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Tesla is reportedly a hotbed of racial abuse — and the state of California has finally had enough. According to The Los Angeles Times, the state of California has filed a lawsuit against the Elon Musk-led company. The lawsuit comes after more than 32 months of an investigation into the practices by the company, as well as countless worker complaints spanning more than 10 years against the organization. The allegations against Tesla are what The Los Angeles Times is calling quite “horrific” — so much so, in fact, that many of the words that were allegedly used by the company cannot be reprinted here. But what can be stated here is that Tesla allegedly made their Black workers “scrub floors on their hands and knees, and they were relegated to the Fremont, Calif., factory’s most difficult physical jobs,” per the Los Angeles Times. What’s more, the suit alleges that Black workers were routinely denied promotions, were subjected to willful and malicious harassment, got paid far less than...
Tesla is once again under fire for alleged racial harassment. This time, a Black gay ex-employee claims she was assaulted and verbally abused — complete with racial slurs — by a co-worker. Business Insider is reporting that Kaylen Barker — who filed her lawsuit against the company yesterday — is going after both the Elon Musk-helmed automaker and its staffing company, Staffmark. According to her suit, Tesla failed to address the racist abuse she endured every day from her fellow employees, especially after she got a promotion. She also alleges that at one point, a co-worker — whom she only identified as “Joanne” in the suit — would mutter the N-word under her breath every time Barker walked by. And when Barker brought the alleged abuse to the attention of the Human Resources department, nothing was done about it. “I was violated physically, mentally, and emotionally because I am an African American lesbian,” Barker said in a statement provided, through her attorney, to the outlet....
As online abuse continues to run rampant on social media, Twitter reportedly is looking at new measures to combat the persistent problems. According to TechCrunch, the social media giant run by Jack Dorsey says it’s working on new user controls to help combat this persistent problem. Privacy engineer Dominic Camozzi said that one of the things they’re working on is allowing a user to get more control over the mention feature (the @ feature, in other words) to “limit unwanted attention.” You can see Camozzi’s statement in the tweet below. Sometimes you want to talk, and sometimes you just … don't. Check out these early concepts that could help control unwanted attention on Twitter. Feedback, especially at this beginning stage, is invited (and wanted)! 🧵 pic.twitter.com/6SpzqiwFlL — Dominic Camozzi (@_dcrc_) June 14, 2021 One of the proposed methods that Twitter is considering is allowing a user to “unmention” themselves — similar to removing a tag on Facebook, a Twitter “unmention”...
In March, Facebook’s live stream feature was used to broadcast the Christchurch shooting , where fifty people were killed in two mosques in New Zealand. Since the shooting, Facebook has understandably come under fire and scrutiny by both the public and government officials. In April, the company was even called to testify before the House Judiciary Committee alongside Google on the rise of white nationalism online . Today, Facebook announced it’s implementing a new “one-strike” rule. Any users who violate Facebook’s most serious policies — such as the Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy — will be prohibited from using Facebook Live for a set period of time. “Following the horrific terrorist attacks in New Zealand, we’ve been reviewing what more we can do to limit our services from being used to cause harm or spread hate,” Facebook’s VP of Integrity, Guy Rosen, wrote. The company plans on extending its restrictions to other areas on its platform, starting with preventing...
Google may be under hot water after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) started examining Google’s Android practices because of complaints from unspecified people last year . Now, the CCI has ordered a complete investigation of Google. Two unnamed sources told Reuters that the preliminary found Google abused the “dominant position of its Android operating system to block rivals.” When it comes to smartphones, it really comes down to whether you use Android or iOS. A January 2018 Newzoo article found that worldwide, Android dominates the market — largely due to China and India. So, it’s no small thing for the CCI to begin looking into Google’s business practices. If Google is found guilty, TechCrunch reported that it could be fined up to 10 percent of its local revenue of 300 percent of its net profit. “Android has enabled millions of Indians to connect to the internet by making mobile devices more affordable,” a Google spokesperson told TechCrunch. “We look forward to working...
