Amazon has changed its company policy and a part of its website that gives employment information. According to The Washington Post, it has removed language that assures protection for Black and LGBTQ+ employees. The company also removed any language that supported laws addressing misconduct and racial bias in policing, initiatives to protect and expand voting rights, and initiatives to encourage better health and educational opportunities for Black people. In December 2024, Amazon withdrew any statements advocating for transgender rights protections along with showing “solidarity” with Black employees and customers. What sections has
Waza, a Y Combinator-backed B2B payments startup, is using its $8 million funding to create Lync, a banking product that plans to transform international transactions for African businesses, Techpoint reports. Last year, the startup received $8 million in equity and debt funding to expand into markets beyond its current operations in Ghana and Nigeria and offer new trade finance solutions. The funding round was led by major investors, including Byld Ventures, Norrsken Africa, and Timon Capital, with the aim of empowering enterprises across the continent to navigate global markets more effectively. The
Ilara Health recently received a $1 million loan from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to help improve private outpatient clinics in Kenya, according to TechPoint. What is Illara health? The company originally started by renting diagnostic equipment to clinics. Eventually, it expanded to offer health centres the choice to buy pharmaceuticals and items like hospital furniture on credit. The money will help underserved communities have better healthcare by investing in diagnostic devices, health tech, and pharmaceuticals. Last year, the company raised $4.2 million in debt-equity pre-Series A round
Dr Angela Tabiri is the first African to win The Big Internet Math Off competition and wants other African girls to follow in her footsteps. Tabiri, also known as the ‘Maths queen’ in Ghana, “finds joy in solving puzzles and mathematical questions,” she told the BBC. The Big Internet Math Off A blog titled The Aperiodical created The Big Internet Math Off in 2018. They invite Sixteen mathematicians to compete for the title of “the world’s most interesting mathematician.” A public vote decides the winner, “Take a look at both pitches
Mastercard has announced the opening of its first office in Ghana as the company aims to strengthen its presence in the West African country. The latest move is predicted to help Ghana’s economy by creating more jobs and innovating tech, which signifies the country’s emerging influence in the region’s fintech industry. “Ghana presents a tremendous opportunity for Mastercard to enhance its geographical presence in West Africa. We are committed to attracting and nurturing top talent and fostering an ecosystem that aims to contribute positively to the local economy and technological
Serena Ventures—Williams’ VC firm participated in a $10 million seed funding for Teal Health – a women’s health startup founded by Kara Egan (CEO) and Dr. Avnesh Thakor. The company, founded in 2020, was formed to create an at-home-self collect cervical cancer screening kit, which is under FDA review for the time being. During Thakor’s medical experience, he witnessed inadequate change in cervical cancer screenings and formed a self-collect prototype. “Teal Wand™ will provide women with an alternative to the traditional screening method with stirrups and a speculum, making it easier for
Looking for a job in this economy is grueling. In December 2024, NBC recorded that the unemployment rate in the US was at 4.2%, which is alarming considering unemployment rates had never been below 5% in the 1970s or the 1980s. The job market is slow, and it’s taking candidates several months or years to find new job opportunities. Aliyah Jones knows this experience all too well. After being out of work for several months, she launched an unemployment series on LinkedIn. The series garnered tons of attention, and Jones
Black-owned organizations Afropunk, Walk Good LA, and Community Aid Dena have raised over $10 million for Black families displaced by the Los Angeles fires. Since January 7, the wildfires had caused the displacement of over 100,00 people, displaced 12,000 structures, and killed at least 24 people, according to The Guardian. The fires have significantly impacted Black communities in LA. The New York Times reported that although only 8% of the general population of LA is Black, 21% of the residents affected by the fire in Altadena are Black people. Which
Funding for female-led and female-founded ventures in Africa reached a five-year low in 2024, ‘Africa: The Big Deal’ reported. A five year low for Women-led ventures These figures are the lowest they’ve been since 2019, as female CEOs received only $48 million in funding in 2024. That number is four times less than in 2023. In contrast, $2.2 billion went to their male peers in 2024. Additionally, female CEOs only received 2% of the total invested last year. Funding for gender-diverse teams was slightly better as they received $123 million in
Walmart shareholders advise the company to rethink its decision to pull back on DEI efforts. Bloomberg reported that over 30 shareholders asked Walmart Inc. to explain why they’ve decided to retreat on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, calling the choice “disheartening.” The letter to Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon stated that the company had given in to “bullying and pressure from anti-DEI groups.” CEO of SHARE Kevin Thomas, who signed the letter, said, “It’s worrying for shareholders because management appears to be swayed by threats from internet trolls who are already
