Business

Antonice Strickland Named Vice President of Public Relations & Business Development for 98Forward

98Forward, Michigan’s largest Black-owned public relations firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Antonice Strickland to vice president of public relations and business development. In this position she will play a key leadership role within the agency, driving team and business growth, client experience and company culture. Strickland joined the agency in April 2022.

Progressive Insurance® Awards $250,000 to Black Entrepreneurs Through Driving Small Business Forward Grant Program

Progressive Insurance®, the leading commercial auto insurer in the United States, has announced the 10 recipients of its 2023 Driving Small Business Forward grant with Hello Alice in support of Black entrepreneurs. Each small business owner has been awarded a $25,000 grant for use toward the purchase of a commercial vehicle for their business.

Stackwell and Fintech in Action Announce Financial Wellness Pilot Program with Spelman College Students

Stackwell, the digital investment platform designed to eliminate the racial wealth gap, and Fintech in Action, a social impact initiative that accelerates progress, innovation, and opportunity for Black talent in finance and fintech, announced the launch of a new financial wellness program supporting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) students. The pilot program will provide a cohort of Spelman College students with a finance and investing course plus a seeded Stackwell account to begin building wealth during their college careers.

Black Executives Support Small Businesses Through SCORE

Black business owners are more likely to seek – but less likely to receive – outside funding than white business owners, according to a survey by SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses. To help improve this disparity in resources, Black executives can bring their valuable insights and perspectives to the table as business mentors. This National Black Business Month, SCORE encourages Black executives to consider volunteering their time and expertise to support entrepreneurs and build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

ThriveDX Partners with BlackGirlsHack to Launch BlackGirlsHack Scholars Program

ThriveDX, the global leader in cybersecurity skills training, is excited to announce the launch of The ThriveDX BlackGirlsHack Scholars Program, which will provide 25 learners from BlackGirlsHack with full tuition and fees for the ThriveDX Cybersecurity Professional Program. This Scholars Program will enable a cohort of 25 individuals, who are associated with BlackGirlsHack, to receive support and benefits needed to successfully complete the program and secure new employment in the growing field of cybersecurity.

Taking Your Small Business to the Next Level

After a long period of planning and hard work, you’ve finally turned your dream of starting a small business into reality

Blue Fox Impact Launches Social Justice Racial Equity Venture Across Multiple Entertainment Sectors

Blue Fox Impact announced its launch as a new venture to support and provide funding into various entertainment industry businesses. Blue Fox Impact is co-founded by Ralph G. Mendy Henderson, Jr., who will serve as Chief Executive Officer and the majority shareholder. Co-founder James Huntsman will serve as Chief Financial Officer. Lisa Gutberlet will join the leadership team as Chief Operating Officer. Blue Fox Entertainment will hold a minority stake in the company

Black Tech Week Announces New Media Division Including Partnerships With NBCUniversal, Inc. Magazine and Others

Black Tech Week (BTW) is thrilled to announce the creation of its new media division, Black Tech Weekly. This expansion aims to amplify the remarkable work of Black founders, partners, and ecosystems across the world.

5 ways to build or rebuild your credit

Having strong credit can make it easier to get a car loan, mortgage, an apartment and even some jobs. Because lenders use your credit score to help assess your reliability as a borrower, a high credit score can help you qualify for lower loan interest rates – saving you money over the course of your lifetime.

Novae Becomes First Fintech Company to Offer Debt Help to Struggling Americans

Over the last decade, Black-owned fintech company Novae has won numerous awards for customer experience, rapid growth, and innovation in the direct sales and finance space. Now they have a new offering: a program to help consumers get out of debt by obtaining partial debt forgiveness and more favorable repayment terms.

The Most Powerful Black Social Impact Network That You've Never Heard of Just Turned 10 and Is Changing Minds on Equity

In 2013, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation spun off BMe Community, an innovative Black leadership network. Since then, its members have created hundreds of award-winning social impact programs, achieved extraordinary policy breakthroughs, and are leading a paradigm shift in philanthropy's approach to equity.

MICHELLE EBANKS APPOINTED NEXT PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE APOLLO, THE LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION IN THE NATION

The Apollo announced recently the appointment of Michelle Ebanks as the next President and CEO of the nation’s foremost African American performing arts center dedicated to Black arts and culture. Ms. Ebanks has extensive leadership experience in media, entertainment, and live events. She previously served as CEO of Essence Communications, overseeing the nation’s leading media and communications company dedicated to African American women, including Essence magazine, the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African American women; Essence.com, the award-winning, daily online destination for African American women; and the internationally renowned Essence Festival of Culture, one of the largest annual live music events in the world.

Blk Grvty Inks Deal to Lead Known's Innovation Lab

On Juneteenth, Known, a finance and asset management firm, announced its new partnership with Blk Grvty, to lead the establishment of their innovation lab, where philanthropy will be used as a tool to experiment with new, future-proof capital models.

Take Time Off This Summer, But Not From Your Finances

Summer is here, bringing all the fun that comes with months of warm weather and hours of daylight. As you plan your summer season itinerary, however, you might discover you’re juggling more expenses than just a trip to the beach.

Leadership Greater Chicago Names New CEO

Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) has named Myetie Hamilton the next Chief Executive Officer of the region’s premier civic leadership development organization, effective July 24, 2023. The LGC Search Committee, comprised of board members and Fellows, led a rigorous national search in partnership with Koya Partners, a search firm that specializes in placing CEOs in mission-driven roles. Myetie, a proud LGC Fellow since 2016, will step into the CEO position as the first Black American woman to lead the organization.