Ghana is stepping up to the plate to be a part of Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) movement. Wahu Mobility seems up for the challenge as it has opened Ghana’s first EV assembly plant that has the capacity to build about 200 e-bikes per month, CNN reports. The e-mobility brand was founded to create a more sustainable last-mile delivery option.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Valerie Labi (@valerielabi) “It really kind of struck me that I didn’t want the mobility to be fulfilled by petrol motorbikes,” Wahu Mobility Co-Founder and CEO Valerie Labi told CNN. “By 2030, there will be 30 million delivery riders across Africa and it just made me think, as a continent, we are more conscious around becoming sustainable and moving to net zero.” Labi added, “And transport was just a huge opportunity to make a difference in that way.” According to the outlet, Wahu Mobility’s e-bikes take around four hours to charge. Labi also noted that the e-bikes were designed to suit Ghana’s...

Chris Paul has entered into a partnership that considers the financial futures of the youth. Goalsetter, a fintech company founded by Tanya Van Court, has shared results from a study it conducted with Ivy League university students revealing a significant lack of understanding when it comes to personal finances. When surveying 1,065 undergraduate students from Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania, t he study revealed that the students answered on average only 51% of its financial education questions correctly. The questions were at the high school standard, and the percentage of acuity decreased even further when looking at only underclassmen, with scores of 48%. Furthermore, only 13% of students who took the quiz scored above a C-. To create better outcomes, Goalsetter is committed to targeting financial initiatives towards the youth, and the company is strengthening its efforts through a partnership with NBA player Chris Paul, Oakland Fund...

Dennis Rodman is likely best known for his prolific career with the NBA , showcasing incredible defensive abilities during his 20-year tenure on the court. However, the retired basketball star has gone on to exhibit a host of eccentric accolades in his 62 years on Earth, making him one of the most interesting humans to ever live. Today, Dennis Rodman touts a paltry net worth of only $500,000 according to Watcher Guru , in spite of his multi-million dollar legacy. Rodman sits at this figure for a number of reasons, most notably due to a number of shady business deals that saw his long-time financial advisor embezzling millions from his personal fortune. Despite Dennis Rodman’s lower-than-expected net worth, the retired basketball legend seems to be living comfortably today, and has tons of social credit to fall back on in case he needs additional financial security. Since retiring from the NBA, Rodman has gone on to wrestle at a professional level, appear in numerous film and...

With more than 100 patents under his belt, Lanny Smoot has never been afraid to take his imagination to the next level. As a Disney Research Fellow, Smoot is in a position where he has access to a different type of freedom — one that helps him explore different concepts and bring them to life. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Smoot was inducted into the 2024 National Inventors Hall of Fame. He’s also the first Disney Imagineer to receive the honor and the second in the company, aside from Walt Disney himself. “To be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame means that you’ve made inventions that have changed the world in some sense, right? And it’s a great honor,” he told AFROTECH™ from his Walt Disney office in Los Angeles during an event to unveil the latest Disney Imagineer contributions, including the all-new Princess Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Animatronics.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Disney Parks (@disneyparks) “I didn’t know when the induction...

At just age 14, a New Orleans, LA, native has created an innovation for the medical field. When Naya Ellis was 7 years old, she supported her mother who was battling breast cancer, The74 reports. Merging her passion for helping others and for science, she went on to design WingItt, a stroke-detecting watch for adults. The outlet details that WingItt works to detect nerve impulses and heartbeats to identify strokes apart from the physically visible signs. After learning that the medical condition greatly affects people who are 55 and over, Ellis created the device with that age group in mind. What’s more, she aims for WingItt to be more on the affordable end in comparison to other smartwatches currently on the market. “I want to do something I’m interested in, that will also change the world,” Ellis said. The John F. Kennedy High School student’s inspiration for the invention came while attending STEM NOLA’s STEM Saturday. In a last-minute decision, she switched from creating a watch...

