Leigh Higginbotham Butler has a pioneering AI platform and network for Black women, Akina. Akina, which means “strong family bond” in Swahili, originated from a personal need to create a safe space for discussions and support among Black mothers. It has since evolved into a Community-as-a-Service (CaaS) app and platform that leverages culturally competent AI and machine learning technology. From A Social Network To A Movement Akina was initially started 2020 as a social media platform for Black mothers. “It came about in the aftermath of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmuad
Women’s History Month 2024 shines a spotlight on ‘Champions of Change,’ celebrating women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). This month-long observance in March honors the role of women in American history and acknowledges their ongoing efforts to create a more equitable world. This year’s theme particularly resonates with the tech industry, where women, especially Black women, are significantly underrepresented, undermined, and excluded. In this context, we have spotlighted some Black women in tech whose startups are breaking barriers, building bridges, and making the world a more equitable place. Laura Weidman Powers – Code2040
Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) firms in the UK now prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), a new report claims, with AI tools playing a significant role in this transformation. The findings come from a recent Workday survey, Global Blueprint for Belonging and Diversity, with views from CEOs and leaders in HR, IT, and finance. Can AI Support DEI Programs? The report found that overall, having the right technology stack is essential and can be critical in enabling DEI. In particular, it was found that there is a significant correlation between AI adoption and effective
Tech companies are now offering AI-powered therapy services designed to meet the specific needs of Black individuals. The Black Female Therapist The “Black Female Therapist” (BFT), a novel AI chatbot, is part of this approach from tech companies providing accessible and tailored mental health support. BFT, developed by Youper, leverages advanced algorithms and natural language processing to offer culturally sensitive advice and empathetic responses. According to Refinery29, the chatbot addresses the emotional challenges faced by Black individuals, including systemic barriers and the need for spaces where they feel seen and
Black students demonstrate a high aptitude in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, the 2024 Black Students and STEM Report has found. However, limited career exposure may contribute to a lack of interest in STEM subjects. High Aptitude, Low Interest The report is a collaboration between YouScience and Black Girls Do STEM. It analyzed data from 328,000 Black U.S. middle and high school students, utilizing YouScience’s Aptitude and Career Discovery tool. Despite demonstrating strong potential for in-demand STEM careers, a significant career exposure gap hinders their pursuit of these opportunities. The findings are illuminating:
Tesla has settled a racial discrimination lawsuit with former employee Owen Diaz after a protracted legal battle. After filing a lawsuit in 2017, Diaz was awarded a staggering $137 million in 2022. However, US District Court Judge William Orrick reduced this to $15 million and then to $3.2 million. The settlement terms remain confidential but mark the end of a lawsuit that revealed disturbing practices within Tesla’s Fremont factory. Diaz vs. Tesla Diaz, who worked as a freight elevator operator for less than a year starting in June 2015, encountered
Westbound Equity Partners, formerly Concrete Rose Capital, has raised an impressive $100 million to invest in Black, Latine, and diversity-focused founders. Westbound Equity Partners Spearheaded by Sean Mendy, a former Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula director, Westbound’s mission is to channel resources into startups that demonstrate potential while embodying a commitment to diversity and equitable culture. Mendy’s vision was to create a fund to break the homogeneous investment and entrepreneurship cycle and foster a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem. The uniqueness of Westbound lies in its dual approach. On the one
The 2024 Tech Equity Collective (TEC) Impact Fund has announced a stride towards tech industry equity by introducing its 20 grantees. Since its 2021 inception, Tech Equity Collective has been dedicated to accelerating Black innovation and representation in tech. It works alongside tech giants and community organizations to create new career opportunities for Black tech innovators. The 2024 Tech Equity Collective Impact Fund The chosen organizations exemplify innovation and commitment to fostering an inclusive tech ecosystem. They focus on reskilling, upskilling, and training programs for aspiring Black technical talent. This year’s grantees, chosen for their pioneering
The UK’s biggest companies are slowly adding more diversity to their top roles. The Parker Review examined 350 major UK businesses. It found increased representation of people from ethnic minority backgrounds but noted there is still room for improvement. The Parker Review The Parker Review discovered that there are now 12 ethnic minority chief executives and seven Chairs in the FTSE 100, which lists the top 100 companies in the UK. This is an improvement from seven CEOs and six Chairs in 2022. However, in the bigger picture, only 13% of the
NASA’s latest class of astronauts, including two notable Black graduates, Andre Douglas and Christopher Williams, marks a milestone for the agency: it has enlisted 20 Black astronauts since the beginning. A Milestone For Black Astronauts NASA’s recent ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston celebrated the graduation of 10 astronauts, now eligible for various flight assignments. This diverse group is set to participate in future missions, ranging from the International Space Station to the Moon and eventually to Mars. The graduates were selected from an impressive pool of over 12,000 applicants, demonstrating exceptional talent
