Aaron Sanchez – Página 72

Dr. Luis F. Rivera’s new book Mas Allá de la Muerte, a sagacious read that delves into the topic of death and its impact in the human psyche

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The book Mas Allá de la Muerte: Rincón Sagrado | Drama en tres actos Los Condenados | Drama en dos actos La muerte según el Mantra Yoga Meditación | Otra opinión sobre la muerte was created by Dr. Luis F. Rivera. Dr. Luis F. Rivera is an author who is a disciple of the great, wise Indian yogi Swami Guru Devanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj. He is a graduate of the Autonomous…

Dr. Luis F. Rivera said this about his book: «Are you brave? We urge you to read this book that talks about death. The only requirement to die is to be alive. Every time you turn one more year of life, you also have one year less of life. Most people run away from the word death as if it were something terrible—a cruel punishment from life. They teach us to fear, hate, and reject death; and this does not allow us to fully enjoy life. Death is something natural—one more experience within life that is eternal. This book motivates you to look in the mirror and face natural death with love, accepting it as a positive experience while rejecting suicide as an unintelligent action.

Are you brave? This book has many teachings you must assimilate.»

Published by Page Publishing, Dr. Luis F. Rivera’s new book Mas Allá de la Muerte instills resounding wisdom on death to the readers that provokes thoughts about life, purpose, and love in the face of passing.

Consumers who wish to be enlightened with the true effect of death and the idea of moving forward in loss can purchase Mas Allá de la Muerte in any bookstore or online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

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SOURCE Page Publishing

Striking New MDX Interior Design Teased Ahead of Global Debut

– Acura’s new flagship SUV takes a quantum leap forward in interior design, premium craftsmanship and technology

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura today provided a glimpse of the dramatic new interior of the fourth-generation MDX ahead of its global debut, in prototype form, Oct. 14. The MDX Prototype presages the arrival of the new, fourth-generation Acura MDX, launching early next year as the most premium and performance-focused MDX in Acura history. The MDX Prototype will showcase the complete transformation of MDX’s seven-passenger interior to reflect its elevated status as the flagship of the Acura lineup, featuring a striking design, rich and authentic materials, and an array of signature new Acura technologies.

The reimagined MDX cabin, previewed in a video released today, sets a new high-watermark for Acura interior design and craftsmanship, communicating performance and sophistication in every detail. The new wider and lower instrument panel, designed for both elegance and a clear view of the road ahead, compliments the new look of MDX and is accented with authentic open-pore wood and hand-wrapped leather with French stitching.

Next-generation Acura sport seats offer a more sculpted form with curvilinear quilting in all three rows, along with gradient perforation, and high-contrast stitching and piping. First-class seating comfort, afforded by a wider body design, is enhanced with multi-mode front-seat massage functionality.

Signature Acura technologies debuting in the new MDX Prototype will include the Acura Precision Cockpit™ all-digital driver’s meter, an ultra-wide full-HD center display, and a next-level, 25-speaker «Signature Edition» ELS Studio 3D® premium audio system with integrated LED ambient lighting.

Coming on the heels of the highly successful Acura RDX and the just-launched 2021 TLX sport sedan, the all-new MDX will represent the brand’s most ambitious and far-reaching product redesign since the launch of the second-generation NSX hybrid electric supercar.

About Acura

Acura is a leading automotive nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance – a commitment to expressive styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models – the ILX and TLX sport sedans, the RDX and MDX sport-utility vehicles and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar. All Acura models sold in North America for the 2021 model year are made in the U.S., using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Additional media information including pricing, features & specifications and high-resolution photography is available at AcuraNews.com. Consumer information is available at Acura.com.

