Josh Rodgers

TikTok has been at the center of many recent conversations. Despite its battles at Capitol Hill, the social media app is still one of the primary places Gen Z and others go for entertainment, recommendations, and news. Disney star Skai Jackson is among the people who have tapped into TikTok’s ubiquity. Jackson has been vocal about using TikTok and how it has impacted her personal life. According to a report from Blavity, the 22-year-old has a partnership with hair brand Cantu Beauty. However, her searches on TikTok taught her hairstyling techniques that would allow her to maximize the use of the products she promoted. View this post on Instagram A post shared by S K A I (@skaijackson) “I really feel like these products [Cantu] are so special because they took the time to answer everybody’s needs and deliver and put them into the product,” she told Blavity. She continued, “It’s just so amazing to see that there are millions of people in the world dealing with the same issues as me...

It was at the young age of 12 that Heather started to experience a variety of seemingly unrelated health issues. First joint pain, particularly in her knees, ankles and elbows. Then came the rashes on her face and back, the hair loss, the fatigue, the sensitivity to light and the difficulty breathing. These symptoms baffled her medical team and lead them to refer to her as a “mystery person.” Her symptoms were difficult and draining to manage while she spent her young adolescent years living with this mystery. It would take many years, ER visits, missed family moments, and the birth of her son before Heather finally learned exactly what was causing her mysterious symptoms. Unbeknownst to Heather and her family, her symptoms were interconnected and all stemmed from one major autoimmune disorder: lupus. “I vividly remember the day I was diagnosed,” Heather tells AfroTech. “I was in bed [at home], struggling to breathe and [I] had a red, inflamed rash on my face. Being a single mother...

In the vibrant tapestry of Black American culture, a concept emerges that celebrates certain movies as “Blassics.” This term, a fusion of ‘Black’ and ‘Classics,’ is a testament to the unique stories of Black Americans and their experiences brought to life through films starring Black actors. These films, often featuring familiar faces like Angela Bassett, Nia Long, and Taye Diggs, are not just movies but cultural milestones. They have left an indelible mark on the industry and include films like “Waiting to Exhale, “Friday,” “School Daze,” and “The Best Man,” resonating deeply with the culture’s shared experiences and heritage. Of those listed, Diggs may be most recently known for his appearance on the CW’s “All American,” portraying former NFL player and high school football coach Billy Baker. However, his career has roots much deeper than the teenage-themed drama series. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taye Diggs (@tayediggsinsta) Diggs, a native of Rochester, NY,...

If one were to walk down the hair care aisle of any major big box store, there is a high chance Shea Moisture would be on the shelves. With products like shampoos, conditioners, and oils, the natural hair care line has been serving Black and Brown communities for years. But did you know the brain behind the massive beauty and hairline is Liberian-born mogul Richelieu Dennis? From Humble Beginnings To A Purpose-Driven Mission Dennis attended Babson College and began selling shea butter from his dorm room. By the early 90s, he had leveraged his dorm room sales to start the Shea Moisture line, which would eventually become a part of the parent company Sundial Brands. However, Dennis’ journey was one of hard work, selling his product from a card table in Harlem. Beyond the entrepreneurial spirit, Dennis recognized his product was not just a hustle but a connection to something greater. “But for me, there was this overwhelming sense of responsibility: there were no real products or...

In his 2017 song, “Legacy,” Jay-Z said, “Generational wealth, that’s the key. My parents don’t have sh-t, so that shift started with me.” This concept, adopted by many people, has been the foundation for helping secure the economic stability of their families. Among those who created that shift, as Jay-Z described, is Terry Crews. Terry Crews, a former NFL player, current television host, and actor, has achieved remarkable success across various industries. However, career has always been intertwined with Terry’s family, a testament to his strong values. The 55-year-old has been transparent about his financial troubles, and his wife’s admonishment helped him realize he needed to shift his pride aside and focus on making an income that would benefit the Crews household. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Terry Crews (@terrycrews) “After retiring from the NFL, I struggled to get to the next level where I wanted to be,” the actor told Variety. “ I tried and failed many times...

