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Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The turmoil over tariffs has taken center stage since President Donald Trump has started to make good on his campaign promise to Make America Great Again. His latest move is leveraging the tactic of tariffs to help bring back manufacturing jobs that he believes have been outsourced to other countries and should be available to people in the United States. However, having the goal of quickly bringing industrialization to a country has been tried elsewhere before. Mao Zedong of China, who formed the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and ran it until his death in 1976, tried what Trump is doing in the U.S. in China. It was called The Great Leap Forward and started in 1958. It aimed to change China from a country that relied on agriculture as its economic center to one that relied on industrialization instead. Similar to Donald Trump’s vision for industrialization, it included a focus on increasing...
The Trump administration has repealed a Biden-era policy that guaranteed a baseline wage for workers on federal contracts, cutting the federal contractor minimum wage down from $17.75 an hour. However, the move still leaves an Obama-era rule in place that puts the minimum at $13.30 an hour. With that single change, hundreds of thousands of private-sector workers employed by federal contractors are at risk of wage reductions up to 25% — a shift that will disproportionately affect workers without college degrees and those already earning near-poverty wages, the Center for American Progress reports. The Federal Contractor Minimum Wage: A Lifeline Now Lost The now-defunct regulation, established under Executive Order 14026, raised the federal contractor minimum wage in 2021 to $15 and indexed it to inflation, bringing it to $17.75 in 2025. It was designed to ensure that janitors, cooks, maintenance workers, and other federal contract laborers earned a livable wage. More than 327,000...
Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) is mobilizing support for Black maternal health. Black Maternal Health Week April 11–17 is Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), an initiative created by the Black women-led, cross-sectoral consortium Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), with the intent of raising awareness and fostering community around the experiences of Black mothers and birthing people, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. Atlanta-GA-based BMMA traces its origins to 2013 when the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective (SisterSong) began constructive research on the obstacles Black mothers face in accessing health care. Once it had become its own independent entity in 2018, BMMA established Black Maternal Health Week and began working with up to 18 community-based organizations. That number has since grown to nearly 50. Black Maternal Health Week also intentionally coincides with National Minority Health Month,...
By now you’re surely aware of generative AI software , since the newly-developed tech has become the hottest craze on the internet in recent years. One of the leading services in this niche, OpenAI’s ChatGPT , has been utilized by millions to create stylized images, videos and text from brief descriptive prompts. Though this technology is quite impressive, it has drawn heavy criticism from those who share concerns about AI’s impact on the environment , its effect on artists and the frequently incorrect information it delivers as fact. Now, OpenAI has released the latest model for their GPT software, titled GPT-4o. The 4o iteration allows GPT users to generate uncanny recreations of specific art styles, including those in the image of a Studio Ghibli film. As you can imagine, this new OS has wrought tons of use from curious users all over the world, and drawn criticism from fans of the Ghibli franchise. If you’re at all active on social media, you’ve no doubt encountered a sudden...
The Deion Sanders contract extension is officially signed, sealed, and worth a staggering $54 million. The University of Colorado has locked in “Coach Prime” for five more years, reportedly placing him as the No. 4 highest-paid college football coach in the nation, Sports Illustrated reported. Following two seasons of massive impact both on and off the field, Sanders’ new deal cements Colorado’s commitment to his leadership and vision. The updated Deion Sanders contract will pay him $10 million annually in 2025 and 2026, increase to $11 million in 2027 and 2028, and rise to $12 million in 2029. Deion Sanders’ Contract Extension Reflects Colorado’s Investment In The Program’s Future According to CBS Sports, Sanders was previously ranked 38th in coaching salaries with an annual income of $5.7 million. Now, his $10.8 million average yearly salary puts him in fourth place, according to DNVR reporter Scott Procter, per SI. He’s listed behind the University of Georgia’s Kirby Smart at No....
