Jaden and Willow Smith are partnering with Black-owned media company studio N LITE to produce and voice roles in upcoming films. The anime studio, which is based in the US and Tokyo, was founded by Christiano Malik Terry, a creative entrepreneur and filmmaker. “We are honored to collaborate with Jaden and Willow,” Terry told The Hollywood Reporter. They are pillars of this generation and talented storytellers at the zeitgeist of culture, art, fashion, music, and cinema. I can’t wait for the world to see what we have in store.” Jaden
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told his employees that the company will continue to sponsor H-1B visas and cover all associated costs after President Donald Trump’s new executive order imposed $100,000 fee on each new application. A H-1B visa allows employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in “specialty occupations” that require a degree or its equivalent. “As one of many immigrants at NVIDIA, I know that the opportunities we’ve found in America have profoundly shaped our lives,” Huang said in a memo sent to staff. Nvidia paying for the fees of
Black women only make up 0.7% of the UK’s technology workforce, according to the Tech Talent Charter Diversity in Tech Report 2023. With statistics being that low, it’s hard for Black women to believe that they can make space in an industry where they are often not seen. Nevertheless, Black women in tech do exist, and many of them are thriving. At this year’s Black Tech Fest, a panel discussion explored the structural barriers that prevent Black women from joining the industry. The panel titled “The Silent Code No More: Black Women
On Friday, October 9, Black Tech Fest (BTF) hosted its fifth annual festival, which brings tech professionals, creatives, and academics. BTF hosts a range of workshops and talks by some of the biggest names in the tech and creative industry. For the first time since its existence, the UK government declined BTF’s invitation to speak at the festival. BTF planned to ask the UK government questions related to biases in AI, mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting, and the DEI pullback. As a festival that champions diversity and inclusion, it was
Pinky Cole Hayes has announced that Slutty Vegan is welcoming people to become franchisees of the company. Once a business becomes a franchise, it allows other people to sell goods through a licensing relationship. It also grants rights from one party to another. The new move will allow the business to expand. Cole hired former Planet Fitness and 7-Eleven exec Shawntel Daniels as franchise president, who has hinted that a high-profile celebrity will be the first franchisee. “I went to restructure on February 13, 2025, and then I repurchased the company
Uncle Nearest whisky company remains viable and should continue operating, according to the first quarterly report filed by a court-appointed receiver. “The Company has significant value and can be reorganized, as a going concern,” he wrote, emphasizing that a fire-sale liquidation is unnecessary. The lawsuit against Uncle Nearest The Black-owned brand was in dire straits, with disputes persisting over which assets fell under a federal receivership. The development came from a lawsuit filed by lender Farm Credit Mid-America, which claims Uncle Nearest, Nearest Green Distillery, and its founders, Keith and Fawn
Burberry, a British fashion house, has cut Geoffrey Williams, the head of diversity, from his role. “As part of a wider restructure, Burberry has chosen to integrate responsibility for diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organization,” Williams wrote in a LinkedIn post. He continued: “This reflects a belief that DEI should be embedded throughout the culture and owned by leaders across the business. The successful transition from a centralised function to a shared responsibility will help ensure long-term sustainability.” Burberry scrapping diversity role Burberry is currently in the midst of
Black-owned businesses faced the highest rejection rate for loans in 2024, according to a recent analysis by LendingTree. Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) of Black founders were denied when applying for loans, lines of credit, or merchant cash advances. Hispanic business owners also faced high levels of rejection, with a 29% rejection rate. Comparatively, only 1 in 5 (18%) of white-owned businesses experienced rejection. Black-owned businesses facing loan rejections Black-owned founders have always had to work significantly harder than their white peers. These latest statistics underscore the challenges faced by
Apple has removed ICEBlock and several similar apps from its App Store after government officials raised concerns about safety risks linked to tools that let users track US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The growth of ICE-Tracking Apps A growing number of mobile apps are helping immigrants stay safe amid ICE deportations, providing critical information such as “Know Your Rights” guides and legal aid resources. Among them was ICEBlock, which allowed users to anonymously report sightings of ICE agents in their area, including descriptions of what the agents were wearing. ICEBlock quickly gained
Tabitha Brown says her business has taken a “major hit” following boycotts of Target earlier this year. The backlash came after Target announced in January 2025 that it would end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including programs supporting Black- and minority-owned brands. Brown, who sold home décor and hair care lines through the retailer, has since pivoted with the April launch of her Tab & Chance fragrance, sold directly to consumers. Target Boycott affecting Black Businsesses When the boycott was announced, Brown said she understood the desire for
