Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook Enterprises Invests in Arizona Athletic Grounds

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

LOS ANGELES and MESA, Ariz., Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Russell Westbrook Enterprises ("RWE") has joined the ownership group in Arizona Athletic Grounds ("AAG"). RWE will focus on Basketball programming for AAG as well as community engagement through Westbrook's Why Not? Foundation.

Key Points: 
  • Foundation Efforts
    LOS ANGELES and MESA, Ariz., Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Russell Westbrook Enterprises ("RWE") has joined the ownership group in Arizona Athletic Grounds ("AAG").
  • Nine-time NBA All-Star and entrepreneur, Russell Westbrook has always had an eye for forward thinking businesses and a passion for giving back to the community.
  • Our goal at RWE is to help Arizona Athletic Grounds become a hub for national basketball tournaments," said Donnell Beverly, President of RWE.
  • Arizona Athletic Grounds is the premier youth sports and entertainment facility in the Western United States.

The Black Footwear Forum Inspires 600+ Black Creatives and Sets New Industry Standards at Fourth Annual Event

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023

DETROIT, Sept. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly expected Black Footwear Forum came to a close on September 24th in Detroit, MI with outstanding success. Attendees of the free event left feeling inspired and buzzing with excitement from presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

Key Points: 
  • Attendees of the free event left feeling inspired and buzzing with excitement from presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
  • "I am extremely proud of the overwhelming success of BFF," said PLC's forward thinking president and founder Dr. D'Wayne Edwards.
  • "This year's event served as a catalyst for innovation, fostering meaningful conversations and inspiring attendees to think differently.
  • I believe the knowledge gained and connections made will have a lasting impact on the industry."

LIDS TEAMS UP WITH STAR NBA SKILLS TRAINER, CHRIS BRICKLEY TO RENOVATE NEW HAMPSHIRE BASKETBALL COURT

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, July 15, 2023

INDIANAPOLIS, July 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, leading sports retailer, Lids and the Lids Foundation announced their latest partnership with Lids brand ambassador and notable NBA Skills Trainer, Chris Brickley for a project to renovate his hometown basketball court.

Key Points: 
  • In partnership with the Lids Foundation, Chris Brickley's beloved hometown basketball court experiences a makeover
    INDIANAPOLIS, July 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, leading sports retailer, Lids and the Lids Foundation announced their latest partnership with Lids brand ambassador and notable NBA Skills Trainer, Chris Brickley for a project to renovate his hometown basketball court.
  • Before becoming the most sought-after trainer in the NBA, Brickley started at Wolfe Park's basketball court.
  • "It has been amazing to partner with Lids and the Lids Foundation on a project that touches me deeply and gives back to a community that fostered my growth," said Chris Brickley.
  • In tandem with this unveiling, Chris Brickley and Lids are launching a pair of shorts that will be available exclusively for purchase starting on July 21 at LidsHatDrop.com and select Lids Hat Drop locations.

Leading Patient Advocacy Groups Launch Honor the Gift Campaign to Oppose Medicare Restrictions to Post-Transplant Diagnostic Testing

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 15, 2023

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading transplant advocacy groups announced today the re-activation of the Honor the Gift campaign, a coalition dedicated to advocating for greater access and coverage to ensure the long-term health of transplant patients. The reinvigorated campaign, which originally contributed to the successful passage of the Immuno Bill, will take on the latest challenge following Medicare's recent restriction of non-invasive diagnostic tests for solid organ allograft injury. Additionally, the coalition will focus on state and federal policies to protect and expand access to innovative tests that are vital to post-transplant patient's health.

Key Points: 
  • The Honor the Gift campaign will focus first and foremost on restoring Medicare coverage following the March 2023 release of a billing article that restricts coverage of non-invasive post-transplant diagnostic tests like dd-cfDNA and GEP.
  • A recent survey of transplant patients found that 95% believe reduced coverage for non-invasive tests would negatively impact their post-transplant care.
  • "I am proud to be part of the Honor the Gift campaign to advocate for continued coverage.
  • American journal of transplantation: official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons vol.

PepsiCo and Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design Kick-Off Three-Year Partnership To Increase Representation in Design Industry With Inaugural Student Lounge Design Program

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 31, 2023

DETROIT, March 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, PepsiCo and Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design celebrate the first step in their three-year partnership to develop Black designers and increase representation in the design industry. PepsiCo is revealing the work from its inaugural program at Pensole Lewis, the first and only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) dedicated to design, which tasked students to create a new student lounge on campus. Designers from the PepsiCo Design & Innovation team and MillerKnoll mentored Pensole Lewis students through the design process, a precursor to how PepsiCo will invest in bringing the winning concept to life this summer with support from MillerKnoll. In addition, PepsiCo teamed up with NBA star Russell Westbrook, who was inspired by the program and shares its mission to create opportunities for the community, to further amplify the effort and unveil the completed lounge on campus.

Key Points: 
  • PepsiCo is revealing the work from its inaugural program at Pensole Lewis, the first and only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) dedicated to design, which tasked students to create a new student lounge on campus.
  • Designers from the PepsiCo Design & Innovation team and MillerKnoll mentored Pensole Lewis students through the design process, a precursor to how PepsiCo will invest in bringing the winning concept to life this summer with support from MillerKnoll.
  • Pensole Lewis students Rodney Banks and Angel Buckens were selected for their winning design for the Pepsi Stronger Together Relax and Refresh Lounge.
  • "Our partnership with Pensole Lewis is about providing resources to help address the barriers that specifically hinder Black talent from entering a career in design.

