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Global Day of Unplugging was March 7-8, 2025, and Verizon has been doing its part to address the growing challenge of managing screen time and its effects on overall well-being. According to Verizon, the average Verizon home internet household connects 18 devices and the number is rising. On March 6, 2025, at the inaugural Digital Wellness Summit hosted by actress and TV host Drew Barrymore, the company introduced several initiatives to promote healthy digital habits for families. Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer, oversees the company’s vast network, which serves millions of consumers across America with wireless devices and home internet. In a recent discussion with AFROTECH™ about digital wellness , Sampath highlighted the challenges of underserved communities, particularly regarding access to technology and knowledge, as well as the need to advocate for increased awareness and greater accessibility. “Which is why Verizon is getting involved in this,” he said. “You...
At an early age, Maseray S. Kamara understood the importance of healthcare. Now, she is contributing to the creation of quality care for patients. Her professional journey dates back to Woodbridge, VA where she was raised by parents from Sierra Leone, West Africa. They informed her of various family members , some impacted by sickle cell, which can cause pain, infections, and joint issues throughout the body, according to the National Institutes of Health. These early conversations profoundly influenced her passion for healthcare and the importance of improving access to it. She also credits a science project from her eighth-grade year surrounding heart rates as a pivotal moment in solidifying her career path. In 2008, Kamara’s interest in science led her to Princeton University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology. After that, she attended Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine to obtain a medical degree. She successfully completed her...
Tracy McGrady has long aspired to team ownership, and now that he’s secured a stake in the NFL, he’s dedicated to increasing representation in the league. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the basketball icon was announced as a minority owner of the Buffalo Bills in December 2024. He joins his former Toronto Raptors teammate and fellow Florida native, Vince Carter, as part of a group of 10 limited partners, which also includes soccer star Jozy Altidore. This marks the first time the Bills, owned by Terry and Kim Pegula, have expanded their ownership group. “I’ve always wanted to be an owner of a franchise and really didn’t care whether it’s the NBA, a soccer league, whether it’s in the NFL,” McGrady explained in an exclusive interview with AFROTECH™ held at a private reception that was hosted by Diverse Representation and William Morris Endeavor (WME) on Saturday, Dec. 8 to honor Black professionals in sports. Kevell Byrd McGrady also reveals the backstory behind becoming a minority...
Floyd Mayweather reportedly has an interest in another major investment move. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the boxing champion closed a real estate deal valued at $402 million in October 2024. The investment encompasses over 60 buildings with over 1,000 units in New York, NY, and its purpose is to establish affordable housing in the city. “Growing up, I used to dream about owning just one home by myself. When you work hard, you can achieve anything,” Mayweather told TMZ. Mayweather also has a stake in nine skyscrapers in partnership with SL Green and established real estate firm Vada Properties. He committed to investing $100 million in equity to support a $3 billion luxury rental portfolio alongside Go Partners. His latest moves include potentially extending his portfolio to secure a stake in the New York Giants. According to TMZ, he is leading a group that intends to acquire a security minority stake valued at 10%, amounting to around $700 million. Currently, a proposal is...
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown remains committed to supporting Black-owned businesses, empowering communities of color, and fostering generational wealth along the way. On Feb. 14, 2024, Brown announced the launch of OaklandXChange, a sister project to his nonprofit, BostonXChange (BXC). Jaylen Brown announces a new business district and incubator program as part of his Xchange fund in a speech at a community luncheon at Oakstop in Oakland pic.twitter.com/kZwpd0HYEM — Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) February 14, 2025 Founded in 2024, BXC aims to create $5 billion in generational wealth within Boston, MA’s communities of color, AFROTECH™ previously reported. The organization provides funding, resources, workplaces, and mentoring from seasoned individuals to Black and minority entrepreneurs, helping them launch businesses that contribute to sustainable economic growth . According to Sports Illustrated, OaklandXChange, which launched in partnership with Jrue and Lauren Holiday’s JLH...
