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Old Navy has joined forces with the Fifteen Percent Pledge to support Black creative entrepreneurs. A press release states that the announcement is under the clothing company’s Project WE — an initiative that highlights T-shirts designed by diverse artists. It marks the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s first product collaboration. What’s more, Old Navy donated $500,000 to the nonprofit. As previously reported by AfroTech, the Fifteen Percent Pledge is a nonprofit that avidly supports Black-owned businesses and founders/entrepreneurs. Within the partnership, it aims “to improve visibility of Black creatives and artists who’ve been impacted by systemic racism.” “Old Navy is proud to amplify and celebrate diverse voices through our Project WE initiative in support of creating a better future for future generations,” said Sarah Holme, executive vice president of design and visual merchandising at Old Navy, according to a press release. “Through our collaboration with the Fifteen Percent Pledge...
To support minority researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Purdue University, the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (0NR), and a coalition of other schools have launched the Blue Integrated Partnerships. A Pew Research study supports data that minorities are underrepresented in STEM citing limited access to quality education, discriminatory hiring and promotion practices — and a lack of support to thrive in the field. Many Black and brown students may be less inclined to complete their studies due to not having equal opportunities like their white counterparts. “We call this a quiet crisis,” said L uciano Castillo , Purdue’s Kenninger Professor of Renewable Energy and Power Systems in Mechanical Engineering , the program’s principal investigator, according to a press release from Purdue University. “It’s not just a matter of trying to raise numbers. Minority students feel that they don’t have the tools to succeed in science and engineering...
This Black woman is making history one motorcycle ride at a time! According to 10 Wavy News , Shekelia Bussey is the operator and owner of Moto Mob Riding Academy in Franklin, Virginia — this makes the academy the first-of-its-kind owned by a Black woman in the state. Bussey first started riding motorcycles in 2007 following a class at Harley Davidson in Portsmouth, Virginia, and ultimately had the opportunity to journey cross country twice. In 2017, she quit her government contracting position to become a motorcycle instructor for the United States Navy. “[I’ve traveled] about 16,000 miles, solo, by myself. Motorcycling to me…it’s my passion. It is what drives me forward,” said Bussey in an interview. “Very few people get to get up every day and do what they love to do, but I’m one of them. This has been a labor of love for me.” During her time as an instructor, she acquired a fleet of 17 motorcycles which ultimately led her to branch out on her own to teach classes. She now...
More of this, please! Old Navy just announced the launch of Project WE — a collection of graphic tees designed by various multicultural artists. View this post on Instagram A post shared by oldnavy (@oldnavy) In an effort to imagine a more inclusive world through art, the WE tees honor cultural moments and movements that include Black History Month, Juneteenth, International Women’s Day, and more! To continue the celebration, the retailer will donate $1 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support youth arts programs all over the country. “Project WE is an artists’ collaboration with a mission,” said Old Navy’s Executive Vice President of Design, Sarah Holme, in a press statement. “We wanted to give these incredible artists a canvas to share their visions, and we hope the works will inspire and spark conversation with our community.” This month, in honor of Black History Month, artist Reyna Noriega kicks off Project WE with a special edition tee design. “I let my own...
Each day, Black women continue to make history. According to a Twitter user, @PaigeAlissa, Lieutenant Junior Grade Madeline Swegle recently became the first Black female tactical jet pilot in the United States Navy. “Just my best friend making history,” she tweeted , captioning two photos of Swegle. Just my best friend making history pic.twitter.com/k0qG8kaZTr — friendly black hottie (@paigealissa) July 7, 2020 Tire Meets Road reports that Reddit sleuth ZugZugWorkWorkDabu confirmed Swegle’s achievement, deciphering that her Navy O-2 rank is equivalent to First Lieutenant in the Army, Air Force , and Marines. Also, they added: “I can confirm she had her last flight today in Kingsville with VT-21 doing SEM (Section Engaged Manuevering.) She CQ’d (Carrier Qualified) a few months ago. So this is a legit person and photo. She is wearing her soft wings in this photo, signifying that she completed her undergraduate pilot training – she will be officially winged on some other day. After...
Issa Rae proudly represents her home state as a powerhouse actress, producer, and entrepreneur. The Los Angeles, CA, native, well known for her rise from “ Awkward Black Girl” to “Insecure” continues to stretch herself in new ways. “ One of Them Days,” featuring SZA and Keke Palme r, made its way to the big screen in 2025, marking Rae’s first feature film released under her production company, Hoorae. According to Variety and Collider, the film made $22.2 million after its first two weekends, including the extended Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Issa Rae (@issarae) Just a few months earlier, Rae made a new dent in the hospitality space, opening Somerville in South Los Angeles, a restaurant offering a “progressive American dining experience.” This marked her second food and drinks venture, as she had expanded Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen to the city in 2023, per Forbes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Issa Rae (@issarae) Rae has...
Daniel Penny has joined the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) in a move some critics view as a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hire. David Ulevitch, a general partner at the top Silicon Valley investment firm, confirmed Penny’s hiring in an internal statement to The Free Press. He stated that Penny will “learn the business of investing and he will work to support our portfolio companies.” “We believe in Daniel and are excited to have him as part of our team,” Ulevitch said, per The Free Press. There has been criticism regarding Penny’s qualifications, with some perceiving his appointment as a political move after he avoided a 20-year prison sentence for the death of a homeless man. Following his acquittal last year, he was seen attending the Army vs. Navy football game as a guest of then-President-Elect Donald Trump. For this reason, the new hire may be painted as a public relations tactic for a16z rather than a hire based on merit, since Penny has no investing...
Entrepreneur and graphic designer Danielle Coke Balfour is pulling her products from Target shelves. Oh Happy Dani, a social media brand and online store that uses art to encourage advocacy, grew from designs Balfour started creating in February 2020 for Black History Month, according to her website. By that summer the illustrated infographics had found a larger audience for its digestible advocacy ideas around racism and equity . Today the business features a lineup of products that includes journals, cups, a workbook, and stickers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Danielle Coke Balfour (@ohhappydani) Over the years, Balfour has been able to land countless collaborations with brands such as Coach, Old Navy, Adobe, Home Depot, TOMS, and more. She had also scored a partnership with Target but has recently decided to take a step away from the major retailer after it pulled back from its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. As CNBC notes, Target put an end to...
Tish Archie-Oliver, Tamesha Hoppie-Henry For decades, Gap Inc.’s iconic American brands—Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta—haven’t just reflected culture; they’ve shaped it. From inspiring authentic self-expression through fashion to marketing that celebrates humanity and its diverse stories, the company has consistently sought to bridge divides. Gap Inc.’s approach to inclusion and belonging is proving that its purpose—“bridging gaps to create a better world”—extends far beyond fashion. At the heart of this movement is Tish Archie-Oliver, Gap Inc.’s Chief Inclusion & Belonging Officer, who describes the company’s commitment to inclusion not as a surface-level initiative, but as the fabric of Gap Inc.’s business, legacy and culture today. Tish joined Gap Inc. in August, wanting to approach her work from a global, more holistic perspective at an organization that has been committed to this journey since its inception. During the hiring process, conversations with senior...
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) need money to continue to bring quality education to their students. Fortunately, well-known companies are donating to these programs that serve Black students, non-Black students of color and white students. Among these HBCU industry supporters are Boeing , Northrop Grumman Corporation , IBM , Microsoft Corporation and General Motors . Government and nonprofit HBCU supporters include NASA , the Air Force , the Army Corps. , the Navy and the U.S. Department of Defense . And while all HBCU programs are significant, there’s a particularly notable number of doctors who come from HBCUs. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that, in 2021-22, 61% of the 3,000 doctor’s degrees were awarded by HBCUs. Here’s our list of companies that support HBCU medical undergrad programs. UMG Supports HBCU Medical Programs Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with HBCUs to further open the pipeline of Black medical practitioners....
Keyeriah Miles walked away from a career in fintech to empower women golfers. Inception Keyeriah currently leads Ladies Who Golf, a company created alongside her mother, Lashonda. An interest in sports had always been ingrained in the family. In fact, Keyeriah had been playing golf for the past four years, and her brother was involved in golf, track, and football, while Lashonda had launched an adult softball team in the early 2000s alongside her sister, called Lady Majestics. “We had that team probably for about maybe about six years… but the other funny thing was our colors. My initial colors for that softball team was green, navy blue and white, which is now the exact same colors for Ladies Who Golf,” Lashonda told AFROTECH™ in an interview. Keyeriah added, “And we didn’t realize that until after we implemented the blue, and she was like, ‘These are Lady Majestics’ colors.’ I completely forgot that she even had that team, and it didn’t ring a bell until we implemented the blue…...
Ventris C. Gibson is upholding the legacy of Harriet Tubman while stepping into a significant and historic role. Career Journey Born in Roseland, VA, but raised in Washington DC to parents with six children, Gibson showed great ambition early on. Upon graduating from high school, she enlisted in the Navy and worked as a traffic controller. However, she did look to pivot briefly into journalism due to her strong interest, but that did not pan out because school had a two-year waitlist. She remained with the Navy working in air traffic control, and upon completing her service she hoped to secure a role with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “At that time, President Carter had imposed a freeze on hiring federally. Thus, I went to VA (Veterans Affairs) to see what my benefits were as a veteran, and they pretty much asked me if I wanted a job because I was an African-American, female, Vietnam-era veteran. I said, ‘Sure,’ while I was waiting for FAA to call,” Gibson told...
When it comes to job interviews , your appearance plays a crucial role in making a great first impression . From your outfit to your grooming, every detail matters, including your choice of footwear. The right pair of shoes can help you feel confident, comfortable, and polished during your interview, helping you make a stellar impression from head to toe by showcasing your professionalism and attention to detail. One question that often arises is whether it’s appropriate to wear open-toed heels to an interview, or if it could somehow lend a bad first impression. Let’s deep dive into the debate and explore the best practices for selecting interview shoes. The Debate On Open-Toed Heels The general consensus among career experts is that open-toed heels are not the best choice for job interviews. Interviews are formal occasions where you want to present a polished, professional image. Open-toed shoes, no matter how stylish, can be perceived as too casual or informal for such settings....
Balancing work and personal life is a universal aspiration in the changing workforce across industries. From watching the daily routines of influencers or the rise of remote work, how our jobs are viewed worldwide has significantly shifted in the last few years. Yet Japan , renowned for its unique cultural nuances, offers a distinct perspective on leadership and workplace culture. A deeper exploration reveals that these cultural subtleties within their country play a pivotal role in shaping professional relationships. Dedication Beyond Boundaries Japanese professionals embody an unwavering work ethic and organizational commitment. Punctuality and dedication are highly valued, often leading to extended working hours as a sign of devotion deeply embedded in their culture. In the U.S., many job seekers prioritize work-life balance and personal time for family and social connections. This creates a distinct contrast in values compared to their Japanese counterparts. Dress Code In The...