TestParty, a Black-led, AI-driven software compliance company, has raised $4 million in a seed funding round led by Harlem Capital and the Urban Innovation Fund. Founded in March 2023 by Michael Bervell and Jason Tan, TestParty helps businesses automatically rewrite source code to comply with global digital accessibility regulations. Making websites more accessible Currently, nearly all popular websites fail to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), leaving millions of people who rely on assistive devices unable to engage with the digital world. TestParty aims to bridge this gap by
South Carolina State University (SC State), the only historically Black college and university (HBCU) in the state, has secured an $8 million allocation from the state. The funding aims to enhance its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research and workforce development initiatives in partnership with Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL). This funding marks a milestone for the university’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Transportation (STEM-T College). A Historic Investment in STEM This $8 million is part of an initial $40 million state proviso designed to support various
Black N’ Out is a platform for Black LGBTQIA+ professionals in tech to connect, support, and uplift each other. Black people are already underrepresented in tech, making up only 8% of the workforce. For Black LGBTQ+ individuals, this exclusion is even more pronounced. However, Black N’ Out is on a mission to create a welcoming and inclusive space for Black LGBTQIA+ individuals in tech. The Story Of Black N’ Out Black N’ Out was founded in 2023 by Brandon Sidney and Ryan Wesley after the pair attended several tech conferences
In St. Louis, GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness is the Black-owned pharmacy addressing the issue of pharmacy deserts, using inspiration from Walgreens and Amazon. Free Delivery and Telehealth Services Dr. Marcus Howard founded GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness, which provides various services, including free delivery of medications, over-the-counter products, and fresh produce. The hybrid model mimics Amazon’s delivery efficiency and Walgreens’ pharmacy services. Additionally, the pharmacy offers telehealth services, such as medication education, health screenings, and coordination with other healthcare providers. This approach ensures that residents receive timely and convenient care from their
The Google for Startups Founders Fund is back for the fifth year and is funding 20 Black and Latine AI companies in the US. The fund first launched as part of Google’s $175 million commitment towards racial equity and to date has deployed more than $50 million dollars to more than 570 Black and Latine founders around the world. Google For Startups Founders Fund & AI As AI developments are on the rise, this year, Google has funded 20 US-based companies that are pushing the boundaries in AI. The companies
Fearless Fund’s co-founder, Ayana Parsons, has stepped down from her role as chief operating officer after five years against the venture capital firm. Parson stated that her resignation is unrelated to the ongoing lawsuit from Edward Blum’s conservative group. Fearless Fund Co-Founder Steps Down Parson, who co-founded the organization with Arian Simone and Keisha Knight Pulliam in 2019, served as the fund’s chief operating officer for nearly five years. In an official press release, Parson, who is also the co-founder of Yardstick, announced that she would be stepping down to
Every June, Pride Month celebrates LGBTQ+ communities worldwide and honors their contributions to society. It’s also a time to recognize the ongoing struggle for representation, equality, and acceptance. In the tech industry, the LGBTQ+ community is underrepresented, with only 11% identifying as LGBTQ+. A McKinsey and Co. report found that while Black people make up 12% of the US workforce, only 8% are in tech jobs, resulting in a relatively low number of Black LGBTQ+ individuals in tech. Despite these challenges, many Black LGBTQ+ people are paving the way for
Morehouse College is launching what is reportedly the world’s first fully spacial AI teaching assistants (TAs). After launching their Metaversity in 2021, Morehouse is taking the next step in technology-based learning. AI Teaching Assistants Muhsinah Morris, a senior assistant professor in education and metaversity director at Morehouse, pioneered the technology in Spring 2021 with faculty assistance. She will now teach a class this fall with a spatial 3D AI TA. Students can expect to receive support from the AI TAs, who will manage assessments and office hours, ensure 24/7 access,
Record labels including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records are suing AI song-generators Suno and Udio for ‘mass copyright infringement’. The lawsuits allege that the music startups are exploiting the works of artists including Chuck Berry, Billie Holiday, and Michael Jackson. What Does Suno And Udio Do? Suno and Udio have garnered attention over the last few months for their music-generation capabilities. The platforms allow users to create complete songs using a single-word prompt, and most recently, they added new updates enabling you to upload your audio
Rapper 50 Cent recently claimed that his online accounts were hacked by a cryptocurrency schemer who made millions of dollars in the process. 50 Cent Fans Get Scammed 50 announced on Instagram that the scammer used his Twitter account to promote a crypto-token called $GUNIT – a reference to G-Unit, a hip-hop group that 50 was previously part of. Last Friday the scammer posted “$GUNIT for winners only…” which led an unknown number of users to buy the coin. The scammer also posted screenshots of the $GUNIT crypto, which showed
