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Mielle Organics will be providing scholarships and more to Hampton University’s female athletes. According to a news release, Mielle Organics, led by Monique Rodriguez (founder and CEO), and Hampton Athletics have cemented a multi-year partnership with the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) for its women’s basketball team. “We are honored to partner with Mielle,” Tamisha Augustin, Hampton women’s basketball head coach, expressed in a news release . “Mielle is an innovator in textured hair products and care. We value our relationship and appreciate their efforts in proudly contributing to the success of our program.” What’s more, the partnership will include an initial $200,000 donation, with another $100,000 being allocated to scholarships for the student-athletes through Rodriguez’s philanthropic initiative, Mielle Cares, which she co-founded with her husband, Melvin Rodriguez. Already serving as the WNBA’s first textured hair care partner, Mielle’s business...
Russell Westbrook is returning to familiar ground with his latest investment. The NBA player, currently with the Denver Nuggets, began his journey into the league as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, reports StatMuse. He spent 11 seasons with the team, becoming its all-time leading scorer with 18,859 points, according to separate data from StatMuse. “I spent a significant amount of time in Oklahoma City, so to me, that place is very special and is like a second home,” Westbrook told Bloomberg. Driven by his love for the city, Westbrook has reinvested in the community through sports and entertainment, partnering Russell Westbrook Enterprises with Christian Kanady’s firm, Echo. His contribution is estimated to be around $10 million. “My time with the OKC Thunder shaped so much of who I am, so becoming Christian’s partner and investing in the city’s continued growth is not only exciting personally, but Echo’s Sports and Entertainment...
Somtochukwu “Somie” Agunwah wants to empower the next generation of dental students. QCity Metro reports that Agunwah, who moved from Lagos, Nigeria, to Charlotte, NC, in 2003, initially pursued a career in nursing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte and worked as a critical care nurse in Washington, DC, at Howard University Hospital. However, she soon realized that nursing was not the career path she wanted to continue. “I didn’t like the lifestyle of the medical doctors that I was interacting with,” Agunwah told the outlet, referencing the lack of work-life balance and long hours. Agunwah discovered her true calling while working under a Maryland dentist. She pivoted to attend Howard University College of Dentistry, later completing a pediatric residency in Brooklyn, NY. Reflecting on her mission, she decided to focus her efforts on prioritizing children. “They are still teachable,” Agunwah explained, according to QCity...
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is making significant moves in the real estate sector. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, the boxing world champion has invested $402 million in an affordable housing project in New York, which includes over 60 buildings with more than 1,000 units “Growing up, I used to dream about owning just one home by myself, when you work hard you can achieve anything,” Mayweather told TMZ. Mayweather’s investments in real estate also include ownership of nine skyscrapers in New York through a partnership with SL Green. “‘You see that building right there? Yeah, we own that. You see this building? We own it.’ So we was walking and walking . Then he said, ‘You know, a boxer makes money when he’s boxing. A football player makes money when he’s playing football. A basketball player makes money when he’s playing basketball.’ He said, ‘But New York real estate, you make money when you sleep.’” On Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, Mayweather also invested in a $10 billion office portfolio...
Issa Rae has opened a new restaurant in Los Angeles. The actress and serial entrepreneur , already renowned for the community-focused Hilltop Kitchen + Coffee, is expanding her presence. With the same spirit, she brings a new energy to Los Angeles through her latest venture, Somerville. “Always wanted a neighborhood lounge to complement the special community that is View Park-Windsor Hills. The genius GVO Gentlemen said, how about a restaurant? @somerville.slauson — an ode to the classic, artistic past of Black South Central L.A? And sure, the ambience will be fantastic, but the food and cocktails will keep you coming back,” Rae said in a post shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Issa Rae (@issarae) Customers can visit Somerville at Park-Windsor Hills, which GVO describes as a “progressive American dining experience.” According to the restaurant’s website, its extensive menu includes the Somerville burger, pan seared ora king salmon, and Mary’s organic...
