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It is no secret that professional sports players are some of the world’s highest-income earners. From basketball to soccer to American football, these athletes earn a top dollar through highly negotiated contracts to play the game they love. But who are the people who ensure these massive deals are secured? Agents have been on the front lines of deals and negotiations to ensure their clients receive the “big bucks” and contracts that reflect their skillset and worth. One of the more prominent firms involved in some of sports’ largest deals is Klutch Sports, led by founder Rich Paul. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rich Paul (@richpaul) According to an AFROTECH™ profile, Paul built his career without attending college. After high school, he started reselling vintage jerseys, which led to a chance meeting with LeBron James in 2002. At the time, James, a 17-year-old basketball phenom, admired Paul’s powder blue Warren Moon Houston Oilers throwback jersey in an airport,...
If duality had an avatar, it would be NBA champion Jaylen Brown. From his passion for STEM to launching a nonprofit aimed at addressing the Black wealth gap, Brown has consistently proven that no box is big enough to hold him. If winning the 2024 NBA championship and Finals MVP wasn’t enough, the 27-year-old has added another accomplishment to his resume by launching his debut performance brand, 741. Brown’s connection to the number 741 runs deep, with each digit carrying personal and spiritual significance, driven by his affinity for numbers and frequencies. The numbers 7, 4, and 1 have shown up throughout his journey, symbolizing spiritual growth, hustle, creativity, and fresh starts, according to the brand’s official website. For Brown, these numbers align with his leap of faith to break away from the industry mold and do things on his terms. “741 is more than just a sneaker brand,” Brown said via a press release . “It’s a statement about independence, creativity, and ownership.”...
If “International Players Anthem” by UGK has ever been in your song rotation, then you are very likely familiar with the talent and personality of Texas native Bun B. Bun B entered the entertainment industry in 1987, and with his groupmate Pimp C, the two helped pioneer a significant era in rap music, particularly in the South. With a slew of hits like “One Day” and “Diamonds & Wood,” UGK’s impact has been referenced and appreciated by peers and emerging artists. After a successful career in music, Bun B decided to highlight another skill set and enter the restaurant business. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, the 51-year-old entered the food service industry in 2021, specializing in smash burgers, burgers with super-thin, crispy-edged patties. “For years I’ve been fascinated with the culinary scene, trying to find the best entry point for me,” said the rapper in an Instagram post . “Today, I can say I’ve found it.” Bun B’s restaurant Trill Burgers now has a brick-and-mortar...
Conference season is upon us, and AFROTECH™ is gearing up for an unforgettable experience, offering intentional opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. Billed as “The Global Gathering for Innovators and Inclusive Tech Companies,” the 2024 AFROTECH™ Conference will take place in Houston, TX, from Nov. 13-16, and this year is expected to be bigger and better. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) The main stage will be the epicenter of this year’s gathering, with heavy-hitting speakers and discussions designed to ensure ticket holders have a top tier experience. In addition to the coveted main stage, the AFROTECH™ Conference has added a few new options in the Cybersecurity, AI, and Data and Engineering stages. The Women’s Summit will also be returning with some new additions in the Founder’s Summit, Health & Environmental Equity Summit, and Creative & Design Summit. This year’s speaker lineup is truly exceptional, featuring top...
The 2024 NFL season has begun, but there’s one person making noise off the field that is impacting the game. Sports agent David Mulugheta had reportedly made history as the first agent in the league to negotiate more than $1 billion in NFL contracts in one year, per his reps. According to Forbes, the 41-year-old has 86 clients and $1.3 billion in contract deals under his portfolio. As the president of team sports at Athletes First, Mulugheta has cemented himself as one of the most sought-after agents in the industry. However, this wasn’t something he had anticipated in his life. Based on a USA TODAY profile, Mulugheta never planned on becoming an NFL agent. As a kid, he didn’t play football and wasn’t even aware of what a sports agent did. His original goal was to become an entrepreneur or work in corporate law. “When kids see someone who looks like them in these roles, they think, ‘OK, that’s something I might be able to do,’” Mulugheta said. “I never saw anybody that looked like...
