💖Good Black News #23💖
here's what you missed last week
*Sending this out a little early because of the election on Tuesday.
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 couldn’t be farther from the truth. Here is some Good Black News I’ve come across this week to keep you charged up.
Business
Inc, “Laid Off From Big Tech? Here Come the Rebounder Founders”
“They were pushed out of cushy jobs at Google, Twitter, and Meta. Now they’re building startups and embracing the risk of entrepreneurship.”
BBC News, “Twice homeless millionaire tops UK black power list”
“Dean Forbes, who, after failing to make it as a professional footballer, began his career in a call centre, is now the boss of a software company.”
Fortune, “Exclusive: MaC VC raises $150 million for its third fund in four years”
“MaC has now closed its third fund at $150 million, Fortune has exclusively learned. The firm currently has about $600 million in assets under management, and its initial check size is now between $2 million and $3 million, up from $1.5 million in 2023.”
Education
Yahoo Finance, “Pinnacle Private Ventures Leads $2.25M Seed Round for LINGO, Advancing STEM Workforce Development”
“This funding round highlights a powerful shift in the venture capital landscape—one that is redefining how women and minority founders can access the resources needed to drive meaningful societal change.”
Media
Glamour Magazine, “9 Black women who are fighting to make the UK a more equal place”
“For centuries, Black women have played a central role in struggles for equality, despite their efforts often going overlooked.”
Tech
NAACP, “NAACP Launches Innovative $200 Million Fund of Funds to Transform the Venture Capital Landscape”
“The fund, which seeks to raise $200 million, was conceptualized in partnership with Kapor Capital and Kapor Center, along with a team of nine venture fund managers.”
TechCrunch, “Aesthetic launches the ‘Shazam for fashion’”
“The fashion concierge, called Alma, makes it easy for people to buy clothes that might otherwise be hard to find.”
TechCrunch, “A new app launches to help keep voters informed for elections”
“In a very Silicon Valley way, there is an app looking to help with that called My Ballot Ai, an interactive mobile platform to help make voting information more accessible.”
Politics
The Independent, “Tommy Robinson charged with terror offence after failing to provide phone password”
“The right-wing figure attended Folkestone Police Station where he was charged under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, Kent Police said”
The Daily Beast, “Australia Cancels Visa of Right Wing Commentator Candace Owens”
“‘Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else,’ said Immigration Minister Tony Burke.”
New York Times, “Young Thug Released After Guilty Plea in Lengthy YSL Case”
“The star Atlanta rapper admitted to six counts, including participating in criminal street gang activity, ending his role in the longest trial in Georgia history.”
Reuters, “Students at Black US colleges wield political power ahead of Election Day”
“HBCU campuses were pulsing with excitement as generations gathered, knowing that Harris has a chance of becoming the first HBCU graduate in the Oval Office.”
Entertainment
“Under the agreement, Hall and her team will develop and produce original unscripted true crime, ensemble docuseries and game genres.”
Hollywood Reporter, “Desus Nice Reenters Podcast World With Show From DraftKings, Hartbeat (Exclusive)”
“Scottie Beam will join the former 'Desus and Mero' host on 'Bet!', discussing sports and pop culture.”
Culture
Elle, “Nara Smith Built Her Dream Life From Scratch”
“The TikTok sensation on being a working mom, her personal style, and navigating social media fame.”
New Yorker, “Mati Diop and the Cinema of Impossible Returns”
“The French Senegalese director passed on big-budget Hollywood projects before making her latest film—a fantastical documentary about art restitution.”
Metro, “Black chefs reveal ‘incredible’ Black-owned restaurants to feast at in London”
“As restaurants headed by Black chefs and entrepreneurs become increasingly more popular, we sat down with The Flygerian sisters, Ryan Panchoo (owner of free-from, plant-based doughnut brand Borough 22) and Sham Mahabir (the Trini chef at Caribbean restaurant Limin) to find out how how they’d eat and drink their way though a perfect day out in London.”
Essence, “Finding Andre 3000”
“In a conversation with Andre 3000, we discuss New Blue Sun, spirituality, legacy, mythology, coming back to New York for BAM's Next Wave Festival, and finding peace in simplicity. “
Observer, “For Nicola Vassell, Art Market Success Is Rooted in Character”
“We caught up with the gallerist to ask her about how she approaches her work, what it's like being a trailblazer and her thoughts on the state of the art market.”
New York Times, “Kwame Onwuachi Is a Whole New Kind of Celebrity Chef”
“With a raft of endorsement deals, star appearances and a new restaurant in Washington, he’s won fame and clout that stretch far beyond the kitchen.”
What you might have missed
Another Magazine, “50 Questions With Lolly Adefope”
“As Succession writer Jon Brown’s new comedy The Franchise premieres on HBO, the south London-born actor and comedian discusses her guilty pleasures, comedy icons and the best advice she’s ever received”
Vibe, “Grammy Museum Set To Open Luther Vandross Exhibit”
“The museum will also host a special screening of the late crooner's documentary with a panel discussion.”
The Cut, “Rachel Scott Just Won American Fashion’s Biggest Prize”
“Talking to the Diotima designer, who brings the beauty of her native Jamaica to her collections.”
Misc.
Khalil Gibran Muhammad, a professor of race and public policy at Harvard Kennedy School, is the incoming chair of the Vera Institute of Justice.
Ellice Ellis’s podcast Therapy for Black Girls won Silver at the Signal Awards for Best Self-Improvement & Self-Help podcast.
Elaine Welteroth’s The Birth Fund has been awarded a grant from The Gates Foundation.