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."
Verizon Wireless said it plans to raise the prices of some of its plans.
Food service workers in Las Vegas are set to take to the Strip Thursday as they demand higher pay and better benefits.
GM President Mark Reuss joined Cheddar News to discuss the company's new Cadillac Escalade electric vehicle and talked about how to make affordable EVs for the general public. "That's who we are as a company -- we will offer vehicles for everybody and every different income level," he said.
Lauren Fix, automotive expert with 'The Car Coach,' spoke with Cheddar News to provide tips and advantages on buying a used vehicle. "You let somebody else take the depreciation, which is probably one of the best things ... you then move in at a two- or three-year-old vehicle that maybe was leased, and you can get some great values," she said.
Disney said it's increasing prices for its ad-free streaming services as the company is losing subscribers and also announced it planned to crack down on password-sharing. Cheddar News' Michelle Castillo broke down Disney's moves.
Lawrence Sprung, a certified financial planner and author of 'Financial Planning Made Personal' shares advice about how to teach kids to use credit wisely.
Disney is cracking down on password sharing for Disney+ users.
Tapestry, the parent company of luxury handbag Coach and Kate Spade, agreed to buy Capri Holdings, the owner of fashion brands including Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo.
Disney reported a mixed performance in its latest quarterly results.
Inflation in the United States edged up in July after 12 straight months of declines.
