Despite recent efforts to curb them, diversity training programs have change into ubiquitous in American offices as a water cooler. They are in all places.

But our last update re state of research on diversity training confirms that these programs have various levels of effectiveness and widely various results.

IN our previous workpublished in 2016, we found that diversity training programs are designed to foster understanding and appreciation of differences between people. Yet this message has often been misunderstood or missed in American workplaces.

Concerned in regards to the growing polarization and unequal treatment that has change into a serious public and social problem in America and abroad, we updated our previous findings to see what has modified.

We did this because these divisions contribute to toxic relationships, dysfunctional organizations, and fragmented societies – the very problems that diversity training is designed to deal with.

Some of the studies we examined found that diversity training had limited positive effects on workplace demographics. In some cases, these programs have also sparked resistance and backlash.

Often, underperforming programs focus solely on a selected marginalized group—for instance, African Americans or the LGBTQ+ community—moderately than teaching people in regards to the value of our differences.

In this sense, effective programs are measured by participants’ cognitive and affective learning, that’s, how they perceive others. Behavioral learning – how well participants interact with different people – is one other standard for fulfillment.

In our study, other programs that produced poor results had difficulty getting participants to alter the way in which they evaluated individuals who were different. Most of those programs were online or conducted for a brief time frame.

On the opposite hand, diversity training programs that produced higher results often included skills training and role-playing. These include role-playing business negotiation simulations. They also included conflict management courses during which participants interacted with different counterparts.

Some of those programs also emphasize training as early as primary school, before people enter the workforce. These programs include, for instance, activities equivalent to playing soccer with children from different ethnic groups.

Successful programs were also simpler once they were a part of an organization’s broader, ongoing efforts against intolerance. Positive examples include retention and recruitment efforts, affinity clubs, and mentoring programs.

Research on a few of these successful programs has shown that diversity training led to greater productivity and organizational commitment. They also resulted in less harassment.

Creating a successful business is rarely easy, but it’s much harder in the event you are black.

Research shows that Black startup founders face significant racial obstacles, including limited access to entrepreneurship training programs and the challenges of accessing mainly white networking and mentoring opportunities.

His it’s harder for black founders to lift moneytoo. The latest TechCrunch data shows that in 2023, Black business founders received lower than half of 1% of total startup capital. To date in 2024 there is barely constant stagnation.

Tope Awotona, founding father of Calendlya free online meeting scheduling platform, has experienced this difficulty.

“Everyone Said No” he told NPR in 2020. “Meanwhile, I watched other people who fit a different profile get showered with money. These VCs were ignorant and short-sighted… the only thing I could put it down to was that I was black.”

However, there are high-profile success stories of black entrepreneurship. include Black Entertainment Television founder Robert Johnson, Daymond Johninvestor in the reality show Shark Tank and 1000’s of black startup founders currently runs modern corporations across the United States.

To higher understand the intersection of race and entrepreneurship, we studied experiences successful black entrepreneurs in the U.S., as shared on NPR’s “How I Build This” podcast. The challenges facing black entrepreneurs are well documented, so we focused our research on a unique query: How does entrepreneurial identity intersect with racial identity?

Two key insights emerged.

A step towards equality

We found that while race could be a liability in some respects, some successful entrepreneurs have found ways to leverage race of their startups.

For example, most Black entrepreneurs understand their communities significantly better than outsiders typically do. This understanding allows them to raised and faster see opportunities of their communities.

This is it competitive advantage Jan he took advantage of this in 1992 when he founded the clothing company FUBU, which stands for “For Us, By Us”. How he said on How I Built It in 2019“I wanted to create a brand that loved and respected people who love and respect hip-hop.”

John knew the market he desired to serve higher than most because he was a part of it. He saw a chance when outsiders couldn’t do it.

Other business founders share John’s sentiments.

Tristan Walker, founder Walker and companypersonal care company focused on black men, he said his goal is “to create a company that produces health and beauty products for people who look like me.”

