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Chicago Nonprofit Teams Up with Loyd & Co. to Back Help With My Loan for Young Entrepreneurs

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Chicago native and former NFL player Walter Mendenhall, CEO and Founder of the nonprofit Male Mogul Initiative (MMI), is on a mission to empower young Black and Brown men. Through entrepreneurship, leadership development, and workforce training, MMI helps these young men become strong, confident community leaders while revitalizing Chicago’s economically disadvantaged West and South Side communities. To expand his mission, Mendenhall partnered with Loyd & Co., a Chicago-based financial firm founded by WNBA star Jewell Loyd and her brother Jarryd Loyd. The firm has worked with MMI to develop workforce development programs ranging from training, certifications, job search and advancement support, mentoring, and coaching.

CHICAGO, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Chicago native and former NFL player Walter Mendenhall, CEO and Founder of the nonprofit Male Mogul Initiative (MMI) is on a mission to empower young Black and Brown men. Through entrepreneurship, leadership development, and workforce training, MMI helps these young men become strong, confident community leaders while revitalizing Chicago’s economically disadvantaged West and South Side communities.

“I’ve known Walter for 25 years and he has a gift of understanding how to develop people into their potential. For us, this is a natural partnership because we want to transform communities. We care about people who look like us.”

To expand his mission, Mendenhall partnered with Loyd & Co., a Chicago-based financial firm founded by WNBA star Jewell Loyd and her brother Jarryd Loyd. The firm has worked with MMI to develop workforce development programs ranging from training, certifications, job search and advancement support, mentoring, and coaching.

Recently, MMI and Loyd & Co. partnered to invest in Help With My Loan (HWML). Founded in 2017 in Pasadena, California by co-founders Chris Karageuzian and Jack Artinian, HWML is a full-spectrum lending platform with a mission to transform the industry by making traditional funding accessible.

The addition of HWML strengthens MMI’s Community Wealth Building Ecosystem (CWBE), a program within its private equity arm, Male Mogul Enterprise L3C (MME). CWBE helps young people turn challenges into opportunities, transforming perceived liabilities into thriving assets while unlocking economic growth on Chicago’s West and South Sides.

“With this partnership, we developed an outsourced workforce agreement where young men
learn to become commercial and business loan officers,” said Mendenhall who is also managing partner at Loyd & Co. “This is part of our Community Wealth Building ecosystem, which consists of business acquisition and incubation, finance, direct services, indirect services, job creation and community redevelopment, or homeownership.”

Currently, there are 10 MMI participants, ages 18 to 25, enrolled in the program, which lasts between one to four years. Enrollment is free and they receive a stipend. The goal is for them to secure full-time employment or launch their venture.

Jarryd Loyd is excited to help Mendenhall, a friend, and Niles West High School basketball teammate, help a new generation of entrepreneurs make their dreams come true.

“I’ve known Walter for 25 years and he has a gift of understanding how to develop people into their potential,” Loyd said. “For us, this is a natural partnership because we want to transform communities. We care about people who look like us. I know what it is to have an opportunity and know what it is not to be given an opportunity. We’re giving opportunities throughout this partnership for folks to learn to scale their new businesses and our philosophy about wealth. We are designing our lives where money doesn’t dictate our decisions. That is where freedom comes into the picture. We also believe that knowledge, education, and ideas are more important than money.”

Financial literacy is an important component of this program. Mendenhall emphasized that it covers topics such as increasing net worth, acquiring and managing assets, building and maintaining credit, accessing capital for business or personal growth, and understanding real estate ownership.

“This comprehensive approach equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve long-term financial stability and success,” he said.

Loyd & Co. invites investors, philanthropists, and community leaders to be part of this transformative initiative. By supporting this partnership, you can help drive economic empowerment, create sustainable career paths, and build generational wealth for underserved communities. To learn more about partnership opportunities or to discuss how you can help drive economic empowerment, please contact our investor relations team and visit http://www.theloydco.com.

About Loyd & Co.
Loyd & Co. is a conviction-based financial firm founded on the belief that we are bold builders of the future. We are a family office specializing in asset and wealth management, fintech and lending, private equity, real estate, and sports and tech investing.

Our mission is to democratize access to capital, transform wealth management, and innovate with blockchain solutions. Through our fintech lending platform, wealth advisory, and cutting-edge technology, we empower individuals, families, and businesses to build generational wealth and create lasting impact.

