Showing 55 results for:

kentucky

All results

55
The Late Ira Salls Joined McDonald’s As An Accountant and Later Made History As Its First Black-Woman Franchisee In Kentucky And Indiana

Ira Salls is an inspiration for her history-making role as a McDonald’s franchisee. Salls, a Cincinnati, OH, native, graduated from Northern Illinois University and later earned both an MBA and a master’s degree in public administration from Northwestern University. She secured her franchise title in 1991, as she explained during an interview with WHAS 11 in 2021. Before becoming an owner and operator, she first worked at the fast-food chain as an accountant. “I was hired by McDonald’s because I already had a degree and (was) a CPA. McDonald’s was forward thinking, and they wanted Black CPAs working in their accounting department,” she recalled to the outlet. Salls’ pivot to owning her own McDonald’s locations led her to become the first Black woman franchisee of the chain in Kentucky and Indiana in 1991, the Louisville Business Journal reports. She would go on to become one of the company’s most successful operators, managing six locations in Louisville, KY. She also understood the...

Nov 14, 2024

Black-Owned Businesses In Southwest Ohio And Northern Kentucky Generated Over $2.8B In Economic Value, Report Says

Black businesses are profitable. The University of Cincinnati Alpaugh Family Economics Center for the Greater Cincinnati released a report that examined 1,417 Black-owned businesses across eight counties in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky in partnership with the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). The report revealed that Black-owned businesses generated over $2.8 billion in 2023. This total includes $1.5 billion in direct sales, supporting 9,024 jobs, and $1.4 billion in indirect sales, resulting in 7,448 additional jobs. “Business ownership provides an opportunity to build wealth for Black or African American individuals,” the report’s authors wrote. “Such an opportunity is particularly significant for Black or African American families, whose median net worth of $24,100 was 7.8 times lower than the median net worth of white families in 2019. Furthermore, Black- and other minority-owned businesses bring additional...

Aug 1, 2024

Meet Brittany Penny, Kentucky’s First Black Woman CEO Of A Bourbon Brand In The Commonwealth’s History

Brittany Penny is the first Black woman CEO behind a Bourbon company in the state of Kentucky. “For me being the first is truly inspiring and I don’t take it lightly at all. I definitely want to be the first but I don’t want to be the last,” Penny said, according to the outlet.

Aug 22, 2023

Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe Couldn't Do NIL 'Work' In The U.S. — Now, In The Bahamas, He's Expected To Earn Six Figures In One Week

Kentucky Wildcats basketball player, Oscar Tshiebwe, saw a window of opportunity and took it. While spending some time in the Bahamas alongside his teammates, Tshiebwe dove head first into the name, image, and likeness (NIL) game. Tshiebwe, who was born outside of the United States, has been playing with a student visa. Therefore, it has been difficult for Oscar Tshiebwe to participate in NIL deals throughout the country. Fortunately, during the week-long trip that was not the case. When you can’t do NIL “work” in the U.S. on your student visa … but you’re in another country for a week. Lights, camera, action. 💰💰💰 pic.twitter.com/YMbdLageud — Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) August 8, 2022 His first call when he landed was to his agent asking, “Where do you need me?” “He can’t do this stuff in the States,” Kentucky Wildcats head coach, John Calipari said, according to The Athletic. “Oscar, you weren’t there today, but we all get why you’re doing what you’re doing.” “He’s getting rich,”...

Aug 12, 2022

Jack Harlow Says He 'Lost A Lot Of Money' During Kentucky Derby — 'I Just Told Drake I Would Bet What He Bet'

Jack Harlow tried to keep up with Drake and his betting at the Kentucky Derby — and it didn’t work out so well for him. HipHopDX reported that the two rappers — who collaborated on Harlow’s sophomore album on a song called, interestingly, “Churchill Downs” — went to the famous horse race earlier this month. And Harlow, being who he is, decided he’d try to keep up with the 6 God and his various bets. Unfortunately, however, Harlow found out — the hard way — that Champagne Papi is in a class all by himself. “I did, I lost a lot of money,” Harlow said. “I just told Drake I would bet what he bet, so I copied him.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Jack Harlow (@jackharlow) Despite losing his proverbial shirt, it seemed like Harlow had a good time at the horse race while hanging out with one of the smoothest rappers in the game. He even credited Drake as being one of his Hip-Hop idols growing up. “Drake is one of the people who literally taught me how to rap; him, Wayne,...

