Blacks United in Leading Technology (BUiLT), a nonprofit committed to increasing Black representation in tech, has launched an initiative to protect and restore jobs for Black professionals in the industry. The move comes as a direct response to widespread layoffs that have disproportionately impacted Black technologists, with over 240,000 jobs lost across the sector in 2023 alone. The BUiLT REIT Program: A Lifeline for Black Technologists The BUiLT REIT (Retaining Employability In Tech) program, backed by a Google commercialization grant awarded in March 2024, aims to equip Black professionals with
Kenyan drivers for ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt are pushing back against unsustainable earnings by setting their own fares, defying the companies’ algorithmic pricing models. This rebellion is fueled by the rising cost of living and ongoing economic challenges in the East African nation, according to Reuters. Drivers Push Back Against Falling Fares Across Nairobi, drivers are feeling the pinch of a brutal price war between global and local ride-hailing companies, including Uber, Bolt, Little, and Faras. The fierce competition has driven fares to what many drivers consider unlivable
The Hey Auntie! app is on a mission to address the growing loneliness epidemic by fostering meaningful connections between generations of Black women. Created by Nicole Kenney, the platform provides a safe and supportive space for Black women to share wisdom, receive guidance, and build community. Fostering Community Through Fictive Kinship Central to the Hey Auntie! experience is the concept of “fictive kinship,” where relationships are built not through blood ties but through emotionally significant connections. Kenney, who has long championed the power of intergenerational wisdom, describes the platform as
Elon Musk’s Starlink is set to strengthen its footprint in Nigeria with the construction of new ground stations in three locations: Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers States. Starlink Ground Stations The new ground stations will be situated in Okun Ajah, Lagos State; Sagamu, Ogun State; and Port Harcourt, Rivers State. These locations have been carefully selected to optimize coverage and service delivery across the region. The facilities, spread over approximately 29,000 acres, mark an investment in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. Construction has already begun in Lagos, with the completion anticipated by the
Advertisements for nutrition products promoted by Dragons’ Den star and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett have been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after being deemed misleading, according to The BBC. The ads, which featured Bartlett endorsing products from the health brands Huel and Zoe, failed to disclose his financial interests in the companies, a violation of advertising guidelines. ASA’s Decision: Misleading Endorsements The ASA’s ruling, announced this week, centered on two ads for Huel and one for Zoe that were shared on Facebook earlier this year. In the ads, Bartlett,
Waza, a Y Combinator-backed fintech startup, has officially launched from stealth mode, securing $8 million in seed funding to transform how African businesses manage cross-border trade. The funding round was led by major investors including Byld Ventures, Norrsken Africa, and Timon Capital, with the aim of empowering enterprises across the continent to navigate global markets more effectively. Solving Africa’s Trade Imbalance The African continent faces a significant trade imbalance, driven by a persistent demand for the dollar—a currency essential for international trade. This demand often surpasses supply, resulting in higher costs
Charlamagne Tha God, the media mogul and co-host of The Breakfast Club, has entered the into AI and emerging technology world by investing in MeetKai, a company in immersive AI. Charlamagne Tha God Ventures Partners with MeetKai As part of this move, Charlamagne will also serve as MeetKai’s first-ever strategic advisor, a role that will see him working closely with the company to expand its platform. Charlamagne will focus on helping MeetKai enhance its platform, particularly in delivering unique, immersive experiences that combine reality with digital innovation. “Charlamagne is one
A Texas nonprofit grant program aimed at supporting diverse small business owners, has agreed to revise its application process after being sued for allegedly discriminating against white men. The lawsuit was brought by the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), a group led by conservative activist Edward Blum, who is also suing Fearless Fund, a Black women-led VC firm. Lawsuit Challenges Race-Based Criteria The lawsuit centered around a $50,000 grant offered by the Founders First Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit founded by Kim Folsom and led by Shaylon Scott. The
Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, figures in the music industry and long-time philanthropists announced their collaboration with the Inglewood Unified School District to open a new high school focused on creative skills and social impact. Set to launch in the summer of 2025, this initiative aims to rejuvenate a district facing declining enrollment and financial challenges. A Bold Initiative for Creative and Entrepreneurial Learning Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine’s first foray into education began at the college level with the University of Southern California Iovine and Young Academy (IYA). Their
Heman Bekele, a 15-year-old high school student from Virginia, has been named TIME’s Kid of the Year 2024 for inventing a soap that could one day treat and prevent multiple forms of skin cancer. While the product may take years to reach the market, Bekele is already working in a lab at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, dedicated to making his vision a reality. A Young Scientist’s Vision Bekele’s journey into science began at a young age. He experimented with household chemicals and later received a
