Richard L. Mayo II
CAN TV Chief of External Affairs

Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) has announced the appointment of Richard L. Mayo II as Chief of External Affairs. Mayo will join CAN TV after serving most recently as Senior Director of Marketing & Communications at McCormick Theological Seminary. He brings over a decade of experience in marketing, communications, nonprofit operations, and creative leadership in diverse communities. 

"We're so excited to welcome Richard to CAN TV as we work in the coming months to make one of the largest and most prominent community access networks in the nation even better," said Darrious Hilmon, Executive Director of CAN TV. "This fall, CAN TV is expanding its prime-time lineup, launching new podcasts, making it easier to stream content online, and more. Richard will help reintroduce CAN TV to our long-time fans and ensure more Chicagoans know about this unique local resource."

Mayo is excited about the opportunity and ready to continue to build on the great work, and legacy, of CAN TV.

"CAN TV truly puts the HYPE in hyper-local and I am excited to continue the work of platforming the views and voices of communities that are often overlooked and underrepresented," said Mayo. "There is no city like Chicago and there is no better place than CAN TV to see the latest and greatest of our city, listen to the various perspectives of its citizens, and grow together in community. Let's go!"

Mayo will support recent initiatives to grow the station as it evolves to represent the way people consume media today. This month, the network's new website went live. It includes 24/7 live streams of CAN TV's four program channels and on-demand episodes for popular shows. Also this month, the network launched a new signature programming block - five new programs airing weeknights at 7pm CT. The shows are a mix of interview and conversation formats featuring local news, culture, politics, and community leaders all hosted by Chicagoans, featuring stories about Chicago. The network is also launching a slate of new podcasts.

In addition, CAN TV is improving the measurement of its audience and impact through a partnership with Nielsen, a global leader in audience insights, data and analytics. CAN TV will continue offering its popular no-cost, low-cost training programs that teach media production skills and train future CAN TV producers. 

About CAN TV

Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) is an independent nonprofit established in 1983 as the public's space on cable television, free of commercials, filters and censors. It is one of the largest and most prominent public, education, and government (PEG) programming providers in the nation. CAN TV airs the diversity of people and ideas that reflect Chicago, including voices often excluded from the mainstream media on five channels. 

Do you need a personal loan? Credit unions are a great place to start if you're looking for a short-term loan. In this post, we'll show you how to get a personal loan from a credit union in any state, plus a few tips for improving your credit score for personal loan prequalification.

Why use a credit union instead of a traditional bank?

A credit union is typically a locally-owned and -operated financial institution that primarily serves the needs of its members. This means that credit unions are more likely to have a personal loan program that meets your needs, especially if it somehow benefits the community. For example, many credit unions offer loans with lower interest rates and shorter repayment terms than those provided by traditional banks.

How to get a personal loan from a credit union

You'll first need to become a member to get a personal loan from a credit union. Membership typically means opening a checking or savings account with a small deposit, and you can join online or in person.

But before you become a member, shop around for the best loan rates. Credit unions typically have lower interest rates than traditional banks, so comparing rates is important before you commit to a loan.

Once you're a member, look for loans that fit your needs. Loans at credit unions come in different shapes and sizes, so it's essential to ask about the terms and conditions of each loan. Usually, you can borrow up to $25,000 at a time, though this varies based on the credit union.

You'll need proof of residency, income, and a minimum credit score to qualify for a loan. Proof of residence can be your state ID or a utility bill showing your name and address. 

After you've determined the best loan for your needs, complete the loan application process. You'll typically need to provide your member ID, banking information, and the loan application form. The approval process may take a few days if you're not pre-qualified.

Once you've been approved, you'll then receive a loan agreement and payment schedule. Be sure to read and understand the loan terms before signing anything! Once signed and received, the loan will be transferred to your checking or savings account, typically within 48 - 72 business hours. 

Don't give up hope if you haven't been approved for a loan. Many credit unions offer alternatives like borrowing through peer-to-peer lenders or getting a Home Equity Line of Credit. So don't be afraid to ask your credit union what's available to you.

