Black and Brown!

Pioneering Change: Metaimpact™ launches a digital platform with leading corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies to confront the world’s biggest problems

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Climate Change, Labor, Public Policy, Government, Utilities, Oil, Gas, Alternative Energy, Energy, Healthcare Reform, Hospitals, Small Business, Green Technology, General Health, Sustainability, Socially Responsible Investing, Environment, Other Technology, Social Activism, Software, Health, Networks, Environmental Policy, Internet, Environmental Health, Data Management, Public Relations, Investor Relations, Technology, Communications, Consulting, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), Professional Services, Europe-Georgia Institute, Organization, Social Problems, Social change, Georgia Tech, Wellstar Health System, JPMorgan Chase, Multimedia, Ecosystem, Intelligence, Digital, Black and Brown!, Partnership, Housing, Management, Renewable energy, Health system, Collaboratory, Catalysis

Organizations worldwide are dedicated to confronting big problems, but any kind of technology to support the systems-level change required to solve these problems has been wholly lacking.

Key Points: 
  • Organizations worldwide are dedicated to confronting big problems, but any kind of technology to support the systems-level change required to solve these problems has been wholly lacking.
  • With Metaimpact, these organizations can build purpose-driven, digital impact networks where contributing stakeholders can act on shared goals and monitor performance with a shared system of measurement.
  • “We are proud to play a role in driving meaningful change across so many areas of need,” said Scott McCorkle, CEO of Metaimpact.
  • Metaimpact provides the digital framework needed to visualize what it will take to get there and connect all stakeholders to align on, manage, and measure solutions.”

UrbanGeekz Unveils Inaugural UrbanGeekz 50 to Showcase Gamechangers in Tech, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 11, 2023
Machine learning, Editorial, Black, Digital media, Senior, BIPOC, Entrepreneurship, Multimedia, Black and Brown!, MHR, Construction management, Diversity, VCS, Community Builders Group, Fintech, Management, Video game, Archetype, Food, Software

Drawing from their editorial work the inaugural list showcases the most innovative, imaginative, and inspirational Black leaders in venture, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Key Points: 
  • Drawing from their editorial work the inaugural list showcases the most innovative, imaginative, and inspirational Black leaders in venture, technology, and entrepreneurship.
  • "It's an honor and privilege to curate this list celebrating Black excellence across the innovation economy," said Kunbi Tinuoye, founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz.
  • "Our goal is to profile and celebrate visionaries making an impact, breaking boundaries, and inspiring others to do better."
  • Published by UrbanGeekz and presented by MHR International the class of 2023 was selected and curated by the news site's editorial team.

Greentown Labs and Browning the Green Space Open Applications for Year 2 of the ACCEL Program to Support BIPOC Founders

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Woman, Interest, Climate change, BGS, ACCEL, Acceleration, Student, Greenspace, Element, Farmer, Incubator, Black and Brown!, Curriculum, Software, Partnership, Growth, Commonwealth, Economic development, Renewable energy, Management, Venture, Boston, Greater Boston

SOMERVILLE, Mass. and HOUSTON, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Greentown Labs, the largest climatetech incubator in North America, and Browning the Green Space (BGS), a nonprofit dedicated to making clean energy and other climate-related fields more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, are accepting applications from BIPOC-led climatetech startups for Year 2 of the Advancing Climatetech and Clean Energy Leaders Program (ACCEL).

Key Points: 
  • The year-long program combines acceleration with a curated curriculum, incubation at Greentown, and extensive mentorship from Greentown and BGS's networks of industry experts.
  • "ACCEL is one of the most impactful, meaningful programs we've run to date," said Greentown Labs CEO and President Kevin Knobloch.
  • "Opening applications for Year 2 of ACCEL is an important milestone in strengthening critical support for traditionally excluded entrepreneurs in our communities."
  • Interested entrepreneurs can learn more about the call for applications by visiting the website or contacting [email protected] .

