The Launch Of A New Bank That Would Provide Financial Capital To Underserved Farmers Has Been Paused By USDA

Disney shareholders have rejected a proposal that would require it to withdraw from a corporate equality index. According to its website, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) is intended to uphold LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion through its benchmarking tool that measures “corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) employees.” “For 22 years, the CEI has served as corporate America’s roadmap for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion—not as a political statement, but as a framework for building stronger, more competitive businesses where all talent can thrive,” Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement shared in its 2025 CEI report. She later added, “The path forward requires courage, commitment, and clarity of purpose. We will continue to serve as a partner on this journey. Together, we’re building not just better workplaces, but a stronger, more competitive, and more...

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from the 2025 AFROTECH™ Conference. Returning Oct. 27-31, 2025 , to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX, for its second year, the conferences promises to deliver endless networking opportunities at what has become the largest gathering for Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and disruptors in technology. Be prepared to see top industry leaders grace the stage to share insights on what’s next in culture and technology as well as find empowerment through various workshops.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) There will be something for everyone, from students and mid-level professionals eager to level up in their industries to founders staying ahead of the curve and C-suite executives driving innovation. Here’s a preview of the upcoming stages to keep on your radar. Innovation/Main Stage The Innovation and Main Stage will highlight dynamic conversations centering leadership, innovation for...

Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Elon Musk and his DOGE agency continue to make cuts and layoffs across the federal government despite voter’s outspoken opposition. They’ve taken their frustration out on Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, by boycotting the brand. Voters across the country have been attending town halls with both Republican and Democratic leaders to voice their concerns about Musk’s involvement in the federal government as an unelected official. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been laid off as a result of DOGE cuts, with several thousand being reinstated as a result of an order from a federal judge . For the past few weeks, protestors have been throwing eggs and vandalizing Tesla cars—especially the cyber truck, which has been ridiculed for its unfinished, robotic appearance. They’ve set fire to Tesla service centers and announced a general boycott of the company. The boycott isn’t just a domestic...

New funding has been raised for an online learning platform helping students avoid the debt of college. Campus was created by Tade Oyerinde, also its chancellor, to provide quality education to students through accredited, career-focused degree programs led by professors from top higher learning institutions such as Stanford University, University of California – Los Angeles , and Howard University. According to its website, Campus offers online associates degrees in business administration and business administration with applied artificial intelligence (AI) concentration to participants nationally. For its Sacramento, CA, campus, it has specific offerings for students in-state such as an associate’s degree in paralegal studies as well as one in AWS cloud administration. This campus also provides certification in medical assisting, medical billing and coding, phlebotomy, technical support, barbering and cosmetology, and other programs for California residents. Furthermore, to...

World Doula Week, from March 22 to March 28, 2025, highlights the vital role of doulas in improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Latham Thomas , founder of Mama Glow and the Mama Glow Foundation , is doing her part to raise awareness. Thomas, also known as Glow Maven , has been involved in women’s health for over two decades. While many doulas enter the field due to their personal and oftentimes negative or traumatic experiences, her journey began positively with the birth of her son, who is now 21 years old. “I would say that having had that experience where I felt very supported, there was safety, I felt dignified, I had a sense of autonomy with the care providers who were present that inspired me, I think, to sort of start this journey, but also I knew that I needed to protect the experience for other people,” Thomas told AFROTECH™. “I [not only] wanted to help reframe [negative perspectives], but also address what was obviously a challenge in our community.” Thomas...

The crypto market is surging following a major regulatory shift. According to CNBC, XRP jumped 10% to $2.49 after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dropped its case against the company. This decision marks the end of a four-year legal battle that has shaped the industry’s regulatory landscape and fueled speculation about a broader shift in the SEC’s approach. Ripple’s Long-Awaited Victory Speaking at the Digital Assets Summit in New York, Garlinghouse reflected on the drawn-out legal fight, calling it a painful yet necessary battle for the industry. “It’s been almost four years and about three months since the SEC originally sued us, certainly a painful journey in lots of ways,” Garlinghouse said. “I really deeply believed that we were going to be on the right side of the law and on the right side of history.” The SEC sued Ripple in 2020, alleging that the company sold XRP as an unregistered security. Ripple scored a...

Swizz Beatz is one of the most influential producers and entrepreneurs in the music industry, known for crafting chart-topping hits while expanding his business empire beyond music. His career spans decades, from producing for top artists like Jay-Z and DMX to co-owning major brands and making strategic investments in art and real estate. With multiple revenue streams, Swizz Beatz has built substantial wealth, but how much is he actually worth today? Let’s explore his music career, business ventures, and financial success before revealing Swizz Beatz’s net worth in 2025. Swizz Beatz’s Rise in the Music Industry Born Kasseem Dean in The Bronx, Swizz Beatz entered the music industry as a teenager in the late 1990s. His uncles founded Ruff Ryders Entertainment, and through their connections, he started producing tracks for DMX, Eve, and The LOX. His breakout came with DMX’s 1998 hit “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” which became a defining moment in hip-hop. As a producer, Swizz Beatz developed a...

Hybrid and electric vehicles have been a big trend in recent years as new and innovative technologies prioritize convenience and sustainability. BYD (Build Your Dreams) is a Chinese company that has positioned itself as a dominant force, leveraging cutting-edge technology to challenge the industry’s established leaders . One of the most recognizable brands in the EV industry is Elon Musk’s Tesla . While Tesla has long been regarded as the undisputed innovator in this realm, BYD is steadily carving out its own niche. In global markets with impressive advancements in EV technology, vertical integration and growing sales figures the question is no longer if BYD can compete with Tesla, but how it will continue to close the gap. The foreign company is already doing well for itself in terms of both market share and technological prowess. BYD was founded in 1995 in Shenzhen, China. It is a publicly traded company with major holdings under the control of Wang Chuanfu, the founder and...