Latest news with #Cleveland-based

Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Gutterpy Tents powered by Liquid Screen Design Joins NVBDC's MVO Task Force
Gutterpy Tents powered by Liquid Screen Design Joins NVBDC's MVO Task Force to Support Veteran Entrepreneurs and Elevate Event Branding DETROIT, MI, UNITED STATES, May 30, 2025 / / -- The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) proudly welcomes Gutterpy Tents powered by Liquid Screen Design as the newest member of its Military and Veteran Organization (MVO) Task Force. This strategic partnership strengthens NVBDC's ongoing mission to support Veteran-owned businesses by expanding access to branding, merchandising, and event solutions tailored for maximum impact. Founded by Navy Veteran Andy Macias, Gutterpy Tents began as a simple solution to unreliable tents at outdoor tailgates and evolved into a fast-growing, Cleveland-based company known for its patented rain-gutter tent system, custom-branded gear, and full-service event merchandising. Following a merger with Liquid Screen Design, Gutterpy Tents has expanded its marketing offerings to provide free graphic design services with promotional product orders, Print-on-Demand (POD) stores, individualized fulfillment of orders, completely custom swag boxes and kitting, and physical marketing analysis while tracking ROI on promotional products. In addition, the new collaboration will allow Gutterpy Tents to offer a wider range of products and pass along cost savings to customers. 'Joining the NVBDC MVO Task Force just made sense,' said Macias, Owner of Gutterpy. 'We're a Veteran-owned business committed to helping other Veteran-owned businesses look good, stay dry, and stand out. Being part of this network connects us with like-minded leaders and new opportunities to grow and give back.' Inspired by a personal journey that began while stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, Gutterpy was founded by Macias following the loss of his wife, a Special Agent with the U.S. State Department. For Macias, Gutterpy is more than a brand—it's a mission-driven venture dedicated to supporting fellow Veterans. His family's legacy of service, spanning the military, education, law, diplomacy, and public service, continues to fuel his purpose and drive. Within the MVO Task Force, Macias advocates for elevating Veterans' presence at conferences, like the NVBDC National Conference. 'Let's give Veteran-owned businesses the presence they deserve,' he emphasized. 'We're here to help with tents, apparel, banners—everything they need to create a lasting impression.' To learn more about Gutterpy Tents powered by Liquid Screen Design, visit About the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) NVBDC is the leading Veteran-owned business certification organization developed by Veterans for Veterans. It was formed to provide a credible and reliable certifying authority for Veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and in all industries. NVBDC ensures the existence of valid documentation for Veterans' status, ownership, and operational control, giving customers and clients peace of mind that they are working with a valid Veteran-owned business. Additional information can be found at About the NVBDC's Military & Veteran Organization (MVO) Task Force NVBDC's MVO Task Force enables NVBDC to collaborate resources with task force partners to increase awareness and join together to establish a respected position in the industry supporting Veteran Business success. Additional information can be found at Media Contact: Hannah Waldrep (586) 665-9020 [email protected] MVO Task Force Contact: Kathy Poynton (703) 282-6862 [email protected] Keith King, Founder & CEO National Veteran Business Development Council +1 313-446-6885 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Facebook X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
After Rubio seeks to revoke their visas, Chinese students say U.S. resembles the country they left
Chinese students say they're questioning their decision to study in the U.S. after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the federal government will attempt to 'aggressively' revoke their visas. Rubio said Wednesday that Chinese students 'with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields' would be targeted. Chinese students who spoke to NBC News on Thursday said that they came to the U.S. for freedoms that they felt they did not have back in China but that now the Trump administration is starting to resemble the strict regime they left behind. 'USA stands for freedom. It stands for democracy. … That's why we come here to chase our dreams,' said one Chinese Ph.D. student at a New Jersey university, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation. 'In China, the government can control education, high schools, colleges, universities. We thought that the USA could be different.' The State Department referred NBC News to comments by spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a press briefing Thursday in which Bruce said that the department does not discuss the details of its visa process due to privacy concerns. 