Ngozi Nwanji

AFROTECH STAFF

Ngozi Nwanji

Ngozi Nwanji is a Nigerian-American journalist, writer, and content creator from and based in Silver Spring, Maryland with a passion for storytelling, media representation, and music. Along with writing for AfroTech, she's the founder of her own entertainment website, Z's P.O.V — a platform for underrated music and Black creatives.

Want to read more?

Articles1449

Nimay Ndolo Went From Being A Front-End Developer To Securing Five-Figure Brand Deals As A Content Creator

Nimay Ndolo’s road to success in the creator industry took a lot of work and determination. Before her pivot into content creation, the Nigerian-American delivered food in a 2004 manual transmission car (stick shift) with no air conditioning (AC) for an entire summer in Atlanta, GA . On Ndolo’s delivery route, she would often deliver to people working in skyscrapers — AC there thankfully was blasting. Escaping the blistering heat ultimately freed her from the shackles of being “a starving artist,” she says. “I used my Postmates bag to sneak into a startup for a software company,” Ndolo recalled to AFROTECH™. “I ended up taking them donuts and my resume. I got an interview and didn’t get the job, but I ended up at a freight brokerage.” Even though Ndolo was able to secure a more stable job, she shared that after nearly a year, she was fired from the position six days before Christmas. However, being let go allowed her to go back to the drawing board, which, she says, reminded her of...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 27, 2024

Lil Rel Howery Says His 'Get Out' Role 'Changed The Pay Scale' For Him In Hollywood And Made Him A Household Name

When the trailer for Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, “Get Out,” was released, it became one of the most highly anticipated films of 2017. Starring Daniel Kaluuya, the psychological thriller became a box-office hit and grossed over $256 million worldwide, according to IMDb. What’s more, the film won an Academy Award in 2018 for “Best Original Screenplay,” making Peele the first Black writer to win in the category, and was the catalyst for Kaluuya’s career in Hollywood. Another “Get Out” breakout star was Lil Rel Howery, who played TSA agent Rod Williams. In an interview on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, the comedian and actor revealed what he earned from the film. “‘Get Out’ was on a Tubi budget,” Howery said jokingly to Sharpe. “I did that for the minimum [per the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists].” According to “Club Shay Shay,” Howery earned less than $3,000 per week during filming. Nonetheless, it was Howery’s first...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 27, 2024

How Cari Champion's Mentorship Program, Brown Girls Dream, Has Ushered Young Black Women Into Higher Positions In Sports And Media

Cari Champion has always been a certified go-getter. So much so that before becoming an esteemed broadcast journalist and TV personality, Champion traveled across the country to pursue her dreams. After interning at local news stations, working as an assignment editor at Channel 13, and sending her resume tape to countless companies, the Los Angeles, CA, native received a call from a news director in West Virginia about a job opening, she shared in a previous interview with radio show “The Breakfast Club.” Despite the long distance, Champion jumped at the opportunity. “My checks might have been like $450 every two weeks,” Champion told the show. “I could’ve been working at a fast-food restaurant, making more money at the time. [The news director] he’s like, ‘We’ll give you the job. It’s a one-man band. You gotta shoot the camera yourself. You gotta edit everything yourself’… And I was like, ‘OK.’ That was it. And I packed up my Nissan Altima with whatever little things I had and...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 27, 2024

Kevin Hart Originally Purchased This Bored Ape NFT For A Reported $200K — Here's How Much He Sold It For

Trends come, and trends go. As artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) have been getting all of the attention lately, technology such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has simmered down. Now, Kevin Hart is one of many who have experienced one of the pitfalls that come with blockchain technology. In January 2022, the actor and comedian reportedly bought a Bored Ape Yacht Club non-fungible token (NFT) for 79.5 ETH or $200,401 in a deal facilitated by MoonPay, a cryptocurrency marketplace, as previously shared by AFROTECH™. The reported purchase was at a time when numerous celebrities such as Hip Hop artist Snoop Dogg and NBA player Stephen Curry were securing the once popular company’s digital tokens. Hart reportedly sold his NFT on March 25, 2024, for 13.65 ETH, which equates to $47,000 — significantly less than his original purchase of over $200,000 — per ZyCrypto. The outlet described the reported sale as an “81% discount.” Canadian singer Justin Bieber faced a similar...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 26, 2024

Kai Cenat Announces He Is Committed To Building A New School In Nigeria For Local Children

