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Local Author Ron L. Dowell Chronicles Life in 1950s and 60s Los Angeles in New Book: Crooked Out of Compton

In the vibrant tapestry of California’s history, often overlooked are the voices of those who lived and thrived in its urban landscapes, particularly during tumultuous times. Enter Ron L. Dowell, a native son of Watts, Los Angeles, whose upcoming book, Crooked Out of Compton, paints a vivid picture of life in South Central LA during the 1950s and 60s.

Dowell’s journey from the streets of Watts to becoming an author is as compelling as the stories he shares. Born and raised amidst the backdrop of the Jordan Downs Public Housing Projects, Dowell’s upbringing was marked by the challenges and resilience of his community. His parents, migrants from North Texas, instilled in him the values of hard work and determination, traits that would shape his path in life.

Navigating the streets lined with industrial factories and junkyards, Dowell found solace in the pages of D.C. comics and the Compton Encyclopedias his mother purchased from a door-to-door salesman. These early encounters with literature ignited a passion for storytelling that would eventually lead him to become a published author.

Crooked Out of Compton is more than just a collection of stories; it’s a testament to the human spirit in the face of adversity. Through the eyes of characters like Sheriff’s deputy Daniel Brown and Trina Thomas, Dowell sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of everyday life in South Central LA. From institutional bias to the struggle for basic needs, each story is a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

But Dowell’s journey doesn’t stop there. A lifelong public servant, he spent over four decades working in healthcare and law enforcement for Los Angeles County. Despite facing setbacks and challenges, including struggles with addiction and institutional rejection, Dowell never wavered in his commitment to serving his community.

Now, with Crooked Out of Compton, Dowell hopes to inspire others to overcome their own obstacles and find hope in the face of adversity. His dedication to sharing the untold stories of South Central LA serves as a beacon of hope for future generations.

As Dowell prepares for the release of his book, he reflects on the journey that brought him here. From the dusty streets of Watts to the hills above the Port of Los Angeles, his story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the written word.

In a world where voices like his are often overlooked, Ron L. Dowell’s Crooked Out of Compton is a timely reminder of the importance of storytelling in preserving our shared history and inspiring change. As readers embark on this journey through the streets of South Central LA, they’ll find themselves captivated by the richness of Dowell’s narrative and the enduring spirit of the community he calls home.

To learn more about Ron Dowll and his upcoming book Crooked Out of Compton, visit him on Facebook.

Published by: Nelly Chavez

The Iconic Speakers Network Community: Unleashing the Power of Voice in a Global Arena

In an era where the digital landscape is saturated with fleeting content and transient messages, the Iconic Speakers Network (ISN) stands as a beacon for those seeking to make an indelible mark on the world through the power of voice. With a mission transcending mere communication, ISN is dedicated to harnessing the potential of the press, public speaking, and publicity to “cast ripples of change across the globe,” transforming every stage and airwave into a platform for international dialogue and unity. This lofty ambition is not just rhetoric; it’s backed by an array of services and opportunities designed to elevate voices that yearn to be heard.

At its core, ISN offers a free exclusive directory that allows individuals to enter a realm where their voices can resonate more profoundly. This directory isn’t just a listing; it’s a vibrant community—a VIP members-only enclave where exclusivity meets opportunity. Herein lies what makes ISN unique: its commitment to fostering connections that empower individuals to amplify their message across diverse platforms.

Membership within this distinguished community unlocks exclusive pricing for media placement opportunities, speaking events, expert-designed PR strategies and campaigns, awards, funding, and more. Each offering is meticulously crafted to ensure members are not just participants but standout figures in their respective fields. Whether through delivering compelling speeches at prestigious events or securing impactful media placements, ISN provides the tools necessary for success in today’s competitive environment.

The benefits of joining the Iconic Speakers Network Community extend beyond tangible resources. Membership signifies being part of a collective that values transformative ideas and constructive discourse. It’s about being associated with a brand that makes every stage and airwave matter through dialogue in the quest for global unity. This philosophy is encapsulated in ISN’s rallying cry: “Harnessing the power of press, public speaking, and publicity to cast ripples of change across the globe.”

Engagement with ISN does not end at membership; it’s only the beginning. The network encourages active participation through its social media platforms and its insightful newsletter, ‘The Iconic Illuminator.’ These channels offer continuous learning experiences and avenues for interaction among members and broader audiences worldwide.

