Category Archives: Society

The Latest news about what is effecting Society in North America, These PR articles, bring the newest technologies, initiatives and helpful tools to those who need them.

Maui Performer DJ Kazami Continues Her Passion for DJing While Supporting Her Community


In the wake of the devastating wildfires that hit the Maui, Hawaii community last month, Michelle Kazami, a Maui resident and DJ is harnessing the strength of the DJ community as she works with brands such as Pioneer DJ to give back to the place that nurtured her talents.

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In the wake of the devastating wildfires that hit the Maui, Hawaii community last month, Michelle Kazami, a Maui resident and DJ is harnessing the strength of the DJ community as she works with brands such as Pioneer DJ to give back to the place that nurtured her talents.

Since starting her DJ career in 2021, Kazami has quickly risen to share stages with industry heavyweights at Maui’s renowned venues and locations worldwide. Within a year of picking up her first controller, a Pioneer DJ DDJ-400, Kazami found herself performing in various Maui venues including a local favorite, Dirty Monkey, and at Maui’s largest venue, Da Playground. These gave her opportunities to play alongside artists such as Ship Wrek and Markus Schulz. Unfortunately, the wildfires affected Da Playground, Dirty Monkey, and other venues, Kazami also lost her home and equipment, but despite her loss, she is confident that Maui’s strong community will see one another through this difficult time.

After the fires, many artists have relocated to other islands or the mainland to plan their path forward as Maui rebuilds. During this time, Kazami has worked with DJ Hapa, founder of The DJ Coach program, which offers DJ lessons to artists worldwide. Kazami and DJ Hapa met through a free seven day course that was included with her controller, since then, Kazami has continued with the program while working closely with DJ Hapa. Together, DJ Hapa, Kazami and Pioneer DJ worked to provide support to local DJs and venues to help these performers get back on their feet by driving awareness to the donation funds.

“The DJ community as a whole is such a resilient group. As a DJ, your ability to read the room and adjust your performance based on the circumstances is key. I saw that skill exercised during the pandemic as artists found unique ways to continue sharing their sounds and connecting with the community. I have no doubt that Maui and its artists will be able to bounce back stronger than before,” DJ Hapa, founder of The DJ Coach, added. “The tight-knit community continues to look out for one another as they try to find ways to make a living.”

“Michelle is a perfect example of how wonderfully unpredictable someone’s DJ journey can be and how one’s passion can open the doors to new opportunities.” John Powell, President of Alpha Theta Americas Inc. added. “The resilience the people of Maui have shown is inspirational and reflects the power of a strong community.”

To support artists and workers who relied financially on their gigs throughout the Maui area, Da Playground created a donation page including Venmo information to directly donate to artists and individuals associated with the affected venues. The donation page can be found at https://linktr.ee/dpgmauiexclusive.

To connect with Michelle Kazami check out her Instagram or email her at [email protected].

About AlphaTheta Corporation (former company name: Pioneer DJ Corporation)
AlphaTheta Music Americas, Inc. is the subsidiary of AlphaTheta Corporation responsible for sales and marketing in North, Central, and South America. For more than 25 years, the Pioneer DJ brand has been a market leader in the design and production of innovative DJ equipment and software. The company works closely with DJs and clubs to deliver next generation products that inspire and shape the global dance music community and has recently launched a new range of musical instruments for production and live performances. Its portfolio includes brands such as TORAIZ, Pioneer PRO AUDIO, rekordbox, and Pioneer DJ Radio, as well as social platforms KUVO and DJsounds. AlphaTheta Corporation is in the Noritsu Koki (TSE:7744) Group, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is led by President and CEO Yoshinori Kataoka.

Corporate website: alphatheta.com/
Brand website: pioneerdj.com/
Stay up to date: pioneerdj.com/news/

Social Media:
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Instagram at‥instagram.com/pioneerdjusa
Twitch at twitch.tv/pioneerdjusa
YouTube at‥youtube.com/pioneerdjusa
TikTok at tiktok.com/@pioneerdjusa

Media Contact

Talia Surbrook, Brand Definition, 971-610-5901, [email protected], https://www.brand-definition.com/

SOURCE Pioneer DJ



News/Media Alliance Hosts ‘Support Journalism’ Fly-In to Advocate for Importance of Quality Journalism


In their meetings with Members of Congress, publishers will discuss the need for fair compensation from the Big Tech platforms in the form of the bipartisan Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA, S. 1094); protection from unlawful scraping of content by artificial intelligence systems; tax credits such as those stipulated in the Community News and Small Business Support Act (H.R. 4756); and privacy legislation.

Executives representing news publishers of all sizes will be in attendance.

Chris Argentieri, President of California Times, which includes the Los Angeles Times stated, “In times of crisis, in times of curiosity, and in times of concern, people turn to news organizations they trust to provide guidance and information on the news of the day.”

