by Mitti Hicks

March 20, 2025

Lawmakers On Both Sides Spin The Facts About Who Benefits From Trump’s Tax Plan

Democratic leaders say President Donald Trump's tax plans would mean higher costs for working families and more savings for the wealthy.

President Donald Trump recently signed a six-month bill passed by Congress that will fund the federal government through the end of September, averting a potential government shutdown. It’s a temporary solution for a deeply divided Congress trying to navigate the president’s priority of slashing the federal budget while expanding his tax plan.

As the arguments between Republicans and Democrats heat up, analysts from Factcheck.org say lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are spinning the facts about who would benefit from Trump’s tax plan and budget and program cuts.

“On average, taxpayers in every income group would get some tax relief. But not everyone,” experts stated. “In all, about two-thirds to three-quarters of taxpayers would get a tax cut.”

However, Democratic leaders say President Donald Trump’s tax plans would mean significant savings for the ultrawealthy at the expense of middle-class and low-income Americans. They argue that his plans would mean higher costs for working families.

Citing Yale’s Budget Lab, Democratic National Committee (DNC) leaders say Trump’s tax plan would raise costs for Americans in the bottom 40% income bracket while giving over $180,000 in handouts to the ultrawealthy.

“Make no mistake: Trump doesn’t care about what’s best for the American people — just his billionaire backers and their own bottom lines,” DNC leaders wrote in a statement.

Trump Calls on GOP Lawmakers To Expand Tax Cuts, Slash Federal Budget

According to Yale Budget Lab, the House of Representatives recently passed its Concurrent Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2025. The resolution contains “reconciliation instructions” for various House committees to recommend policy changes for programs they oversee. The Trump administration aims to meet deficit reduction and expansion targets over a 10-year budget window. The Senate is also moving forward with a similar budget resolution.

Republican lawmakers lead both chambers. Analysis from the Yale Budget Lab found that the House committees support $1.5 trillion in gross spending cuts and $4.5 trillion in revenue reductions over the budget window between Fiscal Years 2025 and 2035.

The House Budget Resolution does not specify how the committees plan to meet budget targets. However, according to NBC News, some of the proposed changes include reducing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps). Some Republican lawmakers also propose reducing portions of Medicare and all of Medicaid and renewing the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

If the resolution passes, the cuts will likely skew in favor of wealthy Americans, according to Factcheck.org, but the wealthy will not be the only Americans to benefit.

RELATED CONTENT: IRS Looks To Cut 90,000-Person Workforce By Half

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 20, 2025

LaVar Ball Discusses Health Woes Leading To Foot Amputation

The Big Baller Brand founder admitted that not taking care of his diabetes led to the life-altering surgery.

LaVar Ball, father of NBA basketball players Lonzo and LaMelo Ball and basketball player-turned-rapper, GELO, offered a first-person account to SLAM detailing his diabetes struggle, which led to the amputation of his right foot.

The founder of Big Baller Brand became a public figure for boasting about the impact his sons would make in the world of basketball before his oldest, Lonzo, entered the NBA.

The eldest Ball went to TikTok to confirm reports of having his foot amputated in February.

In SLAM, he explained that his health scare happened around the same time that LiAngelo, who goes by the moniker GELO, was making noise on streaming and radio platforms with his viral single, “Tweaker.”

“…Recently, I had some personal issues I had to deal with. I had an infection, where I was in the hospital for over a month. This happened right in the middle of when Gelo’s banger “Tweaker” was blowing up around the world, in January. Funny how life works sometimes.”

Due to not paying attention to his diabetes, LaVar Ball said, an infection on his foot led to the amputation. It started with just a “couple of toes,” which led to the foot being amputated—three surgeries as well as four blood transfusions.

LaVar Ball said he drew strength from his sons.

“I’m the Big Baller. I’m hard to kill. But I must admit that my boys kept me rolling. Cause a couple of times, I was like, I can’t do no more blood transfusions. I can’t do no more operations. I’m just ready to shut it down. It’s enough for me. But I’m here for a bigger purpose.”

Part of that is to get Black people to take care of their bodies.

