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Cxmmunity is still on a mission to make esports accessible at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Black-owned non–profit spearheaded by Christopher Peay and Ryan Johnson has announced its second annual HBCU Esports League Verizon Celebrity Pro-Am. Students will compete in Uno and Fortnite alongside celebrity figures including T-Pain, Brett Gray, Mike Evans, Erin Ashley Simon, Allisha Gray, Bas, Tarik Cohen, FaZe Swagg, Sonny Digital, and more. “We want to continue elevating and raising awareness around HBCU esports programs while showing these schools and these students that there are really cool people in sports, entertainment, and music supporting the gaming space,” Johnson told AfroTech exclusively. In addition to playing alongside celebrity favorites, students can also look forward to a prize pool of $10,000 with $2,000 for the Uno segment that will be donated to the school’s esports programs and $8,000 for the Fortnite tournament to support student...
Although reports show esports is projected to reach 285 million frequent users by 2024, those numbers, although impressive, have less significance if the Black community remains underrepresented and under-resourced. Looking to provide a gateway for the Black community, co-founders Christopher Peay (chief marketing officer) and Ryan Johnson (chief executive officer) launched Cxmmunity, a nonprofit to revitalize minority involvement in the esports industry and increase minority involvement in STEM. The inception of Cxmmunity began in Georgia, a state that has reportedly become the esports capital of the nation. And, its city of Atlanta is marked as one of the premier locations for U.S. gamers due to the venues and infrastructures, which can house the necessary elements of an esports ecosystem. However, despite the state’s gleaming presence for gamers, there are still inequities for the Black population within the school systems. According to Peay, there were evident discrepancies...
Most people have a favorite number, which can lead them to fully embrace it by wearing it as a pendant on a necklace or even as a tattoo. Former NFL wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson took it to another level by adding his own spin to his jersey number, 85 — making it his nickname in Spanish. Although he’s built a reputation based on his association with the number, Johnson’s life and legacy go beyond it. Born in Miami, FL, Johnson entered the NFL as the Cincinnati Bengals’ second-round draft pick in 2001. Throughout his career, Johnson completed 766 receptions; 11,059 yards; and 67 touchdowns. While he completed most of these athletic accomplishments with the Bengals for 10 seasons, he also played one year with the New England Patriots, earning a chance to compete in the 2012 “Super Bowl XLVI.” Johnson’s career did not land him the chance to earn the top NFL award as a Super Bowl champion, but his on-field career garnered significant earnings. According to Spotrac, Johnson...
While developer Meka Knepley is married to Pete Knepley, Principal Programmer at Epic Games — one of the creators of Fortnite Battle Royale — she set out on her own, looking for a way to improve the world during the height of the pandemic. As the world witnessed massive shutdowns disproportionately impacting small businesses, Knepley conjured an idea to develop a frictionless shopping experience to connect consumers with businesses. ReUp is a byproduct of Knepley’s efforts and the platform welcomes brands and shoppers to join its growing community. “I was talking to my friends, like ‘How can I make the difference?’ Some of my friends were like, ‘I’m going to go on protest’… ‘I’m going to write a paper about it’…and with me, I was like ‘I need to help people.’ ‘How can I help the community?’ And then I felt like, you can’t get to Maslow’s Hierarchy if you’re still worried about your job. So, if we can get you to a higher platform where you have your own business and you’re...
As esports becomes more popular, institutions are starting to really take notice. HBCU students have been having a hand in the space with the help of organizations such as Cxmmunity. As previously reported by AfroTech, the nonprofit works to help Black youth not only be influencers and consumers of tech but also be beneficiaries. “Our main goal is to get the Black youth hired within the tech industry,” co-founder Christopher Peay told us. “Eighty-three percent of African American millennials play video games daily but when you look at the video game workforce specifically, only about two to three percent of African Americans work within the space. We’re always the influencer, we’re always the consumer, but we’re hardly ever the beneficiary.” He continued: “That’s one of the biggest disparities that we wanted to try and overcome, so we came up with these programs to create a pipeline to take K-12 students to HBCUs that then work or compete within an HBCU sports league.” Now, this...
Kevin Hart may be ready to conquer a new industry. According to a press release, the entertainer and businessman teamed up with tequila producer Juan Domingo Beckmann to launch a new tequila brand, Gran Coramino™. The pair merged Beckmann’s knowledge of the tequila industry with Hart’s drive to produce top-quality tequila in hopes of creating community. Now, the entrepreneurial venture, which was two years in the making, has led to a “perfectly smooth and uniquely balanced Reposado Cristalino tequila” made in the oldest distillery in Latin America.
