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Smart cities worldwide face a basic challenge because they don’t work well when disasters strike, despite their advanced technology. A detailed Deloitte study shows that 66% of 167 cities are investing heavily in AI and 80% will do so over the next three years, yet many can’t handle disruptions. This is where the “Omni Cities” concept, resilient, equitable and adaptable urban ecosystems with integrated AI nervous systems, is reshaping the future of our civic tech agency.

Trust Is the Hidden Blueprint Every Smart City Needs

Brick by brick and beam by beam, diverse-owned construction firms are navigating an industry long marked by structural inequality and rebuilding the narrative around wealth and housing access. In 2025, Black-owned construction companies account for just 6.8% of all U.S. construction firms, according to Contractor News. Yet, there is a rising wave of apprenticeships, capacity-building platforms, and legacy firm innovation shows these businesses have immense staying power.

 Learn How Black Construction Leaders Are Drafting a Richer Future

From classic rock vinyl to anime-inspired video games, collectibles are enjoying a resurgence. Fueled by fandom, nostalgia, and even social media buzz, buyers are seeking out physical media and memorabilia and increasingly finding them on digital marketplaces. Analysts estimate the global collectibles market has topped $496 billion in 2025, driven by cross-generational appeal, scarcity, and the thrill of the hunt.

Look at how nostalgia is America’s latest billion-dollar playlist.

Spotify’s (SPOT -2.04%) most valuable currency isn’t just streams, it’s sound that resonates across cultures. Even though the world’s largest audio platform music fell short of Wall Street’s revenue expectations last quarter, it still boasts with 266 million premium subscribers and a clear trend: Black and Latino creators are shaping what and who the world listens to.

Spotify’s Hits Grow the Pie

Keep pushing your week on a high note with “Lover Girl” by Magan Thee in this week's CBX Vibe