DALLAS /PRNewswire/ — TIME has named Sarah Jakes Roberts to the 2023 TIME 100 Next list.

An expansion of the TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world, TIME 100 Next highlights 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science and activism, and more. The full list and related tributes appear in the Sept. 25, 2023 issue, available on newsstands on Friday, Sept. 15, and now at time.com/next.

Jakes Roberts is redefining what it means to be a modern woman of faith. As a wife, mother, author and businesswoman dedicated to honoring her father’s (T.D. Jakes) mission of empowering underrepresented communities—including the disappearing middle class—her messages have spread throughout the world defying cultural, religious, gender, and socio-economic boundaries. She has a unique way of reaching people who are seeking to make peace with their past, maximize their present and deepen their relationship with God.

Jakes Roberts will provide a dynamic space for women to learn and grow together at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas this week, Sept. 14 – 16, where more than 40,000 women will gather for her global women’s conference, Woman Evolve. Jakes Roberts’ Woman Evolve is the fastest selling women’s conference in the history of Globe Life Field.  

Follow @TIME for updates about the list. #TIME100NEXT

SOURCE Woman Evolve

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR), the global authority on record-breaking achievements, announces that GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™2024 (GWR2024) is available in stores and online today. The new edition includes 2,638 mind-blowing achievements from around the world.

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IMAGE CREDIT: GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

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The cover of the 2024 edition is the final installment in partnership with award-winning artist Rod Hunt. Completing the illustrated Guinness World Records universe, the artwork takes the reader on a deep-sea odyssey to the bottom of the ocean. Back on dry land, our Records Management Team has been busy approving thousands of record titles over the past year.

Craig Glenday, editor in chief said, “The GWR2024 edition is the product of a year in which nearly 30,000 applications were reviewed by our records managers. Only a small percentage of claims have made it through the selection process, so the 2,638 records featured in the book really are the cream of this year’s crop. We’ve been inspired by our Blue Planet to celebrate a number of underwater records – including those set by the most impressive marine creatures, the most adventurous sailors, and even the most acrobatic mermaids! As ever, we’ve covered the widest possible spectrum of record-breaking, from the hairiest humans to the most talented guinea pigs, to the fastest rollercoasters, and the best-selling manga to the most celebrated athletes. I say it every year, but it’s the best edition yet!”

Record-breaking superstars from the U.S. include:

TOMMY (U.S.) – Tallest steer – 6ft 1in (1.87m)

13-year-old Tommy, a pure-bred Brown Swiss from Massachusetts, has been living with his owner’s family since he was just two days old. He was a large calf when they got him, but they never anticipated he would grow to such a height. His owner Fred describes Tommy as a gentle giant despite his large stature and horns and says he is ‘calm and peaceful’, especially with children.

GINNY MACCOLL (U.S.) – Oldest competitive ninja athlete (female) – 70 years 90 days

At 71, Ginny MacColl has swung into the record books for competing as the Oldest competitive ninja athlete. Ginny decided to get into fitness after watching her daughter Jessie Graff on American Ninja Warrior and was inspired to get into a gym and give it a go. Ginny initially had a goal of five pull-ups and it took a year to achieve one. Ginny first started competing in Ninja tournaments at the age of 65 and still follows a strict training regimen to this day with cardio and strength training four times a week and obstacle training once a week.

AMIR MENENDEZ (U.S.) – Largest afro (male) – 7.74 in (19.67 cm) high, 9.77 in (24.83 cm) wide, with a circumference of 88 in (226 cm)

Amir Menendez, 14-year-old, has as afro measuring 19.67 cm (7.74 in) high, 24.83 cm (9.77 in) wide, with a circumference of 226cm (88in) making his afro not only the largest afro on a living teenager (male), but also the largest afro on a living person (male). Now age 14, Amir tells us he began growing his hair about four and a half years ago.

GRACE GOOD (U.S.) – Most fire hoops spun simultaneously – 8, Most hula hoops spun simultaneously while balancing on a giant rolling globe – 28

At age 18, Grace Good found herself in a friend group that was into flow arts, an activity similar to yoga. She says, “I started with hula hoops and became obsessed with adding more and more. Eventually, I was introduced to performing with fire and aerial acrobatics and the rest is history!” Now age 30, Grace holds two Guinness World Records titles for her incredible skills. Dec. 6, 2022, she officially achieved the most hula hoops spun simultaneously while balancing on a giant rolling globe with a whopping 28 hula hoops and the most fire hoops simultaneously with eight blazing hula hoops.

NICHOLAS CHERRYWOOD (U.S.) – Largest collection of Care Bears memorabilia – 1234

Texas make-up artist Nicholas Cherrywood has a collection of 1,234 items related to the Care Bears franchise. His collection includes everything from dozens of classic teddy bears to books, movies, and clothing. Nicholas even changed his name to reference a character from “The Care Bears Movie” (1985).

