Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Mía Lee knows the power of connection. As a contemporary painter and textile designer, she treats each of her pieces not just as a work of beauty but as a bridge between people, communities and shared experiences.

“My characters act as anchors for empathy, giving form to emotions we all understand,” she says.

Lee has garnered several accolades in the art world and beyond. She has worked with the musician Chance the Rapper and Nike, was showcased in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art — the largest museum in the western U.S. — and just partnered with Metro by T-Mobile for The Metro Drop’s first collab, dubbed “The Price Drop Drop:” a streetwear exclusive that turned Metro’s lowered plan prices and 5‑year price guarantee on talk, text and data into wearable art. Lee’s drop was an immediate success as crowds packed the pop-up, and the collection sold out within hours.

The Metro Drop celebrates the culture, creativity and everyday energy of the neighborhoods that inspire Lee and Metro. She designed sold-out limited-edition graphic tees, statement hats and socks for The Price Drop Drop inspired by the energy that raised her on Chicago’s South Side: from the colors to the spirit.

“Capturing the vibrant energy of the block — the people on their lunch breaks, the street vendors, even the fire hydrants — allows me to paint a complete picture and offer a transparent glimpse into my world,” Lee says. “Partnering with Metro felt natural because they show up the same way I try to — with honesty, intention and a deep love for where we come from. This collab with Metro isn’t just about fashion. It’s about being seen, being heard and showing pride in where you’re from.”

We talked with Lee about the importance of connection, technology and the legacy she’s building — one piece of art at a time.

Mía, you have a very distinct style and work in different mediums, from canvas to clothes. How do you define your art?

It’s a means of storytelling rooted in narrative, personal experience and empathy. Visually, my pieces are bright and feature characters with relatable expressions. This approach helps me tell stories across all kinds of mediums, from traditional paintings to textiles.

The Metro Drop’s philosophy is to turn Metro’s brand promise into a celebration of culture and connection through something people can see, feel and wear. How important is connection to your community, to the world around you and even to other artists when creating art?

Connection is essential, especially since my art is all about visual stories. Growing up in Chicago, I built a community of artists who inspired each other. It’s the same now that I live in Brooklyn; my neighbors are artists, their friends are artists, and we are all part of one big creative community where we feed off each other.

How does technology help you stay connected to those groups?

Sometimes a little too well, but technology is vital. It keeps me connected to people in my community who live all over the world, letting us share glimpses into each other’s lives. As an artist, I also use technology to help me unplug and focus on my work, like playing music. I try to maintain a healthy balance.

Can you tell us about a time when your phone was an important tool in your artistic process?

Like many creators on social media, I use my phone to record and edit videos of my paintings. I used to be intimidated by it, but I learned you can create professional, high-quality content without expensive equipment. Recently, I’ve been making painting videos that feel like short films. It’s been fun to share my process with people who ask about it a lot.

What do you want people to take away from your collaboration with Metro, the Price Drop Drop?

This collaboration was a true labor of love. We poured our hearts into more than just the apparel; the entire campaign was dedicated to authentic storytelling. Going into the heart of the community to shoot the campaign made this project the most fulfilling part of the entire journey.

What legacy are you hoping to leave in your community?

I want to help guide a narrative that people all over the world can appreciate. The talent in Chicago, especially from the South Side, is incredible. The big thing for me is seeing the next generation take the reins and keep pushing this story with their art. But most importantly, I just want to make my family proud.

Check out The Price Drop Drop here.

At Covia, innovation isn’t a department—it’s a mindset. For years, we’ve partnered with customers across industries to solve tough challenges using the unique properties of industrial minerals and our process know-how. From improving product performance to reducing environmental impact, our work has always centered on discovering better ways to serve our customers and their customers.

Now, with the opening of the Covia Innovation Center (CIC) in Concord, North Carolina, that commitment has a new home.

This state-of-the-art facility is a physical representation of Covia’s approach to innovation: to deliver value through smart, sustainable solutions. While innovation is not limited to a single team or facility, the CIC provides a centralized, purpose-built environment where our team and our customers can accelerate progress together.