'We use every tool that we have to vet and to make sure we know who's coming in,' Bruce said. 'In this particular case, the United States is putting America first by beginning to revoke visas of Chinese students as warranted.' The Chinese Embassy referred NBC News to comments made by Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Mao harshly criticized Rubio's announcement Thursday at a regular briefing in Beijing. 'This politically discriminatory move exposes the hypocrisy of America's long-proclaimed values of freedom and openness, and will only further damage the United States' international image and credibility,' Mao said. Questions swirl around the new directive, including what 'critical fields' the administration will be looking into and what types of connections to the CCP are under scrutiny. But it's already prompted panic among many Chinese scholars, who make up the second-largest international student group in the U.S. While a temporary nationwide injunction issued last week blocks the Trump administration from revoking international students' legal statuses amid its mass termination of records, attorneys say that it may not protect Chinese international students. Jath Shao, a Cleveland-based immigration attorney, said that while the restraining order keeps international students from being arrested or detained, or from losing their legal status, they can still have their visas revoked. Without a visa, Shao said, students can't return to the U.S. once they've left, among a host of other issues. 'If you're trying to get a job or a study ... that means you're pretty much out of luck,' Shao said. 'You're stuck here. They're basically trying to take away all your options.' Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst with the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, also mentioned that the Trump administration could argue that Chinese students fall under a completely different circumstance compared to those protected by the injunction. 'We're seeing in various cases that the administration is saying that it's doing individualized determinations,' Bush-Joseph said. 'Even if they're focusing on a particular nationality, in any given case, they might say this is based on an individual person's circumstances.' One Chinese student who's studying economics at an Ivy League institution said that he felt the tactics used by the Trump administration, including harsh, pointed rhetoric and intimidation, smack of those used by the Chinese government. The student said that it wasn't uncommon for Beijing to withhold funding for certain political research, much like Trump has threatened Harvard University, or use other methods of repression. 'In China, we're all Chinese, so they cannot revoke our citizenship, but they can revoke the student record,' he said. 'That happens when it comes to people involved in political activities.' 'I think they're just using the CCP to evoke a 'Red Scare.' They don't really care about ideals,' the economics student said, referring to the historical periods of fear in the U.S. around the potential rise of communism and socialism. 'We just keep joking that it seems like Trump is learning from the Xi Jinping playbook.' The Ph.D. student said that at this point, he and his peers are considering either moving back to China or another Asian country — a plan that he said was not in the books before. He mentioned that before coming to America, he envisioned a country that was welcoming of diversity and inclusive of all backgrounds and a place he would put down roots. His thoughts on the U.S. have evolved drastically. 'My family and my best friends, they had a phone call with me to say, 'Hey, I think maybe you should come back. We think that there's no reason for you to stay in the U.S,'' he said. Gisela Perez Kusakawa, executive director of the nonprofit Asian American Scholar Forum, said that the new policy would only serve to harm the U.S. and its own research ambitions. 'We know that many of our best and brightest talents are prominent scientists that have gone on to develop so many innovations that have changed the daily lives of so many Americans,' she said. 'They started out as international students. They walked these campuses.' She also noted that it's likely policymakers are guided by misconceptions around Chinese nationals. While there's been a longstanding belief that Chinese international students would take intelligence back to China, research shows that most hope to start their lives in America. From 2005 to 2015, 87% of Chinese Ph.D. students said that they intended to stay in the U.S. A separate survey of more than 1,300 Chinese American researchers found that 89% 'aimed to help advance U.S. leadership in science and technology.' As disappointing as the Rubio announcement was, Kusakawa underscored that it isn't necessarily surprising. In March, Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would halt the issuance of student visas to Chinese nationals looking to study at U.S. universities or take part in exchange programs. 'In many ways, there was already this existing fear that this could potentially become a reality,' Kusakawa said. 'But perhaps what is surprising is the speed in which it's happening.' So far, the announcement has drawn mass criticism from many high-profile Chinese American lawmakers and leaders, including Gary Locke, a former U.S. ambassador to China and the chair of the Chinese American nonprofit Committee of 100, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. 'The wholesale revocation of student visas based on national origin — and without an investigation — is xenophobic and wrong,' the lawmakers said on social media. 'Turning these students away — many of whom simply wish to learn in a free and democratic society — is not just shortsighted but a betrayal of our values.' This article was originally published on


NBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
After Rubio seeks to revoke their visas, Chinese students say U.S. resembles the country they left
Chinese students say they're questioning their decision to study in the U.S. after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the federal government will attempt to 'aggressively' revoke their visas. Rubio said Wednesday that Chinese students 'with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields' would be targeted. Chinese students who spoke to NBC News on Thursday said they came to the U.S. for freedoms that they felt they did not have back in China, but now say that the Trump administration is starting to resemble the strict regime they left behind. 'USA stands for freedom. It stands for democracy. … That's why we come here to chase our dreams,' said one Chinese Ph.D. student at a New Jersey university, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation. 'In China, the government can control education, high schools, colleges, universities. We thought that the USA could be different.' The State Department referred NBC News to comments by spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a press briefing Thursday in which Bruce said that the department does not discuss the details of its visa process due to privacy concerns. 'We use every tool that we have to vet and to make sure we know who's coming in,' Bruce said. 'In this particular case, the United States is putting America first by beginning to revoke visas of Chinese students as warranted.' The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment. But Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, harshly criticized Rubio's announcement Thursday at a regular briefing in Beijing. 'This politically discriminatory move exposes the hypocrisy of America's long-proclaimed values of freedom and openness, and will only further damage the United States' international image and credibility,' Ning said. Questions swirl around the new directive, including what 'critical fields' the administration will be looking into and what types of connections to the CCP are under scrutiny. But it's already prompted panic among many Chinese scholars, who make up the second-largest international student group in the U.S. While a temporary nationwide injunction issued last week blocks the Trump administration from revoking international students' legal statuses amid its mass termination of records, attorneys say that it may not protect Chinese international students. Jath Shao, a Cleveland-based immigration attorney, said that while the restraining order keeps international students from being arrested or detained, or from losing their legal status, they can still have their visas revoked. Without a visa, Shao said, students can't return to the U.S. once they've left, among a host of other issues. 'If you're trying to get a job or a study … that means you're pretty much out of luck,' Shao said. 'You're stuck here. They're basically trying to take away all your options.' Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst with the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, also mentioned that the Trump administration could argue that Chinese students fall under a completely different circumstance compared to those protected by the injunction. 'We're seeing in various cases that the administration is saying that it's doing individualized determinations,' Bush-Joseph said. 'Even if they're focusing on a particular nationality, in any given case, they might say this is based on an individual person's circumstances.' One Chinese student who's studying economics at an Ivy League institution said that he felt the tactics used by the Trump administration, including harsh, pointed rhetoric and intimidation, smack of those used by the Chinese government. The student said that it wasn't uncommon for Beijing to withhold funding for certain political research, much like Trump has threatened Harvard University, or use other methods of repression. 'In China, we're all Chinese, so they cannot revoke our citizenship, but they can revoke the student record,' he said. 'That happens when it comes to people involved in political activities.' 'I think they're just using the CCP to evoke a 'Red Scare.' They don't really care about ideals,' the economics student said, referring to the historical periods of fear in the U.S. around the potential rise of communism and socialism. 