Author: sHq_LoGiNz

SAVANNAH, Ga., Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai today announced a transformative $5 million donation to Savannah State University (SSU) to name the Hyundai College of Education at Savannah State University. This historic partnership marks the largest corporate investment in the university’s 135-year history and represents a shared commitment to advancing education, workforce development and community impact across Georgia’s coastal region.

“The Hyundai College of Education represents more than just a name or sponsorship; it’s a proud milestone in our commitment to transformative community impact and expanding pathways for students from all backgrounds to excel,” said Erik Thomas, director, experiential and multicultural marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “Through this partnership, we are investing in educational excellence and creating opportunities that will empower future leaders and strengthen the fabric of coastal Georgia for generations to come.”

The Hyundai College of Education will serve as a center for training future educators and workforce professionals while expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities for students in Georgia and beyond. Through the partnership, Hyundai and Savannah State will expand access to cutting-edge learning opportunities, scholarships, and technology that support the evolving needs of 21st-century education.

“This gift represents more than a name — it’s a statement about what happens when higher education and industry work together to create opportunity,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, president, Savannah State University. “Hyundai’s investment in Savannah State will expand access to education, strengthen our teaching programs and fuel innovation that reaches far beyond our campus.”

Founded in 1890, Savannah State University is Georgia’s oldest historically Black public university. The new Hyundai College of Education builds on SSU’s legacy of academic excellence and community engagement while aligning with Hyundai’s vision for a sustainable, inclusive future.

The collaboration builds on Hyundai’s ongoing investment in the Coastal Georgia, home to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), Hyundai Motor Group’s first dedicated electric vehicle mass-production plant in Bryan County, Georgia. The company has pledged to support education and workforce readiness programs that prepare local residents for high-demand careers.

Savannah State will begin transitioning the current College of Education into the Hyundai College of Education immediately, with new signage, branding and scholarship programs expected to launch early 2026.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai’s 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok 

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

Klein Collins High School senior Rayaan Khan partners with Works360, 360Assist, and affiliate company PLAi to deliver AI-driven learning tools and technology access across Texas communities.

HOUSTON, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A Houston-area high school senior is helping bring technology and opportunity to students and communities that need it most. Rayaan Khan, a senior at Klein Collins High School in Spring, has taken a leading role in expanding 360Assist, the philanthropic arm of Works360, a global leader in technology enablement and demo-kit solutions. Texans can now nominate local organizations for future donation rounds at 360-assist.com/nominate .

Through 360Assist, lightly used demo devices from partners such as Intel, HP, Microsoft, and Google are given new life in schools, libraries, and nonprofits that lack access to essential learning tools. The program focuses on redirecting near-new technology away from storage and back into the hands of students who can use it to learn, create, and grow. Programs supported by 360Assist have reported measurable improvements, including up to a 70 percent rise in engagement and an 80 percent boost in student grades. The initiative has reached classrooms and community programs in Costa Rica, Brazil, Hawaii, California, Arizona, and Texas, with plans to expand further across the state.

Khan has helped coordinate these efforts while contributing to the concept and technical development of PLAiEdu, an educational platform built through PLAi, an affiliate company of Works360. PLAi works alongside 360Assist to expand access to AI and digital learning, creating a bridge between advanced technology and real-world education.

“I have always been fascinated by how technology can change lives,” Khan said. “With 360Assist and PLAiEdu, we want to give students more than just devices. We want to give them the skills and confidence to use technology to explore new possibilities.”

“Rayaan represents the best of what’s possible when innovation meets heart,” said Cesar Chavez, Vice President of Emerging Technologies at Works360. “He sees technology as a way to lift others up, not just to advance himself. That spirit of giving back is what makes this program so special. It’s about using innovation to open doors for the next generation.”

The program will continue on an ongoing basis, with regular donation cycles throughout the year. Schools, libraries, community centers, and nonprofits across the Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth regions are encouraged to apply or nominate organizations that could benefit.

Media Contact: Cesar Chavez, Cesar@works360.com

About Works360

Website: works360.com

Works360 is a global leader in technology enablement, logistics, and demo-kit solutions. The company partners with brands such as Intel, Microsoft, Google, and HP to deliver innovative, scalable programs that help organizations showcase and implement advanced technology worldwide.

About 360Assist

Website: 360-assist.com

360Assist is the philanthropic arm of Works360, focused on bridging the digital divide by redeploying like-new demo technology from global partners into the hands of students, educators, and community organizations. The program provides schools and nonprofits with access to essential devices and digital learning tools, creating lasting impact through technology access and education.

