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Educator Yaa Yaa Catherine Whaley-Williams has built an education hub in her community. Whaley-Williams, the director of student equity in the Monticello Central School District in Monticello, NY, is the founder of Sadie’s Books and Beverages. The business opened in 2022 and made history in the process. News-12 reports it is the first Black-owned bookstore in Orange County, NY. Sadie’s Books and Beverages offers a diverse selection of books, which includes hundreds of Black authors across 23 genres, according to the Times Herald-Record reports. Accessibility is also important to Whaley-Williams, so she launched a program that slashes the prices of new books for children to $3 and $7. “When I was a kid getting a free or discounted book, it was usually dog-eared or had writing in it, or some pages missing,” she explained to the outlet. “But getting a discounted book shouldn’t mean that it’s anything less than brand new.” Locals can also expect special activations from the local shop...
Shaquille O’Neal went several years without spending a dime of his first NBA paycheck. O’Neal’s glory days in the league date back to June 24, 1992. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic as a first-round draft pick, according to ESPN. His initial contract was a four-year deal valued at $17,400,000, notes Spotrac. O’Neal’s talent and charisma made him a sought-after player among companies looking to endorse the young player. In fact, he sustained himself solely through his endorsements until he had his first child, Taahirah, in 1996. “I didn’t spend my first NBA check until I started having children. I had so much coming in, I was like, ‘NBA money over there, and I’ll just live off endorsement money,'” he said during a 2022 interview with Gayle King on “CBS Mornings.” When he became a free agent, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, ultimately leading to three national championship rings. He earned his fourth with the Miami Heat in his 14th career year. Beyond his success on the...
By age 6, children already begin to associate boys with greater aptitude in STEM fields, including computer science and engineering, compared to girls. Such beliefs among girls tend to become deeply ingrained over time. The 74 reported these reports stem from an analysis conducted by the American Institutes for Research, released Monday. This comprehensive review examined nearly 100 studies across 33 countries. David Miller, the lead author and a senior researcher who launched the project five years ago, emphasized that without efforts to address such perceptions, girls may turn away from “fast-growing tech fields like artificial intelligence .” In elementary school, girls comprise about half of the students enrolled in foundational computer science courses. However, the participation drops to 44% in middle school and decreases to 33% in high school, according to The 74. Miller noted that these findings have significant implications for girls’ decisions regarding high school course...
Quincy Jones will forever be etched in history. It was announced on Nov. 3, 2024, that the famed producer, born Quincy Delight Jones Jr. in Chicago, IL, passed away at the age of 91 in his Bel Air home in Los Angeles, CA. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” Jones’ family said in a statement, according to US Weekly. Fortune And Legacy He is survived by seven children and leaves behind a legacy that led to a reported $500 million fortune, as AFROTECH™ previously told you. Jones is a decorated figure within the music and entertainment industry, with accolades that include 28 Grammy awards and a number of legendary works, including composing “The Wiz” and serving as executive producer of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which starred Will Smith. Reflecting on the loss,...
Antonio Brown worked at six barbershops and decided to open his own storefront. ABC Action News reports he is the founder of Central Station Barbershop and Grooming in St. Petersburg, FL. The decision to open his own shop was driven by a desire to have ownership and forge a legacy. “Seeing the things that were impacting our community, I understood the importance of ownership and entrepreneurship and different things like that,” he reflected, according to ABC Action News. “So, I wanted to step out on my own and build my own reputation and my own barbershop my way.” For nine years Central Station Barbershop and Grooming has been making its mark in the community through services that include haircuts, beard trims, hot shaves, and facials for men and women. “We have a safe space here,” Brown told the outlet. “This is a place where a barber and a client have an opportunity to have one-on-one time.” The business is also attached to a higher calling. Per the business’ website, children can...
Michelle Obama has attracted investments from Stephen and Ayesha Curry. The former First Lady of the United States is the founder of PLEZi Nutrition, a company designed to reshape the food industry and provide healthier drinks and snack alternatives for children, according to its website. Its inaugural product is a drink called PLEZi, made with fewer sugars and more nutrients like fiber and potassium. The company’s mission is now being fueled through an investment from Stephen and Ayesha Curry, who now serve as investors and brand partners, per a news release. “We’re so excited to welcome Stephen and Ayesha Curry to the PLEZi Nutrition family,” said former First Lady Michelle Obama , co-founder and strategic partner of PLEZi Nutrition, in a news release. “They are true role models. They’re extraordinary at what they do and how they go about their work — with creativity, integrity, and a whole lot of fun. Their commitment to bettering the lives of children and their dedication to...
Career pivots are becoming increasingly common as people realize the power of not limiting themselves to one lane. This phenomenon has become particularly pervasive in the sports world, as many former athletes find themselves out of the game but adjacent to the sports they love through media, coaching, or front-office gigs. Former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson is a shining example of a successful career pivot, his path fueled by prioritizing his mental health. Burleson is a Canadian-born television host who played for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions across 11 seasons. During his career, he completed 457 receptions with 5,630 yards and 39 touchdowns. However, his career hit a bump in 2008 when he tore his ACL, missing most of that season and struggling with his mental health. In Yahoo Life’s “The Unwind” series, Burleson shared the challenges he faced with depression during that time, highlighting his resilience in the face of adversity. “I realized how...
