Your Favorite POCIT Stories Of 2024

This year, we’ve witnessed the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions with mounting conservative pressure against DEI initiatives across industries—from retail and banking to venture capital and nonprofits.

Amid these challenges, the stories that resonated most with you this year were those of resistance and resilience: stories about Black women securing capital, launching funds, and building unicorn companies.

You loved the stories about employees holding their employers to account—in words and deeds—and the investors, influencers, and innovators raising the bar in their respective fields.

So, here’s a recap of the ten most-read stories on POCIT this year.

10. Microsoft Faces Backlash After DEI Team Layoffs

In July, Microsoft faced backlash after laying off its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team, citing “changing business needs.” A prominent leader from the DEI team emailed employees criticizing the move as undermining DEI’s importance compared to 2020. Months later, Microsoft’s diversity report revealed rising departures among women, Black, and Latine employees. While Google attributed the exits to talent poaching and structural changes, its Chief Diversity Officer also admitted that it must do more to retain diverse talents. Read more.

9. Black Workday Employee Sues After The Company Sent Police To His Home For A ‘Wellness Check’

In October, we reported that Anthony Hill, a Black senior legal counsel at Workday, had sued the company for racial and disability discrimination after it sent police to his home during his medical leave. Hill claimed the company failed to contact him directly after a medical emergency, instead opting for a police “wellness check,” causing emotional harm. To make matters worse, Hill alleged workplace discrimination had contributed to his hospitalization in the first place, and when he returned to work months later, he faced new challenges. Read more.

8. Black Woman-Owned Whiskey Brand Uncle Nearest Is On The Verge Of Unicorn Status

In February, we reported that Uncle Nearest  Premium Whiskey, the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in history, was close to becoming a unicorn. Well, it achieved that coveted status in May with a $1.1 billion valuation. Founder Fawn Weaver steered the brand through an industry where just 0.48% of venture funding goes to Black founders, securing $220 million from individual investors instead of traditional VC or private equity. Her goal: retain ownership and expand. Read more.

7. Student Midwife Creates App To Recognize Conditions On Black And Brown Skin

Ruby Jackson, a 23-year-old student midwife, is developing “Melanatal,” an app to improve recognition of maternal and neonatal conditions on Black and brown skin. Inspired by her placement in a neonatal unit in Ghana, where she noticed jaundice presenting differently on darker skin, Jackson aims to address gaps in medical training. The app seeks to educate clinicians and patients by featuring realistic medical illustrations, reducing race-based health disparities. Read more.

6. GV’s First Black Female And Youngest-Ever Partner Launches New Venture Firm

In May, Terri Burns, 26, GV’s youngest and first Black female partner, announced she was launching Type Capital. At GV, Burns noticed a reliance on market “heat” before funding. With Type Capital, she aims to bypass trends, writing checks independently to support founders early and foster genuine innovation before they gain mainstream VC attention. Her initial focus is pre-seed and seed investments, particularly in digital consumer platforms, developer tools, and AI, with a special interest in Gen Z founders. Read more.

5. Mark Cuban And Emma Grede Invest $150K In Black Woman’s Innovative Tool For Textured Hair

Richualist founder Dawn Myers secured funding from Mark Cuban and Emma Grede on ABC’s Shark Tank for The Mint, her innovative hair tool for textured hair. The Mint detangles, conditions, and styles using heated liquid products for better results, simplifying the often complex styling process. Myers, who previously sold her home and liquidated savings to fund the product, accepted $150,000 for 15% equity and 5% advisory shares after impressing Cuban and Grede. Read more.

4. Judge Approves Racism Class Action Lawsuit For 6,000 Black Tesla Workers

In February, Alameda County Superior Court tentatively certified Vaughn et al. v. Tesla, a class action lawsuit alleging pervasive racial harassment at Tesla’s Fremont, California factory since 2016. Initiated in 2017 by Marcus Vaughn, the suit claims the factory was a “hotbed of racist behavior,” with frequent racial slurs and ignored HR complaints. The class action, which has since been fully certified, is expected to impact the nearly 6,000 Black people who worked at the Fremont factory from November 2016. Read more.

3. Deaf Black Employee Jalon Hall Files Discrimination Lawsuit Against Google

Jalon Hall, Google’s only Black Deaf employee, filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination and inadequate support. While Google highlighted Hall in marketing efforts to promote inclusivity, she claims this inclusive portrayal did not align with her lived reality. She claims the company failed to provide promised accommodations such as sign language interpreters and delayed improvements to essential tools. When her three HR complaints went unresolved, Hall decided to take legal action, alleging racism and audism. Read more.

2. This Women-Friendly Rideshare App Just Secured A Historic Contract With The World’s Busiest Airport

In April, HERide, a rideshare platform focused on women’s safety, became the first Black-owned company to secure a contract with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport.  Co-founded in 2019 by Jillian Anderson and DeVynne Starks, HERide conducts thorough background checks on drivers and integrates in-ride security features to ensure passenger safety.  Read more.

1. 50 Cent Launches Second-Largest Black-Owned Production Studio In US

This year, 50 Cent announced the launch of a new G-Unit Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. At 956,000 square feet, G-Unit Studios is the second largest Black-owned production studio behind Tyler Perry Studios. His company, G-Unit Film & Television Inc., houses hits like Power and BMF. The studio’s establishment in Shreveport is set to boost job opportunities and economic growth. Shreveport Mayor Tom Acreneaus even honored 50 by granting him a key to Shreveport and declaring April 18 as 50 Cent Day. Read more.

Read: Here Are POCIT’s Top 10 Articles Of 2023