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Comedian Earthquake fell on hard times while living right beside one of Hollywood’s highest-paid Black actors, Jamie Foxx. The comedian explains that while he was a neighbor to the renowned entertainer, who has an estimated $170 million net worth, he had somehow acquired $3 million in debt. For Earthquake, it’s a difference between “being broke” and “being in debt.” He further explained during an appearance on “Club Shay Shay,” the podcast led by former NFL superstar Shannon Sharpe.
This famous Haiti native is working to give back to his country after a devastating loss. Rapper Jackboy, born Pierre Delince, continues to give back to his home of Haiti following a deadly earthquake that hit the country last month. Despite the fact that the emcee moved to the U.S. at the age of six, he’s been known for using his success to reach back and help his birth country. On Aug. 14 approximately 2,200 people were killed during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and over 12,000 people were injured, the U.S. Embassy revealed. While aid is slowly but surely reaching those who need it, there are still several parts of the country that aren’t able to get the assistance that they need due to their remote nature. With this in mind, Jackboy wants to help as many people as possible get the help that they need. According to Complex, during a recent visit back home, he donated $100,000 to Haiti but knew he had to do more when he witnessed firsthand the extent of the conditions. View this...
Amazon revealed today that Arlington, Virginia and New York City will be the new locations of their East Coast headquarters. This comes after the retail giant’s year-long journey to zero in on a city to open its second outpost. The Washington Post reported the company’s plans on splitting its new headquarters between two cities to drive enough recruitment for tech talent that will aid in Amazon’s growth. The tech giant also sites proximity to airports with direct flights to its main headquarters in Seattle as having influenced their final decision, according to Quartz. Offices will be located in Long Island City across the river from Manhattan and Crystal City just outside of Washington, D.C. The two cities beat out 238 other contestants, according to the Wall Street Journal. The e-commerce company is reportedly splitting a total of 50,000 full-time employees between the two new offices. Amazon announced they would begin the search for their second home last September after...
Amaya Espinal, also known as “Amaya Papaya,” may have a new career once she exits the villa. From A Nurse To A Reality TV Star The 25-year-old from New York is a first-generation American with roots in the Dominican Republic and is among the cast members on Season 7 of Peacock’s “Love Island USA”. Her search for love could lead to a $100,000 prize, one she may split with her partner if they make it to the finale — unless one of them decides to take it all. Espinal, who is currently coupled up with fellow cast member Bryan Arenales, has quickly become a fan favorite among viewers for wearing her heart on her sleeve. She already has a viral sound on platforms such as TikTok, where she currently has 2.3 million followers (at the time of this writing). @printedofperfection Song of the summer ✨ #fyp #loveislandusa #casaamor #amayapapaya ♬ original sound – Love love love A personal moment was captured of her singing in front of a mirror on the show. The sound bite of the original song has...
NBA superstar LeBron James has partnered with Swiss luxury watch company Richard Mille for a good cause. The Los Angeles Lakers athlete and Richie Millie debuted a limited-edition watch called the Richard Mille’s RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph LeBron James. The watch, which had only 150 pieces, sold out within hours of its debut at Fanatics Fest, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. The watch pays homage to James being named the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer on Feb. 7, 2023, a record previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, according to ESPN. Additionally, the design choice of yellow and green accents is an ode to the LeBron James Family Foundation. Photo Credit: LRMR Ventures The James Foundation was launched in 2004 and exists to “positively affect the lives of children and young adults through education and co-curricular educational initiatives,” AFROTECH™ previously reported. The foundation’s imprint can be found in Akron, OH, James’ hometown. In 2017,...
Kande Sill is proof of the importance of exposing children to STEM routes early. The 16-year-old U.K. student has a passion for design and engineering, which was made possible by following her parents advice to attend a school with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), she revealed on “The Perfect Balance Trod Class” podcast. “I never really had much of a directed interest in engineering before this, but when my parents said that maybe I should try out going to the school, a very STEM focused school, that was kind of when I got into engineering and I realized I quite enjoy learning about engineering,” Sill, who attends a University Technical College, explained on the podcast. According to Black News, she is now making a mark in the sector, serving as an inspiration for others. As part of a project, she created the “Enhancing Medical Delivery” prototype to deliver medical supplies more efficiently to underserved communities globally. Its design includes...
We are shedding a light on a group of Black pioneers making significant strides. AFROTECH™ Future 50 Launched in 2022, the AFROTECH™ Future 50 is a prestigious list that amplifies 50 innovators, visionaries, founders, venture capitalists, technologists, and changemakers annually. Dynamic Investors – venture capitalists empowering underserved founders in tech. Future Makers – recognizes professionals for groundbreaking innovation and historical firsts in technology. Visionary Founders – acknowledges the accomplishments of founders who showcase outstanding company growth and a strong dedication toward promoting diversity and inclusion. Changemakers – honors individuals for significant social impact in the tech industry. Corporate Catalysts – professionals who have a track record of championing diversity. Legacy Leaders View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Exemplifying the aforementioned categories are our Legacy leaders who have upheld these standards of...
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky sought out Barack Obama’s mentorship. During an interview with former First Lady Michelle Obama, Chesky revealed that he sought advice from Barack after the conclusion of his presidency in 2017. He believed that Barack was well-positioned to offer guidance that could inform his leadership at Airbnb, a vacation rental company that now boasts more than 5 million hosts and over 2 billion guest arrivals, its website mentions. “Airbnb is a community. Who’s the most famous community organizer in the world,” Chesky said, alluding to Barack while speaking to Michelle. Chesky’s time learning under Barack Obama as a mentee involved completing various homework assignments that he said changed his life. By 2018, he says his daily routine included attending night school with Barack’s lessons and participating in weekly one-hour phone calls. While practical, he points out one piece of advice that has stood the test of time: to become more intentional. “He literally said,...