Disruptors, in the evolutionary sense of the word, are people who have abandoned the status quo. They thrive in their differences and are typically unbothered by the societal boundaries designed to box them in. There are countless examples of these people in the world, but one clear example is Tyler, the Creator. Evidenced by his stage name, Tyler Gregory Okonma is a California native and award-winning producer and musical artist. He burst onto the scene co-founding the Hip-Hop collective Odd Future and releasing his debut mixtape 2009, titled “Bastard.” However, it was in 2011 when he released his first studio album, “Goblin,” that he started getting noticed. Reflecting, he acknowledged his musical growth and was honest about his work then. In a conversation on the “Rap Radar Podcast,” Tyler was pretty candid that while his lead single, “Yonkers,” is still one of his favorites, the album itself was not his favorite body of work. “Bro, ‘Goblin’ is f-cking terrible, but I still love...

2024 marks a significant time in Hip-Hop history as the 30th anniversary of “Illmatic” — Nas’ debut album. The 1994 release brought the world classic songs like “The World Is Yours” and “One Love.” Since then, the native New York rapper has cemented himself in history as one of Hip-Hop’s elite voices. Born Nasir Jones, Nas started his journey as a prominent figure in Hip-Hop after the release of his 1992 single “Halftime,” appearing on the soundtrack for “Zebrahead,” a film centered around interracial dating. “Illmatic” would follow, and Nas would go on to produce several other top-charting albums. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas) An Iconic Rap Career Nas’ musical prowess has earned him a staggering 17 Grammy nominations. His recent win in 2021 for Best Rap Album with “King’s Disease” is a testament to his enduring talent and relevance in the industry. It is safe to assume that his multi-decade music career made most of Nas’ foundational wealth...

With current food and gas prices at an all-time high, people are looking for ways to earn extra money and save where it counts. If there were ever a cultural figure that could show people extreme ways of saving a little coin, look no further than Julius from “Everybody Hates Chris,” played by veteran actor Terry Crews. Crews portrayed a blue-collar worker, father, and husband constantly burdened by financial stress on-screen. While many of the character’s strategies were extreme, Crews’ real-life approach to budgeting and finance is a testament to his diverse financial talents, not too far removed from his 2000s-era character. Terry Crews And His Uncanny NFL Journey Terry Crews entered the entertainment industry on a nontraditional path. After some time in college, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1991. His professional football career was unstable, as he played for six different teams across five years, including the San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins, as well as...

The production tagline on Metro Boomin’s beats, “If Young Metro don’t trust you, I’m gone shoot you,” is more than a cultural statement — it’s rooted in the long-time friendship and business partnership he has with Atlanta, GA, rapper Future. Emerging from St. Louis, MO, Metro Boomin, born Leland Tyler Wayne, has carved his name in the annals of Hip-Hop history. His talent and ingenuity have propelled him to the forefront of the industry, with his production credits and collaborative acclaim spanning chart-topping songs with Drake, Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, Big Sean, and The Weeknd, among others. It’s About More Than Rap For Metro Boomin While Metro Boomin’s catalog is predominantly rooted in Rap and Hip-Hop, his music is a testament to his diverse range of influences. From the Pop icons that shaped his early musical journey to the eerie soundscapes of horror movies, his unique blend of inspirations is a fascinating insight into his creative process. “Michael Jackson. He was always...

In 2015, film and television producers Lee Daniels and Danny Strong debuted the critically acclaimed television series, “Empire,” starring actors Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. As characters, they portrayed a complicated couple attempting to navigate the duality of family and business. Each week, viewers were engrossed in the drama of this fictitious musical dynasty, but behind the scenes everything wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed. Howard has been in a legal battle over his salary from the show since December 2023. According to a previous post from AFROTECH™, the “Hustle & Flow” actor claims he received up to 50% less than what his white counterparts would have made in a starring role similar to “Empire’s” music mogul character Luscious Lyon. Terrence Howard’s Complaints Based on the lawsuit documents filed against the Creative Artist Agency (CAA), the complaint alleges that Howard was unaware of the fees and conflict of interest the agency would impose. Additionally, after...

