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Tabitha Brown has claimed a new title to strengthen her commitment to small businesses. In her journey as an entrepreneur , she has leveraged her social media platforms—originally catapulted to fame by a viral video of her enjoying a TTLA (tempeh bacon, tomato, lettuce, and avocado) sandwich from Whole Foods Market—to foster meaningful connections with her community. Through her vibrant spirit and authenticity, she has also cultivated a strong following base, leading her to benefit from customer acquisitions. That support is evident through ventures such as her natural hair care brand, Donna’s Recipe, which is available at retailers such as Ulta Beauty. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DONNA’S RECIPE™️ (@donnasrecipe) “Social media has been EVERYTHING for my business – it’s how I got my start! I know people say that ‘Followers are not dollars,’ but for me, it has been the secret ingredient to my success,” Brown said in an email Q&A with AFROTECH™. “It has allowed me to...
There are a plethora of ways to help empower others, and Black entrepreneur Tera Carissa Hodges has created a way that’s both sentimental and personal. The empowerment coach teamed up with Culture Greetings, a female and Black-owned greeting card brand, to empower women, according to Black News. Hodges’ collaboration is an example of how holidays and celebrations shouldn’t be the only time to show love to those around you. The 10 greeting cards within the brand’s breakthrough and empowerment line revolve around trials and tribulations such as breakups and job loss — tough times where one needs support most. “I help people heal from their past by embracing their past and pain and seeing it as purposeful. Everyone has made mistakes, been lied to, endured unfair treatment, etc. But, when you own your story, your story can never own you,” the Black entrepreneur shared. Culture Greetings’ customers can pick a card online and customize it with a personalized message. The cards will then...
BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ® (BGR) is an affirmation turned award-winning women’s empowerment brand that is dedicated to celebrating and facilitating the advancement of Black women. Founder and CEO Beverly Bond has announced a strategic partnership with tech giant Microsoft to build technology infrastructure and empower more Black girls to become leaders through access to culturally relevant programs, leadership development, and STEM skills. “It’s remarkable to be championed by a towering institution like Microsoft to propel the work we’ve been doing at BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ® to educate, empower and inspire the next generation,” Bond said in a statement. “This partnership gives BLACK GIRLS ROCK! the support necessary to expand our work to help more girls find their voices, define their truths, and forge the futures they envision.” One of BGR’s core missions is to mentor, enrich, and educate the next generation of young women leaders by providing the tools needed to develop leadership skills,...
Megan Thee Stallion is partnering with Fashion Nova to help women get paid all month long. According to PR Newswire, “Women On Top” focuses on women empowerment through the donation of funds that will help support female-focused charities and organizations, education, women-owned businesses, and other inspirational women doing great things. Fashion Nova Cares will highlight the various entrepreneurs, organizations, and women who are preselected to receive $25,000 or more for a grand total of $1,000,000. “At Fashion Nova, women empowerment and ongoing advocacy for diversity and inclusion have always been part of our guiding principles,” said Richard Saghian , founder and CEO of Fashion Nova in the news release. “We believe the world will be a better place when all women are provided the opportunity to maximize their potential. This program was created to give women greater advantage as they pursue their passions.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by FashionNova.com...
This is how you do it! Nike has always been consistent in putting action behind their words when it comes to supporting Black lives. Remaining consistent, the athletic wear giant has announced a $500,000 investment with Black Girl Ventures. “The $500,000 investment from NIKE, Inc. will support Black Girl Ventures in its efforts to provide Black and Brown women-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity-building to support entrepreneurship,” said the company in a press release. “This contribution builds on the commitments to Black Girls CODE, NAACP Empowerment Programs, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) announced in July 2020.” Black Girl Ventures — a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit — is committed to addressing the unique challenges Black and Brown women face in accessing social and financial capital to grow their businesses. “Nike’s funding will help us grow our reach through new chapter development, increase our technology...
Actor and community activist Jesse Williams has become the latest investor to join Greenwood’s financial empowerment efforts. Greenwood — the new digital banking platform for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs and small businesses — recently launched to help repair the hole in Atlanta’s finance market with the help of rapper Killer Mike, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, and Bounce TV founder Ryan Glover. Williams has now signed on to help the digital bank carry out its mission to strengthen the economy for communities of color. “I’m excited to join the Greenwood team and work to advance economic prosperity for people of color,” he said in a statement . “The time has come for Black and Latinx communities in America to strengthen our economic condition and influence. By increasing access to essential banking services and financial education, Greenwood is a key part of that movement.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Greenwood (@bankgreenwood) Williams is most known for...
Steps by major companies and organizations are still being taken to ignite change and empower the Black community. On Wednesday, the NBA Board of Governors — in partnership with the National Basketball Players Association — announced that it will be contributing $300 million toward establishing the first-ever NBA Foundation dedicated to strengthening the Black community economically in an official press release . “On behalf of the NBA Board of Governors, I am thrilled to announce the creation of the NBA Foundation,” said NBA Board of Governors Chairman and Toronto Raptors Governor Larry Tanenbaum, according to the press release. “All NBA team governors recognize our unique position to effect change and we are committed to supporting and empowering young Black men and women in each of our team markets as well as communities across the U.S. and Canada.” The foundation’s mission is to strengthen access and extend support for high school, higher education, and “career-ready” Black men...
Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from the 2025 AFROTECH™ Conference. Returning Oct. 27-31, 2025 , to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX, for its second year, the conferences promises to deliver endless networking opportunities at what has become the largest gathering for Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and disruptors in technology. Be prepared to see top industry leaders grace the stage to share insights on what’s next in culture and technology as well as find empowerment through various workshops. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) There will be something for everyone, from students and mid-level professionals eager to level up in their industries to founders staying ahead of the curve and C-suite executives driving innovation. Here’s a preview of the upcoming stages to keep on your radar. Innovation/Main Stage The Innovation and Main Stage will highlight dynamic conversations centering leadership, innovation for...
Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is a serial investor passionate about educating the youth in STEM. NFL Days Fitzgerald Jr. is a former NFL player drafted in 2004 by the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN mentions that his selection for the team was a no-brainer for general manager Rod Graves and head coach Dennis Green, who passed away in 2016. The Football Foundation notes that Fitzgerald Jr. was one of the best wide receivers in college football history. He was also the first sophomore to receive the Walter Camp Player of the Year award given to athletes who strive for excellence in their careers while benefiting others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by College Football Hall of Fame (@cfbhall) “[Green] knew the family, he knew all of that, but there was no question about [Fitzgerald’s] football ability,” Graves said, according to ESPN. “Based on all the information we had, we felt that he was the No. 1 player in the country.” Larry Fitzgerald Foundation One year after being drafted into the...
Flau’jae Johnson is making a difference off the court by helping wipe out $5 million of debt for 5,000 Louisiana families. On March 14, 2025, global data and technology company Experian announced that the Louisiana State University women’s basketball guard would serve as spokesperson for its initiative to help relieve impoverished families following reports of record-high consumer debt. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Louisiana has one of the highest poverty percentages in the country. Johnson will promote financial literacy and share her experiences managing finances as one of the leading college athletes with a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal , per a news release. “You know what’s bigger than basketball? Financial empowerment,” Johnson said in an Experian commercial. “Finances are tough, and Experian is helping the next generation pursue their dreams. … Money isn’t everything, but you need it to live a good life. The Experian app can help you save time and money, build...
Mark Cuban believes Black women founders should prioritize bootstrapping their businesses. Cuban has found great success and is a well-regarded entrepreneur, businessman, and billionaire. His impressive list of business ventures and investments includes being the majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks. In 2023, he sold most of his stake and now owns 27% of the organization, per NBC News. Cuban is also a serial investor with a portfolio that includes Black-led edtech company Beanstack. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the company, owned by married couple Felix Brandon Lloyd (CEO) and Jordan Lloyd Bookey, appeared on Shark Tank and scored a $250,000 investment from Cuban, who later participated in its $1.5 million seed round led by Riverside Acceleration Capital and Evoce Capital. According to CNBC, Cuban launched his journey into entrepreneurship by launching MicroSolutions with a personal investment of $2,000. The software company found itself in difficult circumstances after...
Tallahassee, FL, is a growing hub for Black businesses, but there is still room for improvement. A survey released by LendingTree reveals that the city has surpassed the national average for Black-owned businesses, notes WUSF. Out of Tallahassee’s 7,828 businesses, 549 are Black-owned. Nationally, 3.3% of businesses are Black-owned as of 2022, which is a 22.2% year-over-year increase. “We found that 7% of businesses in Tallahassee are Black-owned, and that puts Tallahassee tied for 14th among the 50 biggest metros in the country,” Matt Schulz, the chief credit analyst for Lending Tree , remarked, according to the outlet. While Tallahassee’s statistics appear hopeful, considering the area’s Black population, there is still much work to be done. “When you contrast that to the fact that about 32% of the population of the city is Black, there’s a lot of room for growth,” said Schulz. Xclusive VIP Fashions Founder Kenneth Barber commented: “To that point, it becomes a growing pain.”...
This year, Morehouse College’s A Candle in the Dark Gala shattered expectations, raising an unprecedented $6.8 million for scholarships that will directly impact the lives of current and future students. As one of the most prestigious fundraising events, the gala in Atlanta, GA, celebrates Morehouse’s legacy and its unwavering commitment to empowering young men and strengthening the community. Among the evening’s most compelling moments was the heartfelt address from Rashaun Williams, a Morehouse alum, investor, and philanthropist, who is a 2025 recipient of the Bennie Award and recognized as a Trailblazer. He spoke about the institution’s transformative role in his life. Williams, who has built a career investing in emerging businesses and supporting economic empowerment, credited Morehouse with stepping in when he needed guidance, structure, and a sense of belonging. “Morehouse was my first investor. You’re looking at the return on investment that you get when you invest in...
The rhythm of ambition often starts quietly—a hum of potential that builds into a bold symphony. For IntusCare, the journey began in the halls of Brown University, where co-founders Evan Jackson and Robbie Felton turned their vision for eldercare into reality, with Stevie Wonder’s song “Sir Duke,” setting the tone for their path forward. Much like a timeless Stevie Wonder groove that lingers long after the music fades, IntusCare’s journey from pitch competitions to industry innovation has been driven by harmony, persistence, and an unwavering belief in its mission. Rooted In Mission: A Personal Commitment To Equitable Care Founded five years ago, IntusCare set out to disrupt the healthcare status quo and deliver high-quality care to low-income older adults — a population often left behind by systemic inequities. Their mission is deeply anchored in serving diverse, marginalized communities, including Black, Latino, and Asian American populations, who have historically faced...
Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., is a multi-talented artist who has made a significant impact not only in the music and film industries but also in business and philanthropy. With a career spanning over three decades, Common has transcended the typical rapper persona to become an influential figure in Hollywood and the entrepreneurial world. In 2025, his net worth continues to grow due to his diverse ventures and his commitment to social change. So, how much is Common worth in 2025? Let’s explore the trajectory of his career, his business ventures, and his philanthropic efforts, which are integral to his financial success. The Early Years And Breakthrough In Hip-Hop Born and raised in Chicago , Common began his music career in the early ’90s, initially releasing Can I Borrow a Dollar? in 1992. However, it was his critically acclaimed album Resurrection (1994) that introduced his poetic and socially conscious style to the world. Tracks like “I Used to Love H.E.R.” cemented his...