Kevin Durant is looking to secure a WNBA team in the city where he played before being drafted into the NBA. The basketball star played at the University of Texas at Austin in 2006 for one year. ESPN reports that during his short time there, he became the Big 12 Player of the Year and earned a Naismith Trophy, the first time in history that a freshman won the award. His talents led him to the NBA in 2007. He was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics — which no longer exist — in the first round as the second overall pick and secured a four-year rookie contract valued at $19.5 million, per Spotrac. Durant has gone on to become one of the league’s best players and secured two championship rings with the Golden State Warriors after a decade in the league. Now, Durant could be returning to his roots through team ownership. According to USA Today, sources involved in the process named him in a group looking to bid for a WNBA team in Austin, TX. The group also includes former Milwaukee Bucks...
Allen Iverson has made history in the world of memorabilia. Iverson is recognized as a legend in the NBA. He retired from the league in 2013 and was later inaugurated into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His name remains influential today, extending his impact beyond the court. The Virginia native currently serves as Vice President of Reebok Basketball (as of 2023), working alongside the President of Reebok Basketball, Shaquille O’Neal, to shape the next generation of the game. “We gonna do big things. We gon’ work hard. We gon’ give people what they want. We gonna take care of our youngsters,” he said in an interview uploaded to YouTube. Iverson’s involvement with Reebok also includes a lifetime deal. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, he initially signed a 10-year deal valued at $50 million when he was drafted to the league, securing a spot with the Sixers. In 2001, he earned a lifetime deal after the team made its way to the finals and earned MVP. He now receives...
WNBA legend Candace Parker wants to invest in the league. The Tennessean reports the WNBA intends to add a 16th team in 2028. A group of investors, including Former Governor Bill Haslam, Crissy Haslam, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, and entertainers Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Parker, have bid for a WNBA team in Nashville, TN, per AP News. The team, named the Tennessee Summitt, would launch by the 2028 timeline and play at Bridgestone Arena. “We believe a WNBA team, based in Nashville, could serve as a beacon for girls and women, young and old, across Tennessee, while also creating more opportunities for sports fans as our community continues to grow,” Haslam explained, according to AP News. As for Parker’s interest in bidding for WNBA ownership, it comes full circle. Her earlier career days include her time as an athlete representing the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team Lady Vols. She attended the school between 2004 and 2008 under the guidance...
Tyrre Burks’ background in sports gave him an upper hand as a business founder. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Burks is the founder of Player’s Health, a platform offering solutions including insurance, an athlete safety suite with education and training, injury management forms, incident reporting, compliance forms, and tools to support name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, geared toward sports organizations, teams, leagues, and clubs. The inception of Player’s Health dates back to Burks’ time as a former college athlete who turned pro. Becoming an athlete was a means of escaping the realities of living on the Southside of Chicago, IL. “I had a choice and sports was one of ’em or the streets. And luckily, I chose football; I chose wrestling. I chose every sport that I could choose to keep me out of the streets. And that kept me safe. It kept me out of the streets, and it kept me out of trouble. And that led to college and professional football,” he said during a podcast...
Engineering was once foreign to Logan Hickox but is now integral to his daily work at Nike. During an interview with Fast Company, he shared that while sports had been a significant part of his upbringing, engineering was not. His interest in the field was sparked when he noticed flyers at his school promoting a meeting for students interested in robotics. “You have the notion that engineers might be of the nerdier type, or maybe they’re not athletic, or they’re not into theater, or whatever it might be,” he said to the outlet. “And especially as a Black man myself, not having seen that representation before, that was something that I was definitely apprehensive about at first. Being able to really push outside of my comfort zone and being able to see it’s not just one mold that people fit, that was something that was super eye-opening to me.” Hickox attended the University of Florida in 2016 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering five years later, his LinkedIn...
