As companies scale back flexible work environments and encourage a return to the office, Black workers are facing a significant decline in workplace wellbeing. According to new research from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, the post-pandemic shift is hitting Black employees especially hard, worsening existing disparities in the workplace. Return to office hits Black workers hardest Carey surveyed more than 1.5 million individuals at over 2,500 organizations in the US in partnership with Great Place To Work. They found that workplace wellbeing peaked in 2020 when many companies embraced more supportive and
URAWarrior, a mental wellness platform founded by executive coach and TV personality Bershan Shaw, has launched a new mental wellness app designed to help users manage stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges. The app, released on National Suicide Prevention Day, is part of a partnership with the restaurant chain Founding Farmers. A New mental wellness app Bershan Shaw, a two-time cancer survivor known for her appearances on The Real Housewives of New York City, created URAWarrior as a safe space for individuals dealing with mental health struggles. The app offers
The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) and a powerful coalition of allied organizations are set to walk over 240 miles from Capitol Hill to Wall Street to push for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Corporate America. The “Walk to Wall Street” initiative will begin on September 17, 2024, and culminate in New York City’s financial district on October 11. Call for Corporate Diversity The march, led by HACR President and CEO Cid Wilson, aims to highlight ongoing disparities in representation and inclusion in US businesses. Despite some
A new Black Business Hub has opened in South Madison, Wisconsin. Spearheaded by the Urban League of Greater Madison, the $25.5 million facility aims to provide resources and space for Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. A Hub for Business Growth and Community The Black Business Hub, located on South Park Street, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 24, 2024. marking the completion of a project that began more than two years ago. The facility features four floors of retail, office, coworking spaces, and a commercial kitchen. Madison 365 reports
ImpactTulsa has secured a $3.6 million investment from StriveTogether, a national initiative focused on youth development, to place 15,000 more Tulsa youth on a path toward economic success by 2030. Empowering Tusla’s Youth ImpactTulsa was one of six organizations selected to receive this investment, which aims to support 4 million young people by 2030. A member of the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network, ImpactTulsa is focused on bridging opportunity gaps, helping students pursue higher education, and facilitating lasting economic mobility. Their youth initiatives include student financial resources, a youth council empowering
Telegram has become “a global sewer” of illegal and extremist activities, including white supremacy, criminal networks, and terrorism, according to a four-month investigation by The New York Times. White Supremacist Activity Thrives on Telegram The Times analyzed more than 3.2 million Telegram messages from over 16,000 channels, uncovering 1,500 channels run by white supremacists. These channels have nearly one million members worldwide and openly coordinate racist activities, including inciting violence, promoting hate speech, and organizing protests. Telegram is “the most popular place for ill-intentioned, violent actors to congregate,” Rebecca Weiner,
Sigo Seguros, a digital-first auto insurance serving Hispanic and Latine communities, has secured $10.5 million in Series A funding. Making Auto Insurance Easier and More Affordable Founded in 2019, Sigo specializes in non-standard auto insurance. Drivers in need of this insurance are often pushed to broker-run brick and mortar agencies, whic typically charge higher fees. Sigo offers a fully digital Spanish-language service that allows customers to obtain insurance in minutes through a mobile platform. “Immigrant and working-class communities struggle to buy auto insurance, whether it’s because of a lack of
Atlanta-based venture capital firm Fearless Fund has permanently closed its Strivers Grant program, which provided $20,000 grants to Black women entrepreneurs. This decision follows a settlement with the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), a group led by conservative activist Edward Blum, the man behind the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling. Nevertheless, Fearless Fund remains committed to empowering historically overlooked entrepreneurs and plans to launch a new debt fund to continue supporting those in need of capital. Fearless Fund’s Legal Battle In August 2023, AAER sued Fearless Fund, claiming the
Every year, MIT highlights young leaders worldwide who are making a difference through research and entrepreneurship. This year’s innovators are tackling issues in biotechnology, the climate sector, robotics, and more. Chosen from hundreds of nominees by expert judges and the MIT Technology Review editorial team, these trailblazers are changing the future of science and technology. Here, we’ve highlighted some of the Black and Brown innovators featured on the MIT 2024 Under 35 List. Mireille Kamariza, University of California, Los Angeles Mireille Kamariza, 35, developed a groundbreaking test that detects tuberculosis
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has called on Fortune 500 companies to reaffirm their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and set clear, measurable goals amid rising challenges to DEI programs nationwide. Holding corporate America accountable The CBC’s first-of-its-kind report aims to hold Fortune 500 companies accountable for their DEI pledges made after George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Titled “What Good Looks Like”: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the report is based on months of meetings with hundreds of executives across different sectors and