How to improve your credit score to get pre-qualified for a personal loan from a credit union

If you want to get pre-qualified for a personal loan from a credit union, there are a few things you can do to improve your credit score:

1. Pay your bills on time. Your repayment history is the most significant factor that affects your credit score. Make sure to keep your bills paid on time, and don't accumulate too much debt.

2. Keep your account balances low. If you have high balances in your accounts, creditors may think you're likely to default on your loans in the future. If you cannot pay your balances off to lower your utilization, consider requesting a credit limit increase instead; just be aware that you may get a hard inquiry on your credit report. However, if you're approved, the increase in total available credit will more than cover any minor hit to your score caused by the inquiry.

3. Keep an eye on your credit score and immediately report inaccuracies. If you find any inaccuracies on your credit report, immediately contact your creditors or credit bureau to correct the information. This will help improve your score and make it easier to get approved for a personal loan.

The bottom line

Getting a personal loan can be helpful if you need money for emergencies or other unforeseen costs. Credit unions offer competitive rates and can help make getting a personal loan easier than ever. Just make sure you understand the loan agreement and do your research before signing on the dotted line.

Ruth Morey Social Media Manager Savvy Cleaner
Ruth Morey Social Media Manager Savvy Cleaner

Savvy Cleaner, the company producing the Ask a House Cleaner show and podcast, is dancing with delight at the promotion of Ruth Morey as Social Media Manager. In a world where technology plays a massive role in all areas of life, the ability to connect through social media is vital for businesses of every size.

"Social media provides targeting capability, as well as reach and scale, at a lower cost than almost all other marketing channels," said Abdul Muhammad, known as the Digital Ninja to the biggest brands and partner at RBB Communications. "People are on social media all day, every day. Brands must go where the people are."

Today, social media can humanize a company, increase traffic, generate leads, and increase brand awareness. It's no longer used only to stay in touch with family and friends. Savvy Cleaner, a training, and certification company for house cleaners and maids has built its entire business strategy on social media. Ruth Morey has been responsible for the bulk of that over the past five years. "Having Ruth at the helm of our social media is a natural fit and a savvy business move," says Angela Brown, CEO of Savvy Cleaner.

Ruth Morey

Ruth Morey moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, from New Jersey in 2016 with her husband and two daughters. She's the Vice President of the Waxhaw Woman's Club and enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with family. "I've worn many hats while at Savvy Cleaner and thrived in each; I see Social Media Manager as a new opportunity to shine," beams Ruth.

About Savvy Cleaner

Savvy Cleaner (https://savvycleaner.com) is a leading training company with house cleaners and maids in 31 countries. They started the Ask a House Cleaner show in 2017 to raise the standards of house cleaning through proper training, tools, and techniques. 

Some Americans don't have any savings. These individuals or families may have to take out a personal loan for unexpected expenses. If they get blindsided by financial hardship, they might also ask to borrow money from a family member or friend if that's a viable option.

Virtually any financial expert will agree that you should put some money aside for emergencies if at all possible. That has been the case for years. The only thing that's different now is how much cash you should have in your emergency fund.

A survey has revealed the new minimum amount you should try to set aside. We'll talk about that number and its implications right now.

The Previous Emergency Expense Benchmark

For many years, financial consultants and other experts in the field said that you should try to have $400 set aside in an emergency fund. They warned families or individuals not to touch that money unless they had no choice.

However, most financial strategists feel that in 2022, $400 is not a realistic amount that should form the foundation of your emergency fund. They point to inflation as one of the main reasons why this number has changed. 

What's the New Number?

There is a reputable financial services company called LendingClub. Recently, they partnered with PYMNTS, a financial news site, for a new study. That study surveyed households that had to deal with sudden financial hardships. They determined that the new amount you should try to set aside for an emergency fund is $1,400.

$1,400 might seem arbitrary, but it's based on research. That number represents the mean average of what a family or individual can expect to pay if they're faced with an unexpected financial hardship in 2022.

