Charlamagne Tha God, the media mogul and co-host of The Breakfast Club, has entered the into AI and emerging technology world by investing in MeetKai, a company in immersive AI. Charlamagne Tha God Ventures Partners with MeetKai As part of this move, Charlamagne will also serve as MeetKai’s first-ever strategic advisor, a role that will see him working closely with the company to expand its platform. Charlamagne will focus on helping MeetKai enhance its platform, particularly in delivering unique, immersive experiences that combine reality with digital innovation. “Charlamagne is one
A Texas nonprofit grant program aimed at supporting diverse small business owners, has agreed to revise its application process after being sued for allegedly discriminating against white men. The lawsuit was brought by the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), a group led by conservative activist Edward Blum, who is also suing Fearless Fund, a Black women-led VC firm. Lawsuit Challenges Race-Based Criteria The lawsuit centered around a $50,000 grant offered by the Founders First Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit founded by Kim Folsom and led by Shaylon Scott. The
Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, figures in the music industry and long-time philanthropists announced their collaboration with the Inglewood Unified School District to open a new high school focused on creative skills and social impact. Set to launch in the summer of 2025, this initiative aims to rejuvenate a district facing declining enrollment and financial challenges. A Bold Initiative for Creative and Entrepreneurial Learning Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine’s first foray into education began at the college level with the University of Southern California Iovine and Young Academy (IYA). Their
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is exploring the possibility of collecting biometric data, including facial recognition, from migrant children, extending even to infants, according to Technology Review. This potential policy shift, revealed by John Boyd, Assistant Director of the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), has sparked concerns among privacy advocates and lawmakers. Expanding Biometric Surveillance During a June conference, Boyd explained OBIM’s interest in tracking the identities of migrant children over time. The initiative aims to address challenges in recognizing individuals as they age, particularly those who
Tyler Perry’s new film, Divorce in the Black, has reportedly led to a surge in US Prime Video subscriptions, according to Amazon MGM Studios. As first reported by Variety, the film has attracted more new sign-ups to the streaming platform than any other Amazon MGM-produced movie to date. Strong Viewership Numbers Divorce in the Black is part of a four-film deal between Tyler Perry and Amazon Studios. The film, starring Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict, explores the challenges faced by a young bank professional in a troubled marriage. Since its
South Africa-based startup accelerator Founders Factory Africa has officially rebranded as 54 Collective, marking its transition to a venture capital (VC) firm. $150 Million To Support African Startups The rebranding comes after four years of accelerating African startups, during which the organization built a reputation for creating innovation across the continent, according to Empower Africa. Now, with a $40 million fund, 54 Collective is set to invest in early-stage ventures across various sectors. “Today, we are a VC firm with a $40 million fund, and when combined with our $107
Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has filed a legal complaint, which names J K Rowling, Elon Musk and others, for aggravated cyber harassment. In a statement, Khelif’s attorney described the harassment as a “misogynist, racist and sexist campaign” against the boxer during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Rowling and Musk Accused of Cyberbullying The lawsuit filed against X was submitted to the Paris public prosecutor’s office for combatting online hate speech. The complaint focuses on derogatory comments made by the high-profile figures on social media, particularly surrounding Khelif’s gender eligibility.
The Divine Nine, a group of historically Black sororities and fraternities, is stepping up efforts to increase voter turnout among Black Americans, as first reported by Wired. As the US gears up for important elections, these organizations are using both public and private methods to encourage more people to vote, especially in communities where voter suppression is a concern. Using Social Media and Private Chats to Mobilize Voters Members of the Divine Nine are taking to social media to spread the word about the importance of voting. They’re sharing posts,
A new augmented reality (AR) app, Looking Glass, is offering Pittsburgh residents and visitors a unique way to explore the city’s rich Black history. The Looking Glass Launched this summer by technologist Adrian Jones, the Looking Glass app turns historical archives into interactive, location-based experiences. Users can explore various Pittsburgh neighborhoods and uncover the stories that have shaped these communities over time. The app’s first focus is East Liberty, a neighborhood that has undergone changes over the decades as it faced a sharp decline in the 1960s due to an
R&B artist Brent Faiyaz and his business partner Ty Baisden have invested more than $100,000 in Black women-led STEM companies, according to Billboard. Investing Music Profits Into Black Women-Led Businesses Under their Lost Kids label, Faiyaz and Baisden operate a 50/50 business partnership that reinvests profits from Faiyaz’s music career into various ventures. Their primary focus is on Black women-led businesses, particularly in the STEM fields. “Those projects and his tours are the financial seeds for Brent and me to go out and make individual investments,” said Baisden. The duo’s
