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Op-Ed: Laying Off 'Low Performers' Hurts Everyone

Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Significant layoffs have been a consistent theme throughout the world of work for over three years. Whether you work in tech, media, or finance you have seen the news or know of those who have been impacted. Gone is the employment heyday of the pandemic, when firms across the board ramped up their hiring efforts in 2020 and 2021. This led to people embracing new opportunities and getting bumps in compensation that were not previously available. Unfortunately, when the boosts to businesses and balance sheets went away, firms started laying off their workforces in droves. Initially, the reasons behind the cuts were due to overhiring, and companies were looking to streamline their workforces and management in order to move the organizations more nimbly. The media started to refer to it as a “White-Collar Recession” because while other sectors like hospitality and health services saw employment...

Feb 14, 2025

AI Without Guesswork: How to Create Prompts That Deliver

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we create, problem-solve, and engage with technology. But success with AI doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by design. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can be powerful creative partners, but only if you know how to guide them. The key lies in crafting prompts that provide direction, clarity, and context. Whether you’re drafting marketing copy, generating ideas, or solving complex problems, understanding how to talk to AI is essential. Let’s explore the strategies that can turn your prompts into powerful tools for smarter, sharper results. Understanding The Art Of AI Prompting AI thrives on clarity and specificity. Great prompts act like roadmaps — clear directions lead to clear destinations. Yet, crafting those directions requires more than guesswork; it demands strategy. Blavity COO Jeff Nelson developed a six-part engineering framework that turns vague requests into actionable responses. Persona: Anchor the AI’s...

Feb 14, 2025

Since Opening, Black Founders Behind Philadelphia’s Down North Pizza Continue To Empower Former Inmates

Six years after opening, a Philadelphia, PA, pizza shop continues its mission of providing a fresh start and making life easier for former inmates . According to NBC News, the seven-member staff at Down North Pizza consists entirely of formerly incarcerated individuals, including executive chef Michael Carter. Carter was searching for a new beginning after losing his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and selling barbecue meals off his porch. “When I add up the guys who work here, it’s about 63 years incarcerated. So it’s like we understand each other, where we come from,” Carter told NBC. “We had the same barriers when we came home, like whether it be employment, housing, health care — we all had to figure it out.” Carter was one of the first hires at Down North with experience in the kitchen, AFROTECH™ previously reported. Childhood friends Kurt Evans and Muhammed Abdul-Hadi founded the North Philly staple, hoping to reduce recidivism rates in the area. The restaurant serves pizza,...

Feb 14, 2025

Junior Bridgeman Never Made More Than $350K In A Single NBA Season, Today He Is Worth An Estimated $1.4B

Former NBA athlete Junior Bridgeman is now a billionaire. From NBA Player To Successful Businessman Bridgeman was among the 1975 NBA Draft class and was selected in the first round as the eighth pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, notes Basketball Reference. He was soon traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a deal to bring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers. He went on to play with the Bucks until 1984 before spending two years with the Los Angeles Clippers. Bridgeman returned to the Bucks for his final season in 1986-87, according to ESPN. His starting salary in the league was two payments totaling $140,000, but he only saw $55,000 due to taxes and agent fees. Over his 12-year playing career, he earned $2.95 million and never made more than $350,000 in a single season. When Bridgeman retired from the league in 1987, he had already considered a roadmap for his post-career as a businessman. Forbes notes that he received guidance from former Milwaukee Bucks owner Jim Fitzgerald, who...

Feb 14, 2025

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth Tells Employees To ‘Consider Working Elsewhere’ Amid Backlash To Internal Policy Changes

Meta has issued a harsh reality check to its employees. Business Insider shared insights from a leaked all-hands recording, revealing the company’s vision for the future. Among the key takeaways was an ambitious plan for a “highly intelligent and personalized” digital assistant, which is anticipated to reach 1 billion users. “I think whoever gets there first is going to have a long-term, durable advantage towards building one of the most important products in history,” Zuckerberg explained in the recording. He also addressed the company’s decision to steer clear from third-party fact-checkers in place of the community notes system and changes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Meta is among the major companies that have retracted its policies, adhering to conservative agendas. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Meta dismantled its programs tied to DEI and stopped the initiative that required it to consider hiring diverse candidates in every open position. “The way...

