Technology

SEABOURN ANNOUNCES STELLAR LINEUP OF ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVERSATIONS SPEAKERS FOR 2024 GRAND AFRICA VOYAGE

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2024

The 90-day Grand Africa Voyage will feature a brand-new collection of cast shows, performances from 28 acclaimed guest entertainers and conversations with renowned experts, explorers and dignitaries

SEATTLE, Aug. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, announced a powerhouse lineup of entertainment and Seabourn Conversations speakers during the 2024 90-day Grand Africa Voyage on Seabourn Sojourn. The bespoke, curated program will feature a brand-new collection of cast shows, 28 guest entertainers, and 12 renowned speakers, including West End Star Ricardo Afonso, soul singer and American Idol star Michael Lynche, explorer and TV host Dr. Mireya Mayor, and Iceland’s First Lady, Eliza Reid.

Guests on the Grand Africa Voyage will experience a dynamic and enriching lineup of live musical performances, engaging lectures and presentations, comedy skits, variety shows and more as the voyage explores Africa’s diverse coastlines and cultural landscapes. Additionally, guests will be among the first to experience Seabourn’s all-new entertainment concept: “The Seabourn Six” produced exclusively for Seabourn by Belinda King Creative Productions.

“Our entertainment team has worked tirelessly to curate a bespoke and unforgettable program, featuring distinguished speakers and a star-studded line-up of performers to create truly enriching ‘Seabourn Moments’ for our guests as they experience Africa’s most beautiful destinations,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn.

Brand-New Entertainment Experiences and Guest Performers

Seabourn Sojourn will host 28 guest entertainers, from world-renowned theater performers to variety show comedians and classical musicians. Featured entertainers include the following:

West End Star – Ricardo Afonso
December 1-7, 2024
Ricardo is an exceptional vocalist and has performed in an extraordinary number of West End theatre production shows and workshops. Guests will join the West End star for an evening filled with highlights from his professional career, heartwarming stories, and iconic songs.

Soul Singer and American Idol Star – Michael Lynche
December 9-15, 2024
Michael Lynche, known as “Big Mike” from American Idol, has released two studio albums and toured internationally, headlining a Mediterranean tour. A frequent guest vocalist with Maestro Jeff Tyzik’s “Let’s Dance!” show, he recently collaborated with Tyzik on the soul revue “R&B Legends,” performing with orchestras across the U.S. and Canada.

Comedian – Tony Daro
December 17-26, 2024
Tony Daro is an established star of the New York comedy scene and has written for several high-profile comedians, including Jay Leno, Bill Maher, David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey. He has won three Writer’s Guild awards for comedy writing and has been nominated for an Emmy for his work on “Saturday Night Live.” Tony has appeared in dozens of television performances but always cherishes his live performances.

Musical Ensemble – The Charl du Plessis Trio
January 23-27, 2025
The Charl du Plessis Trio, one of South Africa’s most recognizable musical ensembles, has won numerous awards, including a Fiësta, four SAMA awards, and a Ghoema for Best Instrumental Album. Formed in 2006, the trio performs a diverse range of music from classical to jazz and frequently tours Europe, Asia, and major South African festivals, featuring pianist Charl du Plessis, bassist Werner Spies, and drummer Peter Auret.

Vocalist and Performer – Jonathan Roxmouth
February 3-15, 2025
A South African performer, Jonathan rose to prominence in the Barnyard Theatre’s 2006 production of “Grease” and later starred as the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera”. He has won multiple awards, including Naledi and Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, and recently returned to South Africa with his hit show, “Key Change – My Favourite Pianists”, breaking box office records.

Additionally, Seabourn’s brand-new entertainment concept, “The Seabourn Six” collection will feature bespoke productions with a new line-up of six multi-talented artists from around the world. Performances include “Better Together!”, a production that celebrates great bands like the Beatles, Aerosmith and U2; “Skyline”, which takes guests on a captivating journey to some of the world’s most iconic city skylines; “Earthsong” where immersive visuals bring the elements and nature to life in a unique and emotive production; and “Silverscreen!” Where “The Seabourn Six” performs iconic music from recent musicals including Dear Evan Hansen and Moulin Rouge.

