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
Black-owned ed-tech company Nomadd Group has launched Project CASPER, an accelerated program implementing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs in underrepresented schools and communities. Nomadd Group Nomadd is a community development and STEM-accredited EdTech company that provides programs and services to uplift disinvested communities. Founded by Kevin Horton, Nomadd’s vision is to create economic mobility for communities that lack access to information, technology and resources. It focuses on re-skilling workers, developing the workforce, and promoting entrepreneurship while reforming the education system. They aim to help implement STEM programs to
Horizon Media – reportedly the largest US media agency – has joined Burst Premium Network to create the first-ever network featuring a DEI content experience that amplifies the work and voices of local storytellers across more than 150 broadcast stations. Burst is a leading mobile video technology company aiming to transform how broadcasters, publishers, and media companies manage and monetize user-generated and controlled video content. The aim is focused on community-based DEI storytelling to amplify the work and voices of local storytellers across more than 150 broadcast stations. “We are
Financial group, BMO, has unveiled new plans to invest $650,000 in business hubs based in Madison. This includes two Black-owned business hubs, Urban League of Greater Madison’s Black Business Hub and The Center for Black Excellence and Culture business. The financial firm aims to develop the Madison community and create greater access to opportunities for BIPOC in the banking industry. The investment of $250,000, which will be given to each company across five years, will work to help talented Black people build their careers by providing economic growth and prosperity
Black Professionals in Tech (BPTN) has officially made its debut in Zambia. The community network, which currently has more than 60,000 Black members worldwide, has created a global network for professionals working within North America and across countries worldwide. BPTN’s new network, which went live at the Bongo Hive Technology Lusaka earlier this week, connects large tech companies with Black tech professionals. It provides employment opportunities to members and offers mentorship and educational resources to help entrepreneurs develop long-standing, successful careers within the tech industry. The platform enables tech giants to hire
Black-owned fintech startup, Guava, has closed a pre-seed funding round of $2.4 million. The funding round, which Heron Rock led, also included investment firm Ruthless for Good Fund, Precursor Ventures, Backstage Capital, and angel investors Lexi Reese and Ed Zimmerman. Guava, founded in 2021 by Kelly Ifill, helps Black-owned businesses bank and build community. The banking and networking platform works to close the racial wealth gap by aiding small Black companies and creators with the tools needed to scale and grow their businesses. The digital platform, which is yet to
Connection. That’s all we need to thrive as a community, and Plain Sight’s recent partnership with the City of Miami is a prime example of that. Black-owned networking startup Plain Sight recently announced the launch of their inaugural Black Founders Demo Day. The networking event will take place on December 1 as a featured event at this year’s Art Basel. The annual event will allow attendees to connect with prominent angel investors and venture capital groups worldwide to showcase, inspire, and invest in Black and Brown wealth. This year’s event
Tennis legend Serena Williams has been announced as the keynote speaker for the Black Tech Week Conference, scheduled to take place in Cincinnati, OH, July 18-22. Black Tech Week, founded by Felecia Hatcher and Derick Pearson in 2016, is a minority-centered ecosystem-building festival that partners with founders, corporations, and the community to create a valuable experience for all investors, entrepreneurs, and techies of all kinds to enjoy. The event is committed to bringing Black tech founders, influencers, and innovators together to create memorable experiences centered around Black culture and inclusive
Black-led communication startup, Simpu, has launched its first-ever omnichannel inbox, allowing businesses to interact with customers through various social channels. The omnichannel inbox will not only enable companies to communicate with their consumers in a range of mediums, but it also allows them to diverge away from the traditional customer support channels, which primarily focus on phone, email, or chat support. Collins Iheagwara co-founded Simpu with Kolawole Balogun and Tioluwani Kolawole in 2020, which was designed to help business owners unify all their communication channels through an automated workflow. The
22-year-old Khaby Lame (@khaby.lame) has officially become the most-followed person on TikTok after accumulating 142.8 million followers on the platform, ultimately making him the official king of TikTok. Khaby Lame, who first joined the app in March 2020, managed to cultivate a cult-like following in just over a year without saying a word. Over the past few weeks, his fans across the world launched a social media hashtag (#KhabyToNumberOne) to push him past TikTok creator Charli D’Amelio, who previously held the top spot with 142.3 million followers. “I don’t care