And the McBride sisters, to call them Black Girl Magic’s flagship wineshe told “How I Build This”: “If there is a moment for black women to celebrate… whatever it may be… we just wanted to be there to celebrate with her with equally beautiful, high-quality wines.”

In this sense, some Black entrepreneurs are in a singular position where they will create products that others would never consider. Our research also shows that they are higher prepared to sell to a community that desires to support them.

Recent study from Pew Research Center found that a majority of black adults consider that shopping at black businesses is a step toward racial equality.

I mean as a mission

Our research also found that many Black entrepreneurs care about creating an organization that matters. This is very true when it will probably help lift others in the race. For them, it’s about giving back to – and galvanizing – their communities.

In other words, Black startup founders often create corporations that reflect their racial identity. This is an element of their purpose of being an entrepreneur.

“I have always believed that my company’s mission must serve my community.” Cathy Hughes, founding father of Radio Onea station dedicated to Black culture, said “How I Built It” in 2017. “Being the first African American woman (executive) in a publicly traded corporation… My only goal in business was to be a voice and an assistant to my community,” she said.

Many others in our study shared this sentiment, viewing role models, racial pride, and empowering future generations as a conscious a part of their mission as Black business owners.

Role models matter

Communities profit from homegrown entrepreneurs. These are individuals who reveal the power of entrepreneurship and show that an entrepreneurial profession is feasible.

However, many minority communities lack such success stories. Just 3% of US businesses were black-owned in response to the US Census Bureau in 2021.

That’s one in all the reasons we desired to document Black success stories in the first place. We consider they’ve transformative potential. Each recent success shows others in these communities that it is feasible and that entrepreneurship can provide a path to a prosperous future.

Armed drivers will have the opportunity to drive around major Texas cities because of a brand new ride-sharing service called BlackWolf, which is known as “Uber with a gun”,

The a small ride-sharing startup has gained popularity on the social media app TikTok – with greater than 500,000 followers – and is recruiting experienced drivers in Dallas, Houston and Austin. Founder and owner Kerry KingBrown said the corporate hopes to take over Texas streets in late 2024 or early 2025. “It’s about protecting people,” he said. “Everyone deserves a chance and everyone deserves to drive safely.”

A former private security director with 20 years of experience said that the thought for BlackWolf got here about when he was guiding a lady who had fallen victim to human trafficking. His client on the time encouraged him to create transportation for individuals who needed greater than only a ride, but extra peace of mind. KingBrown revealed that the service shouldn’t be about weapons, but more about educating riders on firearms training and de-escalation techniques. “At the end of the day, you know you’re getting into a safe car,” said the startup founder.

“The driver will know what to do in an emergency. This weapon will likely be the last resort.

AND A May 2023 article suggested that corporations like BlackWolf were filling the gap on gun violence in America. Another company created an oversized, collapsible secure for schools, and one other developed bulletproof backpacks and faculty desks.

The data confirms that apps like BlackWolf are needed. After launching in Atlanta in 2023, the app has been downloaded greater than 300,000 times in Miami, Orlando and Phoenix. The addition of Texas to the growing list was the results of a poll in which social media followers indicated which state must be next. The app hopes to employ 35 to 50 drivers in each city in the Lone Star State.

additional protection will cost customers — expected to be 10-15% higher than average Uber or Lyft rates. BlackWolf’s cost could be more comparable to the associated fee of an Uber Black ride, but KingBrown is not fearful in regards to the company being seen as a further ride-sharing competitor. Their drivers aren’t allowed to hold weapons on the job. “The gunmen are licensed, they are checked, and most of them are former military or law enforcement officers,” he said.

“These people know how to carry a gun. They were trained in this.”

KingBrown has identified who the drivers will goal. He wants BlackWolf to concentrate on veterans and first responders, including cops, firefighters and paramedics. It could be a probability for them to place their skills to good use. However, we encourage anyone who’s eligible to use.