The new edition includes nine fact-packed chapters and five special features:

• BLUE PLANET To celebrate this year’s theme, our watery opening chapter features record-breaking rivers, lakes, hot springs, oceans, and icescapes.
• AQUATIC LIFE Discover the most remarkable flora and fauna that live in, or near, water. Travel from the coastline to the abyssal trenches, getting up close to the fish, mammals, crustaceans, and other organisms that dwell there.
• HUMANS Meet our tallest, shortest, oldest, and hairiest record holders in the HUMANS chapter.
• RECORDOLOGY This chapter showcases all things pogo-sticking, paper planes, speedcubing, and collections, as well as upside-down record breakers. 
• ADVENTURES Meet the adventurous record-breaking mountaineers, ocean rowers, ice swimmers, eco-travellers, and slackliners.
• HISTORY Egyptians, pirates, catapulting knights, and even real-life witches, vampires, and ghosts can be found in our new HISTORY feature chapter.
• SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Features on ships and lighthouses complement our aquatic theme, plus rollercoasters, robots, and science.
• ARTS & MEDIA We’re showcasing the world’s biggest pop stars, movies, and TV shows alongside a mini-chapter dedicated to gaming.
• SPORTS A comprehensive chapter full of every significant new sporting achievement across soccer, tennis, cricket, track and field, basketball, and much, much more.

SPECIAL FEATURES: 

• HALL OF FAME This year’s inductees include Queen Elizabeth, Shingo Kunieda and Diede de Groot, Erden Eruc, The Harlem Globetrotters, Laura Biondo, Elton John, Wim Hof, Zion Clark, and Sylvia Earle.
• YOUNG ACHIEVERS Ukrainian contortionist Sofia Tepla, Australian drummer Pritish A R, American roller skater Mia Peterson, and Indian yoga instructor Reyansh Surani are all featured among this year’s Young Achievers.
• GAMING A special feature on the biggest and best videogame records across gaming communities, esports, hardware, and leaderboards.
• EXPLAINERS We peel away the layers of some iconic record breakers including a Jurassic Park dinosaur, the most expensive car, and Mr. Beast’s gigantic veggie burger. 
• BUCKET LIST We’re revealing the 100 most popular “things to do before you die”. Everything from skydiving to whale-watching, each with a related record.

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2024 is available for purchase in stores and online from Sept. 14, 2023, with discounts widely available. More information about the book and Guinness World Records is available here.

About Guinness World Records

What’s the fastest game bird in Europe? This was the question that inspired the founding of Guinness World Records back in 1955. Starting with a single book published from a room above a gym, GWR has grown to become a global multi-media brand, with offices in London, New York, Miami, Beijing, Tokyo and Dubai. Today, we deliver world-class content, not just through Books, but via TV shows, Social Media and Live Events. Our in-house consultancy works closely with brands and businesses around the world to harness the power of record-breaking and deliver award-winning campaigns and business solutions. Our ultimate purpose is to inspire people – individuals, families, schools, groups, companies, communities and even entire countries – to read about, watch, listen to and participate in record-breaking. To join this record-breaking community – and find out the answer to that original question – visit guinnessworldrecords.com. 

SOURCE Guinness World Records

 CARY, NC /24-7PressRelease/ — In a heartfelt letter addressed to his dear friend John, Chad Church embarks on a profound and introspective journey through the cherished memories of their lifelong friendship. Titled “One Black Man: Growing Up”, this poignant correspondence captures the essence of their shared experiences, the joys, the struggles, and the profound impact they had on one another. The book delves into the impact race played on, and around the boy’s friendship during the seventies, into the eighties. Church weighs the inequities and equities experienced subtly throughout their childhood and into adolescence. It’s an eyeopening glimpse into how experience can be so similar, yet colored by the color of one’s skin.

Painting a vivid picture of their youth, where Chad and John roamed the beaten paths together, immersed in the beauty of nature, there is a cinematic quality of the images conjured up in the imagination. From picking milkweed buds to leaping into the currents of the North River, their adventures were filled with youthful exuberance and a sense of boundless possibility. They stoked their spirits with campfires, engaged in passionate debates, and shared their hopes and dreams for the future, firmly believing they would walk life’s paths together until old age.

However, tragedy struck, and John’s untimely departure from the physical plane left Chad devastated. The pain of his loss threatened to consume him, but he found solace in honoring their shared plans, recognizing that fulfilling their aspirations was a testament to their friendship and John’s enduring legacy.

Throughout the years, Chad encountered various friendships, seeking to recreate the unique bond he had with John. But none could compare to the depth and authenticity they shared. Their friendship taught Chad to distinguish between genuine connections and superficial alliances based on needs and convenience. He expresses his gratitude for the profound wisdom imparted by their friendship, a compass that guided him through the complexities of human relationships. As Chad aged, his search for the true meaning of life led him on a winding path, far from home, yet ultimately bringing him back to his roots. He discovered that while the need for familiarity had diminished, the comfort and truth of his childhood home remained steadfast. In this introspective phase, Chad feels compelled to reconnect with John, sharing the wisdom gained from their intertwined journeys.

With the intention of preserving their lifelong bond, Chad invites John to embark on a new adventure through his words. He desires to share the significant moments, the triumphs, and the tribulations, ensuring that John is present for the stories that have unfolded since his passing. From exotic locations to philosophical contemplations, Church’s oratorical perspective promises to immerse John in the rich tapestry of his experiences.

Chad concludes his book with a profound realization – John had always been and would forever be his best friend. With this newfound understanding, their lifelong adventures are reignited, and Chad invites readers to join him as he retraces the footsteps of their extraordinary friendship.

Chad Church’s book, “One Black Man: Growing Up”, is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the black experience in America and the world. Through the power of storytelling, the author has created a compelling narrative that challenges readers to think deeply about their beliefs and biases. By reading this book, readers can become better allies to their black friends and colleagues and help create a more just and equitable society for all people. The book will soon be available on Amazon, Kindle, and other e-book platforms.

Source: Chad Church