It’s February, which means it’s finally Black History Month. It’s a time when Black people reflect on the triumphs, victories, and achievements Black people have made in the country. While it’s essential to look back at what Black people have overcome, it’s also important to acknowledge the history Black people are making today. Black innovators are shaping the future in every industry, and the tech world is no exception. Here, we spotlight eight Black-owned tech startups that are driving change, creating opportunities, and making a real impact in Black communities.
Legendary hip-hop MC RAKIM is entering fintech with his new platform, Notes. The artist created a platform with the hope of helping artists capitalize on their creative projects and gain financial independence. Recognized by many as one of the greatest MCs of all time, RAKIM rose to fame as one-half of the rap duo Eric B. and Rakim. Now, he has launched an AI-powered platform as a one-stop shop for music, money, and knowledge for artists and creators. “Independent urban music artists and creators often struggle to gain financial stability
Many companies are rethinking their Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts amid a shifting political landscape and mounting anti-DEI pressure. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to revoke a decades-old executive order that prohibited workplace discrimination by federal contractors is just the latest in his string of attacks on DEI in the first few days of his presidency. While Trump’s initial focus has been DEI in the government, the subsequent impact on the private sector is yet to be determined. Several leading companies have rolled back DEI programs in response to
Amazon has changed its company policy and a part of its website that gives employment information. According to The Washington Post, it has removed language that assures protection for Black and LGBTQ+ employees. The company also removed any language that supported laws addressing misconduct and racial bias in policing, initiatives to protect and expand voting rights, and initiatives to encourage better health and educational opportunities for Black people. In December 2024, Amazon withdrew any statements advocating for transgender rights protections along with showing “solidarity” with Black employees and customers. What sections has
Looking for a job in this economy is grueling. In December 2024, NBC recorded that the unemployment rate in the US was at 4.2%, which is alarming considering unemployment rates had never been below 5% in the 1970s or the 1980s. The job market is slow, and it’s taking candidates several months or years to find new job opportunities. Aliyah Jones knows this experience all too well. After being out of work for several months, she launched an unemployment series on LinkedIn. The series garnered tons of attention, and Jones
BlackRock Inc. executive Adebayo Ogunlesi has joined OpenAI’s board of directors. The billionaire investor has experience in infrastructure investing, aligning with OpenAI’s to expand data centers and energy resources to grow AI development. Ogunlesi, a senior managing director and board member at BlackRock, joined the company last year after it bought his previous business, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), for around $12 billion, making him a billionaire. Who is Adebayo Ogunlesi? Ogunlesi created GIP in 2006 before spending 23 years at Credit Suisse, holding several senior positions such as Executive Vice
Fanbase is climbing its way through the app store as TikTok users in the US are finding alternative apps to move to. The Supreme Court is set to rule a law on 19 January for TikTok that will determine if they will sell its US operations or outline a ban for TikTok users. Users of the app are looking for new social media apps to use, and Fanbase appears to be one of them. Isaac Hayes III said that the app reached number 6 on the Apple App Store for
It’s the start of a new year, and many people are considering new career opportunities. While it’s great to network with people online, meeting industry professionals in person allows you to form richer connections. This is where tech conferences come in. Even if you aren’t thinking about making a new career move, there’s no harm in networking with like-minded individuals. Here at POCIT, we know how daunting it is to be one of the few Black or Brown faces in networking rooms. This is why we’ve created a list of
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
When Nadia Odunayo sat down in January 2019, she had a choice to make: pursue her idea for a running app or dive into her passion for books. She chose the latter, and what started as a side project quickly evolved into The StoryGraph, a community-driven social cataloguing web platform for books. With Amazon-owned Goodreads dominating the market, The StoryGraph has become a refreshing favorite for readers looking for a more personalized experience. Revolutionizing Reading With The StoryGraph Odunayo, a Black British engineer and entrepreneur, built The StoryGraph to offer
