23andMe’s board of directors has resigned amid disagreements over the CEO’s plans to privatize the DNA testing company.

While the unique board consisted of eight members, all seven independent directors have left the board because its chair and co-founder, Ann Wojcicki, stays adamant about taking the corporate private. According to Wojcicki complex proposal in late July to halt public trading of the corporate’s shares. Wojcicki initially expressed interest in doing so in April.

A special committee of the board rejected the proposal. They argued that it didn’t provide a premium to the closing price and that the plan was not adequately funded. As of September 23, the corporate’s stock price had fallen to 34 cents a share.

The board originally offered Wojcicki “limited” additional time to improve her proposal. But the committee issued an announcement sharing a joint resignation after it had not received an update.

“After months of work, we have not received from you a fully funded, fully diligent, workable proposal that is in the best interests of the independent shareholders,” the board wrote. We consider that the Special Committee and the Board have provided you with ample time to submit such a proposal. The indisputable fact that now we have not seen any significant progress over the past 5 months leads us to consider that such a proposal is just not forthcoming…”

The statement continued: “(I)t is also clear that we differ on the strategic direction for the Company going forward. Because of that difference, and because of (Wojcicki’s) concentrated voting power, we believe it is in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders for us to resign from the Board rather than have a prolonged and distracting disagreement with you on the direction of the Company.”

Wojcicki co-founded the corporate in 2006. It gained popularity with its reasonably priced, at-home DNA testing kits that helped users learn their genetic history. But the everyday one-time purchase made it difficult for the corporate to grow and sustain revenue.

Its financial problems got here to a head in November 2023. The company received a deficiency letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department. The agency informed 23andMe of a 180-day deadline to raise its share price to $1, which led to the present situation.

In response to the mass resignations, Wojcicki announced that she would “remain committed” to pulling 23andMe out of its financial crisis.

“I remain committed to our customers, my employees, and our shareholders to achieve our goals,” she wrote. “I continue to believe that we will be better prepared to execute our mission and goals beyond the short-term pressures of the public markets, and that taking 23andMe private will provide the best opportunity for long-term success.”

Meanwhile, Wojcicki is trying to fill newly vacant positions on the board.

She added: “We will begin immediately identifying independent directors to join the board. I want to thank the directors for their service to the company and its shareholders.”

In Summit County, Ohio, black business owners banded together and founded the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce once they realized there was no Chamber of Commerce for black businesses in the county.

According to the Black Chamber of Commerce was created to help bridge the racial wealth gap and create more opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. Robert DeJournett, founder and CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce, told the outlet that Black businesses in the business community think the chamber is a great idea.

According to directory run by US Black ChambersThe Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce will develop into one in every of 25 Black Chambers of Commerce in the Midwest and one in every of greater than 150 across the United States.

“Everybody thinks it’s a great idea and it’s very necessary, but some of our companies are not involved; they’ve fallen off the radar,” DeJournett said.

Black Chamber of Commerce Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Misty Beasley said, “Black business owners often work in their businesses, so it’s hard for them to work on them or they don’t have the information, knowledge or resources to work on them, so having an organization that can help them with that and help them be successful is really important.”

About one-third of Akron’s population is black, according to the U.S. Census. Akron is the seat of Summit County, and a 2017 study by the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce found that a big portion of the county’s black community is excluded from economic opportunities.

“If this problem is not addressed, it will severely hamper innovation and startup activity, and as a result, the workforce will be unable to participate in the knowledge economy,” the report said.

As Beasley said, “We want to be a voice for black-owned businesses.” Beasley was previously employed by the Akron Urban League. “We want to create something that we help ourselves with.”

According to a press release was issued by the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce, “The mission of the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCCSC) is to develop, strengthen, promote and support Black-owned businesses and to be the collective voice and advocate for the interests of the Black business community and the community at large. The nonprofit organization aims to close the racial wealth gap by fueling entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for inclusive commerce. It will focus on key areas such as advocacy, education, collaboration and resource availability, enabling Black entrepreneurs to grow and contribute to the prosperity of the region.”

The Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce is looking for donations from founding donors of $1,000 or more to help speed up the organization’s growth. In return, the group guarantees exclusive recognition for its donors, which incorporates: placement on the Founding Donor list on the group’s website, recognition at Black Chamber of Commerce headquarters or offices, invitations to the Founding Donor Recognition event, a Founding Donor badge and certificate, access to exclusive events, advantages and discounts, and the chance to join the Founding Donor Advisory Board.

Fiyori Vodka changes the foundations of the alcohol industry, offering a singular combination of luxury and well-being.

Founded by Clarence Darkwa and COO Jay Black, Fiyori is the world’s first organic vodka with hemp. It offers a smooth, sophisticated drinking experience combined with the health advantages of organic hemp seeds. As black entrepreneurs in a white-dominated industry, Clarence and Jay have overcome challenges and broken barriers to create a product that stands out and is leading a brand new wave of wellness-conscious spirits.

BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP We caught up with the founders to debate their journey, the innovation behind their brand, and the way Fiyori is poised to disrupt the market.

BE: What inspired you to create Fiyori and the way did the thought for an organic hemp-infused vodka come about?

Clarence and Jay: Fiyori was inspired by the need to create a premium vodka that not only tasted exceptional, but in addition offered health advantages. Known for its wealthy dietary profile—filled with essential fatty acids, proteins, and antioxidants—hemp seeds were a natural alternative. We desired to mix wellness with pampering, and so the thought of ​​an organic vodka infused with hemp was born. Fiyori was a product that combined one of the best of each worlds: premium vodka and the advantages of organic hemp seeds, while maintaining a smooth, sophisticated taste.

Can you tell us concerning the technique of developing the world’s first organic hemp-infused vodka? What challenges did you encounter along the best way?

Creating the world’s first organic hemp-infused vodka has been an exciting journey. The process began with sourcing high-quality organic hemp seeds that met our rigorous standards for sustainability and purity. We experimented with the infusion process to realize the proper balance of flavor without compromising the smoothness of the vodka. One of the most important challenges was overcoming regulatory hurdles and educating consumers concerning the difference between hemp and marijuana. Despite these hurdles, we remained committed to creating a singular product that showcased the natural advantages of hemp seeds.

Why was it necessary to you that Fiyori vodka not only be hemp-infused but in addition organic? How do these decisions reflect your brand values?

From the very starting, we were committed to making a vodka that was aligned with the values ​​of quality, sustainability and wellness. The decision to make use of organic ingredients stemmed from our belief that customers deserve a clean, pure product without harmful additives. Hemp seeds have quite a few health advantages and we desired to preserve these characteristics through an organic process. This commitment to integrity reflects Fiyori’s mission to supply a premium, health-conscious vodka while supporting sustainable farming practices.

How do you think that the addition of hemp makes your vodka stand out from others available on the market and the way have consumers responded to it to date?

The hemp infusion definitely sets Fiyori apart in some ways. It adds a subtle nutty flavor and offers potential health advantages like improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and protection of neurological function. Consumers were thrilled to find a vodka that not only tastes smooth but may also contribute to their overall well-being. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many purchasers surprised by how smooth our vodka is and thrilled by the potential health advantages.

In an industry where tradition often rules, how does Fiyori manage to embrace innovation while still paying homage to the art of vodka making?

While we honor traditional vodka-making techniques, we’ve embraced innovation with our hemp seed infusion and deal with organic ingredients. Using state-of-the-art equipment and sustainable practices, we’ve created a product that’s each modern and respectful of workmanship. Our goal is to refine the vodka-making process without overshadowing its roots, combining tradition with recent trends in wellness and sustainability.

Given current trends within the alcohol industry, where do you see Fiyori’s place and what do you think that the longer term holds for cannabis-infused alcohol?

Fiyori suits right into the growing trend of health-conscious, organic spirits. As more people see the advantages of hemp and as regulations evolve, we imagine hemp-infused spirits will turn into more popular. We are proud to be on the forefront of this movement, leading the charge to coach consumers and push the boundaries of premium spirits.

What advice would you give to aspiring black entrepreneurs seeking to break through? spirits industry or other highly competitive market?

Our advice to aspiring Black entrepreneurs is to remain true to your unique vision. Your personal experiences and perspective can set you apart. Build strong networks, deal with quality and innovation, and persevere within the face of challenges. The journey is not going to be easy, but with exertions, community support, and a transparent mission, success is within sight.