Students can now lean into Google’s AI assistant for college application readiness. According to a blog post from Google, it has launched Gemini to streamline tasks for users such as researching new topics, providing advice, planning events, and generating ideas. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Google Gemini app (@googlegemini) It can be connected to apps such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Maps, and YouTube and is available in English and Spanish, with the company planning to expand to additional languages. The feature is also a helpful tool for those who are looking for guidance as they prepare for the college admission process, and particularly first-generation college students. According to Reality Changers, these students often do not receive college readiness or familial guidance and have less financial stability. This could later result in lower self-esteem and make the transition to college more difficult. “The college application process can be daunting: There is...
Michael Rainey Jr. has teamed up with partners to launch a financial literacy initiative that will benefit his hometown of Staten Island, NY. Hot97 reports the actor has collaborated with the Restoring America through Recovery Education (R.A.R.E.) Foundation, which aims to provide financial education and training to underserved communities. “We are dedicated to giving every individual the opportunity to recover, improve, and thrive financially. Our mission is rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of their past or current circumstances, deserves a respectable chance to achieve financial stability and success,” its website reads. The partnership facilitated Rainey Jr.’s appearance at Port Richmond High School, where he shared his personal journey in wealth building and provided meaningful advice to students. “As a kid being in this room I would definitely go home, ask my parents what their credit score is and then start the conversation of when can I become an authorized user...
A bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence will be taught at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The Triad Business Journal reports this is the only AI degree program at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and it has been approved by the UNC System Board of Governors. North Carolina A&T, the largest HBCU in the world, plans to enroll the first cohort of students in the fall of 2025. The program will be available both on-campus and online, as reported by WFMY-2 News. “Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly part of everyday life with the potential for profound and far-reaching impact on virtually every facet of society,” said Chancellor James Martin II, according to The Triad Business Journal. “Our new bachelor’s degree will prepare students for immediate impact, especially in the critical area of human interaction with AI.” Students planning to enroll can expect the degree to launch with concentrations in advanced...
James Harden hit the jackpot thanks to an investment decision influenced by the late Kobe Bryant. During an interview on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast, the basketball star revealed that Bryant suggested creating a pool of money dedicated to investments, including sports drink company BodyArmor. As previously reported by AFROTECH™ , Bryant had invested $6 million in BodyArmor back in 2014. “Kobe basically was like ‘W e going to put a stash of $5 million and then any like business opportunities — it might be as little as $200,000, it might be $500,000 just depending on what, you know, what investment it is. But we going to put a pot together and we just going to invest our money,’ rest in peace before he passed away,” Harden explained to “Earn Your Leisure” hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings. “ But BodyArmor was the beginning of that, and we seen how it is.” While it is unclear what Harden’s direct contributions were, the investment into BodyArmor was a smart move. In 2021,...
Katt Williams has purchased land to open a movie studio. During an interview with GQ, the comedian revealed he has acquired a former military base located in Alabama. It has been confirmed by Williams’ publicist, Amy Sisoyev. “I can’t disclose the amount or exact location just yet, but I can confirm that he has purchased a former military base in Alabama,” Sisoyev said via email to AL.com. Williams shared that he aims to follow in the footsteps of other celebrities, such as Tyler Perry. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Perry, a self-made billionaire, opened the world’s largest Black-owned studio. The studio, which Perry self-funded, reached a valuation of $280 million in 2023. Speaking of wanting to be next in line, Williams commented to GQ : “It’s just not fair to put all that pressure on Tyler Perry. He can only do so much.” At the time of this writing, it is unclear when the movie studio will break ground. Williams is part of a growing number of Black figures seeking to disrupt...
NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo has launched a venture capital firm. According to Bleacher Report, the Milwaukee Bucks player has introduced Build Your Legacy Ventures (BYL). The venture capital firm, backed by institutional investors and tech veterans, aims to funnel investments into the sports and entertainment sectors. As noted in a press release, the firm will be “driven by the Antetokounmpo family’s dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.” “I’m incredibly energized to launch BYL Ventures as a way to give back and support the next generation of visionaries,” Antetokounmpo, founder and general partner of BYL Ventures, said in the release. “This fund is not just about capital; it’s about forging partnerships and opening my network to accelerate the growth trajectory for companies. I want to help other entrepreneurs, especially those who have faced barriers, to grow and succeed. BYL Ventures will be focused on finding people with big dreams and helping them make...
NFL Star Randy Moss is scaling his presence in the restaurant space. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Moss became an investor in Brittany Tolliferreo’s Philadelphia, PA-based restaurant chain, Chick-A-Boom, in 2023. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Tolliferreo reached out to Moss via direct message, and then he later liked a sponsored Chick-A-Boom post in 2022, sparking further conversation. “We got on a couple of Zoom calls, and he came here, tasted the product, and loved it. From there, he became my partner,” she told the outlet. Speaking on the investment in a press release, Moss commented: “I’m a chicken lover. Not only was I impressed by the food, but after hearing Brittany’s story and understanding that a lot of our same goals and morals align, it was only right to invest.” Today, Moss is expanding his involvement in the company, now operating under the name Crisppi’s Chicken. In December 2023, he brought the restaurant to his home state with the help of Tolliferreo...
Keke Palmer became a millionaire by the age of 12. In 2004, the Chicago native landed her first film role in “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” . Her breakout role came in 2006 with “Akeelah and the Bee” and just a year later, she showcased her acting skills as Mary Thomas in Disney’s “Jump In!” alongside Corbin Bleu. By that time, Palmer’s parents had already hired a business manager—a strategic decision aimed at ensuring financial transparency. “They wanted me to know that they they weren’t the ones controlling my money. They had heard these stories and my mom said I don’t want money to come in between me and my child,” Palmer said on “Club Shay Shay.” Palmer also benefited from a Coogan account, which was designed to hold a percentage of child star’s earnings. She added, “That always was there regardless of anything else.” Palmer also spoke on the intricacies of reaching millionaire status by 12. “I became a millionaire at 12. To expect everybody to have become a millionaire at 12...
Founder Telfar Clemens has always resisted conforming to the fashion industry. Divorcing Fashion Industry At Inception Early on, he embraced a bold sense of individuality, developing his own unique style that set him apart. This nonconformity often clashed with the uniform policies of the schools he attended, and he was similarly uninterested in following the traditional dress codes of his Liberian heritage. “I always have been interested in clothes. I’ve always had my own perspective on what I wanted to wear… I come from West African parents. I’m from Liberia and there’s a certain way of how you should dress and how you should carry yourselves and I completely was not with that, ” Clemens mentioned on “The Breakfast Club.” In 2005, Clemens introduced the world to Telfar, a New York-based unisex fashion brand designed to stand apart from the traditional fashion industry. From the outset, he distanced himself from the industry, viewing it as too closed-minded to embrace the...
Cliff Vmir continues to build on his success as a seasoned hair stylist. Turning His Passion For Hair Into A Brand Vmir began showing interest in hair care at 8 years old. However, at 14, when his parents separated, he fully committed to his passion. This allowed him to financially support his mother, who had been out of work for three months due to a knee replacement. “It wasn’t until my mom and my dad split up completely, when I was 14, that I was able to kind of go in full-throttle and understand that this isn’t something that I wanna just play around with. This is something that I can make money from,” Vmir told AFROTECH™ in an interview. “It’s crazy ’cause it’s something that I love to do… I also feel like with my mom and my dad splitting up, it was just kind of something that financially I wanted to help my mom. So not saying that I was forced into it, but I felt like it was only right for me to just use what I have to get what we need, and I was able to kind of help support...