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President Donald Trump is going all in on key crypto bills. His goal: to pass the first major cryptocurrency regulations in U.S. history and establish the country as the global leader in crypto. But political infighting and ethical concerns are slowing momentum. Several House Republicans have pushed back against the bills, casting doubt on what was expected to be a major legislative win, according to ABC News. GOP Infighting Halts ‘Crypto Week’ This week, House Republicans tried to move forward on several crypto-related bills, including the GENIUS Act, CLARITY Act, and Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. The measures would define regulatory authority, set rules for stablecoins, and block a central bank digital currency. Trump backs all three and has made them a legislative priority, per ABC News. But a group of 13 hardline Republicans staged a last-minute revolt, joining some Democrats. Their protest froze House floor activity and forced leadership to cancel key votes. According to...
Tech investor Marc Andreessen, co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, warned that universities will “pay the price” for promoting diversity and allegedly discriminating against supporters of President Donald Trump , according to screenshots of chat messages reviewed by The Washington Post. During a May 3, 2025, WhatsApp chat with White House officials and tech leaders, Andreessen reportedly criticized DEI and immigration policies after being invited by moderator Sriram Krishnan, a White House senior policy adviser on AI, to counter a comment about their impact on economic growth . The outlet also noted that Krishnan had created the group chat at the time he was working at Andreessen’s firm. The group chat, formed in 2023 before Trump’s current term, connects investors and experts with diverse political views interested in open AI development. In addition to Andreessen and Krishnan, members include White House AI adviser Dean Ball, Meta’s chief AI scientist Yann...
Taylor Rooks is launching a foundation that will assist Black and brown families. Taylor Rooks Foundation According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, the two-time Emmy Award-nominated journalist and producer was inspired by the stories she has told and people she has encountered throughout the course of her life to launch the Taylor Rooks Foundation. This has led to what will be a long-term effort to support storytellers and uplift Black and Brown individuals and families through education, health, and opportunity regardless of their “zip code, background, or bank account.” The nonprofit is guided by the following pillars: REACH (educational resources, community wellness initiatives, small business support, and direct giving) RELIEVE (support for health and recovery, crisis assistance, and essential living needs) REPRESENT (mentorship for journalists, storytelling workshops, and launch of Rising Rooks Award) “I believe that equity starts with access — access to care, to...
Between March 11 and June 27, 2025, the Education Department ‘s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) dismissed 3,424 complaints — an unusually high number that has alarmed former officials and advocates amid the Trump administration’s plans for significantly cutting staff. According to POLITICO, court documents state that OCR received 4,833 complaints during that time, dismissing 96 due to insufficient evidence and resolving 290 through settlements, voluntary agreements, or technical assistance. OCR enforces federal civil rights laws in schools and other Education Department-funded institutions nationwide, its website states . Civil rights advocates argue that the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights law — such as discrimination based on gender identity, LGBTQ+ category, and race — draws concern due to the mass dismissals and increases the chances of neglecting critical cases. “The nation’s students and schools deserve a robust federal civil rights enforcement office that...
President Donald Trump’s administration is moving to overhaul the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The proposed changes, according to ABC News, could block debt relief for thousands of public and nonprofit workers, including those who work for organizations supporting immigrant communities, transgender youth, and diversity and inclusion efforts. The Department of Education’s draft rule would allow officials to disqualify entire organizations from PSLF if they’re involved in so-called “illegal activities” the department has defined. Critics argue that the vague language used could become a political tool, particularly against groups focused on equity, identity, or civil rights. “That’s definitely an indicator for me that this is politically motivated and perhaps will be used as a tool for political punishment,” Betsy Mayotte, president of the Institute of Student Loan Advisors and reviewer of the rule, said in an interview with ABC News. What PSLF Was Designed To Do...
The unemployment rate for Black women stands at nearly 6%, marking the third consecutive month of high rates among the group — an alarming trend economists see as a warning sign for the broader economy. The 19th, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reported that the unemployment rate for Black women increased from 5.1% in March to 6.1% in April, peaking at 6.2% in May before decreasing slightly to 5.8% in June. In contrast, rates for white and Asian women stayed near 3%, and around 5% for Latinas. Most male subgroups experienced no change, except for Black men, whose rate increased from 5.2% in May to 6.9% in June. Black women lost 38,000 jobs in April, more than any other demographic. Their unemployment increased by 106,000, AFROTECH™ previously reported. This can be troubling, as Black women have the highest labor force participation of any female group, often working in essential sectors such as health care , education, and the federal government. Jasmine Tucker, VP of...
A new version of TikTok is expected to launch in the United States on Sept. 5, 2025, according to The Verge. TikTok’s staff is reportedly working on the separate app, internally dubbed “M2,” which succeeds the current version known as “M.” The original TikTok app will be removed from app stores once M2 launches, and it is expected to stop functioning entirely by March 2026. Reports of the new TikTok app comes days after President Donald Trump said the U.S. “pretty much has a deal” for an American company to acquire TikTok, The New York Times reported. “We’re going to start Monday or Tuesday talking to China,” Trump told reporters traveling on Air Force One on Friday, July 4. “We think we probably have to get it approved by China. Not definitely, but probably.” He added, “I think the deal is good for China, and it’s good for us. It’s money, it’s a lot of money.” Though no company has been named, Trump mentioned, per The Verve, that it would be a group of “Non-Chinese” investors with...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies requiring the deportation of 3,000 immigrants a day will have a disastrous effect on the economy, as several industries, such as agriculture, hospitality, restaurants and meat-packing, heavily depend on immigrant labor. Immigrants are a vital part of our workforce, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) targeting of undocumented immigrants , or those who commit violent crimes, has shown to be misleading since they’re detaining and deporting hard-working people who boost our economy. President Donald Trump, in a surprise reversal, ordered ICE to pause raids and arrests in those industries, according to the New York Times. “Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost...
