Looking for a job in this economy is grueling. In December 2024, NBC recorded that the unemployment rate in the US was at 4.2%, which is alarming considering unemployment rates had never been below 5% in the 1970s or the 1980s. The job market is slow, and it’s taking candidates several months or years to find new job opportunities. Aliyah Jones knows this experience all too well. After being out of work for several months, she launched an unemployment series on LinkedIn. The series garnered tons of attention, and Jones
Funding for female-led and female-founded ventures in Africa reached a five-year low in 2024, ‘Africa: The Big Deal’ reported. A five year low for Women-led ventures These figures are the lowest they’ve been since 2019, as female CEOs received only $48 million in funding in 2024. That number is four times less than in 2023. In contrast, $2.2 billion went to their male peers in 2024. Additionally, female CEOs only received 2% of the total invested last year. Funding for gender-diverse teams was slightly better as they received $123 million in
MSNBC’s Rashida Jones resigned from her role as president on Tuesday to pursue new opportunities on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg. Jones served as president for four years and was the first Black executive to head a major television network. Her resignation comes as the network’s parent company, Comcast Corp., prepares to spin offs several of its cable TV assets. Why is Rashida Jones stepping down from her role? “I came to this decision over the holidays while reflecting on our remarkable journey and the many successes we’ve achieved together as a team,” Jones
Navigating the tech industry as women of color is already challenging, but when layered with other marginalized identities, the obstacles become even greater. Marianna Di Regolo (she/her) and Cat Perez (she/they), the married couple behind Famm, are proving that innovation, resilience, and community-building can create meaningful change in this space. Building a Platform for Inclusivity Famm was born out of a personal and community need. Created as a marketplace spotlighting LGBTQ+-owned e-commerce brands, Famm recently launched a social network app for LGBTQ professionals. “As I navigated my gender identity, I struggled
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
Here are five Black innovators we think are set to make significant moves in 2025. From health tech and biodesign to venture capital and the creator economy, these individuals are at the forefront of progress. They’re reshaping industries, launching transformative products, and empowering communities worldwide. Here’s a closer look at their work and why you should keep them on your radar. Amanda Spann – Empowering Non-Technical Founders Amanda Spann is a marketing consultant and app entrepreneur dedicated to empowering the Black tech community. Her most recent initiative, The App Accelerator,
When Nadia Odunayo sat down in January 2019, she had a choice to make: pursue her idea for a running app or dive into her passion for books. She chose the latter, and what started as a side project quickly evolved into The StoryGraph, a community-driven social cataloguing web platform for books. With Amazon-owned Goodreads dominating the market, The StoryGraph has become a refreshing favorite for readers looking for a more personalized experience. Revolutionizing Reading With The StoryGraph Odunayo, a Black British engineer and entrepreneur, built The StoryGraph to offer
Memphis rapper GloRilla, born Gloria Hallelujah Woods, has funded a new tech-enabled media center at her alma mater, Melrose High School. On December 18, 2024, the Memphis native donated $25,000 to fund the creation of a modern, tech-enabled media center. This space, which will serve students and the surrounding Orange Mound community, will be named the Gloria H. Woods Media Center in her honor. “The fact that I have the ability to do it now warms my heart,” GloRilla said during her visit. A Media Hub for Literacy and Learning
Los Angeles-based moms Dr. Anndretta Lyle and Stacy Kirk, both leaders in education and technology, have joined forces to create Thrive Culture Box, an innovative subscription service for families with children aged four and up. Designed to celebrate and explore Black culture, the service provides monthly activity kits that combine hands-on learning with interactive digital lessons. Each box features engaging tools and materials, along with instructional videos that guide families in discovering Black history, achievements, and creativity. The Thrive Culture Box The debut series of Thrive Culture Box spotlights Black
Arlan Hamilton, the founder of Backstage Capital, has announced her decision to step down as managing partner and take on an advisory role. “After 12 years of being deeply involved in the day-to-day operations, I’ve decided to become a chairperson and advisor,” she said in a statement shared on Instagram. Backstage Capital’s New Chapter As part of this transition, Backstage Capital has formed a strategic partnership with 360 Venture Collective, a woman-founded and led venture firm with an intentionally inclusive investment thesis. Hamilton explained that the collective will acquire a