Cognition AI is only one of many intriguing concepts in the field of artificial intelligence. Cognitive AI, also referred to as cognitive artificial intelligence, is software that tries to think and learn by imitating the way human brains work using natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML). Despite its apparent simplicity, this novel idea in AI can take two different yet related directions. Let’s deconstruct the essence of Cognition AI, looking at its various methodologies, uses and promise for a fascinating future. Path One Of Cognition AI The field of cognition AI is particularly interesting when it comes to mimicking human cognitive functions. Here, the goal is to create artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can think, learn and solve issues similarly to how humans do. This is accomplished by utilizing natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML). With the help of ML algorithms, AI systems can gradually learn from enormous volumes of data....

J. Cole has garnered a reputation for being one of the most humble rappers of the modern era. This is due in large part to Cole’s insistence on wearing plain clothing and shying away from expensive cars and flashy jewelry. Given his down-to-earth style , it may surprise some J. Cole fans to learn that the 39-year-old rapper has amassed an impressive net worth of over $60 million, according to The Street. J. Cole’s net worth was mostly established from his career on the mic, as well as his penchant for producing beats, and on-stage performances across the globe. Unlike many other artists, Cole hasn’t invested heavily into material possessions, instead focusing his time and energy on his family and his craft. Let’s explore the many avenues in which J. Cole has ameliorated his net worth, and examine the state of his career and financial future. Early Life And Humble Beginnings One major contributing factor to J. Cole’s humility is his ongoing desire to avoid ever being broke again....

Donald Glover is a multi-hyphenate entertainer, with more successful ventures in entertainment than most people could accomplish in several lifetimes. The 40-year-old has mastered the art of rapping, singing, stand-up comedy , acting, directing, screenwriting and live performance, and has created a plethora of thought-provoking and award-winning television shows. Most recently, Donald Glover co-created and starred in the Amazon Prime Video original series “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” alongside Maya Erskine. With all of these ventures and more under his belt, Donald Glover has amassed an impressive net worth, which is expected to clock in at roughly $40 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. With such a long and storied career, it appears as though Glover’s financial portfolio will only continue to expand, as he continues to chase creative fulfillment around every corner. Here’s a brief look into Glover’s many financial ventures in art and entertainment , and an exploration of his...

One of the major flaws of artificial intelligence (AI) is that it can reinforce racial bias. As CNN reported, the technology is based on data fed by humans, which can mean the data can be racist and biased. “Remember: AI is just software that learns by example,” Reid Blackman, author of the book, “Ethical Machines,” told CNN. “So if you give it examples that contain or reflect certain kinds of biases or discriminatory attitudes … you’re going to get outputs that resemble that.” The impact of its racial bias continues to disproportionately affect the Black community , including when it comes to resume screening. “And many employers now use AI-driven tools to interview and screen job seekers, many of which pose enormous risks for discrimination against people with disabilities and other protected groups,” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote in a 2021 report on how AI can worsen racial and economic inequities. Now, a recent research paper has shown another area where AI...

Afro Unicorn Founder April Showers is taking her business to the gaming space. Showers launched Afro Unicorn, a character brand founded in 2019 to empower Black girls and women. As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, its products include apparel items such as leggings and shirts and party favors such as plates, napkins, balloons, decorations, and pinatas. The brand also carries apparel for babies, accessories, and bags, among others. Showers ensured that her product was marketed in various shades to reflect the multitude of complexions among Black consumers. In addition to showing inclusivity in how Black people are portrayed, the founder wants others to know that Afro Unicorn is more than a brand. “My main goal for Afro Unicorn™ is to ensure Black girls and women feel unique, divine, and magical,” Showers said in a news release. She added, “Afro Unicorn™ is more than a line of products. It’s a movement to make sure Black people are represented and have a seat at the table. I’m grateful...