From movements like #OscarsSoWhite to constant stories about pay inequity in the entertainment industry, it is no real surprise that when Forbes released a list of the 2023 highest-paid actors in Hollywood, CA, there was a lack of diversity. The lone Black indigenous person of color (BIPOC) named on the list at number 10 was veteran actor Denzel Washington. Financial earnings for marginalized groups compared to their white counterparts is not a new social justice issue. However, due to some public knowledge regarding celebrity salaries, it is hard to ignore the significant differences in pay that Black actors receive. The most noticeable pay gap is the gender inequities between actors who identify as men or women. According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, Black actresses typically make an estimated 64 cents for every dollar white, non-Hispanic male actors make. This number increases to 68 cents for Black women producers and directors. While advocates for Black...

When it comes to turning dreams into reality, hard work, dedication, perseverance, and opportune moments are more critical to success than an arbitrary timeline based on age. However, society continues to pressure people to grind harder and rest less, as if patience isn’t a virtue. History has proven that time is only a construct, noting that it is never too late to manifest dreams. Whether they had a breakout moment in their late 20s or figured out the secret formula in their 30s, these celebrities prove that dreams never expire. Jay-Z The 54-year-old rap legend didn’t have his breakout moment until he dropped his first album, Reasonable Doubt , at age 26. He is now an accomplished billionaire in the music game, with several businesses and investments in his portfolio. Lupita Nyong’o View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lupita Nyong’o (@lupitanyongo) Many people’s first introduction to Nyong’o was her performance in the critically acclaimed film “12 Years A Slave.” Although...

The early-to-mid-2000s was a particularly unique era in rap music. From the tall white T-shirts to the emergence of popular dance trends, rappers during this era kept listeners hungry to keep up with every trend they introduced. Nelly was among those influential rappers. Born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., Nelly burst onto the music scene in 2000 with his debut album, “Country Grammar.” The album and its title track earned Grammy nominations during the 2001 awards, prompting insight into the rapper’s trajectory. The current father of four would experience more success following his debut release with other songs such as “Hot in Herre,” “Air Force Ones,” and “Pimp Juice.” Nelly’s success would land him additional Grammy nominations, with him eventually earning three awards, according to the Grammys website. While the St. Louis, MO-raised rapper experienced significant success in the music industry, he did not subject himself to staying behind the mic. Nelly launched the record label Derrty...

When one thinks of ’90s R&B, some key icons typically come to mind, including Toni Braxton’s unique and sultry voice. Braxton’s journey began way before her 1992 commercial debut when she was featured on the soundtrack to the comedy/romance film “Boomerang,” starring Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens, and Halle Berry. Several interviews and appearances have documented that Braxton and her family got their musical start in the church. Braxton’s religious upbringing would prove to be a foundation for her musical success. She went on to give the world chart-topping hits like “Un-Break My Heart,” “Breathe Again,” and “Just Be A Man About It.” Her musical contributions earned her critical success and seven Grammy Awards, a testament to her talent and hard work. The Maryland-born singer diversified her entertainment portfolio by appearing on television and in films. According to Playbill, the mother of two became the first and only Black woman to be cast as Belle in the Broadway production of...

One common argument among sports fans is the GOAT (greatest of all time) conversation. When it comes to the NFL, one of the consistent names that comes to mind is former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. However, top-performing players do not start and stop with the leading position. They need wide receivers to throw to, and you can’t ignore Terrell Owens when looking down the history of top-performing athletes at that position. The NFL lists Owens as the No. 6 greatest wide receiver of all time. He had 1,078 receptions, 15,934 yards, and 153 touchdowns during his professional football career. While his high-performing career did not yield him a Super Bowl championship, he was inducted as a 2018 Football Hall of Fame class member. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NFL (@nfl) Terrell Owens, a father of five, had an estimated net worth of $80 million from the height of his career, with most of his earnings coming from on-field play totaling nearly $80 million,...