by Atiya Jordan

January 31, 2024

Google Purchases An AI Product From This Black-Woman-Owned EdTech Company

What began in 2019 empowering more students to excel in computer science and secure top jobs, Edlyft has now landed a major deal in 2024.

After building an AI-driven solution, Erika Hairston and Arnelle Ansong, co-founders of Edlyft, are proud to show the world that Black women engineers can make a lasting impact on the future.

What began in 2019, empowering more students to excel in computer science and secure top jobs, Edlyft landed a major deal in 2024. On Jan. 29, the Edtech company announced that Google purchased its AI Tutor platform, a virtual semester-long program that teaches students applied computer science. This milestone came to fruition thanks to the founding duo’s ambition and ongoing collaboration with Google’s Exchange Program.

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“Google purchasing Edlyft’s IP and software is a huge milestone that we are incredibly proud of. What makes us so thrilled is that our tech is not only founded and built by Black women, but it will also be put to use to empower the next generation of underrepresented engineers,” Ansong said in an interview with Her Campus.

Being able to say we built a company that serves Google as a customer, who then purchased our software, is incredibly valuable,” Hairston added. “As Black women co-founders, we are often underestimated, and these facts are indisputable in showing what we’re capable of.”

HOW DOES EDLYFT AI TUTOR WORK?

The tech giant teamed up with Edlyft for Google Tech Exchange in 2022. During the program, students at select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) were matched with mentor-led support from Edyft. And the AI Tutor program was inspired by that partnership.

Hairston defined Edlyft AI Tutor as a “web platform that students can use whenever they have a question or are confused on a concept in their applied data structures computer science (CS) class,” according to HERCampus. For instance, if a student requests real-world examples related to their question, the bot will not only respond but also display a timestamp from the related video.

‘ONLY THE BEGINNING OF WHAT’S POSSIBLE’

From high school to college and post-college, Hairston and Ansong were innovative masterminds long before Edlfyt came to life. With Black women only representing 3% of the tech industry, the partners were diligent in exploring computer science, despite lacking coding skills, and established their own support networks. Later, they would secure top software engineering internships at Facebook and Google.

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“Edlyft was created as a result of Erika and I paying attention to what our own needs were as students, and really letting ourselves dream and envision what impact we could have on students similar to us,” Ansong saID.

“My co-founder and I started this company because we want to make the tech industry more accessible,” said Hairston, who previously worked as an engineer at Google. “Since founding it almost four years ago, we’ve built a successful tech startup that has closed some of the biggest companies as customers, surpassed seven figures in revenue, and raised millions of venture capital … Arnelle and I represent only the beginning of what’s possible because of work like this.”

Mewgan Thee Stallion, Megan's Law, Megan Kanka,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 31, 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Slammed By Dad Whose Daughter Inspired ‘Megan’s Law’

The dad of the young girl who inspired Megan's law has expressed his anger at its mention in Megan Thee Stallion's new song "Hiss."

Megan Thee Stallion is under fire for their new song “Hiss,” featuring a controversial lyric about Megan’s Law. The dad of Megan Kanka, the 7-year-old whose rape and murder led to the legislation, has called out the rapper for mentioning it.

Richard Kanka was offended by the song’s reference to the law named after his daughter, which allows the public to be made aware of sex offenders living in their area. TMZ reported that the dad felt the song lyrics were disrespectful to the horrendous actions his child suffered and died from.

The lyrics under fire, “These hoes don’t be mad at Megan, these hoes mad at Megan’s Law, ” were also assumed to be a direct attack on fellow rapper-turned-rival Nicki Minaj. Minaj’s husband and father of her only son, Kenneth Petty, has been a registered sex offender since his attempted rape conviction in 1995. Minaj swiftly fought back with a diss track of her own called “Big Foot,” alluding to the Houston native’s injured foot after being shot by Tory Lanez in 2020.