About PLAi

Website: thePLAi.ai

PLAi is an affiliate company of Works360 that develops private, secure, and locally deployable AI solutions. The company’s ecosystem includes PLAi ONE, a locally hosted agentic AI platform; PLAi Pulse, an intelligent system performance and management tool; and PLAiEdu, an education-focused AI learning platform designed to expand digital literacy. PLAi’s mission is to make advanced AI accessible, responsible, and practical for organizations of all sizes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/houston-teen-leads-effort-to-close-texass-digital-divide-302585317.html

SOURCE Works360

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Hopelab announced the appointment of Jaspal Sandhu, Ph.D., as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Sandhu, who currently serves as Executive Vice President, succeeds Margaret Laws, who has led the organization for the past decade. Laws will remain engaged with the organization as Executive in Residence, serving as an advisor to Hopelab and working on projects in the mental health and wellness space.

As President and CEO, Sandhu will provide leadership for Hopelab’s mission to advance the mental health and well-being of Brown, Black, and Queer young people through uncovering knowledge and evidence, investing in innovators, and funding youth-centered solutions. He brings extensive experience in design innovation, social entrepreneurship, and health equity to the role.

“I’m honored to build on the incredible foundation Margaret and the team have created at Hopelab,” said Sandhu. “Young people are leading with courage and imagination to nurture their mental health and well-being, even under the weight of systems not designed for them. By centering the voices and lived experience of Brown, Black, and Queer young people, we can create solutions together that advance equity and belonging and shape a future full of joy and thriving.”

Building Impact at Hopelab

Since joining Hopelab as Executive Vice President three years ago, Sandhu has significantly expanded the organization’s reach and impact. Under his leadership, Hopelab launched two cohorts of the HBCU Translational Science Fellowship to advance Black youth mental health research by supporting research faculty and career researchers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He’s advocated for the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund, a first-of-its-kind philanthropic initiative that has raised more than $4.5 million in grants with funders including The Archewell Foundation, Pivotal Ventures, and Pinterest to support youth and intergenerational-led organizations shaping the responsible technology movement. Sandhu also helped incubate the Purpose Commons, founded in partnership with Cornell University to bridge the gap between the science of purpose and its practical application to young people.

“Jaspal embodies the kind of leadership Hopelab needs for its next chapter — someone who knows how to translate the power of design and the urgency of health equity into meaningful impact for Black, Brown, and Queer young people,” said Laws. “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside him, and I’m confident that under his guidance, Hopelab will continue to expand its impact. I look forward to supporting this transition and continuing to contribute to the important work ahead.”

A Career in Design and Social Impact
Sandhu is a recognized leader in design, public health, and social innovation. A professor at UC Berkeley, he teaches courses exploring health equity and the relationship between art and social impact. He co-founded the Fung Fellowship to educate students on digital health equity and created the first human-centered design course in the School of Public Health.

Before joining Hopelab, Sandhu was Managing Partner at Gobee, a global design consultancy he co-founded to spark social innovation. Spanning 25 countries, Gobee’s work included developing next-generation medical devices for newborns in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, launching an incubator for domestic violence prevention, and building human-centered design capacity in U.S. health care safety net clinics and hospitals.

About Hopelab
Hopelab envisions a future where young people have equitable opportunities to live joyful and purposeful lives. As a researcher, investor, and convener, Hopelab is dedicated to fostering greater mental health and well-being outcomes for Brown, Black, and Queer young people. Learn more at hopelab.org.

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SOURCE Hopelab

From shape-ups to blowouts, and dorm rooms to the national stage, Mielle spotlights the student hair stylists shaping tomorrow’s culture

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Black excellence takes center stage this October as EBONY joins forces with beauty powerhouse Mielle to honor HBCUs and the next generation of changemakers. The culture-shaping partnership brings together EBONY—celebrating 80 years of storytelling—and Mielle, the fastest-growing Black-founded, women-led global beauty brand, for a special cover tribute to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Together, EBONY and Mielle highlight the vital role HBCUs play in shaping culture, cultivating future leaders, and fueling the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the beauty industry and beyond. As the first major publication to unapologetically center Black stories, beauty, and culture, EBONY has shaped conversations and defined representation in media for generations. Mielle’s decision to partner with EBONY reflects a shared mission: to amplify Black voices, celebrate cultural legacy, and invest in the future of excellence.

EBONY’s October cover, “Styling The Yard,” shines a spotlight on eight HBCU student stylists and hair ambassadors whose innovation, hustle, and artistry embody Mielle’s essence:

• Taylor Mills | Miss Spelman College
• Janiya Corcolis | Hampton University
• Kyla Davis | Howard University
• Jayden Sparkman | Florida A&M University
• Zaria Salter | Florida A&M University
• Ivan Walker | Morehouse College
• Chandler Ryan | North Carolina A&T University
• Wynter Clemons | Clark Atlanta University

The cover celebrates style, self-expression, and the entrepreneurial drive that thrives on HBCU campuses.

For more than a decade, Mielle has built trust by championing textured hair and partnering deeply with community. Its focus on access, education, entrepreneurship, and cultural advancement aligns seamlessly with HBCUs’ role in nurturing the next generation of leaders across beauty, wellness, and culture.