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been a staple in Black American culture. With touted alums like Vice President Kamala Harris, Chadwick Boseman, Shannon Sharpe, Taraji P. Henson, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., HBCU graduates have positively influenced and impacted several industries. Despite the challenges, HBCUs have shown remarkable resilience. Their deep cultural histories and the long list of influential alums stand as a testament to their enduring importance in the Black academic experience. Why Are Black Males Enrolling Less? However, recent data shows a decline in enrollment among Black males. According to the American Institute for Boys and Men, HBCUs have seen a general enrollment decline of 11% since 2010, a trend that mirrors what’s happening across higher education. However, the drop in enrollment among Black male students is more significant, with a 25% decrease at HBCUs compared to a 22% decline at all institutions. Although the percentage...
The year was 2003, and Jay-Z’s iconic “Black Album” would be released on Nov. 14. According to the Grammy Awards website, the album would also be his sixth-straight No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and was initially signaled to be his retirement project. All of this was riding on the moment of an earlier debut that summer, with the launch of Sean Carter’s 40/40 Club. A New Type Of Night Club Situated in New York, NY’s Flat Iron district, the 40/40 Club was created as a luxury sports bar that doubles as a nightclub. Based on a report from Rolling Stone, the name pays homage to a rare achievement in baseball: hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases in a single season. The nightlife concept saw success. Two years after opening, additional locations opened in Atlantic City, NJ; Las Vegas, NV; Atlanta, GA’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Brooklyn, NY’s Barclays Center. “I love sports,” Jay-Z said via Flatiron Nomad. “[I] wanted to create an environment that is conducive...
There is very little that’s as encouraging as family and friends’ support, and Keisha Caine Bishop has been a shining example regarding her son Noah Lyles during the 2024 Paris Olympics. While Lyles may be at the center of many of the conversations, Bishop was a decorated athlete in her own right. Lyles’ parents, Kevin Lyles and Bishop, met at Seton Hall University during the 1990s. According to People, both were accomplished track and field athletes in college. As a student, Bishop studied political science and Spanish. Keisha Caine Bishop’s Track Record According to her 2018 Hall of Fame induction bio, Bishop was a standout athlete for the Seton Hall Pirates, earning All-American honors nine times. She contributed to two NCAA national titles as a member of the 4×400 relay teams and played a key role in winning the 4×400 relay at the 1994 Championship of America at the Penn Relays – University of Pennsylvania. Bishop was also part of two BIG EAST Championship-winning teams and was...
A new season has dawned — and that is AFROTECH™ Conference season. The 2024 iteration of the conference is just three months away, happening Nov. 13-16 in Houston, TX. AFROTECH™ Conference always provides an incredible opportunity for people to gather worldwide to learn more about business and tech, expand their network, and immerse themselves in a top-tier experience highlighting Black excellence and achievement. Even Jay-Z understands the vibe, evidenced by his 2017 song, “Legacy.” “We gon’ start a society within a society That’s major, just like the Negro League. There was a time America wouldn’t let us ball Those times are now back, just now called Afro-tech.” In 2016, Blavity Inc. Co-founders Morgan DeBaun and Jeff Nelson were inspired by the conferences held by tech giants like Meta (formerly Facebook) and Google. The duo sought to create something of similar merit for a BIPOC audience, as they believed Black and brown communities are disproportionately underrepresented at...
One of the most anticipated decisions of the 2024 election was made when Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate. Political pundits and supporters have applauded the choice, seeing it as a unifying move for the Democratic Party. Harris’ choice also speaks to the type of policies Walz would champion. Before Harris made her official choice, Forbes reports that she had a short list of other political standouts, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Despite the accomplished list of potential running mates, Walz rose to the top based on his consistent record of accomplishments and relatability. According to Politico, Walz is a former high school geography teacher, football coach, and veteran who turned a Republican-leaning district blue in 2006. Harris believes this resume will not only speak to the American people...