While Minaj has had her own visceral response to the shady lyrics, Kanka only found out about his daughter’s name being included in the track after his other children informed him about it. Despite having decided not to listen to the song, reading the material left Kanka fuming about how his daughter is being mentioned in the explicit song.

The father is so furious that he told the tabloid he is considering legal action against the Grammy winner for what he believes to be a misdeed. Unfortunately for the dad, his options are a bit limited, as no law prohibits artists from mentioning historical moments in their songs.

As Megan Thee Stallion deals with multiple battles with the release of her newest hit, Kanka hopes that she will have a change of heart on mentioning the deceased 7-year-old.

miami, miami woman, animal cruelty, dog, cruelty

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 31, 2024

Miami Woman Arrested After Reportedly Cutting Dog’s Neck ‘Several Times’

Elena Barakova Cowan told police that she “had a dream that required her to complete a sacrifice to the gods to save humanity.”

A Miami woman was arrested last week after she used a knife to cut her pet dog multiple times in the neck. Police officers picked her up after a two-month investigation into the alleged crime that was committed in November 2023. According to Local 10, law enforcement arrested 37-year-old Elena Barakova Cowan of Edgewater and charged her with a felony animal cruelty charge.

She is accused of cutting the neck of her dog, Sparky, “several times.” She told police officers that she did so because she was told to do it in her dream. She was taken into custody on Friday, Jan. 26.

According to an arrest report, Cowan took Sparky to a veterinarian on Nov. 14, and after the visit, police officers visited Cowan. She told the officer that, after “she had not had any sleep in approximately four days,” she “had a dream that required her to complete a sacrifice to the gods to save humanity.” After having that dream, she awakened from her sleep and went into her kitchen, where she grabbed a knife and “cut the dog’s neck several times.”

The report stated that the dog suffered at least two superficial cuts and two other wounds that were “deeper and overlapping.” The dog survived the attack and was not returned to Cowan but was taken to Miami-Dade Animal Services, where Sparky was later adopted.

Cowan now faces a second-degree felony charge of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill. According to Miami-Dade jail records, Cowan, a Bulgarian national, is no longer listed as a prisoner. There is also no other information on whether there are any bail arrangements, or if she was released on her own recognizance, or if she has retained a lawyer.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2024

Keke Palmer Thinks Her Hollywood Retirement Is ‘Around The Corner’

Keke Palmer is only 30 years old. But having kicked off her acting career at the age of 9, the seasoned veteran feels like her retirement is just "around the corner."

Keke Palmer is only 30 years old. But having kicked off her acting career at the age of 9, the seasoned veteran feels like her retirement is just “around the corner.”

The actress covers the February issue of Teen Vogue where she opened up about her plans for an early retirement.

“I think the timer has started,” she revealed. “I think [I haven’t retired] because I just haven’t felt it yet. But the timer, I know that it’s around the corner.”

While Palmer has no idea “when exactly” she will quit acting, she does feel like the time is near. Her main goal is to leave behind a legacy that opens doors for future film stars and not gatekeep opportunities.

“The main thing I want those legacies to be is [a call] to use your power for good, to use what you have to create spaces and systems for other people to thrive,” she shared.

“I just don’t believe in holding everything. I don’t believe in gatekeeping. I’m not a coward.”

So far, Palmer’s legacy includes winning a 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Game Show, the first woman to secure the win in 15 years. She’s also a media mogul as CEO of KeyTV and her record label Big Bosses Entertainment. Some of her biggest films include Shrink with Kevin Spacey, Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah, Lightyear with Chris Evans, and Jordan Peele’s Nope with Daniel Kaluuya.

As a mother of son Leodis “Leo” Andrellton Jackson, Palmer is also focused on raising the soon-to-be one-year-old to be curious in ways that will propel him forward.

“I want to raise him to know that if life is a school, get out there and learn,” she said.

“A part of learning in this place, I think, is to love and to know how to first be unconditionally loving to yourself, so that you know how to love others and be of service to others in a way that doesn’t disadvantage them but instead empowers them.”

