BuyBlack.org, Zuri', AI Assistant Pilot Program

by Jeffrey McKinney

April 29, 2024

Tips For Black Workers: Safeguarding Your Jobs Against AI Threat

Americans taking steps proactively to train and grow their AI skill set will be best positioned to navigate the workplace change.

In recent years, the threat of losing a job to AI has become a reality, particularly for younger Americans.

A staggering 43% of people 25 or younger—most likely to be in an entry-level position—have become jobless because of AI. And 27% of people between 26 and 40 have suffered the same result caused by the buzzword technology, according to a recent poll of 1,150 Americans by the online résumé builder platform Zety.

Analyzing the use of AI in the workplace, the study revealed that a whopping 71% of the workforce has already adopted AI. Overall, 25% of respondents had lost jobs due to AI integration.

“The idea of losing your job as a result of companies incorporating AI into daily activities has been a regular topic of discussion and growing concern among the workforce,” stated Dominika Kowalska, career expert for Zety.

She added, “The advent of AI is still a relatively new development and it’s alarming that so many individuals in the survey have already experienced the worst-case scenario when it comes to AI – being replaced by technology and forced to find a new job.”

Kowalska shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE by email that it’s clear a significant portion of the workforce is actively working to become more knowledgeable and comfortable with AI. In fact, she says 95% of respondents in Zety’s report declared they are now working on improving their AI skills.

She says Black professionals who recognize the major shifts AI is bringing to the workplace and proactively train and grow their AI skill set will be best positioned to navigate the change.

She provided some tips to help them accomplish that:

“Advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives in your workplace to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a fair and equitable manner. Research has shown that diverse teams are more innovative and better equipped to solve complex problems compared to AI. By championing diversity, you can help create a more equitable and inclusive work environment.”
“With AI reshaping job roles and skill requirements, it’s crucial to prioritize continuous learning and upskilling. Seek out training programs, online courses, and certifications in emerging technologies relevant to your field to stay competitive in the job market. There are several organizations, such as Black in AI, that offer AI training and skills development programs specifically aimed at empowering Black individuals in the tech industry.”

“Networking within your industry can provide valuable insights into emerging trends and job opportunities. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and connect with peers and mentors who can offer guidance and support as you navigate the evolving workplace landscape.”

Check out this site and here to gain more insight on how to help guard your job from AI.

Other findings in the Zety report can be read here.

by Jeffrey McKinney

April 29, 2024

eBay Offers $10,000 In Grants To Sellers On Platform, Including Black Entrepreneurs

Grants can be used by recipients in several ways, including investing in new equipment, inventory, and marketing.

Online marketplace giant eBay is offering $525,000 in grants and technical assistance to entrepreneurs — including Black-owned businesses — to support fresh growth.

The San Jose, California-based company has announced that 50 U.S. eBay sellers will each get a $10,000 grant to boost their businesses. Each recipient will also get a $500 stipend that businesses can use to equip themselves with needed office technology and education support.

Now in its fifth year, the funding is part of eBay’s Up & Running Grants program. A supporter of small businesses since 1995, eBay is a global marketplace with 132 million active buyers. The company operates in 190 markets for buyers and sellers and has $73 billion in gross merchandise volume last year.

The company stated that a survey of last year’s awardees revealed that 90% found the grant extremely helpful, and the same percentage said the funding made them more confident about the future of their businesses. Further, 10% reported they used the money to boost employees’ wages.

The grants are also intended to help Black eBay sellers and all of the company’s sellers. eBay disclosed to BLACK ENTERPRISE that 55% of Up & Running grant applicants in 2023 were entrepreneurs of color.

Black and other Americans have the flexibility to use the grants in any way that will optimize business success, including funding for physical and digital store improvements, investing in new equipment, inventory, marketing, and other purposes.

According to eBay, studies show that it is more difficult for marginalized communities to obtain financial assistance, including for bank loans and other capital. The company disclosed its grants are accessible to all and free.

