Monday Notes

This is an edition of Urisocrat Notes, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.

Juneteenth in Brooklyn: Red Velvet Cake Served With a Side of History

Juneteenth in Brooklyn: Red Velvet Cake Served With a Side of History

“Hey, we’re still here”: At a time when Black families have been leaving New York, the weekend celebration cultivated a sense of community.

The New York TimesBy

Six Essential Reads to Understand Juneteenth

Six Essential Reads to Understand Juneteenth

Spend time with beautiful pieces of writing that highlight the fortitude of Black Americans.

The AtlanticAmina Kilpatrick

The Racial Wage Gap Is Shrinking

The Racial Wage Gap Is Shrinking

Though still enormous, the gap has shrunk over the past five years.

The New York TimesBy

Pharrell Williams on His New Role at Louis Vuitton

Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton’s New Don

The American star steps into shoes once filled by Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton. His first collection debuts in Paris this week.

The New York TimesBy

The Curse of the Eighth Pick in the NBA Draft

The Curse of the Eighth Pick in the NBA Draft

It’s been almost 30 years since an All-Star was taken with the no. 8 pick (shout-out Vin Baker). We examine the most bizarre drought in the draft.

The RingerDaniel Joyaux

Michael Jordan Agrees to Sell Majority Stake in Charlotte Hornets

Michael Jordan Agrees to Sell Majority Stake in Charlotte Hornets

The sale to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall values the team at a reported $3 billion. Jordan is currently the league’s only Black majority owner.

The Wall Street JournalRobert O’Connell

Tracking Africa's billion-dollar companies

Out of the 345 companies in Africa that each generate $1 billion or more in annual revenues, 230 were started in an African country and the founder is often an African, according to a report by McKinsey. South Africa is by far the continent’s leader with 40% of all the billion-dollar revenue companies. Its large companies increased revenues at an average rate of 5.5% a year between 2015 and 2021, while large companies in other countries saw average declines by 1.7% in the same period.

Tracking Africa’s billion-dollar companies | Semafor

Out of the 345 companies in Africa that each generate $1 billion or more in annual revenues, 230 were started in an African country and the founder is often an African.

Semafor LogoAlexander Onukwue