Retailers, tech companies, and the federal government have all reduced their DEI efforts; now, this has extended to higher education. George Tech has joined the growing number of organizations that have removed DEI-related language from their websites. Georgia Tech dismantling DEI programs in 2023 Georgia Tech started dismantling its DEI programs in 2023, and now the university’s website has been changed to align with these adjustments. “In 2023, Georgia Tech made the decision to begin discontinuing DEI programs, which included eliminating positions and realigning funding.” Blair Meeks, a Georgia Tech
Target’s shareholders are suing the company as they believe Target hid the risks of its DEI initiatives, as stated by USA Today. In a proposed class action, Target’s shareholders claim that they felt that the company was unaware of the consequences that would surface due to DEI efforts. Additionally, the shareholders claim they were swindled into paying higher fees for its stocks and unknowingly supported its “misuse of investor funds to serve political and social goals.” In addition, before Target announced it was rolling back on its DEI efforts, shareholders
The plans for Elon Musk’s Starlink to expand into South Africa have stopped as the company pulled back from regulatory hearings conducted by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), according to Techpoint. On Wednesday evening, SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company owned by Elon Musk, told the telecom regulator that it would not engage in the oral hearings. This news came a few hours after SpaceX representatives failed to attend their upcoming presentation that morning. Why did ICASA launch these hearings? ICASA created these hearings to accumulate industry input on
TikTok has announced 2025 SOAR Together, a Black-owned business accelerator program in collaboration with Black Girl Ventures. The program aims to help Black businesses grow on TikTok Shop. What is the 2025 SOAR Together program? The 2025 Soar Together program is a six-week program in which 20 businesses will be chosen to receive educational courses, business coaching, and mentorship from guest speakers. After the program has finished, those businesses will attend a special in-person graduation ceremony. TikTok’s partnership with Black Girl Ventures builds on its $1 million investment in the
Google has become the latest tech giant to cut back its DEI efforts after sharing that it would end its goal of employing more candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds. The company also said it would reevaluate some of its DEI programs, as first reported by The Wall Street Journal. In an email to employees, Google revealed that it would abolish the hiring targets created to improve representation in its labor force. In 2020, during the resurgence of The Black Lives Matter movement, Google set out to expand the proportion of
Solar tech startup GRYD has secured £1 million ($1.2 million) in pre-seed funding, according to Tech Funding News. GRYD was created in 2023 by Mohamed Gaafar, Scott Whiteside, and Tom Jordan to make solar energy accessible to everyone by allowing solar-as-subscription to newly built homes. The trio met at the Antler accelerator program, where they devised the idea for a company that would provide homeowners with zero-cost residential solar systems as energy costs continue to rise in the UK. The pre-seed round saw investments from SFC Capital and Black Seed
Khaby Lame, the most followed person on TikTok, has joined UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador. The announcement was made in Sengeal, where Lame was born, after a four-day day where he met children and young people leading positive change in their communities. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Lame will use his international platform as a content creator to spread awareness of children’s rights worldwide, such as empowering girls, education, protection from violence and abuse, access to health, nutrition, and a clean environment. “It’s a true honour to be appointed as
The fourth annual Fifteen Percent Pledge gala has raised $3 million for Black-owned businesses amid a growing trend of companies scaling back their DEI efforts. On Saturday, 1st February, the Los Angeles-based event was filled with A-list celebrities like Ciara, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, Teyana Taylor, Jesse Williams, and Keke Palmer. All proceeds from the activation ticket sales go to businesses affected by the recent LA wildfires. “We are nobody’s DEI hire,” said the founder, Aurora James, according to WWD. “This country, in its best form, is a product of
Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has hired Daniel Penny, the former Marine who made national headlines following the killing of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless Black man, on a New York subway. The news was first reported by The Free Press. Penny was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in December 2023. Although he has no prior investment experience, Andreessen Horowitz plans to train him for his new role. Jordan Neely’s Death Jordan Neely was known for being a Michael Jackson impersonator who performed in Times Square. During
As more companies have decided to scale back their DEI efforts, Aldi could be the next company on the list. Although the company hasn’t publicly announced that it is doing so, it has removed any evidence linked to DEI from its website. What sections has Aldi removed from its website? The company website previously featured an “Aldinclusive” section that said “diversity strengthens us,” according to HR Brew. Additionally, it detailed Aldi’s DEI efforts and commitment, such as its 30-year support of the United Negro College Fund, an inclusive resource library