Business
Leo Burnett Pilots Creative Boot Camp at Chicago State University
Five students from Chicago State University, Illinois’ sole four-year Predominantly Black Institution for higher education, began summer internships this week across Publicis Groupe, including at Leo Burnett Chicago, Arc Worldwide, and ThePub; and one of their classmates has accepted a full-time position at Publicis Health Media. The connection is the culmination of a decades-long partnership, and pro bono work through the Pencil Project, most recently with a boot camp creative curriculum during the Spring semester, with support from Marcus Graham Project.
Wells Fargo Announces Artist-in-Residence to Join Efforts to Support Diverse- and Women-Owned Small Businesses
Business Wire - Wells Fargo is expanding its existing efforts to support diverse- and women-owned small businesses by welcoming graphic designer and illustrator Sophia Yeshi as the bank’s first-ever artist-in-residence. For her first project as the Wells Fargo Artist in Residence, Yeshi reimagined the “Open” sign as a bold statement to symbolize the perseverance of millions of small business owners through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic – as well as the long road ahead to full recovery. The new “Open” sign is available for download at wellsfargo.com/ together and later this summer, small business owners can pick up a sign at any Wells Fargo branch while supplies last.
VIOLIFE® Teams up with RZA to Launch Grant Program to Promote Plant-Based Eating
Upfield US announced a new grant program, Plant Grants, aimed at promoting plant-based eating through charitable funding, education, and mentorship. This first year is being sponsored by Violife®, an Upfield brand and portfolio of 100 percent vegan cheeses and spreads, in collaboration with legendary hip-hop artist and long-time vegan, RZA. The 2021 Plant Grants program will focus on helping community-based Black-owned restaurants recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic recognizing that these businesses are often the economic and cultural centers of their communities. The program will provide funding to support re-investment in the business, an introduction to plant-based ingredients, and coaching on menu development from two plant-based chef pioneers, Lemel Durrah and Laricia Chandle to inspire Black-owned restaurants to add more plant-based dishes to their menus or convert well-loved recipes to plant-based.
Redfin Reports Pending Sales Continue to Slow--Still Up 29% from 2020
The breakneck pace of the housing market is beginning to slow heading into June, according to a new report from Redfin (redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage.
Sean Combs Teams Up With Salesforce To Launch SHOP CIRCULATE, An All-In-One Digital Marketplace For Black-Owned Businesses
Combs Enterprises and Salesforce have teamed up to create SHOP CIRCULATE, a curated digital marketplace that allows consumers to discover and buy products exclusively created and sold by Black entrepreneurs.
EEOC Provides Additional Information On Vaccinations
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently posted updated and expanded technical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing questions arising under the federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws.
Allyship is Key to Creating Inclusive Workplaces
Public coverage of systemic racism has challenged businesses to promote cultures of inclusion, often utilizing allies who serve as collaborators to support historically underrepresented individuals and communities.
Grubhub And Restaurant Strong Fund Program Gives $2 Million To Help Restaurants Reopen
Grubhub, a leading food-ordering and delivery marketplace, and The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund recently announced the latest phase in their commitment to supporting restaurants: the Restaurant Stronger program, a new initiative to provide $5,000 grants to eligible independent restaurants.
Fleeting, a Black-Owned Company Receives $500,000 Investment from NBA Star Kyrie Irving and New Fund Lockstep Ventures
Fleeting, a Black-owned commercial trucking and fleet management services company, recently announced that it received a seed round investment of $500,000 from Kyrie Irving, NBA superstar and founder of new consulting firm, KAI 11 Consulting, and Lockstep Ventures, the new venture fund founded by Michael Loeb, Bonin Bough, and Marcus Glover.
McKissack & McKissack Taps Sam Boye and Girard Jenkins for Key Midwest Roles
National architecture, engineering and construction management firm McKissack & McKissack is adding depth to its team by hiring Sam Boye Jr. as operations manager for the Midwest and West regions of the country and promoting Girard Jenkins to project executive for the Midwest.
Eventnoire, Where Black Culture and Events Intersect, Wins 1st Place in the Mountain Dew “Real Change Opportunity Fund Competition”
Eventnoire, the premiere ticketing platform for Black events, has been announced as the winner of Mountain Dew's Real Change Opportunity Fund Competition. Eventnoire will receive a portion of the $1M prize pool, allowing them to continue to do work that strengthens Black business, uplifts Black communities, and levels the playing field for Black people in America. Hundreds of start-ups competed in the shark-tank style contest, judged by celebrity judges DJ Envy of The Breakfast Club, Morgan DeBaun, and Lala Anthony. Eventnoire went through several rounds pitching its business model and innovative business concept.
DuPont Announces $20 Million Investment in LISC’s Black Economic Development Fund
DuPont (NYSE: DD) recently announced it has committed to invest $20 million in the Black Economic Development Fund (BEDF), managed by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
Leading Women’s Empowerment Brand BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Joins Forces With Microsoft For A Multi-year Partnership
Tech leader Microsoft and Beverly Bond, founder and CEO of the award-winning women’s empowerment, lifestyle, and philanthropic brand BLACK GIRLS ROCK!®, have announced a strategic partnership to build technology infrastructure and empower more Black girls to become leaders through access to culturally relevant programs, leadership development, and STEM skills. The goal of this alliance is to strengthen the transformative work of BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® with the technology and scale of the Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Another HBCU Receives Multi-Million Donation from Honey Bear Project
After nearly 75 years, Central State University (CSU) will be breaking ground this month on a state-of-the-art turf football field, courtesy of nearly a $1 million donation from HBCU Field of Dreams, through the Honey Bear Project.