Debby Krenek, Publisher, Newsday Media Group, LLC stated, “Newsday’s reporters are the lifeblood of our communities on Long Island and help establish the bedrock of a healthy democracy by informing and empowering all Long Islanders. Local journalism is not a luxury. It’s a necessity and it is under existential threat.”

Grant Moise, CEO of DallasNews Corporation and President & Publisher of The Dallas Morning News stated, “The Dallas Morning News employs over 600 people, and these colleagues’ dedication and hard work helps keep North Texans informed and empowered daily. In the digital age, journalism faces many threats. We are here to ask you to support our industry, not just for us, but for all Americans.”

Last night the Alliance recognized Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for her contributions to preserving quality journalism at a “Support Local Journalism” reception held at the Washington Post ‘s headquarters. Senator John Thune (R-SD) will also accept an award for his contributions to sustaining quality journalism at a meeting with publishers today.

Coffey added, “We appreciate the hard work and dedication of Senators Klobuchar, Kennedy and Thune, and we look forward to working with them to save local journalism so that future generations can rely on timely, vetted news and information that impact their daily lives.”

The News/Media Alliance is a nonprofit organization representing more than 2,000 news and magazine media organizations and their multiplatform businesses in the United States and globally. Alliance members include print and digital publishers of original journalism. Headquartered just outside Washington, D.C., the association focuses on ensuring the future of journalism through communication, research, advocacy, and innovation. Information about the News/Media Alliance can be found at http://www.newsmediaalliance.org.

Media Contact

Lindsey Loving, News/Media Alliance, 5713661000, [email protected], www.newsmediaalliance.org

SOURCE News/Media Alliance

78 NYC businesses making a positive difference in their community receive grants


With this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month highlighting the ways in which members of the Latino community contribute to driving prosperity, power, and progress in America, it is noteworthy that the Neighborhood Business Program has prioritized supporting businesses owned by people of color, immigrants, and women since its inception.

To take one example, Libreria Barco de Papel is a local Spanish-language bookstore situated at the heart of Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, Queens, two of New York City’s most diverse communities. Their Minority and Women-Owned business opened in 2003 with the goal of filling a literary and cultural gap in New York.

Support from CitizensNYC is making it possible for owner Paula Ortiz to expand their free cultural programs, including book presentations, children storytelling, discussions, open-mic nights, poetry workshops and literacy workshops. Paula shared that, “Ultimately, our goal is to promote the identity of the Latinx community through increased cultural and artistic activities, with emphasis on literature that embraces diversity and multiple forms of expression.”

Since 2021, Wells Fargo has donated $750,000 to CitizensNYC through the Neighborhood Business Grants program. From Lakou CafI, a Haitian cafI in Weeksville, Brooklyn that emphasizes support for local artists, to Bistro Casa Azul, a small family restaurant in East Harlem that hosts local community events and contributes to food drives, CitizensNYC is proud to partner with inspiring local business owners who do well by doing good.

“Helping small businesses persevere and navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship is a major focus for Wells Fargo,” said Krissy Moore, Senior Vice President – Community Relations Northeast Region at Wells Fargo. “That’s why partnering with organizations like CitizensNYC allows us to further our mission and help provide local minority and women-owned small businesses in NYC with the tools and resources they need to be successful. We are proud to support the continuation of the Neighborhood Business Grant program, which will further strengthen the small business sector across all five boroughs.”

“Not only do small businesses play a vital economic role in their neighborhood, they are also part of the fabric of their communities – serving as meeting places where community members make connections, sustain local culture, share values, and support local leaders,” said JosI Dobles, CitizensNYC’s VP of Programs. “We’re truly grateful to Wells Fargo for their continued partnership in funding the small businesses that are such an integral part of NYC.”

About CitizensNYC:

CitizensNYC’s mission is to help New Yorkers – especially those in low-income areas – improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. In 2023, CitizensNYC awarded microgrants to 350 local community groups and small businesses across New York City. Since 1975, CitizensNYC has championed the ways in which local leadership, volunteerism, and equity can build stronger communities.

Media Contact

Nick Haynes, Citizens Committee For New York City, 1 2032465830, [email protected], www.citizensnyc.org

SOURCE Citizens Committee For New York City

American Banker announces the 2023 honorees for The Most Powerful Women in Banking™


With many esteemed executives announcing their retirement from banking, including Cathy Bessant, Karen Peetz, Kate Quinn, Diane Offereins, Dorothy Savarese, Ranjana Clark and Mary Mack, this year marks the debut for several newcomers to both the banking and finance rankings, including:

“These women represent so much more than world-class business acumen and inspirational leadership skills,” says Chana Schoenberger, Editor-in-Chief at American Banker. “They symbolize the perseverance it takes to create meaningful change, the commitment needed to build stronger communities, and the creativity that’s essential to drive the industry into a new age.”

Each year American Banker recognizes leaders in financial services: The Most Powerful Women in Banking, The Most Powerful Women to Watch, The Most Powerful Women in Finance and Top Teams. The complete rankings, including profiles of all the honorees for 2023, can be found on American Banker’s website, as well as in the October issue of American Banker Magazine.