Feb 14, 2025

Travis Scott's Cactus Jack Foundation Launches A New Program To Empower Students In Fashion, Design, And Music

Travis Scott has launched a new program that will fuel the design and creativity of students. In 2020, the rapper and songwriter extended his impact in his hometown of Houston, TX, by launching the Cactus Jack Foundation in November 2020, providing the next generation with educational and creative resources, Variety notes. One year after its inception, the foundation launched the 60,000-square-foot Cact.us Design Center at TXRX Labs, serving at-risk middle and high school students. It offers training, mentorship, and exposure to career paths in graphic design, fashion, and music, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. The foundation also provides $10,000 scholarships to college students in partnership with the Fashion Scholarship Fund through the Design Ethos Program. It has awarded scholarships to two cohorts since 2024. Recipients include: Gerald Baano-Stewart II (Morehouse College, 2024) Amanda Kerr (Savannah College of Art and Design, 2024) Satchel Smith (Thomas...

Feb 14, 2025

Starbucks’ DEI Policies Led To ‘More Female And Less White’ Workforce, Lawsuit Says

Starbucks is at the center of a lawsuit for alleged discrimination related to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies . On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, filed a lawsuit claiming that the Seattle, WA-based coffee chain enforces “race-and-sex-based hiring practices” and unlawfully segregates employees in violation of anti-discrimination laws, according to a news release. Since taking office for a second term on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders to dismantle federal DEI initiatives. “As Attorney General, I have a responsibility to protect Missourians from a company that actively engages in systemic race and sex discrimination,” Bailey said. “Racism has no place in Missouri. We’re filing suit to halt this blatant violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act in its tracks.” Bailey said the initiatives have led to a “more female and less white” workforce and forced Missouri consumers to “pay...

Feb 13, 2025

What Is Hip-Hop Powerhouse Da Brat's Net Worth In 2025?

Da Brat has been a powerhouse in the hip-hop industry for decades, making history as the first female rapper to go platinum. Over the years, she has expanded her career beyond music, diving into business ventures, television, and radio. With multiple streams of income and a legacy that continues to influence hip-hop, Da Brat’s net worth in 2025 reflects her longevity in the industry and her smart financial moves. Da Brat’s Rise To Fame Born Shawntae Harris, Da Brat burst onto the hip-hop scene in the early 1990s after winning a rap contest that caught the attention of producer Jermaine Dupri. Under his guidance, she signed with So So Def Recordings and released her debut album, Funkdafied , in 1994. The album was a massive success, selling over a million copies and making Da Brat the first solo female rapper to achieve platinum status. Her distinctive flow, energetic delivery, and ability to blend street rap with mainstream appeal helped her carve out a unique space in the industry....

Feb 13, 2025

Kevin Durant Enters Bid For WNBA Team For Same City He Played For Before Going Pro

Kevin Durant is looking to secure a WNBA team in the city where he played before being drafted into the NBA. The basketball star played at the University of Texas at Austin in 2006 for one year. ESPN reports that during his short time there, he became the Big 12 Player of the Year and earned a Naismith Trophy, the first time in history that a freshman won the award. His talents led him to the NBA in 2007. He was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics — which no longer exist — in the first round as the second overall pick and secured a four-year rookie contract valued at $19.5 million, per Spotrac. Durant has gone on to become one of the league’s best players and secured two championship rings with the Golden State Warriors after a decade in the league. Now, Durant could be returning to his roots through team ownership. According to USA Today, sources involved in the process named him in a group looking to bid for a WNBA team in Austin, TX. The group also includes former Milwaukee Bucks...

Feb 13, 2025

Coca-Cola's Stance On DEI Reignites The Coke Vs. Pepsi Debate

Coca-Cola is one of the most popular soft drinks in the world. Well-known for its iconic red branding, this fan favorite has been gracing the shelves of stores since 1886. While it comes from humble beginnings in Atlanta, Georgia Coca-Cola has become a global soft drink sensation; their plethora of products has made a tremendous profit. According to company reports , they made $215 million in just the first quarter of 2024. While the numbers certainly support Coca-Cola’s success, some consumers are starting to question the moral compass of the globally influential brand. Along with countless other popular companies , Coca-Cola is being put in the hot seat. With the ongoing ban on DEI on the federal level, many companies are choosing to follow suit. Some are sticking with inclusive initiatives but overall those seemingly anti-DEI are getting the most attention. These companies are either altogether getting rid of their diversity initiatives or making significant changes to company...

