm-white-paper

About Ecsazza:

Ecsazza, Inc. ( http://www.ecsazza.com ) is an innovative new entrant in the digital workflow management (DWM) software space. Headquartered in Washington D.C., Ecsazza was founded with the mission to provide a low cost, easy to use, cloud-based workflow automation tool to help businesses realize higher productivity and improved communication, compliance and customer experience. Its tool, called Effecs(TM), is currently in beta test, and scheduled for commercial launch in January 2020.

Ecsazza, Inc., an innovative Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of digital workflow management (DWM) software, just launched its latest industry research. Its white paper, "The Business Case for Digital Workflow Management Software", discusses the trends driving DWM adoption, why some businesses are still on the fence, and how to choose the right DWM vendor for your organization.

Related link: http://www.ecsazza.com

Byte Back Partners to Offer a Free Pathway to College Credits

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Byte Back and Saylor Academy announced a new partnership today to expand free college opportunities for adults preparing for living-wage careers.

Byte Back students, most of whom are unemployed when they start, will be able to save thousands of dollars on degrees by using Saylor Academy's free online college-credit courses, which transfer to universities, including Thomas Edison State University, Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University, and University of Maryland Global Campus, which serve students in Washington, DC and Maryland.

Byte Back and Saylor Academy recognize that working learners need flexible education options to balance skill development with work and family demands. Saylor Academy's always-available, self-paced course model and partnerships with leading colleges and universities that specialize in adult higher education support working adults as they progress toward completing their degrees. The tuition-free aspect of Saylor's program allows students to start, or return to, their degree completion journey with zero financial risk.

"Byte Back shares our vision to remove the barriers many face to getting the skills and higher education they need to advance their natural talents," said Jeff Davidson, executive director of Saylor Academy. "By adding our always-on free courses, delivering in-demand soft skills and pathways to an affordable degree to their catalog, Byte Back students will be able to continue to advance in tech careers, while having time for family and other obligations without incurring additional debt."

"Most Byte Back students can't afford college," said Elizabeth Lindsey, executive director of Byte Back. "Thanks to this partnership with Saylor Academy, our students will have more opportunities to gain skills and, very importantly, college credits, which will help them secure living-wage careers and move up in their careers."

About Saylor Academy

Saylor Academy is a nonprofit initiative committed to removing barriers to education, whether those barriers are cost, distance, or time. We remove those barriers by offering free online courses in in-demand skills and introductory subjects that can earn free certificates or can earn transferred college credit. Saylor Academy's free online courses accelerate paths to degrees and careers. Saylor Academy partners with colleges and universities, nonprofits, and employers to offer flexible education to students in need.

Saylor Academy Credit Program

Saylor Academy courses are created by credentialed professors, and many have been recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education and/or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. Saylor Academy courses offer opportunities for college credit, via credit-by-exam, to many leading colleges and universities that accept these credit recommendations.

About Byte Back

Byte Back, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides a pathway of inclusive tech training that leads to living-wage careers. As a leader in digital inclusion since 1997, Byte Back has helped hundreds of graduates launch living-wage careers that use technology. In 2018, 50 graduates were hired, earning $27,599 more per year than before Byte Back training. Please see more at https://byteback.org/.

Byte Back Courses

Byte Back's free training pathway take adults from any computer skill level to a living-wage career working with tech. Students can start with foundational skills and move up to tracks for IT or administrative professionals. Byte Back offers in-person training in Washington, DC, Prince George's County, Maryland, and Baltimore. See more about the tech training pathway at https://byteback.org/classes-the-byte-back-pathway/.

Byte Back and Saylor Academy announced a new partnership today to expand free college opportunities for adults preparing for living-wage careers. Byte Back students, most of whom are unemployed when they start, will be able to save thousands of dollars on degrees by using Saylor Academy's free online college-credit courses.

Related link: https://byteback.org/

Wellness Company Introduces Next Level Experiences to Its Clients

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- On a warm summer evening, what could be a better recipe for health and entertainment than learning how to make your own sushi? Wellness, nutrition, and fun all in one roll. Putting entertainment, community, and engagement into healthy living is the goal for F3 Wellness Connections, D.C. and Northern Virginia's hottest Wellness Concierge.