'We just keep joking that it seems like Trump is learning from the Xi Jinping playbook.' The Ph.D. student said that at this point, he and his peers are considering either moving back to China or another Asian country — a plan that he said was not in the books before. He mentioned that before coming to America, he envisioned a country that was welcoming of diversity and inclusive of all backgrounds and a place he would put down roots. His thoughts on the U.S. have evolved drastically. 'My family and my best friends, they had a phone call with me to say, 'Hey, I think maybe you should come back. We think that there's no reason for you to stay in the U.S,'' he said. Gisela Perez Kusakawa, executive director of the nonprofit Asian Scholar Forum, said that the new policy would only serve to harm the U.S. and its own research ambitions. 'We know that many of our best and brightest talents are prominent scientists that have gone on to develop so many innovations that have changed the daily lives of so many Americans,' she said. 'They started out as international students. They walked these campuses.' She also noted that it's likely policymakers are guided by misconceptions around Chinese nationals. While there's been a longstanding belief that Chinese international students would take intelligence back to China, research shows that most hope to start their lives in America. From 2005 to 2015, 87% of Chinese Ph.D. students said that they intended to stay in the U.S. A separate survey of more than 1,300 Chinese American researchers found that 89% 'aimed to help advance U.S. leadership in science and technology.' As disappointing as the Rubio announcement was, Kusakawa underscored that it isn't necessarily surprising. In March, Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would halt the issuance of student visas to Chinese nationals looking to study at U.S. universities or take part in exchange programs. 'In many ways, there was already this existing fear that this could potentially become a reality,' Kusakawa said. 'But perhaps what is surprising is the speed in which it's happening.' So far, the announcement has drawn mass criticism from many high-profile Chinese American lawmakers and leaders, including Gary Locke, a former U.S. ambassador to China and the chair of the Chinese American nonprofit Committee of 100, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. 'The wholesale revocation of student visas based on national origin — and without an investigation — is xenophobic and wrong,' the lawmakers said on social media. 'Turning these students away — many of whom simply wish to learn in a free and democratic society — is not just shortsighted but a betrayal of our values.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Dr. John Fortuna Announces Healthcare Grant Challenging Students to Redefine Aging through Innovation in Longevity and Regenerative Medicine
Dr. John Fortuna CLEVELAND, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Dr. John Fortuna Grant, founded by Cleveland-based chiropractor and wellness advocate Dr. John Fortuna, is now accepting applications for the 2026 cycle. This nationwide academic grant invites eligible healthcare students to present visionary ideas about the future of aging, longevity, and regenerative medicine—an initiative that aligns with Dr. John Fortuna's lifelong dedication to health, prevention, and sustainable wellness. Open to undergraduate and graduate students across the United States, the Dr. John Fortuna Grant seeks to recognize and support those who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to evolving healthcare to enhance longevity and vitality for aging populations. As life expectancy increases, the quality of those additional years is a critical focus in medical discourse, particularly through advancements in regenerative medicine. Dr. John Fortuna sees this grant as a catalyst for encouraging young minds to address this challenge with innovative solutions. Dr. John Fortuna has built a respected reputation as a thought leader in integrative healthcare. A graduate of Cleveland State University and Life University College of Chiropractic, Dr. John Fortuna has spent decades helping individuals achieve healthier, more active lives. His experience includes leadership in multidisciplinary health clinics, hands-on patient care, and participation in international medical missions. Now, with the Dr. John Fortuna Grant, he is creating a platform for students to share transformative visions for longevity and regenerative medicine in healthcare. Eligibility Criteria To apply for the Dr. John Fortuna Grant, students must: Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate healthcare-related program. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Demonstrate financial need. Submit an original essay between 500–1000 words in response to the following prompt:'Imagine a world where 100 is the new 60: How can healthcare, through innovations in longevity and regenerative medicine, evolve to make aging a journey of strength, not decline? Share your vision for medicine that extends vitality, not just years.' In addition to the essay, applicants must provide: An unofficial academic transcript A one-page resume or CV One letter of recommendation from a faculty member or mentor All application materials must be submitted via email to apply@ by February 15, 2026. This initiative not only provides financial assistance but also recognizes students capable of introducing practical and innovative solutions to enhance longevity through regenerative medicine. Dr. John Fortuna believes today's students will lead tomorrow's healthcare revolutions, particularly in the field of regenerative medicine—and this grant spotlights those with the talent and vision to do so. The Dr. John Fortuna Grant is open to students from any U.S. city or state. What matters most is the applicant's ability to think critically, creatively, and compassionately about the evolving role of healthcare in promoting longevity and vitality through regenerative medicine. With this program, Dr. John Fortuna continues his mission to promote holistic, preventive, and patient-centered healthcare. The grant affirms his belief that longevity should be matched by vitality, and that the future of regenerative medicine depends on those who dare to think differently. To learn more about the Dr. John Fortuna Grant and how to apply, please visit: Contact Info: Spokesperson: Dr. John Fortuna Organization: Dr. John Fortuna Grant Website: Email: apply@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Dr. John Fortuna Announces Healthcare Grant Challenging Students to Redefine Aging through Innovation in Longevity and Regenerative Medicine
Dr. John Fortuna CLEVELAND, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Dr. John Fortuna Grant, founded by Cleveland-based chiropractor and wellness advocate Dr. John Fortuna, is now accepting applications for the 2026 cycle. This nationwide academic grant invites eligible healthcare students to present visionary ideas about the future of aging, longevity, and regenerative medicine—an initiative that aligns with Dr. John Fortuna's lifelong dedication to health, prevention, and sustainable wellness. Open to undergraduate and graduate students across the United States, the Dr. John Fortuna Grant seeks to recognize and support those who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to evolving healthcare to enhance longevity and vitality for aging populations. As life expectancy increases, the quality of those additional years is a critical focus in medical discourse, particularly through advancements in regenerative medicine. Dr. John Fortuna sees this grant as a catalyst for encouraging young minds to address this challenge with innovative solutions. Dr. John Fortuna has built a respected reputation as a thought leader in integrative healthcare. A graduate of Cleveland State University and Life University College of Chiropractic, Dr. John Fortuna has spent decades helping individuals achieve healthier, more active lives. His experience includes leadership in multidisciplinary health clinics, hands-on patient care, and participation in international medical missions. Now, with the Dr. John Fortuna Grant, he is creating a platform for students to share transformative visions for longevity and regenerative medicine in healthcare. Eligibility Criteria To apply for the Dr. John Fortuna Grant, students must: Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate healthcare-related program. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Demonstrate financial need. Submit an original essay between 500–1000 words in response to the following prompt:'Imagine a world where 100 is the new 60: How can healthcare, through innovations in longevity and regenerative medicine, evolve to make aging a journey of strength, not decline? Share your vision for medicine that extends vitality, not just years.' In addition to the essay, applicants must provide: An unofficial academic transcript A one-page resume or CV One letter of recommendation from a faculty member or mentor All application materials must be submitted via email to apply@ by February 15, 2026. This initiative not only provides financial assistance but also recognizes students capable of introducing practical and innovative solutions to enhance longevity through regenerative medicine. Dr. John Fortuna believes today's students will lead tomorrow's healthcare revolutions, particularly in the field of regenerative medicine—and this grant spotlights those with the talent and vision to do so. The Dr. John Fortuna Grant is open to students from any U.S. city or state. What matters most is the applicant's ability to think critically, creatively, and compassionately about the evolving role of healthcare in promoting longevity and vitality through regenerative medicine. With this program, Dr. John Fortuna continues his mission to promote holistic, preventive, and patient-centered healthcare. The grant affirms his belief that longevity should be matched by vitality, and that the future of regenerative medicine depends on those who dare to think differently. To learn more about the Dr. John Fortuna Grant and how to apply, please visit: Contact Info: Spokesperson: Dr. John Fortuna Organization: Dr. John Fortuna Grant Website: Email: apply@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at