Brandon J. Middleton-Pratt is lending his law expertise to the tech ecosystem. He currently serves as a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and is a board member at DivInc, a nonprofit that empowers underrepresented founders. His trajectory was not a linear one. He initially pursued a finance and marketing degree at the University of Denver while playing on its basketball team, he says. Upon obtaining his bachelor’s in 2003, he decided to move to Los Angeles, CA, to pursue a career in entertainment instead. Though that did not pan out for long, he made appearances in the films “Coach Carter”, “Rebound,” and “The Longest Yard.” The pivots of life would then lead Middleton-Pratt to play basketball overseas in Spain and Cyprus after receiving an offer from a sports agent. He then experienced a crossroads, which would determine if he would return to Los Angeles. A call from a mentor with an opportunity in the energy field finally brought him back to the states. “A mentor of mine...

“There are two types of personalities when it comes to self-marketing. There are the Master Ps in business, who will market his products to absolute strangers at every single moment of his day. Then there’s the other 75% of people who have glossophobia , fear of public speaking. You may be in the latter group. You were never the artist in the ‘80s and ‘90s who would have a box of CDs or cassette tapes in your car, ready to have a mobile distribution destination in every parking lot nearby. The idea of walking up to someone with a postcard, a brochure or a clipboard is out of the question. You might be OK putting marketing material on people’s windshields, but you’d rather drink a jug of beet juice instead of encouraging people to come to your vendor booth. You know you need to sell a product. Likewise, you know the only way for someone to find out about your product is to actually search for that target demographic and share your pitch. But fear of rejection will make you avoid eye...

Some years ago, Maurice Kuykendoll was simply an attendee at the AFROTECH ™ Conference. Now in its eighth year, he will approach the annual tech affair as an official speaker on the Executive Stage. It’s not lost on him that when he attended the conference, he was responsible for global expense management at insurance company Prudential, with one of its largest expenses being technology. During the transformation, he notes how vital the event was to his leadership development. “I was transforming my team simultaneously, so it was an area of development for me,” Kuykendoll said in an interview with AFROTECH™. “So, a couple of days at this conference, where there’s Black people, and they know all about technology, I was like, ‘I’ll go and see if this can be one of the things I put on my calendar every year to make sure that I am developing this essential part of what’s going on in the world.’” After sitting in many rooms alongside founders and talking to them about their latest...

Auntie. Unc. These nicknames came out of nowhere, and they’re not coming from your actual nephews and nieces. Birthdays are flying by, but you still feel the same age as prior years. Weird times. Photo credit: Polina Tankilevitch You may already know that starting a retirement plan early on means you’ll be ahead of the game, but it just seems like retirement is so far away. According to recent data from the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances , 45.6% of families are not investing for retirement. Whether you’re in the 54.4% who do have a retirement plan or not, the birthdays are going to continue regardless. Or, maybe you’re one of the few who decided to start trying to figure out the retirement savings “magic number” to strive for while Gen Z and Gen A have already assumed you get senior discount breakfasts and an AARP magazine subscription . Can You Survive On Social Security Benefits While Working? Instead of worrying about gray hair on your head ( or other places )...

As a business owner, bracing yourself for potential setbacks is a matter of survival. It’s necessary and a great business practice that allows you to plan for the future. In the meantime, you’re able to work towards that goal and stay abreast of everything else. Add in politics and you have some new possibilities to consider. You might be wondering what politics has to do with being a business owner. However, the ways in which certain taxes and tariffs waiver directly impacts business profit. No matter your party preference, politics have the power to impact how your business functions. And with steady success and growth being the ideal goal, there are steps that you can take now to ensure they come to fruition. Will the upcoming election shake up your business? Here’s how to get prepared now. Will The Upcoming Election Shake Up Your Business? The short answer is mostly likely, but educating yourself on policies is what will empower you to make the right decisions for your business....

For many individuals seeking new employment, one of the most stressful aspects of a job hunt is nailing the interview . Your in-person performance before your potential employer could make or break your chances of being hired, and provides you with the best opportunity to sell yourself on merit, personality, and knowledge of the field. But, in order to do all of that, you’ll first need to answer a few common interview questions that you should expect when applying for most roles. These questions range from simple yes or no answer sets to more elaborate inquiries into your work experience and employment history. While the most common interview questions are designed to give your employer a full picture of your personality and capability, some can be quite tricky to traverse.  That challenging aspect doesn’t bode well for those already anxious about the job application and onboarding process. That’s where we come in with the following list of the most common interview questions, in...

Ventris C. Gibson is upholding the legacy of Harriet Tubman while stepping into a significant and historic role. Career Journey Born in Roseland, VA, but raised in Washington DC to parents with six children, Gibson showed great ambition early on. Upon graduating from high school, she enlisted in the Navy and worked as a traffic controller. However, she did look to pivot briefly into journalism due to her strong interest, but that did not pan out because school had a two-year waitlist. She remained with the Navy working in air traffic control, and upon completing her service she hoped to secure a role with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “At that time, President Carter had imposed a freeze on hiring federally. Thus, I went to VA (Veterans Affairs) to see what my benefits were as a veteran, and they pretty much asked me if I wanted a job because I was an African-American, female, Vietnam-era veteran. I said, ‘Sure,’ while I was waiting for FAA to call,” Gibson told...

Ambitious people can be notoriously independent, but most figures who’ve made it to the top couldn’t possibly have achieved their goals alone. Instead, political leaders, monarchs and even company CEOs have relied on teams of mentors and experts to guide them for centuries. Historically speaking, just because advice comes from a confidant doesn’t mean it will be good, but that’s why it’s so important to go over some good questions to ask a mentor when you think you’ve found your match. Like with therapy, your first connection might not be the perfect fit, but that doesn’t mean the right mentor isn’t out there waiting to guide you to new heights. Good Questions To Ask A Mentor That Might Help Outside The Workplace Most people seek out mentorship in hopes of securing their dream job, but the experts you connect with can have valuable insight that can transform your personal life too. Make it a priority to ask questions about them in the vetting process, such as why they decided to...

