diverse Archives - Good News!

Irene Michaels l captivates the Times Square Peace Day audience with her boundless energy, elegance, and diverse talents.

Austin Tang — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:09:08 +0000

Listen to “Irene Michaels l captivates the Times Square Peace Day audience with her boundless energy, elegance, and diverse talents.” on Spreaker.

Born and raised in Chicago, Irene Michaels has captivated audiences for decades with her boundless energy, elegance, and diverse talents. She stands as an inspiring example of overcoming ageism in show business, flourishing through grace, passion, determination, and innate skill.

Her artistic journey began early as a singer, dancer, and model. At just 21, Irene won the Miss Photo Flash title, launching a high-profile modeling career that led her to establish her own successful agency, Showtime. Her adaptability opened doors in Hollywood, where she landed roles on General Hospital and appeared in classic films including Home Alone 2 and Killer Klowns from Outer Space. An avid equestrian since childhood, she has also competed in horseback shows—a testament to her spirited and disciplined nature.

Outside the spotlight, Irene built the luxury lifestyle I On…Brand,whose flagship, award-nominated platform,I On The Scene Global, celebrates entertainment, beauty, and the luxury lifestyle, beauty, and the luxury lifestyle. She launched the award-winning skincare line I On Youth Collection by Irene Michaels and authored the motivational book I On Beauty Living Beautifully & Luxuriously After 50, inspiring women—especially those over a certain age—to embrace vibrant living and personal reinvention.

Musichas been Irene’s lifelong passion. After some breaks along the way to pursue other artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors, she returned to it full-time in her seventies—bringing with her a wealth of life experience, creative vision, and unstoppable energy. Embracing the stage as a House Music Diva, her single “I Like Rain” garnered critical acclaim, winning a Josie Music Award for Best Pop Song of the Year. Recording with TRAX Records and Tribeca Records, she achieved Grammy considerations and continued industry recognition. In 2024, Irene was honored with an invitation to perform at the 10th Anniversary of the Josie Music Awards—a prestigious celebration of independent artistry—on the legendary CMA Theatre stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Her sold-out solo shows in Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York captivate audiences with a blend of music, personal stories, and life inspiration. A familiar face in celebrity and high-society circles, Irene continues to live a life as dazzling as it is meaningful.

Now at 80 years young, Irene Michaels lives by her motto—“Forever Young”—and is currently working on her much-anticipated autobiography with a major publishing house, as well as an upcoming EP of her greatest hits, promising to add yet another exciting chapter to her extraordinary journey.

#IreneMichaels

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Celebrating Innovation For All

Austin Tang — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:41:14 +0000

CES DIVE IN

Amplifying diverse voices isn’t just the right thing to do — companies with diverse teams are more likely to boost profitability and innovation. By empowering underrepresented groups, we’re breaking down digital barriers, improving accessibility, and building an industry that works for everyone.

The Innovation For All program at CES brought together the thought leaders and allies who are making this possible.

LEARN MORE

Video on Demand

Check out these sessions and more — now available on demand.

CTA Innovation For All Fund

Women and underrepresented entrepreneurs often receive less funding, which is why CTA invested $10 million — and announced an additional $5 million at CES 2025 — into venture funds and firms supporting diverse leadership and founders through our Innovation For All Fund. To unlock the next big idea, we must ensure everyone has an opportunity to innovate.

LEARN MORE

YAS is an emerging pop icon with undeniable talent

Austin Tang — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 20:29:10 +0000

Listen to “YAS is an emerging pop icon with undeniable talent” on Spreaker.

YAS is an emerging pop icon with undeniable talent and a genuine connection with her audience. As a multifaceted artist, she brings her passion for singing and dancing to her content, captivating fans with her infectious energy.

Born in Australia and raised in Dubai, the Moroccan-Slovak is a passionate content creator. Her Instagram and TikTok feeds are filled with dance routines, behind-the-scenes glimpses of her collaborations with some of the best brands in the world, and amazing renditions showcasing her diverse talents and personality.

The post YAS is an emerging pop icon with undeniable talent appeared first on Good News!.

THE DEADLINE FOR GLOBAL HATIKVAH IS TOMORROW—DON’T WAIT TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO!

Austin Tang — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:12:50 +0000

We’ve seen submissions from nearly 800 people across the world to our virtual choir—tomorrow is your LAST CHANCE to be a part of this global movement for hope.

Sing with Global Hatikvah Now!

Global Hatikvah is a virtual choral movement to unite the Jewish community and friends of Israel around the world through the unique power of music.