Next-generation MDX Prototype interior previews a new level of sophisticated design, precision craftsmanship and signature Acura technologies.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh-uhzKtrzw
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1309292/MDX_Prototype.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/458749/acura_logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura

Immigration Detainees Who Performed Work at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center May Be Affected by a Class Action Lawsuit

SEATTLE, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A class action lawsuit has been filed in federal court in Riverside, California, against The GEO Group, Inc. («GEO»). GEO operates the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, California as a subcontractor for the City of Adelanto. The name of the case is Novoa, et al. v. The GEO Group, Inc., No. 5:17-cv-02514. A federal judge decided…

The Adelanto Wage Class: All civilly detained immigrants who (i) were detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center any time since December 19, 2014, and either (ii) participated in the Voluntary Work Program¹ at any point during their detention, or (iii) performed work for no compensation in the Uncompensated Work Program² pending their participation in the Voluntary Work Program, or (iv) performed work for no compensation pursuant to the Adelanto Housing Unit Sanitation Policy.³

The Adelanto Forced Labor Class: All civil immigration detainees who were detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center any time since May 1, 2011, with the following subclasses: a) The Work Program Subclass: All individuals who participated in the Voluntary Work Program at any point during their detention; and (b) The Uncompensated Work Program Subclass: All individuals who participated in the Uncompensated Work Program at any point during their detention.

Plaintiffs in this lawsuit claim that GEO maintained a practice of wage theft, unjust enrichment, and forced labor. GEO denies the allegations made in the lawsuit and argues it has fully complied with the law. The Court has not decided whether GEO did anything wrong. There is no money available now, and there is no guarantee there will be. However, the legal rights of individuals in the Classes/Subclasses are affected and they have a choice to make now.

Affected individuals have a choice of whether to stay in the Classes/Subclasses or not, and this must be decided now. Affected individuals that stay in the Classes/Subclasses will be legally bound by all orders and judgments of the Court, and they won’t be able to sue, or continue to sue, GEO as part of any other lawsuit with the same claims. To stay in the Classes/Subclasses, affected individuals do not have to do anything now. If you choose to stay in the class action, you may also engage an attorney of your own choosing, but at your own expense.

Affected individuals who want to be excluded from the Classes/Subclasses will not get any money or benefits from this lawsuit, but they will keep their rights to sue GEO for the claims made in this lawsuit and will not be bound by any orders or judgments of the Court. To ask to be excluded, a letter must be sent to the address below, postmarked by December 22, 2020, requesting to be excluded from Novoa v. The GEO Group, Inc.:

GEO Adelanto Class Action Notice Administrator
c/o JND Legal Administration
P.O. Box 91350
Seattle, WA 98111

The Court appointed the law firms of Burns Charest LLP of Dallas, TX, the Law Office of R. Andrew Free of Nashville, TN, and Ahdoot and Wolfson, PC of Los Angeles, CA, to represent the Classes/Subclasses.

For more information, visit www.GEOAdelantoClassAction.com; email info@GEOAdelantoClassAction.com, or call:

Toll-Free in U.S.: 1-888-383-0320
Toll-Free in Mexico: 1-800-062-4329

____________________

¹ Plaintiffs allege that the «Voluntary Work Program» is the program GEO operates at Adelanto where detainees work as porters, janitors, kitchen workers, laundry workers, barbers, or in any other job in exchange for $1 per day.
² Plaintiffs allege that the «Uncompensated Work Program» means GEO’s practice of hiring detainees to work as porters, janitors, kitchen workers, laundry workers, barbers, or in any other job outside their housing units for no money at all. Detained immigrants typically complete a Work Detail Application for a position in the Voluntary Work Program and must work for an arbitrary period of time—months, in some cases—for no compensation before they begin to receive $1 per day for their labor.
³ Plaintiffs allege that the «Housing Unit Sanitation Policy» is a program GEO operates at Adelanto where detainees clean and sanitize their housing units, dormitories, pods, showers, and common living areas for no compensation. If you were detained at Adelanto, you were part of the Housing Unit Sanitation Policy.

SOURCE JND Legal Administration

FAU Index Shows Greater Consumer Confidence Among Hispanics

BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Consumer confidence among Hispanics continues to recover from the sharp decline at the start of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year.

The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index increased to 84.8 percent in the third quarter from 82.8 percent in the second quarter and 81.3 percent in the first quarter, according to the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative (FAU BEPI) in FAU’s College of Business.

While still well below the 105 from a year ago, the latest index is about 4 points higher than the September score for the overall U.S. population, as published by the University of Michigan.

«The gains were mainly due to a more optimistic outlook for the national economy,» said Monica Escaleras, Ph.D., director of FAU BEPI. «However, Hispanic consumer confidence can be shaken in the future by uncertainties dealing with the presidential election and delays in the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine.»

In the third quarter, 57 percent of Hispanics said they are better off financially than a year ago, up from 55 percent in the second quarter. Hispanics also were more bullish in the third quarter about the nation experiencing good business conditions in the next year, while more respondents (48 percent) said they think it’s a good time to buy a big-ticket item compared to the second quarter (42 percent).

Respondents were less optimistic in the third quarter about their own future financial situation and the long-term economic outlook, though Hispanics who self-identified as Republicans are far more optimistic (75 percent) about the long-term economy than Democrats (48 percent), Independents (66 percent) and non-registered voters (37 percent).

Despite the improving sentiment, U.S. President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating among respondents increased in the third quarter to 57 percent from 49 percent in the second quarter.

The poll is based on a sample of 435 Hispanic adults between April 1 and Sept. 30, with a margin of error of +/-4.7 percentage points. Responses for the entire sample were weighted to reflect the national distribution of the Hispanic population by region, education, gender, age and income, according to latest American Community Survey data. The survey was administered using both landlines via IVR data collection and online data collection using Dynata. The polling results and full cross-tabulations can be viewed here.

SOURCE FAU Business and Economics Polling Initiative

Education Grants Opportunity Announced in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation will open its 2021 grants cycle for the <a target="_blank"…

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation will open its 2021 grants cycle for the George H.W. Bush Vamos a Pescar™ Education Fund by October 31, 2020. The grants will provide key program funding to support local organizations nationwide in their initiatives to engage Hispanic Americans in fishing, boating, and conserving our waterways.

A record breaking number of Hispanic Americans — a total of 4.4 million — participate in recreational fishing, according to RBFF’s 2020 Special Report on Fishing. Despite this achievement, Hispanic Americans are still underrepresented on the water. Hispanics make up 18 percent of the U.S. population but only 9 percent of Hispanic Americans are fishing participants.

«Especially in the midst of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, when people are spending more time outdoors than ever before, we’re excited to celebrate the record number of Hispanics enjoying fishing and boating in the U.S.,» said Stephanie Vatalaro, RBFF’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. «Fishing and boating have been shown in studies to contribute to many wellness benefits, so it’s essential to ensure equitable access to these activities. The water is open to everyone, and the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund grants are an important means of welcoming diverse newcomers to the fishing and boating community.

In 2020, the Education Fund received a $50,000 donation from Bass Pro Shops to help fund the 2021 grants. In honor of President George H.W. Bush, Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris initially donated in 2014 to bring conservation education and fishing and boating experiences to Hispanic families across the country.

«We are pleased to continue our support to help more Hispanic families discover the joy of fishing and boating,» said Bob Ziehmer, Conservation Director for Bass Pro Shops. «We’re dedicated to helping all families connect to nature, and each other, through fun, outdoor recreational activities.»

The 2021 Grant Guidelines will be available for download by October 31, 2020. Interested organizations can visit www.TakeMeFishing.org/EducationFund to learn more. The website also features beginner resources, including how-to guides for getting started fishing and boating, an interactive map of places to fish and boat, as well as links to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org, and VamosAPescar.org, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.

SOURCE Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation

Despite 2020’s Best Efforts, the Holidays Are Approaching

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — It’s that time already? The days have blended this year more than usual due to daily-routine changes courtesy of the pandemic. But now it’s time to focus on happier times ahead over the next few weeks as the holidays get closer, and who isn’t excited to do that?

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As always, the U.S. Postal Service has you covered with all the important mailing deadlines you need to know for the expected delivery of cards and gifts to your loved ones, whether they’re overseas or across the country.

2020 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic addresses and Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office addresses*:

Nov. 6 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 11 — APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail services
Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express service
Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
Dec. 18 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service

*Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before Dec. 25. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time, and other conditions. Some restrictions apply. For Priority Mail Express shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two business days.

Skip the Trip and Ship Online
Consumers don’t even have to leave home to ship their packages, simply visit usps.com. The Postal Service anticipates Dec. 14 will be the Postal Service’s busiest day online with more than 13 million consumers predicted to visit usps.com for help shipping that special holiday gift. And usps.com is always open.