A Legacy of Innovation, Evolved

Covia’s reputation as a leader in the industrial minerals space is built on the quality of the minerals we mine combined with our ability to leverage technology and our process capability, which enables us to develop the full potential of the raw materials. Central to this purpose is working hand in hand with our customers to identify and solve their challenges. We’ve long believed that enabling our customers’ successes requires deep technical knowledge, cross-functional collaboration and a relentless curiosity about what’s possible.

“We are not just a raw material supplier—we are a mineral solutions provider,” said Mike Marcely, Covia’s EVP, US/Canada and Business Development. “We grow together with our customers, and we take a customer-centric approach to innovation.”

That approach has long guided Covia’s investments in application labs, pilot facilities and analytical centers—from our Analytical Services Lab in Ottawa, Illinois, to our mineral processing lab in Santa Catarina, Mexico. The opening of the CIC represents the next step in expanding those capabilities. Rather than consolidating existing resources, the CIC enhances our ability to collaborate, test and solve problems alongside customers. It reflects Covia’s company-wide mindset: innovation isn’t confined to a single site—it’s embedded in everything we do, and the CIC brings even more tools and space to put that mindset into action.

A New Chapter: The Covia Innovation Center

Although we look forward to a formal grand opening later this year, our scientists and engineers are already utilizing the space to solve customer challenges, collaborate on new projects, advance mineral solutions and support process innovation.

The 20,000-square-foot facility includes 13,000 square feet dedicated to product development and 7,000 square feet of office and collaboration space. It’s home to specialized rooms for coatings development, mineral processing, polymer applications and more, plus configurable lab space for expanded capabilities as needs evolve.

The center also houses dedicated conference rooms, the Ideate and Innovate rooms, and a multi-purpose room, the Inspire room, which will foster opportunities for cross-disciplinary discussion, idea generation and hands-on teamwork.

“This is a customer hub,” Marcely explained. “It will be a basecamp for collaboration and a place to create value together with our customers.”

Purpose-Built to Solve Real-World Challenges

The CIC was designed not just to enable technical and process breakthroughs, but to ensure they have real business impact. That means aligning every project with customer needs, market demands and real-world performance goals.

“It’s not a technical push approach,” Marcely said. “We ask, ‘Does what we’re doing help our customers improve performance? Reduce costs? Enhance sustainability? Solve their customers’ challenges?’ That’s our focus.”

Rather than conducting theoretical research, the CIC focuses on applied science—processing and modifying minerals, simulating customer applications and refining formulations to meet specific performance criteria. One recent example involves surface-modified minerals that enhance scrub resistance in architectural coatings, helping paint manufacturers deliver easier-to-clean walls for end users.

Customer Collaboration at the Core

What makes the CIC unique isn’t just the tools—it’s the way they’re used. Covia’s approach to innovation is deeply collaborative, involving input from team members in sales, marketing, product management, engineering, operations and technology, as well as customers themselves.

“Innovation is a team sport,” Marcely said. “It goes beyond R&D. It includes how we serve customers, how we think about business models and how we bring different perspectives together.”

Field insights gathered by technical sales and service teams feed directly into the CIC’s project pipeline, ensuring that the customer voice is present at every stage of development. And because the CIC is conveniently located not far from Charlotte, NC, it’s easy for customers and internal teams to meet, brainstorm and work together in person.

Designed for Agility, Built for Growth

Modularity and flexibility were top priorities in the design of the CIC. Lab spaces can be quickly reconfigured to support new focus areas—from coatings and polymers to sports and recreation, or emerging markets.

“What we’re doing today is not necessarily what we’ll be doing tomorrow,” said Steven Schilling, Director of Technology and Application Development. “That’s why we built this space with an emphasis on flexibility so we can pivot easily.”

Airflow systems minimize cross-contamination between rooms. Utilities drop from the ceiling to enable fast reconfiguration. Benches in the lab are movable, and the space can be expanded or segmented as new opportunities arise.

The facility also features 30 open-office workstations, allowing the team to expand and evolve as new talent joins.

A Magnet for Talent—and Ideas

Covia chose Concord as the home of the CIC for strategic reasons. The region’s robust academic and research community, central location and strong quality of life make it ideal for attracting and retaining top talent.

