Carlos Watson, the founder of Ozy Media, was sentenced on Monday to 116 months in prison for defrauding investors and misrepresenting the company’s finances. The decision comes after Watson’s conviction in July for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that included falsifying contracts and fabricating deals to gain investor trust, according to Reuters. Fraudulent Deals And Fabricated Contracts The sentencing, delivered by US District Judge Eric Komitee in Brooklyn federal court, marks the culmination of a high-profile case. Prosecutors accused Watson and his now-defunct media startup of inflating revenue projections and audience
Latina-owned fintech platform Hello Alice has announced it has distributed more than $50 million in grants to small businesses across the US since 2020. Founded by Carolyn Rodz and Elizabeth Gore, the digital platform has become a cornerstone of support for entrepreneurs nationwide, providing funding, mentorship, and tools to help their businesses grow. Empowering Entrepreneurs Nationwide Hello Alice was born out of co-founder and CEO Carolyn Rodz’s struggles as an entrepreneur. A former JPMorgan investment banker from Bolivia, Rodz told American Banker she faced significant hurdles when raising capital for
Bozoma Saint John, one of the industry’s highest-profile marketing executives, is launching Eve by Boz, a wig and haircare brand, as first reported by Fortune. The independently funded venture promises to cater specifically to Black women and address gaps in the wig industry that Saint John says have been overlooked for too long. Filling a Gap in the Market Saint John made history in 2020 as Netflix’s first Black C-suite executive and previously held marketing leadership roles at Uber, Apple, and PepsiCo. Since stepping down from her Netflix role in
This week on Techish, Michael and Abadesi tackle UK and US politics—covering Kemi Badenoch, budget hits for small businesses, and tax headaches for high earners. They also chat about Big Tech’s stance on the US elections, the tech industry’s broken promises, and wrap up with a look at catfishing in online dating. Kemi Badenoch Is Now the UK Conservative Party Leader (00:20) Is the New UK Budget Anti-Business? (04:55) 6-Figure Salaries, Childcare, and the Tax Debate (09:37) US Elections and Big Tech (16:40) Sweet Bobby and Catfishing (26:22) Listen to
This week, Techish hosts Abadesi and Michael talk about the challenges of promoting yourself on social media while staying authentic. They dive into gender norms, entrepreneurship, pricing strategies, and balancing personal vs. business branding—all while navigating the pressures of social media. Promoting yourself on social media (00:00) Zero to a million: How to make (and keep) money as an entrepreneur (09:50) Building a personal vs business brand (17:35) Navigating social media, vulnerability, and business exposure as a woman (21:15) Listen to the episode You can find the Techish podcast on Spotify,
Women’s health company Perelel has acquired LOOM, a sexual and reproductive health information platform co-founded by Erica Chidi. Chidi, a doula and health educator, joins Perelel as a strategic advisor, where she will use her expertise to advance the shared mission of supporting women and people with uteruses through their reproductive health journeys. LOOM’s Journey In 2017, Erica Chidi and Quinn Lundberg founded LOOM to fill gaps in reproductive health education, particularly for diverse communities. LOOM offers regulatory-compliant guidance and personalized support throughout different phases of sexual and reproductive health,
In this week’s Techish, Abadesi and Michael reflect on the ups and downs of running their own companies: Vanity metrics and getting your priorities right (00:10) Why VC money seems so sexy (08:05) The secret to getting good feedback (11:35) The future of corporate anti-racism (19:05) Listen to the episode You can find the Techish podcast on Spotify, Apple, and all good podcast apps. Watch On YouTube Extra Reading and Resources Check out Hustle Crew’s Playschool Accelerator 2024.
This article is sponsored by Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab The Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab (MSIVL) is proving that inclusion really does fuel innovation. Since 2017, Morgan Stanley’s in-house startup accelerator has helped over 100 companies raise over $200 million and reach a collective valuation of more than $1 billion. MSIVL provides early-stage technology and technology-enabled startups with $250,000, handpicked mentors, custom curriculums in finance, sales, and marketing, and a coveted opportunity to pitch to investors following their five-month accelerator participation on a Demo Day, setting founders up for
Workers of color made up 40.1% of the high tech workforce in 2022, comprising a share similar to the total US workforce, according to a new report from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). However, Black and Hispanic workers remain significantly underrepresented in the high tech workforce and sector, especially in senior roles, depsite growing numbers. The high tech workforce The high tech workforce refers to workers in 56 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations regardless of industry, for example, an engineer working at a nonprofit. Black high tech
A new Black Business Hub has opened in South Madison, Wisconsin. Spearheaded by the Urban League of Greater Madison, the $25.5 million facility aims to provide resources and space for Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. A Hub for Business Growth and Community The Black Business Hub, located on South Park Street, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 24, 2024. marking the completion of a project that began more than two years ago. The facility features four floors of retail, office, coworking spaces, and a commercial kitchen. Madison 365 reports