Dawn Block, VP, U.S. General Manager at eBay, said, “We are constantly looking for ways to ensure that entrepreneurs on our marketplace have the capital, resources and community they need, in order to truly thrive.”

Technology firm Hello Alice is partnering with eBay and will administer the grants. Grant applications are now open through June 7 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice, added, “Grant programs are one of the most vital resources for all small business owners who encounter challenges when trying to secure capital or credit for business growth.”

Learn more about the grant program here.

P Diddy, sean combs, lawsuit, assault, balcony

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 28, 2024

Diddy Files To Dismiss Claims In Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Says Law Did Not Exist At Time

Diddy's lawyers want the claims of revenge porn and human trafficking to be dismissed, because laws against them did not exist when the incident allegedly happen.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers filed a motion on April 26 to dismiss some of claims in one of his sexual assault lawsuits. The reason: the laws against them not existing at the time.

Joi Dickerson-Neal sued Combs last year for allegedly drugging and assaulting her at her Harlem apartment in 1991. She claims that the beleaguered media mogul videotaped the assault without her knowledge then proceeded to share footage of it with his friends, as reported by the Associated Press. Dickerson-Neal was 19-years-old at the time.

In her lawsuit, she listed the claims of revenge porn and human trafficking. However, the New York State Revenge Porn Law and New York Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Law did not exist until years later.

On these grounds, Combs’ defense team urged for the claims to be dismissed without prejudice. However, while trying to get the motion passed, Combs still denied all the accusations. Furthermore, the former Revolt chairman argued that Dickerson-Neal was attempting to exploit the laws, which allowed her to pursue legal action against him by the extended statute of limitations.

This lawsuit comes at the heels of multiple others, one significantly from Diddy’s ex-partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Her November 2023 filing, which they settled a day later, claimed that she suffered over a decade of abuse from the entertainer. It also sparked others to come forward with their own allegations against Combs.

In February, a record producer filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of soliciting prostitutes and sexually harassing him. In connection with the human trafficking claims, the FBI raided the entrepreneur’s homes Miami and Los Angeles. Combs also stepped down from his position with media platform Revolt and removed himself from the public eye.

As Combs’ legal troubles deepen, he continues to maintain his innocence.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 28, 2024

Mother and Daughter Sentenced To Prison For COVID Relief Fraud

Andrea and Alicia Ayers will spend multiple years in prison for stealing almost $1.7 million from the Small Business Administration.

A mother and daughter in New York have been sentenced to prison for unjustly receiving $1.7 million in a COVID-19 relief fraud. The mother, Andrea Ayers, was a civilian employee of the Mount Vernon Police Department.

The Journal News reports U.S. District Judge Nelson Roman sentenced Ayers to three-and-a-half years in prison; her daughter, Alicia, received a sentence of two years. The younger Ayers, a financial advisor and accountant, will serve 6 months on house arrest following the prison stint.

The scheme consisted of both women submitting over 300 fake applications to the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Program within three weeks. The women submitted the applications on behalf of family and friends, receiving nearly a third of the $10,000 each grant paid out. Many applicants were unaware of the plan’s illegal nature.

Only business owners with at least 10 employees qualified for the grants, a requirement held by virtually none of those the Ayers submitted for. They were arrested in March 2021; the women pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making false statements.

The judge rejected the Ayers’ requested bids for leniency, leaving them to face time in prison for their million-dollar fraud. Their attorneys argued for home confinement for the first offense due to the family responsibility and their remorse for what they did.

Their final sentences included less time than what prosecutors sought. The lawyers initially requested between 5 and 6 years of incarceration. Despite the shorter prison time, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams hopes their punishment serves as a warning to others.

“These defendants stole from a taxpayer-funded program intended to help small businesses that were in desperate need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Williams said in a statement. “As their convictions and sentences reflect, my Office is determined to continue to work to bring to justice those who exploit and defraud government programs during a national emergency.”

The judge also ordered the women to forfeit $1.69 million. They must report to prison by August 2.

Sexual Harassment, Ye, Kanye West, lawsuit

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 28, 2024

Kanye West Sued For Discrimination Against Black Employees

This lawsuit follows another filed by a former employee also claiming racial discrimination by West.

Kanye West’s former security guards seeks damages from the controversial rapper, who now goes by Ye, for wrongful termination and alleged discrimination against Black employees.

Benjamin Deshon Pravo filed the lawsuit April 26, according to People. He worked at security for both West’s now-defunct Donda Academy and a clothing warehouse for the Yeezy brand. While under West’s employment, Pravo claims that he witnessed and suffered from racial discrimination.

Pravo, 46, alleges that West would only “berate” the Black employees, while speaking to their white counterparts in a professional manner. Pravo emphasized West’s “abrupt, abrasive, and demeaning” treatment of Black workers.

Moreover, Pravo believes his unjust firing stemmed from him refusing to cut his locs. He shared of the increased pressure to shave his head by West and his team. The issue led to an ultimatum: do so or risk termination.

“However, Plaintiff refused,” the complaint states. “Thereafter, Hicks approached Plaintiff and stated, ‘Kanye said, ‘Tell the one with the dreads to shave his head or he is fired.’ Plaintiff refused to shave his head, and as a result thereof, his employment was terminated.”

This lawsuit follows another filed by another ex-employee, which claimed that West would yell at Black employees. The legal action, prompted by Trevor Phillips, detailed that Donda Academy students could hear West using anti-Semitic and homophobic language.

Pravo’s lawsuit also detailed other damaging accusations toward the “New Slaves” rapper. West allegedly wanted to rid Donda Academy of books that pertained to any prominent Black activists, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Pravo seeks damages for the hostile work environment, discrimination and retaliation faced. He also wants an injunction against West to operate any school meant for children under 18.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 28, 2024

Gabby Douglas Gymnastics Comeback Continues, Qualifies For U.S. Championships

Douglas' stellar performance on the vault signifies a strong chance of her making the Paris team.

Gymnast Gabby Douglas has returned to the mat in a big way. The multi-gold medalist is heading to the U.S. Championships in her quest to earn a spot on the 2024 Olympic team.

NBC News reports Douglas qualified for Nationals after competing at the American Classic in Katy, Texas, on April 27. She finished 10th all-around with a score of 50.65. but her performances on the vault and balance beam qualified her for the championships.

While the 28-year-old did not place high enough to automatically qualify for the all-arounds, she can fight for another chance at the upcoming U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, according to ESPN. In the meantime, Douglas can also file a petition to join in all the events for the May 30 Fort Worth, Texas, competition.

Douglas led the 2016 U.S. Gymnastics team to first place during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero. She decided to sit out from the Tokyo games, which many considered a signal that she had retired. However, Douglas shocked gymnast enthusiasts with the news of her official return to the sport this year.

All eyes were on Douglas as she proved she still had what it takes to bring home gold. Douglas had not competed in eight years, which was evident by her rocky appearance at the Katy competition. She was also the oldest competitor at the event, yet she still assured fans of her capabilities. Douglas’ high vault score of 14.000 could lead to a history-making appointment to this year’s Olympic roster.

If Douglas makes the landing, she will become the second U.S. woman since Dominique Dawes to compete on three Olympic teams. If she makes to Paris this summer, Douglas will share ths feat with fellow gymnastics champion, the one-and-only Simone Biles.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 28, 2024

Voting Boot Camp in Mississippi Pushes Black Women To The Polls

The event sparked important conversations surrounding voting and registration for those eligible in Mississippi.

The Black Women’s Roundtable Organization in Mississippi remains committed to an increased voter turnout this election. The group inspired Black women to exercise their right to vote during its April 27 “Power of the Sister Vote Boot Camp.”

