Nicki Minaj has become known for having a ride-or-die fanbase, “the Barbies” — also known as “the Barbz.” To honor her loyal supporters, Rap Snacks partnered with the Harajuku Barbie in June for her own edition of Rap Snacks, The Barbie-Que Honey Truffle Potato Chips, as previously reported by AfroTech. “Nicki Minaj is unquestionably one of the most disruptive forces in the history of rap. You’re talking about a woman who rewrote the rules of hip hop culture and happens to be a phenomenal entrepreneur, as well,” Rap Snacks CEO James Lindsay said in a release at the time of the launch, according to PEOPLE. “It just makes sense that as a brand disrupting the snack industry, we align to push the bar even further. This is the beginning of a legendary partnership.” But it appears that what started as “legendary” has turned into a legal battle.

When the world of toys and fashion collide, one might find Barbie sporting Balmain! The New York Times reports that French high fashion house Balmain and the world’s favorite plastic doll Barbie will team up for its very own non-fungible token (NFT) collection. This marks new territory in the digital space, designed with toys in mind, but there isn’t a doll involved.

A group of HBCU students were awarded during the week of Super Bowl LIX for their innovative pitch in sports technology. Diverse Representation, a company focused on increasing the number of Black agents, attorneys, managers, and publicists across sports, hosted its inaugural HBCU Sports Business Pitch Competition in New Orleans, LA, in partnership with the talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, during Super Bowl LIX week. According to information shared with AFROTECH™, the competition was launched to provide local HBCU student entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch sports-related concepts for a chance to receive funding and connect with decision-makers in the industry. “When I initially launched Diverse Representation, I’ve always been very, very clear about what our mission is: to help Black professionals in the sports and entertainment industry,” Diverse Representation Founder Jaia Thomas told AFROTECH™. “Not minorities, not people of color—Black...

This is Angel Reese’s year, and we’re just living in it! According to The Athletic, Reese is officially a “professional sports owner” as she has joined the ownership group of DC Power Football Club, Washington, DC’s new professional women’s soccer team — which will begin competing in the USL Super League in summer 2024. “I want to help grow women’s sports and elevate female athletes across the board,” Reese said in a statement. “We’re taking over, and I’m honored to be able to support Power FC and invest in women’s soccer in the DMV community.” “Angel’s decision to be a founding investor alongside us in Power FC is groundbreaking,” D.C. United CEO and Co-Chairman Jason Levien added. “As a Maryland native, Angel is so passionate about being a catalyst for positive change in women’s sports in the DMV as well as globally, while inspiring the next generation of female athletes. We’re looking forward to her partnership in the boardroom as an equity partner.” As a native of Randallstown,...

Tapping into a new venture, Nicki Minaj described it as “an absolute dream come true.” In an Instagram post, the “FTCU” rapper announced her collaboration with Løci for her first-ever sneaker collection. What’s more, she made it clear that she had ownership in the partnership rather than just having her name and likeness used. “Thank you to my team for helping me make this dream come to fruition,” Minaj wrote in the caption. “This isn’t a sponsorship. I’m an owner & partner & we will be showing you the first complete collection on 4/12. Love you, BARBZ. THANK YOU.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj) Following Minaj’s announcement, the Barbz, her fanbase, created a big spike in traction for Løci. According to Forbes, the company’s website crashed after a 3,500% surge in traffic. Launched in 2021 in London, England, Løci is a Black-owned vegan luxury sneaker brand, according to a press release. Founders Emmanuel Eribo, Philippe Homsy, Frank Eribo,...

If Allyson Felix ever decides to follow her initial plan of becoming a teacher, she won’t be making an Amazon list of all the school supplies she needs like other teachers. Her net worth, alone, means that she can not only take care of her own classroom but #ClearTheLists of all the teachers she works with. She got her start as a regular track and field sprinter, then went on to become one of the biggest names in the sport. That’s thanks in no small part to her hard work, dedication and coaching from the legendary Bobby Kersee — the husband of the legendary Jackie Joyner-Kersee — who has coached some of America’s most elite athletes in the Olympics. But more than an Olympian, Allyson Felix is a mother, a wife and an advocate. When Nike hit her with what seemed like an unjust pay cut (thanks to her maternity leave), she cut ties with the company and formed a shoe line of her own. In so doing, Allyson Felix became an advocate for women everywhere. So, it’s no wonder that her $4.5...

While most two-year-olds are playing with Barbie dolls and having tea parties, two-year-old Kashe Quest of Los Angeles, CA, is making history by becoming the youngest American Mensa member. Our sister site, Blavity, reports that it was the little girl’s mother, Sukhjit Athwal, who first noticed that her daughter was something special. “We started to notice her memory was really great. She just picked up things really fast and she was really interested in learning. At about 17, 18 months, she had recognized all the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes,” she said. And that’s not all. Kashe Quest can also identify all 50 states by shape and position on a map. She is learning to read, can sign over 50 signs in ASL, and can identify elements on the periodic table by their symbols. She is even learning Spanish, as a second language. After an IQ test, it was determined that the precocious two-year-old has an IQ of 146, well above the genius level, and well making her qualified to become a...

Late poet, author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is receiving one of the highest honors for her likeness in the form of a coin. PEOPLE reports that as part of the American Women Quarters Program from the U.S. Mint, Dr. Maya Angelou is set to become one of the first trailblazing women in this country to have herself featured on a quarter. “For too long, many of the women who have contributed to our country’s history have gone unrecognized, especially women of color,” Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) shared in a statement. “I am pleased to see that the first women to be recognized under my bill are outstanding individuals in the fields of science and literature. They paved the way for many who came after them and inspired young women to carry on their legacy.” According to ABC News, the U.S. Mint announced several different designs of Dr. Angelou in an effort to honor the historical figure’s contributions. Her quarters will be in circulation through 2025 after the new quarter...