Levi’s shareholders voted against a proposal that asked the company to end its DEI efforts. The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, submitted a proposal to shareholders urging the company to “consider abolishing its DEI program, policies, department and goals,” according to WWD. Numerous companies, retailers, and even universities have called back on their DEI efforts to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. In January, Trump revoked a six-decade-old executive order that prohibited workplace discrimination by federal contractors. Levi’s maintains its DEI efforts A company
Pan-African initiative Investing in Innovation Africa (i3) has announced the launch of its third cohort, which will provide seven founders with $225,000 each in grant funding to transform pharmacy services across the continent. The initiative is sponsored by the Gates Foundation, MSD, Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics (a subsidiary of the Kühne Foundation), Sanofi’s Global Health Unit, and Chemonics. It is a three-year program set to help founders improve patient access to healthcare across Africa, according to a press release shared by POCIT. Which seven startups have been selected? The seven
Cluley, an AI tool that helps users “cheat” in real life, raised $5.3 million in seed funding backed by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures. Chungin “Roy” Lee, CEO of Cluey, went viral in March for creating an AI tool that allegedly “cheats” in job interviews. He was suspended from Columbia for posting content from a disciplinary hearing, as stated by the university. His new venture, Cluely, allows users to analyze what’s on their screens, hear audio, and suggest answers to questions. This is all done without detection from the other
Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, stood firm on its DEI initiatives, and his employees couldn’t be more grateful. During an interview at the Great Place to Work for All Summit in Las Vegas, Capuano discussed the new unpredictability surrounding DEI policies following President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Although Marriott leaders have publicly stated that they aspire to be leaders in the DEI space, Trump’s executive orders and policies against these initiatives have caused uncertainty regarding their plans, according to Fortune. Marriott CEO’s stance on DEI During the summit, Capuano
Meta is facing a lawsuit in Ghana as content moderators who experienced severe psychological harm caused by taking down disturbing social media content, including depictions of murders, extreme violence, and child sexual abuse. Lawyers are preparing for court action against a company contracted by Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, following a meeting with moderators at a facility in Ghana that allegedly employs approximately 150 people. This is the second lawsuit Meta is facing in Africa. Why is Meta facing a lawsuit in Ghana? Moderators working for Majorel in Accra claim that
AI chatbots on Meta’s platforms like Facebook and Instagram can have sexually explicit conversations with users, including those who are underage. The findings were highlighted in a report by the Wall Street Journal. Meta is pushing to promote AI-powered digital companions, which Mark Zuckerberg believes will be the future of social media. However, staff workers across multiple departments have raised concerns about the ethical lines these bots have crossed. The WSJ reported that the employees also felt that the company was not doing enough to protect minors from inappropriate conversations.
Black Ambition, the national initiative founded by Pharrell Williams, has announced the launch of a 10-week virtual program to support entrepreneurs in Florida. The Fundable Founders Learning Lab is part of a two-year initiative aimed at helping 500 Florida-based entrepreneurs, according to a press release. The initiative, which is backed by a $1 million investment from an anonymous donor, includes mentorship, expert training, and access to capital and networks that will help program participants grow their businesses. “This $1 million donation is more than just funding—it’s fuel for a new
Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has imposed a fine of $220 million on Meta and WhatsApp for breaching the country’s data protection and consumer rights laws. The fine was issued following a comprehensive investigation, which the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld on Friday, 25 April 2025. It must be paid within 60 days, as stated by TechPoint. Why Meta must pay a $220 million fine? The FCCPC and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) identified several violations, including the unauthorized sharing of Nigerian users’ data, inadequate
Former President Barack Obama shared his thoughts on the prevalence of AI as part of the Sacerdote Great Names Series at Hamilton College, held on Thursday, April 3, in Clinton, NY. During a talk with Steven Tepper, the school’s president, Obama gave his opinion about the roles he predicts will decline due to AI, as stated by AFROTECH. Obama said that AI is outperforming the majority of human coders and that roles involving more routine tasks will no longer be essential. AI outperforming human coders “Already the current models of AI, not
New figures reveal that Black shoppers had a significant impact on the February 28 ‘Economic Blackout,’ particularly at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, Retail Brew reports. The boycott, led by grassroots organization The People’s Union USA, urged consumers to freeze spending for 24 hours in response to rising prices, corporate policies, and economic challenges facing consumers. $220 million decline for Black shoppers The boycott fell on a Friday, and sales decreased by 5.4% and trips fell by 4.1% compared to the average Friday, as stated by Numerator. Household