Dynamic and Engaging Seabourn Conversations

Seabourn has assembled a dynamic lineup of luminaries and experts for Seabourn Conversations. Designed to enlighten, inform and entertain guests, the complimentary program offers guests the chance to interact with the finest minds in science, history, culture and exploration. Each speaker will offer fascinating insights, expert opinions and enlightening conversations while presenting lectures, sharing meals, adventuring ashore, and socializing with guests throughout the voyage. Featured Seabourn Conversationalists include the following:

Explorer, Adventurer & Author – Riaan Manser
January 4-12, 2025
Riaan Manser, a South African explorer, gained prominence as the first person to cycle around the perimeter of Africa, covering 37,000 km through 34 countries in over 24 months. His achievement earned him the title “Out There Adventurer of the Year 2006,” and his book, “Around Africa on my Bicycle,” became a bestseller.

Former Private Secretary to Nelson Mandela – Zelda La Grange
January 14-27, 2025
Zelda la Grange is an international motivational speaker. After serving Nelson Mandela for almost 20 years in many roles and as his closest aide, she now shares her life-changing experiences inspired by one of the most influential statesmen and humanitarians.

Wildlife Photographer and Documentary Host – Chris Fallows
January 14-27, 2025
Chris Fallows is a fine art wildlife photographer, documentary host, naturalist, and conservationist. Known for discovering the breaching great white shark behavior at Seal Island in Cape Town, he has co-authored 18 scientific papers and hosted the popular “Air Jaws” series on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week since 2001. Through his art sales, he supports various non-governmental organizations and aims to preserve habitats and participate in re-wilding projects in Southern Africa.

Primatologist, Explorer and TV Host – Dr. Mireya Mayor
January 23-31, 2025
Dr. Mireya Mayor, is a renowned primatologist, National Science Foundation Fellow, Fulbright Scholar, and Emmy Award-nominated wildlife correspondent for National Geographic Channel. She is the Director of the Science Communications Initiative at Florida International University and a mother of six, she balances her diverse roles while earning the nickname “the female Indiana Jones.”

First Lady of Iceland – Eliza Reid
February 20-27, 2025
Eliza Reid, the First Lady of Iceland, is an author, entrepreneur, travel writer, and co-founder of the annual Iceland Writers Retreat. Her book, “Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland’s Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World”, is a memoir exploring her life as a Canadian immigrant before and after her husband became President of Iceland.

Departing on November 30, 2024, Seabourn Sojourn will sail roundtrip from Barcelona on a 90-day voyage that includes visits to 42 marquee and off-the-beaten-path destinations and cities in 20 countries, with seven overnight stays. For guests who cannot sail the entire voyage, shorter segments are available, giving guests more flexibility and opportunities to add pre- or post-journeys to extend their experiences. Shorter segments include the following:

27-Day Jewels of Northwest Africa – November 30-December 27, 2024, from Barcelona to Cape Town17-Day Mozambique Channel Discovery & Zanzibar Nights – December 27, 2024-January 13, 2025, from Cape Town to the Seychelles59-Day Northwest Africa to The Mozambique Channel – November 30, 2024 – January 28, 2025, from Barcelona to Cape Town22-Day West African Discovery: Cape Town To The Canaries – January 28 – February 19, 2025, from Cape Town to Las Palmas

For reservations or more details about Seabourn’s Grand Africa voyage, please call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391, visit www.seabourn.com, or contact a professional travel advisor.

About Seabourn:
Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of seven modern ships. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.

Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK).

Find Seabourn on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

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Technology

VYLIT OPENS ITS CREATOR ADVISORY BOARD, GIVING CREATORS EQUITY IN THE PLATFORM

Published

48 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Reality star & chef Dom DeAngelis, model & creator Cydney Moreau, and creator-entrepreneur Crystal Jackson named as founding members, with applications now open for creators who want a voice in how the platform is shaped

MIAMI, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vylit, the 18+ creator-first social platform co-founded by Ami Gan, former CEO of OnlyFans, and seasoned entrepreneur Kailey Magder, is opening applications for its Creator Advisory Board, which will include a select group of creators that will have a strong voice in shaping the platform they use and earn on.

Vylit is inviting creators not just to join the platform, but to help build it, with real shares in the company reserved for those who contribute to its growth, culture and direction. The Creator Advisory Board will give creators a direct voice in building Vylit’s community, the platform’s development and creator tools, along with ownership in the business they’re helping grow.

Applications are now open. Creators can apply by emailing vylit@vylitworld.com with their name, bio and social handles.

Vylit is launching the board with three founding members who show the range of creators it’s built for.