The event sparked important conversations surrounding voting and registration for those eligible. WLOX reports that its organizers seek to encourage all, especially Black women, to go to the polls this election season.

Despite over 72% of Black Mississippians being registered to vote, only 42% participate in elections, according to KFF.org. The boot camp hoped to mobilize more of its community members to take action.

“So, we really need to get out and try to encourage our youth, our young people everybody, old and new,” fundraiser coordinator for the Council of Negro Women, Katrice Cook, told WLOX. “And it’s very hard in the Black community to get out and vote. So whatever we can do enhance and improve that, we are here for it.”

The roundtable specifically championed Black women as prominent voices for change and empowerment in the Southern state. The group, now led by Executive Director Cassandra Welchin, continues its programming to spark social and political reform. The Power of the Sister Boot Camp connected with Black voters on their biggest concerns, and the importance of exercising this right.

“We know the power of Black women being a part of every political, social, environmental movement in this country and behind democracy and voting,” Welchin said. “We understood the assignment and we still continue to understand the assignment, and when we talk about here and Mississippi, we continue to show up and vote.”

More eyes look toward Black voters, expected to account for 14% of the vote this year, according to Pew Research. With these statistics in mind, the voting boot camp was a critical election measure.

by Jameelah Mullen

April 28, 2024

Dillard University President Seeks To Heal Black-Jewish Relations

Dillard University was once the home of the National Center for Black-Jewish Relations, which supported research on the historical alliance between the communities.

New Orleans-based Dillard University was once the home of the National Center for Black-Jewish Relations, which supported research on the historical alliance between the communities. The center was closed due to budgetary strains following Hurricane Katrina.

To strengthen relationships between Black and Jewish communities, Dillard President Rochelle Ford sought to relaunch the program by spearheading a fundraiser.

The campaign ended abruptly October 7, 2023, after the Hamas attack on Israel led to war.

“We paused on aggressively seeking funds because of the terrorist attack and the ensuing war because I didn’t want it to seem opportunistic,” Ford told The Washington Post.

However, Ford continued to support the Jewish community by forming a partnership with Yeshiva University in Israel. Ford was last November’s guest speaker at the March For Israel in Washington, D.C.

“I ask you to join me in pausing to acknowledge that there have been too many innocent people in Gaza and Israel who have died,” she said.

Students quickly took to social media to criticize Ford for attending the event, with someone saying she dehumanized Palestinians and undermined the university’s legacy.

I’m a Dillard University graduate! I’m totally disgusted with DU President Rochelle Ford standing with Israel Zionists as they exile and murder 2 million Palestinian civilians to take their land. To date, 10,000 Palestinians have been murdered, including 4,000 kids.

— Yogi 🌞 spoutible app 💦 (@YogiSunlight) November 16, 2023

Dillard alumnus Leslie Grover disapproved of Ford’s presence at the march, stating that it was an effort to justify Israel’s presence in Gaza. She also noticed that the university turned off its comment section on its social media posts.

That was “the final straw for me,” she told The Washington Post. “It felt like they were telling students their voices didn’t matter, and that’s the opposite of what I was taught at Dillard.”

Ford said she was surprised by the backlash, but her belief in the center hasn’t waned. She is still working to forge relationships between Black and Jewish leaders but that fundraising efforts are currently on hold.

Male Wellness Agency, Black Men's Wellness

by Daniel Johnson

April 28, 2024

Black Men’s Wellness Day Highlights Urgent Healthcare Needs

Black Men's Wellness Day is an attempt in Houston and other cities to address disparities in healthcare for Black men.

On April 27, the University of Houston hosted the second annual Black Men’s Wellness Day, including a “Save Black Men’s Lives” 5K walk, health screenings, and over 100 vendors that focused on health, wellness, and connecting Black men with social services organizations.

(Photo: Courtesy of African American Male Wellness Agency)

As the Houston Chronicle reports, Black Men’s Wellness Day is an attempt both in Houston and other cities to address disparities in healthcare for Black men.