Corey Hawkins, Jonathan Majors, the man in my basement, film, movie

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2024

Jonathan Majors Replaced By Corey Hawkins In ‘The Man In My Basement’

The Jonathan Majors exodus continues as the recently convicted actor gets removed from yet another film and replaced by actor Corey Hawkins.

The Color Purple star scored the lead role in Andscape‘s The Man in My Basement which is set to release on Hulu, Deadline reported. Directed by Nadia Latif, the feature film stars Hawkins, who will also serve as executive producer, and four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe.

Based on an adaption of Walter Mosley’s novel, the film is set in the predominantly-Black neighborhood of Sag Harbor where Charles Blakey (Hawkins) faces unemployment, misfortune, and the imminent foreclosure of his family’s ancestral home. His situation takes a strange turn when a mysterious businessman, Anniston Bennet (Dafoe), appears at his door with an unusual proposal to rent out his neglected basement for the summer and earn enough money to eliminate his debts.

After agreeing to deal, Charles unwittingly embarks on a chilling journey that forces him to confront ghosts from his family’s past in a perplexing puzzle that delves into issues of race, his family’s origins of trauma, and the overall essence of evil.

It’s the latest role Majors has lost as a result of being found guilty on two misdemeanor charges of assault and harassment against his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Since Majors’ conviction last month, he has been dropped from his role as Kang The Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and from his role as Dennis Rodman in the movie 48 Hours in Vegas.

With Marvel being owned by Disney, it makes sense why Majors was also dropped from The Man in My Basement as Andscape serves as the Black-led content studio from Disney and ESPN. Majors sat down for his first interview in the weeks after his conviction and revealed how “shocked” he was by his conviction.

“I’m standing there and the verdict comes down,” Majors shared on Good Morning America. “I say, ‘How is that possible?’ Based off the evidence — based off the prosecution’s evidence, let alone our evidence — how is that possible?”

Majors is set to be sentenced on February 6.

by Derek Major

January 31, 2024

Byron Allen’s $30B Bid To Buy Paramount Global Sends Stock Skyrocketing

Investors jumped on Paramount Global’s stock amid news of Byron Allen emerging as an unexpected bidder to purchase Paramount Global.

Variety reported shares of Paramount Global rose more than 13% in early trading Wednesday on the heels of the Allen Media Group’s unsolicited $30 billion acquisition offer to acquire the entertainment giant.

The stock was trading at over $15 a share. However, it was still well below its 52-week high of $25.93 a share. The Allen Media Group’s $30 billion offer would assume Paramount’s debt, and the group said in a statement that they have several unnamed “strategic partners” to fund the purchase.

If the Allen Media Group is successful, it plans to sell off Paramount Pictures, Paramount Global’s real estate assets, and some of its intellectual property, while retaining the company’s TV networks and Paramount+ streaming service and operating those “on a more cost-efficient basis,” according to the Bloomberg news.

Byron Allen has been trying to acquire a TV network for some time. Last year alone, Allen made a $3.5 billion bid to purchase BET and VH1 and a $10 billion bid to acquire ABC Networks. He also considered purchasing several television stations from E.W. Scripps.

Paramount Global’s TV business includes CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET. However, Paramount has suffered from a decline in advertising and viewership, and its streaming division is still in the red. As of September, it reported $15.6 billion in long-term debt, and Paramount Global has been rumored to be looking at mass layoffs in early 2024.

The Allen Media Group owns 36 ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX network affiliate broadcast television stations in 21 U.S. markets, and twelve 24-hour HD television networks serving nearly 220 million subscribers, including the Weather Channel and Pets.TV, Comedy.TV, Recipe.TV, Cars.TV, ES.TV, MyDestination.TV, JusticeCentral.TV, and TheGrio.TV. The Allen Media Group also owns The Grio, HBCUGO, and LOCAL NOW.

by Jeffrey McKinney

January 31, 2024

UNC Agrees To Pay Group Led By Anti-Affirmative Action Activist $4.8M

Students for Fair Admissions, run by a conservative anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum, struck another blow in its efforts to erase race-conscious admission programs at colleges and universities nationwide after the University of North Carolina (UNC) agreed to pay $4.8 million to cover the group’s fees and expenses.

