Troodie, a new AI-powered social commerce platform, is using AI to bridge the gap between viral food content and real-world diner behavior, helping diners discover food spots, influencers earn, and restaurants grow. “That place you saw on TikTok? Save it on Troodie, keep scrolling, and know that you’ll be reminded to stop by,” the company states on its website. Founded by Charlotte-based entrepreneur Taylor Davis, Troodie officially launched last month during National Black Business Month. Helping Diners Save, Organize, and Visit Food Finds Between social media, word of mouth, and
Civil rights and privacy advocates are demanding an investigation into the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) use of facial recognition technology after it led to a Brooklyn father’s wrongful arrest, as first reported by The New York Times. The Legal Aid Society is now calling for a formal investigation, accusing the NYPD of violating its own policies around the use of facial recognition. Human rights organizations are also renewing calls for a complete ban on the technology. Brooklyn Father Wrongfully Arrested Trevis Williams, 36, was arrested in April after NYPD
Wisdom Kaye, the Nigerian-born content creator known for his high-fashion TikTok videos, has secured a coveted spot on Forbes’ Top Creators 2025 list. The annual ranking highlights the most influential internet personalities worldwide, taking into account estimated earnings, follower counts, engagement rates, and entrepreneurial ventures. From engineering to editorial Born in Nigeria, Kaye moved to Houston, Texas, with his family at the age of 4. He later enrolled at Texas State University, where he pursued a degree in electrical engineering. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaye redirected his energy toward
Kande Sill, 16, has been awarded the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, one of the UK’s most prestigious honors for young engineering talent. Her award-winning project, “Enhancing Medical Delivery,” explores how drones can securely transport critical medical supplies, such as vaccines and blood, to underserved communities. Medical drone innovation Sill’s design features an insulated, theft-resistant container and a delivery mechanism designed for safety and precision. “My project focused on the development of a secure medical drone delivery system to transport sensitive items while preventing theft,” she told her school. The Arkwright Scholarship
ColorCreative, a management and production company co-founded by Issa Rae, is set to undergo a major expansion thanks to a new strategic partnership with HarbourView Equity Partners, a Black-woman-founded investment firm. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but with HarbourView’s backing, the company plans to evolve into a fully integrated, independent studio platform with global ambitions. “Partnering with HarbourView allows us to dream even bigger,” said Rae, per Private Equity Insights. “We remain committed to supporting the kinds of projects that made us fall in love with
A new augmented reality (AR) experience is bringing the stories of Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s African Burying Ground to life. The platform is being unveiled today as part of the Black Heritage Trail’s Juneteenth celebrations, marking the tenth anniversary of the African Burying Ground Memorial Park. Portsmouth’s African Burying Ground The African Burying Ground dates back to at least 1705 and served as the final resting place for more than 200 people of African descent. Over time, the site was paved over and forgotten until 2003, when workers uncovered five coffins
Sundial Media & Technology Group, the parent company of ESSENCE, AFROPUNK, and Refinery29, has partnered with Creator Currency Networks to launch a new platform for women creators. CreateHer Network is the first creator platform dedicated to bridging the economic gap between women’s cultural influence and how much they’re paid. It has already secured partnerships with key industry players, including ESSENCE, Refinery29, BeautyCon, Curly Culture, and CurlyCon, according to a press release. CreateHer: A Platform For Economic Power Women drive 85% of US purchasing decisions and influence $31.8 trillion in global
Technology investor Invictus Growth Partners has secured $574 million for its second flagship fund and related co-investment vehicles, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Founded in 2019 by John DeLoche and William Nettles, Invictus specializes in growth buyouts of lower middle-market businesses in sectors such as cloud, cybersecurity, and fintech. Invictus targets founder-led, bootstrapped companies generating at least $10 million in annual recurring revenue. Betting Big On AI With its new fund, the California-based firm will strengthen its focus on AI and machine learning technologies driving key industries.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned that slavery had been abolished – two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The first Juneteenth was observed in 1866 and has been celebrated by Black Americans for generations before finally being recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. Corporations Pull Support This year, many traditional Juneteenth celebrations are being scaled back or canceled due to declining support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, according to AP
Zeal Capital Partners has closed its second fund at $82 million, tripling its assets under management (AUM) to $186 million in just five years. The Washington, DC-based firm plans to invest the new capital in early-stage startups across fintech, healthcare, and the future of learning and work. A Broader, Stronger Investor Base Zeal’s investor base has grown significantly with this latest fund. Zeal’s limited partners now include Citi Impact Fund, M&T Bank, MassMutual, Wells Fargo, Zaffre Investments and Spelman College, according to a press release shared with POCIT. In addition
