Sisters Dr. Jacqueline Philips and Lorraine Phillips have launched Melanin Doctor, the first Black-owned telehealth service dedicated exclusively to Black women. Inspired by their mother’s struggle with diabetes and her life-changing results with GLP-1 medications, the sisters, who are both doctors, created the platform to expand access and care for Black women. Black women face higher risks of obesity and diabetes Black women face disproportionately high rates of obesity and diabetes, with 57% classified as obese compared to 36% of white women, and 12.7% diagnosed with diabetes compared to 6.9%
Interested in product management or design? Join us for BUILT DIFFERENT, happening in London on October 2. Spaces are free but limited — RSVP now to secure your spot. Black women in tech are shaping the future of product development, strategy, and innovation across industries—from AI to fintech, media, and retail. They’re not just leading teams; they’re building ecosystems, redefining inclusion, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in tech. Several of these trailblazers will be taking the stage at BUILT DIFFERENT, our upcoming panel + mixer in London for product and cybersecurity professionals,
Uncle Nearest, a Black-owned Tennessee whiskey brand, may be heading towards bankruptcy as disputes persist over which assets fall under a federal receivership, according to recent court filings reviewed by the Lexington Herald-Leader. The development came from a lawsuit filed by lender Farm Credit Mid-America, which claims Uncle Nearest, Nearest Green Distillery, and its founders, Keith and Fawn Weaver, defaulted on more than $100 million in loans. Farm Credit Mid-America also alleges that Nearest Green Distillery overstated the value of its whiskey barrels that were used as collateral by at least
We know that there aren’t enough Latina women in tech. They make up just 1.7% of women in the industry, hold less than 1% of leadership roles in Silicon Valley, and earn under half of what white, non-Hispanic men make. Many leave within a year, citing poor working conditions. When you look at these statistics, it can be easy to focus on the lack of diversity in the tech industry. But, this Hispanic Heritage Month, we have decided to spotlight the achievements of Latinas who are defying the odds. We
Women-led startups continue to attract only a small portion of investment in Africa’s tech ecosystem. So far in 2025, male-led startups in Africa have received 75% of all funding raised. This leaves the remainder shared between women-led and mixed gender teams, according to the latest Africa Venture Pulse report by Briter, a research and business intelligence firm focused on emerging markets. Of the more than $2 billion raised across the continent, about 10% has gone to companies with at least one female founder. Gender funding gap in Africa Over the past
Ariel Alternatives has acquired Groome Industrial Service Group, a provider of industrial cleaning and maintenance solutions. JPMorgan Chase & Co. joined the deal with a minority stake through its asset management division. Founded by business leader Mellody Hobson, Ariel Alternatives is the private equity arm of Ariel Investments, one of the largest Black-owned money managers in the US. The acquisition will help Groome, which employs more than 900 people across more than 20 US sites, expand its market share by tapping into the firm’s ties in the energy and utilities
This article is sponsored by Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures. Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV) is supporting the future of innovation by backing early-stage startups and nonprofits with the capital and tools they need to scale. Building on the momentum of the Inclusive Ventures Lab and Sustainable Solutions Collaborative, MSISV has already distributed over $30 million in capital to over 130 ventures in the last eight years. MSISV is home to two tailored accelerator programs: a Lab for tech-driven startups and a Collaborative for emerging nonprofits. Both programs
Bleyt is helping immigrants transfer their credit history across countries. The company has a built-in money app that uses AI to obtain pull financial data from local credit providers and bureaus. It also features a multi-currency account and card, allowing immigrants to minimize delays when accessing financial services in new countries. Immigrants struggling to access financial services When Bleyt’s founder, Wale Akanbi, moved to from Nigeria to the UK in 2021, his credit history did not transfer with him, making it difficult for him to access financial services. “I had
Former basketball star and serial entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal is partnering with used car retailer Carvana to launch an AI-powered assistant called the Shaqbot. “I’ve been buying and selling cars for years, and when I found Carvana, I really loved the ease and innovation of the brand. That’s what makes my partnership with Carvana so exciting,” O’Neal said in a press release. “And now for other Carvana fans, they can have a little fun with Shaqbot, an assistant as smart, smooth, and good-looking as me.” Shaq O’Neal launching AI assistant Built on
The current job market for Black women in the US is bleak. More than 300,000 Black women have exited the workforce in just a matter of months. 518,00 Black women have not returned to the labor force since the pandemic started, meaning their real unemployment rate is over 10%, according to gender economist Katica Roy’s analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, published in MSNBC. These figures paint an alarming reality: Black women are being pushed out of the workforce at alarming rates. But why is this happening? And crucially, what