Not saying yes to the first offer could likely benefit you in the long run. For the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast hosts, this led to a more favorable business outcome. As previously mentioned by AFROTECH™, Gillie Da King and Wallace Peeples, otherwise known as Wallo267, signed a podcast deal with media company Barstool Sports in 2020. The deal is reportedly worth $3 million for 50% ownership in the show. Two years later, the duo signed a new contract with the company. Wallo267 expressed on an Instagram post, “From the bottom of my heart I want to thank all of y’all for being apart of my journey. 🙏🏾💪🏾cuz @gilliedaking WE DIT IT!” At the time of this writing, the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast appears to be doing well, garnering 1.53 million subscribers on YouTube. Their guests include some of the biggest names in the business — Alicia Keys, Cardi B, Shaquille O’Neal, and Michael B. Jordan. Unsurprisingly, Barstool Sports was one of many companies interested in securing...

In 2015, Bryson Tiller released his debut studio album, “Trapsoul.” In a Complex interview, the singer and rapper described the album as “a super slow burn.” “Trapsoul” introduced the music industry to a new genre, a combination of Trap and Soul, a nd it is still appreciated by fans today. Its trajectory ultimately took Tiller from first releasing his music on SoundCloud to his debut album reaching triple-platinum status with over 5.8 billion streams in the United States, per RCA Records. What’s more, the singer-songwriter earned a Grammy nomination for “Best R&B Song” for “Exchange,” one of his hit singles, along with “Don’t” and “Sorry Not Sorry.” Tiller shared that his success in the music industry reminds creatives that it’s important not to listen to outsiders for validation. “People are going to love your sh-t, and they’re going to hate it,” Tiller told Complex during the promo run for his eponymous album released in April 2024. “Now, when I create music, I don’t really care...

Blue Origin has birthed a full-circle moment for former Air Force Captain and Kansas City, KS, native Ed Dwight. Back in 1961, Dwight made history as he was selected by President John F. Kennedy as the first Black astronaut candidate in the U.S., according to a news release. However, after completing the Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) and receiving a recommendation from the U.S. Air Force to move forward, he wasn’t selected for the NASA Astronaut Corps and missed out on the chance to fly to space. Now, six decades later, Dwight is set to be on board for Blue Origin’s latest New Shepard mission to space — marking its seventh human flight and 25th program to date — the news release details. What’s more, his seat is sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity and the Jaison and Jamie Robinson Foundation. Before being selected for Blue Origin’s space mission, Dwight went from an early career as an entrepreneur to sculpting monuments that commemorate Black historical leaders...

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) hopes to inspire people to look into the skies and to their communities. Recently, Black individuals in NASA’s workforce took social media by storm after sharing their headshots from the independent agency. The heartwarming posts reminded everyone of the importance of representation and fostering inclusivity, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Joining #BlackAtNASA . After 15 years this is my headshot. pic.twitter.com/qDTMbGprZ2 — K Renee Horton,PhD (@Reneehortonphd) March 17, 2024 Despite the fleeting nature of viral moments, NASA’s efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are far more than just a snapshot. In 2023, the agency released an equity action plan supporting a presidential executive order focused on dismantling “inequitable barriers and challenges facing underserved communities.” “We at NASA, as an administrator, never tell our story,” Shahra Lambert, NASA’s...

Pay equity is a constant fight for Black creators, and this was a daunting reality for TikTok creator Keandre Dre Hopkins. In February 2024, Hopkins, otherwise known as Dre in Dallas, took to the platform — which now shows he has 1.1 million followers as of this writing — to highlight Crumbl Cookie’s latest lineup, which included a purple sandwich cookie in partnership with pop star Olivia Rodrigo. His comedic input when critiquing the cookie turned into a viral sound bite: “Olivia Rodriguez, that lil Mexican girl that be crying. Zero out of 10.” The TikTok video has garnered 19.7 million views and 2.4 million likes so far. Furthermore, the sound was later used by Rodrigo in good humor on March 6, 2024, via TikTok and racked in 50.1 million views and 6.8 million likes as of April 5, 2024. @dreindallas @Crumbl Cookies ♬ original sound – Dre To no surprise, it appears Crumbl Cookie took wind of the viral video and reached out to Hopkins. In a TikTok video, he claims they were looking...