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National Funders Commit $25M to Center and Accelerate Responsible, Equitable and Ethical AI at Inaugural Joint California Summit on Generative AI

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OAKLAND, Calif., May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Kapor Foundation, Omidyar Network, and San Francisco Foundation announced a joint commitment to help fund organizations focused on centering equity in the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across different sectors at the inaugural Joint California Summit on Generative AI. These initial commitments are in response to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-12-23 signed back in September 2023, to study the development, use, and risks of AI technologies. A critical element of the implementation of this executive order includes ensuring that AI tools are developed and deployed equitably, ethically, and responsibly. This initial investment of $25M aims to drive immediate action and build momentum within the philanthropic sector during this key window of opportunity for impact.

“California has the distinction of being a longstanding global leader in technology, yet we have seen pervasive disparities in who creates technologies and who benefits from them. With the proliferation of AI technologies impacting all aspects of society, we must ensure we have a clear community informed stance on the responsible, equitable, and ethical development and use of these technologies and that they serve to uplift all communities, especially those historically marginalized,” said Allison Scott, PhD, CEO of Kapor Foundation. “It is our collective responsibility to create an infrastructure that not only fosters innovation but also safeguards the well-being and rights of all individuals.”

Kapor Foundation, Omidyar Network, and San Francisco Foundation believe that California is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in setting the standards of what responsible, equitable and ethical AI looks like and ensuring all Californians can benefit from its promise and potential. This will require investments across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to:

Invest in world-class education to ensure all students are prepared to be critical consumers and producers of emerging technologiesSupport new approaches to talent development and worker power to prepare the underrepresented workforce for jobs in the emerging technology sectorInvest in the development of new technologies and products to address critical inequities across sectors while producing economic gainsAdvocate to put appropriate regulation and accountability measures in place to protect from potential harms while spurring innovationInvesting in innovative solutions to solve the Bay Area’s housing crisis so that everyone can have affordable and secure housing

“We have a momentous opportunity before us to shape an AI future that prioritizes positive human and societal impacts. Omidyar Network aims to build a more inclusive AI infrastructure that centers the social impacts of generative AI, elevates a range of diverse voices in AI development and governance, and promotes innovation and competition to maximize AI’s promise. By bringing together California’s equity-centered stakeholders, from technologists and advocates, to activists, workers, philanthropies, and public sector leaders, we can transform today’s technological ecosystem to ensure innovation in service of society for years to come,” said Anamitra Deb, Managing Director, Responsible Tech at Omidyar Network.

These initial commitments aim to support action and advocacy to advance equitable AI that fosters a thriving multiracial democracy. In parallel, Kapor Foundation, Omidyar Network and the San Francisco Foundation will also work alongside academia, nonprofit, private & public sector organizations to co-design new initiatives that will help change the AI landscape in CA. These funders will also galvanize the philanthropic sector to invest in organizations focused on the use of responsible AI in education, workforce, innovation, and infrastructure.

“We know from prior experiences that new technologies can help to level the playing field and address disparities in access and opportunity, and at SFF we’re in the early stages of exploring the potential of AI to advance equity. But we also know that technology can widen gaps without intervention and diverse participation,” said Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation. “Right now, our goal is to deepen our understanding of how this technology will impact our communities and how we can ensure it benefits all of us.”

About Kapor Foundation
Working within the Kapor Center family of organizations to reimagine and reconstruct a more inclusive and equitable technology sector, the Kapor Foundation works at the intersection of racial equity and technology to expand access to K-12 computer science and postsecondary tech pathways, improve tech accountability and worker protections, and increase investments in infrastructure and innovation. We advocate for policy change, conduct research, support partners through strategic grantmaking, and invest in entrepreneurship and VC.

About Omidyar Network
Omidyar Network is a social change venture that reimagines critical systems, and the ideas that govern them, to build more inclusive and equitable societies—for the benefit of the many, not just the few—across the globe.

About San Francisco Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation is committed to a Bay Area where everyone can get a good job, live in a safe and affordable home, and exercise their political voice. The foundation advances its work through grantmaking, partnerships with donors, policy advocacy, and impact investing.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-funders-commit-25m-to-center-and-accelerate-responsible-equitable-and-ethical-ai-at-inaugural-joint-california-summit-on-generative-ai-302158673.html

SOURCE Kapor Foundation

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Lexar Launches the Professional SILVER GO microSDXC™ UHS-I Card

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V30 rating provides seamless 4K 60fps recording

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Lexar, a global leader in memory and storage, today announced the new Lexar® Professional SILVER GO microSDXC™ UHS-I Card, a versatile storage solution designed for videographers, gamers and creators who need reliable, high-performance storage across their favorite portable devices with microSD slots. Combining fast data transfers, support for high-quality video capture and durable construction, the new card helps users spend less time managing storage and more time creating and capturing their next adventure.