President Trump is back on his trade war wave — and this time, it’s rolling straight through the auto industry. With a fresh round of 25% tariffs on cars and auto parts set to take effect on April 3, people from the auto industry, from C-suites to dealership floors, are bracing for the impact. The administration says it’s about protecting national security and strengthening the U.S. manufacturing base. But if you’re thinking about buying a car this year, or if your job has anything to do with auto production, here’s the truth: You may be paying more, waiting longer, and dealing with fewer options. And that’s just the beginning. Why The White House Is Saying This Is Necessary According to an official statement from the White House, these tariffs on cars are aimed at keeping America safe. The administration is emphasizing that too many imports are “undermining” the “domestic industrial base” and weakening the U.S. supply chain. The idea is to hit foreign-made cars and parts with a 25%...
When the New England Patriots inked Stefon Diggs to a four-year, $69 million deal, $25 million of it guaranteed, it didn’t just make headlines; it marked a directional shift. A franchise long defined by systematic precision and conservative spending is finally reaching a new identity: one shaped around adaptability, controlled risk, and cultural recalibration. Betting On Diggs Production In A Post-Prime Window Diggs is 31 years old, and he’s coming off a torn ACL that sidelined him in Week 8 of the 2024 season. And yet, his numbers from those eight games with the Houston Texans weren’t symbolic—they were substantial. According to ESPN, he tallied 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns, ranking seventh in total receptions at the time and averaging 62.0 yards per game. C.J. Stroud posted a 104 passer rating and a 73% completion rate when targeting him, evidence of Diggs’ continued ability to elevate a quarterback’s efficiency. Even if the explosiveness has dulled slightly,...
For decades, Ben & Jerry’s has been more than just an ice cream company — it’s been a loud, proud, and unapologetic advocate for progressive causes. From climate justice to racial equity, the brand has built an identity around speaking truth to power. But now, that identity is at the center of a corporate power struggle. Ben & Jerry’s is accusing its parent company, Unilever, of firing CEO David Stever, not because of poor performance but because he refused to back down from the company’s social mission. According to the New York Times, the lawsuit, filed in a Manhattan, NY, federal court, claims that Unilever violated a key part of its 2000 merger agreement by removing Stever without advisory board approval. What started as a quirky Vermont ice cream shop with a social conscience has now turned into a legal battleground, with Unilever allegedly trying to muzzle the very activism that made Ben & Jerry’s a cultural force. A Brewing Corporate Clash Ben & Jerry’s alleges that...
Rick Ross has partnered with his dentist to open a clinic in Atlanta, GA. According to a news release shared with AFROTECH™, the rapper is teaming up with Dr. Mario Montoya, who launched his career path after earning a bachelor of dentistry autonomous degree from the University of Manizales in 1991. He later pursued postgraduate studies in oral rehabilitation at the Military University in 2005, his website mentions. Dr. Montoya co-founded Matizz Dental Clinic in 2008, and after a decade, he launched Smiles by Mario Montoya in Colombia. His initial clientele was Puerto Rican urban artists , but his reach expanded, adding Ross, Nicki Minaj, Tiny, Ari Fletcher, Moneybagg Yo, French Montana, and more to his roster. His treatments include root canals, dental implants, gum contouring, and porcelain veneers made using computer-aided design and manufacturing technology. With the help of Ross, Dr. Montoya plans to make his offerings more accessible to people residing in Atlanta, GA. The...
The Tesla Cybertruck was designed to turn heads. With its rugged, stainless-steel body and futuristic, almost sci-fi design, it looks more like something out of a movie than your typical pickup truck. It wasn’t made to blend in, nor was Elon Musk. Like the Cybertruck, Elon Musk has become impossible to ignore, inserting himself into the political and economic framework of the nation with the same brash insistence that has defined his business empire. Now, with Tesla recalling over 46,000 Cybertrucks—nearly every unit on the road—Musk faces something he has long evaded: accountability, based on a Reuters report. The trucks’ stainless-steel trim panels are coming off, a fitting metaphor for a company whose once-unquestioned dominance in the EV sector is beginning to show fractures. This recall is more than a mechanical failure. It is a referendum on Musk’s leadership, shifting allegiances, and unrelenting attempt to weld his corporate interests to the machinery of American politics....
