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CocoLife has been awarded a $100,000 grant from CVS Health to improve Black maternal health outcomes. CocoLife — a nonprofit founded by Alexia Omega Doumbouya in July 2019 — offers support through maternal health groups, one-on-one doula visits, and 24/7 doula assistance for mothers until they are 12 weeks postpartum, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. The need to support women in maternal health was inspired by a lived experience. According to The Philadelphia Citizen, Doumbouya had difficulties following the birth of her daughter in 2011, leading her to experience severe postpartum depression, psychosis, and anxiety. “I had this baby, and six weeks later I was expected to go back to work. And I just kept thinking How am I supposed to do this,” she explained, per the outlet. As time went on, she recognized other women had also faced challenges in their pregnancy journeys. This prompted her to become a trained certified doula prior to kickstarting CocoLife, which began...
Hello Alice can continue on its mission to support small businesses. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the company, created by Elizabeth Gore and Carolyn Rodz, was named in a class action lawsuit for awarding up to $25,000 in grants to 10 Black-owned businesses in partnership with Progressive Insurance Co. They were sued by Nathan Roberts, who owns an Ohio-based trucking dispatch company and claims he didn’t know Progressive Insurance’s Driving Small Business Forward fund was exclusively for Black-owned businesses. Progressive Preferred Insurance Co., Progressive Casualty Insurance Co., and Circular Board LLC — which operates Hello Alice — are listed as defendants in the lawsuit filed by America First Legal, Mitchell Law PLLC, and Ashbrook Byrne Kresge LLC. Now, a resolution has been reached. According to a news release, the case has been dismissed by a federal judge in Ohio. “This resolution marks a pivotal moment not only for our company but for the broader small business...
Beyoncé’s Cécred is looking to make an impact outside of just the haircare industry. As previously shared by AFROTECH™, the technology-backed company launched in February 2024. Testing was a big proponent in bringing the haircare line that’s “validated by science” to life. “Every hair texture deserves testing, research and development,” Beyoncé told Essence for its March/April 2024 cover story. “Black women in general are the last to be included in testing. We are often prescribed things based on studies we were not included in. It’s bigger than me, or hair. Now we have created something that celebrates healthy hair for all women, including us. I’m always honored to invest in us.” Within the same month of Cécred’s launch, BeyGood, Beyoncé’s public charity foundation, announced its Cécred x BeyGood Fund. According to its website, the annual $500,000 fund was created to give back to professional hairstylists for the impactful work they bring to their respective communities. “Fostering...
A new move made by a group of education officials in North Carolina has the power to do a state-wide sweep of programs committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at public universities. According to The News & Observer, the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors’ University Governance Committee has approved “a policy that repeals the university system’s existing policy and regulation on diversity and inclusion.” The move will reportedly disband laws in place requiring all 17 public campuses within the state of North Carolina to employ diversity officers as well as drive efforts toward a common goal of fulfilling diversity-related measures. A University of North Carolina System Board of Governors committee voted in favor of policy that would eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion jobs at NC public universities. There was no discussion. https://t.co/9xQvXJFFG8 — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 18, 2024 Per the Raleigh, NC-based outlet, the committee held...
Those seeking funding for their small business have the debt-free option of applying for startup business grants or small business grants. These grants are typically awarded by government entities, private organizations or corporations and, unlike loans , are not expected to be paid back. There are incentives for these companies and organizations to award these grants, as the new businesses could create economic growth or support a certain cause/research topic (like social or environmental) that one of these entities is interested in. These grants are highly competitive and have very specific requirements that must be met before they are awarded. Most likely, applicants will need to prepare by verifying the eligibility criteria, funding amount, application deadlines and any restrictions of a grant that their business aligns with. Also, ensuring the applicant’s business is specific enough to the grant’s requirements is very important . Doing so ensures the applicant has a better...
Coalition to Back Black Businesses (CBBB), co-founded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, American Express, and four leading national Black business organizations – announced 491 Black-owned small businesses across 39 states were each awarded a $5,000 grant as part of a multi-year grantmaking and mentorship initiative. The recipients will be eligible to apply for enhancement grants of $25,000, which will be provided to a select number of 2021 grantee recipients in July 2022. The CBBB was formed in September 2020 to address the needs of businesses impacted by the pandemic and support their long-term growth. Since its launch, CBBB has awarded grants to more than 1,000 Black-owned small businesses. “From nationwide supply chain disruptions to worker shortages, Black small business owners are facing new and daunting challenges brought on by the pandemic,” said Carolyn Cawley, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “The strength of our economy depends on the...
The NBA Foundation is working to make impactful strides in the social justice sector for its inaugural year. Just one year after the Milwaukee Bucks held a strike following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the NBA has demonstrated a better understanding of what it means to invest in social-justice-driven philanthropy. In doing so, it’s putting its money where it’s needed most to uplift the next generation of Black leaders. According to an announcement from the NBA, the league’s newly-created foundation celebrated its one-year anniversary last week by distributing $6 million to 22 different organizations who aim to “create employment opportunities, further career advancement and drive economic empowerment for Black youth.” These grant recipients — including Black Girl Ventures — were a part of the foundation’s third round of grant funding to be given out in its first year. As part of its one-year anniversary, the NBA Foundation announced 22 new grants totaling $6 million today to...
