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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs continues to empower black entrepreneurs with the launch of ‘Empower Global’

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs continues to empower black entrepreneurs with the launch of ‘Empower Global’

Photo Credit: Sean Combs Attends 2017 Metropolitan Museum Stock Photo 655013830 | Shutterstock 

Introduction

In a world where representation and inclusivity are paramount, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has once again taken a bold step to support Black-owned businesses. With the launch of Empower Global, a curated marketplace dedicated to showcasing top Black-owned brands, Diddy aims to revolutionize the way we support and uplift Black entrepreneurs. This empowering platform will serve as a gateway for consumers worldwide to discover and patronize a wide array of Black-owned businesses spanning various industries. Let’s delve into the details of this groundbreaking initiative and explore how it will shape the future of Black entrepreneurship. 

The Vision Behind Empower Global 

Diddy’s unwavering commitment to empowering Black entrepreneurs has fueled the creation of Empower Global. As the Chairman of Combs Global, he has always strived to provide Black entrepreneurs with the necessary resources, tools, and support to build successful businesses. With Empower Global, Diddy aims to create a lifestyle where buying Black becomes the norm, ensuring that dollars circulate within the Black community. His vision is to foster sustainable growth and create lasting opportunities that will have a positive and enduring impact on the Black economy. 

The Birth of Empower Global 

After announcing his initiative in 2021, Diddy’s team worked tirelessly to bring Empower Global to life. TechSparq, a Black-owned tech company dedicated to driving innovation and supporting Black entrepreneurship, meticulously designed and created the platform. Additionally, another Black-owned tech company, ChatDesk, provided invaluable assistance during the development process. The collaboration between these companies showcases the unity and collective effort within the Black business community, reinforcing the importance of supporting one another. 

Unveiling the Empower Global Marketplace 

Empower Global is set to become the largest Black-owned platform, featuring a wide range of Black-owned brands across various categories such as fashion, art, and beauty. By curating a diverse selection of high-quality products and services, Empower Global aims to challenge the conventional narrative and highlight the immense talent within the Black community. Through this marketplace, Black entrepreneurs will have an unprecedented opportunity to showcase their offerings to a global audience, fostering growth and visibility for their businesses. 

The Impact of Empower Global 

Within the Black business ecosystem, Empower Global serves as a catalyst for change. Providing a centralized platform for Black-owned businesses simplifies the process of discovering and supporting them. The result is a positive feedback loop of growth and success for the Black community, promoting economic empowerment. In addition to being a marketplace, Empower Global aims to reshape the landscape of entrepreneurship so that it is more inclusive and representative of Black culture. 

Supporting the Black Economy 

One of the core objectives of Empower Global is to revitalize the concept of uplifting Black entrepreneurs and stimulating the Black economy. The platform facilitates direct support and investment in the Black community by connecting consumers with Black-owned businesses. This approach can potentially create a multiplier effect, with increased revenue and success for Black entrepreneurs leading to job creation, community development, and ultimately, wealth accumulation within the Black community. 

Empower Global: More Than a Marketplace 

Empower Global is not solely focused on commerce; it also aims to empower individuals through education and mentorship. In addition to articles, guides, and expert insight, the platform will offer a wealth of resources to equip aspiring entrepreneurs. Additionally, Empower Global will foster a sense of community among Black entrepreneurs by providing networking opportunities and facilitating meaningful connections. By offering a holistic support system, the platform aims to nurture the growth and development of Black-owned businesses in a comprehensive manner. 

The Future of Black Entrepreneurship 

Empower Global signals a new era for Black entrepreneurship, one characterized by inclusivity, representation, and economic empowerment. The platform’s commitment to showcasing the incredible products and talents of Black-owned businesses has the potential to reshape the narrative surrounding Black entrepreneurship. By amplifying the voices and achievements of Black entrepreneurs, Empower Global aims to inspire future generations and break down barriers that have historically hindered access to opportunities. Through this platform, the world will witness the limitless potential and creativity of Black entrepreneurs. 

Join the Empower Global Movement 

To be a part of the Empower Global movement: 

  1. Visit the official website empowerglobal.shop. 
  1. Stay updated with the latest news and offerings by following Empower Global on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ShopEmpower. 
  1. Join the community, support Black-owned businesses, and be a catalyst for change in the Black economy. 