That hardship might be a car breakdown and the subsequent repairs. It may be a plumbing disaster or a medical bill. The amount you'll pay in one of these situations might be more or less than $1,400, but this survey reveals that's a realistic starting point if you want to have a minimum amount set aside for emergencies. 

Why Does Having an Emergency Fund Matter?

If you don't have an emergency fund, financial experts say you're asking for trouble. You never know when a sudden expense will pop up. If your bank account is empty, you might have to borrow money from a credit card company if you don't have a family member or friend you can turn to for help.

Credit card companies often charge high-interest rates if you borrow money from them. Getting a payday loan isn't the best solution either, based on the fees that typically go along with that.

Now's the Time to Create an Emergency Fund

Virtually all financial experts and advisers agree that creating an emergency fund is something every individual and family should do. You can use $1,400, the number from this recent survey, as a jumping-off point. With that money readily available, you should feel immeasurably better about any sudden expense that arises. 

Once you have that $1,400, you can also continue setting money aside, just in case you run into any expense that amount doesn't cover. Most financial gurus will tell you to have three-six months of possible expenses put away, just in case you lose your job or something similar occurs. That three-six months of expenses should cover your rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, grocery budget, etc.

It's noteworthy that in 2022, the minimum amount that financial advisers say you should set aside for emergency expenses has gone from $400 to $1,400. It's reasonable to assume that number will only keep going up as we progress further into this century.

Photo by Judeus Samson on Unsplash

In an exciting announcement and a first for the celebrated organization, I Have The Right To launches a nationwide pledge to ensure all students receive an education free from sexual assault.

The I Have The Right To Pledge is for students, parents, educators, and community members to publicly commit to supporting survivors of sexual assault and to protecting young people from future assaults. All are invited to sign starting today.

The Pledge is born from I Have The Right To's work supporting and advocating for survivors of sexual assault following the 2014 assault of Chessy Prout, who co-founded the organization with her parents. 

"The I Have The Right To Pledge is a public commitment to what we have known all along: that keeping students safe from sexual assault requires bold action from adults and from our institutions," says co-founder Alex Prout.

The launch of the Pledge comes ahead of I Have The Right To's fifth anniversary and coincides with the launch of the organization's new website. 

"We take our mission seriously," says I Have The Right To Executive Director Elizabeth Zeigler. "We are creating an ecosystem of respect and support for students and survivors. Our new website is one such space: a place where students, parents, and educators can find the information, support, and avenues of action they need to make a difference against sexual assault."

I Have The Right To was founded following the viral #IHaveTheRightTo social media campaign, in which millions of individuals made their own declarations against sexual assault, and following the release of Chessy Prout's memoir by the same name. 

Sexual violence is an epidemic among young people and in schools across the country. By the time students finish their education, 81% have experienced some form of sexual harassment. In middle school alone, one in five students experiences unwanted physical contact. 

Once an assault happens, young survivors of sexual violence and their families face a cycle of shame, blame, and isolation. Worse yet, few perpetrators are held accountable. Out of 1,000 assaults, 975 perpetrators will walk free.

Says co-founder Susan Prout, "We are working towards the day where we can look back and say 'I can't believe students used to be sexually assaulted and told to be quiet.'"

To commit your name to ensuring all students receive an education free from sexual assault, sign the I Have The Right To Pledge today. You can also follow and engage with I Have The Right To on Instagram and LinkedIn.

About I Have The Right To

I Have The Right To is the hub for middle and high school students, parents, and educators looking for information, support, and avenues of action against sexual assault. 

They provide actionable support and tactical resources to survivors of sexual assault and their parents and communities; curate curricula and training in partnership with middle and high school educators, administrators, and parents; and build online spaces that value and promote social and emotional education. Learn more at https://www.ihavetherightto.org.

TruChoice Financial Group, LLC

TruChoice Financial Group, LLC, one of the largest distributors of insurance products in the financial services industry, is enhancing their Specialized Products Division (SPD) to help qualified financial professionals and broker-dealer networks better navigate the ever-growing suite of registered index-linked annuities (RILAs).

