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Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TIME100 Philanthropy Dinner: Honorees' Toasts
Lin-Manuel Miranda speaks at the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Philanthropy, in New York City on May 22, 2025. Credit - Craig Barritt—Getty Images/TIME Playwrights, poets, and athletes gathered at One World Trade Center—a site commemorating the power of hope, restoration, and coming together—as they shared messages about the importance of investing towards a better future during the TIME100 Philanthropy Impact Dinner on Thursday. The TIME100 Philanthropy list highlights 100 leaders who are dedicated to giving. The inaugural event took place during what some refer to as a 'generosity crisis,' as the number of Americans giving to charity is decreasing—down from two-thirds in the early 2000s to less than half in 2020. The federal government is also tightening its wallet, unleashing a broad cancellation of federal funding of foreign aid and other programs, especially those that highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion. That decline in giving comes alongside elevated rates of global inequality. Nearly three-quarters of Americans say that they believe their children will be worse off financially than their parents, according to the Pew Research Center, a sentiment shared by those in Canada, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. The inaugural event saw honorees acknowledge those tensions, while highlighting the causes that matter to them and trying to motivate others toward action. Here's what eight honorees who gave toasts during the dinner said: COVID-19 was a big talking point of the night, as honorees spoke about the way the pandemic spurred them to take charitable action as existing inequalities became more apparent. For Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, the work close to his heart involved closing the digital divide—unequal access to technology and the internet. Students of color were particularly affected by the issue, as 1 in 4 Black teens had a hard time completing school assignments because of limited access to technology, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine. 'Education is the on-ramp to the American Dream, but without home internet access, millions of students were suddenly cut off,' said Griffin, whose $7.5 million donation helped the city of Chicago provide students with the internet access necessary for virtual learning. 'Philanthropists are the venture capitalists of humanity—funding bold ideas to solve our greatest challenges. So tonight, I'd like to raise a toast—to everyone here who has given so much to create a better world, and to inspire future generations to do the same.' Ayesha Curry, a food and lifestyle entrepreneur, felt similar urgency just one year after she and her husband, four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry, launched Eat. Learn. Play., when the pandemic expedited their pursuit of improving children's wellbeing into action. 'I remember looking around and realizing that kids weren't just losing access to school, they were losing meals, books, safe spaces to play and learn. They were honestly losing a fighting chance to thrive,' Ayesha Curry said. 'That moment fundamentally shifted our approach. It wasn't just about reacting to a crisis—it was about reimagining what sustained, community-driven support could look like.' Her immediate focus was on providing families with meals and groceries, though the organization has grown to include literacy programs, tutoring, and more. 'The entrepreneurial spirit that continues to guide us is simple yet powerful,' she said. 'Listen deeply and act boldly.' The night continued with calls for unity and bravery by numerous honorees, including Andrew W. Mellon Foundation president Elizabeth Alexander. Under her leadership, the organization works to provide funding for the arts and humanities, though she has also been a strong steward for diversity—both of which are under attack by the Trump Administration. The President proposed shutting down the National Endowment for the Arts, the largest funder for the arts, in a budget proposal in May, though the agency is just one of several cultural institutions facing attacks. 'I believe in the collective power of our voices,' Alexander said. 'It could not be more important now: our courage is tested, our sense of doing for others and belonging to others is tested.' Alexander encouraged people to care for one another for the greater collective good. 'We are each other's harvest. We are each other's business,' she added. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and artist Lin-Manuel Miranda, who says his roots in advocacy are part of his family ethos, started his speech by calling diversity the 'greatest thing we have and the greatest thing we export as a country.' Miranda and his family are the founders of the Miranda Family Fund, an organization which helps support artists of color in the entertainment industry. The work is especially significant as Latinos, who make up nearly one-fifth of the total U.S. population and are the country's largest racial or ethnic minority population, hold less than 5% of film industry roles. 'More stories mean better stories mean better representation,' Miranda said. He also used the moment to combat the anti-immigrant rhetoric of federal officials and politicians. Nearly half of all U.S. immigrants come from Latin America, according to the Pew Research Center, though the Administration is making strong efforts to reshape the face of the country through efforts to end birthright citizenship and end legal protections for Venezuelan migrants. 