Moove, an Uber-backed mobility fintech company, has acquired Kovi, a Y Combinator-backed Brazilian urban mobility provider. “This transaction not only strengthens our footprint in Latin America and reinforces our position as a dominant player in global mobility, but it also underscores our commitment to contributing to the Brazilian economy,” Ladi Delano, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Moove, said in a statement. Following the deal, Kovi will continue to operate under its existing brand with its executive and management teams remaining in place, Moove confirmed. Moove’s Growth and Expansion Founded in 2020 by Ladi Delano
This year, we’ve witnessed the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions with mounting conservative pressure against DEI initiatives across industries—from retail and banking to venture capital and nonprofits. Amid these challenges, the stories that resonated most with you this year were those of resistance and resilience: stories about Black women securing capital, launching funds, and building unicorn companies. You loved the stories about employees holding their employers to account—in words and deeds—and the investors, influencers, and innovators raising the bar in their respective
Latina-owned fintech platform Hello Alice has announced it has distributed more than $50 million in grants to small businesses across the US since 2020. Founded by Carolyn Rodz and Elizabeth Gore, the digital platform has become a cornerstone of support for entrepreneurs nationwide, providing funding, mentorship, and tools to help their businesses grow. Empowering Entrepreneurs Nationwide Hello Alice was born out of co-founder and CEO Carolyn Rodz’s struggles as an entrepreneur. A former JPMorgan investment banker from Bolivia, Rodz told American Banker she faced significant hurdles when raising capital for
The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy has launched a $100 million fund to remove the financial barriers that often stall clean energy projects in Native American communities. The Indigenous Power & Light Fund for Energy Sovereignty is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and other philanthropic organizations. Tackling Energy Inequities Many Native American communities still lack access to electricity. A 2022 report from the Department of Energy revealed that nearly 17,000 tribal homes remain unelectrified. On the Navajo Nation, the
BET has partnered with Cistus Media to launch Shop With BET, a curated online marketplace that celebrates Black-owned and inclusive brands. Celebrating Black Businesses Unveiled just in time for the holiday season, Shop With BET offers an exclusive selection of culturally inspired products, showcasing the creativity and entrepreneurship of Black founders and small businesses. “This partnership is about more than just commerce; it’s about creating a platform that celebrates diversity and empowers our communities,” Candi Carter, CEO of Cistus Media, said in a statement. “We are committed to curating an experience
Bozoma Saint John, one of the industry’s highest-profile marketing executives, is launching Eve by Boz, a wig and haircare brand, as first reported by Fortune. The independently funded venture promises to cater specifically to Black women and address gaps in the wig industry that Saint John says have been overlooked for too long. Filling a Gap in the Market Saint John made history in 2020 as Netflix’s first Black C-suite executive and previously held marketing leadership roles at Uber, Apple, and PepsiCo. Since stepping down from her Netflix role in
This article is sponsored by MITRE. MITRE, a nonprofit renowned for tackling the nation’s most complex challenges, is breaking new ground with its latest initiative, MITRE RISE. This six-month accelerator is designed to help tech founders of color turn their innovative ideas into viable, real-world solutions, through hands-on mentorship, cutting-edge resources, and an extensive network of health and technology experts. Their inaugural 2025 cohort is dedicated to accelerating the development of health IT solutions. Applications for the 2025 program close on October 31, 2024. Innovation through collaboration Kike Oduba, founder
The Supreme Court’s ruling against race-conscious admissions has not reduced Black student representation in the 2024 incoming college class, according to a new analysis. Instead, Vector Solutions, a leading education software and data provider, found a slight increase in Black student enrollment, driven by growth at small public institutions. Increase in Black Student Enrollment Many feared that the Supreme Court’s ruling would drastically lower the number of Black students and other students of color in higher education. However, Vector Solutions’ data, which includes responses from over 624,000 first-year students at
Former Spice Girl Mel B is backing a new campaign for Unicode to introduce emojis with Black hairstyles. There are over 3,790 emojis available today. However, none feature popular hairstyles Black people wear, like afros, braids, cornrows, or locs. The Campaign for 4 New Emojis The campaign, launched by youth-led nonprofit RISE 365 and Good Relations PR, calls on Unicode to introduce four new emojis that reflect Black hairstyles. Unicode is the organization that decides which emojis are distributed worldwide. RISE 365 tasked its young members with creating the designs.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted its ban on X—formerly known as Twitter—after its owner, Elon Musk, complied with key legal demands. The decision ends a lengthy standoff between Musk and Brazilian authorities. X Returns for Millions of Brazilian Users Brazil is one of X’s largest markets, with an estimated 22 million users. The platform had been suspended in Brazil since August 30 for not blocking accounts that spread false information and failing to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, which is required by law for foreign companies. According to a