This year’s annual celebration kicks off next week with The Most Powerful Women in Banking conference, October 3-4th at The Glasshouse. The agenda features several of this year’s honorees, including Mary Callahan Erdoes, CEO Asset and Wealth Management at JPMorgan Chase & Co; Amy Brady, CIO at KeyBank; Aarthi Murali, Chief Customer Experience Officer at M&T Bank; and Wendy Cai-Lee, Founder and CEO Piermont Bank. They will be joined by executives from within and outside financial services – notably Priscilla Almodovar, CEO of Fannie Mae; Stephanie Ferris, CEO and President of FIS; and Eva Moskowitz, Founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools.

There will be two invite-only honoree events as well. Honorees of The Most Powerful Women in Banking: NEXT program, which recognizes high-achieving executives ages 40 and under, will be celebrated at an invitation-only awards dinner on October 3rd. The annual gala for The Most Powerful Women in Banking honorees will close out the ceremonies on October 5th, 2023.

“During this year’s events, more than 1000 financial services leaders will come together to focus on the progress being made in the industry,” said Jeff Mancini, Interim CEO of Arizent, publisher of American Banker. “As The Most Powerful Women in Banking program begins its third decade, the power of this community is still growing, and we will continue to find new ways to support and celebrate the impact of these leaders, now and for the generations to come.”

About American Banker

American Banker empowers banking professionals with unique analysis and insight into the ideas transforming their business and industry. Across its journalism, events, research and benchmarking, it helps drive the way forward through the complexity of business innovation, retail and commercial disruption, technology, regulation and reform. With a banking community 850M strong, American Banker’s content connects leaders online, in person and in print every day.

About Arizent

Arizent is a business information company that advances professional communities by providing insights and analysis and convening industry leaders. The company uses deep industry expertise and a data-driven platform to deliver its services, which include subscriptions, marketing services, live events and access to Leaders, an executive forum. Arizent also connects business communities through leading financial services brands like American Banker, The Bond Buyer, Financial Planning and National Mortgage News, as well as professional services brands like Accounting Today, Employee Benefit News and Digital Insurance.

Media Contact

Jamie Billington, Arizent, 212-803-8500, [email protected], www.Arizent.com 

SOURCE Arizent

ClearMotion Portfolio Surpasses 500 Patents, Solidifying Leadership in Active Motion Control Technology


The company’s IP portfolio is unrivaled in size and scope within the active suspension market

BOSTON, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — ClearMotion, the leading software-defined chassis company revolutionizing the in-cabin experience, today announced its intellectual property portfolio has surpassed 500 patents and applications in the field. Reaching this milestone secures ClearMotion’s ability to protect its technological leadership in the industry. This significant milestone is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and its position as a key player in the automotive suspension industry.

The ClearMotion patent portfolio is superior in its breadth, depth, and flexibility, reflecting the company’s unmatched and unrivaled technological advances. The company’s patents cover a wide range of technologies to create an efficient, low-cost proactive suspension and road-sensing system. The company filed for its first patent in 2008 and its extensive IP portfolio is the result of more than a decade of focus on active suspension and vehicle control by a dedicated team of world-class engineers.

“We have the clear market advantage because of our intense focus on developing the ultimate active suspension system,” said Jack Ekchian, Director of IP and Research. “Surpassing 500 patents and applications is a demonstration of over a decade’s worth of work-intensive effort and commitment to improving the in-cabin experience.”

ClearMotion’s technologies deliver an unmatched experience of comfort, productivity and safety in a vehicle. The ClearMotion1 system mitigates unwanted motion in the car by adjusting the vehicle to the road surface. Not only that, but it also integrates with infotainment systems that deliver an immersive in-cabin experience.

“ClearMotion has been at the forefront of active suspension technology since its founding,” said Christian Steinmann, CEO of ClearMotion. “We are immensely proud to be leading the charge in this space and we are excited to bring this innovative technology to consumers next year. Our technology will give drivers and passengers back control of their time in the car for a truly enjoyable experience while they get where they’re going.”

Surpassing 500 patents and applications is a significant milestone in a recent long line of achievements positioning ClearMotion to revolutionize the automotive industry. In 2022, the company announced a $39 million investment, followed by an additional $32 million in 2023. Most recently, the company secured a landmark production order from an EV automaker and a partnership with BWI group. ClearMotion is preparing to deliver its game-changing active suspension and supporting technologies to consumers globally next year.

About ClearMotion Inc.
ClearMotion builds products enabling a next-generation user experience in vehicles. The company’s proactive suspension and road sensing software mitigate vehicle motion across uneven road surfaces. ClearMotion was founded out of MIT and has locations in Boston, USA, Birmingham, UK, and Shanghai, China. For more information visit https://www.clearmotion.com/.

Media Contact

Anna Craven, https://www.clearmotion.com/, 5127748886, [email protected], https://www.clearmotion.com/

SOURCE ClearMotion