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
Since 2016, JaMichael Mitchell’s digital marketing agency, EraBright, has been helping Black-owned businesses succeed in a competitive digital landscape. With a mission rooted in cultural understanding, EraBright provides tailored strategies—like SEO, social media marketing, and targeted ads—to help Black businesses reach the right audiences and grow sustainably. From Corporate Marketer to Black Business Advocate Mitchell’s experience spans over a decade in digital marketing, beginning with roles at top national agencies and campaigns for high-profile brands. With degrees from Fayetteville State University and Full Sail University, and certifications in Google Analytics,
SocialCrowd, co-founded by Raphael Akinsipe, has successfully raised $2.5 million in a seed funding round led by Bread and Butter Ventures and Augment Ventures. This latest investment, which also saw participation from VC 414, Serac Ventures and FullCircle will support SocialCrowd’s expansion, following a $1.6 million pre-seed round in February. The startup seeks to elevate performance and engagement among frontline and shift-based workers across industries. “Fitbit for work” Platform Founded in 2022, SocialCrowd has carved a niche in helping industries with high turnover rates, such as retail, manufacturing, and hospitality,
Visa has announced investments in four African fintech startups that recently graduated from its Africa Fintech Accelerator program. While Visa did not disclose specific investment amounts, the initiative reflects its ongoing efforts to drive financial inclusion and support digital innovation in Africa. Supporting Fintech Innovation Across Africa The four startups—Oze, Workpay, OkHi, and ORDA—each offer digital solutions tailored to address key financial and logistical challenges in African markets. By backing these companies, Visa is betting on a diverse range of technologies to enhance access to financial services for small businesses,
Whoopi Goldberg is launching All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), a dedicated 24/7 global sports network exclusively for women’s sports. The EGOT-winning actress and longtime advocate announced the launch on the Jimmy Fallon Show. Women’s Sports Finally Get Full-Time Coverage In an industry where women’s sports receive less than 20% of total coverage, Goldberg’s network arrives to bridge the gap. Unlike traditional channels that occasionally cover women’s events, this platform will spotlight women’s sports continuously, offering professional basketball, soccer, and growing sports like skateboarding and surfing. Goldberg’s network goes beyond game
TJ Taylor, who previously helped shape popular platforms like Raya and Dispo, has entered the venture capital world with the launch of Hobart Ventures, an $8 million fund dedicated to consumer-focused startups. Built from Taylor’s experience in consumer tech, Hobart Ventures will focus on early-stage investments in a sector often overshadowed in traditional VC circles. Hobart Ventures Aims to Support Early-Stage Consumer Tech Taylor’s pivot to venture capital comes after years in the tech industry, where he not only co-founded a stock app but also played a key role in
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
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), SoFi has launched the Give Her Credit campaign. The digital financial services platform has teamed up with tennis icon Venus Williams and Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink to spotlight progress in women’s financial rights and inspire ongoing change. The campaign will provide $500,000 in grants, distributing $10,000 each to 50 selected individuals or groups to boost projects promoting women’s financial independence. 50 years of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act Passed in 1974, the ECOA marked a
Black Tech Saturdays (BTS), an initiative propelling Detroit’s Black tech entrepreneurs, has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Gilbert Family Foundation. This two-year funding will enable BTS to widen its scope of support through increased access to mentorship, capital, and essential resources for local innovators who participate in its workshops. Investing in Detroit’s Black Tech Community Founded in April 2023 by husband-and-wife team Johnnie and Alexa Turnage, BTS has quickly become a hub for budding entrepreneurs, drawing hundreds each week to its Saturday events. This grant will be