Be Nimble Announces Second Melon Kitchen Accelerator Cohort

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Melon, Meal, Black, City, Investment, Food, JPMorgan Chase, Tech, Movement, Black and Brown!, Indy

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Be Nimble Foundation, a 501(c)(3) social enterprise dedicated to creating fully diverse and inclusive tech ecosystems, today announced the second cohort of its Melon Kitchen accelerator. The accelerator is a one-year program that takes emerging food entrepreneurs from idea to test kitchen to revenue generation. Chefs in the program receive training on a variety of topics, including business planning, licensing and legal set-up, menu preparation, pricing and revenue strategy, hiring staff and pitching to investors.

Key Points: 
  • The second cohort of Melon Kitchen is made possible due to investment from JPMorgan Chase, the City of Indianapolis and The Meridian Foundation.
  • Specifically, JPMorgan Chase recently invested $300,000, which supported Black Innovation Week earlier this year, and will be used to continue the success of the Melon Kitchen accelerator program.
  • Programs like the Melon Kitchen accelerator help provide equity in leveling the playing field to create more opportunity."
  • Kadeesha and Antoine Wiggins, graduates of the first Melon Kitchen cohort, recently opened a new brick-and-mortar location of their plant-based burger concept, Burgeezy , on the canal in Indianapolis.

Introducing: Uncharted Coffee Supply, An Ethical Certified Women-Owned Coffee Roaster Rooted in Community and Transparency

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Sale, Person of color, Woman, Entrepreneurship, Coffee, Light, Farmer, Black and Brown!, Female, MIAMI

MIAMI, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Uncharted Coffee Supply announces the launch of its new monthly coffee subscription service, "Coffee Collective," allowing customers to experience coffee in a new way right in the comfort of their homes.

Key Points: 
  • Uncharted Coffee is a Black Women-Owned Business certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council ( WBENC ).
  • As an ethical coffee roaster, Uncharted Coffee produces rare and limited-edition coffee beans, all while being on a mission to decolonize coffee and reclaim the narrative for Black and Brown generational coffee farmers around the globe.
  • "The launch of Uncharted Coffee represents reclaiming the narrative of coffee and the unheard voices behind the beans.
  • To learn more about Uncharted Coffee Supply, its products, and its efforts to change the coffee industry, please visit its website: https://www.drinkuncharted.com/ .

New Research on AI in Mortgage Finance Identifies Opportunities to Advance Racial Equity in Homeownership, Pitfalls to Avoid

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 6, 2023
Black and Brown!, Urban Institute, Federal Home Loan Banks, Equity, Federation, Research, Consumer, Artificial intelligence, Marketing, Algorithm, AI, Social, Bias, SAN, Real estate

“Harnessing AI for Equity in Mortgage Finance” is a qualitative study of perspectives gleaned through interviews of key stakeholders in the mortgage ecosystem.

Key Points: 
  • “Harnessing AI for Equity in Mortgage Finance” is a qualitative study of perspectives gleaned through interviews of key stakeholders in the mortgage ecosystem.
  • Beyond the threat of amplifying existing racial disparities, AI poses the danger of creating new, unforeseen racial barriers within the industry.
  • That outcome is simply unacceptable.”
    Authors of “Harnessing AI for Equity in Mortgage Finance” solicited views from nearly 50 individuals involved in federal government, financial technology, mortgage lending, consumer advocacy, and research organizations.
  • “Harnessing AI for Equity in Mortgage Finance” is the last in a series of four reports developed through a two-year, $1.5 million collaboration between the Urban Institute and FHLBank San Francisco.

Health Equity Strategist Celeste A. James, Invests in Dream Exchange

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Principal, Black and Brown!, NPR, Health, Heart, Congress, Legislation, Growth, TSX Venture Exchange, U.S. News & World Report, Celeste, Management

CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dream Exchange, the first minority stock exchange, in formation, proudly welcomes Celeste A. James, Principal of CA James Consulting, as a new investor. Celeste James, a national health equity strategist, has over 20 years of senior and executive leadership experience. Her expertise lies in designing and activating health improvement strategies in collaboration with private and public sector organizations, forging high-value partnerships, and strategically directing financial investments for the betterment of health, society, and business.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dream Exchange, the first minority stock exchange, in formation, proudly welcomes Celeste A. James, Principal of CA James Consulting, as a new investor.
  • Celeste James, a national health equity strategist, has over 20 years of senior and executive leadership experience.
  • Ms. James shared her enthusiasm for investing in Dream Exchange, saying, "My family is beyond excited to join Dream Exchange to create opportunities for small- and mid-sized companies in the marketplace.
  • Dream Exchange has been championing the passage of the Main Street Growth Act , legislation that will allow for the creation of a new type of stock exchange, called a Venture Exchange, designed for small and early-stage businesses which has been introduced in Congress.

The American Diabetes Association and Genentech Launch a Call to Action for Eye Exams to Prevent Diabetes-Related Vision Loss

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 30, 2023
Black and Brown!, Public affairs, Ageing, Health equity, Health, American Diabetes Association, Prevalence, Magic City Classic, Diabetes, MCC, Prediabetes, ADA, Risk, Partnership, Paratriathlon, Eye, Patient, Organic, Pharmaceutical industry, Genentech

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Diabetes Association® (ADA), a sponsor of the 2023 Magic City Classic (MCC), and Genentech, anchor partner of the ADA's Health Equity Now® program, launched the Eye Pledge to Fight Diabetes. This program encourages people with diabetes and their loved ones to get an annual eye exam, which are shown to help reduce the risk of diabetes-related vision loss.

Key Points: 
  • This program encourages people with diabetes and their loved ones to get an annual eye exam, which are shown to help reduce the risk of diabetes-related vision loss.
  • Diabetes-related eye disease affects around 8 million Americans and is the leading cause of vision loss for people aged 18 to 64.
  • The ADA has partnered with Genentech to address the health inequities that drive the disproportionate impact of diabetes-related eye disease in Black and Brown communities.
  • "Regular eye screenings and treatment can prevent 95% of vision loss caused by diabetes, and I encourage everyone to take the eye pledge, get an eye exam, and spread the word."

Biden-Harris Administration Expands Access to Capital for Underserved Small Businesses Through Mission-Based Lenders

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 20, 2023
Black and Brown!, LMI, OFN, SBLC, Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program, Human, Veteran, Community Advantage Loan, User experience, Ecosystem, Community, Woman, SBA, Real estate

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA has prioritized closing longstanding capital gaps by expanding the number of lenders focused on underserved markets so these highly entrepreneurial communities can power our economy.

Key Points: 
  • “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA has prioritized closing longstanding capital gaps by expanding the number of lenders focused on underserved markets so these highly entrepreneurial communities can power our economy.
  • The Community Advantage Loan Pilot Program – originally launched during the Obama-Biden Administration and set to expire in 2022 before the Biden-Harris Administration extended it – was designed to connect underserved small businesses to capital by providing mission-oriented lenders access to 7(a) loans.
  • Community Advantage lenders serve businesses that historically have been excluded from access to capital due to limited financial resources and many other systemic barriers.
  • Under the Pilot Program, Community Advantage lenders have contributed to small-dollar lending outcomes that increased lending to Black and Brown borrowers.

New Large Language Model Application, Latimer, Sets Path to Create Equity in the Future of AI

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Black and Brown!, Name, LLM, Meta, Black studies, History, Doctor of Philosophy, Miles College, Historically black colleges and universities, Temple University, Curriculum, Student, Partnership, Culture, AI, Bias, Video game, Management, The Road to Wellville (film), Black, University

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Latimer announces the launch of the newly created platform that represents the evolution of inclusivity in Large Language Models (LLM). Dubbed the Black GPT, Latimer will better serve AI users through a racially inclusive LLM experience where the cultural and historical perspectives of Black and Brown people are deeply embedded within the platform. The LLM is building on Meta's model by adding African American historical and cultural data. Already in high demand, Latimer has developed a partnership with Miles College along with several additional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to be announced soon, and The Yard Tour, an on-campus innovation event series servicing several HBCUs across the country.

Key Points: 
  • The LLM is building on Meta's model by adding African American historical and cultural data.
  • Latimer has teamed up with notable American scholar and professor, Molefi Kete Asante to help develop the learning model for the platform.
  • She characterized her investment saying, "We know Large Language Models are going to become mainstream, if they're not already, but they reflect an imperfect world.
  • "By working with Latimer we're creating important learning opportunities for our students to understand the technology faster than we can create a curriculum around LLMs."