Kai Cenat has turned a vacation into inspiration for advancing youth education. In March 2024, the popular online streamer and YouTuber touched down in the African country of Nigeria for the first time. Cenat documented his experience and aired it on his YouTube channel. During his visit to Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, he visited Makoko Children Development Foundation School and Orphanage, which serves as both a free school and orphanage for less-privileged children. The school is among some buildings in the Makoko community that float or are on stilts. While visiting the school, Cenat connected with its 23-year-old principal, who told Cenat that the building’s condition is a barrier to teaching students. “This building is coming down, it’s sinking,” the principal explained to Cenat on the documented video. “So, we are looking for support to [break] it down and rebuild it.” Along with the building needing to be reconstructed, he also detailed that it was too small — one...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 25, 2024

'Ghostbusters' Actor Ernie Hudson Says He Only Pocketed $370 From His First ‘Big’ Hollywood Paycheck

Nearly five decades ago, Ernie Hudson first made his entrance into Hollywood. Out of the veteran actor’s countless film and TV appearances, one of his most widely known roles is Winston Zeddemore in the “Ghostbusters” franchise. According to IMDb, the first installment of the “Ghostbusters” films alone made over $297 million worldwide. What’s more, among the later installments, “Ghostbusters II” grossed over $215 million, and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” grossed over $204 million — all starring Hudson. Before being a part of box office smashes, Hudson experienced his fair share of receiving low pay. During the promo run for 2024’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” he revealed to The Root what he earned from his first big payday as a Hollywood actor. “[My] first big check was $10,000 for one day’s work,” Hudson shared in the interview. “I was behind on rent and I told my landlord that I was waiting for the check to come.” However, Hudson was unaware of just how much of his check was going...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 25, 2024

Black Women-Led Doula Organization Receives A $2M Donation From MacKenzie Scott To Further Support Black Mothers, Babies, And Families

MacKenzie Scott’s latest Yield Giving Open Call exceeded its initial expectations. In March 2023, Yield Giving, founded by the billionaire and philanthropist, launched the initiative to back community-led, community-focused organizations that actively support people “in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States,” per the organization’s website. On Mar 19, 2024, CNN reported that Scott donated $640 million to 361 non-profits. Initially, 250 organizations were to be awarded $1 million each. However, with over 6,000 applicants, the donation plan expanded. “We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change — which managed the Yield Giving Open Call — per the release. “In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.” According to the release, Birthing...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 22, 2024

Tanya Van Court's Goalsetter Closes On A $9.6M Series A Extension Round To Further Its Mission Of Financial Equity And Education

Tanya Van Court’s Goalsetter has reached yet another milestone since launching in 2019. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the founder and CEO founded the fintech platform to help youth and families gain access to banking and financial education, including tools, investing, and savings. In 2021, Goalsetter’s mission caught the attention of NBA stars Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Andre Drummond, who all invested in the company’s $15 million Series A funding round. Now, Goalsetter has announced that the round isn’t finished just yet. According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, Goalsetter has closed on a $9.6 million Series A extension round. The new round was led by an affiliate of Edward Jones and MassMutual through its MM Catalyst Fund, the press release details. Fellow investors included Fiserv, Seae Ventures, Webster Bank, Astia Fund, Partnership Fund for New York City, Reseda Group, and InTouchCU. “Our new Series A extension marks a significant milestone for...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 22, 2024

A Proposal Backed By Mayor Brandon Scott Approved To Sell Over 200 Vacant Baltimore Properties For $1 Each To Local Residents

A new housing proposal in Baltimore, MD, is modeled after the city’s property program from a few decades ago. In the 1970s, Baltimore had a “dollar house” program, in which residents got to own vacant properties for $1 each under the requirement of fixing them, according to Bloomberg. Now, the idea to revitalize has surfaced again. The Baltimore Sun reports that Mayor Brandon Scott supported the proposal to offer over 200 vacant properties in Baltimore to people who will repair and live in them. The Baltimore Board of Estimates approved the program on March 20 . The program was designed mainly for individual buyers and community land trusts. However, for $3,000, developers and large nonprofits can also purchase unoccupied houses (small nonprofits would pay $1,000). This proposal is an opportunity to combat an ongoing issue in Baltimore. The Baltimore Sun mentions that unoccupied homes are a big problem throughout the city, numbering more than 13,000. This new program will only cover...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 21, 2024

Apple Reportedly Filed A Patent For Its AirPods To Feature Electrodes That Detect Brain Electrical Activity

A patent from technology company Apple shows that it is working on tech innovations for its AirPods product. Back in July 2023, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published an application filed by Apple in January 2023. Within the application, the tech giant mentioned a wearable electronic device that is comprised of a processor that is arranged to identify active electrodes for sensing biosignals — “electrical activity of a brain of a user.” “The processor is further configured to: control the switching circuit for acquiring measurements corresponding to the biosignal being senses using the identified subset of the one or more subsets of active electrodes and the identified subset of the one or more subsets of reference electrodes,” the application wrote. Typically, brain activity is monitored with electrodes on a person’s scalp. However, Apple shared its claim that measuring brain activity “using electrodes placed in or around the outer ear may be preferred due to...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 19, 2024