“The EBONY and Mielle partnership is a special one to us as it not only celebrates the legacy of where we have come from, but it also highlights the continuing relevance of supporting our future style icons and changemakers,” said Eden Bridgeman, CEO of EBONY. “EBONY looks forward to partnering with Mielle as it continues to define what it means to celebrate our culture across a myriad of hair textures, hues, and cultural perspectives. We are proud to provide the platform for this moment.”

Timed to the cover, Mielle launches the MiCurl Out Homecoming Tour in October 2025 as a multi-campus, culture-first celebration that centers textured hair, builds authentic student connections, and amplifies the joy of HBCU homecoming season.

“Pouring into HBCUs and the next generation of stylists isn’t just business—it’s personal,” said Omar Goff, President of Mielle. “As a proud Florida A&M graduate, I know how HBCUs nurture creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit. We celebrate EBONY’s spotlight on dorm room stylists and honor students already leading with hustle and vision. At Mielle, we’re here with products, resources, and education to help them thrive because we know the next wave of beauty innovators is already on campus.”

Mielle champions the truth that hair isn’t linear—it’s curly, coiled, textured, and deeply cultural. More than style, hair is identity, self-expression, and power. By partnering with EBONY, Mielle amplifies this message on a historic platform, celebrating individuality while honoring the shared stories curls tell across generations.

This EBONY × Mielle collaboration is a tribute to Black legacy, a salute to creativity and entrepreneurship, and a real investment in the future of culture, community, and excellence.

MEDIA CONTACTS
All media and communication requests:
Jeana Edney | jedney@ebony.com 
Maxine Dior Taylor | MaxineT@EgamiGroup.com 

About EBONY
For 80 years, EBONY has stood as the defining voice of the Black American experience and remains the most influential Black-owned media company in the world. With a legacy rooted in chronicling cultural excellence and achievement, EBONY has expanded into a global multi-media brand—spanning EBONY, EBONY Studios, and JET—with an unshakable mission to Move Black Forward.

As EBONY celebrates its 80th Anniversary, it continues to illuminate the Black perspective, celebrate Black innovation, and serve as the ultimate curator of culture—past, present, and future. EBONY Media Group is a division of 1145 Holdings, LLC. Follow on social: @EBONYMagazine on Instagram and @EBONY on X and Facebook.

About Mielle
Founded in 2014 by CEO Monique Rodriguez, Mielle is the fastest growing Black-founded and women-led global beauty brand. With a heavy emphasis on incorporating healthier ingredients and a “root to results” approach, Mielle’s collection of beauty products is designed for all hair types. Today, Mielle is a global and viral sensation, with orders in over 90 countries around the world. Their products can be found in more than 100,000 stores across the U.S. in retailers such as CVS, HEB, Rite Aid, Sally Beauty, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walgreens, and Walmart.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ebony-O-mielle-celebrate-hbcus-community–black-excellence-with-a-historic-october-cover-302585141.html

SOURCE EBONY Media Group

• Live Charger Availability: Up-to-the-minute charger availability
• Seamless Integration: Find availability data right within Google Maps

RESTON, Va., Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Electrify America today announced the integration of its real-time charger data into Google Maps, providing electric vehicle (EV) drivers with up-to-the-minute information about charging stations across its network on Google Maps.

The new integration builds on Google’s existing real-time charger availability feature, helping EV drivers make smarter, faster decisions about where to charge and how to plan their routes. Through this real-time data feed, Electrify America’s station listings on Google Maps will include live details on charger availability, connector type, charging speed, and operational status — all within the familiar Google Maps interface for a seamless charging experience.

“EV adoption is accelerating, and with it comes the expectation of a seamless charging experience,” said Robert Barrosa, president and CEO of Electrify America. “By integrating real-time charging station data, we’re not just improving access, we’re empowering drivers with the confidence to go electric, knowing the information is right at their fingertips.”

As EV adoption continues to grow, this collaboration represents a significant step toward addressing one of the drivers’ most persistent challenges: getting real-time charger status.

About Electrify America

Electrify America LLC, the largest open Hyper-Fast charging network in the U.S., is investing more than $2 billion in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure and access. The investment enables millions of Americans to charge with confidence and discover the benefits of electric driving on our coast–to–coast network of highway and community chargers.

Electrify America’s Hyper-Fast network currently operates in 47 states and the District of Columbia, supporting increasing ZEV adoption with a network that is convenient, technologically advanced and built for customers. Electrify Commercial® provides expert solutions for businesses looking to develop electric vehicle charging programs. For more information, visit www.electrifyamerica.com and media.electrifyamerica.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/electrify-america-real-time-charging-availability-now-available-on-google-maps-302585068.html

SOURCE Electrify America, LLC