Welcome to The Bridge!

We’re thrilled to announce the premiere of our new podcast, “The Bridge.” This innovative series aims to connect hearts and open minds through powerful personal stories and insightful discussions that bridge gaps in our understanding and strengthen our community ties.

Our very first episode, “Pride and Progress,” invites you to step into the vibrant atmosphere of the Columbus Pride Parade with Jared Kenneth Page, a passionate advocate and beloved member of the LGBTQ+ community. Jared shares his heartfelt journey from the challenges of coming out to the joyful celebrations of Pride, reflecting on how far the community and society have come over the years.

Episode Highlights Include:

• Jared’s Personal Story: From the fear of coming out to finding acceptance and peace.
• Evolution of Pride: Witness the transformation of the Pride Parade from Jared’s first march to today’s inclusive, vibrant celebration.
• Community Impact: Explore how events like Pride foster a supportive environment that champions diversity and acceptance.

The episode goes beyond just recounting experiences—it’s about the profound impact of embracing one’s identity and advocating for collective rights and recognition. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, Jared’s narrative and our discussion on the progression of Pride events will inspire and inform.

When to Listen:
Mark your calendar for the release of “The Bridge” on September 8, 2024 at 8:00 am. Debut starts with the revisit of of Pride Month back in June 2024, this episode promises to be a compelling start to a series that celebrates the strength found in diversity.

How to Listen:
“The Bridge” and STM Daily News Podcast are both available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss this moving kickoff episode and the amazing stories that will follow!

Join us as we explore the bridges that connect us to Jared’s story and the broader narratives woven throughout our communities. Let’s look back on Pride Month with understanding, unity, and joy through the stories that bring us together.

Listen, reflect, and celebrate with us on “The Bridge.” Your journey into deeper community connections starts here!

You can also catch the episode on YouTube: Pride & Progress

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PrideAndProgress #TheBridgePodcast #LGBTQStories

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The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

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STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.

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Following the second annual Ambition Accelerator Summit, 24-year-old changemaker Victoria Lamar receives $25,000 in funding to help excel her education-focused initiative.

IRVINE, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Taco Bell Foundation and nonprofit partner Ashoka announced today the top changemaker in the second Ambition Accelerator Summit, hosted at Taco Bell’s headquarters in Irvine, Calif. Victoria Lamar pitched Securing Degrees, a national scholarship coaching platform that helps students alleviate the financial burden of higher education, winning the challenge and receiving a $25,000 social impact grant.

Changemaker Recognition

The prize funding will enable the Atlanta-based initiative to expand and provide additional resources to students aged 17 to 22, especially those from underrepresented communities. Since 2018, Securing Degrees has assisted over 4,000 families in securing $20 million in scholarships, ensuring debt-free education. Students on the platform are provided access to experienced coaches who help identify scholarships, craft compelling narratives, and meet application deadlines.

“Participating in the Ambition Accelerator program has been a transformative experience,” said Victoria Lamar, the 2024 Ambition Accelerator grand prize recipient. “The support and resources provided are empowering me to drive meaningful change and will allow me to take Securing Degrees to the next level. I’m excited to see the positive impact Securing Degrees can make with the help of the Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka.”

After receiving over 370 applications from young people across the country, the Taco Bell Foundation invited the top 50 changemakers, including Victoria, for an immersive experience at Taco Bell’s headquarters this week. These Summit Semi-Finalists were granted the opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurial skills by participating in workshops focused on storytelling, community building, networking, and more. Each Semi-Finalist received $1,000 in seed funding for their social ventures, and five finalists were invited to a pitch competition. The grand prize recipient of the pitch competition received $25,000 in addition to previous competition awards and a Taco Bell gift card, gifted by Taco Bell Corp. The other four finalists were awarded an additional $5,000 each to further develop their projects.

