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Greater Baltimore named a federal tech hub by Biden Administration

By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com The Greater Baltimore region has become a federally-designated tech hub for biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI). President Biden designated 31 communities across the U.S. as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs on Oct. 23 as part of the CHIPS and Science Act. President Joe Biden speaks during an event […]
The post Greater Baltimore named a federal tech hub by Biden Administration first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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By Megan Sayles

AFRO Business Writer

msayles@afro.com

The Greater Baltimore region has become a federally-designated tech hub for biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI). President Biden designated 31 communities across the U.S. as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs on Oct. 23 as part of the CHIPS and Science Act.

President Joe Biden speaks during an event on the economy in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, Oct. 23. Biden has named Baltimore as one of 32 technology hubs that will operate in states across the nation and in Puerto Rico. Credit: AP Photo/ Jacquelyn Martin

The hubs are tasked with driving investment in technologies that are critical to the country’s economic growth, national security, job creation and global competitiveness. Baltimore’s tech hub will be led by the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC).

“From a personal level, this is one of the highlights of my life. From a professional standpoint, I’m super committed to GBC providing economic leadership that has been missing from the region,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of GBC. “To me, this is a win toward building the trust locally that we can do that.”

GBC oversaw the application process for this designation, engaging more than 30 stakeholder organizations in the Greater Baltimore region for the bid. The consortium included local institutions, like Morgan State University (MSU), Fearless, Digital Harbor Foundation, Fulton Bank and Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

 The focus areas for the bid were AI and biotechnology. In the application, GBC leaned into the city being poised to lead in predictive health technologies, which analyze past health care data to identify patterns and improve health outcomes.

The nonprofit expects that this technology will create 52,000 jobs in the region by 2030.

“We realized that those were two themes that had a consistent thread through community colleges, HBCUs and research institutions and in the private sector and government. Now, we’re allowed to put those ideas in front of the federal government and see where there is willingness to put money behind them,” said Thomas. “What distinguished us among the 400 applicants was that our technology and our focus had the potential to have the economic impact that the federal government wants to see.”

Now that Greater Batimore has been given the designation, GBC and its consortium will initiate phase two of the program. This will involve competing for up to $75 million in funding to operationalize biotechnology and AI projects that will propel economic development and sustainability in the area.

“I’m extremely proud of the 38 consortium members who came together. It is not easy bringing a wide range of partners to the table,” said LaToya Staten, director of impact at Fearless. “This is not just about Baltimore, it’s about the region. It’s really exciting to get this designation.”

She thinks leveraging the region’s robust research institutions, like MSU and JHU, will be key to future projects.

“As Governor Moore says, we’ve always been asset rich and strategy poor,” said Staten. “This allows us to really gather Greater Baltimore to put together a good, collective strategy for showing the rest of the country that Baltimore is here, and we are one of the top tech hubs.”

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

The post Greater Baltimore named a federal tech hub by Biden Administration appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers .

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

The post Greater Baltimore named a federal tech hub by Biden Administration first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

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Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

 

 

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

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The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org

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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

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