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Was Larry Johnson's Converse Deal The Reason Michael Jordan Was Able To Earn More Money With Nike?

You can’t have an adequate conversation about sneaker culture without talking about the global impact of Michael Jordan and his line of signature shoes, as evidenced by the film “Air,” chronicling the inception of the Jordan sneaker era. With so much popularity around Nike and their relationship with Jordan, would you believe there was a time during the Jordan era when he didn’t have the biggest contract and most popular shoe among athletes? Welcome NBA legend Larry Johnson to the chat. According to a LinkedIn post, Johnson stated that he was offered a $1 million shoe deal with Converse in 1991. Johnson entered the league in 1991 as the No. 1 draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets. He had a stand-out rookie season, earning him the 1992 Rookie of the Year award, and in 1993, he signed what was then considered the largest contract in NBA history worth $87 million over seven years. However, after that historic deal, Johnson suffered a sprained back that would impact the longevity of his...

Apr 5, 2023

Natasha Cloud's New Kicks Become Converse's First PE With A WNBA Player

After a brief hiatus from the WNBA , Natasha Cloud is back in the game and she’s bringing some new footwear! In 2020, Cloud left the game to focus her attention on fighting for social justice, and now the Washington Mystics guard is back sporting the Converse All Star BB EVO. Courtesy of Nike/Converse The “Petal to the Metal” PE is the brand’s first player’s editor with a WNBA player with a colorway that’s inspired by one of Cloud’s tattoos — a  rose tattoo,  which appears on the lateral side of each heel. According to Converse , “Petal to the Metal” is also inspired by Cloud’s ability to “bloom bravely in all areas of her life.” Illustrated by blushes of Chambray Blue, Pink Foam, and Spring Green, the colorway stands firm in the idea of a community coming together in order to inspire new beginnings. Courtesy of Nike/Converse “I wanted the shoe to signify looking to new horizons, collective growth, and regenerating oneself,” said Cloud in an official press release. Cloud was named...

Jun 2, 2021

The 2025 Labor Market Falls Below Forecasts — Here’s Why That Matters

Historically, Black communities have moved in pursuit of economic opportunity, from the Great Migration during the 1900s to today’s evolving workforce. Generations before sought dignity through factory jobs, public sector roles, and emerging industries, carving out spaces in a labor market that was never designed for them. In 2025, the landscape remains precarious, demanding strategic maneuvering in a system that continues to shift beneath workers’ feet. The latest employment figures reveal a market struggling under the weight of governmental shifts, corporate hesitancy, and economic uncertainty. According to The Wall Street Journal, February’s 151,000 new jobs were an improvement from January’s 125,000, but still fell short of the projected 170,000. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate inched up to 4.1%, signaling that more people are looking for work but not necessarily finding it. A Workforce Shaped By Policy, Not Just Performance Beneath the surface of job reports lies a deeper...

Mar 11, 2025

Creating An Environment Of Antidiscrimination In The Modern Workplace

The modern workplace is evolving, yet discrimination remains a persistent issue despite growing efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive work culture . Anti-discrimination policies exist to protect employees from unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and other factors. However, recent data suggests that these policies alone are not enough to prevent bias in hiring, promotions, and workplace interactions. In Fiscal Year 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 73,485 new discrimination charges—an alarming 20% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 61% of employees in the United States say they have witnessed workplace discrimination, signaling that many workplaces still struggle to enforce fair practices. Antidiscrimination in the modern workplace isn’t just nice to have – it’s a must. Discrimination in employment takes many forms. Retaliation is the most common complaint, making up nearly...

Mar 6, 2025

Youths Across The World Are Quickly Discovering That They Can't Turn To TikTok For Financial Advice

If you’ve grown up in the digital age , you likely have some understanding of how unreliable information spreads across the net. Millennials far and wide have been inundated with enough YouTube troll comments, Nigerian prince emails and “free iPhone” pop-ups to build a healthy skepticism of internet browsing. Now, it seems that this learning curve has become a perennial part of growing up, as Gen Z and Gen Alpha are surmising that social media apps like TikTok are rife with terrible financial advice. New studies from researchers at Intuit Credit Karma estimate that over 77 percent of Gen Z kids are looking to influencers on the short-form video app for money management, while roughly 61 percent of millennials are doing the same on YouTube and Facebook . In order to understand just how damaging these financial words of wisdom can be to a growing audience of youngsters, lets take a moment to briefly run through the data, and see exactly where young people are being led astray. After...

