CBX Daily 7/30/2025

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CultureBanx Team
July 30, 2025

Today, the youth choose financial freedom over aesthetics meant to impress, but let’s start with how TikTok is caught up in the U.S. government’s policy chess…

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Tariffs, TikTok, and the New Age of Global Cultural Censorship

CBX Vibe

TikTok’ platform is a cultural engine, especially for creators. As the U.S. government moves to regulate or ban the China-owned app over national security concerns, a deeper economic story is unfolding. It’s not just about privacy. President Trump extended the 90 day deadline a third time in June, to broker a deal that brings the social media platform under American ownership. It’s about power, protectionism, and the new global rules of digital trade.  

Gen-Z, Millennials Say Financial Health is More Important Than Looks

CBX Vibe:

Money can’t buy happiness, but strong finances may be able to get you a few more dates. According to Current, good savings habits, low debt, good credit scores, and monthly budgeting are more important to many Americans than looks when searching for a romantic partner. Approximately one-third of Americans say that low or no debt (33%) and a strong credit score (30%) are more powerful attractors than physical appearances when considering a potential romantic partner. Roughly a quarter say the same goes for emergency savings (26%), regular savings contributions (26%), maintaining a monthly budget (25%), and having a retirement savings plan (24%).  

Amazon's $10 Billion AI Data Center Is A Big Win For North Carolina

CBX Vibe:

Amazon is staking a major claim in the South as it expands its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure with a $10 billion data center investment in North Carolina. The move is more than a tech upgrade, it's a strategic cultural and economic bet on a state where Black communities make up 22.1% of the population, opening doors for inclusive job growth and innovation. The tech's groundbreaking Richmond County AI and cloud-computing hub will be developed over the next decade by Amazon Web Services (AWS), according to Amazon’s official announcement. The company says the investment will not only upgrade its AI capabilities but also generate hundreds of new jobs in Richmond and Gaston counties.  

Tune-in Tuesdays!

The IPO market in mid-2025 is finally showing signs of life after a period marked by economic uncertainty, high interest rates, and jittery investor confidence. Is this economic renewal or elite roulette?

A. “It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons – You only get one shot and founders know it. After years of waiting, the brave few are stepping into the arena, hoping the timing and the valuation hits just right
B. “Caution” by Mariah Carey – There’s still skepticism in the system but that’s just how any market is. Underneath the buzz is a fear
C. “Ambitionz Az a Ridah” by 2Pac – Some investors and startups rode out the storm teaching a lesson in survival. It’s more about proving they still belong

What are your thoughts on this? Tune in next Tuesday to see which jam captures the prevailing sentiment!

A  |  B  |  C

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Last week’s results are in and people think America feels like a ‘Rich Bitch’ with their visa integrity fee

Can Automation Be Equitable? The Racial Wealth Gap Says Otherwise

CBX Vibe:

For generations of workers displacement has been a normal albeit unequal process, now technology is adding another layer to the mix. Workplace automation presents the larger society with a conundrum, as A.I. is set to upend companies, leaving African Americans especially vulnerable. Nearly 4.5 million African Americans in the next 10 years could lose their jobs due to automaton. Is it possible this business impediment will lead to more income inequality and is there anything that can be done about it?  

Should You Swap Your Credit Card for Buy Now Pay Later?

CBX Vibe:

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is popping up everywhere. An April 2025 LendingTree survey found that around half of Americans have used BNPL, and around 1 in 3 have used it more than once. Buyers aren’t just using it for essentials either, with a Billboard report finding that nearly 2 in 3 attendees at this year’s Coachella festival used BNPL to buy their tickets. Credit cards, the grandfather of deferred payment solutions, have been around since the 1950s, and more than 4 in 5 US adults have one, according to the Federal Reserve. Is it worth ditching high-interest plastic in favor of zero-interest cardless loans?  

Vibes of the Week

Hit-Boy wants to know “What’s the Deal?" with Trump censoring TikTok in our CBX Vibes!