A recent allegation against Delta airlines has a few people wondering if this incident was a coincidence or was actually orchestrated as a way to lessen the hiring pool of Black job candidates. Black Information Network reports that Regina De’Chabert recently posted a video to TikTok claiming that she managed to land a call back for a position as a flight attendant for Delta airlines after changing her race to white on her application. Receiving a call back for an interview has been a five-year-long process for De’Chabert. According to the young lady, after “applying to delta for a flight attendant job for 5 years” and continually being denied, she decided to submit a new application “as a white woman.” This is when De’Chabert says that she “finally received a 2nd interview email.” @ginaaa_banks_ Purrrrr let’s get the bill #deltaairlines #flightattendants ♬ original sound – Barstool Sports
Delta Airlines is standing firm on its commitment to advance equity and sustainability. According to Provoke Media, Keyra Lynn Johnson will now serve as VP and chief diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) officer where she will be responsible for driving Delta’s progress in becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. As a 26-year Delta employee, Johnson is no stranger to the major airline’s business methods and previously worked as a senior leader on the airline’s corporate, internal, and employee communications teams. She has also worked in DE&I in various capacities since 2016. In addition to Johnson’s promotion, Amelia DeLuca will also become the new managing director of sustainability and will be responsible for overseeing Delta’s long-term sustainability strategy, managing sustainability investments, and partnering with government affairs and legal teams. DeLuca brings in 11 years of experience with Delta, most recently serving as managing director of global...
On Thursday, Delta Airlines announced that it will provide facial recognition scanners in its terminals at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The scanners are offered to customers flying directly to an international destination. The company is also offering the technology to people flying with partner airlines Aeromexico, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Delta Airlines has previously partnered with CLEAR , a biometric company that allows flyers to check in with a fingerprint or iris scanner. In July, Delta began offering biometric self-service bag drops in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. “Ever since 9/11, airlines, airports and TSA have been trying to keep the aviation system safe without causing too much hassle and pain for travelers,” said freelance aviation security writer Benét Wilson. “They’ve tried a lot of things and facial recognition is just a natural progression coming into play.” Atlanta International Airport is known as the world’s...
On the first day of the new Trump administration, the President issued an executive order to revoke several DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) protections. This policy change enabled companies across the country to eliminate DEI hiring practices, protections and related incentives. As a result, many prominent businesses revealed that their commitment to DEI had largely been driven by legal requirements rather than genuine support. While some companies, such as Costco, Apple and Delta Airlines, have maintained a strong commitment to supporting marginalized communities , numerous others in the tech, automotive and grocery sectors have removed DEI frameworks from their policies. Given the growing importance of DEI to a significant portion of the American public, consumers are increasingly making more informed choices about where they spend their money. In fact, many have begun to consider boycotting businesses that do not align with their values. For those who prioritize DEI, we...
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives have been quickly scaled back or removed entirely across America following the Trump administration’s recent orders. Upon entering office last month, he banned DEI programs and even removed inclusive wording. Resources for underrepresented Americans on federal and corporate websites are disappearing by the day and many companies are following suit . This disappointing truth has led to a public uproar and general disappointment with obvious digressions from inclusiveness . What’s even more sobering is many companies’ silence or steady reversal of their previous commitments to progressive programs. Day by day companies are either doubling down , scaling back or completely switching up on their DEI efforts. No matter if their renunciations are quiet are bold, people are starting to pay more attention to corporate motives surrounding workplace inclusivity. Which Companies Are Still Supporting DEI? Christina @ wocintechchat.com/Unsplash...
If you’ve been tapped in to the world of business news in recent months, you’re likely well aware that DEI measures are firmly on the chopping block, thanks to the Trump administration . The DEI framework, which seeks to support diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace, has been an invaluable tool in the national marketplace to ensure that those in marginalized communities are given a fair shot at employment and upward mobility. Much like other social programs, such as affirmative action, DEI has been integral to the success of disabled individuals, underprivileged youths and those who identify as part of the LGBTQ community . Unfortunately, a powerful minority of fringe right-wing lawmakers have taken issue with DEI initiatives and have quixotically maligned the entire practice as discriminatory. Since the newly established White House cabinet has become so dead-set on eliminating DEI measures across the board, legal requirements for fair hiring practices have already...
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is like the studio album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — critically acclaimed by some, misunderstood by others, and a constant source of debate. Whether celebrated or criticized, DEI has become one of the most polarizing issues in corporate America. And let’s be honest: When companies start scaling back on DEI, it’s not just a boardroom shuffle — it’s a move that disproportionately impacts the Black community. This polarizing environment extends beyond corporate America. According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump made waves with executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI programs within the federal government. Among these was the rescission of Executive Order 11246, which mandated affirmative action for federal contractors, a policy originally designed to level the playing field for underrepresented groups, as well as nondiscrimination. In addition, DEI offices were defunded, DEI employees were laid off, diversity training...
Equity-focused work may be a point of contention in today’s political environment, but it has not stopped the commitment of those dedicated to ensuring justice. Recently, Operation HOPE Inc. hosted its Hope Global Forums Annual Meeting. This convening brought together community stakeholders and influencers to discuss how to move into the future through economic, technological, and cultural advancements. During the meeting in Atlanta, GA, Hope Global Forum leader and CEO of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant, announced one of his goals to raise $100 million to fund the organization’s work of providing financial literacy and economic growth tools for individuals and small businesses. While providing his final remarks, Bryant confirmed that he is well on his way to receiving that fundraising amount through partners and corporations including Delta, Shopify, Truist, and Bishop T.D. Jakes. “Shopify, they’re ready for $60 million,” Bryant said. “Why did they do this? They are good people,...