Participants—like you!—from around the world will submit videos of themselves singing “Hatikvah” in a show of solidarity and allyship.

Each one of the submitted videos will be combined into a single virtual choir performing a new arrangement of “Hatikvah” alongside the Israel Philharmonic—a truly unique and inspiring experience—which will premiere on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, on May 14.

BECOME A VIRTUAL CITIZEN OF ISRAEL

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ISRAEL FOREVER FOUNDATION

In partnership with the Israel Forever Foundation, you can become a Virtual Citizen of Israel when you participate in Global Hatikvah! Becoming a VCI enables you to connect with and identify as a member of the global community dedicated to the concept, history and reality of Israel. Learn more about this initiative here.

Join the Global Choir for this Opportunity!

A Virtual Citizen of Israel is not recognized by the Israeli government as a form of Aliyah. It does not allot any physical or material benefits from or related to the State of Israel. There are no tax benefits nor can a VCI vote in the Israeli elections.

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF GLOBAL HATIKVAH

FOLLOW US

The Israel Philharmonic proudly serves as Israel’s greatest cultural ambassador, unifying diverse audiences through shared, transformative artistic experiences and enriching communities with music education programs that transcend border.

DONATE TODAY!

122 East 42nd Street, Suite 4507, New York, NY 10168

Tel: 212.697.2949

American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO)

Donate | Visit Our Website

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Agape Scott shares his important Good News with Audrey Wu

Austin Tang — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 18:57:19 +0000

Audrey Wu
Co-Host with Paul Sladkus

The post Agape Scott shares his important Good News with Audrey Wu appeared first on Good News!.

Mayor Adams Breaking Bread Building Bonds in Brooklyn

Austin Tang — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 18:36:58 +0000

Listen to “Breaking Bread Building Bonds” on Spreaker.

When: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 6:00 PM-7:30 PM.

Where: Stush Restaurant 470 Driggs Ave, Williamsburg Brooklyn (Between North 10th Street and North 11th Street)

Breaking Bread, Building Bonds is determined to organize meals and conversations across the city with people from New York City’s diverse communities. The goal of these communication is to foster an environment where everyday New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds can meet and learn from one another.

Tell us about a moment in which you’ve been made to feel unwelcome, or misunderstood.
Describe a time when you felt profoundly welcome, and experienced a true sense of
belonging.
Tell us about someone from this community who makes you proud to call this place home.
Tell us about a common misconception or belief people on the outside hold about our
community.

#breakingbreadbuildingbonds #stush #williamsburgbridge #brooklyn #driggs #breakingbread #buildingbonds

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CES SHOWCASE Las Vegas January 5-8, Diverse Conversations and Leaders

Austin Tang — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 20:39:36 +0000

CES 2023 Showcases Diverse Conversations and Leaders

Arlington, VA — Dec 20, 2022

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® announced a CES 2023® keynote panel, “Bold Solutions for a Changing World,” featuring top female investors and company founders. The conversation will explore how investments in under-represented founders are propelling innovation and having big impact on global challenges.

The Bold Solutions for a Changing World keynote conversation will illustrate how under-represented founders are innovating in a changing world and are revolutionizing healthcare, supporting families in crisis and enabling economic mobility. The Jan. 6 panel features:

Jenny Abramson, Founder and Managing Partner, Rethink Impact (@abramsonjenny)
Lindsay Jurist-Rosner, CEO and Co-founder, Wellthy (@LindsJR)
Moderator: Elizabeth Gore, President and Co-founder, Hello Alice (@ElizabethGore)

“CES incubates the next big idea, connects funders to innovators, and gives the leaders driving change a platform to share how they shape a diverse and inclusive future,” said Tiffany Moore, senior vice president of political and industry affairs, CTA. “We take seriously our responsibility to lead by example, ensuring CES is open and accessible, and empowering the industry and individuals to grow.”

