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
Khaby Lame, the most followed person on TikTok, has joined UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador. The announcement was made in Sengeal, where Lame was born, after a four-day day where he met children and young people leading positive change in their communities. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Lame will use his international platform as a content creator to spread awareness of children’s rights worldwide, such as empowering girls, education, protection from violence and abuse, access to health, nutrition, and a clean environment. “It’s a true honour to be appointed as
This week on Techish, Abadesi sits down with Alphonso David, a Human Rights and civil rights lawyer and advocate, to talk about his work as President and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum. They dive into breaking down barriers for marginalized communities, why diversity, equity, and inclusion actually matters, and the need for real investment in Black and Brown businesses. Alphonso also shares the secret to his perseverance and what we can learn from the past to drive change today. Chapters00:00 Breaking Down Barriers for Marginalized Communities03:20 Why Diversity,
Plans to launch Starlink in South Africa are facing delays due to Elon Musk’s attacks on the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, The Financial Times reports. The policies, designed to mitigate racial inequalities formed under apartheid, require foreign investors in South Africa’s telecom sector to allocate 30% of a project’s equity to Black-owned businesses to qualify for a license. The policy is supported by the African National Congress Party (ANC), a political party in South Africa known for its opposition against apartheid. Elon Musk says the equality laws are
TikTok can be pretty useful outside cat videos, dance tutorials, and comedy sketches. You can learn a language, a new recipe, and even how to play an instrument. It can also be a great way to source academic knowledge, which is being demonstrated with HillmanTok University. Who started HillmanTok University? What started as video intended for the 30 students enrolled in Dr Leah Barlow’s African American studies class this semester, has turned into a viral movement, where Black professors, lecturers, and subject matter experts create and share educational videos. In
Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), the only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization, is set to relaunch its Teens4Pink® program with a new mobile app, according to a press release. The app aims to inform and empower teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 17 about how they can change the way families approach and think about breast cancer. Karen E. Jackson, 31, is a four-time breast cancer survivor and founded Sisters Network Inc. in 1994. Jackson says, “The relaunch of Teens4Pink marks an exciting step forward in engaging the
Target joins the growing list of companies rolling back its diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. As a retailer known for featuring Black-owned brands like The Lip Bar, Black Girl Sunscreen, Tabitha Brown, Donna’s Recipe, there are concerns over how potential boycotts may impact Black founders. Target ends DEI goals In a memo shared with employees, the company said it will end its three-year DEI goals, concluding its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives in 2025 and end a program focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned
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
In this Techish episode, hosts Abadesi and Michael chat about tech’s latest spite-fueled innovation, the buzz around the inauguration and crypto ball, and what Trump’s second presidency could mean for the intersection of tech and politics. And, of course, they tackle the big question on everyone’s mind: why is dating such a mess these days? Chapters 00:40 Gas Founder Creates App To Spite Snapchat04:00 Tech Giants at the Inauguration08:52 Rappers Perform at the Trump Crypto Party12:50 Meme Coins Are a Scam14:25 TikTok’s Future: Sale or Ban?19:33 Doomed To Reschedule Hinge
Allen Media Group (AMG) has backpedaled on its decision to end weather forecasting operations across its local television stations, following widespread outrage from viewers. AMG reverses its layoff plans Originally, AMG planned to replace its weather forecasting operations with streamlined operations to reduce costs. The cuts could have led to the termination of nearly 100 local forecasters across 36 outlets. However, after announcing the move, it faced serious backslash from the people served by AMG stations. “While not all staff and meteorologists are safe, a majority will remain in their roles.