Before you close your laptop and get ready to enjoy the long weekend, there’s one last thing to check – is your Labor Day OOO message ready to go? If you’re not familiar, “OOO” stands for out-of-office, which many employees will be in lieu of Monday’s (Sept. 2) holiday. Setting up an auto-response not only lets people know you’re not available, but it also clarifies when they can expect to hear back. It “shows that you’re conscientious and organized while providing people with the information they need to get their needs met in your absence.” The process might seem trivial to some. However, if maintaining good communication is important to you, taking 15 minutes to set up a strong Labor Day OOO message can save tons of email anxiety for you and others. A delayed response (even over a holiday) can be perceived as “digital snubbery, a lack of interest or even negligence,” as TexTex Pander puts it. To keep you away from that drama, we’ve crafted some templates that colleagues and...

In the realm of professional development , the conversation around authenticity and presentation continues to evolve, particularly within diverse communities. Recently, Puerto Rican Chicagoan and plus-size beauty influencer Joolie Annie has been making waves on TikTok with her series addressing the nuances of maintaining demurity in the workplace. Known for her transparency, Joolie Annie has long used her platform to challenge societal norms, embracing her identity as a plus-size transwoman despite the backlash. In this particular series, she blends sarcasm and wit to explore the often-unspoken expectations of beauty and femininity standards at work. With nearly 25 million views on her most popular video, Joolie Annie’s content resonates deeply, especially as she encourages others to embrace their authenticity and create content consistently, even when it’s challenging. Here’s how to keep it demure and mindful at work, according to Joolie Annie. Who Is Joolie Annie? Joolie Annie...

We all lead busy lives and often find ourselves on empty by the end of each day. While a certain amount of fatigue is normal and expected, many people experience chronic tiredness and lack of energy that prevents them from being as productive and active as they’d like. Could some of your everyday actually be sabotaging your energy levels without you even realizing it? Let’s get into how some common daily routines , behaviors, and habits are draining your energy. Not Taking Breaks It’s all too easy to get swept up into a state of constant activity with no time for rest. However, our minds and bodies badly need brief periods of low-energy recovery in order to recharge. Taking small yet regular breaks throughout the day to relax, even for just five to ten minutes, can make a world of difference. Make sure to step away from your desk at work for a quick walk outside. Taking short meditation or breathing breaks when you start to feel stressed can help you re-center and focus again with...

Texas’ economy is arguably the largest in the United States: over fifty Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. are situated here. Texas is an industry leader in the global energy sector and a number of major oil companies are based in Texas, though it’s not just oil. There is also tech, finance, aeronautics and healthcare. Texas is one of the major hubs for computer hardware and software development in the country. Jobs in Texas are growing faster than in other parts of the US, and salaries can vary based on experience, education, location, and employer, though some careers tend to offer higher pay across the board. Let’s go over the highest-paying jobs in Texas right now. IT Managers And Software Engineers The tech industry in Texas, particularly in cities like Austin and Dallas, is booming. IT managers, software engineers and software-related roles are in high demand, and their salaries reflect this demand. IT managers, for example, who oversee technology projects and teams, can earn...

Today’s job market is competitive, so if you’re looking for ways to stand out, you’ll want to listen up. Some people are lucky enough to get hired off of word of mouth or their resume alone, but more often than not, candidates who wind up securing their dream jobs (and salary) are those who put in work on their applications. Having a concise, well-designed CV is a great start, but now, many positions ask job hunters to include a cover letter too. A lot of time and effort can go into perfecting these things, but if it puts you on track toward the career of your dreams, every minute is well spent. If you’re wondering how to go the extra mile, read our guide on how to ask for a letter of recommendation below. It’s worth noting that employers rarely ask for something like this outright; instead, applicants include contact information for their references on their resumes. The Muse Career Coach Tara Padua says that exceptions occur in “ junior roles where someone lacks experience or...

California is popular for its booming tech industry , healthcare system and the glamorous city of Los Angeles. This West Coast state accounts for more than 50% of vegetables and fruits produced in the US, with a robust economy and a metropolitan setting. The most populated US state, California holds lucrative career opportunities across various fields, including aeronautics , medicine and agriculture. Here’s a look at some of the highest-paying jobs in California. IT Managers And Systems Architects California’s Silicon Valley is synonymous with the tech industry, and IT managers and systems architects are among the highest earners. These professionals oversee complex IT infrastructures and develop advanced software systems, earning salaries that range from $150,000 to $250,000 annually. Orthodontists Orthodontists specialize in correcting teeth and jaw alignment, providing treatments like braces and retainers. With the increasing demand for cosmetic dental procedures, orthodontists...

Fresh starts are mostly full of excitement, but with major shifts in life come nervous jitters. No matter how old you get, the first day of a new semester or a job interview can still give you sweaty palms and a racing heart. However, if you’re as well prepared as possible for what’s yet to be thrown your way, you’ve got nothing to worry about. There will always be things out of your control, but if you manage to maintain your confidence while chatting with a potential new boss, friend or date, you’re on the right path toward success. Even if you don’t land the job, become close pals with the person who sat beside you in class or lock it down with your gym crush, you’ll still leave every situation more confident after showing up as your best self. In many cases, job interviewers and professors alike enjoy getting to know people in lighthearted ways, such as “fun fact about me” games. Some university students spend time at the beginning of the semester carefully planning what...