“Gamers and creators are pushing their hardware harder than ever, from massive game libraries to hours of 4K footage. We designed the Lexar SILVER GO so their storage is never the thing holding them back.”

“Gamers and creators are pushing their hardware harder than ever, from massive game libraries to hours of 4K footage. We designed the Lexar SILVER GO so their storage is never the thing holding them back,” said Lizette Lynch, Director of Brand Marketing at Lexar North America. “With a combination of fast transfers, reliable performance and rugged durability, the SILVER GO gives users the speed and storage they need to capture, create and play with confidence.”

The Lexar SILVER GO microSD Card offers top-notch performance of max read speeds of 250MB/s and max write speeds of 180MB/s1. Users can reach max transfer speeds when pairing the cards with the Lexar microSD/SD Reader. With a V30 Video Speed Class rating, the Lexar SILVER GO microSD Card delivers smooth, uninterrupted 4K 60fps Ultra HD recording and keeps pace with rapid-fire burst shooting. The Lexar SILVER GO microSD Card is optimized for action cameras, drones and handheld consoles including DJI, Insta360, GoPro, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck2, to name a few.

Available in capacities 64GB-512GB, the SILVER GO microSDXC is built for durability, with features such as IPX7 waterproof, wearproof, drop-proof, temperature-proof, X-ray-proof, shockproof, magnetic-proof, and vibration resistance. The free Lexar Recovery Tool gives users peace of mind, helping users attempt to recover accidentally deleted files. Separately, Lexar products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

The Lexar SILVER GO microSDXC is available through Amazon, with the 512GB available at an MSRP of $144.99, 256GB available at an MSRP of $84.99, 128GB available at an MSRP of $54.99, and 64GB available at an MSRP of $34.99. For more information, visit americas.lexar.com.

Lexar Professional SILVER GO microSDXC™ UHS-I Card Availability:

LINK: https://americas.lexar.com/product/lexar-professional-silver-go-microsdxc-uhs-i-card/

1 Speeds based on internal testing. Actual performance may vary.

2 All product and company names, and brands mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Their use is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement, sponsorship or affiliation with Lexar.

About Lexar

Founded in California in 1996, Lexar has dedicated 30 years advancing reliable, high-performance memory solutions and now operates more than 100,000 sales channels across six continents, serving over 100 million users in more than 70 countries. Its award-winning portfolio, from memory cards and SSDs to DRAM and mobile storage, continues to empower creators, professionals, and everyday users worldwide. For more information, please visit americas.lexar.com.

Media Contact

Media Team, Lexar, 1 6263720725, lexar@boltpr.com, https://americas.lexar.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/lexar-launches-the-professional-silver-go-microsdxc-uhs-i-card-302916816.html

SOURCE Lexar

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Lexar Launches the Professional SILVER GO microSDXC™ UHS-I Card

Published

on

By

V30 rating provides seamless 4K 60fps recording

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Lexar, a global leader in memory and storage, today announced the new Lexar® Professional SILVER GO microSDXC™ UHS-I Card, a versatile storage solution designed for videographers, gamers and creators who need reliable, high-performance storage across their favorite portable devices with microSD slots. Combining fast data transfers, support for high-quality video capture and durable construction, the new card helps users spend less time managing storage and more time creating and capturing their next adventure.

“Gamers and creators are pushing their hardware harder than ever, from massive game libraries to hours of 4K footage. We designed the Lexar SILVER GO so their storage is never the thing holding them back.”

“Gamers and creators are pushing their hardware harder than ever, from massive game libraries to hours of 4K footage. We designed the Lexar SILVER GO so their storage is never the thing holding them back,” said Lizette Lynch, Director of Brand Marketing at Lexar North America. “With a combination of fast transfers, reliable performance and rugged durability, the SILVER GO gives users the speed and storage they need to capture, create and play with confidence.”

The Lexar SILVER GO microSD Card offers top-notch performance of max read speeds of 250MB/s and max write speeds of 180MB/s1. Users can reach max transfer speeds when pairing the cards with the Lexar microSD/SD Reader. With a V30 Video Speed Class rating, the Lexar SILVER GO microSD Card delivers smooth, uninterrupted 4K 60fps Ultra HD recording and keeps pace with rapid-fire burst shooting. The Lexar SILVER GO microSD Card is optimized for action cameras, drones and handheld consoles including DJI, Insta360, GoPro, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck2, to name a few.

Available in capacities 64GB-512GB, the SILVER GO microSDXC is built for durability, with features such as IPX7 waterproof, wearproof, drop-proof, temperature-proof, X-ray-proof, shockproof, magnetic-proof, and vibration resistance. The free Lexar Recovery Tool gives users peace of mind, helping users attempt to recover accidentally deleted files. Separately, Lexar products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

The Lexar SILVER GO microSDXC is available through Amazon, with the 512GB available at an MSRP of $144.99, 256GB available at an MSRP of $84.99, 128GB available at an MSRP of $54.99, and 64GB available at an MSRP of $34.99. For more information, visit americas.lexar.com.

