At just 12 years old, Alyssa Awuah has become the youngest-ever winner at the PRECIOUS Awards, a platform celebrating the achievements of Black women and girls in the UK. Alyssa, the Co-Founder and “mini-CEO” of Frobelles—a dress-up game empowering kids to embrace afro hair—was awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the event sponsored by Santander and supported by the Joseph Levy Foundation. Frobelles Game Champions Afro Hair Frobelles was born from Alyssa’s curiosity as a six-year-old, asking her mother, Yvonne Ottley, why none of her game characters resembled her
Three former Duolingo executives have secured $13 million in seed funding to launch a startup aimed at making college more accessible, as first reported by TechCrunch. The funding round, led by Khosla Ventures, also saw participation from Karman Ventures, Latitud Ventures, Lightspeed Ventures, and several angel investors. The funds will be directed toward hiring and product development for the initiative, which remains in stealth mode. A Mission Rooted in Personal Experience The team, which includes Jorge Mazal (CEO), Daniel Falabella (Chief Product Officer), and Gina Gotthilf (Chief Marketing Officer), is
Emmy-winning comedian and actor, Katt Williams, has purchased a 3-million-square-foot former military base in Alabama, with plans to transform it into a state-of-the-art movie studio. A Vision For A New Era In Black Filmmaking Williams confirmed the purchase in a recent GQ interview but kept the location and price under wraps. However, sources have pointed to Fort McClellan in Anniston, a site valued at $1.5 million, as the likely spot. Boasting 90 acres of undeveloped land, barracks, and multiple buildings, the space offers a lot of potential for large-scale productions. “It’s
Mielle Organics, a leader in textured hair care, has announced its first-ever partnership with an HBCU athletic program, which includes a WNBA-led mentorship program for student athletes. Mielle partners with Hampton University Mielle Organics has pledged $300,000 to Hampton University’s women’s basketball. The multi-year partnership includes a $200,000 donation to Hampton Athletics and a $100,000 endowed scholarship through Mielle Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm. Additionally, Mielle is introducing a WNBA-led mentorship program, providing Hampton athletes with professional guidance both on and off the court. Investing in the Future of HBCU
RedDrop, a wellness brand focused on period care for tween girls, has won the $1 million grand prize from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition program. This win was announced during the initiative’s fourth annual Demo Day, held to spotlight Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs transforming industries with innovative solutions. Founded in 2020, Black Ambition provides funding, mentorship, and resources to empower underrepresented founders. This year’s Demo Day brought together eight finalists to pitch their ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, including Lisa Price (Carol’s Daughter), Pinky Cole (Slutty Vegan), and Matt
New York-based fintech startup StoreCash has raised $3.7 million in a seed funding round led by Black Operator Ventures, with participation from notable investors like MaC Venture Capital, 43North, Alumni Ventures, and others. This brings StoreCash’s total funding to $6.4 million since its founding in 2019. Instant Cash Back Rewards Founded by Daricus Releford, StoreCash is a mobile app that helps users earn immediate cash-back rewards when shopping at brands such as Gap, H&M, and AMC Theatres, offering users an average of $900 annually. The app integrates its API with
Dave Clark, a generative AI filmmaker, has co-founded Promise, a new Los Angeles-based entertainment studio which integrates generative AI into film and TV production. Promise recently secured seed funding from Peter Chernin’s North Road Company and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The exact amount of funding has not been disclosed. Integrating GenAI Into The Production Process Clark, whose genAI short film Battalion explored the experiences of the only Black unit to storm Omaha Beach during D-Day, will operate as Promise’s chief creative officer. Alongside Clark are co-founders are industry veterans George Strompolos
Techstars-backed edtech startup Lingawa has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding to expand its mission of promoting African languages. Formerly known as TopSet, the company has pivoted from academic tutoring to African language learning, starting with Yoruba and Igbo. This pivot aims to address the growing demand for preserving indigenous languages among Africans and the diaspora. Tackling Language Extinction With Tech Africa is home to over 2,000 languages, but approximately 12% are at risk of extinction, with colonialism and globalization cited as key contributors. Lingawa’s mission aligns with efforts to
Illumen Capital, a leader in impact investing, has launched the $32.75 million Catalyst Fund to support first-time fund managers and entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. For the first time, the impact fund of funds has integrated direct investments into its broader strategy, investing directly in diverse-led early-stage companies as well as fund managers. The Catalyst Fund The Catalyst Fund arrives at a critical moment, with Black founders receiving less than 1% of venture capital funding last year, according to Crunchbase. This decline shows persistent biases in the venture ecosystem,
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has launched a new venture capital firm, Build Your Legacy Ventures (BYL Ventures). Build Your Legacy Ventures This innovative firm aims to create growth in sports and entertainment industries by connecting founders with industry leaders. “This fund is not just about capital,” Antetokounmpo stated in a press release. “It’s about forging partnerships and opening my network to accelerate the growth trajectory for companies. I want to help other entrepreneurs, especially those who have faced barriers, to grow and succeed.” Backing Women in Sports BYL Ventures
