Wicked Saints Studios, a Black woman-led video game studio, has partnered with Discord, e.l.f Beauty, and Starlight Children’s Foundation to launch World Reborn. The first-of-its-kind interactive story game uses behavioral science and positive psychology to boost players’ well-being. With 87% of Gen Z gaming online weekly, World Reborn meets them where they are—turning gameplay into meaningful connection and real-world impact. How does the game work? Users will be given real-world quests called Training Mods, which feature real-life changemakers addressing several social goods, such as supporting women’s sports from e.l.f., empowering teen
Megan Garcia is seeking to hold Google and AI firm Character.AI responsible for the death of her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III. Character.AI, an interactive chatbot platform, lets users design or select lifelike personas with which to communicate. Sewell developed a deep attachment to a chatbot he named “Dany,” inspired by Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen. His mother alleges that his obsessive use of the chatbot, along with the platform’s addictive design, worsened his mental health and led to his suicide in February 2024. “The inventors and the companies, the corporations that
Black federal health workers have expressed fear after a right-wing group published the ‘DEI watch list,’ which published the images, names, and public information of numerous workers across different health agencies. NBC reported that the website is being shared among several private group chats of federal health workers across agencies and social media links, as stated by a government worker. The majority of the website’s employees are Black workers from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dr. Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association,
Oxford Cancer Analytics (OXcan), a medtech company that focuses on creating blood tests for early cancer detection, has secured $11 million in Series A funding. This latest funding round, led by We Venture Capital and Cross-Border Impact Ventures, brings OxCan’s funding total to $16.7 million. “The power of the OXcan proteomics biomarker discovery platform and the data generated by Oxcan stand out against the backdrop of other liquid biopsy companies, indicating a truly superior performance in the identification of early stage lung cancer,” Louise Warme, MD, Head of WeVenture Capital
Airbnb has worked on an internal system for the past eight years to address racial discrimination on its platform. This came after Black users shared their experiences of facing discrimination at Airbnb under the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack in 2016. What are Black people’s experiences with Airbnb? Additionally, a 2016 study by two Harvard Business School professors and one then-doctoral candidate highlighted that Black Airbnb guests were 16% more likely to have their reservation request declined when compared to white users. A 32-page report released by the company in 2016 acknowledged the
IPSY, a beauty subscription service, will be collaborating with Gabrielle Union as the curator of its February Icon Box. The box will include makeup, skin, and hair products by Gabrielle Union to highlight Union’s journey of self-expression. Celebrating Black History Month In addition to curating an IPSY’s February Icon Box, Union will narrate IPSY’s upcoming Black History Month social campaign, “Black Joy Is Beautiful.” The short film celebrates the art of embracing, loving, and expressing your authentic self. The film will be released at the beginning of February. IPSY will also
Former NBA star Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Metta World Peace, is launching a $100 million venture fund focused on sports technology, digital media, and wellness innovations. The fund, Tru Skye Ventures, is a partnership with ex-Boost Mobile CEO Stephen Stokols and is slated to raise the capital by the first quarter of 2025, according to Sportico. Tru Skye Ventures aims to back early-stage startups, combining capital with expertise in product development, brand partnerships, and growth marketing. Targeting Innovation in Sports and Wellness Tru Skye Ventures has already announced an
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
Efforts to combat the disproportionate rates of Black maternal mortality are gaining momentum with the Virtual Black Maternal Health ECHO program. Launched by Indiana University (IU) in collaboration with the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, the program uses telehealth technology to bridge gaps in maternal healthcare and create collaboration among healthcare professionals nationwide. Addressing Urgent Maternal Health Disparities In the US, Black maternal mortality remains alarmingly high, with rates nearly double those of their white counterparts. Experts attribute this disparity to systemic issues, including healthcare access inequities, implicit bias, and fragmented