'At a time when immigrants are being vilified more than ever and scapegoated for all the ills of the world—I didn't mean it as an applause line but it gets the biggest applause in our show, Hamilton, which is celebrating its 10th year: 'Immigrants, we get the job done.'' Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and the UAE's special envoy for business and philanthropy, spoke about reimagining philanthropy from an act that's 'transactional,' to something 'transformational.' 'Real philanthropy isn't charity. It's about letting what we see change us, and allowing that change to shape how we live with compassion and courage,' he said. 'Reflection matters, because it's not just about generosity, it's also about accountability.' Scott Miller, former U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and co-chair of the Gill Foundation, toasted to the activists who came before him. Miller spoke about the power of Frank Kameny, an army man who was fired from his job because of his sexuality. 'Where most were forced to retreat—into the closet, into silence, even into the grave—Frank fought. He took his case all the way to the Supreme Court, and though he lost that battle, he laid the foundation for a movement that would never again be silenced,' Miller said. 'Frank didn't wait for permission from those who'd sought to keep him invisible. He marched, he organized, and he coined the simple but world-shaking phrase: Gay is Good.' Miller's words come at a fraught moment for LGBTQ+ Americans as the Supreme Court is set to hear cases on the legality of conversion therapy, and even the future of same-sex marriage appears shakey. Transgender and nonbinary folks have been particularly affected, due to Executive Orders seeking to rollback access to sports, gender-affirming-care, and accurate gender markers on federal documents. 'Tonight I raise my glass to all those who showed us what it means to push forward with purpose,' he added. 'Progress belongs to those who dare.' Investor K. Lisa Yang highlighted the global change that has been made possible due to her philanthropic giving, which reached more than $74.5 million in 2024 and included helping advance research into gene therapy for autism and designing the first bionic leg. Yang dedicated her speech to her children, who inspired her to work towards creating a world where neurodiverse individuals are respected. Quoting the philosopher Maimonides, Yang said: 'The highest rung of charity is helping someone to help themselves.' David Beckham dedicated his speech to young women and girls worldwide, but especially those that live in zones of political conflict. The 50-year-old former professional footballer and entrepreneur highlighted his work with UNICEF to end gender-based violence and increase access to education. 'Whatever the situation, young people deserve our time and our commitment to ensure a more free and fair world,' Beckham said. 'Right now the world is a more dangerous place for children than any time since the Second World War. These children need us to advocate, and they need us to act. Let's not give up on them together.' TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Philanthropy was presented by The Art of Living Foundation, Cessna by Textron Aviation, and IBM. Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Willy Chavarria Is Redefining American Menswear Through Latinx Heritage
Craig Barritt/ Slaven Vlasic for The New School When Willy Chavarria's debut collection with adidas Originals was revealed earlier this month, fans were elated. In addition to having adoration for the designer who stands up for LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and human rights, his collaboration with the international sporting brand would elevate his storytelling to the larger market. Chavarria, a proud Mexican-American, infuses his cultural identity into all of his work and this latest project was a direct reflection of that connection. Previewed pieces from Willy Chavarría x Adidas Spring/Summer 25' had his signature black and red color palette with adidas' classic 3-striped sides. The collection also brings back to life the archival adidas Jabbar sneaker, created for Kareem Abdul Jabbar, one of the most celebrated basketball players of all time. The collection appeals to streetwear lovers but also shows Chavarria's extensive knowledge of Chicano history and visibility in fashion. The same could be said for when he showed up the 2025 Met Gala, themed after Black dandies. Maluma and Chavarria came to the event together wearing custom suits from Chavarria with shoes from Portuguese designer Carlos Santos. Chavarria, whose father is Mexican, referenced the Pachuco style of the 1930s for the vibrant suits. Pachucos and Pachucas were a subset of Mexican Americans who, in an attempt to defy xenophobic attacks on their community, wore their own versions of Zoot suits. 'The Pachuco, as we know, is the quintessential dandy from the 30s and 40s representing Latinos and Black (people) who dressed as a form of resistance to the beauty,' Chavarría told WWD, "I hope to encapsulate that.' Beyond the Met, Chavarria is a genius when it comes to cultural symbolism. His Chicano heritage shows up in his prints, silhouettes, casting, and runway music. He's shifting the conversations around luxury fashion inclusion in every garment he makes. He's intentional about the artists he works with like Kendrick Lamar, YG, Tokischa, and Becky G. And he's outwardly promoting credit being given where its due. Last night, the designer was honored at the 76th Annual Parsons Benefit. Chavarria accepted his award from Executive Deputy Director of the ACLU, AJ Hikes, who made a moving speech on the importance of diversity and inclusion. But before he took to the stage, he shared what he wished more people knew about his Chicano history. 