“Without people, this is just an expensive building full of paperweights,” Schilling said. “Innovation is a people business. Having the right people here is critical.”

The center will also support Covia’s internship and workforce development efforts, offering hands-on experience to students and early-career scientists at a time when funding cuts are limiting opportunities in academic research.

“Part of our responsibility is to help train the next generation of scientists and engineers,” Marcely noted. “And this center gives us the ability to do that.”

Investing in a Sustainable Future

While many of the CIC’s projects are confidential, sustainability is a clear priority. “We want to help our customers achieve their sustainability targets—and their customers’ goals too,” said Marcely. “That’s a core reason why this center exists.”

Consider examples from Covia’s product portfolio:

• MINEX® ST nepheline syenite fillers for industrial coatings enhance performance, safety and efficiency and are free of crystalline silica.
• CRISTOBALEX™ ultrawhite reflective filler adds value to roof coatings by helping to cool buildings and reduce energy costs.

Similarly, many of the innovations being developed at the CIC are designed to help customers meet their environmental, health and safety goals.

Looking Ahead

With a significant investment in construction, equipment and talent, the CIC represents more than a facility; it’s also a symbol of Covia’s future. It’s a space for turning customer insights into actionable solutions, for building stronger partnerships and for bringing new ideas to life faster.

As we prepare for the grand opening and a customer innovation day later this year, we’re already seeing the value this center brings to our customers and our teams. And we’re just getting started.

Ready to Collaborate?

Have a challenge you’d like to solve—or a new opportunity you’re exploring? Get in touch. We’re always ready to roll up our sleeves and see what’s possible, together.

Bio:
Lina Klebanov oversees corporate social responsibility, philanthropic programs, employee engagement, and strategic partnerships for TCS in North America. She’s been guiding the company’s cross-sector efforts to advance equitable digital opportunity since 2016. 

Program Timeline 

• Tata Consultancy Services recently celebrated 15 years of enhancing STEM education and serving youth through its Go Innovate Together (goIT™) initiative
• The program started in Milford, Ohio in 2009, when TCS staff created a summer camp experience to get students interested in computer science and prepare them for careers in the field.
• Today, TCS goIT includes camps, workshops, curricula for classrooms and after-school programs, and competitions for students.
• goIT offers lessons on AI fundamentals, machine learning, and Generative AI (Gen AI).
• TCS helps students make the most of these technologies responsibly by providing training modules to educators so they can encourage students to incorporate AI into the innovation concepts they develop through the goIT program, to help them stay ahead of the curve.
• To date, goIT has reached more than 350,000 students around the world with skill-building opportunities. The program enables students to develop and apply acquired tech knowledge and skills to real-world problems, such as the challenges defined by the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Smiles. Big, beaming smiles and the sparkling eyes that accompany them when students present their innovations to judges from the stage. This is the first thing I think about when I hear, “goIT.” 

TCS’ Go Innovate Together (goIT™) program is an innovation and career readiness program for students aged 6-17. It’s also a smile maker. 

Whether they access the program through families, a teacher or a nonprofit’s after-school program, students go through the experience joyfully, discovering new perspectives and previously undiscovered talents. Learning as much about the tech world as they do about themselves, students experience  pure joy with the program. Their learning processes and innovations may all be different, but their radiant happiness and confidence is always a constant at program culminations, competitions where they “pitch” their ideas for a chance to win feedback, medals, mentoring opportunities and more.

goIT exposes students across North America to technologies such as AI that are rapidly changing the world.  It also demonstrates how tech can be used for positive social and environmental impact, providing students with relevant skills and the mindsets needed to pursue careers in STEM fields. Helping educators cover several timely AI tech pathways, goIT does not shy away from either new technologies or challenging global social and environmental issues. 

Created in 2009, goIT was launched when a group of TCS associates in Milford, Ohio, recognized that there weren’t enough skilled candidates for the jobs  in their office. Motivated to change that, they started goIT as a small summer camp experience for a few dozen students in the Cincinnati area. Attendees learned how to code robots to perform basic tasks from enthusiastic IT experts who spent three days as volunteer camp facilitators, inspiring them to pursue future careers in technology. Instantly, they knew what they had was special, but had no idea they were starting a movement.