Dominic DeAngelis, known from YouTube and Vanderpump Villa, where his culinary skills earned recognition from viewers around the world, has been using the platform to share behind-the-scenes and day-in-the-life content with his subscribers — the kind of direct, monetized relationship with fans that Vylit is designed around.

“Social media sucks right now. The algorithms are negative, you don’t even see the people you follow anymore, and creators are struggling to find real connections with their fans,” said DeAngelis. “I’m thrilled to be part of a platform that’s doing it differently. Vylit is actually listening to creators and building with us, not just for us.”

Cydney Moreau, a Louisiana-born former track athlete turned model and creator with a following across fitness, fashion and lifestyle, balances her work with life as a mom. Vylit is where she’s turning that following into a business for the first time, on her own terms.

“As someone who is monetizing my content for the first time, knowing that I will have a say in how the platform treats other creators means everything,” said Moreau. “It’s not every day a platform actually wants creators in the room while they’re building it. Knowing Vylit is making decisions with our interests at heart gives me the confidence to build here, and I’m excited to help shape where this goes.”

Crystal Jackson, known to millions of followers as Mrs. Poindexter, is the co-founder of EssentL, a company building business infrastructure and benefits for creators. A former engineer turned multi-platform creator and entrepreneur, she brings an operator’s understanding of what creators actually need from the platforms they build on.

“I’ve spent years building an audience and a business across platforms that weren’t built for today’s creator ecosystem,” said Jackson. “What drew me to Vylit is that they’re handing creators actual ownership and a real say in the decisions that affect us. That’s not something I’ve seen anyone else do, and I want to help build it right.”

Since launching, Vylit has positioned itself as the “HBO of social media,” a space between traditional social media and adult subscription platforms, where creators can be expressive, marketable and in control. The Creator Advisory Board takes that further. Rather than building the platform for creators and handing it over, Vylit is building it with them, giving them direct ownership and a say in its direction.

“The users driving value should have a say in the business,” said Ami Gan, Co-Founder and CEO of Vylit. “Creators understand culture and digital monetization better than anyone. At Vylit, that expertise earns them a real seat at the table.”

“We didn’t want to build another platform where creators show up after the fact,” added Kailey Magder, Co-Founder and COO of Vylit. “We want them involved from day one, shaping the product, the community and the direction of the business.”

Vylit truly puts creators in charge, giving them real ownership and a direct say in how the platform evolves. The Creator Advisory Board is just the start.

To learn more, visit https://vylitworld.com/

To access the media kit, click here.

ABOUT VYLIT
Vylit is an 18+ creator-first social platform redefining how adults share, discover and monetize content. Co-founded by Amrapali (Ami) Gan and Kailey Magder, Vylit was created to fill the gap between traditional social media and creator platforms, offering a premium digital experience for expression. Built as “the HBO of social media,” the platform allows topless content while prohibiting explicit material, giving creators greater freedom. Vylit combines social connectivity with built-in monetization, interest-based discovery through its Vybe Matching Engine, and in-house AI Image Generation and Chat tools designed for its users. Learn more at www.vylitworld.com.

FOR PRESS INQUIRIES
pr@vylitworld.com

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Technology

CNBC Names PayJoy one of the World’s Top FinTech Companies of 2026

Published

48 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Recognition highlights PayJoy’s leadership in emerging market consumer finance

SAN FRANCISCO, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNBC and Statista have named PayJoy to the “World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026,” which honors companies providing digital funding and bank-independent lending solutions for individuals and businesses. PayJoy is a leading financial services provider for underserved consumers across emerging markets.

Now in its fourth edition, the ranking identifies 500 leading companies across eight fintech market segments worldwide, including Payments, Neobanking, Wealth Technology, Digital Assets, Enterprise Fintech, Insurtech, Regtech, and Alternative Financing. Companies were evaluated using an aggregated scoring model built on both general and segment-specific KPIs, drawing on desk research from publicly available sources alongside company self-reports submitted through an open application process.

PayJoy’s inclusion reflects its work bringing credit access to the emerging middle class in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, South Africa, the Philippines, and Indonesia, nine countries where traditional financial infrastructure has long excluded first-time borrowers.

“This recognition from CNBC and Statista is a meaningful validation of the work our team does every day,” said Doug Ricket, PayJoy CEO and Co-Founder. “Millions of people across the markets we serve are building credit for the first time through PayJoy. Being named among the world’s top fintech companies reflects the scale and impact of that work.”

