Blog

By Genet Lakew

We told you a bit about TechConnect in a previous post. A main highlight of the 2-day gathering is Demo Day, previously known as the Hackathon for Social Justice. We’ve revamped Demo Day as a chance for early stage startups to pitch their creative solutions to the most pressing issues in our society.   

By Genet Lakew

It’s hard to reminiscence on the 90s without remembering For Us By Us (FUBU), a staple of the era’s fashion and hip-hop landscape. A creation of four childhood friends, FUBU’s transformation into a multimillion dollar empire was no small feat. The group started out small and humble, running a factory out of a house in Queens, New York. Soon enough though, high profile celebrities from LL Cool J and Nas to Mary J. Blige and Diddy were spotted wearing the clothes, contributing to its meteoric rise.

By Genet Lakew

YouTube vloggers. Etsy stores. Instagram shops. 

Thanks to the digital boom, countless people have been able to turn their part-time passions into full-time profits. Think of your favorite entrepreneurs and influencers and how they started or elevated their businesses to the next level.  If you’re ready to make the leap from employee to entrepreneur, we’ve got the perfect event to prep you for the process!

By Genet Lakew

As our 2018 State of Black America shows, Silicon Valley has a serious diversity issue. 

Out of a combined total of 41,000 employees at Google, Facebook, and Twitter, only 758 (1.8%) were Black. This number is not only alarming but must change to reflect America’s changing demographic.

By Genet Lakew

Have you ever been the only one at your job? The only Black person, the only woman, the only Latino, Asian, etc. 

Working at a company with very little diversity can be a difficult experience and while venting about it at brunch with friends can offer temporary relief, you’ll need to equip yourself with expert tips and guidance to thrive in that environment. 

Her iconic clapbacks and sound bites not only make for great memes, but manage to capture many people’s sentiments on a wide range of topics. Angela Rye has become a refreshing, and critically relevant, important voice for the people.

Millions fell in love with Fantasia on the 3rd season of American Idol. Her immense talent and authentic presence captured our hearts, while her relatable struggles and perseverance inspired us.

As we observed, she quickly rose to stardom gifting us with breathtaking hit after hit, including “When I See You,” “Free Yourself,” “Truth Is,” and many more.

Multitalented, she’s topped the music charts, snagged a Grammy and spread her wings into acting into both TV (The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale) and Broadway (The Color Purple).

Black women have always shaped social and political change in this country.  Today’s change agents have the power of technology on their side and they’ve used it for good.

With all the stereotypes we’re fed about the breakdown of the Black family, Black love is an important reminder of the truths that exist in our communities. Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin are a great example of what it takes to build and maintain a solid foundation for success in love and life.
 

Essence magazine has long been a staple in many Black homes. It remains one of the few publications that honors the beauty, power, and contributions of African American women. When we yearn for representation, we can always count on Essence to tell our stories.