Uber Leads $100M Series B Funding Round For Moove, A Nigerian-Founded Mobility Fintech Startup

A Lagos, Nigeria-founded mobility fintech has secured a historic investment. TechCrunch reports that Moove has announced a $100 million Series B funding round led by Uber — marking the rideshare company’s first investment in Africa. Now, Moove’s valuation is $750 million. “ Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for us,” Moove Founder Ladi Delano shared in a press release. “When we founded Moove in 2020, we were motivated to solve the acute shortage of vehicle financing that over two million African mobility entrepreneurs faced.” He continued, “This validation from Uber and others stands as a testament to the fact that what was once a dream is now a palpable reality. This infusion of capital is set to amplify the immensely positive impact our products have in the lives of our customers on a much broader spectrum. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team of Moovers for their relentless effort and commitment, which has been pivotal in reaching...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 19, 2024

65-Year-Old Flavor Flav Has Announced That He's Going Back To High School To Earn His Diploma

Following his success with the legendary Hip-Hop group Public Enemy, Flavor Flav gained even more fame on television. Beginning with the reality TV shows “The Surreal Life” and “Strange Love,” Flavor Flav went on to star in his own series titled “Flavor of Love,” which aired on the VH1 network from 2006 to 2008, according to IMDb. Now, almost two decades later, Flavor Flav is making his way back to reality TV. However, this go around isn’t to find love — it’s to cross off an educational milestone. During an interview with TMZ, Flavor Flav revealed that he has an upcoming show focusing on him earning his high school diploma. “I’m going back to high school to get my diploma,” Flavor Flav told TMZ. “That’s what my show is going to be about. Flavor Flav goes back to high school.” He added, “And I’m getting it for real. Not a GED, bro, I want my diploma.” While Flavor Flav is aware that high school has completely changed since adolescence, he is adamant about staying the course. “If I...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 19, 2024

Patrick Mahomes To Open A 'One-Of-A-Kind' Steakhouse In Kansas City, MO

Outside of the NFL, Patrick Mahomes has had his hand in the restaurant industry. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, the Texas native is part of the franchise group KMO Burger, which aims to own 30 Whataburger restaurants by the end of the decade. However, now, Mahomes is establishing a restaurant of his own in his home away from home. Mahomes and fellow Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce are opening 1587 Prime, a steakhouse in Kansas City, MO, according to Today. Named after their jersey numbers, the Super Bowl champions’ upcoming restaurant is in partnership with Noble 33, a global hospitality group. “Travis and I have become frequent visitors of Noble 33 restaurants in other cities so it only made sense to bring something special to our own community in Kansas City,” Mahomes shared, according to Today. Kelce chimed in, “We’re excited to be a part of this journey with Noble 33 to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience, and what better place to start than our very own Kansas...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 18, 2024

Vic Mensa Awards A Black-Woman-Owned Bookstore In Chicago With A Check To Pay Its Rent For A Year

Vic Mensa has come to the rescue of a Black-woman-owned business in his hometown of Chicago, IL. On March 13, 2024, the rapper made a stop by Da Book Joint. Self-described as “Your African American book source,” the bookstore has been in operation since 2007,” according to its website. “We are particularly interested in books targeted at the youth,” the website wrote. “We are looking to play our part in the development of the youth of the country, and we do so by providing a healthy selection of books and titles for them to select from.” To help keep Da Book Joint’s doors open, Vic Mensa presented the bookstore with a check for $7,200. “We are thankful,” Da Book Joint shared in an Instagram post. “We are honored. We are grateful. We are truly living a dream right now. Thank you so much to @vicmensa and his entire @93boyz team for blessing us today by covering our rent for an entire year.” It continued, “Thank you for seeing our mission and helping us stand in our purpose. You are...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 15, 2024

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Says He's Working To Assemble An Investor Group To Buy TikTok

A former White House official has announced his interest in buying TikTok. On March 13, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. As previously shared by AFROTECH™, the bill is focused on TikTok and its China-based parent company ByteDance and was created to “protect the national security of the United States from the threat posed by foreign adversary controlled applications.” What’s more, if the bill is passed by the Senate and President Joe Biden as well as signed into law, ByteDance will be required to sell TikTok within 180 days. If not, it would be banned in the U.S. Amid the controversy around the potential status of TikTok’s future, CNBC reports that Steven Mnuchin, former treasury secretary for former President Donald Trump, is working to gather an investor group to purchase the app. “I think the legislation should pass — I think it should be sold,” Mnuchin said, according to CNBC . “I understand...

Ngozi Nwanji

Mar 15, 2024