A small, private Mississippi school that opened nearly three years ago with just six students has grown to approximately 50 in grades prekindergarten through 12th. Leora Hooper founded Abundance Educational Academy in a neglected storefront in Yazoo City, according to The New York Times. She had taught special education at a local public school and sixth-grade social studies at another. However, Hooper’s work in the impoverished community and struggling public school system took its toll and she quit in 2021. Since she left in the middle of the school year, her public-school teaching license was suspended. Inspired to start a new chapter and offer students an alternative as well, she started Abundance, becoming its executive director. Hooper wears many additional hats too: She is a math, social studies, and language arts teacher, an after-school tutor, the registrar, a guidance counselor, co-director of the drum line, a janitor, and receptionist. “I was born to do it,” Hooper said...
It could be the end of an era for budget-friendly travel — at least for now. On Monday, Nov. 18th, low-fair flight company Spirit Airlines confirmed that they’ve filed for bankruptcy protection after making efforts to cut costs all around. Some of their recent steps have included selling 23 Airbus jets and delaying future aircraft deliveries. Sadly, Spirit has also had to furlough hundreds of pilots with plans to cut additional staff in January. In their filing, they confirmed 13,000 full-time and part-time employees, plus 8,000 independent contractors and temporary workers. Things might look dire now, but as CNN notes, American Airlines , United and Delta have all gone bankrupt within the last 25 years, only to bounce back stronger on the other end of negotiations and hard work. What We Know About Spirit Airlines’ Bankruptcy So Far Photo Credit: Forsaken Films / Unsplash CNN cites, “ mounting losses, unaffordable debt, increased competition for bargain-seeking airline passengers...
If you’ve tuned into NBC News any time in the last few decades, you’re likely aware of Hoda Kotb, a revered television journalist best known for her long-time duty hosting the “Today” show. While the inspiring Oklahoma-born broadcaster has spent much of her time offering tales of human interest and up-to-the-minute news on “Today,” she recently announced her plans to depart her highly coveted co-anchor slot . This news came as a surprise to many, though a brief look at her net worth makes it clear that Kotb has enough liquid cash to do whatever she pleases. Per outlets such as Celebrity Net Worth , Hoda Kotb currently touts a fortune of more than $30 million. These figures come primarily from Kotb’s “Today” salary, though they are ameliorated by book sales, endorsement deals , and a wide array of other investments. Given that Hoda Kotb is preparing to enter a new phase in her career, it seems like now is as good a time as any to perform a deep dive on her financial portfolio,...
Donae Burston is behind a history-making wine company. Before becoming founder and CEO of La Fête Wine Co., “a fresh, modern, and inclusive wine brand,” in 2019, Burston entered the spirits industry as a brand ambassador. It wasn’t long before he had scaled to promotions manager at Heineken then allocated eight years at Moët Hennessy, launching the first and only champagne bar in the Miami Heat American Airlines arena, Uncorked and Cultured reports. He also dedicated three years with Jay-Z’s champagne brand, Champagne Armand de Brignac. Burston would pivot to entreprenuership following a visit to Saint-Tropez, France, during his 30th birthday celebration, his website mentions. Many locals were drinking what he believed to be White Zinfandel, but he discovered it was a Côtes de Provence Rosé and was immediately drawn to its taste. Another catalyst would be meeting the owner of a local winery. “Being in a chance encounter in the south of France and meeting the owner of a winery, I was...
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Venita Cooper’s passion for sneaker culture has led her to become an entrepreneur -turned-tech-founder. In 2019, Cooper opened Silhouette Sneakers & Art in Tulsa, OK, after working as a K-12 educator in the Mississippi Delta through Teach for America. She was brought to Oklahoma because her parents decided to retire, Cooper told AFROTECH™ in an interview. With no entrepreneurial background, the thought of launching her own business never crossed her mind until 2018, when the idea of opening a sneaker store was presented to her. “At first I thought it was crazy ’cause I was like, ‘I’m not an entrepreneur. I’ve never done anything like that before,'” Cooper said. “One of the things that I’ve learned is that to start a business and to run a business, to me, the No. 1 skill is the ability to make good decisions consistently and quickly. I always ask investors and other founders who have successful companies, what is the characteristic that they can identify as that No. 1 characteristic...
Since his arrival in Jackson, MS, to coach the Jackson State University (JSU) Tiger football team, Deion Sanders has been making headlines regarding his coaching style, outspoken personality, and team success. From increasing funding around the sport’s program to recruiting five-star athletes, Sanders has more than shaken things up in the Mississippi Delta. Current students, alums, and football fans alike had high expectations and were fueled with excitement, knowing a living legend was taking on the reigns as the coach of Mississippi’s largest HBCU. The anticipation was fair, considering the wealth of athletic knowledge and influence Sanders would bring to the football program. Entering the NFL from Florida State University in 1989, Sanders played 14 seasons across five teams. As a cornerback, Sanders racked up 270 solo tackles, 53 interceptions, and 94 passes defended. He would go on to win two Super Bowl championships and be inducted into the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame class....