LYS Beauty, First Black-Owned Clean Makeup Brand At Sephora, Lands Eight-Figure Investment Ahead Of Its 800-Store Expansion At The Retailer

The global economy is not just shaped by technology or innovation — it’s governed by decisions made behind closed doors, often under the guise of economic strategy. One such decision, the imposition of tariffs, is anything but neutral. It is an instrument of pressure, a marker of priority, and increasingly, a reflection of geopolitical posture. Tariffs have reemerged as a centerpiece of American economic policy, not as quiet fiscal levers but as loud, disruptive statements. The Trump administration’s recent directive — a flat 10% base tariff on all imports and a sweeping set of reciprocal tariffs targeting nearly 90 countries — represents a radical reorientation of U.S. trade policy. In an interconnected world already strained by inflation, global supply chain challenges, and diplomatic fragility, these decisions matter deeply — and immediately. What Are Tariffs? At their core, tariffs are taxes on imported goods, imposed by governments to influence the cost and flow of trade. By...

The future of tech is being shaped by innovative minds, and at ServiceNow, the spotlight is on the brilliant individuals who are driving change. At the forefront of this narrative is Kendra Bailey, a Generative AI (GenAI) solutions architect at ServiceNow. Her testimony is one of perseverance, growth, and the power of embracing one’s unique perspective. Building skills to provide solutions Kendra’s journey began seven years ago as a tester and intern with a ServiceNow partner. In less than a year, she transitioned into a full-time developer role, taking the reins on her first project. Her trajectory within the ServiceNow ecosystem exemplifies what’s possible when skill meets opportunity. Now, as a GenAI solutions architect, she is committed to advancing generative AI solutions, ensuring customers have seamless experiences and successful outcomes with ServiceNow’s technology. Getting out of her own head For many Black professionals in tech, imposter syndrome and self-doubt can be...

Tariffs on imported goods imposed by President Donald Trump will impact small business owners. AP News reports that the Trump administration has announced new tariff policies, including a 34% tax on imports from China, a 20% tax on imports from the European Union, and a 10% baseline tax on most imports. According to a press release from the White House, the 10% baseline will take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 5, 2025, while the countries with higher tariff rates will have to comply by at 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 9, 2025. Trump hopes to restore balance to global trade and believes imposing these tariffs will lead to billions in revenue for the U.S., AP News notes. “I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal, that means they do it to us and we do it to them… This is one of the most important days in my opinion in American history,” Trump said during a “Make America Wealthy Again” event on April 2, according to...

Target’s foot traffic has taken another decline amid a 40-day boycott. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the retailer reversed its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments, dismantling a program that helped Black and minority-owned businesses secure shelf space. Additionally, the company is no longer required to submit reports to external diversity-focused groups. “Many years of data, insights, listening, and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy,” said Kiera Fernandez, chief community impact and equity officer at Target, according to NBC News. “And as a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future — all in service of driving Target’s growth and winning together.” This comes as other major companies , like Walmart , have removed race and gender as factors for granting supplier contracts. McDonald’s also discontinued its...

Success comes with its moments, and Pinky Cole Hayes knows this firsthand. Cole Hayes is the mastermind behind Slutty Vegan restaurant, with seven locations, primarily in Georgia. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the company’s market value was estimated at nearly $100 million by 2022, which included $25 million from a Series A funding round. Over the years, the company’s triumphs included expanding to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Spelman College, although the location at the HBCU has since closed. Cole Hayes has experienced roadblocks with the venture in 2024, and those challenges led to her losing the business, she told People. “Right now, in this moment, I’ve really been in a place of peace, but I had a really rocky 2024. Our corporate overhead was about $10 million,” Cole Hayes mentioned to People. “I was chasing something that I couldn’t catch for so many reasons.” Cole Hayes also acknowledged that she had not been “the operational person,” which has led...

Tesla’s delivery numbers are in. Elon Musk, founder of the electric vehicle and clean energy company, has faced significant setbacks, partly due to his decision to align with President Donald Trump. Musk is working at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), therefore he has access to the sensitive information of American citizens, CBS News reports. Additionally, staffers involved with DOGE — along with employees from Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX — are part of an effort to shut down federal agencies with the goal of decreasing government spending, NPR notes. So far, DOGE has also ended 109 contracts, including those the Department of Energy and Department of Commerce had, with a “ceiling value” exceeding $1 billion, which led to $420 million in savings, Newsweek mentions. DOGE’s efforts have been met with great opposition, which has also impacted Tesla. A survey conducted by NBC news states that while 46% of voters say creating DOGE was a good idea, 47% have a negative...

The tech industry faces uncertainty and fear due to the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies, leading companies to advise employees on visas not to leave the United States because they might not be allowed to return. During President Donald Trump’s first term, the denial rates for high-skilled visas increased to 15%. Law firms have warned that a similar upward trend is possible during his current presidency , according to The Washington Post. “What we’re seeing right now is just a lot of worry and panic,” said Principal Attorney Malcolm Goeschl of Goeschl Law, a San Francisco, CA, firm specializing in business immigration for the tech industry . “It seems like [the administration is] just getting more and more momentum, and we don’t know what’s around the corner.” Silicon Valley , Northern California’s global hub for technological innovation, is known for housing many of the world’s largest tech companies and producing groundbreaking inventions. Tech giants in the...

Morgan DeBaun went against Silicon Valley’s metric of success. Her entrepreneurial journey began at age 13 when she started investing in the stock market. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and entrepreneurship from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. By 2014, she had become a founder and CEO, launching Blavity Inc. — a global company dedicated to providing media and product solutions for Black Millennial and Gen Z consumers, as well as businesses and organizations aiming to connect with this audience. By 25 years old, she became one of the few Black women founders to secure $1 million in funding. Blavity Inc. has since continued to raise capital, successfully completing three acquisitions and integrations — two of which she executed before turning 24 years old, within just 18 months. The most recent, RNB House Party (now Blavity House Party), was acquired in November 2023. Today, Blavity Inc. encompasses brands like Blavity, AFROTECH™, 21Ninety, Travel...