Costo is standing firm on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments despite activist investors pushing for the company to make changes in line with those seen at Walmart, John Deere, and McDonald’s. Activist investors target DEI efforts Forbes reported that a proposal from a shareholder, put forward by a conservative think tank, challenged Costco to evaluate and openly share the harm linked with its DEI policies and goals. The proposal states that the firm DEI’s plans present financial, reputational, and litigation threats that could negatively affect shareholders. In the
This year, we’ve witnessed the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions with mounting conservative pressure against DEI initiatives across industries—from retail and banking to venture capital and nonprofits. Amid these challenges, the stories that resonated most with you this year were those of resistance and resilience: stories about Black women securing capital, launching funds, and building unicorn companies. You loved the stories about employees holding their employers to account—in words and deeds—and the investors, influencers, and innovators raising the bar in their respective
Players Health, founded by former athlete Tyrre Burks, has secured $60 million in Series C funding to expand its mission of ensuring safety in youth sports. Led by Bluestone Equity Partners, the funding round also included Mosaic General Partners, RPM Ventures, SiriusPoint, and TriplePoint Capital, bringing the total raised to over $100 million. A Former Athlete’s Vision for Change Tyrre Burks founded Players Health to address the challenges he experienced as an athlete playing Division II football team while attending Winona State University, then in Europe and the Canadian Football
A US appeals court has struck down Nasdaq’s diversity disclosure rules for companies listed on the stock exhange. The rules required companies to appoint women, racial minorities, or LGBTQ+ individuals to their boards or explain why they could not. The 5th Circuit Court ruled 9-8 that the proposal was not legal and that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had overstepped by approving Nasdaq’s rule. Court Rejects SEC’s Role in Diversity Mandate Nasdaq introduced a rule requiring companies to share board diversity data and include at least one director from
Operation HOPE and Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business has announced the launch of the AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project (AILP3). This initiative aims to equip underserved populations across Georgia with the tools needed to succeed in an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). The announcement was made during the 10th Annual Hope Global Forums on December 11, 2024, an event dedicated to financial empowerment and creating pathways to economic mobility. A Comprehensive Plan to Equip Students for an AI Economy AILP3 will deliver a
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has made history by securing a $1 million grant from Google to establish the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research. HBCU Makes History This marks the first artificial intelligence-focused institute at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). “This is a huge day,” said Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton, according to CBS17. The institute will prioritize workforce development and promote equity in AI, ensuring students are well-prepared to lead in a rapidly advancing field. Preparing Students for the Future of AI Scheduled to
BlackCEO, a training platform for Black entrepreneurs, has announced the launch of its “Extreme Business Makeover” program. This initiative is designed to accelerate the growth of Black-owned businesses, tackling challenges that often hinder scaling to multi-million-dollar revenues. A Revolutionary Approach to Business Transformation The three-day program offers a hands-on transformation for selected Black entrepreneurs. BlackCEO’s team implements business strategies during the program including brand development, marketing automation, AI integration, and public relations execution. Participants leave the program with fully operational business systems in place. “Traditional business programs tell you what
Byron Allen’s $10 billion lawsuit accusing McDonald’s of racial discrimination is heading to trial, following a federal judge’s ruling, according to Variety. The media mogul alleges that the fast-food giant denied advertising opportunities to his Black-owned media outlets while reserving substantial budgets for general-market advertising. Court Allows Jury to Decide United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin found sufficient grounds for the case to be heard by a jury. In his decision, he noted that this type of case benefits from a full hearing. Allen’s lawsuit claims that McDonald’s created
Walmart has recently decided to discontinue multiple diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in its workplaces. With 1.6 million employees, Walmart is one of the world’s largest retailers, meaning its decision on DEI has significant consequences for all retailers and corporations. Walmart rolls back DEI This plan to phase out DEI efforts was initially made public by anti-DEI conservative activist Robby Starbuck. Posting on X, Starbuck said, “Walmart is ending their woke policies. Last week, I told execs at [Walmart] that I was doing a story on wokeness there. Instead,
Each year, the BBC honors 100 inspiring and influential women from around the globe, celebrating their contributions to society across various fields. This listicle highlights the women of color in tech who have earned a spot on the BBC 100 Women list this year. Gabriela Salas Cabrera, Mexico Gabriela Salas Cabrera is a programmer and data scientist whose work bridges technology and cultural preservation. When her mother tongue, Náhuatl, was missing from Google Translate, Salas took action. Collaborating with the tech giant, she helped integrate Náhuatl and other indigenous Mexican
