Entertainment

Author Rebecca Contreras Reveals How She Went From the Hood to the White House to Millionaire (With Only a GED) in Her First Memoir...

Author Rebecca Contreras Reveals How She Went From the Hood to the White House to Millionaire (With Only a GED) in Her First Memoir ‘Lost Girl’
Lost Girl

Front Cover

In the relaunch of her riveting first memoir Lost Girl: From the Hood to the White House to Millionaire Entrepreneur, Rebecca Contreras tells her inspiring story of transformation, perseverance, and how a lost girl was found. Born prematurely as a drug-addicted infant to a single mother in a Texas border town, Rebecca came to know abandonment all too well. Yet despite becoming a teenage, welfare-dependent mother herself, she earned her GED and managed to break the generational cycle, working her way up to become an advisor to the President of the United States before achieving the American dream by becoming an entrepreneurial success story. 

After setting the stage by recounting a childhood filled with neglect and abuse, Rebecca shares how she overcame the obstacles of her past. In her words, "We can't focus on what we lack or the mistakes of our past, but we have to be deliberate about our future. With perseverance, faith, embracing the hard change of self, and engaging strong mentors, that GED took me from the hood to the Office of the Texas Governor, and eventually all the way to the White House."

Her desire to change her life's trajectory and her sheer will and resolve to succeed altered the course of her and her family's lives forever. But she doesn't stop there. Sharing what she learned along the way has become her passion as she reaches out to mentor others because, as she says, "No one—and I mean no one—makes it flying solo."

Rebecca Contreras has been the President and CEO of AvantGarde LLC, a 110+ employee human capital consulting firm, since founding it in 2011. Along with her husband, she is also the co-founder of the nonprofit organization LaunchPad, which serves disadvantaged inner-city youth through educational programs and mentoring. 

Because Rebecca's book is a demonstration of hope and empowerment for young at-risk women, Lost Girl is being relaunched to coincide with the 2023 Girls of Legacy Kickoff Event on April 11. Rebecca was inspired by promising young women through her work in the inner city and started Girls of Legacy in 2022, her signature initiative. Through her own matched funding, the program has been able to support ten Class of 2022 Title 1 high school graduates through partial scholarships and mentoring in college and professional development/training programs. 

The eBook for Lost Girl is being offered at a promotional price during the 2023 Kickoff Event, and 100% of any proceeds will go toward Girls of Legacy fundraising efforts. 

Order today on Amazon by clicking here.

Publisher: BOSS Media
Release date: April 11, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-63337-588-8 (eBook)

Media Contact:
Crystaline Lopez
[email protected]
www.rebeccacontreras.com

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Contact Information:
Crystaline Lopez
[email protected]


Original Source: Author Rebecca Contreras Reveals How She Went From the Hood to the White House to Millionaire (With Only a GED) in Her First Memoir 'Lost Girl'

BigHoops Emerges From Stealth With Pilot Location and Thousands of Happy Beta Customers

BigHoops, an Atlanta-based startup, is building the first tech-infused, basketball-themed, entertainment dining experience based on one of the world's most popular sports

BigHoops Emerges From Stealth With Pilot Location and Thousands of Happy Beta Customers
BigHoops Tech-Infused Basketball

Founder and CEO Paul Brown in front of the BigHoops machine

BigHoops, Atlanta's newest and hottest startup, emerged from stealth mode today to announce a pilot location in West Midtown Atlanta where they are testing their immersive basketball experience at a local Atlanta microbrewery ahead of plans to build their first full-scale entertainment restaurant in Atlanta in 2024. 

The company placed a prototype machine at the Second Self Brewery in West Midtown in late 2022, and since then, over two thousand players have played BigHoops games, increasing foot traffic to the brewery and earning dozens of five-star Google Reviews.

At the core of the entertainment experience is the BigHoops machine, a four-axis machine that places the player on an immersive virtual basketball court with several addictive basketball-themed games to choose from. 

While the player shoots balls from one end, the patented, robotic machine moves a full-size hoop (complete with screens and sounds) in three dimensions and spins to reveal either a standard-sized hoop or a larger "BigHoop". AI technology adjusts the difficulty of the games to each player, allowing players of all skill levels to build social connections. The result is a fun, social basketball experience that broadens participation in the world's most popular court sport.

"The goal was to create an addictive basketball game experience that anyone can play," says founder and CEO Paul Brown. "The AI-driven system adapts to each player's ability and levels the playing field, so even if you're brand new to basketball, you'll have a blast. We want to do to basketball what other entertainment brands have done for golf: democratize the sport and turn it into a fun, social experience."

BigHoops was founded in late 2022 and raised their initial seed round of capital from Atlanta-based angel investors including CampbellKlein, a seed-stage high-tech fund with multiple successful investments from Silicon Valley to Atlanta. 

