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Black founders are leading the way in reshaping the AI landscape with tailored ChatGPTs for a more personalized experience, addressing the lack of cultural nuance in mainstream AI models. Latimer.AI and ChatBlackGPT are championing answers that resonate with Black and brown communities, while Spark Plug in Canada and innovative African models cater to diverse languages and dialects often overlooked by Western AI. Tamar Huggins emphasizes the importance of owning systems for data integrity in this evolving space. Pocstock's diversity data efforts and visual tagging system are driving inclusivity in imaging by training AI models with culturally accurate data, combating bias issues. The future of AI hinges on personalization, paving the way for enhanced understanding and inclusivity in the digital realm. #AI #DiversityandInclusion #Innovation #Tech #BlackFounders #PersonalizedAI

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Are you fearless in your pursuit of equity? A US Federal Court of Appeals panel has suspended the Fearless Fund’s Striver Program for Black women entrepreneurs, which awarded $20k grants to correct historical injustices. Despite less than 0.05% (ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT!!!) of Venture Capital investment going to businesses founded by Black women, the court ruled the program discriminatory against white business owners. The irony is stark. The laws used against the Fearless Fund were meant to prevent economic inequity for formerly enslaved African Americans. In your organization, how are you addressing the barriers creating inequity for your employees, clients, or community? Have you considered how your policies, practices, and budget choices can foster equity or perpetuate inequity? At Wilson and Associates Coaching and Consulting, LLC, we use an "Equity Screening Tool" to help organizations examine their decisions' impact on marginalized groups. I'll be teaching about this tool in two weeks inside my Leadership & Culture Change membership program. Request our equity screening tool today and take the first step toward building a more inclusive and equitable workplace. #Equity #CultureTransformation #InclusiveWorkplace #OrganizationalChange

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I'm on my way to #Houston to support our client and community partners in delivering our second Climate Connect workshop—and I'm hoping I can land. From Dallas (my hometown) to Houston, there’s been softball-size hail and tornado-level winds all week. You can’t miss the irony, given that we’re delivering a Disaster Preparedness Workshop for Families in Glufton tomorrow! Frequent, extreme weather is here and a constant in many people's lives. Climate Connect is a work in progress and dream project of mine, though it’s more formally known as a #communityresilience education and engagement pilot initiative. Climate Connect is the first tangible embodiment of qb. consulting’s Climate Justice Listening Tour and is community-informed. Individuals from Baytown, Channelview, Fifth Ward, Harrisburg, Pleasantville, Settegast, Sheldon, and The Highlands informed the design, intentions, content, and partners for this program. It is the brainchild of Obiageli Onuba, MCD and Paloma Avila, two deeply invested and experienced community engagement specialists. You can read more about Obiageli’s story here: https://bit.ly/4c3F3wn. She’s a Houston native leading this work in her community. And it’s just the beginning of Verizon’s corporate social responsibility efforts to ask the community how they can meaningfully contribute to #climateequity and #climateresilience. For corporations, I think we are at the tip of the iceberg in the discussion of viewing climate change as a social impact issue, enveloping climate justice and equity into #corporateresponsiblity strategies, and directing corporate philanthropy, #employeeengagement, and employee volunteering and donations towards community resilience efforts. There's so much potential for immense, needed, community-deigned positive impact here. <<< This is what I am most excited about. So, if you are wondering how to involve your employees or CSR efforts in climate equity, community resilience, and nature-based solutions, please don't hesitate to reach out. I’d love to chat!