F3 Wellness Connections - previously known as F3 Training & Bodywork - draws its name from flow, function, and fitness, the three tenets that form the foundation of its business model. What started as a small family-run fitness studio has grown in size and scope, with a reputation as DC's fitness frontrunners, and in 2013, The Washington Post and CBS DC named F3 "DC's Best Kettlebell Workout."

F3 is a leader in the all-access wellness concierge movement, offering personal training, massage, esthetician, nutrition, and other holistic services in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. F3 Wellness Connections brings a one-of-a-kind wellness experience designed for fun, fitness, and total relaxation. Its bespoke offerings of courses, from sushi rolling to a spa soiree to mindfulness meditation to happy hour yoga complete with a DJ, provide clients with the sorts of experiences that they expect as part of corporate benefits or amenities to luxury apartment living.

F3 has partnered with some of the premier luxury residential communities in the area, including City Market at O and 880P, The Residences at Eastern Market, Modera Sedici, to bring wellness activities to the residents.

"Wellness should be more than a chore, it should be fun, and social," says Glenn Seth, co-founder and master trainer at F3. "We offer courses to help enhance healthy living and increase community engagement, which is an important part of total wellness." Today's millennial consumers expect wellness to be a part of their work/life balance, and savvy companies and luxury residential communities are increasing their offerings in these areas. F3 is at the forefront of this movement.

In addition to courses, F3 addresses every aspect of the wellness process - diet, exercise, mental health, spiritual, and esthetic health - rather than just focusing on physical fitness, which is where most exercise programs miss the mark, according to Seth. "The idea behind F3 Wellness Connections is to approach wellness with an open, all-inclusive attitude," he says. "By focusing on all areas of wellness instead of a choice few, F3 Wellness Connections offers a holistic, authentic connection for each and every client."

F3's concierge services include fitness and spa programs with offerings in yoga, kettlebell training, guided meditation, life coaching, and more. Their team includes a wide range of specialized wellness providers, life coaches, nutritionists, estheticians, and reiki masters - just to name a few. F3 Wellness Connections sees its range of wellness programs as offering an ideal mix of health benefits to groups, businesses, and luxury apartment communities. The group activities round out the full-scale wellness concierge program that serves individuals a curated wellness experience, down to personal training, chef, massage, and esthetician service packages.

To learn more about the courses and other services offered by F3 Wellness Connections, visit their website - https://f3wellnessconnections.com/ - or if you're ready to dive right in, join the F3 team for one of their holistic community events, like healthy sushi-rolling classes being offered throughout August at select locations.

Space is limited in every class, so be sure to contact the team today to learn more about getting in on the action: https://f3wellnessconnections.com/contact-us.

"Our journey began with a passion for bringing joy and value to people's lives," Seth says. "The next step in our path brings that concept to a higher level. We can't wait to share our journey with you."

Learn more about F3 Wellness Connections:
* Website: https://www.f3wellnessconnections.com/
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/f3wellnessconnections/?ref=bookmarks
* Instagram: @f3wellnessconnections
* Twitter: @f3wellness

Official Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNgBJZ47uJw

On a warm summer evening, what could be a better recipe for health and entertainment than learning how to make your own sushi? Wellness, nutrition, and fun all in one roll. Putting entertainment, community, and engagement into healthy living is the goal for F3 Wellness Connections, D.C. and Northern Virginia's hottest Wellness Concierge.

Related link: https://www.f3wellnessconnections.com/

2019 Service Dog Hero of the Year Awarded to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Alice

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is excited to announce that on Friday, July 26, 2019 our Service Dog, Alice; specifically trained to assist Recipient Antonio was named the 2019 Service Dog Hero of the Year by more than 900,000 nationwide voters and the American Humane Societies' panel of judges.

Alice has been watching over Antonio since 2016, after he tragically suffered a gun-shot wound to the head at the age of nine, while sitting in his parents' car in 2015.

Since that day, Antonio has struggled through 5 brain surgeries, leaving him with a permanent traumatic brain injury, and an artificial flap that covers a large portion of his skull. He suffers regularly from seizures, spells, migraines and balance issues. Alice is at Antonio's side constantly, including attending school together; and she is focused on Antonio at all times. She not only alerts to oncoming seizures and spells, but assists him with balance issues, as a fall could potentially be fatal.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog Alice completed nearly 2 years of unparalleled custom training to prepare for a life partnering with and assisting Antonio.

