Black Tech Week 2024
Black Tech Week 2024 is happening July 16-19 in Cincinnati, Ohio, with its usual lineup of workshops, panel discussions, investor matching, fireside chats, networking events, keynote speakers, and after-hours activities. Black Tech Week brings together a diverse mix of tech innovators, startup founders, tastemakers and corporate leaders who are seeking the latest advancements in technology. The event’s Career Fair provides a safe environment for students to network with professionals and potential mentors, build relationships with industry insiders, and discover internship and job opportunities. Matchmaking on Biz Dev Day bridges the gap between founders seeking growth opportunities and corporate partners looking for cutting-edge solutions. VC Office Hours brings together a curated group of venture capitalists and angel investors who are actively seeking innovative investment opportunities. Here, founders can pitch their ideas, showcase their businesses, and receive feedback directly from industry experts. Get tickets.
New Grant Program to Help Small Businesses Shore Up Against Natural Disasters
The NYC Department of Small Business Services launched the Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program (BPREP) Risk Assessment and Grant Program for eligible small business or commercial properties. The program offers a free on-site, one-on-one risk assessment and $5,000 grant to buy recommended resiliency equipment, such as flood barriers, generators, and fireproof storage containers. Key eligibility requirements:
* Located in an area at risk of flooding
* Small business has been in operation for at least 1 year
* Annual revenue does not exceed $30 million
* Did not previously receive any grant or benefit from the NYC Department of Small Business Services Business PREP Grant Program or the RISE: NYC Program
* All required licenses and permits are current.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Expanded Program For Small Businesses
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CO—, the chamber’s digital platform for small businesses, opened applications for an expanded program for small businesses, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses. The chamber is looking for America’s top digital innovators, customer champions, growth accelerators, disruptors, and global stars. The elite group of 100, to be announced later this year, will receive a one-year paid membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, unmatched access to top experts and thought leaders, exclusive community building and networking opportunities, and national media exposure. To be eligible for the CO—100, a business must have fewer than 250 employees or gross revenues of less than $20 million for both 2022 and 2023. There is a $99 fee for each entry, and applicants may only enter once. Eligible small business owners can apply for the CO—100 through July 8, 2024.
PitchBLACK Forum 2024
Black Public Media (BPM) awarded a total of $610,000 to film and immersive projects and creatives at its seventh PitchBLACK Forum — the largest pitch competition for independent filmmakers and creative technologists developing new projects about the global Black experience — at the PitchBLACK Awards in April. The figure was the highest ever amount awarded at PitchBLACK. Sponsored by Netflix and PBS, the event — held at The Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center — included the presentation of the BPM Trailblazer Award to Emmy-winning filmmaker Sam Pollard. The winner of the $150,000 film award is Zenón, a documentary about the life of Puerto Rican fisherman and revolutionary Carlos “Taso” Zenón who spearheaded protests against the U.S. Navy’s occupation, exploitation and environmental degradation of his home, the island of Vieques, where the majority of residents are Black Puerto Ricans. With the 2024 PitchBLACK film and immersive grants, BPM has awarded more than $1.8 million to 23 projects since launching PitchBLACK in 2015. Alumni of the program have gone on to produce film, television and immersive projects for PBS, CNN, Showtime, Netflix, HBO, BET, NBC, The CW and more.
Importance Of ChatGPT Experience For Young Professionals
Intelligent.com recently surveyed 800 business leaders to understand how important they feel it is for young professionals to have ChatGPT experience and college students to invest in learning how to use the tool. Key findings:
* Half of business leaders say ChatGPT experience can be more valuable than a college degree;
* 9 in 10 say ChatGPT coursework makes a candidate more hireable;
* 80 percent believe ChatGPT experience is valuable for entry-level positions;
* 6 in 10 companies require ChatGPT experience for at least some entry-level positions;
* Half of companies are providing ChatGPT training;
* 8 in 10 say ChatGPT experience will be even more important in 2025.
Survey Shows How Often Hiring Managers Ask Illegal Questions
ResumeBuilder.com in April surveyed 1,000 hiring managers to discover how often hiring managers ask illegal questions. Key findings:
* 32 percent of hiring managers admit they knowingly ask illegal questions;
* 3 in 5 regularly ask about a candidate’s identity (race, citizenship, sexual orientation, etc.) during hiring process;
* 3 in 5 ask candidates their age;
* 56 percent regularly illegally inquire about job seekers’ family (i.e., pregnancy, marital status);
* Half ask illegal health, disability status questions;
* 62 percent inquire about prior salary;
* While not illegal to do so, 1 in 3 bring up controversial political topics.
Six-day Versus Four-day Workweek
ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 753 business leaders to find out how they feel about six-day workweeks and whether or not it’s something their company plans to implement in the near future. Key findings:
* 9 percent of business leaders say their company plans to institute a 6-day workweek in 2025
* 1 in 6 think full-time employees should work more than 40 hours per week
* 51 percent say it would increase productivity;
* 62 percent say it would increase revenue;
* 39 percent believe it would improve morale; 37 percent believe the same for work-life balance, 37 percent for retention, 36 percent for mental health, and 28 percent for burnout;
* 81 percent say a four-day workweek would improve work-life balance; 80 percent say it would do so for morale, 80 percent for mental health, 69 percent for retention, 67 percent for productivity, and 66 percent for burnout;
* Only 49 percent believe a four-day workweek would improve revenue.