From breaking records on the field to securing lucrative endorsements, DK Metcalf has established himself as a wide receiver to watch in the NFL. Since being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, he has quickly risen to elite status, becoming one of the league’s most dominant offensive weapons. Known for his rare combination of size, speed and athleticism, Metcalf has delivered performances that showcase his stamina and strength, cementing his reputation as a game-changing playmaker. Off the field, the 27-year-old has successfully transformed his football stardom into financial success . His endorsements include partnerships with major companies such as Nike, Gatorade and Beats by Dre, further boosting his income and public profile. Additionally, he has ventured into business, capitalizing on opportunities in industries ranging from fitness to fashion. With a keen eye for branding and entrepreneurship, he has positioned himself as more than just an athlete – he’s a savvy...
Stephen A. Smith has officially signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension with ESPN, solidifying his role as the face of “First Take” while also gaining greater flexibility to expand his presence beyond sports. According to Sports Illustrated, Smith confirmed the extension on First Take, expressing gratitude for the deal while acknowledging the lengthy negotiation process. “It took too d-mn long,” he remarked with a smile, adding that he remains proud to be part of the “Worldwide Leader in Sports.” His co-host, Molly Qerim, responded lightheartedly, “Yeah, you’re telling me! I saw those mood swings.” Evolving Role at ESPN Under the new agreement, Smith will continue as the primary voice of “First Take” but will scale back appearances on other ESPN programs, including a reduced role on the network’s NBA pregame show, The Athletic noted. This shift allows him to explore additional media opportunities, including political commentary, a space he has engaged with more...
Salesforce is retracting its DEI goals. Business Insider reports that the major software company removed references to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals in its annual financial report. Regarding hiring, the company says it will now uphold equality as its core value. “While we are not specifying representation goals, we remain committed to our core value of equality,” a Salesforce spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg. This sentiment was also echoed in the filing, which read, “We value the equality of every individual at our company and in our communities and are dedicated to fostering a workplace that complies with these protections, creating an inclusive culture where every individual feels seen, heard and valued.” Salesforce joins a growing list of companies that have all followed a common pattern in recent months. Google, Amazon, and Meta are other technology-driven companies that are shifting their focus away from DEI. In retail, Walmart, Aldi, and Target have done...
A 40-day boycott against Target began after the company retracted its DEI commitments. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Target abruptly ended its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, including submitting reports to an external diversity-focused group and a program to ensure Black-owned and minority-owned businesses were stocked in stores. “Many years of data, insights, listening, and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy,” said Kiera Fernandez, chief community impact and equity officer at Target, according to NBC News. “And as a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future — all in service of driving Target’s growth and winning together.” Target has faced backlash after shifting gears. In fact, in a proposed class action, its shareholders revealed that the major retailer did not disclose the repercussions of scaling back its...
Derek W. Bailey is a trailblazer in the automotive industry. He was inspired by C.R. Patterson, born into slavery in 1833. The National Museum of African American History and Culture reports little recollection of Patterson’s life on the plantation, and it is unclear whether his freedom was purchased or if he escaped. Nonetheless, he became a free man and learned the blacksmith trade, which opened doors to carriage-making. He later made history by founding C.R. Patterson & Sons after becoming the sole proprietor of a business venture he had initially started in partnership with J.P. Lowe. Patterson became the first Black automaker in the United States, and now Bailey is carrying the baton. “He was actually born before the Emancipation Proclamation. He built a car company in that period and time,” Bailey told WSB-TV. “Black men have been doing great things throughout history.” Bailey is making his mark as the owner of Atlanta, GA-based Derek Automotive, which has various electric...