Brough Brothers, Kentucky's First and Only Black-Owned Distillery Opens For Business

Kentucky’s first and only Black-owned distillery recently opened its door for business in Louisville, KY. Brough Brothers Distillery — founded by three brothers, Bryson, Christian, and Victor Yarbrough all born and raised in Louisville — is on a mission to produce quality bourbon whiskey in an industry that’s remained inaccessible to minority entrepreneurs. According to PR Newswire, the brothers have long been committed to revitalizing the West End neighborhood where Brough Brothers is based as well as supporting other local businesses. The distillery will provide both economic growths for the community of Park Hill, a historically underserved area of Louisville’s West End along with providing job opportunities for its residents. “Brough Brothers has an opportunity to not only provide employment opportunities for our local community but also design an experience for locals and tourists in the heart of one of Kentucky’s cultural hubs,” Brough Brothers CEO Victor Yarbrough said in a...

Dec 28, 2020

Junior Bridgeman, Billionaire And Former NBA Star Who Owned Ebony And Jet, Passes Away At 71

Junior Bridgeman has passed away at 71 years old, leaving behind a lasting legacy. The former NBA Milwaukee Bucks player who became a prominent businessman died on March 11, 2025, following a medical emergency. He had collapsed during a luncheon at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY, for the Lincoln Heritage Council of the Boy Scouts of America, according to WDRB. His exact cause of death has not been confirmed, but various Louisville television stations reported that he was seen holding his chest at a point during the event, per ESPN. “We express our heartfelt condolences to Junior’s wife, Doris, their children, Eden, Justin and Ryan, the Bucks organization, and his many friends and admirers in the basketball community,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, notes ESPN. Bridgeman was a well respected figure for his accomplishments on and off the court. In fact, his jersey was retired at Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks’ home arena in Wisconsin, in 1988 to honor his...

Mar 12, 2025

US Department Of Agriculture Has Reopened An HBCU Scholarship That It Had Suspended Less Than A Month Ago

A scholarship for HBCU students created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reopened. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the department had established the 1890 National Scholars Program, which was intended to increase opportunities for underserved and rural communities, particularly in food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related sciences. The scholarship was created in partnership with 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that received resources under the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, otherwise known as the 1890 land-grant universities. The scholarship benefits include full tuition, fees, books, and room and board. 16 Virginia State University students receiving the scholarship view it as “an invaluable resource,” 8News reports. “A lot of us … it was hard for us to come to college alone. We can barely afford it,” VSU freshman Tobias Clark told the outlet. Those very students were stunned when news broke that the 1890 National Scholars Program...

Feb 25, 2025

US Department of Agriculture Dismantles Scholarship That Benefited HBCU Students

A scholarship that provided assistance to HBCU students will no longer exist. In 1992, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created the 1890 National Scholars Program through a collaboration with 1890 land-grant universities, which refer to the 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that benefited from resources established by the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, according to Montana State University. The first act was established to ensure broader access to education in agriculture, military tactics, and engineering for the working class, and the second act provided further funding to include HBCUs. As for the 1890 National Scholars Program, it aims to increase representation at these schools by funding students, particularly from rural and underserved communities, i n food, agriculture, natural resource, and other related sciences, according to the USDA website. Recipients benefit from full tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Eligibility requirements...

Feb 21, 2025

AFROTECH™ 2024 — 'Consumers Know When It’s Phony,' CEO Of The Walton Isaacson Agency Aaron Walton Says While Discussing The Power Of Authenticity

Sometimes, the perfect collaboration starts with genuine interest and collaboration. As founder and CEO of the award-winning ad agency Walton Isaacson, Aaron Walton’s career exemplifies the mastery of leveraging celebrity and influencer partnerships to elevate brands to new heights. Walton’s impressive portfolio spans iconic collaborations, from the Spice Girls’ November 1997 campaign with Polaroid to Michael Jackson’s enduring partnership with Pepsi. Most recently, he helmed Beyoncè’s partnership with Lexus during her “Renaissance World Tour.” Walton’s work on some of the most creative advertising campaigns has made him an expert in the field. He shared his keys to success with attendees during the AFROTECH™ 2024 Conference. “Something as a brand that is important, when you’re looking at connecting with a celebrity, you have to make sure that you do your homework and make sure your cultural values are aligned,” Walton told AFROTECH™ following his session “The Art of Brand...