It was good timing.

As reported by research firm Gartner, IT jobs had started to morph into four different domains around that time:

1. Technology Infrastructure and Services, emphasizing technical knowledge around how different technologies work
2. Information Design and Management, focused more on business-specific knowledge
3. Process Design and Management, which balances business knowledge with a deep understanding of core processes across industry sectors
4. Relationship and Sourcing Management, balancing business and core process knowledge with the ability to excel in negotiations and relationship management

Further, in 2009, the National Science Foundation reported that men outnumbered women 3 to 1 in all sectors of science and engineering careers in the US, and women were significantly underrepresented in both STEM degrees and jobs in across the country. Researchers studying the gap in STEM jobs between the genders noted that it got smaller with increases in educational attainment. Yet women held significantly fewer STEM degrees compared with men, and fewer women than men with STEM undergraduate degrees actually ended up in STEM jobs. 

In the years following goIT’s first summer camp, led by a TCS associate, Brian Purvis, we took the program across the US, and, in 2014, across the border to Canada. By 2020, we had expanded goIT with the help of fully engaged, compassionate employee volunteers. Brian, for instance, served as a subject matter expert for the development of goIT’s Internet of Things curriculum, known as a “tech pathway.” We also collaborated with other tech experts to develop more offerings as we laid the foundation for a meaningful global program. The growth of the program skyrocketed,  expanding from two to 48 countries  from 2020–2024. Today, goIT has reached more than 350,000 students, with 49% of participants being girls and approximately 75% representing ethnic minorities.

In goIT programs, these students develop and apply knowledge and skills such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and app design to create solutions to real-world problems. And they do so with heart and purpose. Today, goIT engages female and minority K-12 students as a program priority, because we’re confident that a fun and meaningful experience with technology can stimulate girls’ interest in STEM education and careers—and that goIT can instill the confidence they need to pursue them.

TCS’ investments in STEM education programs—with the help of program leaders, the generous volunteers who give of their time and expertise, and thousands of teacher and student participants—are creating positive change. In addition, these programs will help tech employers benefit from the perspectives of individuals from underrepresented groups.

The new goIT GenAI tech pathway—the educator support we launched this year to teach students about Generative AI—was particularly timely. I can’t think of a better way for TCS to celebrate 15 years of goIT and  launch the program’s next 15 years. 

As I look back, some of my favorite goIT memories include:

• Seeing smiles on the faces of the 75% female goIT Live group in our 2024 Honolulu Schools program.
• Judging the 10th annual Toronto District School Board’s 2023–2024 goIT program culmination, which featured 250 K-12 innovators and their big dreams for sustainable development
• The year that astronaut Nicole Stott encouraged youth to enter the goIT Global Innovator of the Year competition as “crew members, not passengers” on spaceship Earth
• The three consecutive years that the goIT Global Innovator of the Year was a girl or team of girls
  • I loved celebrating 14-year-old Laura F. (2022–2023), 13-year-old Casey S. 2023–2024), and seventh graders Elizabeth and Eloise (2024-2025) when they were recognized
• The day I learned that a goIT alumnus took the confidence he gained innovating in the program to do something quite extraordinary—build his own, motorized prosthetic hand.

goIT has proven itself to have the relevance, stamina, credibility and longevity to continue for many more years. That is definitely a good thing because there is so much more work to do as the Age of Intelligence advances and changes everything we know about life and work. 

Get involved with goIT early and often. Visit https://on.tcs.com/goIT-AMERS to explore the program’s offerings or send a note of interest to northamerica.csr@tcs.com to get started.

FRANKFURT, Germany, November 4, 2025 /3BL/ – In response to rising global health needs and growing strain on public health systems, Direct Relief has opened a new European headquarters to enhance its ability to deliver essential medical resources to communities facing urgent health challenges.

“This expansion reflects Direct Relief’s commitment to addressing urgent health needs wherever they arise,” said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief. “Establishing a presence in Europe enables greater collaboration and helps ensure that critical medical resources reach the people and places that need them most—quickly and reliably.”

