Actress, author, and entrepreneur Malinda Williams has launched the ESTEAM Project for women at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The coding bootcamp emerges from her Arise And Shine Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering women from diverse backgrounds. “As a professional actress and someone who has experienced first-hand the support of my community, I understand the value of collaboration and paying it forward,” said Williams in a press release. “The Arise and Shine Foundation exists to empower women to reach their goals, and coding is a powerful
NASA plans to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for a future diverse workforce. NASA’s Mission Equity This week, the agency published its Equity Action Plan 2023, which included new commitments to continue removing inequitable barriers and challenges facing underserved communities. In line with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to racial equity (Executive Order 14091), NASA’s plan represents a contribution towards a more equitable society. The 2023 Equity Plan includes increasing the utilization and integration of contractors and businesses from underserved communities to expand equity in NASA’s procurement process. It
Media mogul Tyler Perry has announced the first series under his new multi-year first-look series deal with Netflix. The new arrangement with Netflix extends his exclusive film deal with Netflix in October 2023. Meet Tyler Perry Perry, who was named on Forbes’ list of “World’s 10 Highest-Paid Entertainers” for the second year running in 2023, is an American actor, filmmaker, and playwright. In October, Perry secured a first-look deal with Netflix for feature films, following his deal with Amazon Studios to write four features for Prime Video. To date, Perry’s
Women-led healthtech companies in Africa secured $52 million in funding in 2023, compared to just $2 million the year before, a report has found. The report by Salient Advisory shows findings on investment activity covering grant, equity, and debt investment for African healthtech startups in 2023. A Surge In Funding For Women-Founded Companies According to the 2023 Roundup Investments in African Healthtech report, gender financing gaps in African healthtech ecosystems narrowed in 2023. In 2022, women-founded companies received a mere $2 million, just 1.4% of all investment, but the following
Brennan Nevada Inc., reportedly New York’s only Black woman-owned PR and media agency for tech companies, has partnered with SoLo, the US’s largest Black-owned personal finance company. Building Brennan Nevada Inc Founded by Brennan Nevada Johnson in 2021, the agency has quickly established itself as a formidable force in the industry. Johnson, a descendant of Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month, channels her heritage into her work, emphasizing the promotion of Black and BIPOC stories in the tech world. Johnson’s background in journalism and experience in a
As Black History Month unfolds, BlackPast.org is offering a Civil Rights Black Power Timeline to showcase significant developments in the Black Freedom Struggle from 1905 to 1975. Founded on February 1, 2007, BlackPast offers in-depth reference information about people of African ancestry in the United States and worldwide. Now, it marks its 17th anniversary amidst growing acclaim, having welcomed nearly 60 million visitors since its inception. Celebrating the Civil Rights Movement: 1905-1975 This year, BlackPast shines a spotlight on the 20th-century Civil Rights Movement, covering the period from 1905 to
Twitch streamer Kai Cenat has announced his partnership with Nike, becoming the first streamer to forge such a connection with the global sportswear brand. Meet Kai Cenat Cenat is a 22-year-old American content creator who streams on Twitch and posts videos to YouTube. He shared his first video on his main YouTube channel in 2018, and the channel now has nearly 5 million followers. Since then, he has grown his audience across two different YouTube accounts and his Twitch channel, now with 9 million followers. Cenat has also won Streamer
South Africa is poised to make a significant move in the global digital economy by introducing digital nomad visas. These visas are aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals, particularly in the IT sector. The initiative, published by the Department of Home Affairs, aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s vision of enhancing the country’s competitiveness and job creation. The Digital Nomad Visas The proposed digital nomad visas will allow remote workers, especially those employed by foreign companies, to live and work in South Africa. This move is expected to attract a number
Beta Boom, a US-based venture capital firm, has announced the closure of its $14.5 million Fund II. Founded in 2017 by Kimmy and Sergio Paluch, Beta Boom is committed to bridging the funding gap experienced by underrepresented founders, particularly in areas beyond the major tech hubs. Beta Boom’s Fund II Beta Boom’s Fund II, raised by the duo, alongside Ally Bank, Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures, and Bank of America, signifies a pivotal shift in the venture capital landscape. The fund aims to support early-stage startups that cater to the
Canada’s Minister of Small Business has marked Black History Month by announcing the launch of a new ecosystem mapping tool for Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. BEKH’s Mapping Tool The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) is developing a tool to provide data and insight to help ensure Black entrepreneurs have the support needed to start and scale their businesses. Minister Rechie Valdez – the first Filipino Canadian woman and second Filipino Canadian to be elected as a Member of Parliament in Canada – said the new ecosystem mapping tool is expected to be fully operational early
