Detroit-based rapper Dank Demoss is suing Lyft after a driver allegedly denied her request for a ride due to her weight. Demoss, also known as Dajua Blanding, shared a video of the driver refusing to let her into the Mercedes-Benz. Demoss called Lyft so she could be dropped off at her cousin’s house to watch a football game. She alleged that the Lyft driver locked his doors and tried to drive away when he saw her. After she stopped him and asked if there was a problem, the driver allegedly
This week on Techish, Abadesi sits down with Alphonso David, a Human Rights and civil rights lawyer and advocate, to talk about his work as President and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum. They dive into breaking down barriers for marginalized communities, why diversity, equity, and inclusion actually matters, and the need for real investment in Black and Brown businesses. Alphonso also shares the secret to his perseverance and what we can learn from the past to drive change today. Chapters00:00 Breaking Down Barriers for Marginalized Communities03:20 Why Diversity,
Plans to launch Starlink in South Africa are facing delays due to Elon Musk’s attacks on the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, The Financial Times reports. The policies, designed to mitigate racial inequalities formed under apartheid, require foreign investors in South Africa’s telecom sector to allocate 30% of a project’s equity to Black-owned businesses to qualify for a license. The policy is supported by the African National Congress Party (ANC), a political party in South Africa known for its opposition against apartheid. Elon Musk says the equality laws are
Following President Trump’s orders, the ‘Gulf of Mexico’ will soon be renamed the ‘Gulf of America’ on Google Maps, according to the BBC. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has written a letter to Google Maps asking it to reconsider its plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico. This change was part of a series of over 100 directives and executive actions signed on Inauguration Day. One of these orders included renaming the Gulf of Mexico, which is made up of the US, Cuba, and Mexico, the Gulf of America. Why is
It’s February, which means it’s finally Black History Month. It’s a time when Black people reflect on the triumphs, victories, and achievements Black people have made in the country. While it’s essential to look back at what Black people have overcome, it’s also important to acknowledge the history Black people are making today. Black innovators are shaping the future in every industry, and the tech world is no exception. Here, we spotlight eight Black-owned tech startups that are driving change, creating opportunities, and making a real impact in Black communities.
TikTok can be pretty useful outside cat videos, dance tutorials, and comedy sketches. You can learn a language, a new recipe, and even how to play an instrument. It can also be a great way to source academic knowledge, which is being demonstrated with HillmanTok University. Who started HillmanTok University? What started as video intended for the 30 students enrolled in Dr Leah Barlow’s African American studies class this semester, has turned into a viral movement, where Black professors, lecturers, and subject matter experts create and share educational videos. In
A San Francisco startup, Waterlily, is using AI to simplify long-term care planning and costs. Founded in 2021 by Lily Vittayarukskul, the company was born out of personal hardship—her aunt’s terminal colon cancer diagnosis left the family struggling with overwhelming medical costs. “It wiped us out financially,” Vittayarukskul, a former NASA data scientist, told TechCrunch. At the time, she was studying aerospace engineering, but the emotional and financial toll of her aunt’s illness led her to pivot to genetic and data science, ultimately inspiring Waterlily’s mission. How does Waterlily help individuals
Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), the only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization, is set to relaunch its Teens4Pink® program with a new mobile app, according to a press release. The app aims to inform and empower teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 17 about how they can change the way families approach and think about breast cancer. Karen E. Jackson, 31, is a four-time breast cancer survivor and founded Sisters Network Inc. in 1994. Jackson says, “The relaunch of Teens4Pink marks an exciting step forward in engaging the
Moove, an Uber-backed mobility fintech company, has acquired Kovi, a Y Combinator-backed Brazilian urban mobility provider. “This transaction not only strengthens our footprint in Latin America and reinforces our position as a dominant player in global mobility, but it also underscores our commitment to contributing to the Brazilian economy,” Ladi Delano, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Moove, said in a statement. Following the deal, Kovi will continue to operate under its existing brand with its executive and management teams remaining in place, Moove confirmed. Moove’s Growth and Expansion Founded in 2020 by Ladi Delano
Geek Ventures is raising a second fund, as stated in a recent SEC filing, according to TechCrunch. The New York-based tech venture fund is the brainchild of Ihar Mahaniok, an engineer with over 20 years of experience in building code and machine learning. The second fund has raised $9 million so far but has no set target amount; its first sale was recorded on Monday, January 13, as stated in the filing. Helping immigrants in the tech industry Mahaniok grew up in Belarus, where he did an undergraduate in computer