“From my experience the last couple months, I want to get in people’s heads the importance of taking care of your health—especially Black people, because sometimes we’re not trying to go to the hospital, we will try to sleep it off or say, Yeah, we’ll get to it later. And sometimes it’s a little more serious than what you think.”

Ball also sat down with SLAM for an interview about his health travails.

teyana taylor, Iman shumpert, divorce, child support, payments, divorce, makes more money than him

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2025

Teyana Taylor Files Motion Alleging Ex Leaked Confidential Divorce Information

Teyana Taylor wants Iman Shumpert found in contempt of court and jailed for 20 days.

Teyana Taylor wants her ex-husband, Iman Shumpert, held in contempt of court for allegedly leaking sealed documents about their divorce.

The famed music and film star recently filed a petition to hold Shumpert in contempt, accusing him of leaking information—possibly to promote his new music and overshadow her recent photo with actor Aaron Pierre. TMZ obtained court documents in which Taylor asked a judge to sentence the NBA champion to 20 days in jail and impose the maximum fines.

The A Thousand and One star alleged that Shumpert misrepresented the settlement, claiming both parties received what the court awarded. According to Taylor, the vehicles and tour bus she obtained were possessions she had paid for herself. She asserts that she purchased the Maybach after Shumpert crashed, totaled, and abandoned her Rolls-Royce without ever replacing it.

Taylor was awarded four properties, while Shumpert received three, including the Miami condo he had originally gifted her. The mother of two believes Shumpert deliberately leaked the “false divorce settlement” shortly after she shared an Oscar-night photo with Pierre, which quickly amassed 1.4 million views and over 40,000 comments in under a day.

Taylor claimed the leaked divorce details triggered a wave of online backlash, overshadowing the announcement of her second Air Jordan collaboration with Nike, as well as her performances and modeling gigs in Paris—all following a busy stretch of filming three movies and a TV show. Taylor thinks Shumpert only leaked the divorce docs to coincide with the new music he released. While she gets bashed online, he benefits from the added attention.

Taylor isn’t focused on the drama, as her packed 2025 schedule includes the Met Gala, collaborations with Hennessy, Victoria’s Secret, and Jordan Brand, along with her previously mentioned TV and film projects.

RITA'S ITALIAN ICE,, FRANCHISE,Angela Brock,, Charnita Brock. Walker

by Nancy E Williams

March 20, 2025

D.C. Sisters Celebrate 20 Years Of Rita’s Italian Ice Franchise Ownership

The Rita’s Italian Ice franchise is an iconic brand with an almost 40-year history of unique frozen treats. Sisters Angela Brock and Charnita Brock Walker have been with the franchise for half of those 40 years, successfully owning and operating three locations in and around Washington, DC. Their first location is on the cusp of celebrating a 20-year milestone. BLACK ENTERPRISE is pleased to highlight this tremendous achievement, sharing with readers how the Brock sisters got their entrepreneurial start twenty years ago and continued to build through challenging economic conditions.

Angela received a Business Management and Marketing degree from Bowie State University, completed the Government Contracts program at George Washington University, and has a Professional Residential Sales degree from the Graduate Real Estate Institute. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Charnita holds a degree from Penn State University in Business Logistics, Harvard University in Strategic Management, and Cornell University in Advanced Employee Relations, and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

What led the Brock sisters to franchising was their desire to bring a business that was new and different to their native Washington, DC, area. “The Rita’s brand was ideal because, with the seasonal factors, it was a great opportunity to continue in our career jobs and take advantage of the 8-month seasonal opening. It seemed doable and exciting. We love the product, and we knew our friends and family would be supportive,” shared Angela.

Growing Pains

The Brock Women currently have three locations. Their first store opened in August 2005 in the Woodridge neighborhood of Washington, DC. The second location opened in the Capital One Arena in 2014, home to the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards teams. Their most recent expansion was in 2023 into the Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD, home to the NFL’s Washington Commanders.

