DEI Under Fire is our monthly series that keeps you up-to-date on the latest DEI announcements and changes from the nation’s leading companies. The landscape of DEI has changed significantly over the past couple of months in the US. Some companies have succumbed to political pressure to roll back their DEI initiatives, while others stand firm in their diversity and inclusion stances. With so many changes to DEI in a short matter of time, it isn’t easy to keep up with where companies stand with DEI. This is why POCIT
TikTok has announced 2025 SOAR Together, a Black-owned business accelerator program in collaboration with Black Girl Ventures. The program aims to help Black businesses grow on TikTok Shop. What is the 2025 SOAR Together program? The 2025 Soar Together program is a six-week program in which 20 businesses will be chosen to receive educational courses, business coaching, and mentorship from guest speakers. After the program has finished, those businesses will attend a special in-person graduation ceremony. TikTok’s partnership with Black Girl Ventures builds on its $1 million investment in the
The fourth annual Fifteen Percent Pledge gala has raised $3 million for Black-owned businesses amid a growing trend of companies scaling back their DEI efforts. On Saturday, 1st February, the Los Angeles-based event was filled with A-list celebrities like Ciara, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, Teyana Taylor, Jesse Williams, and Keke Palmer. All proceeds from the activation ticket sales go to businesses affected by the recent LA wildfires. “We are nobody’s DEI hire,” said the founder, Aurora James, according to WWD. “This country, in its best form, is a product of
Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has hired Daniel Penny, the former Marine who made national headlines following the killing of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless Black man, on a New York subway. The news was first reported by The Free Press. Penny was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in December 2024. Although he has no prior investment experience, Andreessen Horowitz plans to train him for his new role. Jordan Neely’s Death Jordan Neely was known for being a Michael Jackson impersonator who performed in Times Square. During
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