Twitch superstar Kai Cenat is switching things up and partially taking his talents offline. This time, he’s not just live-streaming from a room filled with chaos and energy. He’s on a college campus, building something bigger. The question on everyone’s feed: What is Streamer University? According to Complex, Streamer University is a weekend-long program designed for content creators to level up their skills in real time. Already in full swing, it runs May 22–25, and is being held on the University of Akron campus in Ohio. In case you were wondering, this isn’t your average influencer linkup. It is a creator bootcamp, a networking hub, and a crash course on how to build a digital brand that lasts. What Is Streamer University, Really? Streamer University is a live, in-person creator academy. More than 150 up-and-coming streamers were selected from over a million applicants to attend. Travel, food, and lodging are completely covered, and the weekend will be packed with sessions that...
Michael Strahan is reportedly looking to invest in his former team. Strahan was drafted by the NFL’s New York Giants in 1993 as a 40th overall pick, according to Sports Illustrated. He remained with the team throughout his 15-year career, stamping field achievements such as 850 tackles and over 135 sacks. In 2008, he won the Super Bowl, which he says changed his life permanently. “That Super Bowl was the biggest thing – that’s pretty much one of the biggest things to ever to happen to me,” Strahan expressed, per Big Blue View. “Winning that Super Bowl, especially in the fashion we did it, against the team that we did it against with that record that they had, definitely put me in a different light to a lot of people – which has led to an incredible life.” Nearly four months after the major victory, Strahan announced he would retire from the league, forgoing a $4 million contract for the 2008 season, The New York Time reported. Strahan amassed $76 million in earnings throughout his...
ChurchSpace has secured $1.2 million in an oversubscribed funding round with a goal of better activating underutilized sacred spaces for contemporary community use, a press release states. The technology startup was founded in 2021 by pastors’ children Emmanuel Brown and Day Edwards, per the company’s website. The company, which is relocating its headquarters from Houston, TX, to Detroit, MI, repurposes underused real estate on church campuses — like fellowship halls and classrooms — to create passive income streams for churches and offer small businesses more affordable ways to connect with local consumers, according to the release. The funding round was led by Black Ops Ventures. Michigan Rise and Dug Song of Minor Capital also participated. “From Motown to ministry, Detroit’s always had soul. ChurchSpace is bringing fresh tech to sacred spaces—helping churches thrive, serve, and connect across communities. We’re proud to support their mission and welcome them to Detroit,” Song...
Charles D. King has changed the entertainment landscape for the better. The Journey Born in Harlem, NY, and raised on the outskirts of Atlanta, GA, he showed early signs of being a businessman by selling supplies at school and even cutting neighbors’ grass, CNBC reports . He says his inspiration was his father, who founded a medical practice as a pediatrician. According to Forbes, King originally intended to also pursue a career in the medical field. “Seeing him leave a job to start his own practice. My mother was the first receptionist. It was just amazing watching it, but the other thing was the freedom that he had,” he told CNBC. King would follow that blueprint of ownership, but within the entertainment industry. As a political science student at Vanderbilt University, he showed an interest in recognizing talent. However, his pivot into the entertainment industry came during a two-year stint as a law clerk with a music attorney while at Howard University School of Law between...
Rosalind “Roz” Brewer is a trailblazer. While Brewer has proven to be a corporate catalyst through her various high-ranking positions, it was her parents who set an example of excellence, both working at General Motors. In particular, her father worked several jobs simultaneously to support her education along with that of her siblings. “He didn’t have the choice to pursue even his high school diploma, but eventually achieved a significant management role in the auto industry. He displayed so much discipline and dedication to excellence,” Brewer, a Michigan native, explained in a Q&A with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, where she is part owner. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Brewer would go on to display the same characteristics she admired about her father. She attended Spelman College, graduating in 1984 with a degree in chemistry, before pursuing further education at the Director’s College at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business,...
Lewis Hamilton has made it his mission to diversify his sport. Hamilton, raised in North London, England, began racing at 8 years old and experienced a lack of representation in the sport firsthand. However, winning created an opportunity for him to feel accepted, he admits in conversation with GQ. “Being the only Black kid on the circuit, struggling at school, really always my big drive was acceptance — ‘If I win the race, I will receive that acceptance in this world,'” he expressed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Hamilton began to allocate a lot of his time towards go-karting at a young age with the support of his father, Anthony, who was his mentor and manager, Formula 1 reports. Anthony simultaneously had three jobs at a time to support his son’s driving career. The sacrifice would pay off even within Hamilton’s childhood years. “We won the first six races…Then we just kept going. We kept winning. We kept winning championships,” Hamilton...
Timnit Gebru is shaping the future of tomorrow. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Non-Linear Career Journey Gebru has always loved math, science , and music. She attended Stanford University from 2008 to 2017, earning a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering—the same field her father worked in. She combined her interests to launch her career at Apple, first as an audio hardware intern in 2004. A year later, she was hired as an audio systems engineer and worked part-time as an audio engineer from 2007 until her departure four years later. Gebru’s professional journey has not been linear. In 2011, she co-founded Motion Think, a company that leveraged design thinking to create solutions for small businesses. While pursuing her Ph.D. at Stanford, she co-founded and became president of Black in AI after attending one of the largest academic conferences in 2016. At that time, she realized that Black professionals were significantly...