{"id":2052558,"date":"2023-10-02T15:08:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T19:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-appeals-court-halts-grant-program-aimed-at-supporting-black-female-entrepreneurs\/"},"modified":"2023-10-02T15:11:38","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T19:11:38","slug":"federal-appeals-court-halts-grant-program-aimed-at-supporting-black-female-entrepreneurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-appeals-court-halts-grant-program-aimed-at-supporting-black-female-entrepreneurs\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Appeals Court Stops Grant Program for Black Female Entrepreneurs"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffederal-appeals-court-halts-grant-program-aimed-at-supporting-black-female-entrepreneurs%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2052558&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Journalist Elaine \u2064Welteroth attends the Fearless Fund Third Annual Fearless Venture Capital Summit on August\u200d 18, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo\u200b by Paras Griffin\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>OAN\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/tag\/stephanie-stahl\">Stephanie Stahl<\/a><br \/>11:37 AM \u2013 Monday, October 2, 2023<\/h2>\n<p>The 11<sup>th<\/sup> Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia, \u2064has issued an \u200border\u2062 to temporarily pause grant applications by the Fearless Fund, an Atlanta-based venture capital firm that specifically supports Black female entrepreneurs. <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-1\" style=\"min-width: 320px; min-height: 50px;  text-align: center;\">  \t<script>  \t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-1'); });  \t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"ad-slot__ad-label\">Advertisement<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>This ruling is considered a win for the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a conservative organization founded\u2063 by Edward Blum, an activist known \u200cfor \u2064his involvement in the challenge against affirmative action\u200d in college admissions. <\/p>\n<p>In early August, the Alliance filed a lawsuit against the Fearless Fund, arguing that their $20,000 small \u2064business grant program was racially-biased since it \u200cexclusively supports Black women.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, \u2064Blum argued that the grant contest violates a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which\u2062 prohibits racial discrimination in contracts.<\/p>\n<p>The majority\u200b on the 3-judge panel labeled\u2064 the Fearless Fund\u2019s program \u2063as &#8220;racially exclusionary&#8221; and suggested that Blum\u2019s group was likely to\u2064 succeed.<\/p>\n<p>The grant contest is among several programs run by the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund, which was established to\u200c bridge \u200bthe gap in funding access for Black female entrepreneurs who receive less than 1% of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/youtube-permanently-blacklists-dan-bongino\/\" title=\"YouTube Permanently Blacklists Dan Bongino\">venture capital funding<\/a>, according to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2023\/01\/06\/black-founders-still-raised-just-1-of-all-vc-funds-in-2022\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2023\/01\/06\/black-founders-still-raised-just-1-of-all-vc-funds-in-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\">figures from Crunchbase.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In \u200da\u200b statement on Sunday, Fearless Fund said that they would comply with the order, but still felt confident of ultimately prevailing in\u2064 the lawsuit.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cWe respectfully disagree with this court\u2019s decision, appreciate the important points raised by the dissent, and look forward to further appellate review.\u200d We remain committed to defending the meaningful work of our clients,\u201d said\u2064 Alphonso David,\u200d president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum and one of the lead lawyers for Fearless.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The Fearless Fund has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-appeals-court-halts-grant-program-aimed-at-supporting-black-female-entrepreneurs\/\" title=\"Federal Appeals Court Stops Grant Program for Black Female Entrepreneurs\">enlisted prominent civil\u200d rights\u2064 lawyers<\/a>, including Ben Crump, to defend against the lawsuit. According to the attorneys, the $20,000 in grants are not considered contracts, but rather, donations protected by the First Amendment.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>However, in its majority opinion, the appellate panel disagreed, stating that the First Amendment \u201cdoes not give the defendants the right to exclude persons from a contractual regime based on their race.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The case has also become a test case, as the battle over racial considerations shifts to the workplace following the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s June ruling ending affirmative action in \u200bcollege admissions.<\/p>\n<p>Stay informed! \u2062Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>One America\u2019s Jessamyn Dodd sits down \u200dwith California \u200cSenate candidate Jim Shoemaker to discuss\u2064 water conservation\u200b and the dangers of big government.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Researchers continue to express skepticism \u2062surrounding the use of social\u2063 media, but\u200b some users are utilizing the platform to inform and educate the public.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>with Hogan Gidley<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>with Colton Moore<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>A California \u2064federal judge has ruled people who own Tesla cars\u2062 must pursue autopilot claims in individual arbitration rather than court.