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🚀FOUNDERS🚀 We are excited to announce that Nex Cubed Cubed is actively seeking HBCU-affiliated founders who are leveraging technology to address society’s toughest challenges to join its HBCU Founders Accelerator! The HBCU Founders Accelerator is a customized 16-week intensive program, primarily conducted virtually. With a cohort size of 8-10 startups, our accelerator seeks to create a collaborative environment to foster entrepreneurial success. Throughout the program, each company is provided with dedicated executive-level support from paid advisors. We make an initial investment of $120,000 ‼️ in each selected startup to help support their growth📈 At least one member of the founding team must be an HBCU student, alum, or faculty member; and the company must have a proof of concept/MVP that is in market or on the verge of commercialization. 📌 For a full list of requirements, benefits, program details, and to apply, visit https://lnkd.in/eCGRXPTy 👈🏽 Applications for Cohort 3 are open NOW✅ through May 31st, at 11:59 PM EST. #HBCU #HBCUalum #HBCUpride #Entrepreneurship #Startup #HBCUFounders #Innovation #TechStartups #Founders

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How to Raise Money as a Black Beauty Brand - Sheena Butler-Young (The Business of Fashion) Black founders carry a markedly higher burden when it comes to educating investors on the value and viability of their business ideas — but there is an art and science behind knowing when your brand is ready and what kind of investors will be the best fit. There are many reasons driving the dearth of funding going to Black business — but chief among them, experts say, is that Black founders carry a markedly higher burden when it comes to educating investors on the value and viability of their business ideas.

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Why I think abstract thinking is what’s going to close the wealth gap for minorities: After chatting with prominent Black founders last year and analyzing the ecosystem, a trend emerged. I decided to write it as an open letter to Black investors in VC here --> https://lnkd.in/gvTSgfZp

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Final part 3 of the Beauty of Business series on Black Founders in Beauty. This part discusses the challenges Black founders face when raising money for their beauty brands, providing tips on how to navigate the fundraising environment. Black founders typically raise less capital than other founders, often due to a lack of investor awareness of the consumer needs of the Black beauty market. Some founders have overcome this by pitching to investors who focus on BIPOC businesses, but this is limiting.. https://lnkd.in/effKDQDp

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Did you know we’re living in the Decade of Black Innovation? For the past few years, I’ve been a proud member of Black Innovation Alliance, an organization at the forefront of building the equitable economy we all deserve. As a member, I’ve had so many incredible opportunities to develop as a business leader, ecosystem builder, and innovator. Each year, BIA hosts an annual Sustainability Summit to engage and energize our members from around the world. This year, I had the privilege of vending during the opening reception and sharing more about my book, The Ghetto VC. I’m so proud to share this was the first time I was able to sell out of my inventory, and I’m so grateful to everyone who purchased a signed paperback. Before BIA, I felt very alone in doing the work that I’ve committed my life to. After joining, I’ve realized there are so many others like me doing the work, whether they get the recognition they deserve or not. If you’re an organization supporting Black innovators in your ecosystem, BIA is here to support you. If you’re a resource provider, funder, or government entity, please consider how you can become an accomplice in our mission. And of course, if you’re interested in leveraging startup investing as a means to combat gentrification and classism, check out my book here: https://theghetto.vc/ #startups #venturecapital #nonprofit

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We do not live in a merit-based society. We never have. Advancement based on merit alone is impossible in a society that created a 300+ year headstart for one group of people at the expense and detriment of another group. We live in a society that has ALWAYS granted certain people special access, resources, and value based on their relationship to and memembership amongst those in the seat of power. What we are seeing now is that the white-male led power group is attempting to enforce their hegemony by trying to close the doors that they held open for one another for generations. We've got to continue to kick these damn doors in or we will never get anyhere, because the bootstraps are NOT bootstrapping!!!! https://lnkd.in/dEu5hVAt 

