Joanna Smith-Griffin, founder of the education-focused AI startup AllHere Education, has been charged with fraud and identity theft after allegedly misrepresenting her company’s financial health and customer base. Smith-Griffin, 33, reportedly secured nearly $10 million in investments by inflating revenue figures and claiming non-existent contracts with major school districts, including New York City Public Schools. Misrepresentation and Personal Gain Launched in 2016, AllHere Education aimed to combat absenteeism in schools using an AI chatbot named “Ed.” By 2021, Smith-Griffin asserted that her technology was adopted by eight major districts. However,
The Shawn Carter Foundation, in partnership with Toyota Motor North America, has introduced a financial education program designed to support students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Called Champions for Financial Legacy (CFFL), the initiative aims to equip students and their surrounding communities with essential financial skills. Bridging Knowledge Gaps to Build Wealth CFFL, developed in collaboration with the Wharton School’s Coalition for Equity and Opportunity, is based on an existing curriculum by Dr. Keith Weigelt – the Marks-Darivoff Family Professor of Strategy at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (Southern Black Girls) has launched the Dream Investment Program to empower Black girls and women entrepreneurs across the South. The Dream Investment Program This initiative will support 25 current and aspiring business owners with financial investments, training, and mentorship, in partnership with Kindred Futures and supported by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation. “This program is a dream come true,” LaTosha Brown, Founder of Southern Black Girls, said in a press statement. “It’s about giving Black girls and women the resources and opportunities
PBS Kids is making strides in computer science education with its new series, Lyla In The Loop, which premiered recently. This animated show follows the adventures of Lyla, a 7-year-old Black girl who, with her friends and family, uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate everyday challenges. Encouraging Problem-Solving Through Interactive Storytelling One of the unique elements of Lyla In The Loop is its upcoming interactive episodes. These episodes will allow Lyla to break the fourth wall, directly engaging with the young viewers. Using pre-written responses powered by non-generative
Former NASA aerospace engineer and future Blue Origin astronaut Aisha Bowe has raised $2.5 million for LINGO, her EdTech company focused on enhancing STEM education. This funding round, led by Pinnacle Private Ventures LLC, is a step towards a venture capital aimed at supporting women and minority-led startups. Expanding Access to STEM Education LINGO offers project-based coding kits and curricula designed for students aged 13 and up, covering subjects such as artificial intelligence, space systems, and environmental monitoring. The funding will enable LINGO to expand its reach, scaling programs that
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
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
Kendall Hamilton, a highly ranked Rocket League player, and his mother, Dr. Gigi, are leading an initiative that has supported young Black gamers in securing over $150,000 in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Together, they founded Game Changer Academy, an organization dedicated to helping young Black gamers use their skills for financial and professional growth. Game Changer Academy: Turning Gaming Skills Into Opportunities Game Changer Academy emerged from Kendall Hamilton’s own journey in competitive gaming according to a press release. Initially, his mother, Dr. Gigi—a licensed psychotherapist and organizational
Black Girl Vitamins (BGV) has announced a $100,000 scholarship fund dedicated to Black women pursuing medical careers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This two-year initiative, part of their broader mission to support health equity, aims to increase representation in healthcare by easing the financial burden for aspiring medical professionals. Investing in Future Healthcare Leaders BGV’s scholarship program aligns with their mission to create a new generation of Black women in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. The scholarship is open to Black women enrolled in accredited medical programs
Target has introduced ÜNOS by Sz, a new line of sneakers that expands to fit growing feet. The expandable sneakers are the brainchild of Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, a footwear designer and president of Pensole Lewis College, a design-focused HBCU in Detroit. Edwards has over 30 years of experience designing for top brands like Nike, L.A. Gear, and icons like Tupac and Michael Jordan, Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, and Nas. A Unique Approach to Affordable Footwear ÜNOS by Sz, which stands for “U Need One Size,” offers more than 15 styles
