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You may know Derrick Jones — or DJ D-Nice — for coming up with the concept for Club Quarantine during the height of the pandemic to help people stay connected. He dedicated his time and talents to host Club Quarantine daily on Instagram Live. Now, he will be joining forces with Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) to celebrate Club Quarantine’s second anniversary, which will kick off with a three-day celebration set to begin today. “It’s not necessarily about the music. It’s a way for people to stay connected to friends and their families because we could not see each other,” D-Nice said exclusively to AfroTech. He continued: “We found ways to dance virtually which was very important because I firmly believe had it not been for these virtual spaces of dancing and listening to music, or just being able to communicate with one another using Instagram or Zoom, the depression and suicide rate would have been higher. Thank goodness for music and entertainment during this dark time.” Not...
This time last year, Black Women Photographers (BWP) was busy launching a global community and database to help Black women get paid for their work. One year later, the platform is celebrating its anniversary with a new fund that’s continuing that mission. Over the last year, founder Polly Irungu has been a vocal advocate encouraging companies to invest in and hire Black women photographers for various projects through her ever-growing digital database. The movement she started disrupted industries in a way that finally made the world wake up to this overlooked group of creatives, but now its revolutionary nature is taking it a step further with a $40,000 grant fund — in partnership with NikonUSA — and an additional $10,000 worth of photography gear. According to Irungu, there will also be an additional $1,250 grant opportunity from Flickr who is also partnering with BWP. “One year ago today, we launched this global community and directory. ? ,” the platform announced on its...
Roc-A-Fella Records recently stopped co-founder Damon Dash from selling his own (non-fungible token) NFT of Jay-Z’s 1996 “Reasonable Doubt” album. Now the billionaire Hip-Hop icon has announced that he will be making the sale himself. Variety reports that in honor of the album’s 25th anniversary, Jay-Z has partnered with artist Derrick Adams to create a one-of-a-kind animated digital artwork of the famous album’s cover, which is set to be auctioned off as an NFT in a special single-lot auction. “Over the years Jay has collected and supported my work, and so this collaboration is particularly fulfilling,” Adams said in a statement. “With this NFT project, we jointly embrace the opportunity to further the conversation about how artists of different mediums contribute to a more inclusive society. My portraits aim to capture the sensibility, optimism and beauty of urban life, and in Jay’s work I’ve found tremendous kinship.” According to Variety, this collaboration will be the first NFT...
It’s been 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre reshaped the world as we know it. What once was known as The Black Wall Street, the Greenwood District was singlehandedly destroyed at the hands of white rage and today (June 1), OWN is keeping its legacy alive through “The Legacy of Black Wall Street.” The new two-part special OWN Spotlight event will track the rise of Black Wall Street in Oklahoma’s Greenwood District up until it was destroyed through the tragic 1921 Tulsa race massacre. Angela Davis / Photo Courtesy of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network “We’re proud to tell this powerful story and commemorate the triumphant survivors who worked to rebuild and reclaim Black Wall Street,” said Tina Perry, President, OWN in an official news release. “This is a significant moment in our history that will not be forgotten. We will continue to amplify Black excellence and resilience on OWN as we make strides on the road to healing.” Healing that present-day activist and Tulsa native, Jerica...
John W. Rogers Jr. founded the nation’s first Black-owned mutual fund company and remains committed to expanding opportunities for other minority groups. Rogers comes from a family who upheld civil rights, fairness, and economic justice, he revealed in an interview with the SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. It would be his father who sparked his interest in finance and economics. When Rogers was 12 years old, he received stocks as gifts for Christmas and his birthday. These included $200 worth of shares from companies such as General Motors and Commonwealth Edison, and he was able to pocket the dividends from those investments. “My dad was very insistent,” Rogers explained in the interview. “He wanted me to learn everything there is to know about the market, so he made me read the annual reports of the companies that were sent out every year, the quarterly reports that the companies would send out in those days, and I’d read about those companies.” His father also connected...
Although Wally Amos didn’t set out to build a world-class brand, his creation has stood the test of time, leaving a lasting legacy. The beloved Famous Amos, with its signature bite-sized cookies inspired by Amos’ family recipe, launched in 1975 in a storefront on Los Angeles, CA’s Sunset Boulevard. When the store opened, his son, Shawn, was just seven years old, and he was one of its workers. “He worked in the back, and I worked in the front, and literally the two of us were tearing this place apart, building it, and opening it up. I learned the value of work, of just that all you have at the end of the day is work,” Shawn told AFROTECH™. “He wasn’t looking to create a worldwide brand or be an icon. He just wanted to open up a store selling cookies and make a living. And he really valued the work and took pride in the work.” The store’s launch was made possible through a $25,000 loan from notable entertainers such as Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy. For years, Wally had been sharing his...
Pharrell Williams’ nonprofit organization Black Ambition has distributed $13 million to underrepresented founders since its inception. The nonprofit currently is launching its fifth Black Ambition Prize Competition, which will award early-stage entrepreneurs in industries such as consumer products and services, health care, media and entertainment, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). Participants will have a chance to receive more than $1 million in funding. Further support will be provided over 12 weeks through mentorship, business development support, and access to its network of investors and industry leaders through the Black Ambitionist Mentorship Program in partnership with Cinematica Labs. According to information shared with AFROTECH™, $13 million has been awarded to 131 entrepreneurs since 2020. Additionally, the organization’s founder network has raised $280 million and generated over $265 million in revenue. “Five years ago, Black Ambition was an idea,” Williams...