It’s estimated nearly 500,000 consumers will use the Click-N-Ship feature and other online services on Dec. 14 to order free Priority Mail boxes, print shipping labels, purchase postage and even request free next-day Package Pickup.

Busiest Time
While holiday shopping is going to be different this year for many reasons, one thing hasn’t changed. The Postal Service still has its busiest time, which starts two weeks before Christmas. Beginning the week of Dec. 7, customer traffic is expected to increase, with the week of Dec. 14-21 predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week.

More tips for a successful holiday mailing and shipping season:

Use free Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes. They are available at local Post Offices or online at usps.com/freeboxes.
Make it easy with Click-N-Ship. You can create shipping labels and pay for postage online at usps.com/ship.
Schedule a free Package Pickup when the carrier delivers your mail. It’s free regardless of the number of packages. Or, pickups can be scheduled at usps.com/pickup.
Mail and packages that weigh more than 10 ounces and/or are more than a half-inch thick using stamps as postage cannot be dropped into a collection box or left for a carrier to pick up. Instead, take them to a window clerk at a Post Office.

Additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing and shipping deadlines, can be found at the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom: usps.com/holidaynews.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

More USPS holiday news, including shipping deadlines and the North Pole postmark, can be found at usps.com/holidaynews. For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Contact: Kim Frum
kimberly.a.frum@usps.gov
usps.com/news

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/645058/USPS_Logo.jpg

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service

South Reach Networks Appoints Kevin Rocks as New EVP of Sales & Marketing

MIAMI, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — South Reach Networks (SRN), an established Florida based telecommunications infrastructure provider that constructs, owns and operates a Metro and Long-Haul Fiber Optic Network and Carrier Class Data Centers, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Kevin Rocks as the company’s new Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Reporting to President Michael Sevret, Rocks will be responsible for leading the planning and execution of SRN’s global sales, marketing campaigns and customer relationship management initiatives.

Rocks has more than 25 years of extensive global sales and marketing leadership experience in the telecommunications industry, including specializing in international telecom carriers, with a focus on dark fiber, Ethernet and data center connectivity. He will provide sales leadership and spearhead ROI-focused growth development initiatives for SRN, a global gateway for Latin America and the United States via an enterprise and carrier-class data center in Miami and on-net direct fiber access to multiple subsea cable landing points and data centers. In his most recent position before SRN, Rocks served as the Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Cleareon Fiber Networks. Prior to joining Cleareon, Kevin was the CEO and co-founder of Pangaea Networks, a New York City based metro Ethernet service provider.

«Kevin is a remarkable business leader and strategist, and we are very excited to welcome him to South Reach Networks,» states Sevret. «His exceptional industry experience, coupled with his ability to negotiate and close high-value, long-term revenue contracts and expertise in fast-tracking the carrier onboarding process are just some of the many reasons why he is a perfect fit for our company. I look forward to working with Kevin, a natural born, hands-on sales leader, as he continues our sales momentum and advances our growth strategy.»

Prior to founding Pangaea, Rocks was the Manager for the International Carrier Group at Looking Glass Networks, now part of Level 3 Communications. His experience includes negotiating and closing multi-million dollar service agreements for both dark-fiber and lit services from some of the largest global carriers. Prior to Looking Glass Networks, Rocks held a variety of sales and management positions with Sphera Optical Networks and Global Crossing. He has been interviewed by Telx, TMC.net, Telephony Online and Fat Pipe for his insights on all things local access and metro Ethernet. He has a B.A. in Geography from the State University College at Buffalo, NY.

«It is an honor to join the South Reach Networks’ team and begin this exciting new chapter in my telecommunications career. Throughout the years, I have been instrumental in creating and marketing unique and highly competitive telecom solutions from inception. I will be singularly focused on attracting and growing an exceptional, multi-national customer base here in the Southeast US region,» comments Rocks. «I look forward to collaborating with the incredible team at SRN, leveraging my sales leadership, marketing acumen and ability to identify new revenue opportunities, while creating value through the premier telecom infrastructure solutions offered by SRN.»

For more information on South Reach Networks, visit https://SRNetworks.net.