Diversity and inclusion is a central theme of CES 2023 and is taking the spotlight in Vegas this January. The Female Quotient is the official Equality Partner of CES, bringing its Equality Lounge® that unites a network of Fortune 500 leaders to collaborate and ignite breakthrough ideas to foster equality. Notable highlights at the show and featured on CES.tech include:

D&I Conference Programming

AARP and CTA AgeTech Summit is a new track at CES focused on AgeTech, the growing category of technology solutions designed to meet the needs of the world’s aging population.
AI Accessibility: Solving for Your Next Billion Customers. Learn how AI can improve lives, particularly for the more than one billion people worldwide with a disability.
Building an Inclusive Web 3.0: This session will discuss building equitable practices into the core of Web3, from NFTs and crypto economies, to social networks and DAOs.
Diverse Representation Plus Innovation Equals Success: How are business leaders and entrepreneurs navigating the new economic landscape and placing an emphasis on innovation?
How to Build a Billion Dollar Network. Join Omi Bell of Black Girl Ventures, for a curated discussion on building your network as a part of building your business.
Inclusive Technology for Long Lives, Well-lived, presented by BBC StoryWorks and CTA reframes how inclusive innovation is transforming communities, empowering all generations, and ensuring no one gets left behind.
Investing in the Next Big Idea: Hear from the leaders transforming the face of web3, Blockchain, and cryptocurrency industries and why investing in the next generation of women and diverse entrepreneurs is a crucial part to the success of the ecosystem.
Product Inclusion Strategies and Successes: Hear from innovators as they share their strategies for creating inclusive product solutions, from ideation to outcome.
Reframing the Narrative: The Evolution of the Chief Diversity Officer: Hear from Chief Diversity Officers and Chief Human Resource Officers as they discuss their role in shaping company-wide diversity and inclusion strategies.
Women in Tech Q&A: Live at CES. Join Stephanie Dismore of HP North America, as she hosts a conversation about the invaluable role women play in reshaping organizations today and in the future.

D&I Focused Events

The Equality Lounge @ CES presented by The Female Quotient provides networking opportunities for women and their allies from a community of doers and changemakers.
Innovation for All LGBTQ Meetup, sponsored by Quickplay.
Black Girl Ventures Meetup, a CTA-hosted entrepreneurs’ reception.
CTA and the CTA Foundation host leading advocates from the disability community at CES for discussion, roundtables and networking.
Women in Consumer Technology will host the organization’s annual awards reception.
Women and Drones will host the 6th Annual Global Awards to celebrate women in emerging aviation technologies.
The Women of Inforum @CES networking reception, hosted by Magna and Celanese.

Eureka Park
Eureka Park, the show’s flagship marketplace for startups, supports diversity and inclusion efforts. These include:

The CTA Foundation’s Eureka Park Accessibility contest selects five winners to receive a complimentary booth at Eureka Park, along with a $2500 prize.
The Startup Stage in Eureka Park is home to the Jan. 6 CTA Foundation Pitch Competition. The winner receives a cash prize, recognition and is featured as part of Established’s Startup of the Year Podcast.
Now in its third year, CTA’s Innovation for All Startup Experience, awards ten startups led by women and other underrepresented entrepreneurs a travel stipend and booth space in Eureka Park. The program gives selected entrepreneurs an opportunity to network with investors, media and potential partners.

CTA Initiatives
Many CES exhibitors are working to diversify their workforces, making diversity and inclusion a business imperative. CTA initiatives beyond CES include:

CES 2023 will amplify CTA’s continued $10 million commitment to investing in venture firms and funds that support women- and diverse-led stakeholder funds backing women and startups. CTA has invested in eight venture funds that model passion and commitment to ensuring that the next great idea is empowered to change the world.
CES features a Future of Work track and CTA supports employer-led strategies and regulatory approaches that help address the nation’s skills gap. CTA leads a 21st Century Workforce Council, the CTA Apprenticeship Coalition and conducts an annual Future of Work Survey.

Learn more about diversity and inclusion on CES.tech.

Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2023 will take place in Las Vegas on Jan. 5-8, 2023, with Media Days taking place Jan. 3-4, 2023. Attendees will experience new technologies from global brands, hear about the future of technology from thought leaders and collaborate face-to-face with other attendees. The show will highlight how innovations in sustainability, transportation and mobility, digital health, the metaverse and more are addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Audiences will hear from industry experts during live keynotes, including leaders from John Deere, AMD, BMW, Delta Air Lines and Stellantis. Visit CES.tech for all CES 2023 updates, registration details, and the media page for all press resources.

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October is National Arts & Humanities Month — ARTS IN THE ARMY — SERVING AS MUSICIANS, ENTERTAINERS, and ARTISTS

Austin Tang — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 14:29:04 +0000

Listen to “October is National Arts & Humanities Month — ARTS IN THE ARMY — SERVING AS MUSICIANS, ENTERTAINERS, and ARTISTS” on Spreaker.

