Los Angeles, CA. Legendary R&B and soul singers Joe Coleman, Joe Blunt, and Theo Peoples came together as the Voices of Classic Soul to perform the Sounds of Summer concert on June 17th. The concert was virtually presented by the Worthy Brewing Company, a solar-powered sustainable brewery located in Oregon, and mesothelioma and asbestos cancer lawyers and research funders Worthington & Caron. Sounds of Summer was held to raise funds for research conducted by and support provided by the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI).
Social media poster for the Sounds of Summer 2021 concert.
The setlist for Sounds of Summer included hits like “Under the Boardwalk,” “Stand by Me” and “My Girl” as well as other songs from popular vocal groups The Temptations, The Platters, The Drifters, and Four Tops, which the singers of Voices of Classic Soul were part of during their long, accomplished careers. Each ticket for the event was $20, of which a portion went directly into funding PHLBI’s research on treatment for mesothelioma and other chest cancers. The concert was held virtually on YouTube using a special link and anyone who had purchased a ticket had the opportunity to rewatch it for the next 7 days.
About Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute:
Established in 2002, the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, research institute that is committed to advancing medical research that may lead to new treatments, early detection and prevention programs for chronic disorders— including diseases of the heart, lung and blood. PHLBI conducts this important work at its in-house research lab in Los Angeles and its supporting laboratory The Punch Lab at UCLA. It is the only nonprofit in the United States to conduct in-house research on mesothelioma.
Los Angeles, CA. The Light the Way Celebration was held virtually on May 6, 2021 to honor people who have both contributed to and benefited from the work done by the Blind Children’s Center. The event was hosted by actor Blake Stadnik, who began his career after losing most of his vision to Stargardt’s Disease. Among the honorees were Dr. Karen Arcos, a BCC alumna who recently completed her PhD, Dr. Fredy Perez, BCC board member Carolyn Newberry, and Citizens Business Bank as a corporate honoree.
Host Blake Stadnik, best known for his role on NBC’s This Is Us.
The event was preceded by a virtual wine tasting party led by a professional sommelier, where wine and accompanying cheeses were delivered to patrons of the celebration across Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and South Bay areas. Along with fun musical performances, parents of children being supported by the Blind Children’s Center had the chance to share their experience with and appreciation for the people at BCC during the celebration, allowing patrons to truly see the effects of the work done by the organization.
Martha Arredondo with son, Christopher, a student of BCC for the past 3 years.
The Light the Way Celebration was accompanied by a virtual silent auction that went on from April 29, 2021 to May 7, 2021. Auction items included a glamping package by Under Canvas, exclusive conversations with LA Dodgers’ Steve Garvey and the real-life inspiration behind Tom Cruise’s character Jerry Maguire, and many games and luxury items. The event was a success and ticket purchases, auction purchases, and donations up to $40,000 were generously matched by the Mawardi Foundation, helping immensely to change the lives of visually impaired children.
About the Blind Children’s Center:
The Blind Children’s Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1938 by Southern California Delta Gammas. Each year the Center serves approximately 80 children who are blind or visually impaired and provides an array of support services for more than 300 family members. Our goal is to optimize each child’s development and opportunities to lead a meaningful life through a comprehensive program beginning with early intervention, followed by an educational curriculum specifically adapted to the needs of each student.
Los Angeles, CA. Film Independent is shining a spotlight on the June celebration of pride month and the LGBTQ+ community. The nonprofit funds creative storytelling to promote diversity, innovation, and unique vision within film. In honor of pride month, Film Independent dedicates its monthly Fiscal Spotlight column to its LGBTQ-related film projects. From taking an in-depth look at asexuality to a commentary on the AIDS epidemic, the funded films that tackle issues faced by the LGBTQ community and include: Anti-Venom for a Snake, Dear Luke, Love, Me, and The Residents of 8265 Oakland Ave.
Dear Luke, Love, Me, written by Mallie McCown, is the first narrative feature of its kind to tell an asexual love story, exploring the nuance of asexuality and the importance of queer-platonic bonds.
In a collaboration between Pride Month and the Black Lives Matter movement, Film Independent spotlights black LGBTQ content creators through its weekly video playlist. Members and nonmembers alike can visit the playlists to learn more about the influential LGBTQ writers, producers, and actors that are helping expand and diversify the film industry.
Film Independent spotlights Orange is the New Black star, Laverne Cox, and her work to change how Hollywood represents transgender people.
For June of 2020 Film Independent partnered with Outfest, another film focussed nonprofit, to launch the United in Pride Fest, which provided members with a digital celebration of Pride Month through queer-themed shorts and online coffee chats with LGBTQ cinema icons. Continuing with their online presence this year, Film Independent has put together a Youtube playlist of “must watch queer films” for all to enjoy.
Here’s a video that highlights some of the recommended films. Film Independent writes, “Celebrate Pride Month 2021 with some (but definitely not all) of our favorite queer film moments of the modern indie era.”
From Film Independent:
Film Independent is the nonprofit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a Member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover.