“We created Ambition Accelerator to elevate the voices of our future leaders,” said Julie Davis, Global Chief Legal Officer, Taco Bell & Executive Sponsor, Taco Bell Foundation. “By fostering a supportive network and providing essential tools over the past few days, we hope these bright, socially motivated individuals will feel empowered to continue their work and make a difference in their communities.”

In addition to Securing Degrees, the other projects selected to participate in the pitch competition included:

• Farms for Thought: Farms for Thought combats food deserts by deploying autonomous vertical farms in schools. Through partnerships and innovative technology, the program aims to improve access to healthy food, promote education, and empower communities.
• Elevate the Navajo Nation: Navajo youth face challenges such as substance abuse, poverty, domestic violence, hopelessness, and lack of guidance. To address these issues, multi-generational Navajo leaders have created Elevate Navajo, a program that provides mentorship to help youth navigate these challenges. The program aims to build long-term, life-changing relationships, equipping Navajo youth to thrive and contribute to their community.
• Every Kid Gets a Robot (EKGAR): Founded in 2019, The STEAM Connection is a 501(c)(3) charity led by youth and minorities, dedicated to democratizing technical education for Indigenous youth through robotics by providing free access to cutting-edge solutions. The STEAM Connection has created Every Kid Gets A Robot (EKGAR), an educational robotics kit that costs less than $20 to produce. It’s provided free of charge to K-12 students, boosting their technical skills by 70%. So far, EKGAR has reached 45,000 youth.
• SignAll: Less than 0.1% of the hearing population understands sign language. SignAll is an AI-based sign language translation app that provides real-time translations by leveraging a mobile device’s camera at the person signing, helping to break down barriers in communication.

To narrow down these breakthrough ideas and select the winner, Taco Bell Foundation invited a panel of judges to deliberate including:

• Kim Malek, Founder & CEO, Salt & Straw
• Stephen Green, Founder, PitchBlack
• Chris White, EVP of Brand Partnerships, The SpringHill Company
• Neil Borkan, Taco Bell Franchisee & Chairman, Taco Bell Foundation
• SG Ellison, Taco Bell Franchisee & President of Diversified Restaurant Group and A&C Ventures
• Tim Bergevin, Vice President of Entertainment & Community Marketing, Taco Bell

“Meeting the participants and witnessing the connections they have made over these past few days is incredible,” said Tia Johnston Brown, Executive Director of Ashoka’s Youth Venture. “The Ambition Accelerator Summit embodies Ashoka and the Taco Bell Foundation’s mission to empower individuals to pursue their passion. These young people are already changing the world.”

Funded by Yum! Brand’s $100 million Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, Ambition Accelerator is dedicated to creating pathways for a more equitable and inclusive society. The inaugural Ambition Accelerator India Summit will be taking place in September in Bengaluru.

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About Taco Bell Foundation 

Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity that helps break down barriers to educate and inspire the next generation of America’s young leaders. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $188 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation, visit www.tacobellfoundation.org.

About Ashoka 

Ashoka is the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs—individuals with new ideas to systemically address the world’s biggest challenges and the entrepreneurial skill to transform those ideas into national, regional and global social impact. For over 40 years, Ashoka has supported over 4,000 social entrepreneurs in 90 countries with solutions addressing society’s most pressing issues. Ashoka’s vision is a world in which Everyone is a Changemaker—a society that responds quickly and effectively to challenges, and where every individual has the freedom, confidence and societal support to address any social problem. For more information, visit ashoka.org.    

Katie Snyder – Edelman
katie.snyder@edelman.com 

Chad Hoffmann – Taco Bell Corp.
chad.hoffmann@yum.com 

Tia Johnston Brown – Ashoka
tjohnston@ashoka.org 

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SOURCE Taco Bell Corp.