Serena Williams and her family are investors in what has now become the most valuable women’s sports franchise. In 2020, the tennis star, alongside her husband and Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian , joined a star-studded ownership group to establish Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team representing Los Angeles, CA, which officially launched in 2022, according to BBC Sport. Investors at the time included actresses Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner, Uzo Aduba, and America Ferrera. Williams and Ohanian also added their daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., who was just 2 years old at the time, as one of the team’s investors. This led Olympia to make history as the youngest owner of a professional sports team at the time, and she held onto that title until it was taken by her younger sister Adira River Ohanian, as AFROTECH™ previously mentioned. “We come together with a collective passion for bringing about change,” Julie Uhrman, Angel City FC co-founder...
Angel Reese has come a long way from her days working in fast food. The WNBA player shared a 2019 throwback with her 4.6 million Instagram followers, offering a glimpse into her humble beginnings working at Smashburger. At the time, she was still in high school, excelling as a standout player for St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD. According to USA Basketball, she was even named the Baltimore Sun Player of the Year in 2019 and 2020. Hustling Off The Court At Smashburger Amid her athletic greatness, Reese was also hustling off the court. She picked up shifts at Smashburger before heading into practice. “Humble beginnings. I used to be broke clocking in for work then going to practice,” Reese captioned on her Instagram story. “Smashburger Days IYKTYK. Sometimes I used to literally work from 10 AM to 10 PM.” NIL Era Reese’s days at Smashburger would eventually come to an end. During her collegiate years, she played at the University of Maryland and then transitioned to Louisiana...
Snoop Dogg reportedly earned a substantial paycheck for his appearance at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Beloved by generations, the “Gin and Juice” rapper was one of the final torchbearers at this year’s games. View this post on Instagram A post shared by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg) “At the same time, it says a lot about France as far as connecting the dots and allowing me to do this. I look at this as a prestigious honor and something I truly respect,” he expressed, as reported by the Toronto Star. “I would have never dreamed of nothing like this. I’m going to be on my best behavior. I’m going to be on my best athleticism. I’ll be able to breathe slow to walk fast and hold the torch with a smile on my face, because I realize how prestigious this event is.” Snoop Dogg also took on the role of NBC Olympics correspondent, as reported by AFROTECH™ , leading to segments like swimming with Michael Phelps, traveling with the U.S. men’s basketball team, and cheering on athletes such as decorated...
In an industry that thrives on creativity and innovation, Black-owned marketing agencies are making a significant impact by offering fresh perspectives and culturally relevant campaigns. These agencies are not only shaping how brands communicate with diverse audiences but are also fostering inclusivity within the marketing world. Here are seven Black-owned marketing agencies that are leading the way in creativity, strategy, and results. 1. Burrell Communications Founded in 1971 by Tom Burrell, Burrell Communications is one of the pioneering Black-owned marketing agencies in the United States. With a mission to redefine how brands communicate with African American audiences, Burrell has worked with iconic brands like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Toyota. The agency blends cultural insights with powerful storytelling to create campaigns that resonate deeply with consumers. 2. BLKBOX BLKBOX is a digital marketing agency that specializes in developing strategies tailored to multicultural...
Like many people, Ayesha Curry doesn’t handle setbacks well — but she doesn’t dwell on them either. In an interview on Inc. “From the Ground Up” podcast with Executive Editor Diana Ransom and Editor Christine Lagorio-Chafkin, the businesswoman, chef, and restaurateur said she gives herself 24 hours to feel the emotions — anger, sadness, confusion — before moving on. “But I’m never going to suppress. It’s not my thing,” Curry said. “I’m going to let it out and feel my feelings and then move on.” Curry’s mindset has been a game-changer for her mental health and a key factor in her entrepreneurial success, Essentially Sports reported . In 2023, the United States had 33.2 million small businesses, which account for 99.9% of all companies in the country, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. As a successful entrepreneur, Curry’s ventures exemplify the resilience and drive required in this space. As previously highlighted by AFROTECH™ , Ayesha Curry, wife of NBA star Steph...