isten to “Here is our conversation with Lessa Carter-Jones, President and CEO of Captain Planet Foundation. Green Heart STEM Challenge Launches…” on Spreaker.

ATLANTA, GA — The Captain Planet Foundation recently announced the launch of the 2026 Green Heart STEM Challenge, welcoming its largest cohort to date with nearly 5,000 students, 132 educators, and 71 schools across 11 states participating. 

The Green Heart STEM Challenge is delivered through a hybrid model, with in-person programming in metro Atlanta, Houston, and Miami, alongside virtual participation that enables schools in additional states to engage fully. This structure supports deep, place-based learning in core communities while expanding national access.

Designed for students in grades 6–9, the Challenge blends STEM learning with real-world problem solving, guiding students to identify environmental challenges in their communities and develop practical, implementable solutions. It follows a rotating, four-year cycle focused on EARTH, WIND, FIRE, and WATER, ensuring students explore a broad range of environmental systems and solutions over time.

The 2026 Challenge features EARTH, with students exploring issues such as soil health, tree canopy, composting, and food waste. Educators onboard students to the Challenge platform, where teams form, research, and begin building solutions rooted in local needs.

“What sets this Challenge apart is that students are mentored and funded to implement their winning ideas,!” said Leesa Carter-Jones, President and CEO of Captain Planet Foundation. “They’re not just learning about environmental challenges, they’re designing solutions and being held accountable for real outcomes.”

Since its launch, the Challenge has shown growing, measurable impact. In recent cycles, hundreds of student teams have progressed from ideas to formal project plans, with an increasing percentage advancing to implementation. Past winners have secured additional funding, expanded beyond their schools, and built long-term community partnerships, including teams in Atlanta and Houston continuing work well beyond the Challenge timeline. Across cohorts, student-led projects have tackled composting and food waste, erosion control and reforestation, water quality, repair-and-reuse systems, and circularity efforts reducing fast fashion and single-use waste.

The Challenge is supported by Accenture, Amazon, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Natural Gas, Green Mountain Energy, and Susan J. Klein, among others. Accenture employees also serve as volunteer mentors and project managers, helping student teams refine ideas, develop budgets, and prepare for implementation through the Challenge’s Idea Incubator.

Entering its fourth year, the Green Heart STEM Challenge continues to show what’s possible when students are trusted with real responsibility, and supported to turn ideas into action.

About Captain Planet Foundation
Captain Planet Foundation is an award-winning U.S.-based nonprofit that empowers young people to be problem-solvers for the planet. Over the past 35 years, more than 1.7 million children have directly participated in CPF programs, supporting more than 3,700 projects and impacting 11.4 million young people worldwide. Founded in 1991 by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle, CPF advances environmental education through programs including Project Learning Garden, Planeteer Alliance, and the Green Heart STEM Challenge. Learn more at www.captainplanetfoundation.org.

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https://www.aspireartemis.org/

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At 6-foot-1, 250-pounds, Ovie Mughelli was a bruising fullback for more than a decade in the NFL. The former All-Pro player was known for punishing linebackers, but also for his engaging personality and ability to have fun with his teammates both on and off the field. Mughelli is a former network TV Sports analyst, so he still finds plenty of time to watch the Big Game while partying with friends. On January 25th, just in time for the Super Bowl (Feb. 3) in Atlanta, Ovie is available to share his can’t-miss Big Game party tips. Find out how this former NFL star and his friends plan to party.

OVIE’S BIG GAME PARTY CHECK LIST INCLUDES: SCORING WITH DIPS—New must-have chips and popcorn for hungry fanatics SUPER SIDES—Loving the hummus creations for a healthier game time snack BEVERAGE BONANZA—Ovie’s prime time special drink recipes GRILLING GREATNESS—Simples secrets for big game grilling perfection OVIE’S BACKGROUND – During his career, Ovie played for the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons. He was an All-ACC fullback for Wake Forest in college. He was formerly on ACC Gridiron Live on FOX Sports.

The post FORMER ALL-PRO NFL FULL BACK EXPLAINS HOW TO PUT THE FUN INTO WATCHING FOOTBALL OVIE MUGHELLI’S BIG GAME PARTY FUN appeared first on Good News!.