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Avio said its Vega C rockets would return to flight in late 2024 after implementing fixes following a failed satellite launch.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella called the idea that it is easy to change\u200c defaults \u200con computers and smartphones as \u201cbogus\u201d\u2063 in \u2063the U.S. Justice Department\u2019s antitrust fight with Google.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>By\u00a0Andrew Chung September 29, 2023 \u2013 8:04\u200c AM PDT Advertisement Sept 29 (Reuters) \u2013 The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to\u2026 <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> rnrn  <\/p>\n<h2> \u2064 What legal arguments have\u200d been presented \u200dby \u200bthe Fearless Fund&#8217;s legal defense team, and how did the appellate panel respond to them<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Title: \u2062Fearless Fund&#8217;s Grant \u2062Program Temporarily \u2064Paused Due \u2062to Racial Bias Controversy<\/p>\n<p>Introduction:<\/p>\n<p>The 11th Circuit Court of\u2062 Appeals in Atlanta, \u200bGeorgia has recently \u2063issued an order to temporarily halt grant applications from the Fearless Fund, an Atlanta-based venture capital firm \u2062that specifically supports Black \u200cfemale entrepreneurs. This ruling comes as a result of\u2064 a lawsuit filed by the American Alliance for\u200c Equal Rights,\u2062 a conservative organization founded by Edward Blum, challenging the racially-biased nature of the Fearless Fund&#8217;s \u200bgrant program. The\u2063 case\u2064 highlights the\u200b ongoing\u200b struggle for equal access to funding for underrepresented entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<p>Background:<\/p>\n<p>In early August, the \u200dAmerican Alliance for Equal Rights filed a\u200d lawsuit against\u200c the \u200dFearless \u2064Fund, arguing that their \u2062$20,000 small \u200cbusiness grant\u2064 program was\u2063 racially-biased due to its\u200b exclusive support\u200d for Black women. Edward Blum, known for his involvement in challenges against affirmative action \u2062in \u2063college admissions,\u200c contended that\u2063 the grant contest\u200c violated a section of the Civil Rights Act of\u200d 1866, which prohibits racial discrimination in contracts.<\/p>\n<p>Court&#8217;s Decision:<\/p>\n<p>The majority on the 3-judge \u200dpanel labeled the Fearless Fund&#8217;s program as &#8220;racially exclusionary&#8221; and suggested that Blum&#8217;s group was likely to succeed in their argument. \u2062This\u200d temporary halt on\u200c grant\u200d applications is considered a win for the American Alliance for Equal Rights and \u200draises important\u200c questions about equality and \u2064fairness \u200cin\u200c venture \u200bcapital funding.<\/p>\n<p>Fearless Fund&#8217;s \u200dMission:<\/p>\n<p>The\u200c Fearless Fund was established to bridge the gap\u2063 in funding access for Black female entrepreneurs, who receive less than 1% of\u2063 venture capital funding, according to figures from Crunchbase. The \u2062grant contest \u200cin question\u200c is\u200d one of several\u200d programs run by the \u200dFund,\u200c aimed at \u200dempowering and supporting underrepresented business owners.<\/p>\n<p>Response from Fearless Fund:<\/p>\n<p>In a\u200c statement on Sunday,\u2063 Fearless Fund expressed \u200dtheir disagreement\u2062 with the court&#8217;s decision. However, they also \u200bstated their commitment\u200d to complying with the order while remaining confident of \u200bultimately prevailing in \u200cthe lawsuit. Alphonso David, president \u200dand\u2064 CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum and one of the lead \u200blawyers for Fearless, emphasized their\u200b dedication to defending the \u200dmeaningful\u2062 work of their clients.<\/p>\n<p>Legal Defense:<\/p>\n<p>Fearless Fund has enlisted prominent civil rights lawyers, including Ben Crump, to\u2063 defend\u200c against the lawsuit. The attorneys argue that the $20,000 \u200cin \u2064grants are\u200b not considered contracts but\u2064 rather donations protected by the First Amendment. However, \u2064the majority opinion\u2062 of the appellate panel disagreed, stating that the First Amendment does not\u2063 shield the grant program from scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p>Conclusion:<\/p>\n<p>The temporary\u200b pause \u2063on grant \u2064applications by\u200c the \u200dFearless Fund, resulting from the lawsuit filed by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, sheds light on \u200bthe ongoing challenges faced\u2064 by underrepresented entrepreneurs in accessing \u200dventure\u200d capital funding. While the court&#8217;s ruling has raised concerns, it has also sparked\u200b important discussions about racial bias, equality, and fairness \u200dwithin the venture capital industry. The \u2062ultimate outcome of this legal \u200bbattle will have significant implications for\u2062 the future of inclusive entrepreneurship and funding\u200b practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Journalist Elaine Welteroth attends Fearless Fund&#8217;s Venture Capital Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta temporarily halts Fearless Fund&#8217;s grant applications.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2416,"featured_media":2052559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[542],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2052558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oann"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2052558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2416"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2052558"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2052558\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2052559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2052558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2052558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2052558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}