"I've been coaching basketball forever," says coach Derrick Mitchell, an award-winning high-school and college basketball coach, "and this is one of the most exciting things I've seen. It's an awesome experience for everyone that comes in, for all ages and skill levels." 

The BigHoops team has assembled the technology, supply chain, real estate and restaurant competencies necessary to open their first full-scale location in Atlanta in 2024. The location will feature a dozen or more BigHoops machines providing immersive gaming experiences for all ages and skill levels. These will be accompanied by a huge sports bar, upscale restaurant, and other entertainment.

"We want to put the player in the game," says Brown, "so they feel like they're playing with their favorite team and their favorite players. It will be an unforgettable experience that keeps people coming back for more."

Learn more about BigHoops: www.bighoops.com; contact: [email protected]

Contact Information:
Paul Brown
CEO
[email protected]
4044803177




Original Source: BigHoops Emerges From Stealth With Pilot Location and Thousands of Happy Beta Customers

NEXXT Beat Battle Platform Aims to Revitalize Online Music Production Community

Audeobox CEO and 2x GRAMMY-nominated music producer YoungFyre is bringing back the excitement of online beat battles with the launch of a one-of-a-kind platform called NEXXT. ...

Cority’s Hygiene Essentials Solution Wins Prestigious 2023 OH&S Industrial Hygiene Award

Recognition marks third Occupational Health & Safety platinum honor for global EHS software provider

Cority's Hygiene Essentials Solution, which helps companies reduce industrial and occupational risks and boost compliance, has earned a prestigious 2023 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Industrial Hygiene Award in the category of Risk Assessment and Management, which helps companies reduce industrial and occupational risks to boost compliance. These awards honor the outstanding product development achievements of health and safety manufacturers whose products or services significantly improve industrial hygiene. 

Cority's award for its Hygiene Essentials Solution marks the third time OH&S has recognized the leading global Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) software provider for its innovation in product development. In 2021, Cority won an OH&S Industrial Hygiene Award in the category of Auditing & Compliance for its Compliance Management Solution. OH&S also named Cority's Ergonomics Management Solution a New Product of the Year in 2018. 

"This recognition validates Cority's position as an innovative and trusted powerhouse in the industry, delivering to organizations people-first EHS solutions," said Amanda Smith, Cority's vice president of solutions marketing and enablement. "With our strong expertise in Industrial Hygiene and Safety, we are focused on building solutions that not only help organizations achieve operational excellence and protect their employees effectively but make better decisions that lead to a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future in the long run."  

According to International Labour Organization (ILO), workplace diseases and occupational injuries are responsible for more than 2 million fatalities annually on a global scale. Despite having industrial hygiene programs in place, organizations are facing challenges due to budget constraints and a shortage of hygiene experts, making it difficult to manage these exposures effectively.

The Hygiene Essentials solution responds to these market needs by providing automated monitoring plans and data transfer, mobile capabilities, employee cohort tracking, and reporting tools for driving data-driven decisions for effective hygiene risk management.

"Our team's extensive background in industrial hygiene and safety, combined with our expertise in designing and configuring solutions for customers, has enabled us to build an unparalleled knowledge base into our software," added Smith. "This means that our customers can benefit from our advanced knowledge and solutions which are designed to be user-friendly and accessible to all."

Cority's Hygiene Essentials Solution allows businesses to digitize their industrial hygiene management programs quickly, easily, and affordably. Like all of Cority's Essentials packages, this purpose-built solution combines industry best practices and proven workflows in a ready-to-use, rapid time-to-value offering with scalability for future program expansion. The solution enables organizations to manage all their quantitative and qualitative hygiene exposure assessment data in one centralized place, helping them identify hazards, evaluate and manage risks and develop a comprehensive hygiene program to protect their workforce.

Hygiene Essentials is a standardized version of Cority's comprehensive Industrial Hygiene solution under the Cority Health Cloud. It is also part of CorityOneTM, the company's integrated EHS SaaS-based platform, which provides a scalable and seamless path for future growth. Building on an organization's industrial hygiene program, clients can easily unify all their EHS programs into a single comprehensive platform to uncover key insights and create a single, accurate, and holistic view of EHS performance.

To determine the winners among those nominated in 21 categories, an independent panel of highly qualified judges carefully reviewed and scored each entry. The judges' combined scores dictated the winners of each category.