Antonio's mom Tara says: "Alice is a hero in our eyes because without her, Antonio would not be able to do the simple things in life we take for granted, like going to school, the store, or even just walking outside. She has never once failed in alerting and has saved Antonio's life many times. Alice has given Antonio a chance at a new normal life he did not have without her. The life that was ripped away for no reason. She has NEVER let him down. If that is not a hero, I don't know what is."

Now that Guardian Angels, Alice has claimed the top spot in the Service Dog Category, in October, Antonio and Alice will head to California, to take part in the LIVE 2019 Hero Dog Awards, being broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, to compete with the 6 other category winners for the title of "Hero Dog of the Year."

Voting will be open until September 9, 2019, and you can visit http://herodogawards.org/dog/alice/ to read their full story, and show them support with your vote!

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:
Guardian Angels, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded in 2010, and custom-trains medical service dogs for veterans, first-responders and individuals like Antonio. Although the cost of training each service dog can take up to 2 full years, and cost nearly $25,000, we donate each dog to the recipient at no cost. We receive no federal or state funding. Everything we do is funded completely by private and foundation donations. To date, we have paired over 320 service dogs in 23 states across the nation.

If you would like to learn more about our organization, or become a supporter, visit our website at https://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is excited to announce that on Friday, July 26, 2019 our Service Dog, Alice; specifically trained to assist Recipient Antonio was named the 2019 Service Dog Hero of the Year by more than 900,000 nationwide voters and the American Humane Societies' panel of judges.

Related link: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

Kapor Center Awards $1 Million to Fund Diversity in Tech – Byte Back Awarded $100,000 in National Tech Done Right Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Kapor Center announced the winners of its inaugural $1 million Tech Done Right Challenge grant competition, including the Washington D.C. non-profit, Byte Back. The challenge identified 10 social impact organizations who are building a more diverse and inclusive tech economy locally and nationally. Each winning organization will receive a $100,000 grant.

"We were thrilled with the number of strong applicants from all over the country for this timely challenge," remarked Cedric Brown, Chief Foundation Officer at the Kapor Center. "We're confident that these grants can propel the important work of these 10 organizations to the next level. Together we're moving toward a tech sector that provides robust opportunities for previously untapped and overlooked talent."

"Our economy has changed, and Byte Back is providing the training for individuals who have been left behind," said Elizabeth Lindsey, executive director of Byte Back. "Thanks to the Tech Done Right Challenge and our partnership with the Kapor Center, we're building a more equitable and inclusive tech sector. We're thinking differently about diversity, and together we're changing the face of tech."

The Tech Done Right Challenge launched in March 2019 to galvanize cross-sector collaborations in cities across the U.S. to build diverse and inclusive tech ecosystems. A key requirement of the challenge is to find solutions that embrace innovation through prototypes, experimentation and iteration through public and private collaborations. The Tech Done Right Challenge is possible through the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The challenge asked organizations to answer: "What is your innovative solution to build a diverse and thriving inclusive tech ecosystem in your community?"

Winning Organizations:

The following are the winning organizations and their focus cities for implementing innovative solutions to diversify the technology industry:
* Baltimore Corps | Baltimore
* Bixel Exchange | Los Angeles
* blackcomputerHER Data Science Executives | Houston
* Byte Back | Washington
* Generation Titans | Albuquerque, N.M., Austin, Texas and Pittsburgh
* Goodie Nation | Atlanta
* HBCUvc | National
* Oakland Codes | Oakland, Calif.
* Project United Knowledge | Kansas City, Mo.
* The Knowledge House | Bronx, N.Y.

Winner Breakdown:
A total of 120 applications from 48 U.S. cities were submitted, focused on interventions at the Post-Secondary, Tech Workforce, and Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital segments. The 10 award winners come from a range of locations across the Midwest, the South, and from both coasts. All of the winning organizations focus on increasing representation of underrepresented people of color in our tech economy via tech talent or entrepreneurship/venture capital programs.

Background:
In 2018 the Kapor Center released the Leaky Tech Pipeline, a research framework that identifies the systemic barriers which underlie the lack of diversity in tech. While the tech sector has the potential to bring jobs, innovation and wealth to communities, far too many women and people of color remain excluded from the technology economy as tech workers, founders or investors. The Tech Done Right Challenge seeks to reverse this trend by supporting trailblazers who have holistic solutions to build inclusive tech economies.

