Showing 18 results for:
columbus
Popular topics
All results
Salt Lake City, UT-based Holladay Bank & Trust — located in a community with a Black population of less than 3% — is now Redemption Bank, following its acquisition by Redemption Holding Co. (RHC). Initially announced in 2023, the deal marks the first time a Black-led investment group has owned a bank in the Western U.S., according to The Associated Press. Redemption Holding Co. Chairman and CEO Ashley D. Bell, former White House policy advisor, cited the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023 for the acquisition delay. “This process has undoubtedly taken longer than any of us anticipated,” Bell said. “However, we are grateful for the diligence of the staff at the FDIC, the leadership of the (American Bankers Association), and the renewed sense of urgency from the new administration this year, all of which helped bring everything together.” Redemption Bank is now the first Black-owned bank in U.S. history in the Rocky Mountain region and the only one in the “Black-banking desert,”...
Despite his circumstances, high schooler Max Jones never gave up. Jones was brought up in a challenging environment where money was scarce and having a roof over his head was not guaranteed, WDTV 5 reports. He was raised by a single mother and lived with his half-siblings. “She did work a lot when we were growing up, an extreme amount,” Jones told the outlet. When times got their toughest he made the decision to leave his home state of North Carolina and move to Richmond, VA. While attending George Wythe High School in Richmond, and wearing the same clothes in rotation, Jones at one point was living out of his car, which he purchased with his earnings from working at a restaurant. “I went through a lot,” he said to WDTV 5. “I was homeless for a long period of time.” Jones did receive support at times, sleeping in different homes and occasionally receiving food and a complimentary hotel stay, thanks to the generosity of mentors and teachers. “It wasn’t every single day but every...
Ohio’s only Black-owned bank — and the first established and approved in the U.S. since 2000 — has tripled its assets since inception. Columbus Business Journal reports Adelphi Bank was founded in January 2023 and is led by Chairman and CEO Jordan Miller, who had spent over three decades in business and initially retired in 2019 as Central Ohio president for Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Bank. He returned to the industry to get Adelphi up and running with a mission of dismantling financial inequities and helping customers create streams of income without bias. He is joined by Kevin Boyce, co-founder and vice chairman. Upon its launch, Adelphi received local support from large corporations in central Ohio. “It feels like family,” Miller expressed, according to the outlet. “Banks can be intimidating places.” Columbus-based Adelphi Bank currently offers certificates of deposit, checking and savings accounts, and loans for personal use. It plans to provide home mortgages in 2025. For...
2 Chainz is reportedly heading to court over an investment deal gone wrong. The Express Tribune reports that 2 Chainz, also known as Tauheed K. Epps, invested in Pineapple Express Hollywood, a dispensary in Los Angeles, CA, in 2021. A lawsuit filed by Antimatter Holdings on Aug. 2, 2024, states that 2 Chainz became familiar with the business through Snoop Dogg’s tour manager, Damien Roderick, according to SFGATE. That planted the seeds for a $1.5 million investment in the dispensary, which is owned by Pineapple Ventures, Inc. and PNPLXPRESS, Inc. The store initially planned to open in 2021. However, several challenges allegedly prevented it from doing so, and its doors opened in March 2022, per The Express Tribune. The rapper was notified of multiple delays and was offered the chance to withdraw 110% of his investment with a 30-day notice. However, when 2 Chainz decided to withdraw in May 2022, the company allegedly failed to uphold its promise, the lawsuit mentioned. It also stated...
Ariane Kirkpatrick was undeterred by the limited presence of Black entrepreneurs in the cannabis sector. In 2017, she made her official foray into the space, according to WKCY-3. “We made the decision that we, despite the barriers, despite the obstacles, despite being Black and female, we were going to make this work and we did,” Kirkpatrick told the outlet. Per Kirkpatrick’s LinkedIn page, she served as the CEO of several large-scale medical, cannabis cultivation, and dispensary companies, such as Harvest Grows, Harvest of Ohio, and Harvest Processing, which had operations in the Ohio cities of Ironton, Beavercreek, Columbus, and Athens. She mentioned that her aim was to transform lives and strengthen economies by providing jobs and economic development opportunities through marijuana. However, Kirkpatrick would hit a major roadblock after falling out with her business partner, multi-state operator Harvest Health and Recreation, when it was acquired by national cannabis and...
