Hollywood’s tightening budgets and declining support for diversity efforts have had a negative impact on projects by and for people of color, according to Charles D. King, founder and CEO of MACRO, one of the largest media companies centered on Black entertainment. Speaking at Bloomberg’s New Voices event, King discussed the industry’s economic challenges and highlighted how these factors have strained the viability of diverse storytelling in Hollywood. Job Cuts and Funding Challenges in an Evolving Industry With the shift in viewing habits towards streaming, coupled with rising production costs
Federal authorities are investigating disturbing racist text messages sent anonymously to Black Americans across the United States, including students. These messages invoked themes of slavery, instructing recipients to “report to the nearest plantation.” The texts have triggered concern and condemnation, and multiple law enforcement agencies are now involved. Text Messages Spark National Alarm The texts have been reported in states such as New York, California, Alabama, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Each message varied slightly in wording, but most instructed the recipients to gather their belongings and prepare to “pick cotton”
The US tech industry is on track for substantial growth, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 13% increase in tech roles by 2030. Yet, despite this boom, Hispanic representation in tech remains disproportionally low. This discrepancy is particularly striking when compared to the Hispanic population’s growth, which has surged to around 19% of the total US population as of 2020. Examining Key Cities: Growth vs. Representation An analysis by Bureau of Labor Statistics of major cities reveals significant gaps between Hispanic population growth and tech job representation. Philadelphia,
Dr Paul Stephenson, a key figure in the British civil rights movement and leader of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott, has died at age 87. Stephenson, who fought for racial equality and against workplace discrimination, passed away on Saturday after battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Leading the Bristol Bus Boycott Dr Stephenson’s work gained national attention when he led the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963. The boycott was sparked when the Bristol Omnibus Company refused to hire Black and Asian drivers. This 60-day protest led to the company lifting its
AI-driven hiring tools overwhelmingly prefer resumes with names associated with white men, a new University of Washington (UW) study has found. Resumes with white male names were selected 85% of the time, while those with female-associated names were chosen only 11% of the time. By contrast, resumes with names associated with Black men fared the worst, with models passing them over in favor of other groups in nearly 100% of cases. Biases in AI Resume Screening AI-powered tools are becoming staples in the hiring process. For example, large language model
Boeing Co. has disbanded its global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team, signaling a shift in corporate strategy under new CEO Kelly Ortberg, according to Bloomberg. This decision aligns with Ortberg’s broader effort to revamp Boeing’s workforce as the company deals with financial setbacks and pressure from conservative critics. Strategic Workforce Cuts and Leadership Changes The dismantling of Boeing’s DEI department comes as Ortberg oversees a large restructuring plan aimed at stabilizing the aerospace giant’s finances. The company, which plans to cut 10% of its workforce, has been focused on
FanDuel, North America’s online gaming company, announced a $1 million donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to support students at 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across North Carolina. The funding is aimed at alleviating financial pressures for these students by covering essential needs, including technology, housing, food security, and tuition costs, through UNCF’s Emergency Student Aid program. Supporting Educational Access and Equity The donation ceremony took place on September 29 at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, where representatives from FanDuel and UNCF gathered to mark the
While debates over diversity policies in corporate America intensify, new data shows that white male CEOs have been among the biggest financial beneficiaries of these initiatives. Farient Advisors, a compensation consulting firm, reports that 28 CEOs received diversity-linked bonuses last year, with white men making up the majority of recipients. Collectively, these executives earned nearly $5 million for achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals. Top CEOs See Six-Figure Diversity Payouts American Airlines CEO Robert Isom topped the list with a $520,000 bonus tied to the airline’s DEI targets. He
Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown created a STEM program for middle and high school students in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Through his 7uice Foundation, Brown launched the Bridge Program at MIT’s Media Lab, a four-day camp introducing Boston’s underserved youth to AI, synthetic biology, space exploration, and more. Bridge Program: Hands-On STEM Learning Aimed at students in grades 8–12, the Bridge Program offers a STEAM-based curriculum covering science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Brown co-founded the program in 2021 with his family, and the MIT Media
Facing rising scrutiny and backlash, more than half of companies are changing how they present their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, according to recent data from the Conference Board. A survey of over 60 executives revealed that 50% have adjusted DEI terminology to reduce an emphasis on racial diversity, with 20% more considering similar changes. Notably, “equity” is frequently being omitted as it’s perceived as the most controversial term. A Response to Legal and Social Pressures This shift follows increased pressure from conservative activist groups and legal challenges. The