T-Pain is the next artist to cash in on his publishing and masters. Variety reports that the Grammy-award winning artist, who has secured 10 Billboard Hot 100-charting singles, sold his publishing catalog and select masters to HarbourView Equity Partners. It is unclear at this time which songs are included in the deal or how much the purchased price was. The announcement also coincides with the 20th anniversary of several T-Pain songs such as “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’),” “Bartender (featuring Akon),” “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper) (featuring Mike Jones),” Flo Rida’s “Low,” and “I’m Sprung,” among others. “I’m excited for this next chapter and to partner with HarbourView Equity as they help preserve the legacy of my music,” T-Pain said . “This catalog represents years of hard work, creativity, and unforgettable moments, and I’m grateful to see it continue to reach new heights. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.” HarbourView Founder and CEO Sherrese Clarke commented: “We are...
Some facts about Black History Month have been well-established: Carter G. Woodson was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. His frat created Negro History and Literature Week in 1924. Woodson sent out a press release to announce the first Negro History Week. He chose February to honor another historical legend, a formerly-enslaved-man-turned-activist Frederick Douglass, who had chosen February 14 as his birthday without knowing his real birthdate. Negro History Week was also chosen to honor former President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12. And on its 50th anniversary, in 1976, younger members of the Association for the Study of African American History extended Negro History Week to Black History Month. While all of these facts are inarguable, there’s one point that remains vague: What exactly are you supposed to do during Black History Month? Like Juneteenth , there were never any established rules. For employees who want to honor this month, are there tips for how to...
Damian Lillard just received back-to-back victories. The eight-time All-Star is currently on the roster of the Milwaukee Bucks following a three-team trade in November 2023, a news release mentioned. It has not taken long for the team to reach a major milestone. On Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, the Milwaukee Bucks were announced as champions over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the annual in-season NBA Cup, which is in its second year. What’s more, players on the team with standard contracts will be awarded $514,971 each for the victory, notes WGN-9 TV. “I’ve had a lot of experience individually where I’ve had accomplishments and stuff,” Lillard said, according to AP News. “But to have some team success and win something and be the last team standing in this tournament, it feels great.” Giannis Antetokounmpo, power forward and teammate, commented: “I’m so happy for Dame that we got our first trophy together. This is just the beginning. We have to keep on improving and getting better, and we...
Adidas may be one of the only companies that Cancel Culture has been unable to overtake. Before Geriatric Millennials and Gen Xers were wearing their very best Adidas shoes, courtesy of Run DMC ‘s 1986 song anthem, the brand wasn’t exactly known for embracing African-American culture. In fact, its 1949 founder Adolf “Adi” Dassler was a documented member of the Nazi Party. Although Adidas certainly doesn’t bring attention to his affiliation in the brand’s timeline , the brand doesn’t hide the founder’s name either. Dassler became the supervisor of the Hitler Youth Sports league , but there are some conflicting reports about whether he was politically enthused with his affiliation or whether his “sole purpose was to support athletes, regardless of political affiliation, religious faith or ethnicity.” Felix Reimann Then, add on images of Jesse Owens, the African-American winner of four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, who was wearing Dassler’s new handcrafted, leather...
Sony Music had a successful quarter, reportedly driven by the success of popular artists like SZA. The St. Louis, MO-born artist is still basking in the success of her sophomore album “SOS,” which was released on Dec. 9, 2022. Billboard reports the album claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart when it debuted, selling 318,000 equivalent album units and setting a record for the best streaming week for an R&B album. Hit singles on the album included “Kill Bill” and “Snooze.” Speaking to the album’s inspiration, SZA told Rolling Stone, “I think this album was partially inspired by love lost, but mostly inspired by my departure from attempting to be a nice girl. I’ve tried to be a nice girl for so long and it’s just not who I am, inherently. And I think I’ve done nice things and I am a kind person, but I’m not a nice girl. And that’s okay. And I think coming to terms with that and really expanding upon that and exploring that is kind of like this new chapter in my life.” “SOS”...
Lyft is continuing its decade-long mission of eliminating barriers that hinder people from getting to the polls on Election Day . On Nov. 5, the rideshare service will offer 50% off ride codes (up to $10) nationwide for all transportation options — including bike or scooter — using the code VOTE24. The promotion is valid from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. in every time zone, making it easier for voters to reach polling places despite logistical challenges. “Lyft has always believed in removing barriers to transportation, and voting access is no exception,” Heather Foster, Lyft’s senior director and head of global public policy, told AFROTECH™. “This election is further heightened due to the ongoing challenges many communities face in getting to the polls and is more important than ever as new barriers to voting have emerged.” According to Lyft , there are currently 100,000 fewer polling places available than in the 2020 election, representing a 50% decrease since 2018. As a result of...
Attending an HBCU helped Lance Gross realize his dreams of becoming an actor. The Oakland, CA, native had envisioned he would establish a career in entertainment. However, his parents initially had other aspirations, encouraging him to pursue finance and business . “I went against the grain. I like to take a chance on myself. I always bet on myself,” Gross told AFROTECH™ on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Off The Yard Festival at The Bullpen in Washington, DC. There he served as an event partner for the spirit company DIAGEO, celebrating Howard University’s 100th anniversary and sharing in its mission to elevate HBCUs. “I had to do what I loved and what I loved was entertainment. And I’m a creative person, and I feel like I’m not living unless I’m creating. For me, it was a no-brainer. Now, I had some convincing to do with my parents, and also I was on a full track and field scholarship, so I had to convince my coach as well. But, I’m from Oakland, CA, so I’m gonna make it work. We know...