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 2024. 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
Detroit-based rapper Dank Demoss is suing Lyft after a driver allegedly denied her request for a ride due to her weight. Demoss, also known as Dajua Blanding, shared a video of the driver refusing to let her into the Mercedes-Benz. Demoss called Lyft so she could be dropped off at her cousin’s house to watch a football game. She alleged that the Lyft driver locked his doors and tried to drive away when he saw her. After she stopped him and asked if there was a problem, the driver allegedly
Plans to launch Starlink in South Africa are facing delays due to Elon Musk’s attacks on the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, The Financial Times reports. The policies, designed to mitigate racial inequalities formed under apartheid, require foreign investors in South Africa’s telecom sector to allocate 30% of a project’s equity to Black-owned businesses to qualify for a license. The policy is supported by the African National Congress Party (ANC), a political party in South Africa known for its opposition against apartheid. Elon Musk says the equality laws are
Following President Trump’s orders, the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ will soon be renamed the ‘Gulf of America’ on Google Maps, according to the BBC. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has written a letter to Google Maps asking it to reconsider its plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico. This change was part of a series of over 100 directives and executive actions signed on Inauguration Day. One of these orders included renaming the Gulf of Mexico, which is made up of the US, Cuba, and Mexico, the Gulf of America. Why is
It’s February, which means it’s finally Black History Month. It’s a time when Black people reflect on the triumphs, victories, and achievements Black people have made in the country. While it’s essential to look back at what Black people have overcome, it’s also important to acknowledge the history Black people are making today. Black innovators are shaping the future in every industry, and the tech world is no exception. Here, we spotlight eight Black-owned tech startups that are driving change, creating opportunities, and making a real impact in Black communities.
TikTok can be pretty useful outside cat videos, dance tutorials, and comedy sketches. You can learn a language, a new recipe, and even how to play an instrument. It can also be a great way to source academic knowledge, which is being demonstrated with HillmanTok University. Who started HillmanTok University? What started as video intended for the 30 students enrolled in Dr Leah Barlow’s African American studies class this semester, has turned into a viral movement, where Black professors, lecturers, and subject matter experts create and share educational videos. In
A San Francisco startup, Waterlily, is using AI to simplify long-term care planning and costs. Founded in 2021 by Lily Vittayarukskul, the company was born out of personal hardship—her aunt’s terminal colon cancer diagnosis left the family struggling with overwhelming medical costs. “It wiped us out financially,” Vittayarukskul, a former NASA data scientist, told TechCrunch. At the time, she was studying aerospace engineering, but the emotional and financial toll of her aunt’s illness led her to pivot to genetic and data science, ultimately inspiring Waterlily’s mission. How does Waterlily help individuals
