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There is something special about new things. They are exciting and have an energy associated with them that is almost tangible. Many absorbed this feeling at the AFROTECH™ Conference 2023 when the Sports Summit stage was introduced. One of the voices on this inaugural stage was then-first-time AFROTECH™ speaker Nate Thompson. Thompson is an entrepreneur and tech founder with a proven track record in the Houston Mayor’s Office heading innovation and as the leader of HTX Sports Tech. He specializes in navigating complex environments to drive growth and foster collaboration. Thompson’s focus is expanding HTX Sports Tech’s influence as a trusted advisor in the sports innovation space while simultaneously launching the Future of Sport Foundation. This nonprofit venture aims to democratize access to technology and education, preparing the next generation for the future through the lens of sports innovation. Thompson’s journey has been marked by perseverance, passion, and persistence....
Slauson & Co., a venture capital fund that prides itself on investing in anyone, has raised substantial funding. TechCrunch reports Slauson & Co. was established by Ajay Relan and Austin Clements in 2020 with interests around SaaS and consumer tech. They were interested in investing in any early-stage founders. Slauson & Co. had previously been supported by its first fund with $75 million at the time, exceeding its initial funding goal by $25 million. The funding helped to support 38 companies, with the majority led by people of color and women. “We invest in everybody,” Relan told the outlet. “We’re investing in a way that’s a bit more representative of the shifting demographics in this country.” Now, Slauson & Co. has received additional funding in its second fund, valued at $100 million from the support of nearly 40 investors. “What we really wanted was just for people to look at us for the merits of what we can achieve and the opportunity that we’re going after,” Clements said....
It’s crucial for Black professionals to not just follow technological advancements but to drive them. Jeff Nelson, co-founder and chief operating officer (COO) of Blavity Inc., embodies this approach. With over 10 years of pioneering work at the company, now reaching millions of users each month, he has contributed significantly to its technology and software development. As the former chief technology officer, he was responsible for development, data analytics, and technical infrastructure, his LinkedIn mentions. In 2022, Nelson stepped into the role of COO, tasked with responsibilities centering data, product, engineering, and audience development, as well as furthering the support for Black professionals through AFROTECH™ and Talent Infusion, which is designed to connect top diverse candidates with employers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Talent Infusion (@talent.infusion) AFROTECH™ AI Hackathon With the upcoming AFROTECH™ Conference set to return on Nov. 13-16,...
Husband-and-wife duo Greg and Subrina Collier prevailed after losing their first business in a fire. The couple’s journey began in Memphis, TN, when they met at a wing restaurant, according to CBS Mornings. They then moved to Phoenix, AZ, as Greg was looking for a fresh start. He also believed investing in his culinary skills was the best way, and Subrina joined him in his pursuit. “I said if I go to Atlanta, I’m just going to be a more country me, or if I go to Chicago, it’s going to be cold me. If I go to New Orleans, it’s going to be a swamp me. S o, I knew that in order for me to figure out who I was, I needed to go a place where I didn’t think I existed,” he told the outlet. The pair then spent five years in Arizona and married in 2010. By then, Greg was looking to move back to the Southern U.S. with his eyes on Charlotte, NC. They were unable to afford the cost of rent in the area, which brought them to Rock Hill, SC. “It was a little rundown shopping center and they were...
A trip to Japan led TJ Johnson into a unique business. ESSENCE reports the Atlanta, GA, native is now the proud owner of Wax on Hi-Fi. It was while in Tokyo, Japan, that she was able to immerse herself in the country’s vinyl bars. So much so that when she moved to Los Angeles, CA, her interests beyond DJing and software engineering broadened to include entreprenuership inspired by this concept. “It’s a very calming and peaceful experience, Tokyo record bars,” Johnson told ESSENCE. “The people there are very disciplined, and the employees are very exact. They wear gloves and aprons, and when they put the record on, they put on a flashlight to make sure it’s in the right groove. It’s a very technical experience. And I guess when I’m thinking about bringing it back here, I’m kind of trying to fit it for the American palate a little bit because I know that when we go out to listen to music, we go out to have fun and socialize.” Wax on Hi-Fi now functions as a restaurant that creatively...
50 Cent has revealed one of those “unwritten laws of business.” The artist and entrepreneur took to the stage at Invest Fest in Atlanta, GA, and shared his unspoken rule in business: Never appear to need anything. He then clarified the thought process behind this surprising rule. “One of the unwritten laws of business is to not appear to need anything,” he said during Invest Fest, according to HipHopDX. “Because everybody will do you a favor when you don’t need one. If they can expect a bigger favor in return or a favor from you at some later point, they’ll find the ability to just do it.” He added: “That’s why when they tell me no, I go — if television say[s] they [are] going on strike, I say, ‘Okay, I’m on tour.’ That last tour [the Final Lap Tour], I did 103 shows. It’s the third-highest-grossing Hip-Hop tour ever.” Although the saying “closed mouths don’t get fed” is commonly accepted, 50 Cent has succeeded in various ventures despite not adhering to this principle. While it is...
Kayvon Thibodeaux is among a growing number of NFL players who are considering life beyond the field. Sportico reported that the New York Giants defensive end has invested in real estate, beverage, hospitality, and restaurant industries. He also has a stake in Meatpacking District’s Meduza Mediterrania. “It’s about alignment for me,” Thibodeaux told the outlet. “When you come into a business, you can get your money back, but you can’t get your reputation back… For me being an athlete and aligning with the [diverse] personnel that’s going to be involved in this is the exemplar of what more athletes can do and should do.” Thibodeaux’s investment footprint is expected to grow as he is now listed as a venture partner with The Collectiv, a venture capital firm that focuses on early stage sports startups and intends to raise $20 million over the next six months, per Sportico. For the debut fund, he will focus on identifying valuable investment prospects and offering strategic advice on...