When considering expansion, Angela explained, “Location played an integral part in our DC Franchise decision. We developed our business plan to support the neighborhood where we were raised. We are the FIRST Rita’s Water Ice location in Washington, DC., and we knew that the impact would be significant to the area. As a seasonal business, we also knew that staffing was important. So, we built a relationship with the local high schools that we attended so that they could send us their best 16-year-old students that were eager to work. Because we were opening a business that was new and different to the DC community, it was important for us to do a substantial amount of local store marketing to get the product tasted. Once you taste the product, YOU’RE HOOKED!”

While that expansion was the right move for the Brocks, it wasn’t without challenges, particularly those related to being the first to market with a new brand and being African American women.

“Unfortunately, as Black Women, we are always going to face challenges. With restaurant ownership being largely male-dominated, we always had to go the extra mile to be recognized, and we did just that! Specifically, within Rita’s Franchise, there were very few Black owners when we became owners. We felt that it was our responsibility to do well and represent both women AND Blacks. Throughout the past 20 years, we have accomplished that by opening additional locations, and winning awards for Top Sales Volume, Top Sales Increase, Media Ambassador Award, and Highest Special Venue Sales. We sought to build this business as entrepreneurs, wanting to bring positive change to our community. The desire to bring a great product to Washington, DC, and to teach young future leaders about business ownership has never diminished our success.”

However, being triple minorities in this space did provide opportunities. “Because we are the minority, we stand out in the crowd. We take that opportunity to make sure that we are memorable by breaking barriers, exceeding expectations, and giving back to the community,” explained Angela.

Community Role Models

The Brock’s business goes far beyond serving up delicious Italian ice desserts. They are known in the DC community for their small acts of kindness and commitment to giving back. Partnering with the OCASE Foundation for an annual backpack giveaway to ensure children have the supplies they need for school has led to the distribution of 15,000 backpacks over the last eight years, as well as in-kind donations for local charity events and financial contributions for the Delta Sigma Theta DC Alumni Chapter & Washington DC Pan Hellenic Council.

From their work with the community, it’s pretty clear what’s at the heart of what they do. Other than their focus on community, I wanted to know, after a successful 20 years and multi-unit ownership in franchising, what advice they would have for our up-and-coming entrepreneurs:

Begin with a solid business plan that shows WHO will run the business. Know the difference between being an investor and an operator/owner.
Have a good accountant and tax advisor.
Be willing to work in ALL aspects of the business.

by Jameelah Mullen

March 20, 2025

A Moment Of Silence For A King, Dr. Martin Luther King That Is

A celebration fit for a King

The National Civil Rights Museum at The Lorraine Motel will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s annual event, Remembering MLK: The Man, The Movement, The Moment, on April 4, the 57th anniversary of his death.

This year’s theme is “How Long, Not Long,” inspired by the civil rights leader’s 1965 speech on voting rights.

“We’re emphasizing the relevance of Dr. King’s “How Long, Not Long” speech ” to today’s prevailing struggle,” Dr. Russ Wigginton, museum president, said in a press release.

“We reaffirm our commitment to continuing the work that Dr. King and his allies fought for when he powerfully declared that ‘the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice,’” Wigginton said.

Each year, the Museum honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory by commemorating the tragedy on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in 1968, marking the end of his life.

This year’s event will feature performances by the Hattilloo Theatre, the Tennesee Mass Choir, and others. The Museum’s Keeper of the Dream Award winners will also present the meaning of King’s legacy for today’s generation. There will also be a fraternal tribute by members of King’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. There will be a moment of silence at 6:01 p.m. when Dr. King was slain.

The event will occur in the Museum’s courtyard at 5:00 p.m. CT. Participants can also join the live stream or visit the Museum’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page. The annual commemoration is free and open to the public.

The Museum encourages people to register for the event on its website in advance, either in person or virtually.

The National Civil Rights Museum is housed in the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. It opened in 1991 and gives visitors an outline of the civil rights movement from slavery to today.

by Kandiss Edwards

March 20, 2025

Florida Woman Allegedly Drowned Her Dog To Board Plane

Alison Agatha Lawrence, 57, was arrested March 18 for animal cruelty and released on a $5,000 bond.

Alison Agatha Lawrence, 57, has been charged with animal cruelty after authorities said she drowned her dog at Orlando International Airport on Dec. 16, WFTV reports.

