There is so much negative news out there, especially when it comes to the Black community. It seems like only doom and gloom follows us and our stories, but that couldnât be farther from the truth. Here is some Good Black News Iâve come across this week to keep you charged up.
Business
Variety, âMoviePass Receives Investment From Comcastâs Forecast Labsâ
âAs part of the investment, Forecast Labs will drive new customer acquisition for MoviePass through TV advertising. Comcast also owns and operates NBCUniversal. MoviePass did not reveal financial details of the investment or its structure.â
LinkedIn, âThe Launch of Untapped Investingâ
âThe mission of Untapped Investing is to spark lasting change with purpose-driven ventures by supporting Black and underrepresented founders who receive a shockingly low percentage of venture capital funding â just 0.48% for Black founders and 1.9% for women founders in 2023.â
Education
New York Times, âNew Yorkâs First Black Librarians Changed the Way We Readâ
âHow the women who ran libraries during the Harlem Renaissance where they built collections and, just as important, communities of writers and readers.â
The Sunday Times, âThe âgirlbossâ era is over â hereâs my new manifesto for working womenâ
âSharmadean Reid was the first black woman in the UK to raise ÂŁ1m in venture capital â now sheâs written a book for young women following in her footstepsâ
Politics
Capital B News, âAfter Years of Litigation, First Black Mayor in Rural Alabama Town Gets to Serveâ
âPatrick Braxton sued the townâs former white administration for conspiring to keep him out of office. A proposed settlement now awaits a judgeâs signature.â
Tech
Premium Times, âNigeria plans to send first citizen to spaceâ
âNigeria has been actively pursuing space exploration since 1999, when it established NASRDA, and has launched five satellites since 2003, with three still in orbit delivering vital services.â
TechCrunch, âParis-based VC Breega hits first close of $75M Africa fund to back pre-seed and seed startupsâ
âParis-based VC firm Breega has observed Africaâs tech ecosystem mature over the years ⌠Now the VC wants to put some of its own money behind what it sees, with a $75 million fund to invest in early-stage startups in Africa.â
Sports
New Yorker, âWhat Willie Mays Meantâ
âThe late, great ballplayerâs myth had a specifically New York aspect.â
Associated Press, âShaâCarri Richardson sprints onto US Olympic team after winning 100 in 10.71 secondsâ
âRichardson notched the latest stop on her âIâm Not Back, Iâm Betterâ tour with a 10.71-second sprint in the 100 meters at U.S. track trials on Saturday that makes her the fastest woman in the world this year and officially earned her a trip to France where the women start racing Aug. 2.â
Celebrity
AfroTech, âWill.i.am Demos An AI-Generated Host He Created During The Cannes Lions Festivalâ
âWhile in conversation with The Wall Street Journalâs Kim Last at Journal House during The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the artist unveiled an AI-generated Black woman host named Felicia from his SiriusXM showâ
The Times, âNaomi: In Fashion review â packs more glamour than a fashion week partyâ
âThe first exhibition the V&A has dedicated to a model celebrates Naomi Campbellâs trailblazing career, featuring showstopping outfits, a personal playlist and interactive catwalkâ
Culture
The New Yorker, âThe Unfiltered Charm of Jetâs Beauties of the Weekâ
âDecades before Instagram, the magazineâs legendary column democratized the thirst trap.â
The Times, âClaudette Johnson: âI didnât think the Turner prize was for someone like meââ
âThe British painter grew up thinking the art worldâs biggest prize was for other people. Now sheâs our criticâs tip to winâ
What you might have missed
The Cut, â The Actor Bringing Harlem to Broadwayâ
âThe Tony-winning performer Kara Young reflects on the politics of performance.â
Ebony, âStormi Steele Shatters Records on TikTok, Earning $1 Million In A Single Live Session.â
âAs a Black woman entrepreneur, Steele's rise to the top of TikTok's revenue charts is a testament to her resilience, creativity and dedication. It also serves as a source of pride for the global community, showcasing the power of diversity and inclusion in the digital world.â
Misc.
H&M has teamed up with Who Decides War and Jean Michel Basquiatâs estate for a fashion collection.
Google announced the 2024 recipients of its Google for Startup Founders Fund, which gives Black and Latino-led companies equity-free funding.
Iâm currently getting roasted (and semi-racially harassed) for this piece on why meritocracy is a myth. Please give it a read!