Timnit Gebru is shaping the future of tomorrow.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Non-Linear Career Journey Gebru has always loved math, science , and music. She attended Stanford University from 2008 to 2017, earning a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering—the same field her father worked in. She combined her interests to launch her career at Apple, first as an audio hardware intern in 2004. A year later, she was hired as an audio systems engineer and worked part-time as an audio engineer from 2007 until her departure four years later. Gebru’s professional journey has not been linear. In 2011, she co-founded Motion Think, a company that leveraged design thinking to create solutions for small businesses. While pursuing her Ph.D. at Stanford, she co-founded and became president of Black in AI after attending one of the largest academic conferences in 2016. At that time, she realized that Black professionals were significantly...

Industry leaders Nancy Twine and James D. White share invaluable insights to help you accelerate your career. Both were featured as speakers at AFROTECH™’s Board Readiness Summit, which was held virtually from 10 a.m. ET to noon ET on March 25, 2025. The event offered keen insights on securing a board seat. Twine’s panel was moderated by Avary Bradford, founder and consultant at The Hive Consulting Co. White’s panel was moderated by Salah Goss, Mastercard’s head of social impact for North America at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Twine’s Panel Insights Twine and White reflected on their paths to securing their first board positions. Twine, who currently serves on the boards of Room to Grow and Cosmetic Executive Women, spoke first, detailing her transition to Vera Bradley, where she served from June 2021 to June 2023, according to LinkedIn. This opportunity came nearly eight years after she founded Briogeo Hair Care—a clean, natural hair care brand designed for all hair...

Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of the most influential self-improvement books of all time. First published in 1936, the book remains widely read today, offering timeless advice on communication, leadership , and building meaningful relationships. The book teaches practical strategies for improving social interactions, gaining influence, and fostering genuine connections—skills that are valuable in both personal and professional life. This summary explores the key principles and lessons from Carnegie’s book, breaking down the strategies that have helped people around the world build stronger relationships and succeed in business , leadership, and everyday interactions. The Core Idea Of The Book Carnegie’s philosophy centers around understanding human nature and using that knowledge to create positive interactions. The book argues that people respond best to appreciation, encouragement, and genuine interest rather than criticism or manipulation....

The Deion Sanders contract extension is officially signed, sealed, and worth a staggering $54 million. The University of Colorado has locked in “Coach Prime” for five more years, reportedly placing him as the No. 4 highest-paid college football coach in the nation, Sports Illustrated reported. Following two seasons of massive impact both on and off the field, Sanders’ new deal cements Colorado’s commitment to his leadership and vision. The updated Deion Sanders contract will pay him $10 million annually in 2025 and 2026, increase to $11 million in 2027 and 2028, and rise to $12 million in 2029. Deion Sanders’ Contract Extension Reflects Colorado’s Investment In The Program’s Future According to CBS Sports, Sanders was previously ranked 38th in coaching salaries with an annual income of $5.7 million. Now, his $10.8 million average yearly salary puts him in fourth place, according to DNVR reporter Scott Procter, per SI. He’s listed behind the University of Georgia’s Kirby Smart at No....

Morgan DeBaun wants you to take control and become the CEO of your life. DeBaun carries over a decade of experience and has achieved remarkable feats throughout her career. Her journey into business started at just 13 years old when she began investing in the stock market. She later became a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in political science and entrepreneurship. By 2014, she blossomed into a founder, CEO, and chairman of Blavity Inc., a global corporation prioritizing product solutions and media for Black Millennial and Gen Z consumers as well as businesses and organizations focused on reaching this audience. DeBaun became one of the few Black woman founders to secure $1 million in funding when she was 25 years old. Blavity Inc. has since continued to raise additional capital, and she successfully completed three acquisitions and integrations, two under the age of 24 within 18 months, with the most recent being RNB House Party, which is now...

If you’ve ever casually flipped through the television channels in search of something to watch, you probably already have a cursory knowledge of Tyler Perry’s massive TV empire . The writer, director, producer and actor has spent the last two decades absolutely dominating the film and television world, with such acclaimed projects as “Why Did I Get Married,” “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” and more recently, “Beauty In Black.” Perry has brokered exclusive deals with entertainment giants including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and has even opened a massive studio facility in Atlanta, which spans over 330 acres. The New Orleans native has also spoken at length about his mission to support Black actors, writers and filmmakers through his expanding empire, even serving as a mentor to 50 Cent . Since Tyler Perry has become such an enormous part of the Hollywood system, it only makes sense that fans far and wide have started searching for ways to get involved. Luckily, we’ve got the...

If you or someone you love is an immigrant to the United States, you may be experiencing a great deal of trepidation right now. Not only has Donald Trump’s new cabinet been voracious about rounding up and deporting people from all over the world, they have also expressed interest in closing down the border and locking out any immigrants who they nebulously deem undesirable. This process has already begun, leading to an untold number of families being torn apart. While this is quite tragic, there are several American businesses that have maintained their commitment to the inclusion of migrants, meaning there’s still hope for those who plan to enter the country and stay long-term. Many of these companies are even offering highly competitive roles to newly-minted Americans, particularly in the world of finance and tech. Despite the many challenges that immigrants face, these companies may provide a veritable boom of new workers. This is especially true of massive corporations that have...

