Two of the most influential Black business leaders in the US are calling on companies to rethink scaling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, according to CNN. Ken Frazier, who served as CEO of Merck from 2011 to 2021, was the first Black CEO of a major pharmaceutical company. Ken Chenault, CEO of American Express from 2001 to 2018, was only the third Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company. The leaders warned that reducing DEI efforts could limit opportunities for future generations of leaders facing racial and
Black Girl Vitamins (BGV) has announced a $100,000 scholarship fund dedicated to Black women pursuing medical careers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This two-year initiative, part of their broader mission to support health equity, aims to increase representation in healthcare by easing the financial burden for aspiring medical professionals. Investing in Future Healthcare Leaders BGV’s scholarship program aligns with their mission to create a new generation of Black women in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. The scholarship is open to Black women enrolled in accredited medical programs
HSBC Holdings Plc has appointed Pam Kaur as its first female Chief Financial Officer (CFO), marking a historic shift for the global bank, which was founded over 150 years ago. Kaur, who has been with HSBC since 2013, will step into the role amid sweeping restructures under the bank’s newly appointed CEO and a challenging global financial climate. A Long Career in Risk and Compliance Pam Kaur, formerly HSBC’s chief risk and compliance officer, brings nearly 40 years of global finance expertise, specializing in risk management, compliance, and auditing. She
In this episode of the Techish podcast, Michael and Abadesi dive into all the drama around OpenAI’s move from a nonprofit to a for-profit company. They discuss the impact on the company’s integrity, the motivations behind the move, ethical concerns about AI, and share their own startup experiences while exploring AI’s broader effects on society. OpenAI’s Transition from Nonprofit to For-Profit (01:00) Integrity and Ethical Considerations in AI (03:09) Sam Altman Is Extremely Good at Becoming Powerful (06:22) Listen to the episode You can find the Techish podcast on Spotify, Apple,
Target has introduced ÜNOS by Sz, a new line of sneakers that expands to fit growing feet. The expandable sneakers are the brainchild of Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, a footwear designer and president of Pensole Lewis College, a design-focused HBCU in Detroit. Edwards has over 30 years of experience designing for top brands like Nike, L.A. Gear, and icons like Tupac and Michael Jordan, Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, and Nas. A Unique Approach to Affordable Footwear ÜNOS by Sz, which stands for “U Need One Size,” offers more than 15 styles
Real estate developer Booker Washington, founder of Techie Homes, is set to open Union Park Cottages, a Black-owned micro-home community featuring a technology lab and coffee shop. The project aims to make homeownership more accessible in the area, while also creating community engagement and economic growth. Union Park Cottages will offer smart, smaller homes priced below the current market rates, part of Washington’s broader effort to address the housing affordability issue in metro Atlanta. Community Ownership and Innovation In a unique model, residents of Union Park Cottages will also hold
Klean Energy Kulture (KEK), an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to driving clean energy adoption in Black and Brown communities, has launched its inaugural program, “Electrify the City.” This initiative aims to fast-track the integration of renewable energy in disinvested neighborhoods. It focuses on transforming cultural landmarks like salons, churches, entertainment venues, and community centers into sustainable energy hubs. Powering Cultural Spaces and Communities Through “Electrify the City,” KEK will partner with businesses, residents, and cultural leaders to install solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in high-traffic community venues. The
A coalition of Black and Latine leaders in health technology has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States, citing her commitment to health equity and technological innovation, Black Enterprise reports. Public letter endorses Harris In an open letter, signed by over 20 health tech leaders, the group outlined their vision for a healthcare system that prioritizes health equity and uses technology to improve access for marginalized communities. They emphasized the importance of increasing representation of Black and Latine professionals in leadership roles within health technology,
Greenwood Rising: The Rise of Black Wall Street premiered on October 11, 2024, sharing the story of O. W. Gurley, one of the founders of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s famed Black Wall Street. Featuring Family Matters star Darius McCrary and Fatima Marie as O. W. Gurley and Emma Gurley, this historical drama’s distinctive soundtrack blends jazz with modern beats, bringing a fresh energy to this powerful story. From Tech to Storytelling Co-produced and directed by Aaron L. Williams, Greenwood Rising is first original film by ad-supported video-on-demand platform Fawesome. Williams began his
Klasha, the fintech company changing cross-border B2B payments between Africa and Asia, has raised an additional $2 million in funding. This latest investment round, backed by existing investors such as Expert Dojo, Alumni Ventures, and Breega, brings Klasha’s total funding to $6.5 million. The new capital will be used to accelerate its expansion into the Asian market, including opening an office in Hangzhou, China, the hub of e-commerce giants like Alibaba. Scaling Payment Solutions for Emerging Markets With a focus on enabling seamless cross-border payments between merchants in Africa and
