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University of Houston physics professor Donna Stokes has been recognized for her excellence in the field. For Stokes, her journey in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) dates back to childhood. Her passion and performance in the field led her to Southern University where she was awarded a physics scholarship and obtained a bachelor’s degree in the field by May 1988. “When people ask me how I became a physicist, I always say, a scholarship brought me to physics and my passion for science and math kept me in the field,” she said in a news release shared with AFROTECH™. Stokes furthered her education at the University of Houston obtaining a Master of Science (1995) and a Ph.D. in physics (1988). She then exemplified her commitment towards the field, wearing several hats over the years within the Department of Physics and College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ (NSM), serving as an physics faculty undergraduate academic adviser and associate dean of...
Goodr has opened a new grocery store in Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta-based company, which combines technology and logistics to combat food waste and fight food insecurity, is the brainchild of Jasmine Crowe-Houston. “[Goodr] uses technology to solve hunger — that’s our big focus. I think we are taking a radically different approach to how this country solves hunger and food waste,” Crowe-Houston told AFROTECH™ in a 2021 interview. “A lot of times people say to me, ‘How is this a business? How can this be profitable?’ But, the main thing is people have to understand that billions of dollars get spent every year on food insecurity and trying to make sure people have access to food. But, it typically only goes to the same organizations.” She added, “And what we’re trying to do is come in and kind of disrupt that and say, ‘Listen, we’re getting a lot wrong about solving hunger if we’re always going to give money to the same people. We’re going to keep on having the same results.’ Give Goodr...
“Houston, we have a problem” took on an entirely new meaning as AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 transformed the city into a hub of innovation and inspiration. Over 37,000 participants, 237 dynamic speakers, and 168 leading corporations came together to create a groundbreaking experience that redefined networking and collaboration. Over four electric days, Houston, TX, became the epicenter of innovation, wealth-building, and culture. From groundbreaking tech demos to impactful conversations on economic empowerment, AFROTECH™ delivers it all with unmatched innovation and purpose. Innovation At The Forefront This year’s conference lived up to its promise, showcasing the forefront of technological innovation. Attendees got a first-hand look at product demos from SnapChat, showcasing its latest hardware, and NVIDIA, which wowed the crowd with groundbreaking 3D imaging technology. The Learning Labs offered AI demonstrations and outlooks for the future, with Google unveiling its advanced Gemini...
Conference season is upon us, and AFROTECH™ is gearing up for an unforgettable experience, offering intentional opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. Billed as “The Global Gathering for Innovators and Inclusive Tech Companies,” the 2024 AFROTECH™ Conference will take place in Houston, TX, from Nov. 13-16, and this year is expected to be bigger and better. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) The main stage will be the epicenter of this year’s gathering, with heavy-hitting speakers and discussions designed to ensure ticket holders have a top tier experience. In addition to the coveted main stage, the AFROTECH™ Conference has added a few new options in the Cybersecurity, AI, and Data and Engineering stages. The Women’s Summit will also be returning with some new additions in the Founder’s Summit, Health & Environmental Equity Summit, and Creative & Design Summit. This year’s speaker lineup is truly exceptional, featuring top...
Most who make a name for themselves in the world of rap don’t plan on spitting bars forever. Instead, many of the best lyricists hustle hard to stack cash and then invest it accordingly so they’re set for life. Thanks to this approach, Chamillionaire’s net worth continues to grow long after he stopped rapping full-time. The Houston-bred entertainer came up in the early 2000s and is best known for his The Mixtape Messiah series (the original of which is the longest and most bought mixtape in Texas history). Early on, Chamillionaire started making smart financial decisions that eventually landed him the role of entrepreneur in residence at venture capital firm Upfront Ventures. Read on to learn more about his journey! Chamillionaire’s Confidence Helped Get Him Started In The Rap Game (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Strong networking skills helped Chamillionaire get his foot in the door of hip-hop alongside his friend Paul Wall. The ambitious duo connected with Michael “5000” Watts,...