About HWML
Our goal is to help you reach yours. Help With My Loan was founded in 2017 to transform the industry and make traditional funding more accessible. In the first three years alone, we built a network of 300+ vetted finance partners and secured more than $850 million for our users.

Chris Karageuzian and Jack Artinian, HWML co-founders, met in the banking world and bonded over dreams of something better. With years of high-level experience in banking, lending, and business financing, both leaders knew the ins and outs of the industry. HWML puts that insight to work for you with innovative solutions and cutting-edge technology.

About the Male Mogul Initiative
The Male Mogul Initiative (MMI) is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming young men into community leaders through entrepreneurship, leadership development, and workforce training. Since its founding, MMI has helped young people build businesses, acquire investment properties, and gain financial independence through innovative education and mentorship programs. 

Media Contact

Marie Lazzara, JJR Marketing, 630-400-3361, marie@jjrmarketing.com, https://jjrmarketing.com/

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Danish Publisher Automates Digital Textbook Delivery with Integrated WooCommerce-Webdoxx Solution

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Danish educational publisher eliminates manual processing errors and delivers instant access to more than 20 digital learning products

LONDON, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Forlaget 94, a Danish educational publisher serving commercial colleges and vocational schools since 1994, has transformed its digital textbook distribution by implementing a fully automated WooCommerce-Webdoxx solution.

“Using the Webdoxx-WooCommerce integration we have achieved full automation of order processing, fewer errors, and happier customers,” Tom Gertsen, IT Manager at Forlaget 94

Previously, Forlaget 94 relied on manual processes to distribute digital textbooks to customers. As demand for online educational materials grew, the publisher required a faster, more reliable way to manage orders, provision access, and reduce the risk of administrative errors.

Through its integration of WooCommerce with Webdoxx, Forlaget 94 now runs more than 20 educational products through a 100% automated workflow. The solution automatically processes customer orders and provides instant access to purchased digital textbooks, improving the experience for both customers and internal teams.

“The result is full automation of order processing, fewer errors, and happier customers,” said Tom Gertsen, IT Manager at Forlaget 94 and architect behind the WooCommerce-Webdoxx integration. The automated system has enabled Forlaget 94 to eliminate manual errors, accelerate customer processing, and increase customer satisfaction through immediate access provisioning. The implementation demonstrates how educational publishers can modernize digital content delivery while maintaining secure, managed access to learning materials.

Webdoxx, a service created and managed by Drumlin Security Ltd, provides online DRM and managed document delivery services for publishers, educational organizations, institutions, and commercial content providers.

About Forlaget 94

Forlaget 94 is a Danish educational publisher established in 1994, providing educational products for commercial colleges and vocational schools.

About Webdoxx

Webdoxx is an online DRM and managed document delivery service created and managed by Drumlin Security Ltd. The platform supports secure access to digital publications and documents across a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, government, finance, and publishing.

Media Contact

Mike de Smith, Drumlin Security Ltd, 44 7768404712, info@drumlinsecurity.com, https://www.drumlinsecurity.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/danish-publisher-automates-digital-textbook-delivery-with-integrated-woocommerce-webdoxx-solution-302759942.html

SOURCE Forlaget 94

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139th Canton Fair Phase 3 Advances Toward a Better Life with New and Strengthened Product Zones

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GUANGZHOU, China, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has rolled out nine newly established product zones. Phase 3 features an expanded and upgraded Intelligent Healthcare zone and the inaugural presentation of a Functional & Technical Fabrics zone.

The upgraded Intelligent Healthcare zone brings together 50 companies presenting a full spectrum of intelligent medical solutions, spanning AI-powered diagnostics, surgical robotics, and next‑generation eldercare technologies. Exhibits highlight how medical devices are becoming smaller, more precise, and increasingly non‑invasive. Capsule endoscopy systems demonstrate how gastrointestinal screening can be completed without discomfort, while AI‑enabled traditional Chinese medicine analyzers compress the inspection and inquiry process into minutes. Wearable glucose monitors make chronic disease management easier and more convenient.

