Braze is the leading customer engagement platform that empowers brands to Be Absolutely Engaging™. Founded in 2011 and working with 2,600+ brands, Braze helps brands deliver great customer experiences that drive value for both consumers and their businesses. From cross-channel messaging and journey orchestration to AI-powered decisioning and optimization, Braze enables companies to turn action into interaction through autonomous, 1:1 personalized experiences. POCIT sat down with Madison DeJesus, a Strategic Customer Success Manager at Braze, at the company’s headquarters in New York City to discuss her role, career journey, and
Emma Grede recently announced on her book tour why she didn’t invest in Diarrha N’Diaye’s company, Ami Colé. On the “She’s So Lucky” podcast with host Les Alfred, Grede shared that she doesn’t back first-time founders unless she sees something “extraordinary” about both the person and the company, explaining she didn’t see that with Ami Colé. Emma Grede hiring Diarrha N’Diaya at SKIMS Whilst Grede did not think Ami Colé was worth supporting, she evidently thought she was worth hiring. After Alicia Scott of Range Beauty introduced N’Diaye to Grede,
Applications for the Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures 2026 cohort are open through March 31. Apply here. Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV) provides early-stage innovators with access to capital and resources. During the five-month program, founders receive mentorship and networking with experienced industry leaders. The accelerator’s mission is to catalyze innovation and impact by supporting startups and nonprofits building a more inclusive and sustainable future. Meet the founders Miho Shoji, co-founder of Moodbit, developed autonomous AI agents that act as digital teammates and seamlessly integrate with enterprise
Fortune 500 companies cut public disclosure of diversity and inclusion efforts by 65% in 2026, according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s latest Corporate Equality Index data. A press release from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), attributes the pullback to a political and regulatory environment that leaves corporate leaders unsure how to communicate DEI while meeting expectations from employees, shareholders, and consumers. The shift matters because disclosure operates as a market signal and a governance artifact. When firms reduce public reporting, workers and investors lose a standardized way to
Steven Bartlett, the founder and host of “The Diary of a CEO,” said he hired a candidate with a two-line CV after reading her behavior in the building as a stronger signal than formal experience. Bartlett told Fortune that “much of the reason why I gave her the job was that she thanked the security guard by name on the way into the building.” He framed that moment as evidence of humility, respect, and social awareness, traits he considers difficult to train compared with job skills. During the interview, she
Howard University will launch an “Intro to Artificial Intelligence” course in spring 2026, partnering with CodePath and with financial support from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, according to a press release shared with AfroTech. Howard faculty and CodePath’s faculty network will jointly teach instruction spanning data structures, AI literacy, and agentic workflows, the release said. The program positions applied AI-assisted software development inside a core academic setting rather than treating it as an extracurricular credential. “Our work is rooted in the idea that HBCUs are not only equipping students for
Barclays is hiring on POCIT. Deborah Barnwell is the inclusion and opportunity partner for UK corporate at Barclays. In this role, she focuses on fostering inclusion and ensuring that all colleagues, regardless of background, feel valued, empowered, and supported in their careers. She also collaborates closely with senior leaders to embed inclusive practices and drive meaningful change by championing initiatives that expand equitable opportunities across the organization. A Journey Shaped By Inclusion “My career journey has been one of continuous growth,” Deborah says. “It’s been shaped by a commitment to inclusion and
Barclays is hiring on POCIT. Oyindamola (Dammy) Lawal, Partnerships Execution Lead for Barclaycard Payments, plays a key role in shaping the strategic collaborations that power Barclays’ expanding payment technology. Working at the intersection of innovation and relationship-building, Lawal’s ultimate goal is to grow the bank’s payments partnerships across the UK and Europe. He spoke with POCIT about building a thriving career at Barclays that leaves the door open for others. Tenacity Meets Opportunity “My journey has been a mix of tenacity and good fortune,” Lawal tells POCIT. “My career with
Join our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content: https://www.patreon.com/techish Techish is back! In this week’s episode, hosts Michael and Abadesi break down Gen Z’s job market struggles, from AI shaking up entry-level roles to companies cutting costs and outsourcing instead of hiring fresh talent. They dig into why degrees aren’t translating into jobs, how AI panic is reshaping the workplace, and why some businesses are still dragging their feet on automation. And for our Patreon listeners: we dive into UK Black History Month losing steam, and Michael and Abadesi
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
