Bruce Montgomery’s Post

“We Black people are geniuses, we are so creative, we have so many different skills but when you talk about unlocking your genius and in the way we light up, we have to let AI and other technology tools help us with the rest,” said Alexa Turnage. A futurist technology movement is gaining momentum, one Saturday at a time in Detroit’s start-up community. Alexa and Johnnie Turnage, co-founders of Black Tech Saturdays, have made it their mission to bridge the gap in tech education and access. The innovative husband-and-wife duo is helping redefine how technology intersects with community empowerment for Black and Brown users. The couple envisioned Black Tech Saturdays becoming a national model for inclusive tech innovation after realizing the sparse representation of Black founders in tech spaces. "At the beginning, it was just me and another founder hanging out on Saturdays, helping each other," Johnnie recalls. "We were just two people leaning in, sharing knowledge and resources but we quickly saw the need to expand this community." https://lnkd.in/g-Z4KFif

In stark contrast to the venture capital approach, collective action has been foundational for the success of Black people and Black-owned businesses. The history of business using collective action in order to bring more equity and justice is well documented. Jessica Gordon Nembhard’s Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice is a comprehensive study of the intersections of Black business and collective action1 In her work, Nembhard notes how cooperatives have always been important for Black people, as they provide a way to build in spite of the exclusion from mainstream finance and employment.  Cooperatives are companies owned by the people they use their services.2 Cooperative organizations can be federations of workers, farmers, and landowners; mutual insurance companies; or banks and credit unions. https://lnkd.in/g24DAEX9

Google’s accelerators empower entrepreneurs who are tackling complex challenges and driving meaningful change in their communities. This year's Google for Startups Accelerator: #BlackFounders cohort exemplifies this spirit, with startups focused on everything from revolutionizing healthcare and improving public safety to transforming the construction industry. https://lnkd.in/gfeaDpvR

#CriticalConversation

#DontMissThis

#GoodNews #GreatImpact

#UrbanInnovation

Despite experiencing five years of growth, the number of Black-owned employer businesses (firms with more than one employee) still falls significantly short of representing the proportion of the Black population nationally. That’s a gap with consequences. Employer firms generate more wealth for owners, are better able to meet demands of emerging markets, and foster an environment of innovation and collaboration than sole proprietorships. Yet, in 2021, Black-owned businesses grew by 14.3%, and had the highest growth in revenue, payroll, and average number of employees than any other demographic group. These trends, which are consistent across most cities, are promising signs for gains in racial equity. On February 15, Brookings Metro hosted an event to present insights on Black-owned businesses across the U.S. in collaboration with the Path to 15|55 initiative, which endeavors to grow the percentage of Black-owned employer firms. Senior Fellow Andre Perry presented findings from a forthcoming Brookings report discussing recent trends in Black-owned business growth. An expert panel shared their own insights and discussed the role that Black employers can play in growing economically diverse and thriving communities across the U.S. and the barriers that they face. #YesWeLaunch #YesWeScale #YesWeWin

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In response to the Supreme Court’s momentous decision ruling that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for “official” acts, Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson issued blistering dissents. They blasted the reasoning of the six conservative justices who essentially created a new power for presidents. Each contended this decision poses a fundamental threat to American democracy and the rule of law. This is how Justice Sotomayor put it:  The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority’s reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military dissenting coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune. Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends. Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majority’s message today. https://lnkd.in/gsgwZ6V4