For CeD Mixon, balancing user-centered design with data-driven product strategy is core to his approach. As a seasoned design leader, he collaborates closely with product managers, VPs, and cross-functional teams to keep the end goal sharply focused on the user. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 , Mixon shared actionable insights on when to lead with design thinking and when to lean into product-led growth. The session offered practical frameworks to help engineers, designers, and solution architects align product development with both user experience and business goals. With over a decade of experience scaling companies from small startups to global platforms impacting millions, Mixon reflected on entering the tech industry at a time when he was often the only Black person in predominantly white spaces. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) “In the beginning, I wasn’t that...
As some corporations move to align with President Donald Trump ‘s agenda, manufacturing giant Caterpillar Inc. stands firm on its diversity, equity, and inclusion ( DEI ) commitments. According to Manufacturing Digital, at the company’s recent shareholder meeting, investors rejected a proposal aimed at dismantling Caterpillar’s DEI programs . The motion — Proposal 6 — received 3% of shareholder support, with 97% voting against it. The proposal was introduced by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) through its Free Enterprise Project (FEP). It called on Caterpillar to abolish its DEI department, policies, and related goals. FEP Associate Bennett Nuss presented the motion and referenced what he described as the company’s prior “significant revisions” to its corporate sustainability programs in September 2024 — noting his approval of actions it appeared to take in reducing its diversity efforts. “I’d like to thank the Board for this, as it shows that they are...
Three historically Black colleges and universities ( HBCUs ) in Mississippi will benefit from a $9.1 million higher education grant the state received to expand artificial intelligence (AI) education , workforce training, and entrepreneurship. According to WJTV 12 News, on June 12, 2025, Governor Tate Reeves announced the grants through the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP), aimed at strengthening the state’s workforce and economic future. In addition to the state support, each institution will seek private funding and resources to maximize impact. “This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,” Reeves said. “We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re building it. This investment will help to ensure that Mississippians are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.” Administered by AccelerateMS, Jackson State University (JSU) in Jackson received $1.3 million to launch the Executive On Roster (XOR) initiative, which...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. In recent years, cryptocurrency has been viewed as a risky investment, hyped up by the mega-rich and stealthy hackers. Now, thanks to President Donald Trump, America is fully embracing cryptocurrency as a legitimate form of currency. Without any guardrails or protections, the U.S. could see itself heading towards another financial crisis. Cryptocurrency was anonymously created in 2008 but didn’t gain mainstream appeal until around 2020. The government, or any banking authority, doesn’t have oversight over the digital currency , making it highly volatile. While the Biden administration pursued cryptocurrency fraudsters, the Trump administration had a different approach, embracing the industry. President Trump signed an executive order in the first week of his second term supporting cryptocurrency and even released his own meme coin. There are rarely any regulations on crypto, and from the policies...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have rocked industries across the globe, from manufacturing to fashion and retail. The current crop of tariff policies will do damage to retailers, large and small and one of the retailers that has gotten caught in the crossfire is Nike . Nike has been an American staple in the world of business and fashion since the company was founded in 1964 by University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and his former student Phil Knight as Blue Ribbon Sports. The company originally started as a distributor for the Japanese shoe brand Tiger (now ASICS) but began making its athletic footwear in 1971 and rebranded as Nike, named after the Greek goddess of victory, as reported by The Street. The iconic “Swoosh” logo was designed by Carolyn Davidson, a student at nearby Portland State University, for just $35 as reported by Reuters and became one of the world’s most recognizable...
The lifeline of a multi-billion-dollar effort to support minority- and women-owned businesses is under investigation. Established in 1983, The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program provides $37 billion in funding to minority- and women-owned businesses, supporting nearly 49,000 “disadvantaged” businesses, The Washington Post reports. But now the Justice Department argues that this program, provided through the Department of Transportation, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The case originated from two Indiana-based transportation companies Mid-America Milling and Bagshaw Trucking, which in 2023 alleged that they lost opportunities when minority- and women-owned businesses were awarded contracts through the “largest, and perhaps oldest affirmative action program in U.S. history.” The DBE program was defended by the Justice Department during former President Joe Biden’s administration, stating that it was essential to combat discrimination in...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The Trump administration’s anti-DEI crusade has now come for artificial intelligence (AI). Over the past several months, tech companies have retracted their previous commitments to DEI to comply with Trump’s executive order. Now, according to AP, both the administration and the Republican majority of Congress claim that AI is woke. “Wokeness,” or “woke,” is a term derived from African American Vernacular English to refer to being aware of social and racial injustice. It was a positive thing seen as early as the 1930s, or with people asking someone to “stay woke” from the 1970s well into the 2010s. That is until conservatives turned the word into a negative. Now, wokeness is seen as a negative thing, but only because they don’t want the public to be aware of the injustices they are committing currently. Artificial intelligence can’t be woke — it’s a thing that only operates in a way that it is...