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Zenni, Chase Stokes and Bring Change to Mind Support Student Wellness Through Free Vision Care and Mental Health Programming

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Partnership provides vision care and styles from Zenni x Chase Stokes collection to nearly 300 New York City high school students

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As young people navigate the growing importance of both physical and mental wellbeing, Zenni Optical, actor and longtime brand ambassador Chase Stokes and nonprofit Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) are coming together to highlight an often-overlooked connection: the role eye health can play in overall wellness.

On October 7, Zenni and Chase brought their commitment to accessible vision care to Manhattan Early College Academy (MECA) in New York City, providing students with free vision screenings and exams, and gifting them styles from the Zenni x Chase Stokes collection, complete with EyeQLenz™ with Zenni ID Guard™ lenses. Students from MECA’s BC2M Club also led a group activity and discussion focused on mental health and wellness.

Together, the partners screened nearly 300 students, with more than half of those screened needing new or updated prescriptions.

“Eye health is an important part of overall wellbeing, and we know that when young people can see clearly, they can better engage with the world around them,” said Veronica Alcaro, VP of Brand at Zenni. “We’re proud to partner with Chase and Bring Change to Mind to bring vision care directly to students and make quality eyewear more accessible. At Zenni, we believe clear vision should never be considered a luxury, and everyone deserves access to the quality eyewear they need to see, learn and experience the world around them with confidence.”

The partnership comes at a particularly meaningful time, with World Vision Day on October 8 and World Mental Health Day on October 10, creating an opportunity to consider how different aspects of health and wellness intersect. Research has found associations between vision impairment and mental health among young people, reinforcing the importance of considering eye health as part of overall wellbeing.

For Chase Stokes, the initiative builds on his ongoing commitment to making vision care more accessible while encouraging young people to prioritize their overall health and wellbeing. As part of the experience, Chase connected directly with students during a meet-and-greet at the school, handing out prescription eyewear styles from the Zenni x Chase Stokes collection.

“Taking care of your health means taking care of the whole person, and that includes both your vision and your mental wellbeing,” said Chase Stokes. “I’m proud to partner with Zenni and Bring Change to Mind to bring these resources to students in New York City. Hopefully, this experience reminds young people that taking care of themselves can start with something as simple – and important – as making sure they can see clearly and having an open conversation about how they’re feeling.”

As part of the activation, Bring Change to Mind helped broaden the conversation beyond eye health, giving students an opportunity to engage directly with their peers around mental wellbeing. BC2M’s student-led programming encourages young people to challenge stigma and create more open conversations around mental health in their communities.

“Creating spaces where young people can talk openly about their mental health is essential to building healthier communities,” said Pamela Harrington, Executive Director at Bring Change to Mind. “We’re excited to partner with Zenni and Chase to show students that wellness is interconnected. Whether we’re talking about taking care of our eyes, our minds, or our relationships with one another, giving young people the tools and space to prioritize their wellbeing can make a meaningful difference.”

The NYC activation builds on Zenni and Chase’s shared commitment to expanding access to vision care and empowering young people to prioritize their overall health, with clinical services provided by Optical Academy. By bringing together vision screenings, eyewear and mental wellbeing resources, the programming reinforces a simple message for students: wellness means caring for the whole person.

About Zenni Optical
Zenni pioneered the online eyewear industry in 2003 with a mission to make eyewear affordable and accessible for everyone. With complete prescription pairs starting under $10, Zenni offers adults and children the freedom to see clearly and express themselves through a wide selection of high-quality prescription glasses, sunglasses, protective eyewear, and non-prescription frames—curated with fashion, function, and style in mind. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company has upended the traditional retail model to become the leader in U.S. online eyewear, with over 70 million frames sold worldwide. Zenni is proud to be the Official Eyewear of the San Francisco 49ers, Boston Celtics, Monster Jam, Team Liquid, and more. Zenni has collaborated with designers and tastemakers on exclusive collections, including Chase Stokes and George and Claire Kittle. For more information, visit zenni.com/press.

About Bring Change to Mind
Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) empowers young people to build connected, empathetic, and supportive school communities where conversations about mental health are welcome and stigma-free. Actress and activist Glenn Close co-founded the nonprofit organization in 2010 in response to a critical need to normalize conversations about mental illness. Since then, BC2M has expanded to include an evidence-based, student-led High School Club Program, launched in 2015, followed by a Middle School Program piloted in 2020. Today, BC2M Clubs operate in 43 states across more than 615 middle and high schools, empowering more than 100,000 students to take a proactive approach to their mental health through peer connection, resilience-building, and increased access to support and resources. For more information, visit bringchange2mind.org.