Lawrence, who lives in Clermont, Florida, was arrested March 18 following a months-long investigation.

According to authorities, Lawrence was denied boarding her flight after failing to provide the required documentation for her pet. Shortly after the refusal, airport staff discovered a dead dog in an airport restroom.

Investigators believe Lawrence drowned the dog before continuing her travel plans.

Under Florida law, animal cruelty is classified as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000 or both. Florida statutes define animal cruelty as any intentional act that causes an animal’s cruel death or the infliction of repeated or excessive pain and suffering.

The incident has sparked outrage both locally and online.

“Someone that would do such things has got to be disturbed upstairs,” a neighbor told WFTV.

Traveling with pets can present logistical challenges, but experts emphasize the importance of being prepared to avoid complications. Most airlines require proper documentation before permitting animals to fly.

Common requirements include:

A U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate or a USDA-endorsed export health certificate, both completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Pets must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel.
For pets entering the U.S. from abroad, dogs must be at least 6 months old and cats at least 16 weeks old.
Typically, one pet is permitted per kennel. However, exceptions are made for a female cat or dog traveling with an un-weaned litter (aged 8 weeks to 6 months), provided the litter fits safely within the kennel.

Pet owners are encouraged to check specific airline policies and destination requirements prior to travel.

Lawrence is out of jail on a $5,000 bond.

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 20, 2025

Experian Provides Solutions To Help Black Consumers Enrich Their Finances

More than 106 million people have limited financial resources

More than 106 million people have limited financial resources, which can exclude them from obtaining mainstream credit. And among these alarming stats, 27% of Black consumers are either credit invisible or not scorable, (meaning they have no or little credit history, which may impact their ability to establish a credit score, thus, limiting their access to credit), compared to 16% of White and Asian consumers. As such, this gap makes it much harder for many individuals to buy homes, cars, and build generational wealth.

by Mitti Hicks

March 20, 2025

Meet Jordan Benston, The Woman Behind The Oracle Media, A Black-Owned Production Company

Jordan Benston runs one of the few Black- and woman-owned full-service production companies.

Black women are the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs in the United States. Between 2014 and 2019, businesses owned by Black women grew 50%, representing the highest growth rate of any female demographic. The reason for the growth is because women like Jordan Benston are betting on themselves. Benston started The Oracle Media—a full-service production company—in 2019.

She has tapped into an industry where there is a shortlist of people that look like her.

“It has been amazing over these last couple of years to be recognized by people who are surprised to see an all-Black crew when they come on set,” she tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“When they come in, they feel at home […], which helps you get the content you need.”

How Benston Launched Her Company With Support From Friends

Since hitting the ground running with The Oracle Media, Benston’s work has already graced the covers of Essence Magazine, Cassius, and HelloBeautiful. Benston, who has over 10 years of production experience, was inspired to launch the company after receiving mediocre service.

“I was working as a producer, researching companies and going through the processes with [these companies]. I was fighting back and forth for deliverables, or they weren’t delivering a quality product for the amount we were paying,” Benston recalls.

She had a thought one day: “I could do that.”

The voice in Benston’s head grew louder. A conversation with a friend helped transform those intrusive thoughts into action.

According to an analysis by J.P Morgan, while Black women are the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs in the U.S., many face disproportionate financial headwinds. One barrier for Black women is the lack of access to capital. More than 60% of Black women self-fund their startup capital

Benston didn’t have to start alone.

“[My friend said]’ I’m going to put you on an email with my lawyer so you can start the LLC and then go from there,'” said Benston. “He paid for all my legal fees to open my company.”

In their first year, many small business owners face challenges adapting to change and unforeseen business challenges and expenses. Just months after Benston started The Oracle Media, the world shut down over the COVID-19 pandemic. But that opened a door for Benston. One of her first big projects was a live press junket.

“A friend called me looking for help finding a production manager, producer, and camera operator, and I recommended myself.”

The press junket was for the two-part PBS documentary And She Could Be Next, which followed the campaigns of politicians of color. Ava DuVernay was the executive producer.

