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In a move that has sparked considerable debate, PBS announced the closure of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, citing compliance with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. According to Deadline, the decision was confirmed through a memo from PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger, marking a significant rollback of the organization’s DEI efforts — a trend increasingly observed across public and private sectors as political pressures increase. A Sudden Shift In Strategy As reported by The New York Times reporter Ben Mullin via X (formerly Twitter), the memo revealed that PBS’s DEI office would be shuttered and that key leaders Cecilia Loving, senior vice president of DEI, and Gina Leow, director of DEI, would be departing the organization. Kerger noted, “To ensure that we are complying with the president’s executive order, we have closed our DEI office, and Cecilia Loving and Gina Leow are leaving PBS.” Adding to the dissonance is the fact that this...
The name “Percy Julian” may not mean much to anyone today, but PBS plans to change that with their re-airing of a docu-drama that tells his life story. The public broadcasting service announced its science series, NOVA, will re-air “ Forgotten Genius,” through the month of February. The docu-drama series focuses on the Alabama-born and bred scientist whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the production of life-saving drugs such as cortisone and birth control pills. Tony-winning actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson (“Billions,” “Castle”) plays Percy Julian in the re-enactments. The New York native said that this role was one of the most rewarding roles of his career. The ultimate goal of the docu-drama is to show the incredible life of this pioneering scientist, whose work helped modern scientists synthesize medicines from plants. As one of the first Black men in the United States to receive a doctorate in chemistry, Percy Julian received more than 100 patents throughout his...
Tavis Smiley has a major problem to the tune of about $1.5 million. According to The Hollywood Reporter , a jury found that the former PBS host breached a morals clause and ruled in favor of PBS. In 2017, Smiley was suspended following a series of sexual misconduct allegations. At trial, PBS invited half a dozen women to testify. Each claimed that they were pressured into relationships or had become victims of unwanted advances by the former late-night talk show host. Smiley argued that the relationships were consensual and rebutted that the company leaked the news to tarnish his image. However, his misbehavior, ultimately, violated conduct agreements in his contract. In a statement about the verdict, PBS said: “We are pleased with the jury’s decision. PBS expects our producing partners to provide a workplace where people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect. It was important for us to ensure that the courageous women who came forward were able to share their stories...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™ and will not impact the outcome of the events. TikTok has been the center of controversy, due to national security concerns, since 2020, when President Donald Trump first attempted to ban the app in the U.S. Former President Joe Biden continued to push forward with a ban, passing a mandate with overwhelming congressional support to force TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, to sell to a U.S. company or be banned in the U.S. After several lawsuits and attempts to reverse the decision, the app chose to go dark right before Trump was inaugurated. Since then, Trump has signed an executive order to delay the ban by 75 days , providing a reprieve for TikTok and millions of its U.S. users and more time to sell the app to an American company. Now, time is almost up as the app is at risk again of being banned on April 5 . The Trump administration has stated that it is in talks with several...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The meaning of words changes over time and often shifts based on who is using them and why. One example that comes to mind is the word “Woke.” In the context of social justice, “woke” was used as early as the 1920s by Marcus Garvey in his article “Wake Up Ethiopia! Wake Up Africa!” where he urged Black people to become more politically and socially aware. The phrase “Stay Woke,” which we are more familiar with, became widely known during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Originally intended to promote social and political awareness among Black people, the term has since been co-opted by others as a negative label. Today, “woke” is often used in a derogatory way to criticize liberal ideologies or actions. “Woke” isn’t the only term that has undergone a shift in meaning. The phrase Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), which traces its origins back to affirmative action , has also evolved. When...
Issa Rae refers to Sienna Naturals’ expansion with Sephora as a “dream come true.” Rae co-founded the award-winning hair care brand Sienna Naturals, which was first envisioned by Hannah Diop in 2012. Diop, reflecting on her own challenges in finding hair products that met her needs, recalls how clarifying shampoos fell short in restoring her hair’s health during her time on the swim team. This firsthand experience played a pivotal role in shaping Sienna Naturals, a brand founded on a proprietary clean chemistry approach that prioritizes scalp health , according t o the brand’s website. The haircare line is powered by hydrating, abiotic, pH-balanced ingredients (H.A.P.I.). “The first impression I want people to have when they use Sienna Naturals is how beautiful their hair is. So that wet-feel design is very intentional,” Diop told AFROTECH™. Photo Credit: Sienna Naturals When Rae discovered Sienna Naturals, she was in the process of learning how to best care for her natural hair...
Venture firm Ulu Ventures has raised $208 million to support diverse founders. WSJ Pro reports that the VC firm founded by Miriam Rivera and her husband, Clint Korver, has invested in companies where 80% have a white co-founder. However, an equal 80% share also has at least one founder who is an immigrant, a woman, or from a minority group. Since its inception in 2008, this initiative has supported 250 startups , leveraging a data-driven approach to minimize cognitive bias and foster inclusive investment across all demographics. “Venture capital has so many decision-making problems when it comes to bias, diversity, disdain for data and analytics, hubris, misapplication of pattern-matching, and so on, that we feel like the one-eyed VCs in the land of the blind,” Korver told the outlet. The couple acknowledges a shift due to the changing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) landscape. Major companies are throwing in the towel and dismantling DEI commitments, with some erasing...
