The Department of Defense (DoD) is terminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. “The President’s guidance (lawful orders) is clear: No more DEI at Dept. of Defense,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in a post on X. “The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays.” The post included a handwritten note that said, “Those who do not comply will no longer work here.” The President’s guidance (lawful orders) is clear: No more DEI at @DeptofDefense . The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays. pic.twitter.com/KwRtxYRIbG — Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 26, 2025 On Monday, Jan. 19, 2025, the first day of his second presidency, President Donald Trump signed a record number of executive orders — including one terminating all federal DEI programs, AFROTECH™ previously reported. The order mandated the closure of all DEI offices and placed all government employees in those offices on paid leave. Charles...

It’s important to surround yourself with friends you can win with, and Software Engineer Jovonne Cameron can attest to this. Cameron is a first-generation American who was initially discouraged from entering the tech industry by a high school guidance counselor. This led her to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business communication from Baruch College. She then went on to pursue a career in special education, working as an educator. However, she still maintained an interest in tech, particularly in computer science. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she was able to pursue her dream. “The pandemic came, and that was part of my story. I wanted to give myself that chance that I never got growing up and bet on myself. And then, within six months of making the decision, I became a software engineer,” she told AFROTECH™. Cameron now doubles as a software engineer and runs a tech consultancy that helps small businesses integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline their...

We’ve all left a grocery store and saw someone pushing a shopping cart. One group pushes the shopping cart into cart corrals or marches over to the store employee who is collecting carts in the area. The other group pushes the shopping cart far enough away from them to be able to back their car out of the parking space and drive away. The latter group couldn’t care less whether the wind moves that cart along, denting someone else’s car, running over someone’s foot or causing a car accident by an unsuspecting driver. They’ve gotten what they needed, and they’re going about their day. In their mind, it’s the store employee’s problem to fix the shopping cart havoc. Observers watching this person are often participating in the shopping cart theory , judging those who don’t return carts as vigilantes who don’t care about others. How Does The Shopping Cart Theory Relate To A Business Owner Or Employee? The shopping cart theory is often brought up with the phrase, “If no one was looking.”...

Everyone loves a good story about a career “come-up,” and Shou Zi Chew has one that includes an unexpected stop: a brief internship at Meta (then called Facebook). While most know Chew as the CEO of TikTok, his career path holds some interesting twists that shaped the leader he is today. According to Fortune magazine, Chew spent a short stint at Meta in 2009 while at Harvard Business School. This was during a time of rapid growth for the company under founder Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership. For Chew, the experience offered a firsthand look at the challenges of scaling a tech platform globally. Immersed in the fast-paced environment, he gained valuable insights that would later influence his leadership approach. From Meta Intern To TikTok CEO Chew’s time at Meta may have been short, but it was an important stepping stone in his career. After completing his MBA at Harvard Business School, he went on to work at Goldman Sachs and later DST Global, where he contributed to securing...

Federal employees working in DEI roles are being placed on paid leave, NBC News reports. This course of action follows President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Just one day later, Trump issued a slew of executive orders, the highest ever recorded on a president’s first day, per ABC News. “With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense,” Trump said during his inauguration speech, according to the outlet. “It’s all about common sense.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by President Donald J. Trump (@realdonaldtrump)   A part of Trump’s political strategy has fueled controversy surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The Trump administration solidified its agenda by announcing in a memo that it will place all federal employees in DEI positions on paid leave effective immediately, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Those impacted were to be notified “no...

Midway through the pandemic , in 2022, there were a small amount ( 19% ) of American workers who were working in jobs that were exposed to artificial intelligence (AI). Meanwhile, almost one-quarter (23%) of workers had the least exposure to AI. The remaining job industries varied with AI exposure. And while there are differing opinions about whether AI is taking away jobs from American workers or helping them to skip monotonous tasks, job seekers would arguably agree that they’d love to have an AI program that automatically filled in all of those little boxes in job applications. Even with a functional resume that focuses exactly on what the job description is looking for, some companies will still require filling out traditional job applications with your job history in sequential order. And this can quickly get tedious. Autofill sorta helps but not enough to avoid job seekers having to edit the automated info afterwards. So with all the extra work involved in using automated...

Mellody Hobson is exiting her board role at Starbucks. Hobson is well regarded for her efforts at Ariel Investments, a global value-based asset management firm, where she is responsible for management, strategic planning, and growth beyond research and portfolio management as co-CEO and president, her LinkedIn mentions . In 2021, Hobson launched Ariel Alternatives, LLC, leading to a $1.45 billion raise for its private equity fund, Project Black. This initiative aims to support both non-minority-owned middle-market companies and those currently owned by Black and Latino entrepreneurs that generate $100 million to $1 billion in revenue, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. With funding, these companies would then be expected to transform into certified minority business enterprises of scale to serve as Tier 1 suppliers to the Fortune 500. Hobson has also been tied to various corporate boardrooms. She was a board member of the Estée Lauder Companies and chairman of the board of DreamWorks...

Financial changes can be stressful, especially when you’re nervous about a pay cut or job loss. You know you need to do something to make yourself happier, but execution isn’t always there. You might want a career change altogether with your current employer. Or, maybe you want to start your own business and are feeling confined in your current industry . New Year’s resolutions are a common time when people reflect on both. No one wants to start the year with an employer that they don’t like or at a job where they feel unfulfilled. Could asking motivational interviewing questions be what you need to figure out your career long-term? What Are The 6 A’s Of Motivational Interviewing? Motivational interviewing questions started off with a connection in the health care industry. In the clinical trial report Do the five A’s work when physicians counsel about weight loss? from 2011, physicians would often participate in the Ask and the Advise but rarely continue on with the Assess, Assist...