Together, we can create a future where empowerment and success know no boundaries. 

Conclusion 

Empower Global, spearheaded by the visionary Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, is a game-changer for Black entrepreneurship. Diddy aims to uplift the Black community and foster sustainable growth by providing a platform that showcases and supports Black-owned businesses. Empower Global is not just a marketplace; it is a movement that aims to reshape the narrative surrounding Black entrepreneurship, promote economic empowerment, and create lasting opportunities. Join the Empower Global movement today and be a part of the journey towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for all. 

Black Entrepreneurs are Generating Wealth in Technology

Black Entrepreneurs are Generating Wealth in Technology

How Black Entrepreneurs are Generating Wealth in Technology for Generations to Come 

Modern-day black entrepreneurs are disrupting major industries across the world, from Silicon Valley to Hollywood. In this article created for our Entrepreneur Spotlight Series, we aim to find out more about how these influencers have been able to generate so much business for themselves and others in the technology industry. 

How technology has impacted the black community in the past 

While there’s been a surge in the number of black-owned tech companies, technology hasn’t always been good for the black community. In fact, it was at one point destroying it–perhaps not on purpose, but still. There was a time when black Americans were very dependent on information and data from newspaper and media outlets to inform them and make decisions about everything from healthcare to how they spent their money. Today we have the platforms we need to access this content ourselves and learn more about what we want and how to achieve it. 

Technology isn’t just a means of spreading information. It’s become a brand and a tool that has enabled many to be innovative in ways never seen before, including those working on the sidelines of media.  

The black community is more conscious about representation in media, entrepreneurship in the content creation space, and information about black culture than ever before.

Black entrepreneurs are generating wealth in technology for generations to come 

Black entrepreneurs are fighting to redirect the negative stigmas that surround them. These recent graduates are no longer content with being on welfare or cutting on means; they are forging new opportunities to develop security for themselves and their communities on their own terms.  

Technology is one of many tools these entrepreneurs are utilizing to create this change, developing innovative products and solutions via mobile phone apps, cloud computing, drones, sensors, 3D printers are just some of the topics discussed during the 21st Century African-American Entrepreneur Awards event hosted by Heineken on June 13th. 

Entrepreneurship plays a significant role in economic prosperity 

Black entrepreneurship is a significant and essential vehicle for economic prosperity, both now and into the future. Black-owned businesses generate approximately $34 billion in sales but hold only one percent of general contracting jobs. That statistic demonstrates the necessity of following up on roots, opposed to placing all one’s business eggs in baskets outside of oneself. 

For many African Americans, entrepreneurship is the best way to obtain economic prosperity. It gives you complete control of your resources and what you are producing, but it also allows you to set your own goals. This can make a big difference in achieving goals mainly because it will be defined by the entrepreneur’s true desires. For African American entrepreneurs who choose business ownership, food service or retail are two of the most popular industries. 

It’s a little-known fact that well over half of tech start-ups today are founded by women, despite the statistics that tech is no longer a field mostly dominated by men. Operating out of Silicon Valley to tech meccas like Detroit and New York City, tech sector entrepreneurship has been rising as an area of interest for many disparities. Tech entrepreneurs now make up the third-largest economic sector in Detroit alone. 

This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.  

SoftBank: Leading the Way in the Venture Capital Ecosystem

SoftBank: Leading the Way in the Venture Capital Ecosystem

Image credit: Tupungato / Shutterstock.com

In a recent move, SoftBank sold its Open Opportunity Fund to its chairman and managing partner, Paul Judge, and Marcelo Claure, who is to be appointed the fund’s vice-chairman and general partner. This groundbreaking shift is seen as a substantial milestone, demonstrating a concrete move towards more inclusive representation within all layers of the venture capital ecosystem.

The Open Opportunity Fund: A Brief History

Earlier this year, SoftBank rebranded its Opportunity Growth Fund, bringing it under the new name of Open Opportunity Fund (OOF). Paul Judge, who was then appointed as chairman, also became a co-owner of the fund. Marcelo Claure, the initial launcher of OOF, had served as SoftBank’s COO up until 2022 and is making a return to work with the fund after a year-long hiatus.

