Be Nimble Foundation has received a $300,000 grant from Microsoft to launch an upskilling program for Black tech professionals, according to a press release. The foundation is an Indianapolis-based social enterprise helping to build inclusive tech ecosystems. Microsoft awarded Be Nimble Foundation the grant as part of its community skills program, a commitment it made to invest $15 million over three years into 50 nonprofits working to increase skill development and economic opportunities. The program has a focus on accelerating Black-led nonprofits providing digital skills and workforce development to Black communities, a press release states. “Last June, our CEO Satya Nadella committed Microsoft to put its data, technology, and partnerships to work to help improve the lives of Black and African American people across the country,” said Kate Behncken, VP and lead of Microsoft Philanthropies, in a statement. “We’re proud to partner with Be Nimble Foundation, led by and serving Black...

Companies can no longer get away with performative allyship, especially adidas. On Tuesday, following widespread uprisings sparked by the murder of George Floyd , the apparel giant pledged to donate $20 million to investment programs that support Black communities, among other measures, to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, CNN reports . Internally, however, their gesture wasn’t enough. According to FN , last Friday (June 5) a group of 13 staffers at adidas North America formed a coalition to completely restructure the organization in support of its Black team members. Now, the 13-person coalition now represents over 200 employees. In a 32-page deck, titled “Our State of Emergency,” the document lists four major asks: invest in its Black employees, invest in the Black community, invest in the fight for racial justice and change for Black people, and demonstrate accountability. A source close to the situation reports that every Black employee in adidas’ corporate...