As discontent with Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) continues to grow, rival platforms like Bluesky, Threads, Mastodon, and Spill are seeing a surge in users. Bluesky, a decentralized social platform founded by ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, is experiencing an unprecedented surge in sign-ups—roughly one million new users daily, according to the BBC. Among the latest prominent figures to exit X are actress Gabrielle Union and former CNN host Don Lemon, joining other celebrities and public figures migrating to Bluesky. Why Are People Leaving X? The high-profile exits reflect a broader
The push for full-time office work is gaining momentum at major companies, but experts warn it may come at a significant cost to workplace diversity. Harvard Business School professor Prithwiraj Choudhury told Washington Post that these policies risk making workforces “more white and more male,” reducing organizational diversity and innovation. A Shift Back to the Office Companies like Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase have mandated employees to return to the office five days a week. Amazon, for example, enforced this policy in September 2024 after initially introducing a hybrid
Hannah Bronfman, the wellness entrepreneur turned prolific angel investor, has revealed her plans to launch her own investment fund during an event at AFROTECH Conference, as first reported by TechCrunch. Known for her portfolio of angel investments in over 70 companies—including Black-founded beauty brands like Topicals and Sienna Naturals—Bronfman now aims to manage an institutional fund. From Angel Investor to Institutional Visionary Bronfman, who previously founded the wellness and beauty platform HBFIT, shared her experiences with an audience of young Black professionals and tech executives. She highlighted how community and
The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (Southern Black Girls) has launched the Dream Investment Program to empower Black girls and women entrepreneurs across the South. The Dream Investment Program This initiative will support 25 current and aspiring business owners with financial investments, training, and mentorship, in partnership with Kindred Futures and supported by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation. “This program is a dream come true,” LaTosha Brown, Founder of Southern Black Girls, said in a press statement. “It’s about giving Black girls and women the resources and opportunities
Bozoma Saint John, one of the industry’s highest-profile marketing executives, is launching Eve by Boz, a wig and haircare brand, as first reported by Fortune. The independently funded venture promises to cater specifically to Black women and address gaps in the wig industry that Saint John says have been overlooked for too long. Filling a Gap in the Market Saint John made history in 2020 as Netflix’s first Black C-suite executive and previously held marketing leadership roles at Uber, Apple, and PepsiCo. Since stepping down from her Netflix role in
Whoopi Goldberg is launching All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), a dedicated 24/7 global sports network exclusively for women’s sports. The EGOT-winning actress and longtime advocate announced the launch on the Jimmy Fallon Show. Women’s Sports Finally Get Full-Time Coverage In an industry where women’s sports receive less than 20% of total coverage, Goldberg’s network arrives to bridge the gap. Unlike traditional channels that occasionally cover women’s events, this platform will spotlight women’s sports continuously, offering professional basketball, soccer, and growing sports like skateboarding and surfing. Goldberg’s network goes beyond game
Research Grid, an AI-driven company dedicated to automating clinical trial administration, has raised $6.5 million in seed funding to streamline trial workflows and reduce costly delays. The funding round, led by Fuel Ventures and including backers like Ada Ventures, Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab, and Arāya Ventures, will help Research Grid expand its engineering, R&D, and marketing efforts, with a focus on US and Asian markets. This investment supports Research Grid’s mission to cut down on the labor-intensive administrative tasks that can hinder the speed and success of medical research.
PBS Kids is making strides in computer science education with its new series, Lyla In The Loop, which premiered recently. This animated show follows the adventures of Lyla, a 7-year-old Black girl who, with her friends and family, uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate everyday challenges. Encouraging Problem-Solving Through Interactive Storytelling One of the unique elements of Lyla In The Loop is its upcoming interactive episodes. These episodes will allow Lyla to break the fourth wall, directly engaging with the young viewers. Using pre-written responses powered by non-generative
A team of researchers has revealed a new set of algorithms designed to enhance the realism of highly coiled hair in digital animation. The study presents advanced geometric techniques that achieve levels of accuracy, addressing the challenges of representing coiled, afro-textured hair—a crucial development for more inclusive digital storytelling. Advancing Hair Animation with Phase Locking and Period Skipping Historically, digital hair modeling has excelled at simulating straight and wavy hair but has struggled to capture the intricacies of coiled textures. This new research introduces several methods: Phase Locking: By employing
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), SoFi has launched the Give Her Credit campaign. The digital financial services platform has teamed up with tennis icon Venus Williams and Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink to spotlight progress in women’s financial rights and inspire ongoing change. The campaign will provide $500,000 in grants, distributing $10,000 each to 50 selected individuals or groups to boost projects promoting women’s financial independence. 50 years of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act Passed in 1974, the ECOA marked a
