Black-owned businesses faced the highest rejection rate for loans in 2024, according to a recent analysis by LendingTree. Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) of Black founders were denied when applying for loans, lines of credit, or merchant cash advances. Hispanic business owners also faced high levels of rejection, with a 29% rejection rate. Comparatively, only 1 in 5 (18%) of white-owned businesses experienced rejection. Black-owned businesses facing loan rejections Black-owned founders have always had to work significantly harder than their white peers. These latest statistics underscore the challenges faced by
Dating in 2025 is tough, and it’s even harder if you’re hoping to meet someone who shares your cultural background. The same can be said for building friendships and finding community. While social media offers endless possibilities, it’s rarely easy to filter for genuine connection. And on dating apps, your options are limited. Currently, the only mainstream apps that allow users to filter by ethnicity are Hinge, Bumble (in the US and Canada), and OkCupid. This is where HUE comes in. It’s an app designed to help people of color
Meta and the Nigerian government have reached an out-of-court settlement to resolve a $32.8 million fine issued by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC). In February, the NDPC issued the fine, stating that Meta had violated Nigeria’s Data Protection Act by practicing behavioral advertising on Facebook and Instagram, according to Techpoint Africa. The regulator claimed that Meta failed to obtain the explicit consent of Nigerian users before transferring their data out of the country. NDPC settling a $32.8 million fine On Friday, October 3, Fred Onwuobia, Meta’s lawyer, shared that
Apple has removed ICEBlock and several similar apps from its App Store after government officials raised concerns about safety risks linked to tools that let users track US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The growth of ICE-Tracking Apps A growing number of mobile apps are helping immigrants stay safe amid ICE deportations, providing critical information such as “Know Your Rights” guides and legal aid resources. Among them was ICEBlock, which allowed users to anonymously report sightings of ICE agents in their area, including descriptions of what the agents were wearing. ICEBlock quickly gained
Tabitha Brown says her business has taken a “major hit” following boycotts of Target earlier this year. The backlash came after Target announced in January 2025 that it would end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including programs supporting Black- and minority-owned brands. Brown, who sold home décor and hair care lines through the retailer, has since pivoted with the April launch of her Tab & Chance fragrance, sold directly to consumers. Target Boycott affecting Black Businsesses When the boycott was announced, Brown said she understood the desire for
Breni is an AI-powered learning app that simplifies learning by providing students with personalised content tailored to different learning styles and languages. The app launched in August and has already attracted over 3,000 users from more than 20 countries worldwide, with 90% of them outside Nigeria, according to TechPoint Africa. Founders Sadiq Umar and Bilal Abdullahi met while studying computer science at the Yusuf Maitama Sule University in Kano. They both discovered a love for technology and its potential to improve the ecosystem in the North. After finishing their studies,
The Root, an online news and media website, will be owned by a Black woman for the first time. Democratic political strategist and CNN commentator, Ashley Allison, announced that she is acquiring The Root from G/O Media, a digital media holding company controlled by a private equity firm. CNN reported that Allison said she will invest in video content, build new partnerships with experts, and launch in-person experiences for The Root’s readers. The Root’s history In 2008, Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donald E. Graham launched The
The Fearless Fund has launched a new initiative one year after settling a lawsuit with the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER). The announcement of Fearless Global Initiative was made at an event hosted by The Fearless Fund, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “This is (as) good for the white Kentucky coal miner as it is the Latino California farmworker,” Founding Partner and CEO Arian Simone told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Demographic equity means delivering the resources, the financial support, at a scale that reflects the population. This is something we
NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, NBA All-Star Kemba Walker, and NCAA champion Donnell Beverly Jr. recently launched Eazewell, a tech startup that helps ease the burden of funeral planning. The startup is now launching its AI-Powered Care Transitions Platform. The platform aims to support families, hospices, senior living communities, and life insurers with the administrative tasks at the end of life, from notifying banks and Social Security to cancelling utilities and closing social media accounts. AI To Streamline End-of-Life Tasks The platform streamlines responsibilities such as account closures, documentation, utility cancellations, mail
Most of us have a LinkedIn profile. We use it to connect with our industry peers, find new jobs, and update our portfolios. But how can we utilize LinkedIn to its full potential? With 57% of the web’s job traffic coming from LinkedIn, it can be a game-changer for your career — if you know how to navigate it. Unsure where to start? Keep reading. Create the right profile It sounds simple, but building a LinkedIn profile takes time. “Start with a great photo, remember that LinkedIn is a social
