Grant Program for Black Women Business Owners Halted by Federal Appeals Court

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a venture capital competition that provided grants to businesses owned by black women amid an anti-discrimination lawsuit. In a 2-1 decision on Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ordered a federal court in Georgia to issue a preliminary injunction against venture capital firm Fearless Fund’s competitive grant program for black women business owners while the lawsuit plays out. The appellate court found in favor of the American Alliance for Equal Rights, which argued that the contest likely violated federal anti-discrimination law, which prohibits racial discrimination in contracts. The conservative organization, led by Edward Blum, describes itself as being committed to ending racial classifications. It contends that the grant contest discriminates against non-black applicants....