The Black-founded membership club The Gathering Spot has closed its Los Angeles location, according to AfroTech. The Gathering Spot closing its LA location Co-Founder and Gathering Spot CEO Ryan Wilson said in an email addressed to its members that the LA location is shutting down after failing to reach an agreement with the property’s landlord to resolve ongoing issues. The West Coast location experienced flooding that halted elevator operations and created an ongoing odor, according to Wilson. But he is already looking for a new location in LA. About The
Pastor Jamal Bryant announced on March 11 that the yearlong “Target Fast” had come to an end, following a meeting with Target CEO Michael Fiddelke. Bloomberg reported that Bryant cited progress on several key demands, including Target’s pledge to fulfil its $2 billion commitment to Black-owned businesses and a new employee inclusion programme called “Belonging.” But the women who organised the boycott before Bryant joined it have disputed both the announcement and his authority to make it. The boycott did not start with Bryant. On February 1, 2025, Minneapolis civil rights attorney Nekima
On Tuesday, 9th March, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued an air permit allowing Elon Musk’s xAI to operate tons of gas turbines at its facility in Southaven, Mississippi. The permit board’s decision comes weeks after community members held a hearing to share concerns about xAI’s potential health effects, according to a press statement. Internal documents from MDEQ and EPA indicate that the agency faced intense pressure to approve xAI’s air permit swiftly. “We are outraged that, despite the community’s clear demand to move the Election Day hearing,
Serena and Venus Williams are launching the Williams Family Excellence Program, a new initiative to support under-resourced communities with academic support, career pathways, and mentorship. Launched in partnership with the USTA Foundation, the program will help young people prepare for their lives both on and off the court. “This initiative stands as a living legacy to the Williams family—a tribute not only to Venus and Serena’s extraordinary achievements on the court, but to the unwavering determination, sacrifice, and resilience that define their family’s journey,” Kathleen Wu, President of the USTA
Gilbert Family Foundation announced that it will grant over $4 million to Black Leaders Detroit (BLD) and the Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA). The announcement made during Black Business Month detailed that the capital will be allocated towards several programs for Detroit business owners, including increasing access to capital, technical assistance, business coaching, and more. “These investments will ensure Detroit developers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses have the resources and opportunities needed to shape the future of our city and state,” Darnell Adams, Vice President of Detroit Community Initiatives, Gilbert Family
ChurchSpace, a Houston-born tech startup that transforms underused church buildings into rentable community spaces, is expanding its mission to the Midwest. The company has announced the relocation of its headquarters to Detroit alongside the close of an oversubscribed $1.2 million funding round. “What we built in Houston was more than technology—it was transformation,” said ChurchSpace Co-Founder and Co-CEO Day Edwards said in a press release. “We expanded our purpose and packaged proven strategies to help churches thrive, transform communities, and even combat food insecurity. Now, with prayer and the support of our team
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation donated $2 million to The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) to further the organization’s mission to expand, scale, and develop Black entrepreneurs across Atlanta and beyond. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s $2M Donation The announcement was made during a fireside chat held at RICE, which featured Jay Bailey, President & CEO of RICE; Fay Twersky, President of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; and Kacey Venning, a RICE stakeholder and nonprofit leader. “The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s belief in our mission
Actress Kerry Washington joined Equip Health, a startup that supports people with eating disorders, as an investor and advisor, Fortune reports. Equip Health has raised $110 million from other angel investors, including Katie Couric and soccer celeb Alex Morgan. Equip provides users with virtual appointments with experts, including therapists, doctors, dietitians, family, and peer mentors. Washington opened up about her eating disorder in her memoir Thicker Than Water. She spoke about her struggles with binge eating and severe food restriction, often not consuming food for several days or obsessively exercising.
Khaby Lame, the most followed person on TikTok, has joined UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador. The announcement was made in Sengeal, where Lame was born, after a four-day day where he met children and young people leading positive change in their communities. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Lame will use his international platform as a content creator to spread awareness of children’s rights worldwide, such as empowering girls, education, protection from violence and abuse, access to health, nutrition, and a clean environment. “It’s a true honour to be appointed as
The fourth annual Fifteen Percent Pledge gala has raised $3 million for Black-owned businesses amid a growing trend of companies scaling back their DEI efforts. On Saturday, 1st February, the Los Angeles-based event was filled with A-list celebrities like Ciara, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, Teyana Taylor, Jesse Williams, and Keke Palmer. All proceeds from the activation ticket sales go to businesses affected by the recent LA wildfires. “We are nobody’s DEI hire,” said the founder, Aurora James, according to WWD. “This country, in its best form, is a product of
