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Graduating from college is a special time in a person’s life, and last month, a mother-daughter duo made it even more memorable by both earning their bachelor’s degrees from Alabama State University (ASU). Nicole Cosby and her daughter Kaiya King earned a Bachelor of Science in social work and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance, respectively, the school announced. Cosby first attended Alabama State University in the 1990s. However, she took a step back from her studies to become a wife, a mother, and a licensed cosmetologist , according to WSFA 12 News. In 2023, she decided to refocus on completing her studies at the school. Cosby told the school that she and King did not plan to graduate at the same time. “My daughter applied, enrolled, and was accepted. At the time, I was a full-time salon owner and had completed nonprofit work in underserved communities,” Cosby said. “That work ignited a passion in me to become a licensed professional who could offer the best care to those I...
A plan to empower Chicago, IL-based Black students is now being investigated by the federal government. According to ABC 7, Chicago Public Schools is being investigated by the Trump administration’s Department of Education — led by Linda E. McMahon — for allegedly using racial discrimination in its Black Students Success Plan. The plan is a five-year initiative that was announced during Black History Month 2025 to improve graduation rates and reduce suspensions for Black students, increase hiring of Black teachers, and “combat anti-Blackness” through its curriculums and professional development, notes Chalkbeat-Chicago. “Today’s action by the Trump Administration’s Department of Education, influenced by the right-wing group Defending Education, is yet another attempt to hinder the progress we are striving to achieve,” Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates commented in her statement, according to ABC 7. “Rather than using the Department to create opportunities for...
A lawsuit has been filed against the University of Alabama for offering race-based scholarships. According to WDHN, the Equal Protection Project, a national organization focused on “fair treatment of all persons without regard to race or ethnicity,” filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in regards to the school’s Norton-Textra Endowed Scholarship for minority students in English writing, which is awarded to African-American students enrolled full-time. The school received a letter on Feb. 14, 2025, from the Office for Civil Rights Acting Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor that stated higher learning institutions “have discriminated against students on the basis of race, including white and Asian students.” The office issued a call to action to end race-based preferences and stereotypes. “Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them — particularly during the last four years — under the banner of...
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...
Ray Allen turned down a lucrative offer as a rookie to sign with Nike. The California-born athlete was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1996 during the first round as the fifth pick, according to ESPN. He was traded that same day to the Milwaukee Bucks with a three-year rookie contract valued at $6.2 million, per Spotrac. Allen’s earnings helped him remain level-headed when he was receiving offers from FILA and Nike. He already had his mind set on Nike and was not even swayed by a six-figure offer from FILA, despite having a prior sponsorship deal with the company. “ I almost ended up wearing FILA. My agent at the time tried to make me accept a check for a $100,000 but they were telling me they were going to give me a signature shoe,” he told Sports Illustrated in a 2017 interview. “It was either FILA or Nike at the time, and (FILA) told me (I’d get) the signature shoe for five years years but the first two I had to lead the team in scoring, rebounding, steals or assists....
Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCUs ) have long played a vital role in training and empowering Black medical professionals. Offering a strong academic foundation, supportive environments, and access to hands-on experience, HBCU medical schools continue to be instrumental in bridging healthcare disparities and diversifying the medical field. This article highlights some of the top HBCU medical schools in the country that are renowned for their academic excellence, resources, and commitment to serving underserved communities. Howard University College Of Medicine Located in Washington, D.C., Howard University College of Medicine is one of the most prestigious HBCU medical schools. Founded in 1868, it has a longstanding tradition of training African American physicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals. The school offers programs in medicine, surgery, and research, with a strong focus on treating underserved communities. Howard is known for producing...
Dame Dash claims Drake may have interests in buying his stake in Roc-A-Fella Records. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Dame Dash is in the midst of having his shares sold after an $800,000 judgement was placed on him in regard to a copyright infringement and defamation of character lawsuit. With a chance to invest in Roc-A-Fella Records, the interest is high as it brings partial ownership of the copyright to Jay-Z’s debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.” “Based on feedback I have received from interested parties (and I can’t mention names), this auction will likely bring out many household names in the sports and entertainment industries as well as those interested in a piece of a historically significant company, which holds an interest in a timeless debut album,” Dame Dash’s attorney Natraj Bhushan explained to Billboard. Bhushan’s prediction may be ringing true as Dame Dash recently shared on the “America Nu Network” show, he received a direct message from Drake, who was looking to...
Dame Dash claims he is broke. In a video clip on Instagram, the music executive states that his desire to pursue his dreams has also led him to lose his wealth. “Somebody asked me how I got so broke. Investing in my dreams,” Dame Dash explained. “You know, when you’re investing in your dreams and you dream big, you’re always gonna be broke… or have a lot of sh-t. But I don’t have no money for nobody else. That’s what you call broke. But that’s what it is.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dame Dash (@duskopoppington) Currently, Dash is facing a financial bind due to a $800,000 judgement amount that he will now owe as a result of a prior copyright infringement and defamation of character lawsuit, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. As required by the court, the U.S. Marshals are selling Dame Dash’s shares in Roc-A-Fella Records, which amount to 33% and are reportedly worth $1.2 million. They will be up for auction on Aug. 29, 2024. There is great interest surrounding the...
