The iWoman Report: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fearless Fund Returns, and a New Invite-Only Social Platform

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Turns 40

October marks a powerful time of reflection, education, and unity as Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, a movement now in its 40th year, led in part by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Over the past four decades, the campaign has become a call for awareness, helping to save lives through education, early detection, support networks, and community action.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women in the United States, second only to skin cancer. With one in eight women facing a breast cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives, the importance of staying informed and proactive cannot be overstated. Fortunately, early detection has made a difference: most cases in recent years have been caught in early stages when treatment is more likely to succeed.

The numbers are still sobering, as breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. But there’s hope in the trends. Death rates have been steadily declining over the last 30 years, thanks to earlier screenings, better treatment options, and heightened public awareness.

While many individuals discover breast cancer after noticing symptoms, others may not experience any signs at all. That’s why regular screenings are crucial. The most common early symptom is a new lump or mass in the breast, but other changes can also be red flags. Medical imaging such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs play a key role in early diagnosis, especially when symptoms aren’t obvious.

For those who face financial barriers, programs like the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provide low-cost or free screenings, helping ensure that income and insurance status don’t determine outcomes.

Screening guidelines continue to evolve, but current recommendations advise women aged 40 to 74 at average risk to undergo a mammogram every two years. For those with a higher risk, such as those with a family history of breast cancer should get screened earlier and more frequently. Early detection not only improves survival rates but can also offer less invasive treatment options.

Beyond the statistics and clinical care, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also about community. One standout initiative is the ACS’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walks. These events are held nationwide to celebrate survivors, honor those lost, and raise funds for research and support services. The three- to five-mile walks create a powerful sense of connection and purpose.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month turns 40, the message is clear: knowledge saves lives. Whether through regular screenings, supporting a loved one, fundraising for research, or simply starting a conversation, everyone has a role to play in the fight against breast cancer. Let this October be a time of strength, education, and hope, and a reminder that behind every statistic is a story worth fighting for.

Fearless Fund Doubles Down with Global Expansion After Legal Battle

One year after facing a headline-grabbing lawsuit that challenged its grant-making practices, the Fearless Fund is not backing down. Instead, the Atlanta-based venture capital firm is charting a bold new path that extends far beyond its original mission and reaches into the realms of global policy and equity.

On September 28, the firm took a major step forward by launching the Fearless Global Initiative, its most ambitious project to date. The launch event in New York brought together a diverse group of leaders and influencers, including members of Congress, international dignitaries, and prominent civil rights figures. The event celebrated the return of the Fearless Fund's mission and cemented their determination to expand their impact for minority groups, even under fierce criticism and pressure.

In 2023, Fearless Fund found itself in the national spotlight when it was sued by the conservative American Alliance of Equal Rights. The legal challenge targeted the firm’s grant program, which supported women of color entrepreneurs. The plaintiffs claimed the program excluded other groups unfairly. Though the lawsuit was ultimately settled and the grant program discontinued, the case left lasting marks.

The fallout was real. Corporate sponsorships dwindled, shrinking from about 20 in a typical year to just three major backers in 2025 — UPS, JPMorgan Chase, and Costco. Fundraising efforts were stalled. Plans for a second venture fund were put on hold. And yet, the core mission remained intact.

Throughout it all, Fearless Fund continued to support its portfolio companies and operate a small business loan program launched during the turbulence. The legal ordeal may have slowed the firm down, but it didn’t stop its momentum.

The Fearless Global Initiative signals a shift from solely funding businesses to shaping the broader systems that affect access to capital. The cornerstone of the initiative is demographic equity, the idea behind the action that funding, contracts, and investments should be aligned with the makeup of the population.

It’s a concept that goes beyond identity politics. The initiative is framed as being just as relevant for working-class white communities as it is for historically marginalized groups. Whether it's a coal miner in Kentucky or a farmworker in California, the goal is to ensure that resources flow in ways that reflect the country’s full demographic landscape.

This new approach expands the firm's reach and influence, moving it into global conversations around equity and inclusive investment. It also signals that Fearless Fund is looking to shift markets and mindsets, especially at a time when many institutions are pulling back from diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Fearless Fund’s founder and CEO, Arian Simone, has been candid about the toll the lawsuit took, describing it as an incredibly difficult chapter. But she’s also clear that retreat is not an option. The firm’s decision to continue writing large checks to underrepresented entrepreneurs, particularly Black women, was seen by some as a disruption. That disruption, it seems, is exactly the point.

By launching a global initiative focused on structural change, Fearless Fund is signaling that its mission is bigger than a single grant, a single fund, or even a single country. It’s about challenging systems that have historically excluded too many and doing it with unapologetic clarity.

Byio: The Invite-Only Platform Set to Redefine Social Media

In a digital world often dominated by the same tech giants and familiar issues, a bold new player is emerging. Byio, short for By Invite Only, is not just another social app. It's a full-scale, AI-powered social media platform founded and owned by Black women, and it's already making global waves before its official launch.

Born from lived experiences of censorship, discrimination, and unequal creator earnings, Byio was envisioned as a digital space that doubles as a statement. It's a refusal to accept the status quo. The founders have built it from the ground up with a clear mission: return power to the users, prioritize authentic connection, and ensure creators are finally treated and paid fairly.

Byio is being designed with the Black community at its core, but its reach is global. Allies and supporters from around the world are invited to join and help shape a social platform that puts equity, safety, and creativity first.

When the platform’s development was announced on September 1, interest exploded with more than a million views within 48 hours. What followed was a flurry of action: fans and future users jumped at the chance to show their support by purchasing limited-edition Byio stickers, tied to certain digital perks like Discord access and supporter status.

Still, sticker buyers don’t get automatic access to the platform itself. True entry will be decided through a carefully curated system starting with the Global Ten Thousand (TG10s), the first wave of users who will set the tone for the entire platform. These individuals will be chosen exclusively from Byio’s Discord community, which surged with new members immediately after the launch.

Once selected, the TG10s will help determine who’s next. They’ll have the power to invite others and thus ensure that the community remains respectful, safe, and aligned with Byio’s values.

Byio isn’t cutting corners when it comes to features. From day one, the platform will offer:

• Live streaming and video sharing

• Creator monetization through gifting, subscriptions, and e-commerce

• Patent-pending tools that haven’t been seen on any other platform

• AI-integrated design for a smarter, safer experience

• Full control over who joins and who stays — managed entirely by the community

  
  

With the highest earning potential for creators and a structure that centers user empowerment, Byio is poised to flip the traditional social media model on its head.

For those eager to join a platform that promises to value integrity, creativity, and cultural equity, the time to act is now. Supporters can “lock in” by securing a sticker and joining the official Byio Discord. While only the TG10s will initially gain access to the app, every early action counts in building the community and shaping what Byio becomes.