“We are literally bringing the clinic to the community,” said Jamail Johnson, executive eirector of the African American Wellness Agency’s Houston office. “I don’t want this to be a conversation after someone dies. This brings the important conversation about our health to the forefront. I want this to be something not just young men benefit from but also old men as well. We are hoping to save lives.”

According to Johnson, at last year’s event, around 20% of the attendees were sent to hospitals around the Houston area due to high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other issues that required immediate medical attention. This underscores data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that the life expectancy of Black men is 69 years, compared to 78 years for Black women and 76 years for white men.

“If you’re a Black American, your risk of having an amputation is up to four times higher than white Americans and after you’ve had an amputation, you’re risk of being dead is 50% in one year and over 70% in three years,” Richard Browne, senior medical executive of Health System Strategy and Health Equity at Johnson & Johnson, told KPRC 2 in 2023. “Every year we experience at every walk, someone learns numbers that are alarming enough that someone has to immediately go to the hospital.”

Johnson also told the Chronicle that free screenings that measure blood flow were made available through a partnership with Johnson & Johnson, which hopes to address why Black men are leading the nation in amputations. In January, Johnson & Johnson and the African American Male Wellness Agency (AAMWA) partnered to address healthcare disparities among Black Americans in the healthcare industry.

by Daniel Johnson

April 28, 2024

Hollywood Forfeits $30 Billion A Year By Not Engaging Diverse Audiences

By not providing content for Black audiences specifically, Hollywood loses a reported $10 billion annually.

Over the last four years, McKinsey & Company has produced three separate reports indicating that Hollywood has effectively lost $30 billion annually by not engaging in diversified business solutions. The failure of Hollywood to engage Black, Latinx, and Asian-American/Pacific Islander communities through various means has respectively cost the film industry $10 billion, $12-$18 billion, and $2-$4.4 billion, respectively.

As The Hollywood Reporter reports, there is a significant disparity in the Asian-American/Pacific Islander representation in Hollywood. The Asian portion of the designation received the bulk of the representation. At the same time, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders were left to be represented by five men, most notably Jason Momoa and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

“As our research and analysis have demonstrated, executives don’t need to act out of altruism,” McKinsey & Company write in its report. “The reward for getting it right could create real impact for the industry—and the prize will only grow. Progress may not be easy, but when the enhanced richness of storytelling is accompanied by a multi-billion-dollar opportunity, the business case is clear.”

In 2021, McKinsey’s report on the lack of Black representation indicated sparse representation in off-camera roles. A Black executive who spoke to McKinsey indicated that the lack of diversity carried over to the production of projects as well. “Many former studio execs get production deals as independent producers affiliated with the studio,” they said, “so whatever inequity is prevalent in the studios will carry over to the mix of producers.”

A Black writer described the issue of finding an agent, particularly one who related to Black people, telling McKinsey, “Even though I was staff writing on a popular, well-received show, it was still tough to find an agent. Your average agent is a 50-year-old white guy…who never had to stretch to see [himself] in other people or spaces. So [such agents will] have a harder time representing people they don’t personally relate to.”

In March, a similar devaluing of Latinx representation both in front of and behind the camera was evaluated by McKinsey. “There is no shortage of actors,” a Latinx producer told the company. “Almost a surplus of writers. The broken part is the business side: they don’t know how to support or market content made by Latinos.”

Additionally, the writers of the report directly tied the roles of Black and Latinx off-screen talent together; both groups are inevitably tasked with providing members of their ethnic groups with jobs.

“As with Black representation in film and television, Latinos who rise to prominence in the industry play an outsize role in providing opportunities to other Latino talent: the likelihood of a Latino producer, writer, or lead signing on to a project is an average of 15-fold higher if the director or showrunner is Latino,” the authors wrote. “Given that only 5 percent of films have Latino directors and 1 to 5 percent of TV and streaming shows have Latino showrunners, Latinos’ ceiling of opportunity is low.”