The tech industry has a diversity problem. At this point, improving diversity in the tech industry is no longer a moral imperative but a massive key to reducing economic inequality. What is Capital One’s Make Today initiative? Capital One is using its new initiative to promote diverse tech talent. The banking platforms hope this will be the first step in creating welcoming tech workplaces by building financial technology products that bring diverse perspectives to data solutions. The Make Today initiative – which will be led by Kimberly Hall, Vice President of Software
Melanated AI is the platform giving ‘melanated’ creators a prominent place in the AI movement. From Lensa AI photos going viral on Instagram to Malik Afegbua’s ‘Fashion Show for Seniors’ sparking a debate about computer-generated work replacing human creativity – it is safe to say AI artwork is having a moment right now. Melanated AI’s unique platform is committed to celebrating and promoting the diverse talents of artists of color by creating a safe space for them to sell canvas prints and digital downloads to a global audience. Founder Aquarius
For the tech industry to achieve true diversity, more children need to see people like themselves in the sector. For many youngsters, media representation has a long-lasting impact on how they see and understand the world of today – which is why representation is so important. According to a report by Common Sense, approximately 65% of parents say that the media significantly impacts their children’s professional aspirations. To manifest a world where more Black people are entering high-paying careers, tech leaders have decided to use the gift of writing to encourage
The Plug and Omidyar Network have partnered to introduce The Black Tech Effect Report, the first of its kind to measure the social impact of high-growth, Black-led tech companies worldwide. What is The Black Tech Effect Report? Traditional analysis platforms have overlooked black tech founders for decades. As a result, the off-the-mark analysis has created a false narrative around the progression of Black-led tech companies. To redefine how we view Black success, The Plug and Omidyar Network have created a report that measures social impact instead of the ‘number of
The idea of running a business is exciting, but there is no denying that being a startup founder can be an overwhelming experience. From managing finances to staying on top of social media trends, many business owners wear multiple hats to keep their business functioning. According to The Plug’s analysis of Census Bureau data, approximately 10% of businesses that employed less than 20 people were forced to close in 2020. Likewise, statistics have shown that 45% of entrepreneurs have reported feeling stressed, which has led to mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
MNFTM has officially launched its premier Web3 NFT marketplace platform for Black and brown creators globally. The world’s first NFT marketplace for Black and ethnically diverse creators The NFT Marketplace will be the world’s first-ever platform created explicitly for Black and ethnically diverse creators. The initiative hopes to address the gap in the market by providing a ground-breaking space where equality and collecting can co-exist in the digital realm. Founded by CEO Ed Ukaonu, the marketplace will work to represent all voices in the evolving digital economy. The platform’s business model focuses
Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN) has officially opened nominations for its tech industry awards ceremony. Financial services provider BMO will host this year’s event to celebrate the influential and innovative work of Black professionals in the industry. Despite this initiative being the first of its kind, this isn’t the first time BPTN has opened doors for Black professionals. Earlier this year, founder, Lekan Olawoye announced the launch of the Obsidi platform, a conduit to opportunities for black professionals. “We know that Black professionals and Black-led organizations are crushing it both in
Nigerian filmmaker and artist Malik Afegbua is challenging the misconceptions around African beauty, especially within the older generation. Artificial Intelligence has grown to become a trendy part of internet culture today. Despite being a controversial tech tool, one scroll through your internet feed will show you how many people are gearing toward an AI world. Malik Afegbua’s fashion show which displayed photos of elegant old-fashioned seniors in the chicest African attire, took the internet by storm. The series of images, called Fashion Show for Seniors, has garnered over 100,000
A new report by the RAND Corp. has revealed that the success of Pittsburgh’s tech sector heavily relies on the city’s ability to diversify its tech hires. What did the report reveal? The report titled “Assessing Pittsburgh’s Science and Technology-Focused Workforce Ecosystem” has disclosed that, among other challenges, Pittsburgh faces a declining population that severely impacts its workforce. According to the report, approximately 18% of Pittsburgh’s employment works in science and technology-focused occupations, which is higher than the national figure of 16%. However, Pittsburgh’s workforce does not reflect the makeup of its population,
Has your phone ever died while you were outside and couldn’t find a charging point anywhere? We’ve all been there. This common problem is why WiGL – pronounced wiggle – is working to make wireless electrical power accessible for everyone. Dr. Ahmad Glover, founder and interim CEO of the Wireless-electric Grid Local Air network (WiGL), is designing a network that says goodbye to cords and wires. What problem is WiGL trying to solve? The world relies heavily on portable battery power. As a result, the battery has become one of the most