“Marcelo brings a wealth of experience and a vast network that can help our portfolio companies. Marcelo’s extensive network of Latino entrepreneurs significantly enriches our deal flow within this vibrant community,” Judge said.

Significant Contributions

Fund 1, which is now owned by Judge and Claure, deployed $100 million in 75 Black and Latino companies, yielding seven exits and 46 follow-on rounds. SoftBank will continue to be an LP in Fund 2, and according to Claure, the fund is on the lookout for investors seeking to drive more diversity in the tech ecosystem, and who “value the importance of supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.”

The Future of the Funds

Fund 2, which was launched earlier this year, will also increase its target to $200 million. This fund will invest in 50 pre-seed to growth-stage companies in fintech, health tech, edtech, sales and marketing, and enterprise IT. It should be noted that companies from Fund 1 may also receive funding from Fund 2 on a case-by-case basis, as stated by Judge.

Why Diversity Matters

“We believe the Black and Latino founder market is an untapped source of outsized returns and this focus allows us to find alpha that other VCs have overlooked,” Judge said. “The strong performance of Fund I proves that thesis works.”

This move is not just a significant milestone for SoftBank, but also a giant leap for the venture capital ecosystem. With more diverse representation in the higher echelons of venture capital firms now, the future of the tech ecosystem looks promising indeed, with greater support for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

The world of venture capital can often be complex and difficult to navigate, particularly for underrepresented entrepreneurs. However, with moves such as these from giants like SoftBank, the future of entrepreneurship and innovation looks bright indeed.

D’Anthony Bly: Carving New Pathways in Talent Management

D’Anthony Bly: Carving New Pathways in Talent Management

A wave of newness is rippling through the music industry, spearheaded by the entrepreneurial spirit of D’Anthony Bly, often recognized as “D Bly”. A champion for fresh talent and longtime manager for the sensational Coi Leray, Bly has embarked on an exciting journey with the launch of his novel management company, 11 11 Management.

A New Chapter Begins

The Boston-born entrepreneur is no stranger to the industry. Having grown up with Leray, Bly has been instrumental in shaping her brand and expanding her repertoire. The platinum hit “Players”, along with other successful singles like “No More Parties”, “Big Purrd”, “Twinnem”, and “Blick Blick” featuring Nicki Minaj, are all testament to their fruitful collaboration.

11 11 Management is set to retain Leray as a client, a move that only strengthens their bond and mutual dedication. The goal? To scout and nurture up-and-coming talent, propelling them to the next level in their creative journeys.

“Everything about this is new. We aren’t following any formulas or algorithms, but we’re finding talent we believe in and taking it to the next level.” – D’Anthony Bly

Building Brands and Breaking Barriers

While helping artists build their brand, Bly also focuses on forming strategic alliances with renowned industry players. Under his careful stewardship, Leray scored a spot on the “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” soundtrack, and developed partnerships with high-profile brands like Meta, YSL, Marc Jacobs, and Fendi.

Coi Leray

His vision doesn’t stop at music. Bly is currently assisting Leray in establishing her very own production company, “Trendsetter Studios”, further broadening her influence in the entertainment industry.

A Longstanding Partnership

Leray’s faith in Bly is unwavering. In a heartfelt statement, she expressed her gratitude for his continuous support.

“I wouldn’t want to be in this industry without D Bly. He has opened so many doors for me and has been in my corner since the very start. He is truly a star quality manager. We are really here forever, this about longevity.” – Coi Leray

Creating Safe Spaces in the Music Industry

Bly’s dedication extends beyond the realm of music. He’s committed to championing women in the industry and fostering an environment where talent feels heard, respected, and most importantly, safe. This initiative resonates strongly with Gina Greiss, 11 11 Management’s general manager.

“Working with D Bly has given me the opportunity to experience the music industry in an innovative way. His ability to master any given task has changed the way we perceive entrepreneurship in music.” – Gina Greiss

Conclusion

D’Anthony Bly’s launch of 11 11 Management signals a fresh direction in talent management. His commitment to building brands, empowering artists, and fostering safe environments is not only redefining industry standards but also setting a solid foundation for the future of music.

This article is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into Bly’s remarkable journey and the exciting developments at 11 11 Management.