About South Reach Networks

South Reach Networks is an established, Florida-based telecommunications infrastructure provider. South Reach Networks constructs, owns and operates its Metro & Long-Haul Fiber Optic Network. With direct routes into its Carrier Class & Neutral Data Centers, the robust network spans over 400 miles along the East Coast of Florida. South Reach Networks provides customers global and domestic reach to the ever-expanding ecosystem of carriers, subsea, enterprise and wireless operators. Visit https://SRNetworks.net for more information.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1012326/South_Reach_Networks_Logo.jpg

SOURCE South Reach Networks

J. Mario Molina, Physician and Healthcare CEO Launches Digital Platform votercare.org to Mobilize Public on Healthcare

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, J. Mario Molina physician and former CEO of Molina Healthcare, a fortune 150 company, announced a new online platform votercare.org. aimed at informing voters of the facts on healthcare. The reality of the pandemic during this election has changed the political landscape making healthcare a singular issue for many voters.

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Votercare.org is a fact-based effort to share the truth about the real health risks around COVID-19, and how to stay safe. Dr. Molina stated «Information must be democratized. That’s why we launched votercare.org. The platform is for everyone.» Additionally, COVID-19 infection and death rates show that Latinos and communities of color have suffered disproportionately. Americans need the facts and the truth about how to protect themselves and their families.

When asked about communities most at risk during the pandemic, he added «We want to especially engage multicultural and Latino voters about the importance of their healthcare in this election, and give voters the reality about the policy perversion, abuse of power, misinformation and mismanagement of the COVID-19 epidemic perpetrated by the Trump Administration, and will help inform voters overall about the state of healthcare in the United States. »

«We want to ensure that truthful and reliable information is available so our communities understand how policies and issues affect them directly. Overall, we want voters to know their vote matters and their voice must be heard – for the sake of the lives and livelihoods of their families and their communities.»

Votercare.org has also launched a social media presence across platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

For more information please visit: www.votercare.org

About Votercare.org

Votercare.org will inform voters of the facts. It is a platform that shares the truth about the real health risks around COVID-19, and how to stay safe. It will give voters the reality about the policy perversion, abuse of power, misinformation and mismanagement of the COVID-19 epidemic perpetrated by the Trump Administration, and will help inform voters overall about the state of healthcare in the United States.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1309366/VoterCare_Logo.jpg

SOURCE VoterCare

Texas-based Start-up Launching New Mobile Bank For Latinos

LUBBOCK, Texas, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Lubbock, Texas-based startup, Viva First, is launching a new mobile bank with the Latino community in mind—all 52 million in the United States. While so many banks and fintech companies take a broad approach when catering to multiple demographics, the company sees a real opportunity to bank this underserved market.

When looking at the financial habits of Latinos, they are traditionally a cash-heavy group that has a 22% lower adoption rate for traditional checking and savings accounts when compared to their Non-Latino counterparts—but they’re ready for a solution. Internal research finds that 30% of Latinos would consider switching banks if an in-language mobile banking experience was available.

This is where Viva First plans to win.

Several cultural, behavioral, and trust barriers have prevented Latinos from adopting certain financial services. The company aims to remedy that through a Spanish-first approach and a ground-up technology platform specifically designed to cater to Latino preferences. The company has also crafted public-facing messaging and customer service to provide a uniquely-Latino experience that delivers a high level of dignity that is lacking from other institutions.

«The Latino community has largely been banked in the wrong way with misguided practices. We’re going to deliver a banking solution that truly speaks their language and gives them every account feature they could ever expect. We’re talking about a very influential demographic that deserves real attention. And we’ve tailored a financial relationship just for them,» says Chief Evangelist, Natalia Muñoz-Moore.

While the mobile bank is curated for Latino clientele, it is open to everyone and the company’s product teams have engineered functionality that any customer can appreciate. «Just about every bank has an app, most of which are fairly cookie-cutter. We wanted to architect a better mobile experience than our community- and mega-bank peers. When it comes to the technology and customer experience, we spent a great deal of time building a better product,» Muñoz-Moore explains.

Every account comes standard with industry-leading security, Visa™ debit cards, smart saving recommendations, highly-personalized messaging, and are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. The Viva First accounts will be sponsored by Spur Security Bank in Spur, Texas.