NBA player Jaylen Brown was once labeled “too smart” to join the very league he would go on to earn a historic contract with. Athlon Sports reports Brown graduated Wheeler High School in Marietta, GA, at the top of his class. He accomplished this while excelling on the basketball court. He was a first team All-American and top-five national high school prospect, his NBA bio reads. Between 2015 and 2016, Brown continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), while playing for its basketball team. However, he was not satisfied with the freshman courses they offered him, which were not challenging enough, The New York Times reports. He swapped out some of his classes to take on African American Studies, an upper-division class from the Global Poverty and Practice minors program, and a graduate course titled “Theoretical Foundations for the Cultural Studies of Sport and Education,” which he had learned about through Hashim Ali, co-founder of the Oakland...
Rejection can be redirection, and this is the testimony of Grammy winner Coco Jones, who took home the win for 2024 Best R&B Performance. The South Carolina-born actress and singer claims music is her first priority, however acting would be her window of opportunity to make her mark in the music industry. With acting taking a front seat, she went on to land roles on Disney shows and movies, which included “So Random!” (2008-2011), “Good Luck, Charlie” (2009) and “Let It Shine (2011-2012), according to TV Insider. Jones showcased her musical talents by singing on multiple tracks for the “Let It Shine” movie, where she played Roxie and co-starred with “Abbott Elementary” actor Tyler James Williams. This elevated her visibility in the music realm and established a more secure position for her in the industry as an actor, she said during the 2024 Grammy In The Schools Fest (GITS Fest). “Acting would be something that I saw around music, especially on Disney Channel, when typically if...
This couple just took the words “Black love” to a whole new level as they’ve graduated from medical school and tied the knot all within one week, Black Enterprise reports. On May 15, they became husband and wife. By May 21, the two earned their degrees from the Tennessee historically Black Meharry Medical College. Now, they can be called Mr. and Mrs. Johnson plus Dr. Dwight Johnson II and Dr. Taylor Brooks (what a feat, huh?). According to their wedding registry, the pair met during their time at school through a mutual friend and it was love at first sight. Their connection led them to dates that ranged from library connections as well as dinner and bowling before Dwight finally popped the question, asking Taylor to be his girlfriend. At the time, he also asked her to accompany him to their med school prom in a “Love and Basketball” inspired proposal, which featured tunes from Ginuwine in the background.
Aaliyah fans are in for a huge treat. According to Forbes, the late singer’s music could soon be available on streaming platforms. Aaliyah — who passed tragically at the age of 22 — singlehandedly changed the music industry as one of the most influential singers of R&B. To this day, her music continues to impact the masses. Now, it will reportedly make the transition into the digital age. The official paperwork has been reportedly been completed to share her music digitally with a staggered rollout of her music onto streaming platforms starting with “One In A Million” (1996) on Aug. 20. The only music from the singer that lives on streaming platforms is her 1994 debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number.” Her “One In a Million” hit, which was released in 1996, along with the self-titled album “Aaliyah” released just one month before her death in 2001, is noticeably missing from streaming platforms. Plus, singles like “Are You That Somebody?” Documents reveal that the music...
The kids are alright! Lil Dee is the eight-year-old behind “Our Brown Boy Joy,” the company created to both empower and inspire brown boys across the country by showing them just how special they are. Recently, he’s announced the launch of “My Friend,” a plush doll line designed to be both a tool and a toy that promotes positivity. “Brown boys should know they are wonderful, just the way they are!,” shared Lil Dee. My Friend plush dolls were created with Lil Dee’s mantra in mind and each doll speaks positive affirmations like “Brown boy, you are joy.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brown Boy Joy (@ourbrownboyjoy) “Our latest product resonates with young black and brown boys because we have intentionally designed them to be representative of our boys,” said Lil Dee’s mother, Luciana Gilmore in an exclusive interview with AfroTech. “From the clothing to the message, My Friend Plush looks like our brown boys, dresses like our brown boys, and speaks like our brown...
Dr. Dre and his longtime collaborator, Jimmy Iovine, have announced that they’ve teamed up yet again. But this time, their collaboration isn’t a musical one (well, not exactly, anyway). According to the Los Angeles Times, who was the first to break the story, the rapper-turned-mogul and the music industry veteran will be launching a new public school in South Central Los Angeles. The school, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2022, will be focused on the entrepreneurial spirit that propelled both these men to success from the 1980s on. “[I want to reach] the inner-city kid, the younger me,” Dr. Dre said to the Los Angeles Times. “Here’s a place that you can go where there’s something that you can learn that you’re really interested in.” The Los Angeles County Board of Education approved the plans for the school, and Iovine was very specific about providing the prospective students an opportunity to work for some of the coolest companies in the world. What’s more, he said,...