Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan have announced the company is ending its fact-checking system in favor of a community notes model, much like the system on X. However, critics say the shift is simply an attempt to appease the incoming Trump administration and cause real-world harm to already marginalized communities through increased hate speech and misinformation. Why is Meta scrapping the fact-based system? “In recent years, we’ve developed increasingly complex systems to manage content across our platforms, partly in response to societal and political
It’s the start of a new year, and many people are considering new career opportunities. While it’s great to network with people online, meeting industry professionals in person allows you to form richer connections. This is where tech conferences come in. Even if you aren’t thinking about making a new career move, there’s no harm in networking with like-minded individuals. Here at POCIT, we know how daunting it is to be one of the few Black or Brown faces in networking rooms. This is why we’ve created a list of
Startups in Africa raised $2.2 billion in 2024, with Kenyan startups receiving the most funding, according to Africa: The Big Deal. For the second year in a row, Kenya secured the most funding in Africa, raising $638 million, with 88% of the total amount raised in East Africa. How much money was raised in Kenya and East Africa? East Africa raised $725 million in total, equal to 1 in 3 dollars raised in Africa. Kenya received $638 million in funding on its own, which makes up 88% of the overall
Meta has deleted its AI-powered Facebook and Instagram profiles following backlash over racist and offensive characters. The tech giant had quietly rolled out the AI-driven accounts that could interact with other users via direct messages in 2023 alongside its lauch of Celebrity AI characters. “Proud Black Queer Momma” These accounts lived under the radar until the Financial Times published a story on December 27 exploring Meta’s intentions to continue integrating user-generated AI profiles that users can create and edit to preferences into its social media platforms. Meta deleted its Celebrity AI
Mark Clayton, a former NFL player, raised $1 million in funding for his LIVV Audio brand of high-performance headphones he designed in high school. The wide receiver, who spent most of his seven-year career with the Baltimore Ravens, created the headphones for athletes and those interested in fitness. Clayton’s Idea Clayton started designing the concept for his headphones while studying business administration and management at Babson College. However, the idea for the headphones came to Clayton during his pool-based rehab sessions after recovering from a knee injury when he joined the
Africa’s startups raised $2.2 billion in equity, grants, and debt (excluding exits). While this is an impressive figure, it highlights a 25% decrease compared to last year, when startups in Africa secured $2.9 billion, according to ‘Africa: The Big Deal.’ Who were the major key players? The total of $2.2 billion was primarily driven by two significant deals by Nigeria’s Moniepoint and South Africa’s Tyme Group. A gross of 188 ventures secured $1 million or greater (excluding exits) in funding, 10% less given in 2023 despite the 25% dip in
This year, we’ve witnessed the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions with mounting conservative pressure against DEI initiatives across industries—from retail and banking to venture capital and nonprofits. Amid these challenges, the stories that resonated most with you this year were those of resistance and resilience: stories about Black women securing capital, launching funds, and building unicorn companies. You loved the stories about employees holding their employers to account—in words and deeds—and the investors, influencers, and innovators raising the bar in their respective
Here are five Black innovators we think are set to make significant moves in 2025. From health tech and biodesign to venture capital and the creator economy, these individuals are at the forefront of progress. They’re reshaping industries, launching transformative products, and empowering communities worldwide. Here’s a closer look at their work and why you should keep them on your radar. Amanda Spann – Empowering Non-Technical Founders Amanda Spann is a marketing consultant and app entrepreneur dedicated to empowering the Black tech community. Her most recent initiative, The App Accelerator,
In 2024, Black-owned businesses faced significant challenges, from rising costs and gentrification to limited access to funding. Amid these obstacles, communities around the world rallied to provide crucial support. Through flash mobs, crowdfunding, and organized shopping events, they helped Black-owned businesses weather financial hardships and highlighted the power of collective action. Here are four examples of communities stepping up to make a difference. The Sistah Shop – Atlanta Facing potential closure due to financial difficulties, The Sistah Shop, a retail space showcasing over 100 Black women-owned brands, received a lifeline from
When Nadia Odunayo sat down in January 2019, she had a choice to make: pursue her idea for a running app or dive into her passion for books. She chose the latter, and what started as a side project quickly evolved into The StoryGraph, a community-driven social cataloguing web platform for books. With Amazon-owned Goodreads dominating the market, The StoryGraph has become a refreshing favorite for readers looking for a more personalized experience. Revolutionizing Reading With The StoryGraph Odunayo, a Black British engineer and entrepreneur, built The StoryGraph to offer