Tim Howard, a former U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) goalkeeper, now has ownership in a soccer league. ESPN reports Howard joined Houston Dynamo FC’s ownership group on July 16, 2024. By default, Howard now also becomes a minority investor in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Houston Dash. “We are proud to welcome Tim Howard to our ownership group at the Houston Dash and Houston Dynamo,” Dynamo majority owner Ted Segal said in a news release, according to ESPN. “His wealth of experience across soccer, both as a player at the highest levels and subsequently as a sporting director and media analyst, will be invaluable within ownership as we continue to build a competitive and successful organization. Moreover, Tim’s commitment to using his unique platform to positively impact communities in need aligns with the values of our organization.” Howard’s new position as an investor comes after his 2024 induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes his 121 caps...
Ice Cube’s BIG3 is rapidly expanding! As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the 3-on-3 basketball league recently sold teams in Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; and Miami, FL, in deals reportedly worth $10 million each as they seek to venture away from a touring league to a city-based model, which will go into effect for the 2025 season. “We need to plant our roots in cities so we can be more than a rolling all-star game coming through,” BIG3 CEO and Co-Founder Ice Cube told Bloomberg at the time. “It’s really about growing the sport and the league.” In recent news, Detroit, MI, has been announced as the next city to house a BIG3 franchise thanks to the interest of ownership group GameAbove Sports, which includes Founder and Chairman Keith J. Stone and Detroit pro sports figures George Gervin and T.J. Lang, MLive reports. Former NBA point guard Earl Boykins is working closely with GameAbove Sports as well. “The entire team at GameAbove and I are thrilled to bring a BIG3 franchise to the...
Ice Cube’s Big3 league is heading to Houston, TX, and Miami, FL. With a unique feature that lets fans purchase stakes in the league, the 3-on-3 basketball league remained open to new investors and achieved a $10 million sale of its first team in May 2024, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. The team was sold to a group led by investment firm DCB Sports as part of the Big3’s plan to move from a touring league to a city-based model with the sold team based in Los Angeles, CA. “We need to plant our roots in cities so we can be more than a rolling all-star game coming through,” Ice Cube told Bloomberg at the time. “It’s really about growing the sport and the league.” The Big3 league aims to sell all 12 of its teams and is now one step closer to that goal as it expands to Houston, TX, according to new information released by Bloomberg. Eric Mullins, a former Goldman Sachs executive now leading equity firm Lime Rock Resources, and Milton Carroll, the minority owner of Major League...
Piersten Gaines’ Pressed Roots is now on location No. 4 and counting. Houston Chronicle reports that the blowout bar for textured hair has opened a new salon in Houston, TX. Located in the Centre at Post Oak, the new spot accommodates 50 hair stylists, the outlet details. Before having four brick-and-mortar locations in Dallas, Arlington, Plano, and now, Houston, Gaines and the Pressed Roots team did popups around the time the company’s vision first came to life in 2018, as previously reported by AFROTECH™. After having her share of poor experiences at hair salons, Gaines created the company’s business model to fill the void of access to affordable, quality styling for textured hair of all types. “We spend a lot of money, a lot of time in salons, and the level of services just do not match the money we’re spending,” Gaines told Fortune. “Our goal is to make quality hair care accessible.” Moreover, to ensure that hair health, time, and top-tier customer service are prioritized for...
Nathan Brown is the proud franchisee of a New Orleans, LA-inspired coffee shop. However, he didn’t grow up as a coffee consumer. Instead, the graduate of Indiana’s Ball State University developed the interest while working for a Big Four accounting firm, which he described as a “grind house.” “Working late hours pretty regularly, a part of the culture developed into a habit, and I became an avid coffee drinker,” Brown, 33, told AFROTECH in an interview. “As the years went by, I got more into quality. So, I started off getting any sugared-down caffeine I could find. Then, I graduated to drinking black coffee. Then, I started to be able to decipher the taste of coffee.” Brown moved from Indiana to Texas in 2015 and became a homeowner four years later. While living in Third Ward, a neighborhood in Houston, TX, he discovered the nearest coffee shop was a 15-minute drive. He then felt led to open a coffee shop closer to home, and it became possible with the help of a family member and...
AFROTECH Conference 2023 is now in the record books, and it was a history-making event. With 25,000 participants and 170 corporate and enterprise partners, AFROTECH was at its biggest and best. From Nov. 1-5, 2023, ticket holders excited for growth and opportunity took over the city of Austin, TX, to learn from industry experts and like-minded individuals. AFROTECH Conference is a top-tier experience. From the fashionable looks of attendees to the life-long connections made, so much went down this year and changed the game for all who pulled up.