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CultureBanx Team
February 04, 2025

Today, women are leading the charge in Formula 1’s ascent, but let’s start with how the misery index is causing discontent…

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Sum Of All Fears: How The ‘Misery Index’ Hit Nearly 7%

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Consumers are deep in their bag of feelings as the ‘Misery Index,’ the tool used to measure the degree of economic distress felt by everyday people, due to the risk of (or actual) joblessness combined with an increasing cost of living, continues to rise. The Federal Reserve has decided to pause rate cuts, further adding to folks' daily misery. With the current Misery Index at 6.99%: Unemployment 4.1% + Core Inflation 2.89%, just how long will be in a sunken place?

Women Are Shifting The Gears In Formula 1’s Growth  

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Formula 1 has traditionally been a male-dominated sport—whether it’s in the driver’s seat or in the stands. But today, that narrative is changing. Formula 1 is seeing a massive surge in viewership, with women playing a key role in the sport’s transformation. In 2025, F1 boasts a fanbase of 750 million worldwide, and women now represent 41% of that total. A significant portion of this growth is attributed to women aged 18-24 who are diving into the sport as well as the F1 community.

Are Riskier Transactions Narrowing The Investment Gap?  

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Black Americans have faced systematic exclusion from a number of American institutions, including investment opportunities, though that could be changing. The investment gap between Black and white Americans has recently narrowed, with higher stock market participation among young Black people under 40. In an effort to take back power, interest in investing has grown as this demographic has developed a propensity to take on riskier investments.

Tune-in Tuesdays!

The U.S. has previously been serving as the largest contributor to the World Health Organization (WHO). Trump's decision to withdraw funding has left African nations in limbo. Will this moment push African nations to establish more sustainable health financing, or will the loss of support create deeper vulnerabilities?

A. "Can't Hold Us Down" by Christina Aguilera & Lil Kim – Despite external setbacks, Africa has always found ways to push forward, and this is just another hurdle that will ultimately lead to a more resilient health sector
B. "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain & Bryan White – This is a wake-up call and an opportunity for Africa to build stronger, locally-driven healthcare solutions and to take greater control of its health policies
C. "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith – Africa still needs to be be hand-held until they can walk on their own. Abrupt cuts could have dire consequences on the healthcare industry

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 it looks like it's ‘Bout Time’ companies stand by and defend their DEI policies.

Tariff Terrors Could Rewrite The Comic Book Story  

CBX Vibe:

The comic industry is not having a great time and in perspective, each industry has its own share of woes. However, the comic industry can't seem to catch a break. Inflation has sent book prices on a spike and book sales on a downward spiral. To add salt to the injury, one of comics largest distributor for over three decades filed for bankruptcy which puts a dent on book sales even more. Now, the possible introduction of tariffs–7.5% rate to 100% could be the final nail on the coffin.   

Why 2025 May Be Bitcoin’s Biggest Year & Generate Wealth For All  

CBX Vibe:

If you'd told me a year ago that Bitcoin would skyrocket to $100,000 in 2024, I would've said that was wishful thinking, seeing as Bitcoin was hovering over $42,000 in December 2023. Yet here we are—celebrating a milestone that has people who are crypto natives and crypto curious anticipating what happens now. As a Black woman skeptical of traditional finance shutting us out, I find this era of cryptocurrency hype exciting yet cautiously hopeful. In real-time, we are finally seeing a tool that could level the financial playing field, especially for historically marginalized communities who deserve a chance at building wealth.   

Vibes of the Week

No more ”Sunshine In The Room” as consumers continue to feel economic distress. James Bay and Jon Batiste expound in our CBX Vibes!