Business - Page 19

UNCF Expands HBCU Impact Through Digital Innovation

The United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) is leveraging the power of networks, technology and innovation to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) achieve their missions.  Ed Smith-LewisThrough digital and innovative platforms, UNCF is building a connected ecosystem where “institutions can learn from one another, scale what works, and shape a stronger, more equitable future for their students,” says Ed Smith-Lewis, senior vice president of strategic partnerships and institutional programs at UNCF. In 2015, UNCF received a $50 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch the Career Pathways

Credit Inequality Hits Young Black Americans Hardest

Written By Lexx Thornton Credit access and management significantly impact young African American communities in theU.S., often exacerbating existing economic disparities. These challenges stem from a combination of historical, structural, and systemic factors. Young adults in majority-Black communities face notably lower credit scores compared to their white counterparts. For instance, individuals aged 25–29 in majority-Black communities have a median credit score of 582, while those in majority-white communities have a median 687. Such disparities often result in higher interest rates and limited access to affordable credit. Credit denial rates are disproportionately high among Black applicants. In 2023, 65% of Black

Tulsa Proposes $100M Trust for Black Wall Street Reparations

Written By Lexx Thornton Black Wall Street refers most famously to the prosperous African American business district inthe Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the early 20th century. It became asymbol of Black economic success and self-sufficiency, but it wastragically destroyed duringone of the most violent racial massacres in U.S. history. Many residents were highly educated,and the area was home to Black doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs. Children went to privateschools in uniforms and had top-tier education. It was dubbed “Black Wall Street” to highlight its economic power and independence—comparable to New York’s Wall Street. On May 31 and June 1,

AT&T Stands Firm on DEI, Defies Federal Rollback Pressure

Written By Lexx Thornton AT&T refused to follow Verizon in rolling back DEI policies amid federal pressure. AT&Tstands firm on DEI values regardless of government pressures they have received. While Verizon recently bowed to federal pressure from the Trump administration to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, AT&T is taking a different stance. CEO John Stankey made itperfectly clear that the company has no plans to roll back its DEI policies. According to him,AT&T has always been about merit, offering everyone a fair shot to grow, thrive, and belong at the company. AT&T’s recent decision to maintain its

Trump Unveils $175B Golden Dome Missile Defense Plan

Written By Lexx Thornton President Donald Trump has unveiled a $175 billion missile defense initiative dubbed the”Golden Dome”, designed to shield the U.S. from space-based threats. Spearheaded by the SpaceForce, the system is expected to be operational within three years,utilizing cutting-edge droneand space technologies. While the project is still in its early stages, its potential economic impacts are significant and multifaceted. The Golden Dome is projected to cost up to $175 billion, with some estimates suggesting a total expenditure ranging from $161 billion to $542 billion over 20 years . This substantial investment would likely lead to increased federal spending,

Africa’s $1 Trillion Agribusiness Revolution Takes Root

Written By Lexx Thornton In the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley, a young woman named Amina bends over a tablet in her farmhouse, checking soil moisture data. Her family farm, once reliant on seasonal luck and outdated tools, now hums with the rhythm of modern agriculture—precision irrigation, high-yield seeds, and access to markets beyond borders. Amina is part of a quiet revolution reshaping Africa: the rise of agribusiness as a trillion-dollar frontier. Agriculture has long been the backbone of African economies, employing over 60% of the continent’s workforce. But for decades, farming here has been seen as low-tech, low-profit, and

DEI Rollbacks Spark Backlash Against Dollar General, Target

Written By Lexx Thornton Rolling back DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)refers to companies and organizationsreducing or ending their DEI programs and initiatives. President Trump’s executive order inJanuary 2025 initiated DEI rollbacks in the federal government, leading tochanges in policiesand programs at agencies like NASA. As time has progressed other big companies have rolled back DEI policies and have suffered tremendously from boycotts like Target. On Wednesday, Bryant announced that he was going to put pressure on Dollar General, saying that the company had “walked away from DEI.””Target is canceled since they have betrayed and walked away from our community, and

Why Millennials Are Leading the Polyworking Revolution

Written By Lexx Thornton A millennial is someone born between 1981 and 1996, also known as Generation Y. This generation is characterized by their growth during the rise of the internet and digital technology. Millennials are increasingly polyworking—working multiple jobs or income streams at once—for several interrelated economic, cultural, and technological reasons.   The economic pressures that millennials are facing are a possible #1 reason polyworking is the norm for their generation. Despite rising living costs, especially in housing, healthcare, and education, wages for many have remained relatively flat. Millennials also carry significant student loan debt, pushing many to seek extra

Africa’s Real Estate Market Set to Hit $21 Trillion by 2029

Written By Lexx Thornton As children, when we are in school and taught about Africa, we are taught that it is the motherland. The unstable motherland, the unhealthy motherland, the poor and starving motherland. As we have grown and uncovered history we find out that what we were taught isn’t100% accurate. Africa is rich in a wide range of natural resources, biodiversity, cultural heritage,and human potential. Even countries in Africa such as Dubai is the top global gold trading hub and has a GDP of about USD 140 billion. Africa’s real estate market is a dynamic and growing sector, with

Trump’s Tariff Delay May Impact Black Jobs and Economy

Written By Lexx Thornton President Donald Trump stated Sunday that he has agreed to delay a 50% tariff on European Union imports until July 9, the latest instance of Trump declaring an impending tariff and throwing markets into confusion only to later walk back the threatened levies. Trump said he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a “very nice call” that led to the delay. But what does this mean for the African American community?   Delaying tariffs can affect the Black community in the U.S. in both direct and indirect ways, depending on the type of goods

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