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

Iconic Brands like Chipotle Mexican Grill, Denny’s, Inspire Brands, Fogo de Chão, Jack in the Box, Macy’s, Inc. and Tropical Smoothie Cafe Pioneering the Effort

WASHINGTON /PRNewswire/ — No Kid Hungry, a national campaign focused on ending childhood hunger in the U.S. announced today the CEO Pledge to End Summer Hunger, a national movement uniting CEOs across industries to help increase the reach of summer meals programs from 2.8 to 30 million children. CEOs and top executives who are among the first to champion the effort include:  Christine Barone, CEO & President, Dutch Bros Coffee; Paul Brown, Co-Founder & CEO, Inspire Brands; Noah Glass, Founder & CEO, Olo; Darin Harris, CEO, Jack in the Box; Barry McGowan, CEO, Fogo de Chão; Danny Meyer, Founder & Executive Chairman, Union Square Hospitality Group; Brian Niccol, Chairman & CEO, Chipotle Mexican Grill; Tony Spring, Chairman & CEO, Macy’s, Inc.; Kelli Valade, President & CEO, Denny’s and Charles Watson, CEO, Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

One in five kids in America lives with hunger. And for children who rely on free or reduced priced meals at school, summer can be the hungriest time of year. A recent survey revealed that 41% of parents struggle in some way to provide food for their household when kids are out of school. Without access to nutrition during the summer months, it is that much harder for kids to return to school ready to learn.

“Feeding children and feeding our communities should be a top priority,” says Barry McGowan, CEO of Fogo de Chão. “As a food industry veteran, I understand the value of making sure people have enough to eat. That’s why I’m proud to unite behind the CEO pledge to end summer hunger. There is strength in numbers and together, we can make sure every child in America is fed. Join us in this critical mission.”

Edelman’s 2024 Trust Barometer Report reveals that 62% of people expect CEOs to address societal issues. Pledge champions understand that. These top executives are putting their competitive spirit aside to help tackle hunger by 1) Mobilizing their brands and industries to help No Kid Hungry raise $50M over the next three years, 2) Lending their time and influence to raise awareness and 3) Advocating for change by celebrating and supporting policies that ensure kids have access to food all year-round.

“As business leaders, we have a shared responsibility to build a nation where every child is set up for success, and that starts with making sure they are nourished,” said Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe.  “This is not just a moral imperative but it’s also a strategic vision that drives our entire network of franchises to raise funds for No Kid Hungry.  I am honored to join my peers to help rewrite history and make summer hunger a thing of the past.”

Thanks to bipartisan legislation long advocated for by No Kid Hungry, 30 million children stand to benefit from the USDA’s new and monumental changes to the summer meals program. Traditional summer meals programs were only reaching 13% of the kids that needed them due to accessibility barriers like transportation. 

The new programs offer flexible options like multi-day meal distribution and deliveries that reach kids in remote and rural areas. Secondly, eligible families will receive $120 in grocery benefits for each eligible child. No Kid Hungry is leading the effort to roll out these changes and is planning on raising and investing $50 million over the next three years to help schools, community organizations and state agencies get the resources they need to implement the new programs this and every year.

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“The expansion of the summer meals program is a huge win, but summer hunger will only end if local communities have the resources to implement these new programs” said Kelli Valade, Denny’s president and CEO. “I’m excited to build on our fourteen-year partnership with No Kid Hungry and our love of feeding people to make sure our nation’s children have the summers they deserve – free of hunger. I call on my peers to join us – the time is now.”  

“No Kid Hungry’s promise is that every child in every community gets the nutrition they need year-round,” said Anne Filipic, CEO at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. “We have a monumental opportunity to address the longstanding challenge of summer hunger and are inspired by our pledge champions who recognize the importance of using their resources and influence to help us meet this moment.”

The restaurant industry leaders that make up No Kid Hungry’s Dine Advisory Board are the architects behind the CEO pledge. They are rallying the industry to raise half of the needed investment – $25 million over the next three years. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/ceopledge.

About No Kid Hungry

No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.

Media contact
Allison deBrauwere Ruta, aruta@strength.org

SOURCE No Kid Hungry

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The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge