Sequoia Capital’s chief operating officer, Sumaiya Balbale, stepped down from her role after partner Shaun Maguire made comments she considered Islamophobic, the Financial Times reports. In July, Maguire posted comments on X about New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, stating he “comes from a culture that lies about everything. It’s literally a virtue to lie […] The post Sequoia COO Resigns After VC Firm Failed To Address Islamophobia appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories ...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer at the Bank of England, has been named as the most influential Black person in the UK. The annual list, conducted by Powerlist, highlights the most powerful people of African, African-Caribbean, and African-American heritage. As CFO, Kyei leads financial governance of the £1 trillion balance sheet, funding reforms, and upgrades […] The post Bank Of England CFO, Steven Bartlett, And Emma Grede Among Most Influential Black Brits appeared first on POCIT. Tel...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Trying to get your foot in the door in the corporate world as a Black woman isn’t easy. This becomes way more difficult when you’re also disabled. The employment rate for people with disabilities in the US reached 22.5% in 2023; the tech sector appears to have a lower rate. A survey of the global AWS […] The post Meet The Blind CEO Who Is Helping Companies Become More Inclusive appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
A hair-braiding robot invented by a startup has won a Harvard Innovation Labs competition. Harvard Business School inventors Yinka Ogunbiyi and David Afolabi, the creators of Halo Braid, aim to halve braiding time. With their innovative braiding robot, they hope to help both braiders and clients save time and money, making the process faster and […] The post Harvard Graduate’s Hair-Braiding Robot Takes Top Prize In Startup Competition appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoug...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Fawn and Keith Weaver, the founders of the Uncle Nearest whiskey brand, are opposing efforts to add more of their businesses that are already placed under judicial control. Nearest Green Distillery and the flagship Uncle Nearest whiskey brand have been under a receiver’s management since September, after lender Farm Credit Mid-America claimed the Weavers defaulted […] The post Uncle Nearest Founders Push Back as Court Seeks Greater Control in Receivership Fight appeared first on POCIT. Te...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
The reality for Black female founders in the UK is far from easy. 0.02% of venture capital in the UK went to Black female founders between 2009 and 2019. Over a third (37%) of Black female business owners reported making no profit in 2019 compared to 16% of White male business owners. The statistics are […] The post Inside the Vamp Power Brunch Empowering Black Women to Build, Lead, and Win appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Women make up 47% of STEM graduates in Africa, according to a recent McKinsey study —a higher share than in Europe (42%), Asia (41%), and South America (41%). Additionally, in sub-Saharan Africa, as much as 30% of roles in STEM sectors are held by women. However, less than 20% of top tech roles are held […] The post Africa Leads The World In Female STEM Graduates, Yet Few Hold Top Tech Roles appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Social media star Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johsnon, who went viral after posting her Who TF Did I Marry? series on TikTok, Johnson has signed a book deal. Storehouse Voices, an imprint within the Crown Publishing Group, acquired the book, which is titled What (TF) Do I Do Now? Not Just a Memoir, It’s a Survival […] The post Viral TikTok Creator Reesa Teesa Signs Book Deal appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Coaching and digital education company Career Love LLC is launching a free Career Love Community, a digital space helping Black women who have been laid off from their jobs. Founded by career coach and DEI Mercedes Swan, the initiative aims to provide a space where Black women can access resources, network, and support after experiencing […] The post This Founder Is Launching A Digital Space To Help Black Women Navigate Job Loss appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of t...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Tanya Morris, founder of Mom Your Business (MYB), is teaming up with Baltimore-based EcoMap Technologies to launch Foundery PHL, as reported by Technical.ly. The platform will help founders access the necessary tools needed to expand their businesses. Foundery PHL will host organizations like Enterprise Center, Startup Leader, and Women’s Opportunities Resource Center, providing resources and support for entreprenuers. Black women-led Businesses […] The post Founder Launches Platfor...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Black women only make up 0.7% of the UK’s technology workforce, according to the Tech Talent Charter Diversity in Tech Report 2023. With statistics being that low, it’s hard for Black women to believe that they can make space in an industry where they are often not seen. Nevertheless, Black women in tech do exist, and many […] The post This Is Why Some Black Women Are Leaving The Tech Industry appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
