Black Girl Vitamins (BGV) has announced a $100,000 scholarship fund dedicated to Black women pursuing medical careers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This two-year initiative, part of their broader mission to support health equity, aims to increase representation in healthcare by easing the financial burden for aspiring medical professionals. Investing in Future Healthcare Leaders BGV’s scholarship program aligns with their mission to create a new generation of Black women in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. The scholarship is open to Black women enrolled in accredited medical programs
Target has introduced ÜNOS by Sz, a new line of sneakers that expands to fit growing feet. The expandable sneakers are the brainchild of Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, a footwear designer and president of Pensole Lewis College, a design-focused HBCU in Detroit. Edwards has over 30 years of experience designing for top brands like Nike, L.A. Gear, and icons like Tupac and Michael Jordan, Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, and Nas. A Unique Approach to Affordable Footwear ÜNOS by Sz, which stands for “U Need One Size,” offers more than 15 styles
Klean Energy Kulture (KEK), an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to driving clean energy adoption in Black and Brown communities, has launched its inaugural program, “Electrify the City.” This initiative aims to fast-track the integration of renewable energy in disinvested neighborhoods. It focuses on transforming cultural landmarks like salons, churches, entertainment venues, and community centers into sustainable energy hubs. Powering Cultural Spaces and Communities Through “Electrify the City,” KEK will partner with businesses, residents, and cultural leaders to install solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in high-traffic community venues. The
Justin Lee, an aerospace engineer and Tuskegee University alumnus, has created a device to support people with hearing loss. Inspired by his close friend, Kenneth Tissot, a Vietnam veteran who struggled with hearing the television, Lee founded Quantum Senses in 2021. The company’s flagship product, Earcoustic headphones, is a battery-free hearing amplifier that enhances sound for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. At a highly affordable price of just $19.99, the product is designed to bridge the gap for those who may not have the means to afford expensive
CapWay, the fintech startup aimed at tackling financial inequity, has officially shut down. Founder Sheena Allen announced the closure, expressing pride in CapWay’s mission while also sharing disappointment that the journey ended prematurely. Allen’s LinkedIn post marked the end of CapWay, a company that strived to serve underbanked communities often described as “banking deserts.” “Although it has been a while, I am finally making the announcement that CapWay is no longer an active business,” Allen wrote on LinkedIn. Challenges in Fintech Funding and Regulation Founded in 2016, CapWay sought to
An undercover investigation has exposed a secretive international network promoting discredited “race science” ideologies, with financial backing from US tech entrepreneur Andrew Conru, The Guardian reports. Known as the Human Diversity Foundation (HDF), the group has operated for two years, disseminating ideas on genetic superiority through podcasts, videos, and online publications. The anti-racism organization Hope Not Hate initiated the investigation, revealing that Conru, a millionaire behind popular dating sites, had donated over $1 million to the group. Following inquiries, he withdrew his support, citing a deviation from HDF’s original mission
Career Karma, best known for helping people transition into tech careers, has launched OutRival, a new AI platform designed to transform customer experience across industries. OutRival empowers customer experience teams to build AI-driven conversational agents without using a single line of code. Building on Career Karma’s Success Career Karma’s journey began in 2018 with a focus on workforce development and educational tools. After announcing its Series B funding in 2022, CEO Ruben Harris and his team saw an even bigger opportunity in AI technology. “When Career Karma announced our Series
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is exploring technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning to detect and combat tax evasion. This move is part of KRA’s broader strategy to enhance revenue collection through improved efficiency and compliance. AI and Machine Learning to Transform Tax Collection “AI and machine learning will analyze vast data sets to identify tax evasion patterns, optimize resource allocation, and predict future revenue streams,” Humphrey Wattanga, the KRA Commissioner General said according to Kenyan Wall Street. “Integrating these technologies will not only boost tax collection but
Every UK Black History Month, we shine a light on Black British-owned businesses making a difference. This year’s standout is Frobelles, a UK-based dress-up game championing the beauty of afro hair. Created by mother-daughter duo Yvonne Ottley and 12-year-old Alyssa Ottley, Frobelles has over 100,000 users and recently made its debut in the US. The Birth of Frobelles The idea for Frobelles was sparked by a simple question from Alyssa, who was just six years old at the time: “Why don’t any of my game characters have Afro hair like mine?” This question
Southeast Asian investment network XA Network has expanded to the African continent with the launch of XA Africa. XA Africa aims to connect local founders with international investors, offering both capital and mentorship to help scale their ventures globally. Co-founded by Nitin Gajria, former Managing Director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa, Black Angel Group Co-Founder Jason Scott, and YouTube marketing director Marek Dawidowicz, XA Africa brings a wealth of experience to the continent’s entrepreneurial landscape. Their mission is to equip African startups with the resources and expertise needed to solve critical