For more than two centuries, artists have served the country in the U.S. Army. As early as the American Revolution, musicians have served a vital role in the Army by upholding tradition, entertaining our Soldiers, and serving as musical ambassadors of our nation.
Army artists have long visually documented the Army’s operations through drawings, a role that was formalized during World War I when the Army commissioned a team of eight artists into the Corps of Engineers to record the activities of American Expeditionary Forces. These are careers that still exist today – but arts in the Army have grown to offer Soldiers diverse, creative opportunities for the most imaginative minds.
Army artists bring their talents in a variety of ways while serving their country from performing as a member of one of the 88 bands stationed in the U.S or abroad to working as multi-media illustrators producing artwork for publications, posters, television, film, and more.
Creative career opportunities in the Army include:
• Musicians – the singers and instrumentalists who entertain Soldiers, perform in a variety of ensembles, and serve as a musical ambassador of our nation
• Multimedia Illustrators – the producers of visually stunning graphic artwork that will be used to promote the Army
• Visual Information Equipment Operator-Maintainers – the Soldiers responsible for filming, script editing, and recording events that support Army operations
• Combat Documentation/Production Specialists – the Soldiers who supervise, plan, and operate camera and audio equipment in order to document Army operations
Even Soldiers who are not serving in arts careers directly are able to continue using their unique talents and passion for the arts alongside their Army careers, with Soldiers working as fashion designers, DJs, dancers, singers, and comic book writers in their spare time.
Join multi-talented Army artist Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Kennedy Johnson to hear about his role touring as a trumpet player with the U.S. Army Field Band, his accomplished career as a comic artist, and the important role that the arts play in the lives of Army Soldiers. As an Eisner-nominated writer, learn how Johnson has also been able to nurture his gift as a creator of comics published by DC Comics, Marvel, BOOM! Studios, IDW Publishing, AfterShock Comics, and Scout Comics.
Interview Courtesy: U.S. Army

#army #arts #musicians #entertainers #artists #american #revolution #soldiers #diverse #creative #phillip #kennedy #johnson #opportunities #imaginative #minds #singers #instrumentalists #illustrators #music

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Gray Matters: Finding Meaning in the Stories of Later Life By Dr. Ellyn Lem

Austin Tang — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 02:17:13 +0000

Listen to “Ellyn Lem interviewed by Paul Sladkus for GoodNews Broadcast” on Spreaker.

“Gray Matters invites readers to reexamine what they think they know about growing old. Offering succinct close readings of richly diverse cultural texts, Lem’s book presents literature as a resource for dealing with the practical and existential concerns of aging. With its interdisciplinary grounding in age studies theory and sociological data, Gray Matters is itself a valuable resource for readers ready to reorient their view of later life.”

—— Erin Lamb, co-editor of Research Methods in Health Humanities

Aging is one of the most compelling issues today, with record numbers of seniors over sixty-five worldwide! Gray Matters: Finding Meaning in the Stories of Later Life examines a diverse array of cultural works including films, literature, and even art that represent this time of life, often made by people who are seniors themselves from all walks of life from the rich and famous to the everyday person in our towns and neighborhoods.

Ellyn has been on multiple programs such as “The Morning Blend” (TMJ4TV – Milwaukee), and she can speak on topics focused on aging such as:

· How people’s personal stories of aging connect with writers’ portrayals
· Senior parents and their adult children
· Housing options
· Memory Loss
· Intimacy
· Men and Women (Differences and Similarities)
· Money, Work and Retirement
· Dealing with the challenges of social isolation during COVID19.

This thought provoking analysis is certain to challenge your audience’s perceptions on aging, as Professor Lem engages in dialogue with others on the recent research exploring how “stories” illuminate the dynamics of growing old by blending fact with imagination. GRAY MATTERS: Finding Meaning In The Stories of Later Life (Rutgers University Press; Paperback; August 15, 2020; $29.95; 978-1-1978-80631-3) will shine light on the fascinating real life experiences of seniors gathered from over two hundred in-depth surveys with a range of questions on growing old, not often included in other age studies works.

Gray Matters combines cultural texts, gerontology research, and observations from older adults that will give all readers a fuller picture of the struggles and pleasures of aging and avoids over-simplified representations of the process as all negative or positive.