Mar 3, 2025

Report Shows 22.2% Year-Over-Year Increase In Black Businesses, But Room For Improvement Remains

The number of Black-owned businesses has increased. However, there is still much room for improvement. According to a research study released by the online loan marketplace LendingTree, the data reveals a 22.2% year-over-year increase since 2019. Looking back to 2022, just 3.3% of businesses were Black-owned , and 40% were women-owned. Other trends highlighted in the report show that Atlanta, GA, remains the primary hub for Black-owned businesses. The city has held this distinction for the past three years, with 11.3% of Black-owned businesses traced back to it. Other key cities identified in the report include Fayetteville, NC, Virginia Beach, VA, and Memphis, TN. Conversely, California cities such as San Jose, Oxnard, and San Diego ranked lowest in the number of Black-owned businesses. “When I initially started my entrepreneur journey, there weren’t very many Black founders,” Tiffany Ricks, chief executive of the cybersecurity platform HacWarhe, told Inc. “Now it’s exciting...

Feb 7, 2025

The Corporate DEI Divide: From Target To Disney, Here Are The Companies Scaling Back And The Ones Doubling Down

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is like the studio album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — critically acclaimed by some, misunderstood by others, and a constant source of debate. Whether celebrated or criticized, DEI has become one of the most polarizing issues in corporate America. And let’s be honest: When companies start scaling back on DEI, it’s not just a boardroom shuffle — it’s a move that disproportionately impacts the Black community. This polarizing environment extends beyond corporate America. According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump made waves with executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI programs within the federal government. Among these was the rescission of Executive Order 11246, which mandated affirmative action for federal contractors, a policy originally designed to level the playing field for underrepresented groups, as well as nondiscrimination. In addition, DEI offices were defunded, DEI employees were laid off, diversity training...

Jan 28, 2025

Body Language And Salary Discussion May Be Signs You Will Get The Job After An Interview

After a job interview , it can be difficult to gauge how well you performed and whether you’ll receive an offer. However, there are certain signs to look for that may indicate the employer is leaning toward offering you the position. While no sign is guaranteed, recognizing these signals can help ease your mind and give you a better idea of where you stand. Positive Body Language From The Interviewer One of the most noticeable signs that you may get the job is positive body language from the interviewer. If they maintain eye contact, smile frequently, and lean in during the conversation, it could suggest genuine interest in you as a candidate. Furthermore, if the interviewer mirrors your movements or gestures, it can be a subconscious sign of rapport and connection. Subtle body language cues, such as nodding in agreement or uncrossing their arms, can also signal that the interviewer feels comfortable and open to what you’re saying. Studies show that interviewers who are engaged...

Dec 19, 2024

How To Price A Business For Sale (Without Over Or Underselling Yourself)

According to BizBuySell’s Confidence Index , a tool created to examine how roughly 3,000 members of the business-owner and -buyer community feel about the current sales market, confidence is up for both groups for the first time since they began measuring in 2013. Seller confidence is up four points, and buyer confidence is up two, from 46 to 50 and 52 to 54 respectively. With those sentiments on the rise, some might feel that it’s the right time to sell their business, hopefully turning a profit. Therein arrives the big question: how do you price a business for sale? Pricing a business for sale is one of the most critical steps in the selling process. Whether you’re a business owner looking to retire or an entrepreneur wanting to cash out, determining the right price is essential for attracting potential buyers while ensuring that you get a fair value for all your hard work. It’s important to approach the task with careful analysis and a clear understanding of both the market and...

Dec 11, 2024

ImDavisss Says His Father First Exposed Him To Technology, Today He's Immersed In It As A Member Of The Streaming Collective AMP

ImDavisss’ interest in technology was ingrained in his childhood. During an exclusive interview with AFROTECH™, the streamer and content creator , originally from Atlanta, GA, reflected on the early support and exposure to technology he received from his father, who built websites. “I grew up playing a lot of video games, but in my spare time, I think my first interest in technology came from my dad. He built websites—that was his job when I was a kid. So, I used to mimic what he was doing. The software back then was called Dreamweaver. It was a really, really old-school program, but that’s kind of how I got into technology. I would fake-build websites in my spare time,” he explained. Rise As Streamer/Content Creator ImDavisss, who had a strong interest in basketball, also developed a passion for streaming and gaming. His parents supported his newfound enthusiasm — his father bought him a green screen, while his mother provided a PlayStation, controllers, and microphones when he was...