Jonathan Majors has had one of the most dramatic and publicized rises — and setbacks — in recent Hollywood history. Known for powerful performances in acclaimed films like The Last Black Man in San Francisco and major franchise roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Majors became one of the industry’s most talked-about stars. However, with ongoing legal challenges and a sudden shift in his career trajectory, questions about his finances have become increasingly relevant. So what is Jonathan Majors’ net worth in 2025, and how did he get there? Early Career And Breakthrough Performances Majors graduated from the Yale School of Drama, one of the top MFA programs in the country, in 2016. His training and stage background positioned him for serious dramatic roles, and his first major on-screen appearance came in 2017’s Hostiles , starring Christian Bale. From there, his filmography quickly expanded. In 2019, Majors drew widespread attention for his lead role in The Last Black Man in San...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Trump’s tariffs have upended multiple industries. For bigger companies like Apple and Microsoft, or fast fashion behemoths like Zara, tariffs can be easily avoided by moving their distribution elsewhere. But for smaller businesses that don’t possess the same infrastructure, they don’t have that ability. Most Americans would agree that manufacturing should come back to the United States. Over the past decades, companies have moved their work abroad to take advantage of lower wages and the lack of unions that protect workers from abuses. In short, it’s easier to take advantage of the cheap labor offered in other countries like China, Thailand, and Vietnam. The whole system is inherently problematic, especially when we look at how workers in the United States are constantly berated and not treated properly. Moving manufacturing back to the states will also mean, unfortunately, that prices for goods...
President Donald Trump’s 10% tariff on all countries took effect over the weekend, and on Monday, April 7, U.S. stocks fell by at least 20%, entering what is known as a “bear market,” CNN reported . According to Dictionary.com, a bear market — the opposite of a bull market — is a prolonged period of declining stock prices , generally defined as a drop of 20% or more from a recent high, though not a formal measurement. On Thursday, April 3, stock markets had already experienced their worst day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AFROTECH™ reported. Then came Friday with another record drop. The S&P 500 index, which tracks 500 leading U.S. companies, fell by over 4%, marking a decline of more than 16% from its peak. The Russell 2000 index, which follows smaller U.S. companies, plunged by 5.3%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index — already in a bear market — had experienced a decline of over 5% on Thursday, marking its worst trading session in more than five years. It...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The tech industry has long had an obsession with youth. This is seen in how the industry conducts itself, who investors look to invest in, how people look at hiring in the world of startups, as well as which programs are being targeted by DOGE, and which ones aren’t, as they look to make the government more efficient. Over the last few months, the Department of Government Efficiency has aggressively looked for waste and fraud within the federal government. It started with organizations that do not come to mind for the average American, like the United States Agency For International Development, or USAID, which focuses on deploying aid to foreign countries for a variety of efforts centered around health, disaster aid, and economic development. DOGE came in like a wrecking ball to the organization, and as reported by ABC News in February, 4,080 employees worldwide were placed on leave and an...