On Friday, October 9, Black Tech Fest (BTF) hosted its fifth annual festival, which brings tech professionals, creatives, and academics. BTF hosts a range of workshops and talks by some of the biggest names in the tech and creative industry. For the first time since its existence, the UK government declined BTF’s invitation to speak […] The post UK Government Declined To Speak At Black Tech Fest For The First Time appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepre...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Pinky Cole Hayes has announced that Slutty Vegan is welcoming people to become franchisees of the company. Once a business becomes a franchise, it allows other people to sell goods through a licensing relationship. It also grants rights from one party to another. The new move will allow the business to expand. Cole hired former […] The post Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole Bought Back Her Company, Now She’s Inviting Others To Grow It With Her appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories an...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Uncle Nearest whisky company remains viable and should continue operating, according to the first quarterly report filed by a court-appointed receiver. “The Company has significant value and can be reorganized, as a going concern,” he wrote, emphasizing that a fire-sale liquidation is unnecessary. The lawsuit against Uncle Nearest The Black-owned brand was in dire straits, […] The post Black Woman-Owned Uncle Nearest Is Viable And Has “Significant Value,” Report Says appeared first ...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Two Black-owned health and wellness startups are teaming up to close the gap in menopause care for Black women. Black Girl Vitamins, a Chicago-based wellness brand, and Jayla Health, a hormonal health telehealth startup, are collaborating to offer free virtual consultations for menopause and perimenopause to Black women in New York, California, and Florida. The […] The post Two Black Women–Owned Startups Team Up On Free Telehealth Initiative To Improve Menopause Care appeared first on POC...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Tabitha Brown says her business has taken a “major hit” following boycotts of Target earlier this year. The backlash came after Target announced in January 2025 that it would end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including programs supporting Black- and minority-owned brands. Brown, who sold home décor and hair care lines through the […] The post Tabitha Brown Says Business Took ‘Major Hit’ After Target DEI Rollback Boycotts appeared first on POCIT. Telling th...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
The Root, an online news and media website, will be owned by a Black woman for the first time. Democratic political strategist and CNN commentator, Ashley Allison, announced that she is acquiring The Root from G/O Media, a digital media holding company controlled by a private equity firm. CNN reported that Allison said she will […] The post Democratic Political Strategist Buys The Root, Making It A Black-Owned Publication appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the unde...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
The Fearless Fund has launched a new initiative one year after settling a lawsuit with the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER). The announcement of Fearless Global Initiative was made at an event hosted by The Fearless Fund, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “This is (as) good for the white Kentucky coal miner as it […] The post Fearless Fund Launches New Global Initiative One Year After Anti-DEI Lawsuit appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the u...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Solange Knowles’ Saint Heron has launched a free digital archival library of literature by Black and brown authors, poets, and artists. Readers can borrow rare and out-of-print books for up to 45 days, creating new pathways to access historically significant works. Improving access to Black archives Many historically significant Black material survives only in fragile, […] The post Solange Opens Free Digital Library Of Rare Black Books appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thou...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Dria Ventures has launched its first fund with $8 million to invest in pre-seed and seed-stage startups addressing America’s rising cost crisis. Led by Founder and Managing Partner Megan Maloney, the fund is targeting two sectors where “the math is broken”: healthcare and Main Street productivity. In healthcare, costs now make up nearly 20% of […] The post New $8M Fund Targets Healthcare And Main Street: “The Math Is Broken” appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thought...