There appears to be no limits for 2 Chainz in his quest as an entrepreneur. Krystal As AFROTECH™ previously reported the “I’m Different” artist was named the head of creative marketing for fast-food chain Krystal, a venture that pays homage to his upbringing with its sliders and shakes. The opportunity led to the launch of a series of new platforms and partnerships with the brand, such as menus, merchandising, and co-branded restaurants based in Atlanta, GA. “I can remember Krystal being a part of so many pivotal moments of my childhood and teen years,” 2 Chainz said in a statement at the time. “ Some of my best moments were made better by going to Krystal, and I’m a fan for life. I want everyone to feel that, too, and can’t wait to put Krystal in the spotlight it deserves.” Esco Restaurant & Tapas Scaling his interests in the food space, 2 Chainz has also franchised his Esco Restaurant & Tapas — created alongside his business partner Mychel “Snoop” Dillard in 2016 — with plans to...
Amazon has introduced a new delivery service that caters to low-income families to help cut costs and time for grocery shopping. According to a press release, the retail giant unveiled its grocery delivery subscription, which is provided at a lower cost to individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Available in over 3,500 U.S. cities, the subscription provides unlimited grocery delivery on orders more than $35 from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and other local grocery retail stores on Amazon.com. Customers who use a registered EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card to purchase groceries aren’t required to have a Prime membership to access the subscription’s benefits, the press release details. The cost for this group of customers is $4.99 per month, and Prime members pay $9.99 per month. Under the new Amazon subscription, both SNAP recipients and Prime members are offered convenience through one-hour delivery windows and 30-minute pickup...
A young Black entrepreneur’s tireless work to combat food insecurity is paying off. At age seven, Te’Lario Watkins II launched his business, Tiger Mushroom Farms in central Ohio, according to its website. “The idea of Tiger Mushroom Farms began after I planted cat grass and basil seeds at my 1st Cub Scout meeting,” Watkins wrote. “I enjoyed watering MY plants and was eager to see their growth each day.” He continued, “I began to wonder what else could I grow in Ohio in the wintertime. I remember reading a book about mushrooms. I told my parents and asked them about growing mushrooms. My parents bought me a mushroom kit…and the rest is history.” Nearly nine years after launching Tiger Mushroom Farms and selling his mushrooms at local farmers markets in Columbus, OH, the 16-year-old also has his own nonprofit, according to ABC News. The Garden Club Project’s mission is to eliminate food deserts and motivate children to make healthier food choices. ABC News reports that Watkins has...
This college wide receiver is taking the use of his name, image, and likeness (NIL) to greater heights. Jordan Addison just inked a deal with United Airlines. According to ESPN, Addison will participate in digital media content and an engagement campaign that points out new point-to-point routes now available by the airline. While the details of the numbers behind the deal are not yet available, Addison has become quite the household name after he won the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s best receiver in the same season that he transferred from the University of Pittsburgh to the University of Southern California (USC). “College football fans love following their team on the road and this year we’re making it easier than ever,” said Michael Weeks, managing director of domestic schedule development and publication at United in a statement. “We’re flying nonstop to some of the most historic football towns in the country, including South Bend, Columbus, and Baton Rouge, and also...
Wayne Brady has certainly made a name for himself in Hollywood. The stand-up comedian-turned-game show host seems to be universally beloved amongst both his extensive worldwide fanbase and his celebrity colleagues. Wayne Brady — a talented actor, comedian, and host — was born in Columbus, GA, and got his start as a stand-up comedian before getting snatched up for “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” — where he stayed for several seasons. He’s also a five-time Emmy Award winner, winning the coveted award for his role on “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” and for his eponymous talk show. He was even nominated for a Grammy back in 2009. It’s no wonder, then, that he’s earned a $12 million net worth. So, let’s take a look at all the ways he makes his money. Editorial note: The net worth listed in this piece is a speculative estimate drawn from a variety of online sources. The salary listed in this piece is also a speculative estimate drawn from a variety of online sources.
