Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i ScoopVizion

AMBRIDGE, PA, September 2024 – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the opening of the new $20 million Main Street Matters program, created by Governor Josh Shapiro to support main streets, downtown business districts, small businesses, and local communities across Pennsylvania. Main Street Matters funding (included in the Governor’s bipartisan 2024-25 budget) is available for community revitalization efforts in planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and increased safety and security. Main Street Matters funding applications will be accepted through November 15, 2024. Lt. Gov. Davis and Sec. Siger announced during a visit to the Ambridge Chamber of Commerce and a tour of several small businesses in the Beaver County borough. “Pennsylvania’s downtowns and Main Streets are often windows into our past, but…

Dave Edwards and William Lowe of Silent Philly curated a season of diverse and safe fun through the 2024 summer, sharing their love for music. The family business duo have been around the Philadelphia party scene for over 25 years. First, they were patrons, enjoying the music and atmosphere of the Philadelphia nightlife. In 2015, that all changed when Dave Edwards had the time of his life at a silent night in NYC. Dancing and getting lost in the music, he realized he needed to bring this experience to Philadelphia. Dave promptly called his cousin William, or Bill, and told him of his plan. Thus, Silent Philly was born. Out of the gate, Silent Philly was a hit. The brand amassed over 11,000 followers on Instagram, collaborating with prominent organizations…

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate from its 23-year high, with consequences for debt, savings, auto loans, mortgages, and other forms of borrowing by consumers and businesses. On Wednesday, the Fed announced that it reduced its key rate by an unusually large half-percentage point to between 4.75 and 5 percent, the first rate cut in more than four years. The central bank is acting because, after imposing 11 rate hikes dating back to March 2022, it feels confident that inflation is finally mild enough that it can begin to ease the cost of borrowing. At the same time, the Fed has grown more concerned about the health of the job market. Lower rates would help support the pace of hiring and keep unemployment…

HARRISBURG, September 2024 – Attorney General Michelle Henry has joined a coalition of 42 state Attorneys General urging Congress to require a Surgeon General’s warning on social media platforms that have proven to be addictive and harmful to children. The letter to Congress is Attorney General Henry’s latest effort to hold social media companies accountable and provide protections to users who are targeted on algorithm-driven platforms. United States Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy has proposed warning labels that outline the significant mental health risks that social media presents to adolescents. “By design, social media has the ability to take over the lives and psyche of our young people, and my office has made it a top priority to stand up to companies profiting from practices that harm kids,” Attorney General…

PHILADELPHIA— Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, Monday, October 7 - Friday, October 11, 2024, is a national observance that recognizes the outstanding achievements of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). The event also honors corporations and financial institutions that support minority business development. The 40th annual Philadelphia MED Week will provide minority business owners with connections and resources to help them grow. This year’s theme is “Investing in the Future: 40 Years of Helping Minority Businesses Lead the Way.” Throughout the week, organizations will host: Hybrid networking events. Panel discussions. Workshops. Business owners are the heartbeat of Philadelphia’s economy. Join us as we support minority-owned businesses with capacity-building efforts. MED Week Kickoff, Monday, October 7, 2024, 8:30 am to 1 pm National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 Join the…

Urban Networking Fresh out of college, I landed a job as a Community Engagement specialist for the City of Philadelphia. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to dive into urban life, but I quickly realized I was in over my head. The professional landscape was a whirlwind of activity, with intricate networks that seemed impenetrable to a newcomer like me. At community meetings and city events, it felt like everyone was already connected, leaving me feeling like an outsider looking in. Despite my official role, I was the definition of a small fish in a vast urban ocean. But I wasn't about to let this challenge defeat me. My position required me to be a bridge between the city and its residents, and I knew that to succeed, I needed…

(BLACK PR WIRE) The pandemic has severely impacted Blackowned businesses, with 41% shutting down, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. These businesses are crucial to our communities, offering jobs and preserving culture. They need our support now more than ever. Entrepreneur Nehemiah Davis is leading an initiative to support these businesses. Known for his business expertise and online presence with 632K Instagram followers, Davis has organized flash mobs to rescue struggling Black-owned enterprises. His latest focus is The Sistah Shop, a Black women-owned retail destination in Atlanta’s Atlantic Station featuring over 100 Black women-owned brands. Owner Aisha Taylor Issah was ready to close the doors, “Business was slow, and I prayed for a miracle,” she said. Since opening in 2021, The Sistah Shop has provided a platform for…

NEW YORK (AP) — A venture capital firm has closed down a grant contest for Black women business owners as part of a settlement agreement with a conservative group that had filed a lawsuit alleging the program was discriminatory, both sides announced Wednesday. The settlement came two months after a U.S. federal court of appeals panel ordered the Atlanta-Based Fearless Fund to suspend the Strivers Grant Contest, which provided $20,000 to businesses that are majority-owned by Black women. In a 2-1 ruling, the appeals court ruled that the American Alliance for Equal Rights, led by conservative activist Ed Blum, was likely to prevail in its lawsuit claiming that the program illegally discriminated on the basis of race. The lawsuit against the Fearless Fund, the Atlanta-based firm that has helped grow…