This article is sponsored by Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab The Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab (MSIVL) is proving that inclusion really does fuel innovation. Since 2017, Morgan Stanley’s in-house startup accelerator has helped over 100 companies raise over $200 million and reach a collective valuation of more than $1 billion. MSIVL provides early-stage technology and technology-enabled startups with $250,000, handpicked mentors, custom curriculums in finance, sales, and marketing, and a coveted opportunity to pitch to investors following their five-month accelerator participation on a Demo Day, setting founders up for
URAWarrior, a mental wellness platform founded by executive coach and TV personality Bershan Shaw, has launched a new mental wellness app designed to help users manage stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges. The app, released on National Suicide Prevention Day, is part of a partnership with the restaurant chain Founding Farmers. A New mental wellness app Bershan Shaw, a two-time cancer survivor known for her appearances on The Real Housewives of New York City, created URAWarrior as a safe space for individuals dealing with mental health struggles. The app offers
Every year, MIT highlights young leaders worldwide who are making a difference through research and entrepreneurship. This year’s innovators are tackling issues in biotechnology, the climate sector, robotics, and more. Chosen from hundreds of nominees by expert judges and the MIT Technology Review editorial team, these trailblazers are changing the future of science and technology. Here, we’ve highlighted some of the Black and Brown innovators featured on the MIT 2024 Under 35 List. Mireille Kamariza, University of California, Los Angeles Mireille Kamariza, 35, developed a groundbreaking test that detects tuberculosis
In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day 2024, it’s important to highlight the growing mental health needs within Black communities. Studies show that Black adults are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, compared to the general population. Despite this, only about 25% of Black individuals seek mental health care, largely due to stigma, cultural barriers, and lack of access to culturally competent providers. In response, several apps and startups are working to close this gap, offering tailored support to meet the mental
Legendary actor James Earl Jones, best known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, died on Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York, at the age of 93. A representative for Jones confirmed his death to the press however his cause of death was not immediately revealed. A Pioneering Career in Entertainment Jones, whos career spanned more than six decades, overcame a childhood stutter to become one of the most revered actors of his generation. He made his Broadway debut in 1958 and went on
Instagram has failed to remove 93% of abusive comments flagged for targeting women politicians, a recent report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) found. Disproportionate Abuse Faced by Women of Color Politicians Among the politicians studied, Vice President Kamala Harris, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jasmine Crockett were subject to abuse. Comments ranged from overtly racist slurs to sexually explicit threats, many of which Instagram left unaddressed, despite these posts being clear violations of its community guidelines. In the 2020 US Congressional race, it was found that women of
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
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
ChurchSpace is changing how churches use their spaces by turning underutilized real estate into vibrant community hubs. Nicknamed the “Airbnb for churches,” this innovative app allows churches to generate additional income by renting out their facilities as commercial kitchens, event venues, and meeting spaces. Created by the millennial pastors’ kids Day Edwards and Emmanuel Brown, ChurchSpace addresses church leaders’ financial pressures and offers a new model for community engagement. Empowering Communities Through Church Real Estate Launched in 2019, ChurchSpace aims to strengthen local communities by repurposing church real estate. “Church
Myavana, a pioneering Black-led haircare technology company, has successfully raised $5.9 million in a recent funding round, bringing its valuation to $50 million, according to Forbes. The Atlanta-based startup uses AI to offer personalized haircare solutions, focusing primarily on the needs of Black women. Pioneering AI in Haircare Myavana is the brainchild of computer scientist Candace Mitchell. Mitchell founded the company in 2012 with the aim of revolutionizing personal and professional textured hair care through data-driven science and technology. With a deep understanding of the unique hair challenges of women
