CORONAVIRUS BUSINESS

FERNDALE, Mich. – The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic doesn’t seem like the right time to launch a new business. Some might argue that’s not a compelling enough reason to try to start a business. Friends and family members counseled them on what a terrible idea it was to think about starting a small business during the shutdown. They got involved with a craft beer hub in Ferndale called The Ferndale Project, where they bake. One thing they all agreed on: It takes a village, even to sell bagels.

DETROIT – Detroit Dough, a Black-owned business, is continuing to grow and give back to the community despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Inspired by a New York-based edible cookie dough company, Detroit Dough came to the city when owner Autumn Kyles decided Detroit needed something similar. She opened the edible cookie dough company, which serves five different flavors without the eggs and raw flour, making it safe to eat. “We have five flavors -- chocolate chip, brownie, sugar, peanut butter and no chip, which is chocolate chip without the chocolate chips,” Kyles said. “It’s one of my favorites.”Through Detroit Dough, Kyle has been able to fulfill her dream of giving back.

DETROIT Black-owned businesses have been hit hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and now Facebook is offering a $40 million boost to those struggling businesses through a grant program. Facebook announced 10,000 businesses will get grants that include $2,500 in cash and $1,500 in credit for ads on the social media website. The money comes from $100 million Facebook has set aside for a small business program. Click here for more information on how to apply.

NEW YORK Apple is the first U.S. company to boast a market value of $2 trillion, just two years after it became the first to reach $1 trillion. Apple has been at the vanguard of a group of Big Tech companies that are increasingly taking over peoples lives -- and the stock market. Just five companies -- Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook and Googles parent company -- account for nearly 23% of the S&P 500s entire value. Saudi Aramco reached a market value of $2 trillion shortly after becoming a public company in December 2019. The Saudi energy producers shares have fallen since amid a drop in oil prices and its market value is now about $1.82 trillion.