Tee Grizzley has joined a gaming initiative that is set to bring joy to former inmates. The Detroit rapper has teamed up with esports organization XSET, which was announced on Grizzley World RP — his Grand Theft Auto Server — according to a press release. The recent news makes him “the first talent that has ever joined a gaming organization live in-game.” WELCOME @TEEGRIZZLEY x THE GRIZZLEY GANG TO XSET. History was made last night as Tee Grizzley and the Grizzley Gang joined XSET, LIVE, in game, during a storyline inside Tee’s GTA RP server. #RepTheSet ❌ pic.twitter.com/meLQ6aDvzM — XSET (@XSET) April 6, 2022 Within the partnership, the new duo will invite former inmates to get involved in gaming with the aim to help them with the hurdle of re-entering society. As someone who was previously in prison and is a gamer himself, he hopes the games can help others the same way they did for him. It also serves as a way for people to earn a source of income instead of harmful ways of...
Representation opens the door to a world of possibilities! Attorney turned founder Kya Johnson learned this firsthand by volunteering with elementary children during her spare time. While mentoring children, she would often expose them to positive images. Johnson soon realized helping children in this manner was not only a passion but an opportunity to do more for her community. Nearly two years after visualizing a children’s driven platform, she successfully launched RainbowMe Kids in 2014. The platform aims to increase representation and diversity in children’s media. “I wanted to create the company because I wanted to reach as many kids as possible and present content with positive images of main characters of color,” Johnson told AfroTech.
Student-athletes will have yet another opportunity to lock into the name, image, and likeness deals (NILs), thanks to adidas. According to CNBC, the company will support student-athletes at NCAA Division 1 adidas-sponsored schools. Over 50,000 athletes will have a chance to join the program and become paid affiliates for the sports brand. “The adidas NIL network embodies our belief that sport has the power to change lives by upskilling athletes and giving them the ability to begin to experience an entrepreneurial path that will carry them beyond their college years,” said Jim Murphy, adidas NCAA program lead, in a statement. The program is projected to lead with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) before expanding to Power-5 conference partners in fall 2022, then additional schools by April 2023, Footwear News reports. “At Adidas, we are committed to creating change through sport and recognize the important role student-athletes play in shaping the future,” said the...
When it comes to the game of life, being one step ahead is vital, especially for PlayVS founder, Delane Parnell. As a founder, Parnell has carved his own lane in the esports industry, taking others along with him every step of the way through PlayVS, “where amateur esports happens,” according to its website. The company has changed the lives of high school students by equipping them with opportunities to not only play the game but also by opening the doors to hundreds of scholarships across North America, in turn, acting as an entryway into professional gaming as a way of life. Now the Detroit native’s story is being told through “Ahead of the Game,” written by Kevin J. Ryan to spotlight the young entrepreneurs’ unique journey and shed light on the impact that his company has had on youth across America. Parnell joined AfroTech to discuss why he agreed to go through with the book despite not initially thinking it was time, his love for esports, and the power that hard work has to...
LaMelo Ball is already off to a stellar year. The NBA Rookie of the Year and Charlotte Hornets Point Guard is launching an esports brand — MB1 Gaming — with the help of technology company One Up. The platform will support MB1 Gaming by providing the operating system and resources needed to thrive in the world of esports through the latest One Up OS platform. “We are excited to partner with stars like LaMelo in the creation of their own esports brands and communities through One Up’s turn-key technology platform,” One Up CEO Brandon Pitts said in a press release. “Many professional athletes are big gamers and are looking for unique ways to use their own gaming fandom to ignite and expand their fanbase. We are completely democratizing competitive esports, and providing gamers with the infrastructure to either compete and monetize their skills or launch their own esports business.”
Esports is taking the college world by storm. Having already launched an esports team back in February, Bowie State University wants to further support its students by creating an esports gaming lab facility , alongside a new game development and design degree, the Washington Business Journal reports. The historically Black university is currently on the lookout for bids to fund the gaming lab facility. The university hopes the gaming facility will encourage more students to tap into esports, strengthen their loyalty to the university’s team by creating an exclusive space, and support the addition of an undergraduate degree in game design. “It’s all part of an effort and plans to also create a game design academic program,” university spokesperson, Cassandra Robinson, said according to the outlet. Robinson also confirmed senior academic administrator Carl Goodman is leading the efforts for the layout of the degree program that is to come.
Lil Nas X is hoping to improve the financial futures of the youth through his partnership with Cash App. Earlier this month, the mobile payment service announced it would be catering to younger users, according to The Verge. Now, teens can create a Cash App account that allows them to send and receive money, among other features. It’s also worth noting that teens will need to have parental authorization before using the app along with certain parameters. To celebrate, Lil Nas X and Cash App will give $1 million to everyone ages 13 and up. “I’ve been on Cash App for years–and now it’s available to anyone 13+up!” Lil Nas X said in a tweet. “I know managing money as a teen can be tough & I’m thrilled more young people can take control of their financial futures w. @CashApp . We’re giving $1M to anyone 13+ so drop ur $cashtag + #CashApp13plus .” I’ve been on Cash App for years—and now it’s available to anyone 13+up! I know managing money as a teen can be tough & I’m thrilled more young...