Talk about a surprise of a lifetime! According to a press release provided to AfroTech, Amazon just surprised 100 inspiring computer science students looking to take their education and future career to the next level with scholarships. Among thousands of applicants, the winners will all receive $40,000 scholarships to study computer science at a university of their choice along with paid internships at the world’s leading online marketplace upon the completion of their freshman year of college. Students like Samuel Hill will receive the Amazon Future Engineer scholarship and has goals to pursue a computer science degree at the University of Southern Mississippi starting in the fall. Currently, Hill is a residential student at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, MS. A Mississippi native, Hill grew up in the small town of Laurel where he has developed a passion for helping other Missipppians tap into the rapidly growing market for computer science...
With hands in everything from online shopping to web services, online retail giant Amazon counts on the people behind the scenes to get the job done on a daily basis. Much of the company’s success is due, in part, to its ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through its #BlackHistoryMakers series, Amazon celebrated Black creatives inside and outside of the company. In fact, we recently got real with a few Black women leading the way at Amazon. Now AfroTech is speaking with seven men creating change and impact for those around them. They share their professional journeys, offer encouragement for aspiring Black professionals and discuss how they’re changing the game at Amazon. The Black Men Making Waves at Amazon Mark Hatcher, Global Sales Account Manager As an industry leader and professional, this Detroit native found success through progressive responsibility at companies like Cintas, Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the Seattle Seahawks. Since joining...
The Columbus/ Bartholomew branch of the NAACP has partnered with several financial institutions to create the Bartholomew County Targeted Investment in Minority Entrepreneurs (TIME) program, a resource initiative for Black-owned businesses. The TIME program includes personal and business development opportunities, grants and loans, according to The Republic. NAACP Columbus/Bartholomew Branch president Johnnie Edwards says they are committed to helping bridge the wealth gap in their community. “Working together on this vision builds relationships and economic longevity for the Black community within Bartholomew County,” he said. The program’s financial partners include Cummins, Inc., who is offering support of Black-owned businesses with a $150,000 grant as part of its Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) initiative. Cummins is also distributing $3 million to aid Black-owned businesses in Minneapolis, Memphis and Indianapolis, according to The Republic. First Financial Bank is...
Talk about double trouble! It’s not always likely that siblings end up in the same operating room to perform a procedure, but Dr. Charis Chambers and her brother, Dr. Wesley C. Chambers are the exceptions after joining forces to perform a laparoscopic hysterectomy on a patient at their local hospital. “Getting to do surgery on any day is an amazing experience,” wrote Dr. Charis in an Instagram post. “Getting to do surgery with my brother- even more amazing!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charis Chambers MD (She/Her) (@theperioddoctor) In an interview with Because of Them We Can (BOTWC), Dr. Charis shares what led to a sibling moment that will forever be ingrained in their hearts. “This was performed at our local hospital where me, my Dad, and brother are all credentialed surgeons,” said Dr. Charis. “We are all Board Certified OBGYNs.” Dr. Charis credits her father, Dr. Crandall Chambers, as her inspiration for embarking down the medical field path. The three of...
Every entrepreneur has their own story of how they’ve built their success, but Billy Vickers’ journey began through a rise up the corporate ladder, which helped him quietly build up one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the U.S. Vickers is noted as a humble man, but has accomplished quite a lot in his career. As CEO of Dublin-based company Modular Assembly Innovations, Vickers grew his business — ranked in the top five of the Black Enterprise List of 100 in 2019 — to generate $1.2 billion in revenue with Honda as its sole customer, Columbus CEO notes . To date, Vickers is considered one of the most successful Black businessmen in America, but his dedicated work ethic was planted in the early 60s back on his grandfather’s North Carolina cotton farm in Forest City. From there, an “old ornery football coach” persuaded him to play football as a high school freshman, where he learned valuable teamwork and athletic skills that got him recruited by North Carolina State University —...