'It really started [with] the Pachuco suit in the thirties and forties, which was, as we know, outlawed; Brown people could not wear the suit,' Chavarria says. 'But that evolved into a baggy look, which went from Pachuco into more modern age Cholo, which were gang related. And the gang relations were actually a way to claim territory that had been robbed. And unfortunately, it turned into drugs and violence, but that's the way the world built us." Adding, 'That influence in fashion, baggy clothes, has stayed around. It went from the Mexican influence to the skate culture, which immediately took that and profited off it. And we got all those brands that went to town with the baggy [clothing]. And now we see baggy everywhere. We see major luxury brands claiming it.' Every so often, the fashion industry gets a disruptor who challenges the status quo and creates a seat at the table for those left out. Chavarria's work is not only inspiring, it's paving a path for designers to be authentic about who they are. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mariska Hargitay
Credit - Craig Barritt—Town & Country/Getty Images To millions of TV viewers, Mariska Hargitay is Olivia Benson, the tough but compassionate NYPD captain who has been tackling crimes for the past 26 years on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Away from the cameras, Hargitay channels that same fierce dedication into her real-world role as a powerful advocate for survivors of sexual assault. Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation, which she launched in 2004, focuses on changing the way society responds to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse through education, advocacy, and strategic grants. Since 2010, it has prioritized tackling the vast backlog of untested rape kits in the U.S.—crucial DNA evidence that is often left unprocessed, which can delay justice and potentially allow repeat offenders to remain free. Through its End the Backlog campaign, the foundation has identified tens of thousands of untested kits, funded training to clear the backlog, and driven policy changes. Its six pillars of reform—which include mandating statewide kit tracking, testing timelines, and victim notifications—have now been fully adopted by 21 states and the District of Columbia, with 11 others close behind. In 2024, Hargitay shared a more personal connection to her foundation's work. In an essay published by People, Hargitay revealed that she had been raped by a then-friend when she was in her 30s—a fact that took her decades to come to terms with. 'I couldn't process it,' she wrote. 'I was building Joyful Heart on the outside so I could do the work on the inside.' Contact us at letters@
New York Post
27-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
America's favorite beers revealed — see which is most popular in your state
America loves beer. From IPAs to lagers, America's preference for beer varies across regions and states, though one brand seems to stand out from the rest. Advertisement In a recent study by Coffeeness, a German coffee-focused website that publishes beverage-related studies, analysts compiled a ranking of the most popular beer in each state. Using data from YouGov's popularity ratings, as well as search data from Google, the study provides a 'comprehensive picture' of America's beer preferences. 'Our analysis reveals some surprising patterns and confirms a number of long-held assumptions,' the study stated. America's favorite brand is Miller, which ranked as the most searched beer in 30 states, representing 60% of the country. Miller ranked the highest in states on both coasts, from Washington to Maine, plus Alaska and Hawaii. Advertisement 'Miller's widespread appeal likely stems from its accessibility, consistent flavor profile and strong marketing presence,' Coffeeness wrote in the study. Coors ranks second, a favorite of eight states, including Arizona, California and Texas. 3 From IPAs to lagers, America's preference for beer varies across regions and states, though one brand seems to stand out from the states – Georgia, New Jersey and South Carolina – put Guinness at the top of the list. Advertisement Budweiser and Bud Light only led searches in four states combined, despite massive advertising campaigns. 'The 2023 controversy surrounding Bud Light may have had something to do with this,' according to the study. Budweiser was the top choice in Missouri and New Hampshire, while North Carolina and Ohio preferred Bud Light. (Anheuser-Busch, which owns Budweiser and Bud Light, is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.) 3 America's favorite brand is Miller, which ranked as the most searched beer in 30 states, representing 60% of the country. Craig Barritt Advertisement 3 Blue Moon is top of the barrel in Colorado. The craft-style beer is produced by parent company Coors, which also calls Colorado its home state. Neilson Barnard A few other brands are top choices in only one or two states, reflecting localized popularity. Blue Moon is top of the barrel in Colorado. The craft-style beer is produced by parent company Coors, which also calls Colorado its home state. 'This suggests that Coloradans may appreciate the more craft-oriented offering from their local brewing giant,' Coffeeness wrote. Corona ranked highest in only one state: Connecticut. 'The Mexican lager's association with beach relaxation and lime-garnished refreshment may resonate with coastal Connecticut residents,' the researchers stated.