“Creative, wide-ranging and well-written, Gray Matters offers a many-sided, complex understanding of late-life. It demonstrates that this period of our lives interweaves our past and present, takes grit, and offers opportunities for positive experiences. For some, learning becomes more enjoyable, as the phrase ‘senior college’ indicates. Gray Matters also skillfully shows that aging occurs in a social context, a fact often overlooked when the process is understood as solely an individual matter.”
—— Margaret Cruikshank, from the foreword

“Lem draws examples from literature, film, television, and a survey of older people to support a wide-ranging and accessible examination of contemporary culture. Especially helpful to those who are new to the field, this book is a welcome addition to age-studies scholarship.”
—— Valerie Lipscomb, author of Performing Age in Modern Drama –This text refers to the hardcover edition.

“Ellyn Lem’s research wasn’t just from gerontology— she surveyed over 200 real people over the ages of 65…. making the experience of reading this book heartfelt and personal. Census facts were fascinating as well. Added pleasures for book lovers, screen lovers of movies, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, Amazon Prime, and other network watchers, will be smiling! There are so many fun tidbits and commentaries from literature, film, and television: many favorite authors, books, and screen entertainment is explored and examined throughout!
I found it exciting to read about books & authors I’ve read -and exciting to learn about books, authors, shows, I’ve missed – but now must add to my desire to read & watch lists.”
—— Elsye Walters, Advance Reader from Goodreads

Ellyn A. Lem is a professor of English and Gender Studies at UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha. She teaches a variety of composition and literature courses, including a course, Women in Popular Culture. Her publications include articles on The Hunger Games, Like Water for Chocolate, Arthur Miller and Anzia Yezierska and the book Gray Matters: Finding Meaning in the Stories of Later Life. Lem received her PhD from New York University.

Series: Global Perspectives on Aging
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Rutgers University Press; None edition (August 15, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1978806310
ISBN-13: 978-1978806313

Gray Matters: Finding Meaning in the Stories of Later Life, will be out Aug. 15th and is available for pre-order now:
from Rutgers University Press, Local bookstores like Books and Company, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and other fine book retailers everywhere.

Read her book Gray Matters on Kindle!

#book #ellyn #lem #gray #matters #kindle #later #life #paul #sladkus #stories #erin #lamb #health #humanities #reexamine #growing #old #richly #diverse #cultural #texts #resource #practical #concerns #grounding #theory #sociological #data #view

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Free/culturally diverse virtual programs for seniors throughout US from nonprofit, including crossword class with NYT’s Will Shortz

Austin Tang — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 20:59:51 +0000

Photo Credits: JASA

“Senior Center Virtual Events Hub”: https://www.jasa.org/events/senior-center-virtual-events
JASA’s Virtual Crossword Puzzle event https://www.jasa.org/events/crossword-event

JASA is one of the largest, most trusted agencies serving older adults and they created this hub of events, which are virtual and free to the public throughout the United States, to ensure that older adults are still able to access vibrant cultural programming while continuing to shelter in place and avoid the heat.

JASA’s programs for older adults are considered by many to be the gold standard in the space, and their virtual senior center programming is really the most unique of its kind, offering a variety of culturally diverse workshops:
· Senior Center Virtual Events hub – providing opportunities for folks to connect, exercise and learn through:
o Fitness: Chair Yoga, Thai Chi & Thai Chi for Arthritis, Salsa Dance, Zumba, Dance Therapy, Ritmo Latino Dance, Meditation, Belly Dancing and more
o Music and Arts: Poetry, Creative Arts, Concerts in Motion (including a focus on Russian music), Brain Candy Trivia, Creative Writing and more
o Lectures and Support Groups: Current Events meetings, Health and Wellness support groups, Bereavement groups, ESL/citizenship class, “What’s on your mind” discussions, Technology Support class and more
o Health: Nutrition Empowerment Workshop, Diabetes Workshop, Sharpen your Mind workshop and more
o Any interested seniors can sign up for these programs by emailing: seniorcenters@jasa.org
In addition to their virtual senior center programs, JASA also offers a continuing education program for adults 50+:
· Sundays at JASA – Virtual, continuing education initiative for adults 50+, offering a wide range of courses and lectures from luminaries in the arts, politics, media and more.
o To participate in Sundays at JASA, folks can contact Sundays@jasa.org or call (212) 273 -5304
For folks looking to volunteer in support of seniors at this time, JASA is also offering JASAChat – a volunteer program where folks can be connected with a senior for a phone or video conversation once or twice a week.

JASA will also be hosting a Virtual Crossword Puzzle Event with The New York Times’ Will Shortz this Wednesday, July 29th! This “Get a Clue: Crossword Construction” class has actually been a main staple of Sundays and JASA (mentioned above), and now, acting as a virtual, public event, funds from the evening will go directly to supporting JASA’s services.

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