Anikitia Abram leads the first Black- and woman-owned candle-making studio in Middle Georgia, according to the Macon. She accomplished this feat in July 2023 with the opening of Pretty Lux Co., which offers candle, skin, and hair products that are “100% vegan, cruelty free, and created with minimal ingredients,” per its website. For Abram, that means using locally-sourced materials and remaining environmentally conscious during production. “Pretty Lux Co. is not just a business; it’s a movement toward greater wellness and understanding, providing a nurturing environment that supports both personal and communal growth,” Abram told the Macon. “This foundational inspiration continues to drive every aspect of Pretty Lux Co., guiding our mission to enrich lives through both our products and our educational initiatives.” Those initiatives encompass a focus on engaging the community in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through candle and skincare development. “By...
In the world of hip hop , you’d be hard-pressed to find a more highly regarded voice, name, or face than that of Clifford Smith Jr, AKA Method Man. The Wu-Tang Clan alumnus is known as a founding father of the gritty New York rap sound, and has gone on to launch a highly successful solo career, and star in multiple film and television programs . According to Celebrity Net Worth , Method Man has an estimated net worth of over $14 million, earned from his many successful artistic outlets. Unlike many of his Wu-Tang affiliates, Meth hasn’t invested in many private business entities, though his acting career, music catalogue, and side ventures have obviously made him a pretty penny over the years. The Grammy Award winner ‘s many popular works and modest lifestyle have resulted in great financial success, making Method Man one of the most respected figures in the genre. Without further ado, let’s dive into the life and career of Method Man, and dissect the many contributing factors to...
In his 2017 song, “Legacy,” Jay-Z said, “Generational wealth, that’s the key. My parents don’t have sh-t, so that shift started with me.” This concept, adopted by many people, has been the foundation for helping secure the economic stability of their families. Among those who created that shift, as Jay-Z described, is Terry Crews. Terry Crews, a former NFL player, current television host, and actor, has achieved remarkable success across various industries. However, career has always been intertwined with Terry’s family, a testament to his strong values. The 55-year-old has been transparent about his financial troubles, and his wife’s admonishment helped him realize he needed to shift his pride aside and focus on making an income that would benefit the Crews household. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Terry Crews (@terrycrews) “After retiring from the NFL, I struggled to get to the next level where I wanted to be,” the actor told Variety. “ I tried and failed many times...
Board-Certified Pediatrician Dr. Hokehe Eko is launching a virtual clinic for children with autism. The mother of three boasts over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages as well as those on the autism spectrum. She also completed training to conduct autism diagnostic evaluations using the CARS standardized test, her website mentions. “As a result of my experience, I am better able to differentiate between neuro-typical and neuro-atypical behaviors, and can also help identify if there are other factors at play, such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, intellectual delays, or other medical conditions,” she said on her website. Based in Oklahoma, Dr. Eko’s virtual clinic, Glow Pediatrics, is now open for consultations and will see patients located in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Maryland within a week, Black News reports. This is significant as the average national wait time for families seeking autism diagnosis evaluation is 27 months, per The Journal of Pediatrics. “Early...
Kai Cenat has turned a vacation into inspiration for advancing youth education. In March 2024, the popular online streamer and YouTuber touched down in the African country of Nigeria for the first time. Cenat documented his experience and aired it on his YouTube channel. During his visit to Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, he visited Makoko Children Development Foundation School and Orphanage, which serves as both a free school and orphanage for less-privileged children. The school is among some buildings in the Makoko community that float or are on stilts. While visiting the school, Cenat connected with its 23-year-old principal, who told Cenat that the building’s condition is a barrier to teaching students. “This building is coming down, it’s sinking,” the principal explained to Cenat on the documented video. “So, we are looking for support to [break] it down and rebuild it.” Along with the building needing to be reconstructed, he also detailed that it was too small — one...
Self-care is not only a vibe, but it’s necessary. With many people tapping into what it means to engage in self-care, the concept has manifested itself in many forms. One of the ways people have historically engaged in self-care is through yoga. And WalkGood Yard provides spaces for yoga enthusiasts of all levels.
As a leader in cybersecurity, Zinet Kemal is paying it forward to the next generation. Originally from Ethiopia, Kemal moved to the United States in 2013 with her husband and oldest son, who is now 14, due to a diversity visa lottery. She had previously worked in the legal field and had to make a career change when she came to what she deemed as the land of opportunity. Kemal took this opportunity to nurture her fascination with technology, believing it had the power to improve lives, she told AFROTECH in an interview. She enrolled in a local community college in Saint Paul, MN, and took a computer programming course, which she describes as a “complete reset.” By 2016, she had earned an associate’s degree at Saint Paul College, a community and technical college, in computer programming and transferred to Metropolitan State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science. By her senior year, Kemal had stumbled upon the cybersecurity field by representing her school in a...
Christmas 2006 brought the world the award-winning musical film, “Dreamgirls.” Although fans raved about the stellar performances from the cast, the story of that film didn’t begin there. It started in 1981 as a Broadway musical featuring the iconic Sheryl Lee Ralph. Ralph brought original life to the character Deena Jones in the play and has been leaving marks on the industry ever since. Modern audiences may remember her as the educator and step-mom from the 1990s’ sitcom “Moesha.” As often displayed in memes and gifs, the culture also remembers her as the strict mother to Lauryn Hill’s character in “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.” Ralph’s multi-decade career is expansive regardless of what entry point fans and audience members find her. Currently, she portrays Barbara Howard in ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” having earned a 2022 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Throughout the years, Ralph has proven to be a powerhouse on and off the screen. She is the...