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SOURCE Zenni Optical

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NARUTO CARD GAME Sets June 2027 Worldwide Launch at New York Comic Con

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October 10, 2026

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BANDAI CARD GAMES Reveals Starter Decks, First Booster Pack “Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!,” and a Global 1 Million Demo Deck Campaign

NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following its world debut at Gen Con 2026, NARUTO CARD GAME will launch simultaneously worldwide in June 2027, BANDAI CO., LTD., through its BANDAI CARD GAMES brand, revealed today at New York Comic Con. The launch lineup includes three Starter Decks led by Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Gaara, along with the game’s first Booster Pack, “Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!” Ahead of launch, in-store Premier Demo Events begin in February 2027, followed by a global campaign distributing 1 million Demo Decks beginning in spring 2027.

The NYCC presentation opened with the public premiere of a new teaser featuring original artwork by Studio Pierrot, the studio behind the NARUTO anime.

View the New Teaser Here: https://youtu.be/bl_reRk9kD0

The three Starter Decks, centered on Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Gaara, come pre-constructed with all the cards needed to start playing, so players can begin battling right out of the box. Built around a different Leader, each deck features a unique lineup of ninjas and its own strategic play style.

Launching at the same time, the first Booster Pack, “Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!,” features popular characters from both the original NARUTO series and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN. Booster Packs contain new ninjas, techniques, and other cards that let players strengthen their Starter Decks, collect their favorite characters, and build decks of their own. Newly revealed card illustrations were shown for the first time during the presentation, and more will be revealed ahead of launch.

Starting in February 2027, NARUTO CARD GAME Premier Demo Events will be held at participating TCG stores, where players, including longtime NARUTO fans who have never played a trading card game, can try the cards in person and learn the rules of the game in a relaxed setting. The rollout begins at select large-scale stores participating in BANDAI TCG+ (Wave 1), with more participating stores added in Wave 2.

Two exclusive products were also revealed for the first time: the advance-release Official Playmat – NARUTO VS. SASUKE – and the Premium Card Collection Vol.00 – CHAKRA Set. Both will be available only at the Premier Demo Events and select BANDAI CARD GAMES FEST 26-27 events, including BANDAI CARD GAMES FEST Orlando and BANDAI CARD GAMES FEST London. Details on participating stores, event dates, registration, product availability, and purchase procedures will be announced later through the official website and social channels.

In addition to the in-store events, a global campaign will begin in spring 2027 to distribute a total of 1 million Demo Decks worldwide, giving players an easy way to experience the basic flow of the game and its ninja-style mind games at their own pace ahead of launch. Campaign details will be announced later through the official website and social channels.

The next major NARUTO CARD GAME update is scheduled for Jump Festa 2027 this December. To stay updated, follow the official channels on X (https://x.com/narutotcg_eng), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/narutotcg_en/), and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/narutotcgeng/), and subscribe to the “NARUTO TCG Updates Channel” in the BANDAI CARD GAMES app, TCG+.

About NARUTO CARD GAME
NARUTO CARD GAME is a strategic trading card game from BANDAI CARD GAMES set in the worlds of NARUTO and BORUTO, featuring characters from NARUTO, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN , and BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS. It will launch simultaneously worldwide in June 2027.

About BANDAI CARD GAMES
– The emotion born from cards transcends borders and brings the world together –
 

“BANDAI CARD GAMES” is the trading card game brand developed by BANDAI CO., LTD.’s Card Business Department.

Under this brand, we operate a variety of card game titles across more than 50 regions worldwide, including North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and the Middle East.

“BANDAI CARD GAMES” offers opportunities for fans to connect with each other and with the worlds of their favorite series through the power of cards.

About NARUTO
Written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1999, with a TV anime adaptation premiering in 2002. The manga concluded in 2014 at its 700th chapter, and the franchise has continued through events, games, and merchandise. Its cumulative worldwide circulation has surpassed 250 million copies.

OFFICIAL LINKS
Website: https://www.naruto-cardgame.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/narutotcgeng/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narutotcg_en/
X (English): https://x.com/narutotcg_eng

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

©Masashi Kishimoto,Scott/SHUEISHA

©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO

©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved.

©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2017 BORUTO All Rights Reserved.

When publishing this news, please be sure to include the copyright notice

Additional Assets: HERE

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SOURCE BANDAI CO., LTD.

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Roger Spitz Ranked #6 Futurist in the Americas (Global Gurus) and #6 Global Thought Leader on Management (Thinkers360), Announces 2027 Keynotes

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October 10, 2026

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Thinkers360 Top Voices 2026 and Global Gurus rankings precede a new keynote program on disruption, strategic foresight, and AI, a TEDxJacksonville talk, and a new speaker reel

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Futurist keynote speaker Roger Spitz, Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute, ranks #6 in the Americas and #15 worldwide in Global Gurus’ 2026 World’s Top 30 Futurist Professionals, and #6 in Thinkers360’s Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Management. He enters 2027 with a new keynote program, a scheduled TEDx talk, and a new speaker reel.

In October 2026, Thinkers360 also named Spitz among its Top Voices 2026, a distinction spanning October 2026 through October 2027, and features him in its Top 50 on Artificial Intelligence. Leading speaker agencies and platforms rank him among the top futurist keynote speakers for disruption, strategic foresight, and AI.