This time last year, Black Women Photographers (BWP) was busy launching a global community and database to help Black women get paid for their work. One year later, the platform is celebrating its anniversary with a new fund that’s continuing that mission. Over the last year, founder Polly Irungu has been a vocal advocate encouraging companies to invest in and hire Black women photographers for various projects through her ever-growing digital database. The movement she started disrupted industries in a way that finally made the world wake up to this overlooked group of creatives, but now its revolutionary nature is taking it a step further with a $40,000 grant fund — in partnership with NikonUSA — and an additional $10,000 worth of photography gear. According to Irungu, there will also be an additional $1,250 grant opportunity from Flickr who is also partnering with BWP. “One year ago today, we launched this global community and directory. ? ,” the platform announced on its...
The past year plus in America has been a glaring reminder of the unfair and unequal conditions that exist in this country, especially for Black Americans. In an effort to change that reality, The Highland Project founder Gabrielle Wyatt wants to create the change she hopes to see for women that look like her. Wyatt shares that The Highland Project — a non-profit organization created to help Black leaders support one another and build power — was founded with a mission to cultivate a coalition of Black women who are leading in various institutions and systems to help generate multi-generational wealth. “As Black women, we are tired of performative activism when real and meaningful policies and practices are needed to close the racial wealth gap,” she said in a press release shared with ESSENCE. “Black women do so much for this country, but our contributions are rarely appreciated and certainly don’t always benefit us.” According to her, her non-profit will reverse this truth...
The PSEG Foundation — the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. which prioritizes investments in environment, safety, STEM education & workforce development and diversity & inclusion — has announced plans to provide $1 million in grant funding for three esteemed HBCUs to support STEM education. Recipients of this grant funding are Hampton University, Howard University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. According to a press release, PSEG Foundation aims for these grants to diversify the STEM workforce through each university’s respective programs. As a result, the funding will help generate a talent pipeline of underrepresented students to prepare the next generation of Black STEM leaders to create change in fields like environmental science, sustainability and social justice. “HBCUs have a long history of offering an exceptional educational experience while enriching the lives of Black students and families and providing the resources...
Venture Noire — a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Black and minority entrepreneurs — has just announced that its received a multi-year grant from the Walton Family Foundation for the second year in a row, totaling to $1.3 million. According to a press release, the organization will now be using funds from the grant to power the launch of “In The Black” — a new eight-week cohort program that aims to advance the overall health of Black-owned businesses across consumer technology, healthcare and fintech. In The Black will also be looking to tackle the issue of income inequality through enhanced minority workforce creation and development in an effort to close the racial wealth gap in America. In addition to offering courses within the new program, In The Black will host a showcase for participants to showcase their business ideas to industry leaders and investors in Northwest Arkansas. Moreover, a press release reports that Venture Noire also plans to launch a series of...
As part of its ongoing Black Community Commitment, NIKE, Inc. has found a new partner in the National Urban League (NUL) — alongside Converse and Jordan Brand — where it will donate $1 million to help the organization further its mission to champion Black employment and home ownership. According to an announcement, the NUL has established a strong legacy of helping Black Americans and other underserved communities receive job training, education, workforce development, housing and community development and entrepreneurship to achieve economic independence. “The National Urban League has been championing the elevation of Black lives and empowerment of Black communities for over 110 years,” Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of National Urban League, said in a statement. “With NIKE, Inc.’s investment, we’ll be able to both get more people to work in living wage jobs soon after incarceration and expand homeownership opportunities for Black individuals and families across the United...
In honor of International Women’s Day 2021, Zynga is donating $100,000 to support Girls Who Code. Founded in 2007, Zynga is the developer of social games. According to a press release, the $100,000 comes from the company’s $25 million Social Impact Fund, a fund Zynga launched last summer to invest in educational and charitable causes focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. Girls Who Code is a national nonprofit that supports young girls from third grade and beyond that are interested in pursing careers in technology, specifically in computer science. Nearly 50 percent of the girls that the nonprofit services are Black, Latinx or from low income communities. Girls Who Code will use the $100,000 donation to expand its free clubs and alumni programs and connect young girls to mentors with the support of the Women at Zynga group. “Through their virtual workshops, school clubs, mentorship programs, networking and more, we are hoping to build the next generation of women in STEAM to...
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...
This week, several HBCUs across the nation reportedly received more than $650,000 in grants to help preserve their college campuses as part of a new initiative from the National Trust of Historic Preservation, according to MarketWatch. Funding for these HBCUs arrives as university leaders and colleges continue their fight for additional funding nearly a year into the pandemic, which has threatened the stability of many already underfunded schools. According to Brent Leggs, executive director of the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund — who’s also providing the funds — HBCUs have been historically left behind due to structural racism and a lack of equitable public funding. However, they still remain as valuable assets and cultural landmarks in Black American history. “They stand as a living testament to African American history and the ongoing achievements of highly influential Americans, but they continue to be overlooked and underfunded,” Leggs said in a...