"It's about embracing the things that make you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable."
Musician, actor, and activist Janelle Monáe joined Cheddar on Monday to talk about an ad campaign she's working on with Belvedere Vodka that emphasizes inclusion and diversity.
"We have a shared vision about making this world much better. Inclusion is at the top of my list. Inclusion for women, minorities, and my brothers and sisters in the LGBTQIA+ communities," said Monáe.
The venture, which began last year, is called "A Beautiful Future," and involves a coordinated limited edition bottle, a social media campaign, and a video series led by female directors.
The bottle is available beginning this month.
"It's the whole idea that inclusiveness is really the mainstream now," said Rodney Williams, the president and CEO of the vodka brand.
The campaign began at a 2018 brunch co-hosted by Monáe and Belvedere. The event was in support of Monáe's Fem the Future movement, which aims to encourage those who identify as women working in the media, cinema, and arts fields.
"It's really to highlight women's voices, and to say — hey — we're noticing that there is a gender gap. And there's not a lot of women who are behind the cameras. I'm in front of them, where are the producers? Where are the engineers? Where are we?" said Monáe.
"We're here. And we can compete at a high level, but we have to be given those opportunities."
Car debt is piling up for consumers, according to a Bloomberg News report. The outlet found that the amount of negative equity, or the amount that debt surpasses a vehicle's value, is building up.
Elon Musk took the stage for Tesla's 2023 Investor Day in Austin, Texas and unveiled what he called the company's Master Plan 3, which emphasizes "sustainable energy for all of Earth."
The cannabis industry is continuing to explode around the world and, at its current pace, is projected to balloon to a market value of nearly $60 billion by 2027, according to cannabis data company BDSA.
U.S. markets ended mostly lower on the first day of March, on data indicating inflation is likely to stay high and Federal Reserve policymakers hinted support for more aggressive rate hikes. Cheddar News speaks with Sam Stovall, Chief Investment Strategist at CFRA who breaks down the market's action.