Spitz is scheduled to speak at TEDxJacksonville 2027: You Are Here on January 16, 2027. His 2027 keynote program adds “Metaruptions & Structural Unpredictability: The AAA Framework Response” and “The Law of Inaction: Agency and Leadership for Compressed Decision Windows” alongside the Visionary Trilogy (Mindset Shift, Intelligence Shift, Leadership Shift). The program examines how leaders strengthen decision-making, anticipate systemic disruption, and preserve agency as AI and Metaruptions reshape strategy.

The new 2026–2027 keynote speaker reel is available at disruptivefutures.org/speaking. Recent and upcoming engagements include Meta’s Conversations 2026 in London; the PREA Investors Fall Conference in Washington, DC; the IdDC Board Directors’ Summit in Santiago, Chile; and the RIMS ERM Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

“Leaders no longer choose between acting and waiting — inaction is itself a decision, and often the costliest one,” said Spitz. “The 2027 program is built around that reality: developing the agency to decide effectively while the ground keeps moving.”

About Roger Spitz

Roger Spitz is Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute, a San Francisco-based strategic foresight and executive education organization, and the author of five books, including the award-winning bestseller Disrupt With Impact. He coined Techistentialism in 2016 and Metaruptions in 2019, and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Alliance.

Speaker reel and bookings: https://www.disruptivefutures.org/speaking

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SOURCE Disruptive Futures Institute

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KAPSARC TO JOIN 25TH WPC ENERGY CONGRESS IN RIYADH AS NATIONAL PARTNER

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October 10, 2026

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More than 20 KAPSARC leaders, researchers, and experts to contribute across the Congress’s Executive, Technical, Synergy, and Special Programmes

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KAPSARC participates as a National Partner in the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, bringing its leaders and experts into discussions addressing some of the most important issues shaping the future of energy.

Taking place from 11 to 15 October 2026 under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All,” the Congress will be hosted in Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history. First held in London in 1933, the Congress will bring together government leaders, industry executives, policymakers, researchers, and innovators in Riyadh to examine the forces reshaping global energy systems, from security and investment to technology and sustainability.

KAPSARC’s participation extends across the Congress’s Executive, Technical, Synergy, and Special Programmes, alongside additional sessions and activities, reflecting the breadth of the Center’s research and policy expertise. KAPSARC President Fahad Alajlan and Dr. Ghadah Alarifi, Dean of the KAPSARC School of Public Policy, are among KAPSARC’s speakers in the Executive Programme.

Across the Congress, KAPSARC experts contribute research and policy perspectives on energy supply and demand, energy access, natural gas, ESG and governance, the Circular Carbon Economy, artificial intelligence, mobility, and lower-emission pathways for refining and petrochemicals.

Within the Special Programme, KAPSARC leads a Knowledge Sprint session titled “Generative AI for Evidence-Based Oil Markets,” examining how generative AI can support oil-market analysis and policy research. The session explores AI-assisted data workflows, econometric and scenario analysis, responsible AI practices, and the translation of technical findings into decision-ready insights.

KAPSARC also participates in the World Café through a session on “Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies,” bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to examine the prospects for scaling engineered carbon-removal solutions. The discussion covers direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and biochar, alongside the economic, infrastructure, regulatory, carbon-market, and regional considerations influencing their deployment.

In the Synergy Programme, KAPSARC experts contribute to discussions on “Accelerating the Circular Carbon Economy Through Joint Action” and “AI Partnerships for Energy Innovation,” bringing research-based perspectives to the intersection of energy, technology, and sustainability.

KAPSARC’s dedicated pavilion provides another platform for knowledge exchange and engagement throughout the Congress. Structured around five thematic hubs, the pavilion brings together KAPSARC research, analytical tools, and expertise across the Oil Hub, Transportation Hub, Clean Energy Hub, AI Hub, and Collaboration Hub. Together, the hubs provide visitors with an integrated view of selected research areas and emerging issues shaping energy systems, while creating opportunities for engagement with policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and other Congress participants.

The pavilion also features the KAPSARC School of Public Policy (KSPP) and the Saudi Energy Leaders Assembly (SELA), providing additional platforms for policy education, leadership development, and knowledge exchange.

Through its participation across the Congress’s programmes and sessions, alongside its dedicated thematic pavilion, KAPSARC connects Saudi-based research and policy expertise with international discussions on energy security, investment, technology, and sustainability.

About KAPSARC

KAPSARC is an advisory think tank dedicated to advancing knowledge on energy, environmental and regional economic issues. As an accredited observer to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), KAPSARC actively contributes to global climate action. KAPSARC’s mission is to advance Saudi Arabia’s energy sector and inform global policies through evidence-based advice and applied research.

For more information about KAPSARC:
https://www.kapsarc.org/

Media inquiries:
media@kapsarc.org

Follow us on X:
https://x.com/KAPSARC

Connect with us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kapsarc

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https://subscribe.kapsarc.org/kapsarc-newsletter-signup

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SOURCE KAPSARC

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