Allen Media Group (AMG) has backpedaled on its decision to end weather forecasting operations across its local television stations, following widespread outrage from viewers. AMG reverses its layoff plans Originally, AMG planned to replace its weather forecasting operations with streamlined operations to reduce costs. The cuts could have led to the termination of nearly 100 local forecasters across 36 outlets. However, after announcing the move, it faced serious backslash from the people served by AMG stations. “While not all staff and meteorologists are safe, a majority will remain in their roles.
Real estate developer Booker Washington, founder of Techie Homes, is set to open Union Park Cottages, a Black-owned micro-home community featuring a technology lab and coffee shop. The project aims to make homeownership more accessible in the area, while also creating community engagement and economic growth. Union Park Cottages will offer smart, smaller homes priced below the current market rates, part of Washington’s broader effort to address the housing affordability issue in metro Atlanta. Community Ownership and Innovation In a unique model, residents of Union Park Cottages will also hold
Klean Energy Kulture (KEK), an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to driving clean energy adoption in Black and Brown communities, has launched its inaugural program, “Electrify the City.” This initiative aims to fast-track the integration of renewable energy in disinvested neighborhoods. It focuses on transforming cultural landmarks like salons, churches, entertainment venues, and community centers into sustainable energy hubs. Powering Cultural Spaces and Communities Through “Electrify the City,” KEK will partner with businesses, residents, and cultural leaders to install solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in high-traffic community venues. The
Rapper and Atlanta native Gunna is launching a $500,000 guaranteed income program aimed at helping families in his hometown, as first reported by Billboard. Set to kick off on September 18, the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program will provide 30 families in the 30349 zip code with $1,000 monthly stipends for a year. Addressing Economic Challenges Head-On In a move to tackle economic inequality, Gunna has teamed up with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to create a program that offers direct financial support to those who need
HERide, a rideshare platform focused on women’s safety, has become the first Black-owned company to secure a contract with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Co-founded in 2019 by Jillian Anderson and DeVynne Starks, HERide conducts thorough background checks on drivers and integrates in-ride security features to ensure passenger safety. Focused on women’s safety Anderson’s experience as a rideshare driver highlighted many women’s discomfort using traditional services like Uber and Lyft, especially at night. “There were a lot of women that were hesitant with riding with men at night using Uber and Lyft,” Anderson told AFROTECH. “I
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), a pivotal hub for Black entrepreneurs in Atlanta, announced a $2 million grant from Truist Foundation and two Truist Trusteed Foundations. RICE positions itself as Atlanta’s home for Black entrepreneurs and an economic mobility engine for the community. Its stakeholders have created hundreds of jobs, generated over $100 million in revenue, and spurred $450 million in total economic activity. This financial endorsement by Truist comes at a critical time. It is set to accelerate RICE’s expansion efforts and elevate the stature of Atlanta-based Black entrepreneurs within and
Inuit Mailchimp has given Atlanta-based Black women’s artist collective TILA Studios $100,000 in unrestricted funding. Mailchimp Atlanta-based tech company Inuit Mailchimp is an email and marketing automation platform for growing businesses. They aim to empower customers worldwide to start and grow their businesses with world-class marketing technology. The platform makes data-backed recommendations for businesses automatically and with the help of AI. In 2021, Mailchimp was acquired by Intuit, an American business software company specializing in financial software. Recently, Inuit Mailchimp announced a pledge of $1 million to increase and help
ISACA and Blacks In Technology (BIT) are collaborating to prepare underserved communities in Atlanta for emerging tech careers, through ISACA’s Digital Trust-Workforce Inclusion Program (DT-WIP) and One In Tech Foundation. ISACA And Blacks In Technology ISACA is a global professional association and learning organization of nearly 170,000 professionals in 188 countries. Their members work in digital trust fields such as information security, governance, assurance, risk, privacy and quality. Through its foundation, One In Tech, ISACA supports IT education and career pathways for underresourced and underrepresented populations. “Enterprises across all industries need qualified professionals
A recent survey has revealed that many Atlanta job seekers actively miss out on their dream job out of fear and intimidation. The Be The Light tour, a Black-led mobile career event, hopes to change that. Atlanta Job-Seekers Need Support Research by Atlanta-based Insight Global found that Atlanta metro area job seekers often found themselves up against job search barriers, from a lack of confidence to a lack of resources. The survey, conducted earlier this month among over 1,000 Atlanta job seekers, highlighted the issue of individuals no longer choosing to follow
Black-owned food waste startup, Goodr, has closed $8 million in their latest round of financing. The funding round, led by venture capital firm, Precursor Ventures, included investment firm Collab Capital, Emerson Collective, Backstage Capital, Innovations for Impact, Kimbal, Telus Pollinator Fund, and a series of other private angel investors. This round brings Goodr’s total funding to $9.4 million. The Atlanta-based startup, founded by Jasmine Crowe in 2017, works to feed people who may experience food insecurity. The community first focused on helping feed a small number of people experiencing homelessness