The founders of Eastside Golf continue to build on their momentum in the golf apparel space while staying true to their roots. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Morehouse College graduates Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper founded the brand without a fashion background in 2019 after working full-time in corporate America. The company boasts products such as polo shirts, sweatshirts, pants, shoes, and accessories including bags, all tailored towards men and women. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eastside Golf (@eastsidegolf) Beyond the product offerings, the founders have continued to pave their own way through their mission that centers moving the sport forward among the youth and non-golfers while increasing diversity in a predominantly white sport. Their vision has led to an increase in support as they scaled their annual revenue from $100,000 in their first year to $4 million in 2023. They kicked off 2024 with a $3.4 million raise led by EP Golf Ventures, and the...

From the very beginning in 1973, Hip-Hop has always been a movement. Now, 50 years later, the impact of what the genre has burgeoned into speaks for itself. The groundbreaking genre went from being birthed out of economic hard times to today being worth an estimated $7.7 billion, according to Gitnux.

Very few songs serve as an appropriate soundtrack for knocking down doors and making waves in specific spaces, like the 1996 classic “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check” by Busta Rhymes. And after spending some time in tech and taking notice of the landscape, Adam Williams has a similar sentiment. For decades, the tech industry has been riddled with systemic barriers that have made access points difficult for people of color, specifically the Black community. While notable examples of organizations are doing the active and intentional work to change the tides of this lack of equitable and inclusive representation, there is still much more work left to be done. According to a CNBC report, Black professionals make up about 7.4 percent of the tech industry. This number drastically decreases for Black women in the same field. According to the same report, Black women only comprise 1.7 percent of the tech workforce. With such low numbers, the need to create programming and initiatives that...

The man born Cameron Jibril Thomaz in North Dakota — who would ultimately call Pittsburgh home — exploded onto the Hip-Hop scene back in 2010 with the song “Black and Yellow.” And while Wiz Khalifa would have other success with some subsequent songs — including the super-smash “See You Again” with Charlie Puth, from the “Fast 7” soundtrack — his real success came with businesses outside of music. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 420-friendly Wiz Khalifa got into various canna-businesses. But that doesn’t mean the rapper is completely out of the music business. He co-founded Taylor Gang Entertainment with his longtime manager and friend, Will Dzombak, and the label is home to successful artists like Ty Dolla $ign. As Khalifa told Forbes back in 2017, it was important for him to keep his hands in the music business despite diversifying his other businesses. “At the end of the day, everything I do business-wise is part of my real-life anyway,” he said . “I still wanna create, and I still...

One year ago, co-founders Tika Sumpter and Thai Randolph found themselves launching Sugaberry — a forward-thinking lifestyle brand created by and for modern moms of color — at the peak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Today, they celebrate one year of maintaining said brand to connect a community centered around Black women’s wellness and motherhood. The idea behind Sugaberry’s digital platform originally came from famed actress, producer and entrepreneur Sumpter who took note of the lack of representation for Black moms and expecting mothers online and in media. “The seed for [Sugaberry] started with me feeling like there wasn’t a place for Black moms or women who were interested in maybe having a child to go to,” Sumpter shared with AfroTech. “There was no thought or care put forth for us. I just felt like the joy of motherhood wasn’t really offered to Black women as far as what we see in media.” From there, she came up with a business proposal that she approached Randolph with —...

Striking out on your own can be both exciting and rewarding, but it also can be the most financially challenging time of your life. If you had a stable paycheck before jumping into entrepreneurship, you will have to adjust to a new normal. Company-sponsored health insurance and gym reimbursements are just a couple of benefits you might lose in the process. Here are some simple lifestyle changes that can help you make the transition without ruining your finances. 1. Minimize your household expenses I’ve always been proud of my independent spirit. One of my sweetest memories was putting the deposit down on my new apartment with money from my own bank account. However, when I left my high-paying engineer job to pursue my passion for writing, I knew I couldn’t continue my lifestyle. I moved out of my expensive apartment and back into my parent’s home to give myself the space to focus on my work without stressing over rent and utilities. If you have the option to get into a cheaper...

Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The question of who controls your data and how it’s used has been a topic of discussion since the dawn of the internet. The rise of social media giants like Meta and X has only heightened awareness and concern around data privacy. What happens when data collection goes beyond your age and interests to your genetic makeup? That’s the concern surrounding the recent news about 23andMe. As reported by AP News, the company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after former CEO Anne Wojcicki’s attempt to buy back the company’s assets fell through. Founded in 2006 by Wojcicki, Linda Avey, and Paul Cusenza, 23andMe was created to empower consumers with insights about their genetic makeup to inform health decisions. As reported by CTech, the company went public at a $3.5 billion valuation and was once valued as high as $6 billion. In addition to consumer-focused tests, 23andMe has contributed to genetic...

From breaking records on the field to securing lucrative endorsements, DK Metcalf has established himself as a wide receiver to watch in the NFL. Since being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, he has quickly risen to elite status, becoming one of the league’s most dominant offensive weapons. Known for his rare combination of size, speed and athleticism, Metcalf has delivered performances that showcase his stamina and strength, cementing his reputation as a game-changing playmaker. Off the field, the 27-year-old has successfully transformed his football stardom into financial success . His endorsements include partnerships with major companies such as Nike, Gatorade and Beats by Dre, further boosting his income and public profile. Additionally, he has ventured into business, capitalizing on opportunities in industries ranging from fitness to fashion. With a keen eye for branding and entrepreneurship, he has positioned himself as more than just an athlete – he’s a savvy...