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As the 2024 AfroTech conference approaches, anticipation builds for the impactful discussions that will celebrate Black excellence in technology. This year, Capital One, a tech leader committed to fostering diversity and innovation, is taking center stage with an exciting workshop on technology and product management. At the helm of this dynamic session will be two visionary leaders, Alexandra “Alex” Wood, Vice President of Product, and Jared Jordan, Managing Vice President, both of whom are driving the future of tech at Capital One. Their leadership exemplifies the company’s commitment to nurturing Black talent and pushing boundaries in the tech landscape. Meet the Leaders: Alex Wood and Jared Jordan Alex Wood and Jared Jordan bring diverse experiences and unique perspectives to their roles at Capital One. For Wood, the journey to Capital One wasn’t a linear path but rather a discovery of passion. “Like every good daughter of an immigrant, I wanted to be a doctor or scientist, but...
Instagram has been on a roll with implementing new features and the announcement of its latest change is highly anticipated. The requests for Instagram to bring back its chronological feed have officially been granted. On Dec. 8, the tech giant confirmed that the upcoming change is in the works, Engadget reports.
Massachusetts-based science technology company Synlogic has announced, today, that Lisa Kelly-Croswell has been appointed to their board of directors. In a press release announcement, the company confirmed that Ms. Kelly-Croswell is joining the board in what the company is calling a “growth stage.” While the immediate details about this growth haven’t been made clear, what is clear is that Synlogic’s focus will be on its proprietary technologies, including those that treat metabolic disorders like Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Enteric Hyperoxaluria (HOX). The company is also building a portfolio of partner-able assets in immunology and oncology. “Great biotech companies begin and end with people,” said Ms. Kelly-Croswell, in the press release statement. “The patients they serve, and the people that make it all happen. I am thrilled to be joining Synlogic at such a growth stage in the company’s history. With three programs moving through the clinic and a talented team driving towards a...
Books have long been a source of wisdom for business leaders, offering guidance on everything from financial strategy to leadership development. Certain books have stood the test of time, selling millions of copies and earning praise from business icons, investors, and top executives. Whether you’re looking to sharpen l eadership skills , build a profitable company, or develop a better financial mindset , here are the most famous books for business success. Think And Grow Rich By Napoleon Hill Originally published in 1937, Think and Grow Rich has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. It’s earned distinction as one of history’s best-selling personal development books. The book is based on Napoleon Hill’s research into the habits of wealthy individuals, including Andrew Carnegie and Henry Ford. It presents a blueprint for achieving financial success through mindset and persistence. Readers often praise the book for its emphasis on the power of visualization and goal-setting. Some of...
There are clubs that no amount of charm or charisma can get you into. The kind where wealth isn’t enough if it isn’t old, where opportunity depends not on merit but on access, and where the real decisions are made behind velvet ropes and closed boardroom doors. For far too long, the world of professional sports ownership has been one of those clubs. This is where Jaia Thomas and Diverse Representation enter the chat. What started as a digital directory for Black agents and publicists has evolved into a movement to radically shift the face of power in sports and entertainment. Through events like the recent Black Ownership in Sports Symposium in Atlanta, GA, Founder and CEO Thomas is not just asking for a seat at the table. She’s building new tables altogether. The symposium brings together current and aspiring Black owners, investors, and leaders to discuss tangible pathways into one of the most exclusive spaces in business. Paxton Baker was one of the speakers at this year’s...
The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Harvard University will now be called the Office of Community and Campus Life. Sherri A. Charleston, previously Harvard’s chief diversity officer and now the chief community and campus life officer, shared this news via email on April 28, 2025, according to The Harvard Crimson. The announcement aligns with the Trump administration’s push to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion ( DEI ) programming at schools and universities nationwide. “In the weeks and months ahead, we will take steps to make this change concrete and to work with all of Harvard’s schools and units to implement these vital objectives, including shared efforts to reexamine and reshape the missions and programs of offices across the university,” Charleston wrote, per The Crimson. Charleston noted that in the 2024 campus-wide Pulse Survey, students, faculty, and staff reported feeling a strong sense of belonging; however, a significant number still felt...