"Our dedicated RILA wholesaling team provides powerful RILA support and solutions so you can deliver precise, informed recommendations to your clients," said Steve Bates, senior VP of sales development at TruChoice. "With RILAs maintaining their two-year run as the fastest-growing segment of the annuity space, TruChoice remains committed to staying at the forefront of this quickly evolving marketplace."

In addition to the dedicated wholesaling team of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)-registered, insurance-licensed professionals offering solutions from top industry carriers, financial professionals have access to innovative tools and resources, including a suite of consumer marketing platforms, multimedia sales tools, lead generation programs, and access to consultative marketing specialists. The latest enhancements to the available support options include a newly redesigned website and a FINRA-reviewed animated consumer video that can help explain the benefits of RILAs to clients and prospects.

"We're excited to release our newest animated video for distribution," said Scott Wheeler, chief marketing officer at TruChoice. "Our previous animated video offerings have been popular, as evidenced by the hundreds of videos we have customized with logos and company information. Our goal is to provide effective tools to financial professionals to help them better serve their clients."

For more information on TruChoice's SPD, visit www.truchoicespecialized.com or email [email protected]. To learn more about TruChoice, visit www.TruChoiceFinancial.com, or call 800.237.0263. TruChoice Financial can also be followed on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

TruChoice Media Contact:
Chris Cowan
678.718.1951
[email protected]

If you're missing student loan payments, your credit score could be taking a hit. Here's how much that matters and what you can do about it.

What is your credit score?

Your credit score is a number that lenders use to assess the risk of lending money to you. It affects your chances for any sort of borrowing, including opening a credit card or getting approved for a personal loan for college students. The higher your score, the lower the risk.

Lenders use one of three reporting bureaus to pull your credit report: Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax. Each bureau decides which model it uses to determine your total score, either FICO®, which has a range of 300 - 850, or VantageScore®, which has a range of 501 - 990.

There are six factors that affect your credit score, with each weighted a little differently depending on the scoring model:

1. Amount of on-time payments. In all reporting models, the amount of late payments you have is the most significant factor that affects your credit score. Any payment later than 30 days is counted as a missed payment and can ding your score.

2. Length of credit history. The longer your credit history, the better.

3. Credit utilization (the percentage of credit used). This measures how much of your total available credit you're using.

4. New credit applications. Approved applications count as positive factors, but rejected applications boomerang and can hurt your score if reported to the bureau.

5. Inquiries about credit products. When you allow a potential lender to look at your credit score, an inquiry is made. Lenders consider this when deciding whether to approve you for a product, as multiple inquiries make it seem like you're desperate for money. However, only "hard" inquiries affect your score. "Soft" inquiries, such as the pulls made through credit monitoring apps or budgeting software, aren't counted.

6. Type of credit. The mix of credit accounts you have includes car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.

How can late student loan payments affect your credit score?

In both credit scoring models, the amount of late payments you have is the most significant factor that affects your credit score. Missing student loan payments can lower your credit score by anywhere from 30 to 50 points, depending on the bureau. That means you may have a harder time getting a loan or being approved for one.

What can you do if you miss your loan due date?

If you're having trouble making your student loan payments, there are a few things you can do to try and get back on track. First, talk to your lender about what options are available to you. They may be able to extend the deadline for repayment, change the terms of the loan, or offer other solutions.

Second, consider looking into other sources of financial help. There are often ways to get help with debt without having to pay it back straight away, such as through credit counseling services or debt reduction programs.

Finally, be honest with yourself about what you can realistically afford to pay each month. Sometimes it's helpful to make a plan and track your progress over time so you can see how your situation is changing and keep your lender informed so that adjustments can be made that ensure you're never hurting your score or missing payment deadlines again.

The bottom line

Missing student loan payments can hurt your credit score. But there are ways to prevent this from happening and get back on track with your finances.