What’s Next For Jordan Benston and The Oracle Media

One of Benston’s most notable works was Hip-Hop and the White House. The Hulu documentary highlights hip-hop’s power and impact in politics. It was a significant moment for Benston, who recognizes that Black-owned production companies are few and far between.

“I’m not just showing up because I’m getting a check, nor are the people I’m hiring. We are showing up because we are invested in the project and care about the story being told,” Benston says.

There are no signs that she’s slowing down anytime soon.

Benston is working on The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes’ new talkshow, The Nene Leakes Show. Leakes plans to engage in candid conversations about current events, her personal journey of navigating grief after losing her husband of 27 years, and more.

When working on a digital cover in 2023, Benston came to set with a pitch deck for Leakes. Leakes was posting videos on YouTube and Benston told the original housewife she wanted to work with her.

“She liked the pitch but the timing just wasn’t right,” said Benston. “Fast forward to 2025, I get a call from her executive assistant.”

Leakes remembered Benston from the shoot and the rest is history.

“Now, we have The Nene Leakes Show.”

In addition to the talk show, The Oracle Media is currently producing stunning editorial content.

“I am excited to get back to my first love of video and linear content,” says Benston about her future plans. “I hope to also put out some original content that I am producing in house with my creative producer, Haley Poole.”

racial Tensions, Therapist ,Mental Health, AI theraphy

by Ahsan Washington

March 20, 2025

8 Books To Help Maintain Mental Health

Mental health is an important aspect of health.

Mental health is an important aspect of health, but when it comes to care in the Black community there’s a gap. When healthy, 40% of white Americans benefit from mental health care when they need it compared to only 25% of Black Americans. This gap is often related to systemic barriers, the stigma surrounding mental health, and a lack of diverse providers.

To bring attention and awareness to mental health issues, BLACK ENTERPRISE has assembled eight books that can help with education, management, and overcoming of mental health issues experienced in the Black community. These resources provide important priceless information about mental health struggles and how to seek mental health care.

1) Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto

Published in January 2022, Tricia Hersey’s work targets an overworked culture and calls for rest as a revolutionary form of self-care. According to Hersey, people must stop and consider that rest is essential for us as individuals and as a collective. Hersey posits that we should not buy into the societal narrative that only productivity is important.

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2) The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love

Sonya Renee Taylor’s 2018 groundbreaking work on body positivity demands readers to rethink body image norms with Taylor inspiring her audience to engage in radical self-love for mental wellness and liberation.

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3) What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry’s What Happened to You?: Conversations On Trauma, Resilience, and Healing was released in April 2021. A blend of personal stories and expert insights, ithe book s a compelling exploration of how trauma can disproportionately affect our lives and how we can heal and become resilient with compassionate strategies.

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4) Finding Me

Viola Davis 2022 memoir, a journey of resilience through personal and professional challenges, features the beloved actress sharing a story of self-discovery, perseverance, and mental well-being with raw honesty, while learning to own her story in an inspiring way.

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5) The Unapologetic Guide To Black Mental Health

Dr. Rheeda Walker’s 2020 book provides a profound examination of the specific issues affecting the Black community. Readers will discover psychological and emotional problems and learn how these issues impact well being, relationships, and quality of life. They will also earn real psychological strategies for stress management and how to navigate an inequitable mental health care system with confidence and advocacy skills.

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6) Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide To Reclaiming Yourself

Nedra Glover Tawwab’s 2021 how-to book provides readers with the tools they need to set boundaries and reclaim their sense of self. Tawwab shares tangible tips on how people can communicate boundaries properly and look after their mental health to have better relationships and more self-esteem.

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7) Black Mental Health Matters: The Ultimate Guide For Mental Health Awareness In The Black Community

Written by Aaren Snyder was published April 2020, this is a much-needed work focusing on the mental health issues that are particularly affecting Black people. The book provides valuable information and tips, but it also discusses root causes, ways of coping, and the process of healing within the Black community.

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8) Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting

Terri M. Williams’ compelling examination of the hard truths surrounding mental issues in the Black community was first published in 2008. Williams reveals the hidden truths of emotional grief and calls for much-needed conversations surrounding how to identify and help heal such issues with compassion.