Robotic technologies play a prominent role as well. Endoscopic and orthopedic surgical robots showcase enhanced precision through integrated human‑machine coordination, while bionic prosthetic hands use non‑invasive myoelectric sensing to independently control each finger. Intelligent rehabilitation systems, including lower‑limb exoskeletons and hand‑training devices, provide consistent support for patients recovering mobility. Companion‑style eldercare robots, equipped with monitoring and telemedicine functions, signal the rise of integrated home‑based health services.

The debuting Functional & Technical Fabrics zone highlights how the traditional textile industry is moving toward higher-end and smarter products. Exhibitors present materials that combine multi‑layered performance with intelligent responsiveness. Textiles featuring temperature‑regulating fibers, phase‑change materials, and light‑ or heat‑sensitive color‑shifting effects illustrate how fabrics are evolving into adaptive platforms capable of responding to environmental conditions.

Sustainability emerges as a defining theme. Bio‑based fibers, degradable films, recycled polyester, and organic cotton reflect a shift from isolated eco‑products toward full‑chain green manufacturing. High‑performance outdoor and protective applications further shape the narrative. Materials engineered for waterproof breathability, UV resistance, flame retardancy, and long‑term durability address rising demand across sportswear, professional protection, and medical environments. Smart textiles with embedded health‑monitoring modules demonstrate how apparel is beginning to function as a continuous wellness interface.

Both technology‑driven healthcare and advanced textiles are converging around a shared pursuit of a better life. As these advancements continue to evolve, they reflect a manufacturing landscape increasingly shaped by innovation, resilience, and a commitment to improving everyday living.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/139th-canton-fair-phase-3-advances-toward-a-better-life-with-new-and-strengthened-product-zones-302760704.html

SOURCE Canton Fair

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CupidFeel Insights Show How Shared Interests Affect Initial Connection Outcomes

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New behavioral insights from CupidFeel offer a carefully considered look at how shared interests influence whether an initial connection on a dating platform is sustained or abandoned in those first critical exchanges.

GIBRALTAR, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The findings by CupidFeel are not dramatic, but they are telling. People who referenced a shared interest — whether a genre of music, a type of cuisine, a sport, a creative practice, or even a shared discomfort with small talk — within the first few exchanges of a new conversation were found to be measurably more likely to continue that conversation beyond the initial contact window. The effect was not uniform across all interest categories; certain types of shared interest appeared to carry more relational weight than others.

It was also observed by CupidFeel that the timing of when shared interests entered a conversation mattered. Connections where common ground was discovered organically — through the natural flow of exchange rather than prompted by a profile field or a direct question — showed stronger indicators of sustained interest. The discovery, in other words, carried more meaning when it felt like something found rather than something declared.

Among the most quietly striking findings in the CupidFeel data was the role of specificity. Broad shared categories — “we both like travel,” “we both enjoy cooking” — were associated with polite, often brief exchanges that rarely extended past pleasantries. But when specificity entered the picture — when one person mentioned a particular documentary that had stayed with them, or a city they had visited and could not stop thinking about — the conversational energy shifted. Something opened up.

In a CupidFeel review of trends in profile engagements, those whose profiles reflected specific, idiosyncratic interests — rather than broadly appealing ones — also showed higher rates of receiving first messages, a finding that runs gently counter to the instinct many people have to present themselves in the most universally appealing terms possible.

What seemed to matter most was not the quantity of overlap but whether the overlap that existed was felt — whether it produced a sense of being seen in some particular, non-generic way. A CupidFeel review of early conversation patterns suggests that a single deeply resonant shared interest may be more generative for early connection than a long list of surface-level commonalities that, taken together, feel more like a demographic profile than a person.

About CupidFeel

CupidFeel is an online dating platform built around the belief that meaningful connections begin with emotional honesty and the willingness to let a conversation go somewhere real. It came into being for people who are less interested in the mechanics of dating and more drawn to the possibility of something that feels grounded — exchanges that move at their own pace, guided by genuine curiosity rather than performance.

A CupidFeel review of its own design principles returns consistently to the same question: what does it take for a first message to feel like it might be worth the journey? The platform makes room for the kind of interaction that doesn’t always have a clear destination but feels, from the first exchange, like something real. CupidFeel is a place where the unexpected is not something to be managed, but something to be welcomed.

Media Contact

Timothy Albers, CupidFeel, 1 14845691657, smm@cupidfeel.com, https://cupidfeel.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/cupidfeel-insights-show-how-shared-interests-affect-initial-connection-outcomes-302759951.html

SOURCE CupidFeel

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