Aerie, the women's lingerie and lifestyle retailer that has staked its mission on empowering women to love themselves as they are, is now taking its message of support one step further by pouring $400,000 into helping leaders make improvements in their own communities.
The company announced eight new #AerieREAL Role Models on Thursday along with 20 changemakers who will each receive $20,000 grants to benefit their work.
"We're doing so much at Aerie, and I think the fact that we're actually giving people the money, and also the investment of our energy, our time, and our platforms is something that no one else is doing," said Iskra Lawrence, a fashion model who was named an Aerie Role Model in 2016.
The company, which began shifting its brand messaging to encourage women to "love your real self — inside and out" in 2014 when it stopped airbrushing photos, is "standing for something," Jen Foyle, Aerie global brand president told Cheddar.
Among the new Role Models named this year are Tony-winner Ali Stroker, actress Lana Condor, and DJ Tiff McFierce.
"It's been really fun mentoring the girls," Lawrence said. "It is a community. It's not just the Role Models. We spread that community to our customers as well."
"We keep looking forward," Foyle said. "What can we do different? Because, like I said, our competition is now following. We have to lead and there's so much more to talk about."
The holiday season is underway and it's a good time to put your Christmas tree up if you haven't already. But making your home festive can be costly. Cameron Forbes, founder of Forbes Functions, joined Cheddar News to provide tips for decorating on a dime.
Google is moving forward with its previously-announced plan to delete inactive accounts and all associated data.
Federal regulators are investigating Chevrolet Volt hybrid cars after some drivers reported issues including sudden power loss and failure to restart.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell weighed in on interest rates, some of Tesla's cybertrucks have been delivered, Apple and Paramount have reportedly discussed bundling their streaming services together and Panera Bread has reportedly filed to go public.
Accounting firm PWC is facing a $7 million fine from U.S. regulators.
Build-A-Bear Workshop has been one of the most recognizable and beloved toy brands in the world since opening in 1997. Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, spoke with Cheddar News about its plans for the holiday season this year as well as the company's first animated feature film.
Pfizer will stop the development of its twice-daily weight loss pill due to adverse side effects.
Stocks were generally flat after the opening bell on Friday ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments in a speech at Spelman College later. Investors are growing optimistic that the central bank is done raising rates and may start cutting next year.
Holiday shopping on a budget.
The network of nearly 4,800 fake accounts was attempting to build an audience when it was identified and eliminated by the tech company, which owns Facebook and Instagram.