According to Reuters, the figures are a response to its public records request. Courts can grant plaintiffs who reign in some civil rights cases fees for lawyers under federal law.

UNC agreed to pay Students for Fair Admissions $3.9 million to cover its fees and $900,000 for its expenses, according to the university’s records request response. BLACK ENTERPRISE has requested a comment from UNC but has yet to receive a response.

Blum’s group pursued recovery of legal fees after the U.S. Supreme Court last June ruled that consideration of race in admissions to colleges and universities violated the vow of equal protection under the nation’s constitution. Lawsuits by Blum’s group led to the court ruling against UNC and Harvard University on those matters, according to Reuters.

Some observers are concerned that the Supreme Court’s ruling could fuel lower enrollment of Black and Hispanic students at U.S. colleges and universities as schools are trying to boost diversity. Many schools have supposedly centered on boosting student diversity numbers to help promote new views on campuses.

William Michael Cunningham, owner of Creative Investment Research, commented on the settlement in an email to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“The financial burden of the settlement on UNC, and potentially other institutions, is alarming,” Cunningham, an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, said. “It diverts precious resources away from educational programs and financial aid, directly impacting students. Moreover, the chilling effect of such legal battles may deter institutions from pursuing meaningful diversity initiatives for fear of litigation, further entrenching disparities.”

According to Reuters, Blum has indicated UNC and Harvard have each spent tens of millions of dollars to fight his lawsuits. Harvard reportedly has resolved the matter; financial agreement terms with the university were not made public.

The UNC settlement comes after the Fearless Fund told BLACK ENTERPRISE last August it plans to “vigorously fight” a racial discrimination” lawsuit filed against the Atlanta-based VC fund for women of color by Blum’s organization.

Black leaders have expressed strong objections to the Supreme Court’s decision abolishing affirmative action. Some observers even question now if the workplace will be Blum’s next target.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2024

Victoria Monét Partners With Black Music Action Coalition To Launch $5,000 Music Maker Grant

Victoria Monét kicked off music's biggest week by partnering with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to launch the BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant.

Victoria Monét is all about giving back to the next generation of music artists. And you can put that on her mama!

The Grammy-nominated singer, up for seven Grammys at Sunday’s award show, kicked off music’s biggest week by partnering with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to launch the BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant. Variety reports that the two parties will officially announce the grant at BMAC’s Grammy Week Music Maker Dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

As part of the grant, rising Black talent in music will receive $5,000, gain access to mentorship opportunities, and directly connect with Monét for guidance on their career path. The grant serves as part of BMAC‘s mission to tackle systemic racism in the music industry through a series of grant initiatives, including The Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant, BMAC Ernie Panicciolo Music Photojournalism Grant & Celebration Event, among others.

“We are honored to partner with Victoria Monét to uplift a young and deserving Black artist and help further their dreams within the music industry,” Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, BMAC co-founder, president, and CEO says.

“Her story is one of resilience and perseverance and it is in that spirit we will continue to pay it forward. BMAC’s mission is to create a more equal playing field by breaking down barriers to entry for our community. Our BMAC Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Dinner is a perfect room to celebrate this initiative.”

The announcement coincides with a big night for Monét as she has the strong possibility of taking home one of seven Grammys she’s nominated for, including Best New Artist and Record of the Year for her 2023 release “Jaguar II.” The “On My Mama” singer worked her way up before finding solo success, having penned chart-topping hits for the likes of Ariana Grande and Fifth Harmony before releasing her 2023 album to critical acclaim.

“I met Victoria years ago as a songwriter and to see where her gifts have brought her to today has been an incredible journey to watch,” Shawn Holiday, co-founder of BMAC said.

