Happy Sunday! Whether you're a new subscriber or an existing subscriber, welcome back. Here are a few articles you should check out from this week!
A few months ago, after the inauguration, the new administration started to roll back federal DEI efforts. Subsequently, several companies started to follow suit and remove all the DEI initiative they had started. One of those companies was Target. As a response to this, many called for a boycott of the company to show the effect of holding the Black dollar from companies that seem to not be as culturally aware as they seem. The Target Boycott was started on March 5 and was organized by Rev. Jamal Bryant. For the eighth consecutive week, Target has seen its foot traffic fall. All signs point to the boycott having the intended effects, but there’s no sign they will bring those initiatives back. To be clear, the most effective boycotts we’ve seen have historically lasted much longer than a few weeks. The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted 381 days. The Consumer Boycott in South Africa during apartheid lasted 35 years.
Unrivaled, the 3 v 3 women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart almost broke even in its inaugural season. Over the last year, we’ve seen a rising popularity in women’s basketball which has led to more opportunities for them to make money in the offseason without needing to go overseas, which used to be the norm. Unrivaled offers the highest average salary in women’s professional sports. Gender pay disparity in sports is a pervasive issue, it's possible that independent leagues such as these could be the answer.
According to recent data, less than 1% of Black founders receive funding. This makes Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow raising $3 million in 14 days even more incredible. The Yale University students started their AI-powered networking platform “Series.” Series uses AI to get to know the users deeper, then matches the users with real people based not the data that’s collected. Hailed as the “anti-facebook,” they are aiming to be a play where people form authentic relationships based on values.
Rowhouse Publishing isn’t just a publishing company. They're a mission in motion. Focused on uplifting marginalized voices, Rowhouse has built a powerful catalog of books by Black authors and other underrepresented storytellers. Their work pushes back against an industry that too often sidelines these voices.
Now, they’re raising funds to keep doing what they do best: publishing bold, necessary literature that changes how we see the world.
Alongside Rowhouse is their nonprofit, Little Readers Big Change, dedicated to getting free and affordable books into the hands of young readers, especially those in communities with limited access to books that reflect their lives.
Your support fuels the future of inclusive publishing. Let’s make sure these stories keep reaching the shelves and the souls of readers everywhere.
In this episode of Pause for a Moment, we ask a simple question with a complicated answer: Why are Black designers still underrepresented in luxury fashion? From Virgil Abloh’s historic run at Louis Vuitton to the cultural force of brands like Telfar and Pyer Moss, Black creatives continue to shape the look and language of modern style. But when it comes to leadership in legacy houses, the door remains mostly closed. We’ll explore the barriers, the breakthroughs, and what real inclusion could look like in an industry that thrives on Black culture but rarely centers Black designers. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon!
"The Terminal": Where we navigate the vast sea of information to bring you the essential stops for our global Black audience. As a bustling terminal serves as a gateway to new destinations, our curated content will be your passport to knowledge, empowerment, and connection. Embark on this journey with us as we explore the world from a unique perspective—yours.
Morehouse College became the first HBCU to win a national boxing tournament.
Grammy award-winning South African singer, Tyla, became the face of jewelry company Pandora.
April 10 has been designated as Ayo Edibiri Day in Boston.
The first poster for “Him” starring Marlon Wayans and produced by Jorda Peele has been released.
The initial reviews for Ryan Cooler’s “Sinners” have been overwhelmingly positive. Check out a video below of Ryan Coogler explaining aspect ratios.
Conversations this week
Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman sits down for a rare interview with the New York Times.
Grammy award-winning producer, Jermaine Dupri, has a conversation on the RnB Money podcast about his career.
Check out our Malindi Press Play playlist that’s updated weekly!
Song of the Week: “Won’t Make It” by Amaka feat. Josh Dillon (Canada)
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