1. Listening – being aware of what’s going on in the community
2. Engaging – affect change either individually or through an organization
3. Empowering Action – by funding or volunteering

There are more than 1.5 million nonprofit and community organizations in the U.S. They have a huge impact on their neighborhoods by providing resources and enriching people’s lives. At a time in the nation’s history when there’s been undeniable progress, yet far too many reminders of how much more remain to be done, many of these organizations work hard to help educate and build more inclusive communities across the country.

Scott Becker, President of the Nissan Foundation and Nissan Senior Vice President of Administration, discusses the benefits of living and working together in a diverse society and how people can get involved today to make their communities better places for all. He also talked about how the Nissan Foundation has awarded several grants to nonprofits across the country to support programs that promote the value of cultural diversity in American society.

#listening #engaging #empowering #action #communities #diversity #break #down #barriers #aware #funding #volunteering #change #individually #organization

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Once an extremely shy child, Robyn is passionate about teaching individuals how to transform their process of communication so that they can express themselves effectively and powerfully. With that in mind, Robyn recently launched her first book, Standing Ovation Presentations (Motivational Press, 2013), a complete presentations skills guide that contains a unique communication-style system called ActorTypes. Robyn knows from years of training others that most people have a core set of strengths that relate to one or more of nine different character types found in movies and TV. Using these personas, she provides readers with detailed tips and skills on how to polish strengths and minimize weaknesses so they can create and deliver stellar presentations and communicate with style – their own style.

Over the course of her career, Robyn has helped thousands of business professionals improve their presentations and conduct successful interviews and interpersonal communication. Her clients have included C-suite executives and entrepreneurs, as well as academics and human services professionals, among many others. Her corporate client roster has included Fortune 500 companies and noteworthy brands, including Lifetime Television, Jones New York, AXA, Jet Blue, Deloitte & Touche and Merrill Lynch, to name a few.

Prior to founding her own consultancy, Robyn worked as a professional actress, appearing on stage in New York and surrounding region, as well as in television commercials and dramas. She has also provided voiceover talent for radio advertisements. Robyn served as a writer for two daytime dramas and is a contributor to American Express Open Forum. In addition, Robyn has frequently appeared as an expert guest on HuffPost Live, was a contributing media expert in PRNEWS 2013 Media Relations Guidebook, and wrote a personal essay that became a part of the published anthology Dancing at the Shame Prom (Seal Press, 2012) (which was recently featured at www.mariashriver.com).

Robyn is a current member of the prestigious New York Women in Communications, Inc. (NYWICI), Savor the Success, Step Up Women’s Network, Writers Guild of America East, Screen Actors Guild, Actors Equity and American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, and was an appointed member and committee chair of Manhattan’s Community Board Five for six years. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Adelphi University. One of Robyn’s proudest achievements is raising an incredible son who went from attending the New York City public schools to graduating from Yale University, then was drafted into a Major League Baseball organization where he is currently a minor league pitcher.

She lives in New York City with her husband of 29 years, Ken Becker.

Robyn uses her extensive experience to create innovative material and bring out the dynamism in every person she coaches. Her warm, humanistic approach and passion for her work encourages learners to push through their fears and into their greatness.

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Monday February 3, 2014
6:00 – 9:00 pm
United Nations Centre, 777 United Nations Plaza, 7th Floor
Corner of 44th Street and First Avenue in Manhattan

Register online at: https://elementsforpeace.eventbrite.com

Admission is $10 (online); $12 at the door. Seating is limited. Prior registration is encouraged.

Featured Speakers Include

Dr. Ricardo de Sena, Moderator
Ricardo de Sena is the Director of UN Latin Affairs Office, UPF International

Rev. Brian Ellis-Gibbs
Rev. Brian Ellis-Gibbs is the Pastor of Queens Baptist Church, New York; associate faculty with the University of Phoenix in New Jersey; and adjunct professor in the New York Theological Seminary. Rev. Ellis-Gibbs serves on the Board of Directors for Faith in New York, an interfaith organization that works for social justice, freedom and equality. 

Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry
Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry was born in Pakistan and raised in Pennsylvania where he attended college and afterwards went for graduate studies at Harvard. He then attended Stony Brook Medical School and currently is in private practice as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He has served the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on several levels including being a member of the National Board of the Youth branch and the General Secretary for the New York Chapter.

Mr. Kris Ram

Dr. Frank Kaufman
Dr. Frank Kaufmann is founder and President of Filial Projects, Director of the Inter-Religious Federation for World Peace (IRFWP), editor-in-chief of Dialogue and Alliance (1999 – 2009), and editor-in-chief of The New World Encyclopedia. He has worked in over 70 countries, including in conflict-ridden and violent environments, and engaged 500 international scholars for the development of New World Encyclopedia. Frank was nominated for the Guru Nanak Interfaith Award, along with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. Dr. Kaufmann is an expert on interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

Rick Ulfik
Rick Ulfik is Founder of We, The World and the WE Campaign at WE.net, Co-Founder and Principal Organizer of 11 Days of Global Unity – 11 Ways To Change The World, UN Representative for the Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations,, Nonviolent Communication Workshop Facilitator, Co-Producer of the Visual Voices TV Series, and he is a award-winning composer and keyboard player.

On the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week, you are cordially invited to attend this International Leadership Seminar on “Necessity of Interfaith Harmony and Global Cooperation in Addressing Social Issues”. The seminar will provide the opportunity for representatives of various religious communities, faith-based organizations, followers of wisdom traditions and indigenous peoples, to share their insights on necessary elements for world peace, and insights and sharing of expertise in addressing global issues.

This interactive seminar will provide the opportunity for representatives of various religious communities, faith-based organizations, followers of wisdom traditions and indigenous peoples, to share their insights and expertise on the necessary elements for world peace, as well as addressing other global issues. There will be time for meeting, greeting and making new friends and partnerships for peace.

Engaging Religions

in the Prevention of Atrocity Crimes

In observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week

 Wednesday, 5 February 2014
1:15 – 2:45 p.m. United Nations, Conference Room 2

Please RSVP here: http://bit.ly/1dXokIg
Admission is Free

Mr. Adama Dieng
Special Adviser of the United Nations Secretary-General
on the Prevention of Genocide

H.E. Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov 
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan
to the United Nations

Ms. Consolee Nishimwe
Genocide survivor and author of “Tested to the Limit:
A Genocide Survivor’s Story of Pain, Resilience and Hope”

Dr. Carol Rittner, RSM
Distinguished Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies,
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey; and
author of “Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches?”

Rabbi Roger Ross
Chair of the Board and CFO of the International Seminary for Interfaith Studies,
United Religions Initiative UN Representative

Moderated by Dr. Hanifa Mezoui
Senior Advisor, Office of the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations

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The Future of Enhanced Advertising: Addressing Brands, Message, Technology, Media and Entertainment, 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM on Thursday, November 15th
David is going to discuss issues relating to branded entertainment and the panel topic/discussion in more detail.
Brief bio of David Lang below.
David Lang is an Emmy Award-winning producer who has brought his talents to the marketing world as President of Mindshare Entertainment. In this role, David creates innovative, engaging, groundbreaking branded content for some of the world’s most recognizable brands.
Lang oversees all creative development & production, strategic marketing and partnerships in the entertainment marketing arena, as well as focuses on the creation of new economic models in this fast-moving space. Over the past six years, he has led his team in producing more than 100 projects for Fortune 500 marketers across a vast array of categories and targets.
A few clients include: Unilever, Kimberly Clark, Sprint, IBM, American Express, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Pepsi. High profile projects include: Karl Lagerfeld and Rachel Bilson for Magnum Ice Cream; Marisa Tomei for Bertolli; Whoopi Goldberg for Poise; 30 Rock’s Jane Krakowski for Breyers; Alicia Keys/Dove for MTV, Sprint’s “Create Your Hero” for NBC/Heroes; and “The Rookie” for Fox “24”.
Before joining MSE, Lang was Senior Vice President of Development & Production at Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, where he oversaw his group’s development of shows and the production process as show runner/executive producer.
Mindshare is a global media and marketing services network with billings in excess of $27.8 billion (source: RECMA).

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“Roots-heavy, post-punk music that reinvents the conventions of country music
with a CBGB’s-meets-Grand Ole Opry feel.” -Crawdaddy

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