On May 6th, the NAACP filed a request for a preliminary injunction to stop air pollution from Elon Musk’s company, xAI, and its parent company, MZX Tech. The request comes after the organization filed a Clean Air Act enforcement last month. The Clean Air Act requires major sources of pollution to obtain air permits, which include stringent pollution limits and require the use of pollution controls before being constructed or operated. xAI violating the Clean Air Act The NAACP informed xAI and MZX Tech that their personal power plant, comprising 27 gas-fired
WNBA player Angel Reese partnered with 2K Foundations to give young female athletes access to mentorship and sports programming, according to AFROTECH. Reese returned to her hometown, Baltimore, for the partnership, which supports female student-athletes at Crossroads Middle School through nonprofit STEM organizations Living Classrooms Foundation and Project Scientist, with a six-week STEM initiative. “The Living Classrooms’ partnership with Angel Reese, the Angel C. Reese Foundation, and 2K Foundations reflects a shared belief that girls thrive when they are given access, encouragement, and real-world opportunities to explore who they can become,”
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed an appeal challenging the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s plan to issue an air permit to xAI’s affiliate company, MZX Tech. The appeal was filed on behalf of the NAACP, Young Gifted & Green, and the Safe and Sound Coalition, who believe the permit violates the law and threatens the health of families living in North Mississippi and South Memphis. The permit allows xAI to allow 41 polluting methane gas turbines—essentially a personal power plant—at a site in Southaven, Mississippi. The power plant would
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