“As a co-founder of BMAC, I am proud to honor her work with establishing the BMAC-Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant and have the opportunity to work together to uplift the next generation of our industry.”

by Stacy Jackson

January 31, 2024

LA Woman Thrown From Hood of Speeding Car In Attempt to Rescue Stolen Dog

The dog owner attempted to stop the thief after they took her dog while she had lunch outside of a Whole Foods.

A Los Angeles woman was captured on camera clinging to the hood of a speeding car after a stranger stole her French bulldog on January 18.

According to the Daily Mail, Ali Zacharias, whose dog, Onyx, was stolen, was outside a Los Angeles Whole Foods in the afternoon when the theft occurred and a passerby filmed the incident. The dog owner attempted to stop the thief after they took the dog and hopped into what police described as a newer white Kia Forte, missing a hubcap on the driver’s side of the vehicle, KTLA reported.

Zacharias was hit by the car, according to the outlet, and bumped into the hood as it continued moving. She was thrown off the hood when the moving vehicle made a turn.

“The next thing I know, the car’s driving into me, and I fell onto the hood,” Zacharias recalled to KTLA. “It was horrifying, as he started to go faster and faster, I’m like, ‘I’m about to die. This is my death. Right now. I’m about to die.'”

The incident started when the stranger called out to the dog and seized it by the leash. Zacharias thought the stranger had taken the dog by mistake as she sat outside the Whole Foods, having lunch with the dog underneath the table. The dog owner called out to the stranger, saying, “That’s my dog. Excuse me,” but was ignored.

Zacharias did file a police report as authorities search for the vehicle. The pet owner is offering a large reward for Onyx’s return, saying, “They stole my child away from me,” Daily Mail reported.

A witness identified as Harrison Pessy said he’d “probably try to kill” someone for stealing his own dog.

French Bulldogs are a popular breed, selling for over $1,000 each, according to Daily Mail.

Goldman Sachs, One Million Black Women, OMBW, Survey, Entrepreneurship

by Jeffrey McKinney

January 31, 2024

Black And Women Businesses Among Firms That Can Pursue $10K Grants From Citizens Bank

Small businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans could pocket $10,000 in grants through Citizens Bank. The moneys will come from the bank’s annual Small Business Community Champion Award contest.

Offering a total of $300,000 in grants, the contest is geared to identify small businesses that have an uplifting impact in their communities. The Providence, Rhode Island-based bank stated that $10,000 each will be awarded to 30 small businesses that are either Citizens business banking account holders or based in selected states.

It will provide funding to 10 minority-owned, including Black, businesses and 10 women-owned businesses. Five grants will go to veteran-owned and other qualifying companies for the first time this year. Potential recipients should act fast, however, as the deadline for application is 5 p.m. ET on February 1, 2024.

Now in its seventh year, Citizens’ small-business program is part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthen local economies and communities. To date, it has been reported that over $1.2 million has been awarded, with 112 small businesses expanding their operations and boosting community growth. Citizens is part of Citizens Financial Group Inc.

And the funding is needed. Lack of capital is one of the most significant operating obstacles for emerging and mature small-business owners alike. A recent report showed that 76% of Black entrepreneurs reported that access to capital was a challenge. Based on those who have never earned money for their business, about 80% stated they could not find the proper support or pay for services connecting them to the capital.

Previous awardees consisted of minority-owned businesses, including those listed here.

New applicants must explain how they would use the money to strengthen and sustain their business as well as support their community’s growth and evolving needs and behaviors.

Mark Valentino, head of business banking at Citizens, stated, “When a small business chooses to bank with Citizens, they select a partner committed to helping them achieve their goals and impact the community. We strive to be our client’s trusted advisors, delivering personalized insights and innovative financial solutions that will give them an edge, help them meet challenges head-on, and enable them to succeed.”

Go here to learn more about the program, gain eligibility details, and apply.