Black entrepreneurs and investors are making their presence felt across some of the most competitive industries in the country. From entertainment and venture capital to real estate and professional sports, a new wave of ownership is taking shape and the names behind it are ones worth paying close attention to.
Here are five Black leaders who made significant moves this week.
Issa Rae takes Hoorae Media to TikTok
Issa Rae is returning to her digital roots and she is bringing her production company with her.
The creator behind the acclaimed series Insecure has announced a new partnership between her company, Hoorae Media, and TikTok, aimed at developing original micro series for the platform. The first project out of the collaboration is Screen Time, a short-form narrative centered on a chaotic double date night gone wrong.
The move signals Rae’s continued commitment to meeting audiences where they are, while positioning Hoorae as a consistent presence in viewers’ everyday media consumption. It also reflects the broader shift in how premium content is being distributed and who is leading that charge.
Collide Capital closes a $95 million Fund II
Brian Hollins and Aaron Samuels, co-founders of Collide Capital, have closed their second fund at $95 million and it was oversubscribed. The Black-led venture capital firm secured backing from major financial institutions including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, a milestone that speaks to the growing confidence in diverse-led investment firms.
The fund will focus on supporting early-stage startups in fintech, supply chain, and the future of work, with a particular emphasis on backing underrepresented founders. For Black entrepreneurs navigating the funding gap, Collide Capital’s continued growth represents both a practical resource and a broader signal about what is possible.
Kevin Durant acquires the former Six Flags site in his hometown
Kevin Durant is putting serious capital into the community where he grew up.
Durant’s investment firm, 35V, has partnered with TPA Group to acquire the former Six Flags America property in Prince George’s County, Maryland a sprawling 515-acre site that had sat largely dormant. County Executive Aisha Braveboy has indicated that a sports component could be part of the site’s future development, though full plans have not yet been announced.
For Durant, the acquisition goes beyond a financial transaction. It reflects a deliberate investment in a predominantly Black county that has long been overlooked despite its proximity to the nation’s capital. The scope of the site gives the project the potential to become one of the most significant community development efforts in the region.
Will Smith joins the ownership group of Philadelphia’s first WNBA team
Philadelphia is getting its first WNBA franchise and Will Smith is part of the reason why.
The NBA and WNBA Boards of Governors have officially approved an expansion team for Philadelphia, set to begin play in 2030. Smith has joined the ownership group with a minority stake in the franchise, which comes with a $250 million expansion fee. For a city with deep basketball roots and a passionate sports culture, the arrival of a WNBA team has been a long time coming.
Smith’s involvement adds both star power and hometown credibility to the franchise. It also adds to a growing list of high-profile investors helping to elevate the WNBA’s profile and financial footing at a pivotal moment for women’s professional sports.
Thai Randolph launches NILE & Co. and acquires two BuzzFeed brands
Thai Randolph is building something new and she wasted no time making acquisitions to back it up.
Randolph has launched NILE & Co., a brand and intellectual property platform built around creators, athletes, and women. Shortly after a significant capital raise at Hartbeat, her new venture acquired two BuzzFeed properties As/Is and Goodful for $500,000, expanding her portfolio with brands that already have established audiences among women consumers.
Randolph’s thesis is grounded in a straightforward observation: women are driving the largest wealth transfer in modern history, and the media infrastructure serving them should reflect that power. NILE & Co. is her answer to that gap and these early acquisitions suggest she is moving quickly to build it out.
A broader shift in who holds power
Taken together, these five moves tell a larger story. Black leaders are not waiting for seats at the table they are acquiring land, closing funds, launching platforms, and buying into leagues. The wealth being built here extends beyond individual success. It is laying groundwork, creating visibility, and expanding what ownership looks like across industries that have historically excluded Black voices from the top.
That shift is well underway and this week offered five clear examples of it.