Furthermore, ISN appreciates that success in public speaking and media engagement requires more than talent, it demands strategy. To this end, members can access bespoke PR strategies designed by experts who understand how to navigate the complex waters of public attention. These strategies are not generic templates but tailored plans that consider each member’s unique strengths, audience demographics, and objectives.

Recognition also plays an essential role within this ecosystem. Through awards and accolades facilitated by ISN, members receive acknowledgment for their contributions toward fostering dialogue and understanding across borders. Such recognition elevates individual profiles and underscores their commitment to making meaningful impacts through their words.

Looking forward into an increasingly interconnected world underscores the importance of funding initiatives to amplify voices from diverse backgrounds, ISN actively seeks opportunities for its members to secure financial backing for projects aligned with its mission—initiatives poised to leave lasting societal imprints.

The Iconic Speakers Network Community represents more than access to resources; it embodies becoming part of a movement dedicated to using speech as both an art form and an instrument for change. With each speech delivered and the story told through this network’s support system—from media placements to strategic public relations campaigns—members contribute to building bridges where walls once stood.

Those interested in becoming part of this transformative journey can join the community or subscribe to The Iconic Illuminator newsletter via LinkedIn. For further insights into how ISN is shaping global narratives one speech at a time or connecting with other like-minded individuals committed to making every word count towards crafting better futures together, visit www.TheIconicSpeakersNetwork.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn.

Published by: Nelly Chavez

Cuisine Solutions, World Leader in Sous Vide, Exhibits at National Restaurant Association Show

Cuisine Solutions, the world’s largest sous vide manufacturer, and pioneer of the method, will exhibit at the National Restaurant Association Show this May at McCormick Place at Lakeside Center hall in Chicago, at booth 10442. The renowned international team of award-winning chefs—led by Chef Sean Wheaton, Vice President of Culinary—will utilize a ventless reheating bistro-style kitchen to showcase the company’s range of prepared sous vide products. They will demonstrate the versatility of sous vide beyond restaurants and illuminate the boundless culinary and operational applications made possible with sous vide. 

At the NRAS, Cuisine Solutions will feature an ever-changing menu, with options ranging from breakfast offerings like the company’s industry-shifting Sous Vide Egg Bites, as well as Chia Pudding Parfait with Berry Coulis and Fresh Berries, produced by the company’s chefs in Thailand. Lunch options will include salads such as Thai Chilled Noodles with Snow Peas, Sliced Chicken and Cashews with Thai Curry Dressing, as well as sandwiches like Roasted Turkey with Brie and Apple Chutney and Shaved Prime Rib with White Cheddar and Garlic Horseradish Aioli. Mains will be featured with choices like Mediterranean Octopus with Garlic White Beans and Tomato Confit and Wagyu Pot Roast, Wagyu brisket with Baby Vegetables and Port Wine Sauce. 

Cuisine Solutions will cater this year’s Snack Break during the Show’s Keynote with acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian, José Andrés. Cuisine Solutions enjoys a close relationship with Andrés and World Central Kitchen. Cuisine Solutions has supported numerous WCK missions since its inception, first collaborating with Andrés  and his team during Katrina, and recently in Ukraine, where Cuisine Solutions’ Chairman Stanislas Vilgrain drove a team of trucks carrying ready-to-eat Cuisine Solutions products from France into Ukraine. Cuisine Solutions’ Chef Wheaton worked for years with Andrés at ThinkFoodGroup.

Headquartered in Sterling, Virginia, Cuisine Solutions services more than 30,000 restaurants to streamline their operations, helping to reduce waste, lower labor costs, and save hours of prep time for chefs in the kitchen. The company’s wide-ranging line of sous vide prepared products includes proteins, sauces, grains, plant-based products, and their hugely popular egg bites. Their pasteurized sous vide items offer 18 months of shelf life frozen, six days when defrosted, and can be finished in the oven, on a stovetop, or other method in mere minutes. This allows food service cooks to save time, simplifying the complexity of inventory challenges and offering a consistent solution without sacrificing customer satisfaction. 

The company offers bespoke service, training teams on reheating and finishing the sous vide products. The Research and Development team helps to develop custom products and LTOs for restaurants and provides consultation on broadening restaurant chain menus to feature items like plant-based offerings.

