Business

A collection of 40 posts

Sky Is Black

Our Money Now

Journalist Tage Kene-Okafor dishes the latest info on the African fintech scene. | Via TechCrunch / "Africa’s tech ecosystem just got a boost of attention, with South Africa’s TymeBank and Nigeria’s Moniepoint both raising funds in recent weeks at valuations of over $1 billion and joining the coveted

Sky Is Black

The First Fruits of Our Spirit | SKY IS BLACK - Episode #71

It's time for more of us to both practice and promote Kwanzaa. Let the light shine. | In this episode, Anton and BC discuss what makes Kwanzaa so special, and why they are focused, more than ever, on the things that matter most. To learn more about the Mocktail

Sky Is Black

SKY IS BLACK - Episode #69

In this extended YouTube edition, BC and Anton discuss their favorite Olympic moments, Season One of the Netflix series, Supacell, and how far they’re willing to go to support Black businesses. You be the judge.

Sky Is Black

SKY IS BLACK - Episode #68

In this episode, Anton and BC discuss the recent Octavia Butler symposium, the Black-owned water bottle company, SUPLMNT, and why the care of beautiful Black skin must be taken seriously.

Sky Is Black

SKY IS BLACK - Episode #66

Anton and BC discuss the Apple TV+ series, Foundation, the Black-owned, sustainable paper company, REEL, and the controversial Netflix reboot of the beloved sitcom, Good Times. "Aint we lucky we got 'em..."

Sky Is Black

SKY IS GRAY

And Walker, Serrao, and Livingston. | In this episode, Anton and BC try pastry snacks made by the Black-owned company, GHETTO GASTRO, discuss Pan-African children's books developed and published by Black-owned company, ADA-ARI, and continue their review of the Disney+ animated series, IWAJU, produced by Black-owned animation company, KUGALI

Money Moves

Ujamaa Road: SUBSCRIPTION BOXES

What began as a spinoff podcast has now become a mission. Join us as we seek to make Ujamaa a fixed practice in our lives, and hopefully yours, too. **Be sure to check back here weekly for new updates and additions! BLACK-OWNED SUBSCRIPTION BOXES   Want an easy way to discover

Sky Is Black

SKY IS BLACK - Episode #52

BC and Anton discuss the AI-inspired movie, The Creator, Michelle Obama’s new beverage company, PLEZI, and the historic, visionary exhibition from architect Lesley Lokko. **Comments from Lesley Lokko were produced by ArchDaily. You can follow ArchDaily on Twitter @ArchDaily, and learn more at www.archdaily.com.

Sky Is Black

SKY IS BLACK - Episode #51

In this episode, Anton and BC discuss Elon Musk’s “truth” GPT, Black-owned AI companies, and the African Union’s 40-year roadmap to a new African renaissance. *Remarks are from MarketForce CEO and co-founder, Tesh Mbaabu, in conversation with NALA founder, Benjamin Fernandes, and LELAPA co-founders, Jade Abbott and Pelonomi

Money Moves

The SKY IS BLACK Conversation Menu: Money Moves

Black folks, all around the world, need to secure the bag. Here are some of the resources we'll discuss as we look to make this happen. Let's do it. How to Set Financial Goals for Your FutureTo live comfortably now and in retirement, setting financial goals

Sky Is Black Featured

The SKY IS BLACK Conversation Menu: Agenda 2063.

In Season 2 of SKY IS BLACK, we fix our minds and hearts on the aspriations animating the African Union's Agenda 2063. All things considered, the Africa we want is the Africa we need. We've got this... |

Sky Is Black

SKY IS BLACK - Episode #48

Anton and BC discuss the Apple TV+ film, The Banker, the Black-owned company, ⁠Happy Hues⁠, and the possibility of a more promising AI-enabled future.

Sky Is Black

SKY IS BLACK - Episode #46

Anton and BC discuss their conversation with Timnit Gebru, the Black Pot Supper Club, and the presence and impact of pareidolia in AI.

Money Moves

Black Founders to Watch

The team at Pitchbook offers 82 men and women we should defintely keep our eyes on. | From Kelly Knickerbocker via Pitchbook / "For years, venture capitalists have faced mounting pressure to diversify their portfolio companies and investment teams with Black people, other people of color, and women. In 2020, the

Money Moves

Africa Accelerated

Event: March 24-25, 2023 |The Harvard Business School Africa Business Conference is the largest student-run African conference in the world today. Held annually over the past 24 years, the conference hosts leaders and experts on Africa to discuss the state of and opportunities across the continent. From Africa Accelerated / "

Art

Find "Good" Art

Founded by Phillip Michael Collins, Good Black Art is a collector support network dedicated to breaking down the barriers to art collection. | From Good Black Art / Phillip’s practice as an art collector developed from his position as a self-proclaimed outsider. In his struggle with the exclusionary nature of systemic

Pan-African Food Festival

Heritage Ice Cream

South African ice cream artist, Tapiwa Guzha, is putting culture on ice. | From Tapi Tapi / "Food is often a source of othering and has been used as a way to corrupt a people's sense of identity and self worth. Our paramount mission is to heal and nurture

Money Moves

Still Number One. Percent.

African-American founders continue to receive venture capital scraps. From Dominic-Madori Davis via TechCrunch / "The latest Crunchbase data shows that Black startup founders in the United States raised around $264 million out of the total $33.6 billion in venture capital allocated in Q4 2022. That’s an uptick from

Money Moves

Not What It Seems?

Understanding the African startup scene requires going beyond the numbers. | From Samuel Gebre via Bloomberg / "African startups raised a record $5.3 billion last year, though that may be the high-water mark as a deepening slump in the technology industry reduces the funding pool. While investment in 2022 exceeded

Sky Is Black

Storybook Beginnings

Squid Magazine co-founder, Kofi Sydney Asare, identifies some great tales and games for us to look forward to... | From Squid Magazine / "2023 is shaping up to be an amazing year for African creative projects! In the face of challenges like the global economic downturn last year, and spurred on

Money Moves

Africa in 10 Years?

The team at Renew Capital has some thoughts about this. | Renew Capital - The 2022 Report Renew Capital - The 2022 Report.pdf 3 MB download-circle

Ujamaa

YEAR OF UJAMAA - Episode #6

Anton and BC visit My Place Cafe in Pasadena, CA, and reflect on the first year of Year of Ujamaa. 110 all the way... | *Note: In this episode, BC inadvertantly identified Blk&Bold Coffee as Blk&Gold Coffee. Clearly a moment of OYOU-VAC. Another cup, please... :)

Money Moves

$100 Million Dollar Men

UrbanGeekz introduces us to the African American men leading venture capital firms managing over nine figures. | From Zara Shepherd-Brierly via UrbanGeekz / Less than 1% of venture capital-backed founders are African American, and the stats are similarly dire when we look at those calling the shots within the VC industry.  A

Pan-African Food Festival

PAN-AFRICAN FOOD FEST #4

Sisters Jocelyn and Jaela Salala are on a mission to change the food scene. Jocelyn is the visionary behind the bold food blog, Salala Stirs the Pot, and Jaela is the force and spirit propelling Chef Keith Corbin’s Alta Adams Wine Shop.

Sky Is Black

YEAR OF UJAMAA - Episode #5

Anton and BC discuss the ancient, super grain fonio, the tasty collaboration between A Dozen Cousins and Marvel Studios, and where to buy toilet paper, paper towels, and toothpaste from Black-owned companies. Keeping it 220.