by Mitti Hicks

December 17, 2024

Senate Investigation Says Amazon Manipulates Injury Data in ItsWarehouses

The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) released its findings following an 18-month investigation that reviewed seven years of the retailer’s injury data.

A Senate committee investigation, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), has accused the nation’s largest online retailer of manipulating workplace injury data to portray its warehouses as safer than they are.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) released its findings after an 18-month investigation that reviewed seven years of the retailer’s injury data and included interviews over 130 Amazon workers.

The conclusion: Amazon is putting its workers at risk for injuries in the name of speed and profit.

“Many of these workers live with severe injuries and permanent disabilities because of the company’s insistence on enforcing grueling productivity quotas and its refusal to adequately care for injured workers,” according to the report.

The investigation came after warehouse workers nationwide raised alarm for years about “unsafe working conditions” and “a corporate culture that prioritizes speed and profit over worker health and safety,” the report read.

“Amazon chooses misleading comparisons to obscure the fact that the company’s warehouses have significantly higher injury rates than the industry average and non-Amazon warehouses,” according to the report. “An analysis of the company’s data shows that Amazon warehouses recorded over 30 percent more injuries than the warehousing industry average in 2023.”

Members found Amazon workers were nearly twice as likely to be injured as workers in the rest of the warehousing industry.

“Alarmingly, this problem is common across the company’s facilities: more than two-thirds of Amazon’s warehouses have injury rates that exceed the industry average,” the report observed.

Amazon Pushes Back on Committee’s Findings

The online retailer says its employees’ safety is and will always be a top priority.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and our commitment to continuously improving, and we were eager to share that progress with the Committee,” Amazon said in a statement. “Unfortunately, it’s now clear that this investigation wasn’t a fact-finding mission, but rather an attempt to collect information and twist it to support a false narrative.”

According to NPR, this isn’t the first time Amazon has faced scrutiny for having injury rates that exceed national warehouse averages. Amazon, however, has said its injury reports are only “slightly above the industry average.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 17, 2024

WWE Star Michin Shows Off Her HBCU Alumna Pride Prior to ‘Saturday Night Main Event’

Michin took part in a historic match to crown WWE's first Women's U.S. Champion.

WWE star Mia “Michin” Yim donned her HBCU apparel for Saturday Night Main Event’s first-ever Women’s United States championship battle.

Ahead of her historic match against Chelsea Green, Michin, who attended Virginia Union University, came out wearing a VUU varsity jacket. The pro wrestler then posted a shot on Instagram.

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A post shared by Mia Yim (@miayimofficial)

She told WWE in 2018 how VUU offered her a volleyball scholarship and allowed her to pursue higher education when her academics fell short.

“I wanted to earn a college volleyball scholarship because my academics wouldn’t be enough to qualify entry to the colleges I wanted,” Michin explained. “My dad sent tapes to Virginia Union University, and they gave me a full scholarship for two years.”

The natural athlete played on VUU’s volleyball squad for two years before transferring to Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, where in her senior year she decided to pursue wrestling full-time. Despite not graduating from the HBCU, Yim continues to showcase her love and appreciation for her origin.

Yim has emerged as a formidable WWE star who still champions diversity in the industry. Although she lost her milestone match against Green, she has helped establish the inaugural Women’s United States Champion in wrestling.

Michin continues to grow the women’s wrestling division under the WWE Smackdown brand. She is not the only HBCU alum making strides in wrestling. Former Howard University track & field athlete Darci Khan also has her eyes set on the ring. Khan, a decorated hurdler and four-time conference champion, is part of the 2024 WWE Next In Line Graduating Class.

While fans anticipate Khan’s reign in the WWE, they can still catch Michin on Smackdown’s Friday night programming.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 17, 2024

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield Announces Mayoral Bid

Sheffield made history as Detroit's youngest council member when she was elected in 2013.

Mary Sheffield, current city council president for Detroit, is running for mayor.

Sheffield, who became the youngest council member ever when she was elected in 2013, announced her run on Dec. 10 at The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 58.