About the Kapor Center:
The Kapor Center is a recognized leader in the movement to enhance diversity and inclusion in the technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem through increasing access to tech and STEM education programs, conducting research on access and opportunity in computing, investing in community organizations and gap-closing social ventures and increasing access to capital among diverse entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.kaporcenter.org.

About Byte Back:
Byte Back, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides a pathway of inclusive tech training that leads to living-wage careers. As a leader in digital inclusion since 1997, Byte Back has helped hundreds of graduates launch living-wage careers that use technology. In 2018, 50 graduates were hired, earning $27,599 more per year than before Byte Back training. Please see more at byteback.org.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.send2press.com/300dpi/19-0712s2p-byte-back-grads-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Byte Back students celebrate during the Summer Graduation ceremony in June. The $100,000 award from the Kapor Center's Tech Done Right Challenge will support students on a pathway of tech training and into living-wage careers.

The Kapor Center announced the winners of its inaugural $1 million Tech Done Right Challenge grant competition, including the Washington D.C. non-profit, Byte Back. The challenge identified 10 social impact organizations who are building a more diverse and inclusive tech economy locally and nationally. Each winning organization will receive a $100,000 grant.

Related link: https://byteback.org/

Former Treasury Official Craig Phillips to Deliver Keynote at #NEXTDC19

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- NEXT Mortgage Events, creator of NEXT women's executive mortgage summit, and Housing Finance Strategies, a Washington, D.C. advisory firm founded by Faith Schwartz, today announced that former Treasury Department official, Craig Phillips, will deliver the keynote #NEXTDC19 on November 19, 2019 at Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C.

Craig Phillips recently resigned his position as counselor to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin after serving as the Trump administration's point person on housing matters for two and a half years. Philips was widely regarded as the architect of the administration's forthcoming housing reform plan and has advocated for ending the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and returning them to private ownership.

"We're excited to have a keynote speaker with such intimate knowledge of the country's housing reform discussions," said Jeri Yoshida, co-founder of NEXT. "Having Craig Philips share his unique perspective on the nation's housing finance system, in an intimate small group setting, falls right in line #NEXTDC19's value proposition. NEXT events deliver intel that attendees can't get elsewhere."

#NEXTDC19 is the first women's executive summit that brings together Washington policy makers, fintech luminaries, and mortgage lending executives, for a dedicated, ongoing conversation on housing policy's impact on mortgage lenders and fintech providers. The summit's sessions will focus on current policy as well as housing issues that could be impacted by the 2020 election.

"Adding Craig Phillips to our lineup for #NEXTDC19 is a testament to the strength of our alliance with NEXT Mortgage Events and our mutual commitment to promoting the highest quality connection and intel exchange for women executives in housing finance," said Faith Schwartz, president of Housing Finance Strategies.

Registration and additional information is available at https://nextdc19.splashthat.com/.

About NEXT Mortgage Events LLC:

In January 2018, NEXT Mortgage Events broke the mortgage industry's unspoken barriers limiting women's access to competitive intel when it introduced NEXT, the mortgage executive summit for women. NEXT is a multi-day, tech-focused symposium based on lending executives sharing competitive intel with other lending executives. A boutique event, NEXT targets a select group of decision making executives: roughly 85-90% of NEXT's lender attendees hold a title of VP or higher and approximately 85% of attendees are women. NEXT hosts several events each year. For more information visit https://NEXTMortgageNews.com, follow @NEXTmtgEvents or email info@NEXTmortgageEvents.com.

About Housing Finance Strategies:

Housing Finance Strategies is a small woman-owned business founded in 2016 to provide Strategic Advisory Services, Government and Industry Relations, Public Policy Expertise, Roundtable and Event Management and Professional Speaking Services to the housing finance industry. The firm brings 25+ years of expertise to the forefront of mortgage, including leading fintech change, advising on GSE reform and ensuring non-bank readiness for regulatory oversight. For more information, visit https://HousingFinanceStrategies.com or email admin@housingfinancestrategies.com.

NEXT Mortgage Events, creator of NEXT women's executive mortgage summit, and Housing Finance Strategies, a Washington, D.C. advisory firm founded by Faith Schwartz, today announced that former Treasury Department official, Craig Phillips, will deliver the keynote #NEXTDC19 on November 19, 2019 at Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Washington, D.C.