What wasn’t clear before is crystal clear now: Disney has made its move. For years, the “House of Mouse” danced around the edges of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations — sometimes boldly stepping in, other times retreating into the shadows when the heat got too intense. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, Disney maintained an ambiguous stance on DEI, especially as other corporate giants began rolling back their diversity commitments. But that fog has lifted. Now, people know exactly where Disney stands in the thick of America’s ongoing cultural tug-of-war. Disney’s Shift Toward Business-Driven DEI Initiatives In a memo obtained by Axios, Chief H uman Resources Officer Sonia Coleman shared Disney’s new game plan with employees : DEI efforts will no longer be treated as stand-alone social good projects. Instead, they’re being rebranded to focus squarely on driving business outcomes. Translation? Diversity isn’t just about optics anymore — it’s about the bottom...
Deloitte is involved in a domino effect of U.S. corporations scaling back their DEI initiatives. An increasing number of companies are shifting their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts or removing them all together. Google will no longer recognize Black History Month and Pride Month on its calendar, per USA Today, while Disney says it will turn its focus from DEI to business outcomes and values, notes Business Insider. There is a growing push from conservatives such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and President Donald Trump. Per ABC News, Trump’s administration believes “DEI creates and then amplifies prejudicial hostility and exacerbates interpersonal conflict.” However, Christie Smith, former vice president of inclusion and diversity at Apple and C-Suite adviser, told the outlet, “When done right, DEI policies improve employee engagement, reduce turnover, and foster innovation by bringing diverse perspectives to the table. But the impact depends...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Overhyped tech sectors of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence have seen a recent resurgence in the past year. Most of AI’s rise can be attributed to the hype and fear that surrounds its use. If you ask OpenAI CEO Sam Altman his thoughts, he’ll tell you that AI is needed to bring us into the future, but to scientists like Dr. Joy Buolamwini who approaches the use of AI cautiously, its lack of regulation can prove harmful to people of color. Despite doubts about the use of AI technology, it’s become almost ubiquitous in culture. Students have used ChatGPT for essay assignments, workers are using ChatGPT to write emails , and others have suggested using AI to create something as simple as grocery lists and corresponding menus. But even as AI and cryptocurrency continue to experience unprecedented growth, experts predict that AI will reach its peak in 2025 and then burst. Still, a second Donald...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Americans aren’t the only ones prepping for another tedious four years under President-elect Donald Trump. Since the results of the 2024 election projected Donald Trump as the winner, tech leaders from companies like Meta, Amazon, OpenAI, and others have shelled out seven-figure investments to Trump’s inaugural fund. According to CBS News, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has donated $1 million and plans to stream the inauguration on Prime. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, will donate $1 million, along with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who delivered an optimistic statement about the President-elect’s election win. “President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead,” Altman said in a statement, per The Associated Press. Elon Musk, CEO of X, Tesla, and SpaceX, and general pop culture menace has been a lurking presence...
Social Security deductions are one of those topics that don’t really come up until two things happen: 1) our loved ones reach the retirement age where they can apply for benefits, or 2) we grumble about the chunk of money taken out of our (bi)weekly paychecks. With a presidential election happening now, the topic of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has come up more often than not. Specifically, Millennials and Gen Zers are being told that only 75% of the benefits will be covered by 2035, and younger voters want to know how either candidate plans to fix this. For those who are already receiving these benefits, there’s a new discussion on the table: the 2025 Social Security COLA increase. SSI benefits for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5% next year. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase will cover benefits payable to nearly 68 million SSI beneficiaries in January 2025. Additionally, increased payments to nearly 7.5 million SSI recipients...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. “In the Club, we are all family” — does that ring a bell? TikTok has taken the world by storm since its transition from Musical.ly to TikTok following its acquisition by China-based Bytedance in 2017. Whether for dances, skits, or news, TikTok has become the destination for people worldwide to discover content that resonates with them. Although it serves as a platform for entertainment, learning, and creativity, TikTok has also been regarded as a national security risk by governments around the world, including those in India, Europe, and the United States. In India, TikTok and other Chinese-owned companies were banned in 2020. I was working as a team lead on TikTok’s global product operations team during its rise and subsequent ban in India. The ban restricted new downloads of the app, but employees in our India office were free to work on other projects with colleagues who needed extra support...
Vice President Kamala Harris visited a beloved Black-owned restaurant in Atlanta, GA. Harris is currently campaigning after she announced her interest in running to become the next president of the United States. If she succeeds, she will make history as the first Black woman and first South Asian American to do so. Her first campaign stop was in Atlanta, GA, on July 30, 2024. According to PBS station WABE, this was her 15th visit to Georgia and her first as the presumptive Democratic nominee. “The path to the White House runs right through this state,” Harris said in Georgia, per ABC News. “You all helped us win in 2020, and we’re going to do it again in 2024.” While Harris made it her mission to energize Georgia voters, she also did the same for a local Black-owned business. 11Alive mentioned she visited Paschal’s Restaurant in Atlanta, GA. During her visit, she received a warm welcome from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Representative Nikema Williams (D-Georgia), and Democratic...
Our relationship with artificial intelligence (AI) technology has the power to transform human interaction and this professional wants us to use it to our advantage. Tanneasha Gordon has had a first-hand look at how AI has come in to change our relationship with technology as well as how markets and businesses operate at scale. With more than 17 years of advising on privacy, she leads the charge at Deloitte US Data & Digital Trust by building durable ad privacy and compliance solutions along with advising content compliance, data governance, and security. As a go-to leader in times of crisis, Gordon has no issue with the ever-evolving landscape of technology. She helps to direct companies with developing remediation strategies, interpreting requirements, assessing readiness, and a host of other qualities needed to push the needle forward in the space. “As we move from simple AI systems to complex foundational models and usher in AGI – understanding how this technology can benefit...