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Sisters Dr. Jacqueline Philips and Lorraine Phillips have launched Melanin Doctor, the first Black-owned telehealth service dedicated exclusively to Black women. Inspired by their mother’s struggle with diabetes and her life-changing results with GLP-1 medications, the sisters, who are both doctors, created the platform to expand access and care for Black women. Black women face […] The post Sisters Launch First Black-Owned Telehealth Service Designed For Black Women appeared first on POC...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Interested in product management or design? Join us for BUILT DIFFERENT, happening in London on October 2. Spaces are free but limited — RSVP now to secure your spot. Black women in tech are shaping the future of product development, strategy, and innovation across industries—from AI to fintech, media, and retail. They’re not just leading teams; they’re building ecosystems, […] The post 6 Black British Women Product Leaders You Should Know appeared first on POCIT. Telling the st...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Uncle Nearest, a Black-owned Tennessee whiskey brand, may be heading towards bankruptcy as disputes persist over which assets fall under a federal receivership, according to recent court filings reviewed by the Lexington Herald-Leader. The development came from a lawsuit filed by lender Farm Credit Mid-America, which claims Uncle Nearest, Nearest Green Distillery, and its founders, Keith […] The post Black Woman-Owned Uncle Nearest Whiskey, Once Worth $1.1B, Could Now Be At Risk Of Bankrup...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
We know that there aren’t enough Latina women in tech. They make up just 1.7% of women in the industry, hold less than 1% of leadership roles in Silicon Valley, and earn under half of what white, non-Hispanic men make. Many leave within a year, citing poor working conditions. When you look at these statistics, […] The post From Twitch To Netflix: Meet Two Latinas Taking Up Space In Tech appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Women-led startups continue to attract only a small portion of investment in Africa’s tech ecosystem. So far in 2025, male-led startups in Africa have received 75% of all funding raised. This leaves the remainder shared between women-led and mixed gender teams, according to the latest Africa Venture Pulse report by Briter, a research and business intelligence […] The post African Startups Raised $2B So Far This Year, Just 10% Went To Teams With A Female Founder appeared first on POCIT. T...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Ariel Alternatives has acquired Groome Industrial Service Group, a provider of industrial cleaning and maintenance solutions. JPMorgan Chase & Co. joined the deal with a minority stake through its asset management division. Founded by business leader Mellody Hobson, Ariel Alternatives is the private equity arm of Ariel Investments, one of the largest Black-owned money managers […] The post Black-Owned Investment Firm Buys Industrial Services Provider As Energy Demand Soars appeared first on...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
The current job market for Black women in the US is bleak. More than 300,000 Black women have exited the workforce in just a matter of months. 518,00 Black women have not returned to the labor force since the pandemic started, meaning their real unemployment rate is over 10%, according to gender economist Katica Roy’s […] The post How Black Women Can Protect Their Careers Amid Rising Unemployment appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Nearly 300,000 Black women left the workforce in just three months, according to gender economist Katica Roy’s analysis of federal data published in MSNBC. Black women were the only major female demographic to see significant job losses in the five-month period between February and July, with 319,000 leaving the workforce, The New York Times reports. […] The post Congresswoman Urges Federal Action After 300,000 Black Women Exit Workforce In Just 3 Months appeared first on POCIT. Telling t...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Amid rising unemployment rates for Black women, many with disabilities are seeking self-employment, according to a new study from Georgia State University and Wayne State University. Published in June in the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, the research analyzed US Census Bureau data, including responses from 91 Black women with physical or mental disabilities. […] The post Nearly Half Of Black Women With Disabilities Are Turning To Self-Employment appeared first on POCI...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.
Serena and Venus Williams are launching the Williams Family Excellence Program, a new initiative to support under-resourced communities with academic support, career pathways, and mentorship. Launched in partnership with the USTA Foundation, the program will help young people prepare for their lives both on and off the court. “This initiative stands as a living legacy […] The post Venus And Serena Williams Will Launch An Initiative Helping Young People With Their Career Development appear...| POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech.