Technology

American Indian College Fund Hosting Online Book Discussion with Indigenous Author Mona Susan Power

Published

7 months ago

February 20, 2024

Free Event Scheduled Tuesday, March 26th at 12:00 Noon MDT

DENVER, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) is hosting a free, online book and author event for the public featuring the PEN Award–winning Native American author, Mona Susan Power, on March 26 from 12-1 Mountain Daylight Time. Power will discuss her new book, A Council of Dolls, with College Fund President, Cheryl Crazy Bull.

Mona Susan Power is the author of four books of fiction: The Grass Dancer (awarded the PEN/Hemingway prize), Roofwalker, Sacred Wilderness, and her most recent novel, A Council of Dolls (longlisted for the National Book Award). She has received numerous fellowships in support of her work, including an Iowa Arts Fellowship, James Michener Fellowship, Radcliffe Bunting Institute Fellowship, Princeton Hodder Fellowship, USA Artists Fellowship, McKnight Fellowship, and Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Fellowship. Her short stories and essays have been widely published in journals, magazines and anthologies, and her essay, “Bloodthread,” is forthcoming in The Georgia Review. Power was born and raised in Chicago, is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Iháŋktȟuŋwaŋna Dakhóta), and currently lives in Minnesota.

The profoundly moving and unforgettable new novel spans three generations of Yanktonai Dakota women from the 19th century to the present day. Power takes the reader to the mid-century metropolis of Chicago, the windswept ancestral lands of the Dakota people, and bleak and brutal Indian boarding schools. A Council of Dolls is the story of three women, told in part through the stories of the dolls they carried.

Sissy, born in 1961, has a difficult relationship with her beautiful and volatile mother, but her life is also filled with beautiful things, including a new a doll called Ethel Sissy received for Christmas. Ethel whispers advice and kindness in Sissy’s ear, and in one especially terrifying moment, the doll maybe even saves Sissy’s life.

Lillian, born in 1925 in her ancestral lands during a time of terrible change, clings to her sister, Blanche, and her doll, Mae. When the sisters are forced to attend an “Indian school” far from their home, Blanche refuses to be cowed by the school’s abusive nuns. But when tragedy strikes the sisters, Mae finds a way to defend the sisters.

Cora, born in 1888 during the brutal legacy of the “Indian Wars,” is not afraid of the white men who remove her to a school across the country to be “civilized.” When teachers burn her beloved buckskin and beaded doll, Winona, Cora discovers the spirit of Winona may not be entirely lost.

A Council of Dolls is a modern masterpiece: gorgeous, quietly devastating, and hopeful. Mona Susan Power shines a light on the damage wrought by Indian boarding schools and historical massacres that echo throughout generations of Indigenous people. With stunning prose, she artfully weaves a spell of love and healing with her storytelling.

To register for this free event, please visit www.collegefund.org/bookclub.

About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 34 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $17.4 million in scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian students in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $319 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators and is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.

Photo— PEN Award–winning author Mona Susan Power, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Iháŋktȟuŋwaŋna Dakhóta), will discuss her latest novel, A Council of Dolls, March 26 at 12:00 noon Mountain Daylight Time with Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. Registration is free and open to the public. To join the conversation visit https://bit.ly/monabookclubFB.

Journalists—The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

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SOURCE American Indian College Fund

Technology

The Ar-King of Spirits: Ed Arking’s Impact on the Liquor Industry

Published

11 mins ago

September 21, 2024

In the interest of providing luxury liquors in a convenient and stress-free format, Served Neat was born. When asked about his intentions for the company, Ed states, “My goal with Served Neat is to create a one-stop shop where customers can easily discover these rare gems.”

MOORESTOWN, N.J., Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Served Neat is an emerging online platform with a curated selection of some of the world’s most popular luxury spirits. The website offers daily flash deals that highlight a variety of high-end international brands including Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace, Clase Azul, and more.

“While there are websites selling spirits, none have the decades of experience that we bring from WTSO. Served Neat will offer not only incredible bottles but also the best customer service in the industry.”

Ed and Joe Arking, the father-son team behind the concept of Served Neat, have decades of experience hand-selecting and supplying sought-after liquors. Ed Arking, CEO of New Jersey’s Roger Wilco, grew up in the world of wine and spirits and formed his own business aspirations.

“Growing up, I watched my father navigate and succeed in the ever-evolving wine and spirits industry,” Ed explains. “While I always aspired to create something similar, I knew I needed to wait for the right moment.” Ed has gone on to manage his own liquor store and lead projects for up-and-coming brands, such as the vodka-infused and non-carbonated Smooth Water.

As he evolved in his career, Ed discovered the perfect time to make his lifelong vision a reality. He recalls, “I noticed a gap in the market—especially for whiskey and tequila. These categories have surged in popularity, making it difficult for the everyday consumer to find those elusive sought-after allocated bottles.”

When it comes to Served Neat, quality and knowledge is key. Ed adds, “While there are websites selling spirits, none have the decades of experience that we bring from WTSO. Served Neat will offer not only incredible bottles but also the best customer service in the industry.”

