Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua has become the world’s first Black woman to hold a PhD in Cybernetics, according to The Citizen. A PhD In Cybernetics Ekeng-Itua earned a degree in Cybernetics from the University of Reading in the UK under the supervision of her first PhD supervisor, Prof. Kevin Warwick, also known as Captain Cyborg. Cybernetics is the science of how information is communicated in machines and pieces of electronic equipment, compared with how information is communicated in the brain and nervous system. “Every challenge became fuel for my determination,” she said in an
Actor, writer, and comedian Issa Rae is launching a new company, Ensemble, to connect brands with diverse creators. Ensemble Connecting Brands With Diverse Creators Ensemble is a next-generation branded entertainment company bringing production and distribution infrastructure to a diverse group of creators. The company collaborates with brands, platforms, and publishers to produce and distribute content that shapes culture while engaging audiences. Their primary mission is to make the creator economy more equitable for underrepresented creators, as research has previously found that Black creators, on average, made 35% less than white creators. Ensemble is funded
Techish host Michael interviews VC and founder Andy Ayim! About Andy Ayim: Former product leader, entrepreneur, angel investor. Ex Managing Director of Backstage Capital London [founded by Arlan Hamilton] Listen on Spotify or Apple podcast also. Watch On YouTube:
Nigeria has launched its first multilingual Large Language Model (LLM), announced Minister Bosun Tijani of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The initiative took place following a comprehensive four-day AI workshop in Abuja. The multilingual LLM is developed with local AI firm Awarritech, global tech entity DataDotOrg, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR). Capitalizing on a Growing Market With predictions from Statista that the AI market could reach $890 millon in 2024 and expand to $8.75 billion by 2030, Nigeria’s investment
Through venture capital, Ohio has gave $86 million to early-stage tech companies in women – minority-owned or underserved areas. The money comes from the federally funded State Small Business Credit Initiative Venture Capital program and will be invested in 11 professionally managed funds. Ohio Funding These funds are aimed at investing in companies focused on things such as health care, manufacturing and food technologies. The funds were eligible to apply for between $5 million and $10 million. “These awards will help spur innovation by fostering a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem and accelerating the
African tech startup Kubik has announced a $5.2 million seed funding round, making it the first Ethiopian company to raise a multi-million dollar investment in climate and sustainability solutions. Ethiopia’s First Company To Raise Multi-Million Climate Investment Kubik, named the Global Startup of the Year 2023, is an environmental company that uses tech to help countries reduce their carbon and plastic footprint. They turn hard-to-recycle plastic waste into low-cost, low-carbon, interlocking building material by removing environmental waste and creating ultra-durable, safe, affordable buildings. They are on a mission to build dignity through clean and affordable
IBM employees in Brazil are challenging the tech company’s classification of them as sales workers rather than tech workers, according to Rest of World. Legal Battle for Recognition A legal battle in Minas Gerais set a precedent in 2018 when a regional court ruled in favor of the IT workers’ union. The court ordered IBM to acknowledge the union as the legal representative of its employees in the state, recognizing them not as sales personnel but as tech workers. This changed the benefits these employees could access, including a reduced workweek
Gwinnett County commissioners have recently approved launching the county’s first Black-owned pilot school, the Lookup Flight Academy. This initiative, led by Michael Ojo, aims to empower a new generation of aviators with the skills and knowledge needed for careers in aviation. Ojo’s passion for flying sparked nearly a decade ago, and his vision for the Lookup Flight Academy is about getting more minorities into aviation while helping them build careers as pilots. Addressing Underrepresentation in Aviation The Lookup Flight Academy, set to operate at the Gwinnett County Airport, aims to address
50 Cent has launched a new G-Unit Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. At 956,000 square feet, G-Unit Studios is the second largest Black-owned production studio behind Tyler Perry Studios. G-Unit Studios Lands IN Shreveport 50’s company, G-Unit Film & Television Inc., launched in 2005, currently houses his most successful television projects, such as STARZ TV series Power, which includes Raising Kanan, Force, Ghost and the series BMF. “I’m excited to announce the expansion of G-Unit Film & Television through the launch of my G-Unit Studios right here in Shreveport #allroadsleadtoshreveport,” 50 wrote on
Artists including Drake, Rihanna, The Weeknd, and Kendrick Lamar are returning to TikTok, as the platform has reached a new agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG). UMG had recently begun pulling its music from TikTok after their old contract expired, and the two companies couldn’t reach an agreement in new negotiations. What Does The New Partnership Mean? The joint agreement aims to mark a new era of collaboration, built on a shared commitment to help UMG’s artists and songwriters achieve their creative and commercial potential. They are also working together to realize new monetization opportunities utilizing
