Fearless Fund’s Arian Simone attending Disrupt 2024

TechCrunch has kept readers informed regarding Fearless Fund’s courtroom battle to provide business grants to Black women. Today, we are thrilled to announce that Arian Simone, the CEO and co-founder of Fearless Fund, will speak at the Disrupt 2024 Builders Stage during a fireside chat discussing her organization’s fight for racial equity.

The Legal Battle Unfolds

Fearless Fund was sued last August by the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), which alleged that the organization disproportionately targeted non-Black founders due to its grant program focused on Black women. This charge stemmed from a grant offered specifically to businesses owned by Black women, which the organization had used to support their ventures.

In a recent ruling, an appeals court determined that Fearless Fund’s business grant likely violates Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and has permanently banned the grant’s deployment. This decision sends a significant message to other organizations similarly situated: targeting specific minority-owned businesses for funding may no longer be permissible under federal law.

A Growing Movement: The Fight for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The legal battle is part of a broader wave of challenges faced by organizations that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Many companies have recently found themselves in hot water for implementing such programs, as courts increasingly rule against them.

Arian Simone has been clear about her organization’s stance: "Our mission is to support Black women-owned businesses because we believe they bring unique perspectives and valuable skills to any company," she said in a statement. "But our program must be fair and equitable, without targeting non-Black founders."

Join Us for an Insightful Conversation

The fight for racial equality and fairness in the tech industry will continue at this year’s Disrupt 2024 event. Arian Simone is set to share her story during a fireside chat on October 10th, where she will discuss how courts are shaping the future of DEI initiatives.

Register Now for Disrupt 2024

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TechCrunch Highlights

TechCrunch continues to shed light on the challenges facing organizations focused on DEI initiatives:

• Fearless Fund’s case highlights the growing pressure on businesses to ensure they are not unfairly targeting certain communities.
• Other organizations have faced similar legal challenges, with courts increasingly taking a stand against DEI-focused programs.

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