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Happy Juneteenth! Today, we honor a pivotal moment in our nation's history – the day when the last enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of resilience, freedom, and the ongoing journey toward equality and justice. Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, recognized across the country, yet it’s more than just a day off. It's an opportunity to reflect on our past, acknowledge the struggles and achievements of Black Americans, and recommit to fostering a more inclusive and equitable future. In my work with leaders, I often emphasize the importance of courageous conversations and understanding our history. Knowing where we come from helps us navigate where we're going. It's about connecting the head and the heart, driving change not just through policy but through genuine understanding and empathy. As we celebrate today, let's remember that our actions, no matter how small, can make a significant impact. Whether you're a leader in your organization or a change-maker in your community, use this day to inspire and be inspired. For a deeper understanding, I recommend "Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future" by Lori Ann LaRocco. Written with her daughter Abby Wallace, this book explores the stories of four Black families and their connections to enslavement. Remarkably, the proceeds will fund a college book stipend for descendants of enslaved people. It’s a powerful testament to how our history can shape a better future. Check the comments for the link to the book. Here's to celebrating freedom, embracing diversity, and pushing forward with courage and conviction. Let's honor this day together and continue to drive meaningful change! #Juneteenth #CourageousLeadership #Inclusion #Equality #HistoryMatters #KnowYourHistory

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To this we say - if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Sadly, the future landscape of funding for Black entrepreneurs shows no signs of improving. In fact, according to a recent piece by AFROTECH, it's getting worse. "According to insights from Crunchbase, Black-founded startups pulled in a mere $705 million in venture funding in 2023, barely scratching the surface (0.5%) of the colossal $140.4 billion #VC pot feeding all U.S.-based #startups last year. For the first time since 2016, this drop is below the billion-dollar mark, though still higher than that year’s total of $582 million raised by Black-founded startups. This is particularly striking considering that 13.6% of the U.S. population identifies as Black or African-American, per the United States Census Bureau." And, if the recent successes in the higher courts of the case against the Fearless Fund, brought last year by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a group led by Edward Blum, who also led the charge to overturn Affirmative Action tells us anything, interest in leveling the playing field in general is clearly still subject to "fragility." Harder still, according to an outlook published by Wellington Management, distributions from VC funds overall dropped a staggering 84% from 2021 to 2023, further growing dry powder inventory and extending the allocation drought. Competition for fundraising will continue to be a trending theme among all emerging companies in 2024.   It's up to us as a community to see and build our way out of and beyond this. We cannot rely on anything but our own proven will to thrive against all odds. But we must do it together. If we intend to thrive as a community we must work as a community. Join our movement today! #BlackBusinessesMatter #VentureCapitalInequality #LevelThePlayingField #EntrepreneurshipEquity #FundingDisparities #BlackStartupStruggles #CommunityEmpowerment #InclusiveEconomy #BuildingBlackWealth #SupportBlackEntrepreneurs

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Last week's #IntentionalConversations with Casey Ariel Thobias covered the state of Black Women-Owned Businesses, DEI legal implications, and financial activism. Missed the live vodcast? No worries! Intentional Conversations is also a podcast, available now on all major platforms. Subscribe for weekly episodes dropping every Tuesday at 5 am. Listen now by following the link in the comments. #DEI #vodcast #podcast #IntentionalConversations ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Here’s how you can make sure we stay in touch! 🛎️ Valuable? Ring the bell icon on my profile to never miss my content & like, comment and share. 📚Order my latest book, Inclusion Uncomplicated: A Transformative Guide to Simplify DEI, published by Forbes Books. ↗️Follow my business page Nika White Consulting 🗞️Subscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter, Inclusion Insider 📝 Take any of my 3 LinkedIn Learning courses 🎤 Hire me to be a keynote speaker at your next event or to facilitate an impactful learning experience at your organization.

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Thousands of VC, Private Equities, and Investors ONLY investing in white male led companies for decades without any legal implications and they are now coming for $20K grants coming from Fearless Fund for Black Women Founders who receive <1% of overall funding ... I can't, I just can't right now! #standupforwhatsright #representationmatters #buildyourowntable #enoughalready!