Los Angeles, CA. On June 12th, 2021 WriteGirl – a creative writing and mentoring organization for teen girls – held its annual Bold Ink Awards. WriteGirl held this zoom award ceremony online as a benefit for its programs. These awards pay tribute to compelling storytellers and capable role models. Notable presenters included Academy Award-winning actor Reese Witherspoon, (seen above) and other women who have excelled in their respective fields like Holly J. Mitchell, Lynne Thompson, and Lovely Umayam.
The Bold Ink Awards recognize creative writers from various genres. This year’s honorees were (L-R) Amanda Cormon, Attica Locke, Tembi Locke, Gabriela Garcia. The event was hosted by Koco McAboy from Fox 11 News.
The event coincided with WriteGirl’s 20th anniversary and was done through Zoom. To celebrate the milestone, the event kicked off with DJs OHLA and Toneé Macara and later on, guests were entertained by evocative music, poetry, and an acting performance. Throughout the event, the audience was made a part of the show by answering questions like “What does community mean to you?” The awards gala falls in the middle of the ongoing WriteGirl Silent Auction.
Actor Kirby Howell-Baptiste performs a monologue by a WriteGirl mentee.
singer-songwriter Lucy Schwartz with saxophonist Grace Kelly and bassist David Schwartz.
More About WriteGirl:
WriteGirl is a creative writing and mentoring organization that promotes creativity, critical thinking and leadership skills to empower teen girls. WriteGirl is a project of Community Partners, a nonprofit charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. To know more about WriteGirls, click here: https://www.writegirl.org/
Los Angeles, CA. The LA Opera announced its pandemic-related changes in the fall of 2020; this included postponing and canceling productions taking place during the 2020/21 season. But starting this month, the company hosted an audience for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. Oedipus Rex, based on the ancient Greek tragedy with the same name, premiered on June 6th at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Audience members had to prove they were vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19 to attend in person. And for those who could not make it, the LA Opera released an online version on June 17th. The show has a running time of 50 minutes, with no intermission.
The LA Opera took safety precautions by strictly following the LA County Department of Public Health’s guidelines. In March 2021, the Music Center (where the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is located) was the first performing arts center to receive a UL “healthy building” verification for its venues’ air quality.
June 6th performance of “Oedipus Rex.” Photo by Lawrence K. Ho.
Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges performs the role of Jocasta.
From the LA Opera:
Stravinsky based Oedipus Rex on the ancient Greek tragedy of the same name by Sophocles—yes, the one where Oedipus unknowingly kills his own father and marries his mother. The 1927 opera is a highly stylized, ritualistic work; in fact, the composer specifically requested that it be staged with minimal movement (which works well with COVID restrictions). A narrator describes the action throughout the course of the opera. Stravinsky set his work in Latin but specified that the narration is to be spoken in the language of the audience. The performance will feature incredibly imaginative projected animations created by Manual Cinema, an Emmy Award-winning performance collective, design studio, and film/video production company.
Music Director James Conlon conducts a stellar cast led by tenor Russell Thomas, LA Opera’s Artist in Residence, as Oedipus, the doomed king. Just announced: Legendary actor Stephen Fry will make his LA Opera debut (via audio recording) as the Narrator in this equally legendary tale.
The recording and filming process for the “Oedipus Rex” online stream. Photo by Lawrence K. Ho.
Lifestyle Story: Los Angeles, CA. Bumble recently conducted research on how the pandemic has changed dating as singles head into the ‘summer of love.’ The women-first dating app and social networking platform, is revealing how the pandemic has shaped the way that single people are dating this summer and beyond as restrictions are beginning to ease and more people are becoming fully vaccinated within the United States every day.
Nearly 90%4 of American users who have selected their first date preferences within Bumble’s COVID Preferences Center are ready to date In Real Life (IRL) again. Of those ready for an IRL first date, there’s nearly an even split between those who are comfortable with a regular IRL first date (46%)4 or a socially distanced one (41%)4. Bumble has also seen growth particularly in those states and cities where there are higher vaccination rates.
“The pandemic has leveled the dating world like never before and has brought about meaningful changes in behavior that we see having a positive impact on our community long term,” said Whitney Wolfe Herd, CEO and Founder of Bumble. “Historically, this is a time of year where the dating industry sees a considerable increase in activity and we’re experiencing that more than ever heading into this summer season. As our research illustrates, daters are entering this ‘summer of love’ with more intentionality than ever before and are prioritizing safety, compatibility, and shared values as restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase.”
Ahead of the official first day of summer on June 20, Bumble is sharing new research and insights about dating during this ‘summer of love.’
Here’s all the current research from Bumble:
Dating has changed for the better. The time that people spent in lockdown really allowed them to focus on what they are truly looking for while dating, giving them a renewed sense of clarity and confidence in taking control of their dating lives as they begin to meet new people this summer. Through recent research, Bumble has found that people are now dating more intentionally than before the pandemic – they’re being more honest about what they’re looking for in a relationship, whether it’s something casual or serious.
55%2 of Bumble’s global users have said that they are now feeling less willing to compromise on what they want and need from a potential relationship, according to a recent survey.