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A post shared by Mary Sheffield (@marysheffield)

She spoke about her vision for a “more united” Detroit. She emphasized her history as a lifelong resident of the city and the progressive initiatives she supported in the council.

“Today, I stand before you filled with hope, pride, and an unshakable belief in our city and in each of you,” said Sheffield, according to a press release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISE. “This campaign is not about me; it’s about our collective future; this campaign is about ensuring that we build on the growth and the progress we’ve created together—and to ensure that our City’s prosperity touches the lives of every resident. Together we can, and together we will.”

Her first campaign event was also attended by such notable figure as Judge Greg Mathis, former Michigan 26th District Court judge, and Tommey Walker, founder of Detroit vs. Everybody.

“Indeed, the work she’s done has benefited all of us, and she’s been there for all of us. Indeed, when we needed her to fight our battles, she’s been there. When we needed her to invest in our neighborhoods, she’s been there,” Mathis said, according to The Detroit Free Press.

Sheffield hopes to expand upon her inclusionary housing policies and safety measures while uplifting Detroit families. Sheffield, who comes from a family known for their civil rights and social justice advocacy, also wants to foster economic mobility for all. Moreover, she aims to inspire the youth with empowerment and mentorship programs.

“What we’ve experienced in Detroit, this renaissance, this growth, has been about partnerships. It has been about a collective effort from our federal, state partners, philanthropic support, to really help move Detroit forward,” she said. “I understand the importance of collaboration, and I am looking forward to working with all levels of government and both parties to find common ground that will benefit the growth of our city.”

Detroit’s currently mayor Mike Duggan, recently announced his campaign for governor of Michigan. He’s running as an Independent.

Minneapolis, George Floyd, George Floyd Square

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 17, 2024

George Floyd’s Heart Tissue Allowed To Be Re-Examined In Derek Chauvin’s Latest Appeal Attempt

George Floyd should be resting in peace....

A judge has granted permission for tests to be performed on George Floyd’s heart tissue as a result of a conviction appeal attempt from former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

In November 2023, Chauvin’s legal team filed a motion to vacate the federal charges related to Floyd’s death in May 2020 after the disgraced law enforcement officer claimed he wouldn’t have pleaded guilty if he knew more about some theories presented by Kansas pathologist Dr. William Schaetzel.

Schaetzel believes that Chauvin’s actions didn’t cause the Minneapolis native’s death. The health professional theorized that Floyd died due to a high level of catecholamines, a neurohormone correlated to stress response, in association with the flight-or-fight response — or Takotsubo myocarditis, a heart condition. This heart condition is an intense emotional or physical experience.

The theory put Chauvin’s lawyer at the time, Eric Nelson, in a tough spot, accusing him of offering ineffective counsel by failing to inform his client of this information and not successfully securing test samples of the deceased heart, which doctors allegedly recommended. “Given the significant nature of the criminal case that Mr. Chauvin was convicted of, and given that the discovery that Mr. Chauvin seeks could support Dr. Schaetzel’s opinion of how Mr. Floyd died, the Court finds that there is good cause to allow Mr. Chauvin to take the discovery that he seeks,” U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson wrote in an order on Dec. 16, according to Newsweek.

With this new motion, attorneys will be allowed to examine slides and pictures of Floyd’s heart, along with tissue samples and blocks holding heart tissue. Court documents also reveal that fluids from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office can also be taken to test the “concentration of fractionated catecholamines and metanephrine levels present.”

Floyd’s death sparked international outrage when bystanders recorded Officer Chauvin, a white man, kneeling on the neck of the victim, who was Black, for over nine minutes. Floyd was heard yelling the now infamous phrase, “I can’t breathe,” giving birth to a renewed Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and protests across state lines.

Since his conviction in 2022, Chauvin has simultaneously served a 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights and a 22 1/2-year state sentence for second-degree murder. The new motion is one of several attempts from Chauvin to have his convictions overturned.

model, stabbing, nyc, ice cream truck, Detroit,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 17, 2024

Missing South Carolina Woman Found Dead In Neighboring North Carolina

Ta'haley Payton, 22, hadn't been seen since Nov. 22.

After being reported missing for several weeks, a South Carolina woman was discovered dead in North Carolina.

According to WSOC-TV, the body of 22-year-old Ta’haley Payton was found near a park on Monday, Dec. 16. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed that the body was found in a park near Uptown Charlotte. She was last seen on Nov. 20.

Payton’s family told the media outlet that she went to Charlotte to be with her boyfriend to celebrate her birthday. The couple reportedly argued at the Microtel Inn & Suites in North Charlotte, and he drove away without her the next day. Several local workers stated that they saw her that night.

An employee from a cookie store, Emily Stewart, witnessed the interaction. She said Payton went into the store around 5 or 6 that evening looking for help.

“I don’t know, it’s just wild, it’s wild. It was very weird how she came in multiple times,” said Stewart. “She just asked to use my phone and I just handed it to her. She said her boyfriend kicked her out of the car. He was found with some other girl, and she needed a ride.”

She said Payton called her mother and returned to the store twice to use the phone.

“It turns out she also messaged her boyfriend from my phone. I guess she said, ‘I’ll sleep outside tonight, and I’m sorry for everything,’” Stewart said.

Employees at a nearby Arby’s and Trader Joe’s saw Payton; according to her family and friends, they never heard from her after that night.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said no cause of death has been determined yet, but the case is classified as a homicide investigation.

The NC Beat reported last month that Payton’s boyfriend, 25-year-old Setoby Armstrong, was arrested for DUI and for failing to stop for blue lights after fleeing police officers who tried to stop him.

One of Payton’s friends has set up a fundraiser, “Ta’haley Payton: In Memory and Support,” to help bring the body home and cover funeral expenses.

by Mitti Hicks

December 17, 2024

Trump Meets With TikTok CEO As Company Asks Supreme Court To Intervene With Ban

Leaders from the social media platform want the Supreme Court to overturn a federal appeals court ruling that would prohibit the social media app in the United States if the Chinese owner, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the company.

President-elect Donald Trump hosted TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 15, the same day the social media platform’s leaders asked the Supreme Court to block a law banning it, CNBC reports.

The platform’s leaders are asking the Supreme Court to overturn a federal appeals court ruling that would prohibit the social media app in the United States if the Chinese owner, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the company.

TikTok’s request came three days after the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

When asked about a potential ban, Trump told reporters that he plans to look at TikTok.

“You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” Trump said, acknowledging the social media platform helped boost support among young voters in November.

In its request to the Supreme Court to review the appeals court ruling to uphold the law, TikTok’s lawyers said, “Congress has enacted a massive and unprecedented speech restriction. TikTok is an online platform that is one of the Nation’s most popular and important venues for communication.”

The lawyers added, “The Act will shutter one of America’s most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration. This, in turn, will silence the speech of Applicants and the many Americans who use the platform to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other matters of public concern.”

In the U.S. alone, there are more than 170 million TikTok users, according to the New York Times. TikTok points out that small businesses that use the app will lose more than $1 billion in revenue in just one month, and creators will lose nearly $300 million in earnings in one month.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 17, 2024

Caribox Gifting Company Honors Its Heritage By Launching A Caribbean-Themed Line Of Gift Boxes

Founded with the mission to honor the rich heritage of the Caribbean, Caribox blends premium products with cultural flair to create an unforgettable unboxing experience.

Caribox, a recently launched gifting company, is making waves in the personal gifting market with its curated gift boxes that capture the vibrant culture of the Caribbean. Since its launch this summer, the brand has quickly become a preferred choice for those seeking meaningful and unique ways to celebrate special occasions or express gratitude.

Founded to honor the Caribbean’s rich heritage, Caribox blends premium products with cultural flair to create an unforgettable unboxing experience. Each box features handpicked items crafted by talented entrepreneurs from across the Caribbean, with 80% of the collaborating businesses being women-owned or led. These boxes embody the region’s artistry, craftsmanship, and flavors, making them ideal for corporate gifting, milestone celebrations, and personal surprises.

“Caribox was born out of a desire to expose the very best of the Caribbean to America,” said Shervin Stoney, co-founder of Caribox. “We pride ourselves on finding the very best products with the very best ingredients for our customers.”

Economic Empowerment: One Gift Box at a Time

Caribox is more than a gifting company—it’s a celebration of Caribbean culture and a vehicle for economic growth in the region. By sourcing products directly from small Caribbean businesses, Caribox creates meaningful connections while empowering local artisans to reach new markets.

“Today, it’s close to impossible for a small entrepreneur in the Caribbean to sell to customers in the U.S.,” Stoney explained. “From shipping logistics to tariffs, the barriers are daunting. Our goal is to break down those barriers and provide much-needed support to the incredible entrepreneurs building amazing products in the Caribbean.”

Engaging with Community and Growing Influence

In just a few months, Caribox has launched an affiliate program, enabling influencers to promote the brand while earning commissions. Notable partnerships include Dominican author, musician, and filmmaker Jade Leatham, who shares Caribox with her audience.

The company is also fostering new talent through a fall marketing internship program, recently welcoming Kemi Aliyu from Fordham University to help expand its reach and engage new audiences.

What’s Next for Caribox

Caribox is gearing up for the holiday season with appearances at local markets, including The Barley Beach House Holiday Market in Rye, New York, and the Holiday Vendor Market at Cross County Center in Yonkers. The company is also launching several new boxes for the season, including a spa box, a coffee and tea box, and a spice box.

“I wanted to start Caribox to provide those who appreciate Caribbean culture with unique mementos that celebrate the region’s rich heritage and natural beauty,” said Judah Coriette, co-founder of Caribox. “Through our boxes, we preserve the unique craftsmanship of the region while showcasing the Caribbean as a high-end destination.”

For more information, visit www.caribox.co

This news was first reported by Blacknews.com.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 17, 2024

OutKast Receives First Diamond Single Certification

'Hey Ya' was off the now-beloved Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, the 2003 double album.

Atlanta hip-hop duo OutKast has achieved many goals over their careers but they only recently received their very first diamond single certification.

According to HipHopDX, the single, “Hey Ya” by Andre 3000 was certified diamond (meaning ten million units sold). The single was released in 2003 off the double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The album went Diamond 15 months after being released.

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below was the next-to-last album the duo released. The soundtrack for the movie both appeared in, Idlewild, was released in 2006.

The double album showcased the two solo albums Andre 3000 and Big Boi made. “Hey Ya” was the second single released off the project.

The song was nominated for three Grammys, taking home one in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category. It rested on top of the Billboard singles chart for nine weeks. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below also brought the duo two other Grammys, Album of the Year and Best Rap Album.

While music fans are clamoring for a new OutKast album, the best they can do right now is purchase some official OutKast gear. In November, Big Boi took to social media to showcase a limited-edition clothing line of sweatshirts and hoodies that features the OutKast and Falcons logos prominently displayed on the merchandise.

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A post shared by Big Boi (@bigboi)

In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Andre 3000 revealed that there is no reunion album in the near future. Last year, the eclectic musician released a fully instrumental album, New Blue Sun.

“I’ll say maybe 10, 15 years ago, in my mind, I thought an OutKast album would happen,” he said. “I don’t know the future, but I can say that we’re further away from it than we’ve ever been. I think it’s a chemistry thing. We have to be wanting to do it. It’s hard for me to make a rap, period, you know? And sometimes I’m in the belief of ‘Let things be.’

by Daniel Johnson

December 17, 2024

Airbnb Rolls Out Anti-Party Precautions Ahead Of New Year’s Celebrations

The incident that spurred the change to its party policy occurred on Halloween 2019 when gunmen opened fire at a multimillion-dollar home in Orinda, California, killing five.

In a move the company says is designed to crack down on unauthorized and disruptive parties, Airbnb is turning to machine learning to help identify high-risk bookings and block those users from using its platform to book houses.

According to The Verge, although the technology will be rolled out globally, the company appears to focus on the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Puerto Rico, Spain, and New Zealand.

Users of the platform will be barred from booking one to three-night stays, and guests booking an entire home will be required to agree not to use the home for party purposes.

According to Airbnb, the platform blocked 74,000 high-risk bookings in 2023, with 33,000 of those bookings coming from the United States.

The company’s anti-party stance originated in 2019, and the following year, it added additional restrictions due to the pandemic.

According to a news release from Airbnb, the company‘s initiatives are touted as a reassurance for hosts who list their homes on its site.

“While issues are rare, we want to do our part to help reduce the risk of unauthorized and disruptive parties. Airbnb is committed to supporting hosts and the communities they live in, and we hope these defenses allow guests, hosts, and neighbors to celebrate the holiday with added reassurance,” said Tara Brunch, global head of Operations for Airbnb.

In recent years, Airbnb has been criticized for negatively impacting the housing crisis in America. However, perhaps the company’s more pressing issue is the perception that a service once proposed as a budget-friendly alternative to hotels no longer serves that purpose.

According to NerdWallet staff writer Sam Kemmis, that is only part of the issues plaguing Airbnb.

“The early days of Airbnb, like the early days of the internet, were full of promise. Here was a way for travelers to see the world while meeting hosts and enjoying authentic experiences, all on a shoestring. Yet this promise, like the promise of the internet itself, has been corrupted by greed, lack of competition, and poor product management,” Kemmis wrote.

According to a 2021 report from Bloomberg, the platform spent an average of $50 million on payouts to hosts and guests, including legal settlements and damages to homes listed on the platform.

Per its reporting, the incident that spurred the change to its party policy occurred on Halloween 2019 when gunmen opened fire at a multimillion-dollar home in Orinda, California, killing five.

Most of the attendees and organizers were Black, and given those facts, the media’s coverage of the story was criticized.

Cynthia Taylor, the mother of Raymon Hill, a Black 23-year-old victim who was attending the party, said that the company needed to be held accountable for its part in what happened.

“They (Airbnb) need to be held accountable for what happened,” Taylor told Bloomberg. “My son’s life was taken away at a property they allowed to keep renting on their service after multiple complaints.”

Jesse Danoff, a lawyer for Taylor and Hill’s family, said that Airbnb should have taken action long before Hill and others were killed at the party in the Bay Area.

“They knew, they ignored it, they took action once five people died of collateral damage,” Danoff told NBC Bay Area in 2019.

According to The Guardian, Cheryl Sudduth, a resident of the Bay Area and the commissioner of the Racial Justice Oversight Body, indicated that the media coverage of the incident from outlets in the Bay Area was racially biased.

“If her name was Alison instead of Tiyon, if his name was Michael instead of Omar, if these children were white, or if it was one of your kids, would you still be OK with this coverage?” Sudduth said. “I guarantee the answer is not yes.”

She continued, “People see a white child as a victim, but a Black child is seen as part of the circumstances. People say, ‘What do you think happens when you have a party with more than a few of you?’”

career, 50, new career, tips, advantages, AI, Opportunity

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 17, 2024

Now Is The Time To Seize The Opportunity For Bold Innovation

The job market will likely continue to tighten as we head into 2025.

Written By Gayle Jennings O’Byrne

Despite what your instincts might tell you, now is the best time to seize the opportunity to start a business. When the economy faces political uncertainty, corporate restructuring, and a fluctuating labor market, consider it a green light to forge ahead instead of holding still. These watershed moments—these disruptions—create unprecedented opportunities for innovation and a fertile landscape for entrepreneurs.

Disruptions in consumer behavior and technological advancements have created an exceptional opportunity for founders to solve fundamental problems and build lasting ventures. This has always been true—market volatility drives innovation. As market demands align with technological capabilities and robust funding networks, we find ourselves in a perfect storm for business creation. These economic cycles, rather than barriers, serve as catalysts for transformation.