The new European headquarters, based in Frankfurt and legally registered in Germany as Direct Relief gGmbH, will serve as a logistics and partnership hub, building on long-standing collaborations with European pharmaceutical and medical product manufacturers.

“Frankfurt is proud to welcome Direct Relief as part of our international community,” said Eileen O’Sullivan, Deputy Mayor for International Affairs of the City of Frankfurt. “Establishing their European headquarters here strengthens Frankfurt’s role as a global hub for collaboration and humanitarian engagement and contributes to strengthening democracy through international solidarity.”

Over the past decade, Direct Relief has delivered more than $16 billion USD in medical aid throughout Europe and around the world. Roughly a quarter of the medicines Direct Relief delivers worldwide originate in Europe, supported by partnerships with leading European companies.

“We’re grateful to Direct Relief for their longstanding partnership and look forward to supporting and working with them as they expand their important work,” said Bayer AG Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson. “Bayer’s mission is Health for all, Hunger for none. And we see organizations like Direct Relief as vital partners in achieving that mission”

As health systems face mounting pressure from conflict, climate-related disasters, and economic instability, the ability to deliver targeted, high-impact humanitarian medical aid has become increasingly vital.

“Promoting health equity is at the heart of our sustainability efforts,” said Shashank Deshpande, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Direct Relief’s expansion in Europe strengthens global health systems and ensures critical care reaches underserved communities worldwide. We are proud to support their mission and to help deliver sustainable health solutions where they are needed most.”

Europe has been integral to Direct Relief’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, which has surpassed $2 billion USD in medical aid since the war began in 2022.

“Direct Relief has been consistently supporting Ukraine’s healthcare system throughout the war,” said Viktor Liashko, Ukraine’s Minister of Health. “ This assistance is coordinated with the Ministry of Health, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most. We highly value this partnership, which saves Ukrainian lives and strengthens the resilience of healthcare services. In the most challenging moments — when hospitals operate under shelling, when the power goes out but doctors continue treating patients — the support of Direct Relief is especially tangible. It stands as an example of effective international solidarity, embodied in concrete results: modern equipment, medicines, backup power systems, and the development of rehabilitation and mental health services.”

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

Golf Galaxy, DICK’S House of Sport and Youth on Course are growing the game of golf, supporting youth development and breaking down financial barriers to the game with a partnership that gives youth members access to discounted simulator rental fees, a complementary lesson, special in-store events and more. This partnership spans all current and future Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport stores and comes off the heels of a successful 25 store pilot program at select Golf Galaxy locations, which saw over 2,000 hours in simulator rental time from Youth on Course members this summer.

This newly forged relationship marks the first time ever that members will have access to indoor simulator opportunities and professional golf instruction. With this, Golf Galaxy and House of Sport are offering members access to lessons and coaching, an essential next step in their golf development journey.

“The game of golf is experiencing such great momentum, with participation growing and more ways to enjoy the game than ever before,” said Ryan Bogosta, Vice President – Golf Galaxy. “At Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport, we are in a unique position to contribute to the growth of the game, especially with the next generation of golfers. We love the work Youth on Course is doing to make this amazing game more accessible to young athletes everywhere, and we are thrilled to be partnering with them. Through this relationship, we have the opportunity to impact tens of thousands of young golfers across the country and make the game even more inclusive.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport to launch a new pathway for our members to play, learn, and develop in the sport year-round,” said Michael Lowe, Head of Impact at Youth on Course. “By providing access to instruction and indoor facilities, we’re removing another barrier and ensuring that every young person, regardless of background, can continue building their skills and confidence in an environment built to support them.”

As of today, Youth on Course members can receive exclusive in-store benefits at any Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport store. Those include one free golf lesson from a PGA Teaching Professional, simulator rentals for only $5 per hour, and access to special in-store events. To redeem these benefits, Youth on Course members must:

• Create or log into a DICK’S Sporting Goods Scorecard account
• Book the lesson and/or simulator rental using Game Time Booking for Golf Galaxy and DICK’S House of Sport
• Bring a valid Youth on Course membership card (via the app or printed) for check-in

There are currently over 110 Golf Galaxy stores and soon-to-be 35 DICK’S House of Sport locations across the U.S.