Related link: https://www.nextmortgageconference.com/

FiberGuide migrates GeoQuote interface to a new domain for better procurement of business Internet, Ethernet services and other network solutions

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- FiberGuide, a Northern Virginia based consulting and fiber optic training company today announced the migration of the GeoQuote interface to a new domain - geoquote.co.

GeoQuote ( https://geoquote.co/ ) is a free online carrier research tool developed and patented by Telarus, a carrier services master agent. GeoQuote supports personnel from any organization with their carrier services procurement. It lets users instantly generate online quotations for a number of services or make a request for proposal/quotation. It also helps users determine whether a particular carrier service is available at their location.

"The decision to migrate the GeoQuote interface was in response to users' feedback. With the new interface, users of the pricing tool should expect a much better user experience without the occasional timeouts," said Jabulani Dhliwayo, founder at FiberGuide.

GeoQuote is powered by a large database of network and service providers each offering a wide range of services. Most global network providers, including major tier 1 providers, are represented in GeoQuote. For each service provider, the database carries multiple pricing packages. Services that can be quoted through GeoQuote include high speed Internet access for business, carrier Ethernet services, dark fiber services and other carrier solutions.

About FiberGuide:

FiberGuide is a training and consulting company focusing on Wide Area Networking (WAN) consulting, and Fiber optic training. FiberGuide leverage their technical expertise, many years of experience in fiber optics and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), strong partnerships with key industry players, and robust online tools to provide consulting services.

FiberGuide consulting process include the following:

* Careful review of client's exact WAN requirements
* Using online tools, research the necessary elements of the WAN requirements such as
o Fiber routes
o Ethernet points of presence
o Network and/or service providers available in the area
o Data center locations
* Match the client's requirements with readily available solutions
* Match the suitable solution with available providers
* Negotiate the best pricing with multiple providers
* Work with the client during provisioning and beyond implementation.

In fiber optic training, FiberGuide focuses on optical network training for design and planning engineers. Learn more: https://fiberguide.net/

FiberGuide, a Northern Virginia based consulting and fiber optic training company today announced the migration of the GeoQuote interface to a new domain - geoquote.co.

Related link: https://fiberguide.net/

Documentary Debut Recounts Stories of Religious Persecution, Courage and Hope

WASHINGTON D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- "Christians in the Mirror: Stories of Courage and Faith in the Face of Persecution From Syria, Iraq, India, Sudan and Egypt" will premiere Monday, June 10 at the Miracle Theatre in Washington D.C. from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Joshuacord, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is honored to share with the community this one-of-a-kind film that reveals the intense suffering of persecuted Christians in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Tickets are selling fast.

The Center for the Study of Global Christianity reported that an average of 90,000 Christians are martyred annually, while close to 215 million are persecuted for their faith. So, while U.S. citizens are blessed to experience religious freedom, Christian persecution continues to grow stronger across the world with each day that passes.

Joshuacord is a nondenominational organization that's dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to the oppressed and persecuted Christians around the world. It's teamed up with film director Jordan Allott, the founder of In Altum Productions; and Paul Jallo, of Jallo Oil Distributors, who is also one of the executive producers, to create "Christians in the Mirror."

Patrick Carberry, founder Joshuacord, witnessed firsthand the persecution of religious minority Christians during his time working with the government in the Middle East. It was then that he realized he had to do something to help. This led to the founding of Joshuacord and the creation of "Christians in the Mirror."

"From the demolished streets of Aleppo, Syria and northern Iraq, to rural villages in India, South Sudan and Egypt, what stood out to me the most during my travels filming 'Christians in the Mirror,' was not just the unbelievable persecution these Christian communities endured, but the inspiring faith and fortitude they displayed in the face of all that devastation," Allott says.

Allott has filmed projects in more than 25 countries with themes ranging from Catholic Spirituality and mountain climbing to international human rights and American politics. One of his previous films, "Our Last Stand" was screened all over the world and in several European parliaments.

"Christians in the Mirror" is an expository documentary that is a provocation for Christians to look into their "Christian mirror" as a disciple of Christ and to see what the reflection brings to light. It's the hope of this documentary's makers and producers that the film will not only evoke sympathy and compassion, but inspire action.

"The persecution of Christians, is not just a Christian faith issue, it's also a human rights issue and we should all be concerned and act to help those in need," Carberry says. "My wish is that this documentary will bring awareness to these injustices."