Dec 5, 2024

It Didn't Work Out The First Time — Can You Reapply To Jobs?

If you’ve been rejected or even ghosted by a job that seemed perfect for you, the question of whether you can reapply may cross your mind. The good news is that, in many cases, it’s absolutely okay to reapply for a job you were previously turned down for. Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of giving it another shot. Understanding Why You Didn’t Get The Job Before reapplying, try to reflect on why you didn’t land the role the first time. Sometimes, it’s as simple as timing: the company may have had a strong internal candidate, or their hiring needs may have changed. In other cases, they might have been looking for someone with a slightly different skill set. If you’re unsure, review any feedback you received from the recruiter or hiring manager (if provided), as this can offer valuable insights into areas you may need to strengthen. Automatic Screening It’s entirely possible that the hiring team has processed your application through an applicant tracking system (ATS). ATS...

Nov 13, 2024

Black Male Enrollment In HBCUs Has Reached A Historic Decline, Falling Below The Previous Lowest Average From 1976

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been a staple in Black American culture. With touted alums like Vice President Kamala Harris, Chadwick Boseman, Shannon Sharpe, Taraji P. Henson, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., HBCU graduates have positively influenced and impacted several industries. Despite the challenges, HBCUs have shown remarkable resilience. Their deep cultural histories and the long list of influential alums stand as a testament to their enduring importance in the Black academic experience. Why Are Black Males Enrolling Less? However, recent data shows a decline in enrollment among Black males. According to the American Institute for Boys and Men, HBCUs have seen a general enrollment decline of 11% since 2010, a trend that mirrors what’s happening across higher education. However, the drop in enrollment among Black male students is more significant, with a 25% decrease at HBCUs compared to a 22% decline at all institutions. Although the percentage...

Aug 29, 2024

North Carolina University System Bans All DEI Programs At Public Institutions, Forcing Layoffs And Cutting All Related Funding

The merry-go-round is meant to spin a person into a euphoric experience, going into a repetitive motion until they reach peak joy. Although this concept is fun for many children, the proverbial merry-go-round of life is much less enjoyable in adulthood. The consistent pulling back of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives feels just like that: a repetitive cycle of the same thing, wondering when it will all end. The latest announcement of organizations rolling back DEI comes out of North Carolina. According to Inside Higher Ed, the University of North Carolina (UNC) state system voted to ban DEI policies and offices. Passing with a 22-2 vote, the ban calls for state institutions to cut funding and eliminate positions related to DEI across the system’s 16 campuses. In its place, the system will roll out a “equality within the university” policy that ensures balance across the system, claiming that previous policies did not align with the state system’s culture of...

Jul 22, 2024

Who Owns Revolt Following Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Exit?

Stories that begin with the rise and fall of prominent individuals are not the most inspiring, but they offer insight into lessons learned and perspectives shifted. Through narratives by people across industries, those who “fall from grace” are often judged in the court of public opinion by how society accepts what they did and how they respond. Most recently, the world has sat and watched this phenomenon play out with Bad Boy Records and Revolt TV founder Sean “Diddy” Combs. The Combs saga has no particular ending for the foreseeable future. At the same time, much of his fate will be decided by the legal powers. However, one decision that has been made concerns his previous ownership stake in Revolt. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, the buyer of the Hip-Hop mogul’s shares was shrouded in mystery. The new owner’s identity was a closely guarded secret, with speculation running rife. It has now been revealed that the owner isn’t a single person. In a surprising twist, the media...

Jun 7, 2024

How Cognition AI Is Redefining The Future Of Intelligence

Cognition AI is only one of many intriguing concepts in the field of artificial intelligence. Cognitive AI, also referred to as cognitive artificial intelligence, is software that tries to think and learn by imitating the way human brains work using natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML). Despite its apparent simplicity, this novel idea in AI can take two different yet related directions. Let’s deconstruct the essence of Cognition AI, looking at its various methodologies, uses and promise for a fascinating future. Path One Of Cognition AI The field of cognition AI is particularly interesting when it comes to mimicking human cognitive functions. Here, the goal is to create artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can think, learn and solve issues similarly to how humans do. This is accomplished by utilizing natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML). With the help of ML algorithms, AI systems can gradually learn from enormous volumes of data....

Apr 12, 2024