The startup is currently in its alpha phase of testing and plans to launch its fully-featured mobile app in 4th quarter of 2020 in select markets. The first areas to be opened up for customers will be located in Texas including El Paso, San Antonio, and parts of the Rio Grande valley. Viva First already has plans of introducing some first-to-market features soon after the rollout is complete.

Users wanting to open an account can join a waitlist at vivafirst.com and get notified of availability as new markets are opened up.

SOURCE Viva First

Greenwood closes $3 million seed round to build online banking solution for Blacks and Latinx

ATLANTA, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Greenwood has secured $3 million in seed funding from private investors as the first digital banking platform for Black and Latinx people and business owners. Greenwood features best-in-class online banking services and innovative ways of giving back to Black and Latinx causes and businesses.

Greenwood’s founders include:

Andrew J. Young, civil rights…

Greenwood’s founders include:

Andrew J. Young, civil rights legend, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and former Mayor of Atlanta
Michael Render, aka Killer Mike, rapper and activist in Black financial empowerment
Ryan Glover, Greenwood Chairman and founder of Bounce TV network

«It’s no secret that traditional banks have failed the Black and Latinx community,» said Ryan Glover. «We needed to create a new financial platform that understands our history and our needs going forward, a banking platform built by us and for us, a platform that helps us build a stronger future for our communities. This is our time to take back control of our lives and our financial future. That is why we launched Greenwood, modern banking for the culture.»

«Today, a dollar circulates for 20 days in the white community but only six hours in the Black community,» said Michael ‘Killer Mike’ Render. «Moreover, a Black person is twice as likely as a white person to be denied a mortgage. This lack of fairness in the financial system is why we created Greenwood.»

Greenwood’s executive leadership includes:

Aparicio Giddins, President & Chief Technology Officer (previously of Bank of America and TD Bank)
David Tapscott, Chief Marketing Officer (previously of Green Dot and Combs Enterprises)
Andrew «Bo» Young, III, Board Member (managing partner, Andrew Young Investment Group)
Dr. Paul Judge, Board Member (co-founder of Pindrop and TechSquare Labs)

Product

Greenwood’s initial products are savings and spending accounts that come with a stunningly designed black metal debit card for customers who sign up by the end of the year. Advanced features like Apple, Samsung, and Android pay, virtual debit cards, peer-to-peer transfers, mobile check deposits, and free ATM usage in over 30,000 locations are offered with no hidden fees. Customers who invite their friends to open accounts receive cash awards as a thank you from Greenwood. All deposits are FDIC insured by a partner bank.

Additionally, Greenwood plans to work with brick and mortar minority-owned backs to provide deposits to help strengthen historically black banks.

«The work that we did in the civil rights movement wasn’t just about being able to sit at the counter. It was also about being able to own the restaurant,» said Ambassador Andrew Young. «We have the skills, talent and energy to compete anywhere in the world, but to grow the economy, it has to be based on the spirit of the universe and not the greed of the universe. Killer Mike, Ryan and I are launching Greenwood to continue this work of empowering black and brown people to have economic opportunity.»

Greenwood Gives Back

Greenwood has three key avenues to support Black and Latinx causes and businesses:

For every customer sign-up, Greenwood will provide five free meals to a family in need.
Every swipe of a Greenwood debit card will prompt a donation to UNCF for education, Goodr to feed the hungry, or NAACP to support civil rights.
And every month, Greenwood will provide a $10,000 grant to a Black or Latinx small business owner that is a Greenwood customer.

History of the name «Greenwood»

The Greenwood name pays homage to the prosperous «Black Wall Street,» part of the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the early 20th Century — a center of African American enterprise, entertainment, skills, wealth and investment capital. Though it was destroyed by white mobs in 1921, the Greenwood District remains an enduring symbol of the economic potential of community solidarity. The new Greenwood neobank takes inspiration from the entrepreneurial and empowering spirit of the Greenwood District where a dollar typically circulated 36 times – and for up to a year — within the Black community. The new Greenwood also is proud to be a backer of the contemporary Greenwood Culture Center in Oklahoma.

To sign up for a Greenwood account, visit www.bankgreenwood.com.

Media Contact
media@bankgreenwood.com

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