For more information on the full ranking, visit https://www.cnbc.com/worlds-top-fintech-companies-2026/

About PayJoy
PayJoy expands credit access across emerging markets through point-of-sale financing and card offerings. Its proprietary secured-credit technology enables first-time borrowers to responsibly build financial stability and participate fully in the modern economy. Through its cutting-edge machine learning, data science, and anti-fraud AI, PayJoy has financed over $3.5 billion of loans to more than 20 million people and employs over 1,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.payjoy.com/

Contact
payjoy@thekeypr.com

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Technology

Youngstown Innovation Hub Breaks Ground at YBI’s 107 Building

Published

48 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the United States works to strengthen its aerospace and defense manufacturing base, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense broke ground today on YBI‘s 107 Building in downtown Youngstown, positioning the region as a national proving ground for advanced and additive manufacturing. The Hub is managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM).

Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense breaks ground at YBI’s 107 Building.

The Hub is one of four Innovation Hubs established across Ohio as part of a statewide initiative to strengthen innovation-driven economic growth. Once complete, it is projected to generate approximately $161.6 million in economic impact, create 450 new jobs, and produce 185 new STEM credential opportunities and 40 internship opportunities by 2029.

The groundbreaking comes as Ohio was recently ranked the No. 1 state for business in America by CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings, up from No. 5 in 2025.

Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel attended and delivered remarks at the ceremony.

“Today is about more than renovating a building. It’s about building opportunity for Ohioans,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “The Mahoning Valley has always been defined by the people who make things, solve problems, and never stop working toward a better future. This Innovation Hub builds on that proud tradition while preparing the next generation for in-demand careers in manufacturing.”

Hub and YBI leadership also spoke at the ceremony.

“Today’s groundbreaking of the Youngstown Innovation Hub represents much more than the start of a building renovation. It reflects what can happen when state, regional, industry, academic, and community partners come together around a shared vision for the future of manufacturing, aerospace and defense innovation,” said Megan Malara, Ph.D., director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub.

The renovation is made possible in part by a $750,000 state capital investment. Ohio State Sen. Al Cutrona and state Rep. Lauren McNally were credited with helping advance the funding request through the legislative process. YBI also recognized the broader Lake to River legislative delegation, including state Reps. Nick Santucci, Tex Fischer, Monica Robb Blasdel, Dave Thomas, and Sarah Fowler Arthur, for their support, as well as U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno for their support of the project in the U.S. Senate.

Speakers at the ceremony included Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel; Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development; Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Julius Oliver, 1st Ward Councilman for the City of Youngstown; State Sen. Al Cutrona; State Rep. Nick Santucci; State Rep. Lauren McNally; and Megan Malara, Ph.D., director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub. Barb Ewing, CEO of YBI, served as master of ceremonies.

The City of Youngstown, which committed $1.35 million in local matching funds to the project, was represented at the ceremony. John Wilczynski, executive director of America Makes, attended, and Barb Ewing recognized Kimberly Gibson and Alexander Steeb of America Makes for their roles in advancing the project.

Upon completion, the five-story, 130,000-square-foot concrete-framed building will offer flexible space for offices, workspaces, and display areas, along with robust power capacity to support multiple high-demand tenants. The building’s security features, including limited access points and naturally separated manufacturing bays, are designed to meet U.S. Department of War contracting criteria, positioning tenants to compete directly for federal defense work.

“It’s great to finally be transitioning from talking about this project to actually working on it. We appreciate all the support we’ve had from our political leaders and the community. YBI is proud to be a part of the project team that’s changing the trajectory of the Mahoning Valley,” said Barb Ewing, CEO of YBI.

Companies looking to expand, relocate, or enter the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector are encouraged to visit the Youngstown Innovation Hub website at youngstownhub.us.

About the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense

Managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), the Youngstown Innovation Hub is a national proving ground for advanced and additive manufacturing, strengthening U.S. aerospace and defense supply chains and workforce development. Learn more at youngstownhub.us.

About YBI

YBI is a globally recognized economic development nonprofit, advancing innovation and growth across Ohio and beyond. Through a flexible suite of high-quality entrepreneurial services and resources, YBI supports startups, small businesses, and manufacturers at every stage of development. For more information, visit ybi.org.

Media Contact:
Jessica Sprowl, Marketing and Communications Director, YBI
jsprowl@ybi.org

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