All results
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...
Derek W. Bailey is a trailblazer in the automotive industry. He was inspired by C.R. Patterson, born into slavery in 1833. The National Museum of African American History and Culture reports little recollection of Patterson’s life on the plantation, and it is unclear whether his freedom was purchased or if he escaped. Nonetheless, he became a free man and learned the blacksmith trade, which opened doors to carriage-making. He later made history by founding C.R. Patterson & Sons after becoming the sole proprietor of a business venture he had initially started in partnership with J.P. Lowe. Patterson became the first Black automaker in the United States, and now Bailey is carrying the baton. “He was actually born before the Emancipation Proclamation. He built a car company in that period and time,” Bailey told WSB-TV. “Black men have been doing great things throughout history.” Bailey is making his mark as the owner of Atlanta, GA-based Derek Automotive, which has various electric...
La La Anthony is representing for all the Boricuas with her latest partnership that’s just in time for the summer. Forbes reports that the multi-hyphenate talent is once again joining Baileys Colada to let the good times roll with signature drinks.
Tylan Bailey was a beloved figure in DeKalb County, GA schools — and now, his success story has become just as inspirational. WSB-TV recently sat down with the Georgia janitor, who said that despite what some may consider a “lowly” profession, he enjoyed every minute of it. “I love being here. Every day I come here. I rarely miss a day,” Bailey said to the outlet. Eventually, he worked his way up to becoming the head janitor — meaning that if anything broke, or went wrong, in the school, he was going to be there to fix it. And Bailey held that position for more than 20 years. Then, in 2017, he decided to go back to college to get his degree. This meant that he would be up and at work by 5:30 in the morning, then work a full day, and close up shop late afternoon. In between those hours — and yes, even after school — he’d be taking classes at Georgia State University. “A lot of people around the building always ask me, when do I sleep?” Bailey said, according to WSB-TV. He continued...
The Advanced Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Color of Change, MoveOn and 115 other groups signed a statement of concern about the use of pretrial “risk assessment” algorithms to determine bail . The amount of state and local governments turning to algorithms to determine pretrial flight and criminal recidivism risks. The algorithm was intended to remove bias from pretrial hearings to reduce jail overcrowding, etc. But i n the statement, the groups explain that our justice system is still disproportionately impacting communities of color. Because of this, the data entered reflects those flaws. This makes what might be intended to be objective or neutral actually biased tools that will continue to add to the discrepancies in the justice system. The organizations are also calling for the government to follow principles, including the following: If in use, a pretrial risk assessment instrument must be designed and...
For-profit bail bond services have been proven to make most of their money on the backs of people of color and low-income communities . The offers they provide often leave customers in crippling debt when they’re already in vulnerable positions. But Google just announced a new policy that will ban ads for these services from all of its platforms. Google removed more than three billion ads last year if found to be harmful or misleading. And this new policy continues that work. “We made this decision based on our commitment to protect our users from deceptive or harmful products, but the issue of bail bond reform has drawn support from a wide range of groups and organizations who have shared their work and perspectives with us,” said David Graff, Google’s Senior Director of Global Product Policy. Read more in a blog posted by Graff here . This move is one that demonstrates how Google is continuing to work to keep the advertising space ethical and show consciousness of social issues....
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), dedicated to expanding opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in Atlanta, GA, and beyond, has received a $2 million donation from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. According to a news release, Blank’s donation will help the center move forward with RICE 2.0, a hub for innovation, collaboration, and economic empowerment that will provide essential resources for Black business founders, including small business grants, expanded programming, and mentorship opportunities. “This investment reflects our chairman’s entrepreneurial journey and his commitment to giving back to Atlanta, a city that has given him so much,” Blank Foundation President Fay Twersky said. “RICE’s extraordinary work supporting entrepreneurs creates pathways to economic mobility and opportunity. By investing in entrepreneurs at all stages, we’re fostering collective thriving where individual success strengthens entire communities.” In 1978, Arthur Blank...
