Blapp is changing the way Black-owned businesses connect with their communities and attract new clientele. Blapp: Bridging the Gap for Black-Owned Businesses Jon Laster, a comedian-turned-app developer, created Blapp to help Black-owned businesses thrive. Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Laster sought a sustainable way to support his community. “Blapp works by simplifying people’s desire to help,” Laster said according to ABC News. In Blapp, users can see nearby Black-owned businesses—from restaurants to nail salons—on a map or in a list and search for products and services offered by Black business
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has joined the board of SpreeAI, a new startup seeking to transform the shopping experience with AI. Founded and led by John Imah, SpreeAI lets each shopper become a model through its photorealistic try-on tool. SpreeAI SpreeAI allows shoppers to upload a single photo of themselves to see a photorealistic version of trying on outfits, with their size reportedly detected at a 99% accuracy rate. The product integrates into new and existing websites or mobile apps, offering retailers a hassle-free way to elevate user interaction and supercharge
Pretty Lux Co, the first Black-owned and woman-owned candle-making studio in Middle Georgia, is igniting a love for science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) through the art of making luxury products. Pretty Lux Co. Pretty Lux Co. was founded in July 2023 by Anikitia Abram to offer candles, skin, and hair products that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and created with minimal ingredients. Abram told Macon that the idea of Pretty Lux Co. was sparked by a personal journey of seeking solace and understanding during moments of anxiety. This search led
Black-owned Creative Theory Agency has launched a new campaign that uses AI to make technology more inclusive. Creative Theory Agency, founded in 2015, is a full-service creative agency that is mission-driven to bring creative equity and cultural impact to marketing moments. “What Prompted You” “What Prompted You” is a campaign-driven conversation designed to investigate AI tools’ impact and inclusivity’s role in fostering innovation. The campaign is a call to action to showcase how first-person, organic human perspectives can enhance and uplevel creativity. The agency will put up large-scale out-of-home (OOH)
Gwinnett County commissioners have recently approved launching the county’s first Black-owned pilot school, the Lookup Flight Academy. This initiative, led by Michael Ojo, aims to empower a new generation of aviators with the skills and knowledge needed for careers in aviation. Ojo’s passion for flying sparked nearly a decade ago, and his vision for the Lookup Flight Academy is about getting more minorities into aviation while helping them build careers as pilots. Addressing Underrepresentation in Aviation The Lookup Flight Academy, set to operate at the Gwinnett County Airport, aims to address
Venita Cooper and Vincent Sanders have created an AI-powered sneaker resale price-prediction startup – Arbit. According to their website, Arbit is the only price prediction model designed to empower sneaker buyers to get fair prices in the resell market. They collect real-time prices from trusted sites, providing pricing insights and trend analysis that allows users to shop prices on one app. Arbit’s Journey Cooper’s passion for sneaker culture began in 2019 when she opened Silhouette Sneakers and Art in Tulsa, which attracted attention from Brian Brackeen in 2021. After more than four years in the business, Cooper announced
UrbanGeekz, the digital news platform, has announced a content syndication deal with Moovn, a Black-owned ride-hailing service. The collaboration marks the first time a Black-owned news platform has partnered with a ridesharing app to distribute media directly to passengers. Redefining Passenger Experience Embedded within the Moovn app, the content from UrbanGeekz will be accessible to passengers as they travel, transforming ride time into an engaging opportunity for consuming news, feature stories, and videos. “I’ve always been someone who thinks outside the box,” said UrbanGeekz founder and CEO Kunbi Tinuoye. “For years, I’ve had this
Nearly 60% of Black small- and mid-sized business (SMB) owners on TikTok say that the app is critical to their business’ existence, a new Oxford Economics report has found. TikTok’s Value For Small businesses Oxford Economics, in collaboration with TikTok, sought to understand the app’s economic value for local communities across the US. It surveyed 1,050 SMBs and 7,500 users in 2023 to gauge interactions and benefits derived from the app. Small and medium businesses generated $14.7 billion in revenues and supported 224,000 jobs on TikTok supported 224,000 jobs, the
Nourish + Bloom, the first Black-owned autonomous grocery store in the US, is reshaping how communities access fresh food after Shark Tank investors declined them. Founded by Jilea and Jamie Hemmings in 2022, Nourish + Bloom aims to reduce the nation’s food deserts, making eating healthy and convenient. Nourish + Bloom Nourish + Bloom is reportedly the first 100% AI-powered supermarket to be open for business 24/7. The store currently offers a range of essentials, from produce to toiletries, and a deli for prepared foods. However, unlike traditional stores, Nourish + Bloom operates
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