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Contact Information:
Meredith Schweitzer
[email protected]
3476989196


Original Source: Cority's Hygiene Essentials Solution Wins Prestigious 2023 OH&S Industrial Hygiene Award

Antiquities Dealer Ali Aboutaam Discovers Jesus Christ Pendant’s History

Antiquities Dealer Ali Aboutaam Discovers Jesus Christ Pendant’s History
Ali Aboutaam Jesus Christ

Byzantine Amethyst Cameo of Christ Pantokrator\n11th-12th century A.D.\nL: 2.29 cm\n\nW: 2.96 cm\nH: 1.31 cm

Next Sunday, April 16, at 2 p.m., in Geneva, Switzerland, Ali Aboutaam, President of Phoenix Ancient Art, one of the world's leading dealers in rare and exquisite antiquities, will lecture about the exciting findings of a rare Byzantine amethyst cameo pendant of Jesus Christ (Christ Pantokrator). Christ Pantokrator is represented in half-length and full-face with his head slightly turned to the left. In the frame of the gem on both sides of the shoulders, one can see engravings of Greek characters: I(…)C X(…)C (Jesus Christ). This remarkable sparkling and pure amethyst gem is closely linked to the sapphire cameo of St. John the Baptist housed in the Louvre (MS 91).

Ali Aboutaam excitedly says, "While conducting research about the provenance of this spectacular gem, I stumbled upon a black-and-white photo of this piece as being part of an exhibition 'L'Antiquité Chrétienne' at the Musée du Louvre in 1958!" The exhibition consisted of 81 Christian objects and was published by Etienne Coche de la Ferté in Paris.

The representation of Christ Pantokrator on a precious stone cameo is very rare. A small group dated to this period was preserved, including a beautiful sapphire cameo, now in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection.

Byzantium rediscovered an appreciation for glyptic after the iconoclastic crisis, yet exclusively favoring religious subjects showing Christ, the Virgin and the saints in either half- or full-length. Amethyst and sapphire were luxury stones used almost exclusively for the most prestigious objects. 

Ali adds, "It is so rare to find old publications for miniature objects like this one because these were intimately and privately treasured in jewelry boxes and small drawers. One can imagine the pendant decorating the necklace close to the heart of a faithful Christian in the 12th century."

The lecture will be at 6, rue Verdaine in Old Town, Geneva on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

ABOUT PHOENIX ANCIENT ART

With galleries in New York City (Electrum) and Geneva, Switzerland, Phoenix Ancient Art is one of the world's leading dealers in rare and exquisite antiquities with a focus on Greek and Roman, Near Eastern and Egyptian art. Its works of art have been acquired by world-class museums around the world, as well as by private collectors. Phoenix Ancient Art is a second-generation family business that was founded by Sleiman Aboutaam in 1968 and continues today under the leadership of his sons Hicham and Ali Aboutaam.

For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.phoenixancientart.com.

Contact Information:
Ali Aboutaam
President
[email protected]
+41223188010


Original Source: Antiquities Dealer Ali Aboutaam Discovers Jesus Christ Pendant's History

MetaBlaze Brings Hybrid Escape Room Experience to NYC on April 15 | NFTNYC Official Event

An unparalleled hybridized escape room experience that interweaves the virtual world and physical reality, curated by MetaBlaze. As an official sponsor and event partner of NFTNYC, MetaBlaze is set to bring an otherwor...

Dionne Warwick to Perform at the Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport, CT on June 22

Six-time Grammy Award-winning artist will bring her audience-enchanting performance to the stage at The Klein, with tickets on sale this week through ezEvent.com ...

Toho and Universal Music Artists LLC Unveil Mofu Mofu Music Caravan (MMMC): A Cutting-Edge Anime IP Project. Firstly, Toho Will Launch an NFT Collection...

Toho, Japan's foremost movie company, collaborates with Universal Music Artists LLC to present Mofu Mofu Music Caravan (MMMC). First, Toho will launch an engaging NFT collection that breathes life into the mesmerizing world of Mofu and provides exceptional commercial licensing opportunities for its holders.

Toho, Japan's premier movie company, and Universal Music Artists LLC, a subsidiary of UNIVERSAL MUSIC LLC Japan for UMG, the world leader in music-based entertainment, have joined forces to create an enthralling music intellectual property, Mofu Mofu Music Caravan (MMMC). 

In collaboration with SaltSweeet Inc., a pioneering web2 and web3 marketing venture company, this innovative NFT project aims to transform the way anime IP is experienced, valued, and utilized. Set in the enchanting Mofu world, MMMC features 10,000 limited-edition, high-quality NFTs, each representing exclusive rights and privileges associated with the captivating characters from Mofu World, initially produced and developed by Toho and SaltSweeet.

Mofu Mofu Music Caravan
Mofu Sapiens, residents of the Mofu world, deeply cherish music. However, when the Mofu government bans free-spirited music, a dark age descends. Only government-approved music is allowed. Some Mofu Sapiens, unwilling to submit to oppressive restrictions, come together to form a band, using their musical instruments as a means to express their desire for freedom.

