Showing 9 results for:
black-owned-everything
Popular topics
All results
When Tyra Banks announced that she was bringing a tech-friendly theme park focused on modeling to California, the tech world sat up and took notice. As AfroTech reported, ModelLand will be somewhat like a theme park with augmented and virtual reality games and attractions. While ModelLand doesn’t have an opening date yet, according to Variety, it is also set to have food and shopping vendors, making it ideal for visitors of all ages. Despite its name, ModelLand is inclusive— not just for those looking to enter into the fashion scene — its goal is to redefine beauty standards through tech. “I am being very deliberate to make sure this is something families can come to,” Banks said. “I’m not creating this to service people who want to become models or are models.” And that was just the first of many accomplishments by Tyra Banks over the course of a career that first began nearly 30 years ago. Through her boundary-breaking hard work in the modeling industry — which she eventually...
The digital landscape continues to evolve with new innovative ways of marketing, advertising and branding for businesses. While Black business owners’ imitable creativity marks them as trendsetters in their respective markets, lack of access to essential digital tools keeps them a few steps behind when it comes to their businesses’ online presence. To improve that, the Fifteen Percent Pledge and Google Shopping have recently joined forces for a two-year partnership to help place Black entrepreneurs ahead of the curve. The Fifteen Percent Pledge, founded by fashion designer Aurora James in June 2020, is a nonprofit that pushes for major retailers to pledge 15 percent of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. As Google Shopping is committed to Black businesses within its own company mission, the tech giant is now backing the organization in its Business Equity Community — an online, networking platform that will provide Black business owners access to digital tools, training and...
The upcoming launch of Nourish + Bloom Market is about to disrupt traditional grocery stores. In December, the Fayetteville, Georgia-based market, founded by Jamie Michael and Jilea Hemmings, will be the first Black-owned autonomous grocery store in the U.S., according to a press release. The Hemmings started their journey into the food industry after their oldest son was diagnosed with Autism. His diagnosis sparked their belief that everyone deserves to eat healthily, and they’re making it happen one step at a time. Nourish + Bloom Market aims to provide 24/7 access to healthy food, while ensuring a convenient, enjoyable experience. The grocery store will feature frictionless technology for customers to grab their items and pay without waiting in line. Customers just have to scan a QR Code from Nourish + Bloom’s app that connects to their digital wallet. “The future of grocery shopping is exciting,” Hemmings said in a press release. “Technology has transformed the way people shop...
Qurate Retail has a new chief executive officer (CEO). According to The Wall Street Journal, David Rawlinson II is the next CEO of the parent company of QVC and HSN as the online retailer looks to make changes that reflect the ever-evolving habits of consumers. Rawlinson will serve as president and CEO-elect of Qurate Retail, Inc. for a two-month period before taking the role on Oct. 1. Current Qurate CEO Mike George will retire at year-end before Rawlinson steps into his new role. For Rawlinson, the new role is proof that representation matters as Qurate joins other companies who have been working to diversify their boardrooms, executive suites, and workforces following the racial reckoning in the U.S. after the murder of George Floyd. “Representation matters,” said Rawlinson in an interview. “It’s important for every young person to see that their future is limitless.” The 45-year-old says that the job drew his attention thanks to his mother who watched QVC and HSN during his...
You can now add accessories to Ciara’s ever-growing Rolodex of business ventures. The superstar wears many hats. From mother to wife to business-woman, there’s no limit to what the “Level Up” singer can do. According to PR Newswire, with Dare to Roam, she’s providing both adults and children with a new line of accessories that provide peace of mind as the world works to return back to normal. Set to launch on Aug. 11, Dare to Roam products include stylish, functional backpacks, lunch boxes, and pouches, but that’s not all– all items are U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ciara (@ciara) The collection features an EPA-registered antimicrobial texture which adds a layer of protection against harmful bacteria — ultimately stopping the growth of bacteria, fungi, mildew, and mold. Thanks to the antimicrobial shield, which helps to prevent discoloration, odors, and overall deterioration, each accessory requires less...
This woman is building a village for Black entrepreneurs in Atlanta, GA! While e-commerce is taking the world by storm, Dr. Key Hallmon is changing the way we view brick and mortar Black-owned businesses. She is the founder and CEO of The Village Market ATL which was founded in 2016 with a mission to build a community where Black entrepreneurs could thrive. “I think the blueprint is together,” shared Dr. Key on the latest episode of Black Tech Green Money with host Will Lucas. “I don’t think I’ve created something that hasn’t been done and I will tell you in 2016 I wasn’t up against what we’re all facing right now and that’s being forced to be online.” Dr. Key explains that prior to the pandemic she was team, “let’s see each other in person” and encouraged those around her to figure out how to use their best gifts. “My whole thought belief is that you’re more powerful if I join with you and you join with me,” she continued. “Even in this e-commerce space, I think that there are some...
As we look toward the future of retail for Black founders many questions come to mind. What do retailers want? How can they be successful? For founders like Sterling Smith, the answer is simple. “Retailers want freedom,” he tells Will Lucas on the latest episode of the Black Tech Green Money podcast. “Retailers want flexibility and they want the ability to say ‘hey, I’m with Shopify one day but it isn’t allowing me to service my customers in this way, using this third-party integration partner so let me go to BitCommerce. They also want minimum to zero lag time and downtime.” He also explains that retailers also want to be able to not only complete transactions with their customers but also want to be able to leverage the data and own their customer data. “Technologies like Sandbox Commerce allows for growing brands and retailers to do just that in the same way that larger brands snd retailers that you may find in stores like Nordstroms are doing,” continued Smith. View this post...
Thrilling, a Black- & Asian-owned secondhand marketplace, has announced that they’ve raised $8.5 million in a recent Series A funding round. The Series A funding round closed in April 2021 and was led by Prelude Ventures and joined by Defy, Congruent Ventures, Urban Us, Closed Loop, Phoenix Rising, and DLA Piper Venture. The funds raised will be used to bring on key team members and further develop Thrilling’s core technology, which offers innovative tools to support small business owners and a personalized, uniquely enjoyable shopping experience. The online marketplace, which is the latest company to join the growing trend of upcycling fashion, has a number of celebrity fans, including iconic costume designer Mona May and Zerina Akers, Beyoncé’s stylist and the owner/ CEO of Black-Owned Everything. Thrilling has also partnered with Banana Republic to offer a limited-edition capsule that’s inclusive of vintage pieces as part of the brand’s BETTER REPUBLIC sustainability efforts. The...
Sean “Diddy” Combs has never been afraid to be a change-maker in the art world. Now, through his CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka he’s changing the game yet again. “The stories and voices of the people in our community should be celebrated every day of the year, not just one month,” said Combs, in a statement. “Through #CIROCStands, we’re showing everyone the Black excellence that drives our communities.” In the press release announcement, it was revealed that the popular vodka brand has released its latest #CIROCStands collection. This iteration will focus on what they’re calling “disruptive art murals” throughout Atlanta, New York City, and Miami, and they’ll be painted by emerging Black artists. CÎROC will be teaming up with Jordan Watson, better known as “Love Watts,” for this initiative. Watts curated murals that feature depictions of diverse examples of Black excellence such as actress Tiffany Haddish, celebrity chef Richard Ingraham, tailor to the stars Teheran Jones of Exclusive...