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Google Headquarters, San Francisco, Guaranteed Income Program, class-action, llawsuit, tech. giant, $28 million

by Keka Araújo

March 20, 2025

Google Settles $28 Million Racial Pay Disparity Class-Action Lawsuit; DEI Policies Still Under Fire

A 2020 study, 'Women In The Workplace,' highlighted the disproportionate number of Black women in corporate America who are less likely to be promoted, supported, or given mentorship to advance in the workplace over male, Latinx, Asian and white colleagues.

Earlier this week, Google agreed to pay $28 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleged racial pay disparities, a development that has reignited debates on equity within the tech sector.

The 2021 suit claimed Google systematically underpaid Hispanic, Latino, Native American, and Black employees while favoring white and Asian workers.

Plaintiffs alleged Google placed employees of color in lower pay grades and job levels, regardless of qualifications. A leaked internal document showed that the tech giant had had consistent pay gaps for similar roles. Lawyers argued pay based on prior salaries perpetuated historical inequities, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups.

The settlement, given preliminary approval by a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge, covers over 6,600 employees who worked at Google between Feb. 15, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2024. Workplace equity advocates see the case as highlighting the need for collective action to expose hidden pay disparities.

“Suspected pay inequity is too easily concealed without this kind of collective action from employees,” said Cathy Coble, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs.

The tech giant’s settlement does not equate to an admission of guilt, though it prompts scrutiny of Google’s diversity and inclusion pledges.

“We reached a resolution, but continue to disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone differently, and remain committed to paying, hiring, and leveling all employees fairly,” a Google spokesperson told the BBC.

The multi-million dollar settlement occurs amid a broader rollback of major U.S. corporations’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Meta, Amazon, and Walmart have scaled back DEI programs, facing political and legal challenges. Critics argue that DEI initiatives can result in reverse discrimination, while supporters see them as crucial for addressing systemic inequities.

A former Google diversity recruiter, April Christina Curley, alleged discriminatory practices. Curley, a Black and queer woman, filed a 2020 discrimination case, claiming Google sabotaged her efforts to increase Black and brown employee representation. She alleged that resumes from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other “unfamiliar” schools were often dismissed.

“I quickly became aware of all the racist s**t put in place to keep Black and brown students out of their pipeline,” Curley wrote in a public statement. “I routinely called out shady recruitment practices such as ‘screening out’ resumes of students with ‘unfamiliar’ school/university names.”

Curley said there was retaliation for advocating equitable hiring. She said managers hindered her work, harassed her, and dismissed her efforts to diversify the talent pipeline. According to the HBCU alum, a colleague even blocked her advancement.

“This white woman also told me that she never felt comfortable supporting my work because she was ‘intimidated’ by me and therefore never considered me for leadership opportunities,” Curley wrote.

Curley’s allegations align with critiques of the tech industry’s diversity struggles. Studies have shown Black women face significant barriers to corporate advancement.

A 2020 study “Women in the Workplace,” highlighted the disproportionate number of Black women in corporate America who are less likely to be promoted, supported, or given mentorship to advance in the workplace over male, Latinx, Asian and white colleagues.

“Black women already face more barriers to advancement than most other employees. Today, they’re also coping with the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the Black community. And the emotional toll of repeated instances of racial violence falls heavily on their shoulders,” the report read.

The tech industry’s equity challenges are not unique to Google, but its influence amplifies discussions about accountability. For workplace equity advocates, the settlement underscores the need for transparency and vigilance in addressing systemic disparities.

As tech companies face increasing scrutiny, the future of DEI programs is uncertain. Some fear the rollbacks will worsen existing inequities. Others argue that legal challenges may prompt companies to prioritize equity sustainably.

The $28 million settlement resolves this lawsuit but leaves broader questions about Google’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. It also establishes a precedent for similar legal challenges, potentially encouraging other tech employees to address discriminatory practices. The settlement from the class-action lawsuit marks a significant step in the ongoing pursuit of pay equity and fairness within the tech industry.