The journey to liberating music by Mofu Mofu Music Caravan (MMMC) begins now.

Upcoming Music Video Release
This summer, Mofu Mofu Music Caravan will enthrall fans with the release of its debut music video. With an engaging anime storyline featuring the main characters with impressive visuals and a captivating soundtrack, this eagerly-awaited premiere promises an unforgettable experience for Mofu World enthusiasts and music lovers across the globe.

Enhanced Commercial Licensing Utility
MMMC offers a unique and enhanced commercial licensing utility for NFT holders. By owning a Mofu Mofu Music Caravan NFT, holders unlock a world of opportunities to create, collaborate, and monetize their NFTs in various ways, such as merchandising, brand collaborations, licensing for advertising and media, and access to a supportive community.

Experience MofuMofu at NFTNYC 2023
Stay tuned for significant updates regarding project partnerships in April. Meanwhile, all enthusiasts, collectors, and industry professionals are invited to visit the Mofu Mofu Music Caravan booth at NFTNYC 2023. As the premier NFT event, NFTNYC 2023 brings together the brightest minds and most innovative projects in the non-fungible token space. The booth will showcase the captivating Mofu Mofu Music Caravan project, offering an exclusive insight into its unique features and potential. Hosted in the vibrant city of New York, NFTNYC 2023 provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn, network, and explore the fascinating world of NFTs.

For more information, please visit:

Official website: http://mmmc.toho.co.jp;
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MofuMofuMC

Contact Information:
Takuya Kayaki
Toho Co., Ltd.
[email protected]

Zhen Yu
SaltSweeet Inc.
[email protected]


Original Source: Toho and Universal Music Artists LLC Unveil Mofu Mofu Music Caravan (MMMC): A Cutting-Edge Anime IP Project. Firstly, Toho Will Launch an NFT Collection With SaltSweeet Inc.

New Music 2023: Gumbrecht’s Muses Stream Across the World

Acoustic rock artist's second album finds an eager audience - everywhere - courtesy of playlists and independent media

New Music 2023: Gumbrecht’s Muses Stream Across the World
Enter the Muses cover art by Deb Walley

Hot air balloon sails over the water before the full moon

The pre-release reviews are strong. UK Independent says, "This is a classic sounding American record … great lyrics and a nice modern folk sound." New Artist Discoveries enthuses the music is "animated by perfect melody and precise lyrics. This is a wonderful style of Pop." Our Sound calls it "a breath of fresh air among so many electronic songs." Hailed as fresh and original, Gumbrecht's songs are playing on six continents in over 50 countries via popular playlists and social media.  

Today, Enter the Muses officially drops as the spring holiday weekend gets underway. The album follows last year's Colorshow with a fresh take on traditional rock/folk/songwriter-style music.  Muses explores the sources of inspiration and connection in modern life. It is a broadly optimistic collection. Gumbrecht's signature features - bright guitars, country/southern-rock arrangements, animated storytelling - are abundant. He sings with a confident and engaging voice. His poetic lyrics bear repeated listening. Here are stories about summer car trips, the whims of luck, backyard parties, and tumbling road races. The songs relate to and enhance each other underscoring the idea that muses are present and constantly shaping our experience.  

Eight original songs are performed by Gumbrecht and the talented team that delivered his debut album. Collaborators include the velvet-voiced Claire Marie, musician/producer Eric Michael Lichter, and sound engineer Guido Falivene. The ensemble handles the range of moods and styles in a relaxed, sometimes improvised manner. They infuse Gumbrecht's songs with easy-going charm and warmth.

Gumbrecht, a native New Yorker, was raised in the album-rock era. His music recalls Paul Simon, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles and CSNY with a modern vitality. Ed initially performed in NY bands and theater before leaving the arts for a traditional career. He continued writing - penning songs daily as well as authoring novels, short stories and screenplays. With the 2022 release of Colorshow, Ed returned to musical performance. Enter the Muses is his second album release in 14 months. A third project is underway for late 2023 release.  

Today, Gumbrecht's albums stream beyond genre and geographic boundaries. World Indie Generation calls his music "Emotional, lyrical, touching. A complete delight." As Enter the Muses pours into the world this week, it promises to become a bright highlight in the soundtrack of 2023. 

Enter the Muses is now available through all major music outlets and streams. Add these classic songs to your playlists and share them with friends who appreciate fine music.

Album Tracks: Enter the Muses, Well, Another Leaf, Walking Backward, Sunset Drive, 
(Love Will) Make us Wise, Cry a Little Longer, Air

Contact Information:
Ed Gumbrecht
Composer
[email protected]
860-510-3888


Original Source: New Music 2023: Gumbrecht's Muses Stream Across the World
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