A new hub for Black-owned businesses is opening in Evanston, IL. Led and owned by a team of predominantly Black community leaders, The Aux is a 16,000-square-foot commercial space that will feature a wellness studio with services provided by practitioners of color, pop-up marketplaces for healthy food entrepreneurs, flexible space for small business owners, and office and co-working areas, according to information on its website. “We are transforming a vacant property into a beautiful, environmentally sustainable building that emphasizes a quadruple bottom line for cultural, social, economic, and environmental impact,” The Aux website reads. The Aux acquired the property in 2021 and in that same year announced it was seeking a $6 million raise to renovate the space — a project managed by Black-owned, Chicago, IL-based firm Ujamaa Construction. The project’s final cost increased to $10 million with support from public and private donors, per the Evanston Roundtable. In 2022, the City...

Black shoppers’ spending habits have changed at retailers no longer upholding DEI. Amazon, Walmart, and Target have scaled back their DEI commitments, leading some shoppers to take their dollars elsewhere. This also prompted several boycotts, including one on Feb. 28 by The People’s Union USA, which held a 24-hour boycott of major retailers and chains, refraining from both in-person and online purchases, notes PBS. According to Retail Brew, Black shoppers spent under $1 billion on Feb. 28, leading to a $220 million decline. A drop of this magnitude had not been seen within the past year. The outlet also notes that Black shoppers contributed to an 18.7% decline in sales and a 17.6% decline in trips particularly to Amazon, Walmart, and Target, and they are leading the way in the “economic blackout.” Furthermore, for Target particularly it has experienced a great blowback, with 10 straight weeks of its foot traffic in decline across all demographics. CBS News reports it has lost over...

For generations, the idea of retirement was wrapped in images of palm trees, golf courses, and pastel-colored condos lining the Florida coast. But for today’s retirees, those images are changing. The decision of where to retire is no longer just about sunshine and tax incentives; it’s about affordability, quality of life, and long-term stability. Instead of heading south, many retirees are opting for places like the Midwest, trading palm trees for pine forests, ocean waves for mountain peaks, and high insurance rates for financial security. And this shift isn’t random. For decades, Florida has been synonymous with retirement. The Sunshine State’s warm climate, tax advantages, and retirement-friendly communities made it the ultimate destination for older Americans. However, recent trends suggest that the tides are turning. A new study from Mirador Living, titled “Retirement Expectations vs. Reality: Factors that Impact Retirement Decisions,” reveals a surprising shift in where...

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, founded by Derrick Hayes, is crossing state lines. The restaurant, which was born from Hayes’ interest in cooking while in the kitchen with his grandfather, notes Forbes, has scaled from a 700-square-foot gas station in Dunwoody, GA, to multiple locations across Atlanta, GA, including the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In 2023, Hayes’ had cemented a deal that pivoted the business to a franchise model allowing the restaurant to further capitalize off its success. By doing so, 10 restaurants are already set to form across central Florida as former PepsiCo executive Derek Lewis signed a franchise agreement with Hayes in January 2024, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Now, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks is poised for even further growth in light of its newest establishment opening at 8552 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28213, its first out-of-state location, according to a press release provided to AFROTECH™. “From a humble gas station start to expanding across state...

Zachary Wallace is intertwining his passion for both food and music to grow in the business realm. Andscape reports Wallace was a contributing songwriter for some of the culture’s classic hits, which include songs such as “Goodies” and “Get It Shawty.” His pen has also led to him working with artists Nelly, CeeLo Green, and Jeezy. Nowadays, Wallace’s musical preferences are linked to the enjoyment of a delicious meals at his Atlanta, GA, restaurant. As the founder of Local Green, Wallace offers menu items such as 3 Stack Cauliflower Tacos commemorating André 3000, and even sandwiches in honor of albums released by T.I. and Hip-Hop group Goodie Mob. His transition into the food industry can best be explained as a personal awakening to prioritize his health. While he was living big in Atlanta, racking up publishing checks and platinum plaques, Wallace was also neglecting his health and putting on weight. He would spend many late nights at the club or studio and enjoyed whatever foods...