Seattle, WA-based Starbucks plans to lay off 1,100 corporate support employees as part of an effort to streamline operations and improve efficiency. On Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol announced in a news release that those affected will receive notice on Feb. 25. The decision comes after senior leaders began “evaluating the role, structure, and size” of the coffee chain’s global corporate teams in January. “I recognize the news is difficult. It is not a decision the leadership team took lightly,” Niccol wrote. “We understand the real effect this has on partners’ lives and their families. We believe it’s a necessary change to position Starbucks for future success — and to ensure we deliver for our green apron partners and the customers they serve.” The release noted that the layoffs do not affect Starbucks retail store employees or baristas. While the plan also includes eliminating several hundred additional open and unfilled positions, Niccol said the company will...
Joanna Brooks has been creating a safe wellness studio for people of color for the past 10 years. She developed an interest in yoga as a teenager and, over time, explored different areas of fitness, she wrote in her LinkedIn bio. This exploration influenced her practices, which include Bikram Yoga, Hot Vinyasa Flow, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, and Yin Yoga, ultimately leading to the establishment of Embody YOGA studio in Milwaukee, WI. “These styles contribute significantly to my teaching style. I am experienced in leading both group and private classes and enjoy working with people of all ages. My intention is for my students to leave class with a quiet sense of strength and peace,” she wrote in her bio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Embody Yoga (@embodyyogamke) In an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Feb. 18, Brooks honored the instructors who came before her, giving them their flowers for paving the way — including ZenZen Yoga Arts Founder Therese Bailey. “I’ve said it...
Starbucks is at the center of a lawsuit for alleged discrimination related to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies . On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, filed a lawsuit claiming that the Seattle, WA-based coffee chain enforces “race-and-sex-based hiring practices” and unlawfully segregates employees in violation of anti-discrimination laws, according to a news release. Since taking office for a second term on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders to dismantle federal DEI initiatives. “As Attorney General, I have a responsibility to protect Missourians from a company that actively engages in systemic race and sex discrimination,” Bailey said. “Racism has no place in Missouri. We’re filing suit to halt this blatant violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act in its tracks.” Bailey said the initiatives have led to a “more female and less white” workforce and forced Missouri consumers to “pay...
Educator Yaa Yaa Catherine Whaley-Williams has built an education hub in her community. Whaley-Williams, the director of student equity in the Monticello Central School District in Monticello, NY, is the founder of Sadie’s Books and Beverages. The business opened in 2022 and made history in the process. News-12 reports it is the first Black-owned bookstore in Orange County, NY. Sadie’s Books and Beverages offers a diverse selection of books, which includes hundreds of Black authors across 23 genres, according to the Times Herald-Record reports. Accessibility is also important to Whaley-Williams, so she launched a program that slashes the prices of new books for children to $3 and $7. “When I was a kid getting a free or discounted book, it was usually dog-eared or had writing in it, or some pages missing,” she explained to the outlet. “But getting a discounted book shouldn’t mean that it’s anything less than brand new.” Locals can also expect special activations from the local shop...
Several Black women-owned businesses are making their way to JFK airport. According to TRBusiness, six small, women-owned businesses based in New York will now have a new home at Terminal 8 (T8) due to a $125 million redevelopment program. They were selected through an accelerator program launched by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports. The chosen entrepreneurs were also offered adaptable deal structures and smaller storefront spaces to minimize entry hurdles and lower design expenses. “Helping local businesses access concessions opportunities at Terminal 8 is an asset for our passengers, who will enjoy products unique to New York that are made and sold by local artisans and vendors,” said Dominic Lowe, US chief operating officer of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, per TRBusiness. “These six local women bring the energy and enthusiasm of a small business owner to Terminal 8 while offering one-of-a-kind products, which are made right here in New York.” Lowe added, “Working with the...
If you spent any time tuned into the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, you’re likely already familiar with the name Gabby Thomas. The young athlete has been turning heads for a few years now but truly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of athletics by scoring a whopping three gold medals in the sprint and relay categories. Like some of her U.S. Olympic teammates , Thomas serves as the subject of the newly-released Netflix docu-series Sprint: The World’s Fastest Human’s Part 2 . The series, which premiered on the streamer on Nov. 13, showcases a few of the most prolific athletes currently competing for the title of fastest human being of all time as they outline their painstaking training regiment ahead of their Olympic performances. Given that Gabby Thomas is currently such a hot topic in the pop culture zeitgeist, now seems like as good a time as any to take a look at her career history, revenue streams and overall net worth to see what we can...