Hello Insider,

The number of Black billionaires has risen from 23 to 27 on the Forbes 2026 Billionaires list. This points to slow but meaningful progress as more Black entrepreneurs, investors, and cultural power players break into the highest ranks of global wealth.

Top Stories 📰

Story 1: Meet the 27 Black Billionaires on the 2026 Forbes List

Story 2: Popular YouTube speed-dating show Pop the Balloon launches dating App inspired by the viral show

Story 3: 5 African Film Festivals in the U.S. you should know

Story 4: Nigerian Artists Earned Record $43.9M on Spotify in 2025, but Payout Gaps Persist

Hot News 🔥

1. Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $42 million to Elizabeth City State University to support the institution’s strategic five-year plan.

2. Michael B. Jordan is now an Academy Award Winner.

3. Toronto-based venture capital firm BKR Capital has announced an initial $20 million close for its second Black Innovation Fund.

4. Anori, a technology company spun out of Alphabet’s X moonshot factory, has secured $26 million in funding.

Opportunities - Accelerators/Funding, Events.

Grants

1. $15k | Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award aims to identify Women environmental leaders of color across the United States and its territories with at least 10 years of experience in environmental work. Applicants must identify as a woman of color, inclusive of people of color who identify as non-binary.  🗓️ March 31:

2. $150K Investment | The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation aims to identify social entrepreneurs with dynamic ideas and nurture them in their early stages with maximum leverage and total commitment.  🗓️ Application on a rolling basis:

3. €150,000 | The Da Vinci Fellowship offers an equity-free grant of €150 000 per fellow to young, contrarian Europeans. 🗓️ Application on a rolling basis

4. $100K | The Thiel Fellowship is a two-year program for young people who want to build new things. Fellows receive a $100,000 grant and support from the Thiel Foundation’s network of founders, investors, and scientists. 🗓️ Application on a rolling basis:

5. Up to $15K | The Catalyst Fund by The Roddenberry Foundation makes grants between $2.5k - $15k to anyone with an early-stage idea or project that addresses pressing global challenges 🗓️ Apply on a rolling basis:

6. Up to $10K | Each qualifying nonprofit has access to up to $10,000 per month in search ads shown on Google.com. Additional Google Ads may be purchased in a separate account. 🗓️ Apply on a rolling basis:

/

Accelerators 💼

1. Techstars Accelerator provides funding, mentorship, hands-on training, and access to Techstars' global network of VC investors, corporate partners, and alumni founders.

2. Square One’s remote-first pre-accelerator has helped 70+ founders move from idea to traction—raising capital, securing early customers, and continuing to build beyond the program.

3. The Propellant Labs is a startup accelerator offering different programs to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses.

4. Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator invests in up to ten companies per year (two cohorts of five) focused on fintech, insuretech, digital health, and data analytics.

5. Peachscore + Dealum hosts 12 cohorts annually, offering startup founders the flexibility to join immediately upon acceptance and receive up to $150k, regardless of when they apply.

6. The two-year Activate Fellowship provides early-stage science entrepreneurs with funding, technical resources, and unparalleled support from a network of scientists, engineers, investors, commercial partners, and fellow entrepreneurs. 

7. Forum Ventures' accelerator helps SaaS and AI startups grow with pre-seed funding, mentorship, and expert guidance.

Events🎟️

Next Impact Europe Opens Nominations for the “Next Impact Europe 50”: The initiative will spotlight startups that may still be under the radar but are building meaningful solutions with the potential to scale. 

Nominate a startup here: https://nextimpacteurope.com/

The 5th Annual African Film Festival Atlanta, powered by the African Film & Arts Foundation Inc., is returning for another powerful celebration of African and diaspora storytelling, creativity, and culture.

Join filmmakers, creatives, and audiences from around the world for screenings, conversations, and unforgettable community experiences.

Ticket sales have officially opened for this year's African Film Festival Atlanta. Secure your spot here 

For the latest updates and announcements, follow the Instagram page @africanfilmfestatl or visit the website www.africanfilmfestatl.com

March - 26-30, 2026

Location: Historic Plaza Theatre and the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta, GA.

A major Black tech ecosystem conference bringing founders, engineers, investors, and innovators together for talks, workshops, panels, pitch events, and networking. Great for content on careers, community growth, and emerging tech in Black communities

Date: April 20 -24, 2026

Location: Houston, Texas

Thank you for joining us in this edition of Geekz Insider. We hope that our shared stories and opportunities will ignite your career goals and entrepreneurial spirit, fueling your drive to innovate. From dynamic founders to transformative AI programs and life-changing grants, there’s something here to inspire everyone.

Enjoy our newsletter? Share it with your network and sign up here to stay informed about the latest in tech, business, and innovation.  Until next time, keep hustling and making those geeky dreams come true!

If you're interested in sponsoring our newsletter, drop us a line at [email protected] with ‘Geekz Insider’ in the subject box!

Written by Stephen Oluwadara and produced by Gugu Nxumalo