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The recent federal appeals court ruling suspending the Fearless Fund's grant program for Black women business owners is a major setback in the effort to create a more equitable and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Venture funds and grant programs targeting underrepresented founders, like the one established by the Fearless Fund, play a critical role in addressing the persistent racial and gender gaps in access to capital. Despite the immense talent and potential of Black women entrepreneurs, they remain the least funded demographic in the venture capital landscape: - Black women receive less than 1% of total venture capital funding, despite being the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S. (ProjectDiane 2020) - The median funding raised by Black women founders is $0, compared to about $2.5 million for white men. (ProjectDiane 2020) - For every $1 million in venture funding raised, women-led startups have raised less than $5,000 on average since 2009. For Black women, that drops to just $250. (Goldman Sachs) - Only 93 Black women have raised $1 million or more in venture capital, compared to 1,661 white men who have achieved the same milestone. (ProjectDiane 2022) These stark disparities are rooted in systemic barriers, racial bias, and lack of access to networks that Black women face when pursuing funding. Targeted programs like the Fearless Fund's grants aim to help level the playing field and unlock the massive untapped potential of this entrepreneurial demographic. The economic benefits of empowering Black women founders extend far beyond individual businesses. Closing the racial entrepreneurship gap could add $300 billion to the U.S. economy and create 1.1 million new businesses (Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity). And businesses led by women of color deliver a higher median revenue than those led by white women and men of color. (ProjectDiane 2022) The Fearless Fund ruling is a troubling development that threatens to stall vital progress. If we are to build a more dynamic, innovative and equitable economy, venture funds focused on overlooked founders must be allowed to continue their critical work. The data makes the case clear - empowering Black women entrepreneurs is not just a moral imperative, but an economic necessity. The fight for their equal access to capital must continue. #BlackWomenFounders #EquitableVentureFunding #ClosingTheRacialWealthGap

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This is a powerful piece by Dr. Shauna D. A. Knox —100% truth. Every word is worth reading and pondering. Too often, in a vain attempt to fit in or for expediency, we water down our thoughts and words, and our 'deal with the devil' begins. How complicit are we when we allow stereotypes of leadership to cloud our vision? As Latinos and Latinas, when we navigate professional spaces, including academia and the nonprofit/philanthropic sector, what 'deal with the devil' trade-off are we making about our own identity? What does it mean to be an ally for others? Will having Latinos and Latinas on Boards and as Trustees help when their best skill is navigating their survival and advancement in the existing structures, and they have never learned to change the practices and structures that marginalize Latinos and others? Can our daughters (and sons) ever have a fair chance to truly show up as they are if Black women aren't allowed the same consideration?

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"Unapologetically Leading: The Black Women's Mixtape" is more than a platform, it’s a vibe and a community where we celebrate the stories and journeys of Black women leaders. Through centering their narratives, we aim to inspire connections and uplift voices that are often overlooked or stereotypically defined. "Unapologetically Leading" amplifies Black women by giving them space to take center stage and own their narratives and how they are shown to the world. Why the play on the word mixtape? Because we hope to curate an authentic and transparent look at their experiences, perspectives, and insights, noting that each narrative will be different, similar to the diverse tracks on your favorite album/mixtape. Ultimately, "Unapologetically Leading: The Black Women's Mixtape" isn't just about sharing stories; it's about reclaiming agency, and redefining what it means to lead unapologetically as a Black woman in today's world. If you are interested in sharing your story either through writing a piece or by being interviewed fill out the form below and share it with your network 💜 EDIT: This will close tomorrow at noon. #BlackWomenLeaders #CenteringBlackVoices #RedefiningLeadership #Leadership #Storytelling

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This is interesting on two fronts: One- Funds should have the autonomy to support and fund initiatives they believe in, including those that target specific demographics such as Black women business owners. This aligns with the principle of freedom in investment decisions and philanthropic endeavours, allowing VC firms to address particular disparities and support underrepresented groups. The First Amendment protects charitable donations, and VC funds should be free to use their resources to promote diversity and support marginalized communities as part of their mission and values. Two- Programs that exclude individuals based on race, such as the Fearless Fund's Strivers Grant, can be seen as discriminatory and polarizing. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits racial discrimination in contracts, and ensuring equality means that opportunities should not be limited to certain racial groups. Discriminatory practices, even if well-intentioned, can undermine efforts towards inclusivity and equality, creating further divisions. Your thoughts? https://lnkd.in/d57dD2Rd

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