The fashion industry is a massive global market that relies on consumer demand to shape trends and production. Every purchase a consumer makes influences how fashion brands operate, from luxury houses like Dior to fast fashion retailers like SHEIN . Consumer responsibility plays a major role in the ethical, environmental and labor aspects of the fashion industry. Trends change quickly, and consumers are always looking for the next big style. Social media and celebrity culture drive these shifts, making people want to buy new clothes frequently. For fast fashion this means the priority is to create low-cost, trendy clothing at a rapid pace. Companies like Zara, H&M and Forever 21 design and produce new styles in just weeks, while SHEIN keeps a stable of designers on hand to release new looks daily. This ensures that customers always have something new to buy . However, this system comes with significant consequences. The Environmental Impact Of Fast Fashion (Fernand De...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Meta came under fire after users rediscovered AI-generated accounts on Instagram and Facebook with AI-generated photos of Black people. Launched in 2023, these accounts introduced a lineup of celebrity AI characters, featuring the likenesses of Snoop Dogg, Kendall Jenner, MrBeast, and others. They were created to boost advertisers’ engagement. But since their launch, the accounts hadn’t garnered much attention. In the summer of 2024, Meta scrapped the celebrity AI accounts, leaving the non-celebrities up and allowing Meta users to create their own AI characters. But now that AI has become a hot-button topic as we enter 2025, Meta has expressed an interest in integrating user-generated AI profiles into its social media platforms. In December, during an interview with the Financial Times, Meta executive Connor Hayes stated, “We expect these AIs to actually, over time, exist on our platforms, kind...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. A few weeks ago, a debate surrounding the possible expansion of H-1B visas erupted on X (formerly known as Twitter). Established under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, the H-1B visa program is for employers to hire nonimmigrant workers in specialty roles or other roles of distinguished merit or ability. The occupation could refer to nurses, models, and tech workers. The number of workers working in the United States on a H-1B visa has steadily increased over the past decade. Companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple rely on the program to stay ahead in their competitive market. Last year, Elon Musk’s Telsa emerged as one of the leading companies with H-1B visa workers. This is no surprise, as Musk has supported the program. Sharing his support for the program online drew the ire of strongholds within the MAGA coalition like Laura Loomer, who wants the program to end....
Many who grew up in the 80s and 90s are quick to associate the nostalgia of heading back to school with the bright and cheery supplies designed by Lisa Frank. The notoriously private artist is best known for crafting lunchboxes, stickers, toys and trapper keepers covered in dolphins, unicorns, pandas and other adorable critters that decorated classrooms for decades. Before she rose to fame, Frank grew up in Michigan’s Bloomfield Hills (one of America’s wealthiest cities ), the daughter of a higher-up in the automotive industry who supported her creative pursuits. “ My dad was an art collector, my mom had a little kiln in our basement and we would make pottery. I think from about age five on, they sent me to art classes, and I was a huge colorer. HUGE. I think to keep me quiet, they would bring the coloring books and crayons, and I would fill up the books,” Frank told Urban Outfitters in a rare interview. She went on to attend Cranbrook Kingswood School with Mitt Romney, then headed...
HBCU alum Dr. Anthony Harris is leading the future of medicine at Amazon. From An HBCU To Disrupting The Medical Space Dr. Harris, a 2002 graduate of Florida A&M University with Senegal roots, had early intentions of improving the healthcare industry. According to information shared with AFROTECH™, he even filed his first patent, a biomedical device, while in college. Upon receiving his undergraduate degree, he transitioned to a five-year dual degree program at Indiana University, obtaining a doctor of medicine degree and an MBA, his LinkedIn mentions. He also wore the hat of student body president at the university, becoming the first Black individual in this post. Harris’ early career trajectory led him to work in general surgery for 10 months, and then he pivoted into entrepreneurship. 2009 marked the launch of one of his first companies, Adroit Motion, which offered an articulating hand instrument with ergonomic hand control for minimally invasive surgery. That same year,...
If you’ve been tuned in to modern hip hop in the last few years, you’re likely already familiar with the prolific works of NBA YoungBoy. The artist, who is only 24-years-old at the time of this writing, first rose to prominence in 2015 and beyond, releasing numerous rap albums and mixtapes per year ever since. YoungBoy has also amassed quite a large following through viral marketing techniques. He’s earned a dedicated listenership of just under 16 million users on Spotify alone. This behind-the-mic success gives way to an impressive financial portfolio. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his full net worth to clock in at over $10 million. Despite these major successes, NBA YoungBoy’s career is mired by legal troubles and music industry drama, keeping him from reaching his full financial potential. In fact, the young rapper has spent a significant portion of his fame on house arrest while awaiting trial for numerous alleged crimes. The situation keeps him from capitalizing on the outlets...