Sous vide, which means “under vacuum” in French, is a cooking method developed by Dr. Bruno Goussault, the France-born Chief Scientist of Cuisine Solutions. Ingredients are placed in a vacuum-sealed food-grade plastic pouch and cooked submerged in water at a constant time and temperature until the product is fully cooked. Cuisine Solutions’ advanced technology guarantees a perfect replication of the chefs’ recipes every time.  

About Cuisine Solutions

Led by an international team of award-winning chefs, Cuisine Solutions is the world’s leading manufacturer of sous vide products — the innovative, precise-cooking technique the company pioneered, perfected, and popularized decades ago. Headquartered in Sterling, Virginia, Cuisine Solutions services more than 30,000 restaurants and 6,000 retailers, as well as major airlines and hotels. For more information, visit www.cuisinesolutions.com.

 

Published by: Khy Talara

 

 

Revolutionizing Deepfake Speech Detection with Behavioral Profiling

By: Jay Feldman

In an era where digital authenticity is increasingly under scrutiny, the integrity of communication stands as a bulwark against the tide of misinformation. At the forefront of this battle is Behavioral Signals, a pioneering entity whose proprietary machine intelligence technology is revolutionizing the way we discern truth from fabrication in digital audio. This innovative solution delves beyond mere voice recognition, venturing into the intricate labyrinth of speech patterns to construct language-agnostic behavioral profiles as unique as fingerprints.

Behavioral Signals’ approach to ensuring digital communication integrity is both profound and nuanced. Instead of focusing on superficial voice characteristics, their technology meticulously analyzes a plethora of subtle speech details that define individuality. These include but are not limited to speech rate, volume, tone, hesitations, affective nuances, and intonation changes. By evaluating these metrics within the context of interaction dynamics, Behavioral Signals crafts comprehensive behavioral profiles based on historical speech data such as calls, interviews, lectures, and public speeches.

The essence of this method lies in its ability to detect deviations from established conversational norms for every given speaker. Such deviations may signal potential deepfake audio attempts—a menace that threatens not just public figures but the very fabric of trust in our digital age. Through meticulous analysis against behavioral benchmarks, the Behavioral Signals’ system can identify inconsistencies indicative of artificial manipulation or generation.

One cornerstone feature setting Behavioral Signals apart is its commitment to explainability. Upon detecting an inconsistency, the system doesn’t merely flag it; it illuminates the discovery by pinpointing exactly where and how the audio deviates from expected patterns. This transparency fosters trust and facilitates deeper investigation into flagged content.

Scaling to meet global needs without language barriers further underscores the versatility and robustness of Behavioral Signals’ solution. Initially concentrating on public figures due to their high exposure risk to deepfake attempts, there’s immense potential for application across various domains where speech authenticity is crucial—from legal proceedings and media broadcasts to secure communications and beyond.

Our deepfake detection engine determines whether selected audio recording is a deepfake or not,” explains Rana Gujral, CEO at Behavioral Signals. “Audios may include multiple speakers and languages and also have a lot of noise. The corresponding deepfake vs. real scores/probabilities are estimated robustly in every  case and are provided for the entire audio recording or at segment level every 3-5 seconds.” This meticulous attention ensures that even partially faked audio does not escape detection.

As we navigate through an increasingly digitized world where audio deepfakes pose a formidable challenge to maintaining trust in digital communications, Behavioral Signals emerge as a beacon of hope and innovation. Their groundbreaking work not only signifies a leap forward in combating misinformation but also reinforces our collective endeavor toward preserving authenticity in digital discourse.

Through relentless innovation and unwavering dedication to transparency, explainability, scalability, and versatility—Behavioral Signals not only pioneers advanced solutions in detecting deep fakes but also champions the cause for genuine communication in our interconnected world. The company’s transformative impact spans various industries, from strengthening security and defense operations to redefining contact centers and empowering financial institutions with invaluable insights. With its innovative approach, Behavioral Signals reshape the way connections are made and understood, ushering in a new era of communication.

In alignment with its mission to safeguard digital integrity across borders and languages, Behavioral Signals extends its invitation for collaboration via social media platforms:

– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/behavioralsignals/mycompany

– Twitter: https://twitter.com/behaviorsignals

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralsignals

For more information about their transformative technology or to reach out for partnerships and inquiries:

Website: https://behavioralsignals.com

Published by: Nelly Chavez