Join our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content: https://www.patreon.com/techish Techish host Michael Berhane and TechCrunch reporter Dominic-Madori Davis unpack what’s really going on with funding for Black founders — and why so many are heading back to the 9-to-5. They also get into Elon Musk’s clash with X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, Meta’s smart glasses and the end of privacy, and why academics need to step out of the ivory tower. Follow Dom on Instagram (@dominicmadori) and subscribe to her Substack, The Black Cat. Chapters 00:28 Black Founders Are
Social media star Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johsnon, who went viral after posting her Who TF Did I Marry? series on TikTok, has signed a book deal. Storehouse Voices, an imprint within the Crown Publishing Group, acquired the book, which is titled What (TF) Do I Do Now? Not Just a Memoir, It’s a Survival Guide. Johnson is represented by CAA, which negotiated the deal. Johnson’s rise to fame came after posting a video revealing shocking revelations about her ex-husband, Legion, who is dubbed for his deceitful nature. The series unfolds
OpenAI has paused video generations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on its new Sora 2 app after backlash over disrespectful AI-generated depictions of the civil rights leader. The company announced the decision on X on Sunday, confirming it had reached a resolution with King, Inc., the organization representing the late Dr. King’s estate. The move comes less than a week after OpenAI launched Sora 2, a video-generation app that allows users to create realistic clips from text prompts. The app quickly went viral, surpassing a million downloads in five
Black-owned media company BOMESI has partnered with Black-owned marketing and tech platform Breakr to launch SASA. The new payment and financing platform is designed to give Black-owned publishers and creators access to real-time compensation and campaign liquidity. The rollout supports BOMESI’s mission to build sustainable financial systems for diverse-owned media and address one of the industry’s biggest challenges: slow payment cycles that can take up to 90 days. Tackling Delayed Payments with SASA BOMESI (short for Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute) is an ecosystem that drives sustainable growth for independent, community-based, and
Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has raised concerns over the use of AI to recreate deceased public figures. Users have been generating AI videos of celebrities through OpenAI’s Sora app. The app, which launched in September, Sora 2 allows users to create videos from simple text prompts. The app was downloaded over a million times within five days of its release, according to the BBC. However, the app is now facing backlash from the families of deceased celebrities, including Dr. Bernice A. King herself. Blacklash over
Dating in 2025 is tough, and it’s even harder if you’re hoping to meet someone who shares your cultural background. The same can be said for building friendships and finding community. While social media offers endless possibilities, it’s rarely easy to filter for genuine connection. And on dating apps, your options are limited. Currently, the only mainstream apps that allow users to filter by ethnicity are Hinge, Bumble (in the US and Canada), and OkCupid. This is where HUE comes in. It’s an app designed to help people of color
Meta and the Nigerian government have reached an out-of-court settlement to resolve a $32.8 million fine issued by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC). In February, the NDPC issued the fine, stating that Meta had violated Nigeria’s Data Protection Act by practicing behavioral advertising on Facebook and Instagram, according to Techpoint Africa. The regulator claimed that Meta failed to obtain the explicit consent of Nigerian users before transferring their data out of the country. NDPC settling a $32.8 million fine On Friday, October 3, Fred Onwuobia, Meta’s lawyer, shared that
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
During Mafiathon 3, Kai Cenat released a trailer for a movie featuring himself and comedians Kevin Hart and Druski. The movie will be a horror-comedy film about streamers titled “Livestream From Hell,” directed by David Janoff. Mafiathon is a series of month-long, non-stop live streaming events hosted by Cenat, where fans can subscribe to support and keep the event going. Kai Cenat’s movie The announcement was made during a sleepover-style broadcast hosted at Hart’s house. “My n*** are going to be movie stars,” Hart said, as reported by Complex. “You