Feb 13, 2025

How Autumn Lockwood’s College Education Led To Her Making History As The First Black Woman On A Super Bowl-Winning Coaching Staff

Maya Angelou once said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” Autumn Lockwood’s collegiate and professional journey embodies this spirit of resilience and perseverance. Her story isn’t just about accolades—it’s about the power of persistence to overcome barriers often encountered in a male-dominated industry. From the classroom to the sidelines of football’s grandest stage, Lockwood’s path proves that Black History still happens daily. Lockwood’s Educational Foundation And Academic Journey Autumn Lockwood’s educational journey paved the way for her career in sports performance. According to the Philadelphia Eagles’ official website, she earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Arizona, where she built a strong foundation in athlete development and sports science. She furthered her expertise by completing a master’s degree in sports management at East Tennessee State University, gaining valuable experience and insights that...

Feb 13, 2025

NPR Analysis States Google, Pepsi, And Disney Have Scrapped Some Or All DEI References In Annual Report

Major companies have quietly removed insights related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from their annual reports. NPR’s analysis discovered that at least 12 of the nation’s largest companies erased DEI references in their annual reports, most of which were filed within the last two weeks. The companies revealed were Disney, Google , GM, GE, Intel, PayPal, Chipotle, Comcast, 3M, Regeneron, Philip Morris, and Pepsi, which prides itself among investors for its belief that a “culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion is a competitive advantage” in 2024. According to CNBC, Amazon is another company that has followed suit. Its 2024 annual report referenced “inclusion and diversity” under a section labeled “Human Capital.” “As we strive to be Earth’s best employer, we focus on investment and innovation, inclusion and diversity, safety, and engagement to hire and develop the best talent,” the 2024 report read. That section was updated in 2025 and now reads, “We strive to be...

Feb 13, 2025

Goldman Sachs Reverses Decision To Block IPOs For US-Based Companies With All-White Male Boards After Making 2020 Commitments To DEI

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has changed its stance on underwriting initial public offerings (IPOs) for companies with all-white male boards. In 2020, CEO David Solomon announced that the leading investment bank would only take a company public in the United States or Western Europe if the organization had at least two diverse board members, one of whom was a woman, AFROTECH™ previously reported. However, as of Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, Goldman’s IPO requirement is null and void, according to Bloomberg. “As a result of legal developments related to board diversity requirements, we ended our formal board diversity policy,” said Goldman spokesperson Tony Fratto, Bloomberg reported . “We continue to believe that successful boards benefit from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and we will encourage them to take this approach.” Goldman’s 12-member board currently includes two people of color , one of whom is a woman. Among the bank’s executives, 73% are white, with 56% being men. Data...

Feb 13, 2025

Shonda Rhimes Exits Post As Treasurer Of The Kennedy Center As Donald Trump Becomes Chairman

Shonda Rhimes is stepping down from her position on the Kennedy Center board. Deadline reports that the award-winning producer had served as treasurer of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which exposes art to 2 million annual visitors and is guided by a mission to promote a “culture of inclusiveness,” according to its website. The center has served 1.4 million students and offers education and outreach programs throughout the United States and in 29 countries. Now, the center’s leadership, which contributed to its direction and impact, will shift in response to Trump becoming more involved. He previously shared on Friday, Feb. 7, 2024, his intentions to become its chairman and stated that he would remove board members as part of his plan to pursue “a golden age in arts and culture,” the Los Angeles Times reports. This resulted in 18 board members being removed from the roster on the center’s website by Feb. 10, including chairman, David Rubenstein. Most of the...

Feb 13, 2025

FCC Launches Investigation Into Comcast For Alleged Violation Of President Donald Trump's Orders Regarding DEI Initiatives

Despite President Donald Trump’s orders, Comcast is one of several media companies the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating for allegedly promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. According to Reuters, FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced the opening of the investigation into NBC News and its parent company, Comcast, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2025, citing “substantial evidence” that the companies continue to promote DEI. Carr noted that Comcast operates across multiple FCC-regulated sectors, including cable, high-speed internet, broadcast television stations, and wireless services. “The FCC will be taking fresh action to ensure that every entity the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act… including by shutting down any programs that promote invidious forms of DEI discrimination,” the letter to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts read, per Reuters. The FCC is also reviewing whether a “60 Minutes” interview with...

Feb 13, 2025