This Washington, D.C. premiere will serve as a springboard for screenings across the nation. Interested parties should visit the website to find out how they can bring the film to their area.

Ticket information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dc-premiere-of-christians-in-the-mirror-stories-of-faith-amid-persecution-tickets-61639439222

For more information about the documentary: http://christiansinthemirror.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristiansInTheMirror247/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/JhBin3gZ7f8

*PHOTO link for media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-0521s2p-chrinmirror-300dpi.jpg
Photo Caption: A new documentary, "Christians in the Mirror."

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jordan Allott
of In Altum Productions
+1-703-419-0850
jordanallott@inaltumproductions.com

"Christians in the Mirror: Stories of Courage and Faith in the Face of Persecution From Syria, Iraq, India, Sudan and Egypt" will premiere Monday, June 10 at the Miracle Theatre in Washington D.C. from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Joshuacord, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is honored to share with the community this one-of-a-kind film that reveals the intense suffering of persecuted Christians in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Related link: https://www.joshuacord.org/

ACEC Business Insurance Trust and Greyling/EPIC Announce New Trustee Appointment

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Business Insurance Trust (BIT) and Greyling/EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants announced today that Paul Boyce, P.E., PG, has been appointed a Trustee for the ACEC Business Insurance Trust.

Paul Boyce, President and CEO of P.W. Grosser Consulting, Inc., has been associated with Bohemia, NY-based P.W. Grosser Consulting, Inc. (PWGC), an environmental engineering and consulting firm with more than 60 employees, for the past 26 years. Mr. Boyce, who is a third-generation engineer, earned a BS in Civil Engineering from SUNY Buffalo and an MS in Environmental Engineering from Polytechnic University.

He is a licensed professional engineer in the states of New York - where he is also a professional geologist - and Pennsylvania. Over the span of his career, Mr. Boyce has dedicated himself to the engineering profession by volunteering his time and energy to strengthen and grow PWGC and advancing the industry. In 2018, Mr. Boyce was named "Engineer of the Year" by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers Long Island Chapter for his contributions to the engineering profession.

Mr. Boyce's ACEC experience includes having served as treasurer, secretary, vice chair and chair of ACEC-NY's Long Island Region. He currently serves as regional board member. At the state level, he has served on ACEC-NY's Board of Directors, as chair of the membership committee. Currently, he is on the membership and standards of practice committees. Mr. Boyce is also affiliated with the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works Association, Long Island Professional Geologists Association, National Groundwater Association and New York State Society of Professional Engineers.

The ACEC BIT is responsible for providing quality business insurance responsive to engineering firms' unique needs, delivering exceptional service to ACEC members, and offering valuable and relevant member benefits. The Trustees strive to meet and exceed member firm's expectations and are committed to helping the Program keep pace with changes in the profession.

For additional information regarding the ACEC BIT Program, please contact Jeff Connelly at Greyling/EPIC (833-223-2248 or jeff.connelly@greyling.com) or any of the following BIT Trustees:

Robin S. Greenleaf, P.E., LEED AP, F.ACEC
Phone: 617.542.0810
Email: rgreenleaf@arcengrs.com

Robert A. Overfield, P.E.
Phone: 307.587.4911
Email: robertov@eaengineers.com

Michael D. Klingner, P.E.
Phone: 217.223.4456
Email: mdk@klingner.com

Doris I. Willmer, P.E., LEED AP, F.ACEC
Phone: 770.939.0089
Email: dwillmer@willmerengineering.com

Rachel Hayden, P.E.
Phone: 214.753.8100
Email: Rachel@haydenconsultants.com

Armando Ramos, P.E., LEED AP
Phone: 626.993.6786
Email: aramos@ramoscs.com

Paul Boyce, P.E., PG
Phone: 631.589.6353
Email: paulb@pwgrosser.com

Marc Alper, P.E., S.E., F.ACEC
Phone: 314.432.8600
Email: marc.alper@alperaudi.com

Gary E. Loesch, P.E. DEE
Phone: 631.756.8000
Email: gloesch@h2m.com

About EPIC:
EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,800 team members operating from 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $575 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For more information, visit: https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Business Insurance Trust (BIT) and Greyling/EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants announced today that Paul Boyce, P.E., PG, has been appointed a Trustee for the ACEC Business Insurance Trust.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/