Recently, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs unveiled a digital marketing platform called Shop Circulate to facilitate interaction between consumers and Black entrepreneurs. The artist, producer, and businessman partnered with Salesforce to launch the “curated digital marketplace” for Black business owners.
Shop Circulate is designed in such a way that it allows consumers to discover and buy products exclusively created and sold by Black entrepreneurs. It provides Black businesses with a platform to reach global audiences and empowers consumers to shop for the world’s best Black-owned brands.
Diddy said, “Building Black wealth starts with investing in Black-owned businesses and giving entrepreneurs access to the consumers needed to build sustainable companies that can thrive. I’m excited to partner with Salesforce to create a platform that will advance our collective pursuit of economic justice.”
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Diddy unveiled the app on the back of the centenary anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre which claimed some 300 lives, wiped out the inheritance of Black businesses, and cost Black businesses $300 million.
However, a young entrepreneur is accusing the business mogul of stealing his idea. The entrepreneur, Drixxon Kyser, aka Devin, took to social media to call out Diddy for allegedly stealing his idea that he has been working on for nearly a year.
Devin, from South Ward of Newark, New Jersey, said he has been working on an app called Circulate which is set to do the same thing as Diddy’s. “For the past year, I’ve been building, developing, and promoting my Black business discover app called Circulate,” he claimed. “This past Wednesday, P. Diddy announced he’s creating a black business discover platform called Shop Circulate.”
“This is what the Black entrepreneur faces all the time. We go underfunded, can’t get loans, don’t have a network to get resources from,” he added.
Devin said he wants Diddy to reach out to him on the matter, suggesting that he may not be able to ‘fight’ him because of his stature. “Look man, I’m a kid from South Ward of Newark, New Jersey. I can’t fight this machine alone. I need help.” And if somehow this reaches the ear of P. Diddy directly, you can email me.”
Meanwhile, Diddy is scheduled to launch his app in the fall and those interested can sign up to their mailing list to get access.
“Black businesses are the heart of our community,” a statement from Shop Circulate said. “From the best of the best to who’s got next, we’re building an online home for the artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who define our culture.”