Served Neat is the sister company to WTSO and The Wine Market, two online platforms dedicated to sourcing and distributing top-notch wines from every corner of the globe.

At The Wine Market, an online marketplace for the world’s most popular wine brands, convenience and quality are key. Each bottle in their curated collection is a testament to exceptional flavor and craftsmanship.

Since 2006, WTSO has enjoyed creating a unique wine experience and sharing it with new beginners and seasoned connoisseurs alike. Using an extensive network of wineries and wine makers, WTSO connects customers to thousands of brands from top wine appellations around the globe. The strong relationships they’ve formed within the wine world allow the business to deliver authentic and high-quality bottles to homes across the United States.

Wine and spirits lovers alike are invited to explore Served Neat, WTSO, and The Wine Market to find their next favorite bottle. Visit their websites to learn more about these one-of-a-kind online marketplaces!

Media Contact

Julie Blount, WTSO, 1 8669572795, marketing@wtso.com

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SOURCE WTSO

Technology

Compete for $150K Prizes: Join Spatial Joy 2024 The Global AR Application Development Championship

Published

1 hour ago

September 21, 2024

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Spatial Joy 2024 The Global AR Application Development Championship is now open for registration! Organized by Rokid, a global leader in human-computer interaction through augmented reality, this championship invites AR developers globally to harness voice, gesture, and visual AI technologies to create groundbreaking AR experiences. Powered by the self-developed YodaOS-Master operating system, Rokid AR glasses deliver exceptional spatial computing performance.

What is Spatial Joy 2024 about？
In September 2022, Rokid kicked off its first AR Application Development Championship. The second championship, held last year in collaboration with Unity and Agora, quickly established itself as the largest AR application development event in China. As Rokid celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, we are excited to present “Spatial Joy,” our newly branded global championship, open to developers worldwide for the first time, and positioned as the flagship event in the AR industry.

Why join Spatial Joy 2024?

Compete for a $150,000 prize poolFree access to Rokid AR Lite or Rokid AR studioDiscounted rates on purchasing Rokid productsFree participationTechnical support from Unity and AgoraInternational exposure within the AR industryOpportunity to attend the award ceremony in China

Who can participant?
The championship is open to global AR developers of all levels, including students, independent developers, teams, and professionals across sectors such as healthcare, retail, education, gaming, entertainment, lifestyle, and more.

How to register?
Detailed registration guidelines and requirements are available online at [https://t.rokid.com/iwvwcxkn]. Developers can register and submit their projects through Rokid official website at [www.global.rokid.com].

Spatial Joy 2024 Timeline:

Registration Deadline: October 16, 2024Final Project Submission Deadline: November 15, 2024Finalists Announcement: December 27, 2024Award Ceremony: January 11, 2025

About Organizer
Rokid has expanded its global presence, making notable progress in key markets across North America, Europe, and Asia, including a successful campaign on Kickstarter. With a decade of expertise, Rokid has revolutionized AR technology, transforming how users interact with both digital and physical environments.

Join us in shaping the future of AR with Rokid – enter Spatial Joy 2024 The Global AR Application Development Championship Now!

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SOURCE Rokid

Technology

Summit of Whose Future? Girls Have the Answers: Leaders Must Listen

Published

3 hours ago

September 21, 2024

Young Women Activists Launch “What Girls Want,” Demand World Leaders Put Girls at the Center of Summit of the Future

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today in New York, more than 50 young women from around the world – including Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai – gathered to take government to task for failing to prioritize girls and young women in the upcoming Summit of the Future. The group is backed by acoalition of girl-centered non-profit organizations, institutions, and funds who synthesized the demands of girls at www.whatgirlswant.com.

At a demonstration near the UN, alongside life-size cutouts of world leaders dressed ironically as “girl experts”, the activists delivered a strong message: world leaders aren’t the experts on what girls want for their futures – girls are.

Eylül Erçin, 19, from Türkiye, shared: “The time has passed for girls and young women to be treated as mere afterthoughts. Leaders must include us in the foundational design of these processes, ensuring that our priorities are integrated into shaping the future we will inherit. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Today’s event is about more than calling out a process failure. Girls i from around the world delivered a forward-looking call to action this week. They expect governments, institutions, and community leaders to step up and help shape a more equitable future.

Alongside fellow activists, Malala said: “Even at 27, I know better than to assume I understand best what girls want. Everywhere I go, girls are eager to share their vision for their futures. As adults, it is our job to listen, fund their work and follow their lead. It is not too late for world leaders to do right by girls. They can start by prioritizing their demands in tomorrow’s final Summit deliberations and by investing resources to match their words.”

The evidence is clear: investing in girls and delivering on their rights transforms economies, societies, and the environment, advancing the SDGs and building a future that girls deserve.

About What Girls Want

This effort was produced by a collaboration of girl-centered organizations, institutions, funders, and allies. The campaign is anchored around work to collate insights, data, and stories from 20+ public consultations with girls and young women over the past decade, driven by a shared desire to center girls’ demands in spaces where they are being ignored.

Contact:

whatgirlswantpress@gmail.com

nate.powers@edelman.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2384993/Women_Deliver_Logo.jpg

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