Nearly 40%1 (38%) of Americans surveyed have noticed an increase in clear communication of expectations and intentions while dating throughout the pandemic.
Nearly 30%1 (28%) have seen a meaningful decline in dead-end conversations as people are being more honest about what they’re looking for in a relationship.
Nearly 40%1 (39%) respondents have noticed a meaningful decline in ghosting while dating throughout the pandemic.
Over 30%1 (31%) have said that they noticed a meaningful decline in catfishing.
Online dating is just… dating
It’s no surprise that people have adapted to new ways of communicating and dating to find and explore meaningful connections throughout the pandemic.
91%1 of the Americans surveyed believe that there is no longer a stigma attached to meeting someone online or through a dating app since the pandemic began.
An overwhelming two-thirds1 (65%) think that it’s possible to fall in love with someone that they’ve never met in person before.
Nearly 40%1 (38%) enjoy going on virtual dates as they find that it’s safer to engage with a match virtually before meeting in person.
1 in 31 (31%) like virtual dates because it saves them time and money.
1 in 41 (26%) appreciate that they only have to get partially ready (“half-glam”) when going on a video date.
Many are also leaning more into other means of virtual communication – 1 in 41 (25%) of those surveyed have sent someone an audio message this past year.
Safety is still top of mind
Following a year in quarantine, safety is still top of mind and many are continuing to prioritize discussions on precautions and COVID vaccination statuses before meeting someone in person for the first time.
More than 54%2 of Bumble’s global users feel more safety conscious than before the pandemic.
Vaccination status is essential to many, as 30%1 Americans surveyed would not go on a date or have sex with someone who hasn’t received the COVID vaccine.
Bumble announced its plans to launch a “Vaccinated” Badge in profiles this summer within the US and the UK. By adding the badge, people will be able to show on their dating profile whether they have been vaccinated for COVID-19. Bumble will also offer complimentary credits for premium features, such as Spotlight and SuperSwipe, to those who enable the “Vaccinated” Badge later this summer.
To help its community feel comfortable dating right now and to help normalize conversations about dating during the pandemic, Bumble has added a COVID Preferences Center that can be accessed by tapping the profile icon within the Bumble app. After matching with someone, both individuals will be able to see what the other person’s dating preferences are – such as meeting outdoors and in uncrowded places only – and what precautions they want to take.
Bumble also offers a Safety Center, which is available online and within the app by tapping the profile icon. Bumble’s Safety Center provides a compilation of resources and tools to help its community date confidently.
Shared values are more important than ever before
The way that people are now approaching conversations around race and intersectional inequalities while dating has completely shifted after a year that re-ignited powerful social justice moments.
Since the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in 2020, nearly 2 in 53 (38%) Americans surveyed said that they have re-evaluated how they approach race and inequality in their romantic relationships.
This number is even more significant for Black respondents, as more than 1 in 23 (53%) Black Americans are now re-evaluating how they approach race and inequality while dating since last year’s events.
62%3 of respondents say that it is important for them to talk about key social issues on a first date, such as gender equality, politics, race, or the environment.
75%3 would only date someone if a majority of their political and social views align.
1 in 23 (51%) respondents believe that activism is now a more important part of society than their parents considered it to be during their generation.
Wolfe Herd continues: “Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve remained intently focused on listening to our community to understand how their needs have evolved and we have continued to innovate our product to meet that demand. We are always looking for ways to enhance the user experience by listening closely to user feedback and will continue to do so moving forward.”
Over the past year, Bumble has made several updates to its platform, including introducing 150 new interest badges in dating profiles and launching its “Night In” feature, where two people can participate in an interactive game during a video chat. The company also recently launched Snap’s AR Lenses within Bumble video calls and launched video notes that utilize Snapchat’s technology.
Research background:
1 Based on insights commissioned by Bumble and carried out online by Censuswide. Surveys were conducted with a sample of 1,003 single adults in the United States between May 4th to 10th, 2021. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society, which is based on the ESOMAR principles.
2 Based on a survey conducted on the Bumble app among those based in Australia = 1,215, US = 1,598, UK = 1,272 during Q2 2021.
3 Based on insights commissioned by Bumble and carried out online by Research Without Barriers (RWB). The survey was conducted with a sample of 1,002 adults in the United States between May 14 to 17, 2021. All research conducted adheres to the UK Market Research Society (MRS) code of conduct (2019) and ICC/ESOMAR (international). RWB is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and complies with the DPA (1998).
4 Based on proprietary Bumble platform insights in the US, June 2021.
About Bumble app: Bumble, the women-first social networking app, was founded by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014. Bumble connects people across dating (Bumble Date), friendship (Bumble BFF) and professional networking (Bumble Bizz). No matter the type of relationship, women make the first move on Bumble. Bumble is built on the importance of equitable relationships and how crucial they are to a healthy, happy life. They’ve built their platform around kindness, respect, and equality – and their community plays an important part in that. Bumble holds its users accountable for their actions and has zero-tolerance for hate, aggression, or bullying. Bumble is free and available worldwide in the App Store and Google Play.
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