Business - Page 2

HBCU Students Take Center Stage at PROPEL Center’s Future of Tech Challenge

There’s a difference between talking about the future of tech and actually building it. That’s what stood out from the first-ever Future of Tech Innovation Challenge National Finals hosted by PROPEL Center in Austin, Texas from April 15 to 17. The focus was clear: give HBCU students the space to lead, create, and be seen. This wasn’t another surface-level diversity initiative. It points to what’s possible when Black students have real access to tools, training, and opportunity in AI and emerging tech. That’s where the shift is happening. The bigger picture matters. Black professionals make up about 12 to 13 percent of the workforce,

Black-led nonprofits didn’t see the lasting funding boosts promised after 2020’s racial reckoning

By The Associated Press The racial reckoning that followed George Floyd ‘s murder in 2020 carried hopes of new support for disproportionately underfunded, Black-led nonprofits. American companies stepped up donations to historically Black colleges and universities. Major climate funders pledged to give more toward minority groups. Large donors sought to narrow the racial wealth gap. But new research released Tuesday shows that such financial gains for many Black-led nonprofits were short-lived, if they happened at all. A subset of large, Black-led nonprofits saw only temporary funding increases between 2020 and 2022, according to the analysis by nonprofit research service Candid and

FedEx Invests in HBCU Pathways Through $2 Million Commitment

FedEx has deepened its long-standing support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with a four-year, $500,000 commitment to the business schools of Tennessee State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and LeMoyne‑Owen College. This strategic investment marks a significant step in the company’s more than 20‑year legacy of advancing opportunities for HBCU students, reaffirming the company’s belief that these historic institutions are essential engines of talent, innovation, and community empowerment. The collaboration with FedEx is designed to meet the unique needs and strategic priorities of each HBCU partner and will enhance student success, empower faculty, and modernize

ORS™ Haircare and HBCU Culture Shop Partner to Celebrate HBCU Excellence and Community

 ORS™ Haircare is proud to partner with HBCU Culture Shop on a limited-edition HBCU-themed collection across select ORS Olive Oil products currently available nationwide. The partnership celebrates the pride, excellence, and cultural impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities while deepening ORS’ engagement with HBCU communities across the country. Debuting during Black History Month, the collaboration marks the beginning of broader initiatives, including a planned HBCU Tour and student-centered programming designed to equip students with self-care knowledge and confidence as they pursue their goals. Black History Month serves as a reminder that legacy is not only something to reflect on, but something to build forward. Created

Jury finds Meta and YouTube negligent in landmark lawsuit on social media safety

By Shanshan Dong and Angela Yang A jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in the design or operation of their social media platforms, producing a bellwether verdict in the first lawsuit to take tech giants to trial for social media addiction. The Los Angeles County Superior Court jury said that Meta’s and YouTube’s negligence were a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff, identified in court by her initials, K.G.M., and that the companies failed to adequately warn users of the dangers of Instagram (Meta’s platform) and YouTube (which is owned by Google). It awarded K.G.M. $3 million in compensatory damages, finding

Meta ordered to pay $375 million in New Mexico trial over child exploitation, user safety claims

By Reuters A New Mexico jury on Tuesday found Meta Platforms violated state law in a lawsuit brought by the state attorney general, who accused the company of misleading users about the safety of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and of enabling child sexual exploitation on those platforms. The jury found that Meta violated New Mexico’s consumer protection law and ordered the company to pay $375 million in civil penalties. “We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal.” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement. “We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges

FCC green-lights Nexstar’s $6.2B merger with rival TV station owner Tegna

By Daniel Arkin The Federal Communications Commission has signed off on broadcast station owner Nexstar’s $6.2 billion deal to acquire rival company Tegna, a merger that would create the largest operator of local television stations in the country. In a news release Thursday, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency waived a rule that bars a single company from owning TV stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. households. The combined entity would cover at least 60%. “Waiving that rule here is consistent with longstanding FCC authorities and doing so promotes the underlying purpose of the FCC’s media regulations by promoting

Sally Beauty Expands “Rooted in Success” Campaign with Nationwide HBCU Student Programming

The 13-stop HBCU campus tour brings products, education, and representation directly to students PLANO, Texas,  Sally Beauty, the industry-leading destination for professional-quality hair color, hair care and nails, announces the continuation of its Rooted in Success campaign. Launched in 2024, the platform is dedicated to uplifting and celebrating community along with the next generation of beauty. Building on the momentum from the retailer’s partnership with Impressions of Beauty in 2025, Sally Beauty is expanding its impact by reaching 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with additional student-focused activities happening through June. This year’s Rooted in Success campaign will be further amplified in collaboration with ESSENCE magazine.

Oklahoma lawsuit alleges secret scheme by State Farm to cheat homeowners

By Laura Jarrett and Abigail Brooks BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Billy Hursh couldn’t believe what he was hearing from his insurance company. After a hailstorm battered his roof in October 2023, two different contractors told him he needed a full roof replacement, but his insurance company, State Farm, told him the roof was in “fair” condition. That dispute eventually led to what would become a yearslong legal battle that has now reached the highest court in the state. Hursh told NBC News during an interview at his home that the first storm was bad enough, but eight months later, an even bigger storm

Paramount Skydance plans to merge Paramount+ and HBO Max platforms

By Daniel Arkin Paramount Skydance plans to combine Paramount+ and HBO Max into one streaming service after it officially takes over Warner Bros. Discovery, the company’s top executive announced Monday. “We do plan to put the two services together, which today gives us a little over 200 million direct-to-consumer subscribers,” Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison said during an investor call early Monday. “We think the combined offering, given the amount of content and what we can do from the tech side, really will put us in a position to be able to compete with the most scaled players” in the direct-to-consumer

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