Showing 326 results for:
applications
Popular topics
All results
For its latest initiative, Warner Music Group (WMG) is working to get more people of color into the door of the music industry. Billboard reports that the music company has partnered with Culture Creators for its 2023 HBCU Immersion Program, which teaches students about what it takes to have a career in the business.
Google for Startups is on the hunt for promising Black, Latinx, and Veteran founders across the country. Starting now, these founders can apply to be a part of the third cohort of the Founders Academy. The four-month virtual program will provide Google’s best practices, top tools, and the community required to raise capital and upscale startups, according to information provided to AfroTech. “Boddle had begun raising a round of funding when we started the Founders Academy. The timing was fortuitous because it allowed us to take advantage of the program’s investor-in-residence. Tony was instrumental in helping us crystallize our pitch to VCs and gain better insights on negotiating for the $1.45M funding round that we eventually raised,” said Edna Martinson, Founders Academy alumna and founder of Boddle Learning in a statement provided to us.
Facebook first launched its Black Gaming Creator Program in December 2020 to support the gaming community with $10 million over the span of two years. Now, the program has returned for its second year and applications reopened on Aug. 23. “We’re excited to reopen applications for the Black Gaming Creator Program’s second year and are eager to see the next wave of great gaming creators at Facebook Gaming,” said Facebook’s Global Director of Gaming Creator Partnerships Luis Renato Olivalves in a statement. “With many new partners in the first year, this program is proof of the growing excitement for entertaining, diverse and creative personalities and new communities within game streaming.” Along with its commitment of $10 million in funding, according to Adweek, the program’s benefits include official partner badges, early access to new streaming features and tools, exclusive access to a private Facebook gaming group and events, bi-monthly mentorship and training summits, and more....
Digital platform EnrichHer is connecting Black women founders to the capital that they need. The platform has launched the EnrichHER Small Business Grant for $5,000, according to a press release. The initiative is designed to boost the needs of various operations with anything from purchasing new equipment to implementing a marketing campaign. “This is the 5th round of our business grant program and we couldn’t be more proud to offer another opportunity for women and founders of color to access funds that can help them reach their next milestone,” said Dr. Roshawnna Novellus, founder, and CEO of EnrichHER in a news release. “Women own 40% of businesses in the U.S. but receive only 4% of business loans. Our mission is to change that. The EnrichHER grant program brings us closer to our goal of empowering women-led, Black-owned, and POC-owned businesses through capital, coaching, and community.” To date, the platform has funded over 160 million companies with over $14 million since its...
James Beard Foundation — a nonprofit organization whose mission includes celebrating leaders in American food culture — announced the launch of its grant initiative back in September to support Black and Indigenous Americans working in the F&B industries. Black and Indigenous-owned businesses are closing at disproportionate rates. Donate now to the JBF Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans which provides emergency relief grants and mentorship to those businesses most at risk. Give today: https://t.co/FO8FoEd1Ec pic.twitter.com/n30MmK1Bvg — James Beard Foundation (@beardfoundation) December 15, 2020 The foundation has now officially opened up applications to provide these grants (valued at $15,000) to F&B businesses majority-owned by Black or Indigenous individuals. According to a press release, the initiative was initially launched as a component of the organization’s Open For Good campaign that kicked off back in April of 2019, to rebuild a stronger, more independent...
Applications for Spotify’s Sound Up Podcast Program are now open. The program is set to help ten aspiring women podcasters of color get access to resources and training. “You don’t need any experience; all you need is an idea,” the company said in a post. The week-long program offers a deep dive into podcasting techniques, storytelling strategies, equipment training, and panel discussions in New York City. At the end of the week, each of the ten participants will compete for a chance to win $10,000 for their podcast idea. Applicants must be at least 18-years-old, U.S. residents, and identify as a woman of color. The program highlights Spotify’s major moves toward podcasts and original content. Last week, the company announced a multi-year deal with Higher Ground Audio, an offshoot of Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company. Spotify also acquired podcast companies Gimlet and Anchor earlier this year, marking a major turning point in its podcast efforts. “The format is really...
Non-profit incubator SEED SPOT is accepting applications for its spring Impact Accelerator program in D.C. for entrepreneurs building products or services that solve some of society’s biggest challenges. “Through the Impact Accelerator, entrepreneurs are able to concentrate on the growth of their impact-driven venture, meet investors, and ultimately see their venture scale to make more positive change in the world,” said C’pher Gresham, chief strategy and operations officer at SEED SPOT in a statement to Technica.ly. The eight-week accelerator supports founders with connections to raise capital and provides one-on-one mentorship for pre-seed ventures with a prototype. Participants have access to SEED SPOT’s investor network and the opportunity to win up to $15,000 in unrestricted grants at a demo day. According to a press release, the program will provide insight on high-growth business models, creating a winning team, crafting strong go-to-market strategies, financial models and...