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is a serial investor passionate about educating the youth in STEM. NFL Days Fitzgerald Jr. is a former NFL player drafted in 2004 by the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN mentions that his selection for the team was a no-brainer for general manager Rod Graves and head coach Dennis Green, who passed away in 2016. The Football Foundation notes that Fitzgerald Jr. was one of the best wide receivers in college football history. He was also the first sophomore to receive the Walter Camp Player of the Year award given to athletes who strive for excellence in their careers while benefiting others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by College Football Hall of Fame (@cfbhall) “[Green] knew the family, he knew all of that, but there was no question about [Fitzgerald’s] football ability,” Graves said, according to ESPN. “Based on all the information we had, we felt that he was the No. 1 player in the country.” Larry Fitzgerald Foundation One year after being drafted into the...

If you are creating impact as a founder and leader or are a corporate catalyst interested in joining a board, look no further than AFROTECH’s Board Readiness Summit. From 10 a.m. ET to noon ET on March 25, 2025, this virtual event will deliver exclusive insights and strategies to empower you with the tools and confidence to secure a board seat. Landing a post whether for a nonprofit, which is often a good starting point, or for-profit, will require experience and skills such as strategic planning and development, leadership, collaboration and more, Forbes notes. Learn From Nancy Twine To position you for success, discussions will be led by industry leaders, starting with former Goldman Sachs VP Nancy Twine, who launched Briogeo Hair Care in 2013 and turned it into a $100 million business within nearly a decade, according to Forbes. She also made history as the youngest Black woman to launch products at Sephora. The brand went on to land placement at Ulta Beauty. What’s more, Twine...

Owning a small business is an achievement that demonstrates initiative, leadership, and problem-solving—skills that employers highly value. However, many entrepreneurs struggle with how to present their business experience on a resume when transitioning back to a traditional job. Some worry that hiring managers won’t see small business ownership as relevant, while others fear their resume won’t align with corporate job descriptions. The key is to position your business experience strategically by showcasing transferable skills, aligning responsibilities with the job you’re applying for, and addressing potential employer concerns. When done correctly, it can set you apart as a candidate who is resourceful, adaptable, and capable of taking ownership of major responsibilities. Why Listing Business Ownership On A Resume Matters Many jobseekers hesitate to include their small business experience on a resume, but leaving it off can be a mistake. Running a business requires skills that...

For generations, the idea of retirement was wrapped in images of palm trees, golf courses, and pastel-colored condos lining the Florida coast. But for today’s retirees, those images are changing. The decision of where to retire is no longer just about sunshine and tax incentives; it’s about affordability, quality of life, and long-term stability. Instead of heading south, many retirees are opting for places like the Midwest, trading palm trees for pine forests, ocean waves for mountain peaks, and high insurance rates for financial security. And this shift isn’t random. For decades, Florida has been synonymous with retirement. The Sunshine State’s warm climate, tax advantages, and retirement-friendly communities made it the ultimate destination for older Americans. However, recent trends suggest that the tides are turning. A new study from Mirador Living, titled “Retirement Expectations vs. Reality: Factors that Impact Retirement Decisions,” reveals a surprising shift in where...

Corporate Executive Justin Grant wants to see more Black executives sponsor people within their community. Sponsorship allows an individual in a higher position than you to advocate for you in rooms with the goal of helping your career reach new heights, unlike mentorship , which typically is intended for skill building and obtaining more knowledge. “You want your boss’s peers in other departments to know who you are and to be in your network and to be folks that will, when your name comes up, when they’re deciding who to promote or who to give the bigger bonus to. ‘Yeah, I know that person. I vouch for them.’ So I think that’s the distinction,” Grant said on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas. Grant credits three white individuals for serving as executive sponsors throughout his career and speaks to an alarming trend that he witnessed that has prompted a call to action. He notes that Black executives have been less inclined to open...

President Donald Trump has laid off various staffers working at the Department of Education. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, President Trump had interest in dismantling the department. This would greatly reduce its role in the country’s education, which includes managing $1.6 trillion in federal student loan programs, overseeing K-12 school grants, and implementing civil rights law for federally funded schools. “This is an assault on every young American who went to public school like me,” Ro Khanna, U.S. representative from California’s 17th congressional district, said during a February news conference in San Jose, CA. “This is an assault on every American family who has someone who is disabled and needs the IDEA (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) program to provide education. This is an assault on every neighborhood in America that has a public school that gets Title 1 funding.” He continued, “This is an assault on every child who gets school lunches in America....

Dr. Bernard Harris will be inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame. The Temple, TX, native graduated from the University of Houston in 1978 with a bachelor of science degree in biology. He then attended medical school at Texas Tech University and completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in 1985, followed by a fellowship at NASA’s Ames Research Center, according to a news release. Dr. Harris joined NASA as a clinical scientist and flight surgeon. He remained with the agency from 1990 to 2010, and during his tenure, he became an astronaut and served as a mission specialist on STS-55 (1993) and the groundbreaking STS-63 flight in 1995, which made him the first African American to walk in space. In total, Dr. Harris has spent 18 days in space and has flown seven million miles, he notes on his LinkedIn. “Space exploration has always been about pushing boundaries, inspiring future generations, and proving that the impossible is achievable,” Dr. Harris said in a news release. “I am...

The modern workplace is evolving, yet discrimination remains a persistent issue despite growing efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive work culture . Anti-discrimination policies exist to protect employees from unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and other factors. However, recent data suggests that these policies alone are not enough to prevent bias in hiring, promotions, and workplace interactions. In Fiscal Year 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 73,485 new discrimination charges—an alarming 20% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 61% of employees in the United States say they have witnessed workplace discrimination, signaling that many workplaces still struggle to enforce fair practices. Antidiscrimination in the modern workplace isn’t just nice to have – it’s a must. Discrimination in employment takes many forms. Retaliation is the most common complaint, making up nearly...