The workforce is shifting in ways we’ve never seen before, and 2025 is the year to be strategic. From AI jobs changing the future to frontline roles making a major comeback, the opportunities are out there — but thriving in this market requires more than just showing up. “It’s a fresh year, and I know the pressure’s on to hit the ground running,” says Andrew McCaskill. “The job market feels tough right now. Competition is fierce. Black professionals and people of color are facing some unique challenges, from systemic racism to limited access to mentors and sponsors. Despite the challenges, opportunity is still out there, and we always persevere. The key is to work smarter, not harder.” As we explored in a recent AFROTECH™ breakdown of workforce trends, industries like AI, travel, and healthcare are booming, offering new opportunities for professionals ready to pivot or grow. LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2025 report takes it a step further by spotlighting 25 of the fastest-growing...

If the workforce were a playlist, 2025 would give “Renaissance” by Beyoncé — a vibe shift, a reset, and a clear signal that the world of work is hitting some new high notes. The game is changing, and whether it’s artificial intelligence (AI) running point, the return of curated travel experiences, or frontline roles making a comeback, one thing is clear: opportunities are out here, but they won’t fall into your lap. For Black professionals, the stakes are high. Job competition is fierce, with 2.5 applicants per role compared to 1.5 in 2022. Confidence is shaky, and hiring managers ghost candidates like they forgot the assignment. However, according to LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2025 report , nearly 60% of these roles are fresh on the scene, signaling change and opportunity. “Fields like AI, experiential industries, and frontline jobs are booming, offering fresh opportunities to break into spaces where we’ve historically been underrepresented,” says Andrew McCaskill. AI: The...

Having a game plan always pays off. Anderson Douglas, a Houston, TX-based professional with a background in engineering, has spent nearly a decade working as a sales consultant. At one point in his career, he transitioned into the tech industry but stepped away for some time until November 2024. “I felt like the position that I was in, it was great pay. I just wasn’t maximizing my potential in regards to having an engineering background,” he told AFROTECH™. Douglas applied to countless tech roles and was receiving rejection emails. However, his fate would change during his attendance at AFROTECH™ Conference held in November 2024 in Houston, TX. Douglas purchased a corporate ticket, and his approach for the conference was to build authentic connections rather than focus solely on leaving with an offer. By engaging on the expo floor and having less formal follow-up conversations at events, he strengthened his connections with recruiters. He also leveraged a 15-second elevator pitch,...

In today’s competitive job market , having additional licenses, certifications, education , and training can give you a significant edge, enhance your resume, and make you more marketable to employers. The best part? Some of these credentials are easy to obtain and don’t require years of study or experience. Here’s a guide to some simple yet impactful licenses and certifications that can help you advance your career. Google Analytics Certification Google Analytics certification is a must-have for professionals in marketing, e-commerce, and web development. This free certification, offered by Google, provides a solid foundation in analyzing web traffic, understanding customer behavior, and optimizing online performance. According to DashThis , the certification helps professionals improve their data interpretation skills, a critical aspect of any business reliant on digital channels. The program is beginner-friendly and can be completed in under 10 hours. It also sets candidates...

Employers’ liability insurance is a crucial type of business insurance designed to protect employers from financial loss if an employee sues for a work-related injury or illness. While workers’ compensation insurance typically covers medical expenses and lost wages for injured employees, employers’ liability insurance provides coverage when an employee alleges that negligence or unsafe practices by the employer directly contributed to their injury or illness. This insurance safeguards businesses against potentially devastating lawsuits, ensuring that employers can manage legal and financial risks effectively. How Employers’ Liability Insurance Works Employers ’ liability insurance comes into play when an employee believes their injury or illness resulted from the employer’s negligence and chooses to file a lawsuit rather than rely solely on workers’ compensation benefits. For example, an employee might claim the employer failed to provide adequate safety training, leading to an...

The evolution of business-to-business (B2B) advertising has changed over the decades. Previously, businesses would spread the word about their services by sharing business cards, postcards, mail brochures, newspaper classified ads, online classifieds, full-color magazine ads and pay for booths at in-person company conventions. But with the founding of Twitter by Jack Dorsey , Noah Glass, Biz Stone and Evan Williams came the introduction of a new way for companies to network via digital marketing . It’s largely credited to a product designer named Chris Messina in Silicon Valley. His idea? Hashtags. Why Were Hashtags First Used? Messina observed how Internet chat rooms were using the pound (#) symbol and thought it would be useful for a “group organizing framework.” Although his 2007 idea was originally dismissed as “nerdy” and others were convinced it wouldn’t catch on, clearly Messina was right in the long run. By 2009, Twitter was using hashtags. In 2012, hashtags became popularly...

Writing a letter of recommendation for a friend can feel like an honor and a responsibility. It’s an opportunity to support someone you care about while helping them advance in their career , education , or personal endeavors. A well-crafted recommendation letter can make a strong impression on potential employers, admissions committees, or other evaluators. Here’s a guide to help you write a thoughtful and effective letter of recommendation for a friend. Understand The Purpose Of The Letter Before you start writing a letter of recommendation for a friend, clarify the purpose of the letter itself. Is it for a job, graduate school, a volunteer position, or something else? Understanding the context will help you tailor the letter to meet the specific requirements. Ask your friend for details about the opportunity, such as the job description or program guidelines, so you can align your tone and content with what the recipient expects. Much like creating a resume, tailoring the letter...