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is on a mission to find the best Black undergraduate scholars in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Does this sound like you? Submit your application, fam! The UNCF STEM Scholars Program is a scholarship fund designed to provide talented Black students who are interested in pursuing a career in the STEM profession with the capability to relieve some of the financial burdens that come with applying to such programs. According to HBCU Buzz, the program is open to high school seniors who are entering college as first-time freshmen in the fall of 2019. The main eligibility requirements are as follows: Be African American Be a citizen, legal permanent resident, or national of the United States Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale Pursued a rigorous course of study in high school in math and science courses, including pre-calculus Have demonstrated financial and unmet need as measured by the...
The music industry can be a tricky game — one minute you’re up, and the next you’re left wondering where all the money went — an intricate maze of talent, timing, and business. Few stories illustrate its complexities as vividly as Dawn Robinson’s. As a founding member of En Vogue, she was part of a movement that redefined contemporary R&B, blending impeccable harmonies with a bold, sophisticated image that commanded attention. Yet, the same industry that lifted her to legendary status ultimately left her to navigate an unrelenting financial storm. Robinson, now 59, recently revealed in a profoundly personal YouTube video that she has been living in her car for the past three years, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This revelation is more than a personal hardship — it is a case study of what happens when artists, especially Black women in the music industry, are not given the tools to own their success beyond the stage. Her story is not about missteps alone but about an industry...
At an early age, Maseray S. Kamara understood the importance of healthcare. Now, she is contributing to the creation of quality care for patients. Her professional journey dates back to Woodbridge, VA where she was raised by parents from Sierra Leone, West Africa. They informed her of various family members , some impacted by sickle cell, which can cause pain, infections, and joint issues throughout the body, according to the National Institutes of Health. These early conversations profoundly influenced her passion for healthcare and the importance of improving access to it. She also credits a science project from her eighth-grade year surrounding heart rates as a pivotal moment in solidifying her career path. In 2008, Kamara’s interest in science led her to Princeton University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology. After that, she attended Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine to obtain a medical degree. She successfully completed her...
The future isn’t coming — it’s already here. Artificial intelligence has moved beyond sci-fi speculation to become an integral part of our daily lives, reshaping the way we work, create, and connect. At the forefront of this transformation is the rise of custom GPTs — AI models designed to meet specific needs with precision and adaptability. Whether it’s streamlining content creation, enhancing customer engagement, or optimizing complex workflows, these intelligent assistants are revolutionizing productivity. By tailoring AI to fit unique goals, professionals aren’t just working smarter, they’re redefining what’s possible in real time. The question isn’t whether AI will shape the future — it’s how we’ll harness it to shape our own. How Custom GPTs Are Changing The Game The ability to craft precise and effective prompts is essential when working with AI. As discussed in the previous AFROTECH™ article on Advanced AI Prompting Techniques , mastering AI communication is crucial to...
Rémy Martin has unveiled a limited-editions cognac collection honoring the legacy and influence of Hip-Hop culture. According to a press release, the V.S.O.P. “This is My City” limited-editions collection features four unique bottle designs, each paying homage to iconic cities and their distinctive influence on contemporary culture: Atlanta, pushing boundaries; Chicago, home of lyrical legends; Detroit, the birthplace of Motown and resilient beats; and New York City, the birthplace of Hip-Hop. Courtesy of Rémy Martin Along with launching the collection, Rémy Martin introduced its inaugural “This is My City” microgrant initiative to support emerging creatives contributing to their local culture and communities through entrepreneurship. Emphasis will be placed on recipients whose work shapes conversations within their industry and community, pushes boundaries, and displays originality and authenticity. The regional microgrant initiative will award $20,000 grants and one-on-one...
Google has launched Career Dreamer, an advanced artificial intelligence analysis tool that evaluates users’ skills and experiences and suggests personalized career opportunities. According to a Feb. 19, 2025 blog post from Grow With Google Founder Lisa Gevelber, Claire Thorn, a military spouse who spent nearly 20 years as a stay-at-home mom before reentering the workforce , was one of the early testers of Career Dreamer. After answering a few questions about her background and interests, she learned how to translate her life experiences into skills and new career opportunities. “(Career Dreamer) helped identify skills that I take for granted and showed me that they’re important and useful in the workforce,” said Thorn, per Google. “Now, I’m armed with the confidence of knowing that I already possess exactly what employers need.” Career Dreamer identifies patterns and connects the dots between unique experiences, educational backgrounds, skills, and interests. The platform then...
Paramount is taking steps back from its DEI policies. In a news release shared with AFROTECH™, the company says it will adhere to President Trump’s executive orders, resulting in a shift in how it approaches inclusion within the company. Just two days after being inaugurated into office, Donald Trump signed an executive order to end “illegal DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion) to protect “civil rights and merit-based opportunity,” as seen within its title. The order includes removing DEI-related factors as a consideration in federal hiring, promotions, and performance reviews. Additionally, his plan proposes placing federal employees in DEI roles on paid leave while dismantling DEI-focused initiatives, offices, and programs, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. “Every man and woman should have the opportunity to go as far as their hard work, individual initiative, and competence can take them. In America, excellence, grit, and determination is our strength,” according to a White...