Nov 20, 2024

Minority-Owned Firms Have Raised Concerns For Contracted Opportunities Following US Election Results

Concerns about the future have intensified as Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in as the 47th U.S. president. The Washington Post reports minority- and women-owned businesses have looming concerns over contracts, citing a potential loss of $70 billion in annual contracts amid legal disputes affecting government programs for “disadvantaged” firms. Within the Black community, legal issues were prevalent amid Fearless Fund’s ongoing litigation, which has now been settled. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the firm, led by founding partner Arian Simone, was sued by Edward Blum and his American Alliance for Equal Rights group in August 2023 over its Strivers Grant program. The $20,000 grant backed by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Mastercard had been aimed at small businesses primarily owned by Black women, and the activist group accused the investment firm of “explicit racial exclusion.” The group had already been victorious in the Supreme Court over race-based affirmative action policies....

Nov 12, 2024

How Buffalo Bills Running Back Ray Davis Is Building His Career And Net Worth

Ray Davis, a running back for the Buffalo Bills , is known for his talent on the football field and his rising career in the NFL. Throughout his first season, the 26-year-old has been a consistent standout, quickly winning over Bills fans with his stamina and drive. After being drafted by the team, Davis signed a rookie contract that provided him with both a $795K base salary for the year and a hefty $713K signing bonus. NFL rookie contracts, especially for players taken in the mid to later rounds, tend to offer initial earnings in the low to mid millions over the course of several years, and the 25-year-old is no exception. With performance incentives and future contract renegotiations, Davis has the potential to increase his earnings significantly as his career progresses. Running backs who prove themselves on the field often see lucrative second contracts, which can push their net worth into higher figures. All About Buffalo Bills Rookie Ray Davis (Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)...

26-Year-Old George Bell Secures An Investment On 'Shark Tank' For His App That Intersects Fitness And Community

While some runners only need fresh air and a familiar path to get into the zone, others require more motivation. Identifying with the latter group, 26-year-old Destin George Bell developed an application, Card.io , to encourage himself and others like him to get outside and be active. The gamified fitness tracker launched in 2022 and transforms users’ outdoor walking or running into a giant interactive team-based game like Turf War or Capture the Flag. Like Strava and Garmin, it monitors pace, distance, calories burned, and more. It also integrates with those platforms, enabling users to upload completed routes from those trackers into Card.io to compete with others by claiming the parts of town they move in. If you haven’t heard about the app or Bell yet, you probably will soon. The company made its television debut on Friday, Oct. 18, during the Season 16 premiere of the Emmy Award-winning show “Shark Tank.” Pitching on the show is a significant achievement, as less than 1% of...

Exploring U.S Senator Tim Scott's Net Worth In 2024

Tim Scott is a United States Senator from South Carolina and a prominent figure in American politics. He made history as the first African American senator from the South since Reconstruction and has been a significant voice in the Republican Party. Known for his advocacy on economic empowerment, tax reform, and education, Scott has built a substantial career in public service and private enterprise. But how has his career translated into his personal wealth, and what is Tim Scott’s net worth? Tim Scott’s Net Worth In 2024 As of 2024, Scott’s estimated net worth is around 2 million dollars. Scott’s wealth has been accumulated through a combination of his earnings from public service, his career in business, investments, and book deals. Let’s dive deeper into the different facets that have contributed to his financial standing. Sources Of Income Salary As A U.S. Senator Scott’s primary source of income is his salary as a U.S. Senator. Senators earn an annual salary of approximately...

Oct 11, 2024

How Anthony Edwards Balled His Way Into A $40 Million Net Worth

Anthony Edwards has been making headlines recently for his prolific performance on and off the court . Since joining the NBA in 2020, the young legend has already managed to stack up a list of accolades a mile long and has even landed a front-and-center placement as the subject of a season-long documentary with Netflix’s Starting 5 . The latter has seen Edwards popping up in the news a lot lately, due to his braggadocios nature and tendency to roast Jayson Tatum every chance he gets. Since Edwards has become such a major media figure in recent years, it only makes sense that we take a look at his net worth and various streams of income . According to Celebrity Net Worth , Anthony Edwards is currently packing an impressive nest egg of over $40 million, exemplifying his meteoric rise to super-stardom. So, let’s take a moment to study Edwards’ rise to popularity, college and NBA records, and other various streams of income to see what we can learn about his fast accumulation of...

Oct 10, 2024