As we advance into 2025, entrepreneurs face a complex but promising environment. With the presidential election concluded and Washington’s political climate taking shape, several critical factors emerge. The labor market shows signs of continued contraction, while President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariff policies raise legitimate concerns about inflationary pressures on consumer spending. Meanwhile, the persistent tension between traditional office paradigms and remote work arrangements signals a fundamental shift in workplace dynamics.

The job market will likely continue to tighten as we head into the new year. Economists worry that Trump’s planned tariffs will push prices higher and place an economic burden on everyday consumers. And even while companies try to bring their employees back to the office, remote work doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

With these potential obstacles, we can expect a shift in how people spend, invest, and make decisions. Entrepreneurs can find opportunities to meet these new demands, whether through building more affordable products, providing more innovative, cost-effective business models, or meeting the changing world of work head-on. Times like these often lead to significant business breakthroughs, and those who see beyond the chaos and into the opportunities will be best positioned to succeed.

So, if you’ve been thinking about launching a business but have yet to take the plunge, now is the time.

Notably, the traditional barriers to entrepreneurial entry have diminished considerably. The contemporary ecosystem of accelerators, incubators, and sophisticated funding networks has democratized access to capital, allowing merit-worthy ideas to find necessary financial backing with unprecedented efficiency.

One of the most promising areas for innovation lies in sustainability and green technologies. Consumers have never been more aware of the environmental impact of their choices, making businesses offering sustainable solutions in higher demand.

Whether it’s renewable energy, electric vehicles, or circular economies, entrepreneurs have tremendous potential to help meet the consumers’ need for greener alternatives. The next wave of businesses will be built at the intersection of sustainability and consumer behavior. And the possibilities are endless.

Artificial intelligence is also reshaping almost every industry imaginable through advancements in modeling and simulations and providing enhanced data processing capabilities that allow businesses to gain deeper insights into their customers than ever before.

This makes industries like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and financial services ripe for disruption. The healthcare sector, which saw its vulnerabilities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now calling for innovative solutions to improve patient care, streamline supply chains, and reduce costs. Entrepreneurs who can harness new technologies to address these challenges will be at the forefront of a rapidly growing market. The same is true for manufacturing, where sustainable practices and locally sourced production models have—slowly—made inroads.

As we move further into the post-pandemic era, consumer behavior continues to shift. For instance, the staying power of remote work has forever changed how businesses operate and how people connect. This shift has created a demand for new tools and technologies to facilitate virtual interactions, enhance collaboration, and improve work-life balance. Whether it’s developing more efficient video conferencing platforms or creating virtual office spaces that foster connection, entrepreneurs have an opportunity to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce.

In fact, the remote work trend highlights another significant shift in consumer behavior: the desire for more flexibility and personalization. People are looking for solutions that cater to their individual needs, whether it’s how they work, how they shop, or how they interact with others. Entrepreneurs who can leverage technology—increasingly through AI—to provide personalized, efficient and sustainable solutions will lead the charge in the coming years.

However, while the tools and resources are available, entrepreneurs must remain focused on solving real problems. It’s not enough to chase trends, capitalize on buzzwords, or focus on a local niche. Successful businesses are built by identifying needs, understanding consumer behavior, and creating products or services that address those needs meaningfully and thoughtfully. This is where true innovation lies: the ability to offer solutions that make a tangible impact on people’s lives.

There’s no perfect time to start a business, but very often, the best time to try is when the market is in flux. The current climate offers unprecedented possibilities for entrepreneurs. With appropriate strategic vision and execution, this moment presents an exceptional opportunity to create a lasting impact. Entrepreneurs who embrace this uncertainty and use it as a springboard for innovation will be the ones who drive the future of business.

—

Gayle Jennings O’Byrne is the founder and CEO of Wocstar Capital, an early-stage investment fund focused on investing in tech companies with diverse and under-represented management teams.

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