Each time the Olympic Games come around, the world anticipates who will become the next record holder in a particular sport. In the men’s 100-meter race, Noah Lyles snatched the gold medal on Aug. 4, 2024, per NBC New York. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Noah Lyles (@nojo18) Born in Gainesville, FL, Lyles was raised and spent most of his developmental years in Alexandria, VA. According to a Team USA profile, his athletic interest began with gymnastics. However, at age 12, he developed an affinity for track and field, eventually leading him to Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. He followed in the footsteps of parents Kevin Lyles and Keisha Caine Bishop, who both graduated from the university in 1995. A Lyles Family Tradition Kevin Lyles was a Seton Hall record holder, once known as the most decorated track and field athlete in Big East Conference history based on an Asbury Park Press report. His athletic prowess led him to be elected to the university’s Hall of...
The 2024 election cycle is upon us, which means a slew of campaign ads, varied media coverage, and policy positions that could influence voters on who to support and how. Aside from the historic positioning of Kamala Harris as the nation’s first woman Democratic nominee for president, Michigan has its own historic slant with Hill Harper submitting his candidacy for U.S. Senate. Harper, most known for his acting roles on shows like “CSI: NY” and “The Good Doctor,” has a resume beyond his acting credits. He’s a Harvard Law School alum, author, and small business owner. These on- and off-screen accomplishments have led him to receive many accolades and have also given him leverage as a potential senator. He is committed to advocating for the rights of Michigan residents, with priorities including creating a robust economic community, supporting union jobs, ensuring affordable and universal health care, protecting reproductive rights, reducing student debt, addressing the climate...
Since 1908, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and its members have made their marks across several industries and impacted communities and spaces. Some influential members include Phylicia Rashad, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Vice President Kamala Harris, according to ESSENCE. Harris was officially sworn in as vice president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, making her the first woman, Black person, and South Asian American to be elected to the office. While this historical marker is noteworthy, it was not the beginning of her story. Kamala Harris’ Road To Howard University A native of Oakland, CA, Harris’ roots in education and public service start with the influence of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan. According to a profile from the White House, Gopalan earned her doctorate in 1964, the same year Harris was born, and worked as a breast cancer scientist. Harris’ father, Donald J. Harris, came to the United States from Jamaica to study...
Former Morehouse College President Dr. Robert Michael Franklin Jr. once called the institution the “International Headquarters for Black Male Excellence” during a school-wide address. As the president at the time and an alum, many could argue his opinion was slightly biased. However, the institution makes a solid case for the claim when considering notable alums like Spike Lee, P.J. Morton, Samuel L. Jackson, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Morehouse College, one of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), develops young Black men who impact industries and make waves across various sectors. One of those individuals in this emerging vanguard is Atlanta, GA-based creative Cam Kirk. Cam Kirk’s Big Move Cameron Kirkland, a native of Prince George’s County, MD, moved to Atlanta, GA, to pursue a business degree from Morehouse College. This decision, however, eventually led him from his initial goal of becoming a music executive and into visual storytelling. “I moved to...
Black Girl Magic is real, and Coco Gauff is evidence of this phenomenon. Born in 2004, Cori Dionne “Coco” Gauff is an American tennis player who comes from an athletic family. According to PEOPLE, her parents, Corey and Candi, were on the road to becoming professional athletes as well. Gauff’s dad, Corey, played college basketball at Georgia State University, while Candi was an accomplished track and field star at Florida State University. Though the two don’t take full credit for Gauff’s athletic prowess, they acknowledge that their own experiences as athletes provided a solid foundation for understanding the dedication and discipline required to perform at a high level. Their support and guidance have been instrumental in creating the atmosphere for her to succeed. “I think it helps parents when they have played as high as college or even pro,” Gauff’s father told The New York Times in 2019. “You better understand the process and so you don’t get too jittery about it. You don’t...