BlocPower Announces $150 Million Financing, is Honored by Vice President Harris, Unveils Corporate Rebrand

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

NEW YORK, March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BlocPower, a leading climate technology company focused on greening America's buildings, today announced a fundraising round of $150 million, including over $24 million of Series B corporate equity led by VoLo Earth Ventures and $130 million of debt financing led by Goldman Sachs. Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, Credit Suisse, Builders Vision, New York State Ventures, Unreasonable Collective, Kimbal and Christiana Musk, Gaingels, Van Jones, Kapor Capital, My Climate Journey, Tale Venture Partners, and NBA superstar and entrepreneur Russell Westbrook also joined the equity round. To date, BlocPower has raised over $250 million of capital to finance building decarbonization in low income communities.

Key Points: 
  • To date, BlocPower has raised over $250 million of capital to finance building decarbonization in low income communities.
  • BlocPower announces $150 million financing to expand heat pump and building electrification programs across the U.S.
  • "Since 2014, BlocPower has focused on decarbonizing America's urban core, developing the green economy's workforce, and bringing climate justice to underserved and vulnerable communities.
  • In recognition of its work to date, BlocPower is being honored as an Emerging Leader by Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, D.C. at the Vice President's residence.

Poppi Raises $25M From CAVU Consumer Partners, Signaling Functional Beverages as Wellness' Next Frontier

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 13, 2022

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Poppi, a leading prebiotic soda brand celebrated for its deliciously refreshing flavor profiles and functional/digestive health properties, today announced $25M in new financing led by CAVU Consumer Partners. The funding comes after a year of meteoric growth for Poppi, which began as a farmers' market favorite and is now one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic beverages in the U.S. Over the past year, the brand experienced 148 percent increase in overall revenue and a 250 percent increase in online sales. The company also nearly doubled its retail presence (now in more than 20,000 doors nationwide) and became a top 10 selling item in the grocery category on Amazon during its Prime Early Access Event.

Key Points: 
  • "I'm grateful to continue partnering with Rohan and the CAVU Consumer Partners team as we enter our next phase of growth."
  • Rohan Oza, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of CAVU Consumer Partners, first invested in Poppi when co-founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth appeared on ABC's Shark Tank in 2018.
  • Today, he sits on Poppi's Board of Directors, as CAVU continues to invest in the brand while offering Allison and Stephen high-level counsel.
  • "Poppi is one of the fastest growing beverage brands I've ever been a part of," said Rohan Oza, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at CAVU Consumer Partners.

MasterClass Announces Celebrity Wedding Planner Mindy Weiss to Teach How to Plan Your Dream Wedding

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best across a wide range of subjects, today announced that celebrity event planner Mindy Weiss is joining Sessions by MasterClass, a structured, 30-day curriculum where members learn meaningful skills through hands-on experience, step-by-step demonstration and an engaged community. Weiss will break down all aspects of wedding planning from the guest list and menu to the floor plan to teach members how to bring their dream wedding to life while keeping budget in mind. Enrollment for Weiss' session is available starting today; the session goes live Dec. 14.

Key Points: 
  • Weiss will break down all aspects of wedding planning from the guest list and menu to the floor plan to teach members how to bring their dream wedding to life while keeping budget in mind.
  • "Mindy has planned some of the most iconic and influential weddings of our time," said David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass.
  • Members will determine their wedding day prioritiesthen draft and track their budget for the big day.
  • Your Wedding Binder:Weiss reiterates the importance of keeping a personalized wedding binder to ensure member's hard work stays organized.

Varo Bank Launches "SaveUp" Financial Education Course in Collaboration with EVERFI

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 15, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Varo Bank, the first all-digital, nationally chartered U.S. consumer techbank, announced today the launch of SaveUp, a free middle school savings curriculum designed in strategic partnership with social impact education innovator, EVERFI. The SaveUp course is the largest initiative to date of the Varo Money Power program, which includes free online financial education lessons for adults and the Russ x Varo Money Power financial education workshops for high school students designed in partnership with NBA superstar Russell Westbrook.

Key Points: 
  • The SaveUp course is the largest initiative to date of the Varo Money Power program, which includes free online financial education lessons for adults and the Russ x Varo Money Power financial education workshops for high school students designed in partnership with NBA superstar Russell Westbrook.
  • "Everyone deserves the same access to opportunity, and that starts with financial education," said Colin Walsh, Founder and CEO of Varo Bank.
  • We plan to leverage this program content in the future to broaden the reach of financial education and literacy to a wider audience going forward."
  • To learn more about EVERFI, please visit everfi.com or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , or Twitter @EVERFI.

Russell Westbrook Enters Digital Media Game to Bring Focus to Multicultural Audiences

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 29, 2022

LOS ANGELES, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NBA veteran point guard, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Russell Westbrook, has formally entered the digital media sector by launching Russell Westbrook Enterprises, new digital media division, RW Digital. The division has architected specific programmatic solutions that enables brands to more efficiently reach diverse audiences and amplify owned and operated minority publishers.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NBA veteran point guard, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Russell Westbrook, has formally entered the digital media sector by launching Russell Westbrook Enterprises, new digital media division, RW Digital.
  • Since ascending, Westbrook's business portfolio has grown to touch multiple verticals including Venture Capital, Fashion, Real-Estate, Insurance and now Digital Advertising.
  • "With RW Digital, my mission is to enable brands to reach multicultural audiences through programmatic data-driven media solutions.
  • Our platform also partners with brands to drive social impact to important social causes," said Russell Westbrook.