Telegram has become “a global sewer” of illegal and extremist activities, including white supremacy, criminal networks, and terrorism, according to a four-month investigation by The New York Times. White Supremacist Activity Thrives on Telegram The Times analyzed more than 3.2 million Telegram messages from over 16,000 channels, uncovering 1,500 channels run by white supremacists. These channels have nearly one million members worldwide and openly coordinate racist activities, including inciting violence, promoting hate speech, and organizing protests. Telegram is “the most popular place for ill-intentioned, violent actors to congregate,” Rebecca Weiner,
Sigo Seguros, a digital-first auto insurance serving Hispanic and Latine communities, has secured $10.5 million in Series A funding. Making Auto Insurance Easier and More Affordable Founded in 2019, Sigo specializes in non-standard auto insurance. Drivers in need of this insurance are often pushed to broker-run brick and mortar agencies, whic typically charge higher fees. Sigo offers a fully digital Spanish-language service that allows customers to obtain insurance in minutes through a mobile platform. “Immigrant and working-class communities struggle to buy auto insurance, whether it’s because of a lack of
Atlanta-based venture capital firm Fearless Fund has permanently closed its Strivers Grant program, which provided $20,000 grants to Black women entrepreneurs. This decision follows a settlement with the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), a group led by conservative activist Edward Blum, the man behind the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling. Nevertheless, Fearless Fund remains committed to empowering historically overlooked entrepreneurs and plans to launch a new debt fund to continue supporting those in need of capital. Fearless Fund’s Legal Battle In August 2023, AAER sued Fearless Fund, claiming the
In this episode of Techish Podcast, Abadesi and Michael discuss Ticketmaster is corrupt Finding balance as a content creator Serena Williams investments – 14 out of 60 are now unicorns Founder Mode and more! Listen to the episode You can find the Techish podcast on Spotify, Apple, and all good podcast apps. Watch On YouTube
Every year, MIT highlights young leaders worldwide who are making a difference through research and entrepreneurship. This year’s innovators are tackling issues in biotechnology, the climate sector, robotics, and more. Chosen from hundreds of nominees by expert judges and the MIT Technology Review editorial team, these trailblazers are changing the future of science and technology. Here, we’ve highlighted some of the Black and Brown innovators featured on the MIT 2024 Under 35 List. Mireille Kamariza, University of California, Los Angeles Mireille Kamariza, 35, developed a groundbreaking test that detects tuberculosis
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has called on Fortune 500 companies to reaffirm their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and set clear, measurable goals amid rising challenges to DEI programs nationwide. Holding corporate America accountable The CBC’s first-of-its-kind report aims to hold Fortune 500 companies accountable for their DEI pledges made after George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Titled “What Good Looks Like”: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the report is based on months of meetings with hundreds of executives across different sectors and
Kredete, a Nigerian fintech platform, has raised $2.25 million in seed funding, enhancing its ability to serve African immigrants in the U.S. The funding round, led by Blockchain Founders Fund (BFF), also included investors like Techstars, Tezos Foundation, Polymorphic Capital, among others. Kredete’s mission is to help African immigrants build credit while simplifying remittances, transforming how they send money home. Addressing Financial Barriers for African Immigrants Kredete’s innovative approach has attracted a user base of over 300,000 and processed transactions exceeding $100 million. The platform allows immigrants to send money
In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day 2024, it’s important to highlight the growing mental health needs within Black communities. Studies show that Black adults are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, compared to the general population. Despite this, only about 25% of Black individuals seek mental health care, largely due to stigma, cultural barriers, and lack of access to culturally competent providers. In response, several apps and startups are working to close this gap, offering tailored support to meet the mental
TIME has unveiled its second annual TIME100 AI list, recognizing 100 of the most influential figures shaping the future of artificial intelligence. The 2024 edition features leaders across a wide range of industries, from tech and business to entertainment. Among those highlighted are Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, Jensen Huang of NVIDIA, and actor Scarlett Johansson, showcasing how AI is influencing sectors beyond traditional tech. Accompanying the list are exclusive interviews with industry pioneers like Google CEO Sundar Pichai and author Ray Kurzweil, underscoring the far-reaching impact of AI on
Warp, a payroll startup based in New York, has distanced itself from an individual associated with its brand after a series of racist posts on X (formerly Twitter). The controversy began when an account using the name “Vittorio,” who had a Warp affiliate badge, made derogatory comments favoring white superiority. The post, which quickly sparked outrage, read, “I like White people more, they do more… I’ll let Blacks run and play basketball.” The affiliate badge linked to Vittorio’s profile suggested an official connection to Warp, a startup focused on automating