Lexar Professional SILVER GO microSDXC™ UHS-I Card Availability:

LINK: https://americas.lexar.com/product/lexar-professional-silver-go-microsdxc-uhs-i-card/

1 Speeds based on internal testing. Actual performance may vary.

2 All product and company names, and brands mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Their use is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement, sponsorship or affiliation with Lexar.

About Lexar

Founded in California in 1996, Lexar has dedicated 30 years advancing reliable, high-performance memory solutions and now operates more than 100,000 sales channels across six continents, serving over 100 million users in more than 70 countries. Its award-winning portfolio, from memory cards and SSDs to DRAM and mobile storage, continues to empower creators, professionals, and everyday users worldwide. For more information, please visit americas.lexar.com.

Media Contact

Media Team, Lexar, 1 6263720725, lexar@boltpr.com, https://americas.lexar.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/lexar-launches-the-professional-silver-go-microsdxc-uhs-i-card-302916816.html

SOURCE Lexar

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Racquel Oden to Receive The ELC’s 2026 Achievement Award for Leadership in Financial Services and Expanding Opportunity

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HSBC executive recognized for a career building businesses, developing talent, and widening access to wealth and financial prosperity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) will honor Racquel Oden, HSBC’s U.S. Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking and Private Banking, with the 2026 ELC Achievement Award at The ELC Recognition Gala on October 30, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

With more than 25 years of financial services experience, Oden has built a career at the intersection of business growth, client leadership, and talent development. At HSBC, she leads businesses serving affluent and globally connected clients in the United States, bringing a client-first approach to one of the world’s largest financial services organizations.

“Racquel brings a rare combination of commercial discipline and genuine investment in people,” said Michael C. Hyter, President and CEO of The Executive Leadership Council. “She understands that leadership is measured in business results, certainly, but also in the people you prepare for greater responsibility and the doors you make easier for others to open. Her career reflects the kind of enterprise leadership The ELC has championed for 40 years.”

Oden’s career spans some of the world’s most prominent financial institutions. Prior to HSBC, she served as a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase, where she led Network Expansion and held leadership roles across national sales, Consumer Banking and Wealth Management. She previously spent eight years at Merrill Lynch in several Managing Director roles and more than a decade at UBS in senior leadership positions. She began her Wall Street career in equity trading at Morgan Stanley.

Throughout that journey, Oden has described her leadership philosophy as one rooted in service and in helping people become the strongest versions of themselves. That philosophy also informs her work to expand access to wealth, opportunity, and financial fluency.

Her leadership extends across corporate and civic institutions. Oden serves on the corporate board of National Life Group and chairs the Board of Directors of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. She also serves on the boards of the Apollo Theater and the New York City Police Foundation.

Her honors include the National Urban League’s 2026 Women of Power award and recognition among Barron’s Most Influential Women in Finance, American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Finance and Forbes’ 50 Over 50.

Oden holds a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University and an MBA from Hampton University.

The ELC Achievement Award recognizes corporate executives whose careers reflect exceptional professional accomplishment, leadership and impact. Oden joins a distinguished group of past ELC honorees whose influence has reached across companies, industries and communities.

The ELC Marks 40 Years of Developing Leaders
Oden will receive the Achievement Award during a milestone year for The Executive Leadership Council. Founded in 1986, The ELC is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades of developing leaders who perform at the highest levels of business and strengthening the leadership pipeline that sustains that excellence.

The 2026 ELC Recognition Gala will take place Friday, October 30, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning television journalist and Entertainment Tonight co-host Kevin Frazier, the black-tie celebration will feature a special musical performance by 10-time GRAMMY Award winner Chaka Khan.

The Gala is the signature fundraising event of The ELC’s 2026 Gala Week, October 28–31, which will bring together more than 3,000 members, students, senior executives and business leaders as The ELC celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Gala Week is designed to span the leadership journey. The Honors Symposium connects ELC Scholars with senior executives and hiring managers as they prepare to enter the workplace. The Mid-Level Managers’ Symposium develops high-performing professionals preparing for greater leadership responsibility. Corporate Board Navigator helps ELC members prepare for corporate board service.

ABOUT THE ELC

The Executive Leadership Council is an independent nonprofit founded in 1986 that opens channels of opportunity for the development of global executives to positively impact business and our communities. Learn more at elcinfo.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/racquel-oden-to-receive-the-elcs-2026-achievement-award-for-leadership-in-financial-services-and-expanding-opportunity-302917161.html

SOURCE The Executive Leadership Council

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