Building a successful startup requires more than just a great idea. It demands a unique set of traits that allow founders to navigate challenges, inspire teams , and scale their businesses. While many qualities contribute to entrepreneurial success, 2 successful traits in startup founders stand out as the most critical: resilience and adaptability. These characteristics don’t just separate successful founders from those who struggle. They also determine how well a startup can survive market shifts , financial pressures, and operational hurdles. Why Startups Fail, And How These 2 Successful Traits In Founders Make A Difference The startup world is notoriously unforgiving. About 90% of startups fail, and only a small percentage reach sustained profitability. According to CB Insights , the top reasons for failure include lack of market demand, running out of cash, and flawed business models. However, a deeper look into these failures reveals that many of them could have been avoided if...
Kevin Hart wants entrepreneurs to be equipped in artificial intelligence (AI). AI is sweeping across various industries. While some remain skeptical, adopting it will be essential to avoid being left behind in a rapidly changing landscape. “The train is coming and coming fast,” Hart told Fortune. “Either you’re on it, or if not, get out of the way.” As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Hart partnered with the Fifteen Percent Pledge and A16z’s Cultural Leadership Fund for the AI Illumination Grant that will disperse $35,000 in funding to Black founders, with the winner receiving $20,000. Considerations for recipients include: High potential for growth Sustainable competitive advantage Strong management team Strong use case for AI tools Grant dollars to manage growth challenges and expansion Prioritizes inclusivity and centers community impact Coramino Fund Hart is taking further action through his Coramino Fund — the investment arm for his tequila company Gran Coramino that is in its...
Harvard University does not intend to change its DEI efforts to align with the Trump Administration. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, President Donald Trump issued a two-week deadline that requires schools and university to no longer consider “racial preferences” in admissions, financial aid, or hiring. Educational institutions that fail to comply risk losing federal funding. T his aligns with the administration’s goal to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which has played out with the closing and ending of “ all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs” within the federal government. “Colleges and universities are going to find themselves between a rock and a hard place,” Angel B. Pérez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, said to AP News at the time. “They know that what they’re doing is not illegal, but they are worried that if they do not comply, not having federal funding will decimate them.” Harvard University Responds In a...
With space being the next great frontier, many big names have been throwing their hat in the ring to venture beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Space exploration has become the name of the game for several companies that strive to make humans a multi-planetary species. Mankind’s growing need for resources has seen an increased interest in galaxies far, far away, however, the vision of life on Mars will take plenty of money and research before it can be realized. While many people know of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, there is another contender that is making headlines for its’ out of this world exploration . Blue Origin, another privately owned space company, has made headlines over the last year for launching space missions with iconic crew members . On Monday, Apr. 14, they continued that trend by sending the first all-female crew (including celebrities like Gayle King and Katy Perry) on a mission. Here’s what we know about Blue Origin’s owner , history and latest ventures. Blue Origin Is Owned By...
Dove wants increased representation in the digital world, leading the global personal care brand to launch a guide to help designers create characters with Black hair textures and protective styles for video games. “Code My Crown” — created with the help of Black game developers, artists, academics, and stylists — features instructions, personal insights, detailed references, and complete open-source code. “In the real world, there is an incredible variety of Black hairstyles. But this is rarely reflected in the gaming world,” said Lead Guide Contributor and Founder of the Open Source Afro Hair Library (Osahl) A.M. Darke in the guide. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prof. A.M. Darke (@prettydarke) Recent research indicates that 85% of Black gamers believe video games poorly represent Black hair textures, according to Dove. Additionally, around 80% of Black gamers report feeling excluded, discriminated against, or inadequate when they do not see accurate...
The Global Gaming League (GGL), a professional gaming entertainment organization featuring celebrity team owners, has successfully raised $10 million in its SAFE round, led by the private equity group Solyco Capital, according to a news release. Founded by multi-platinum music producer and entrepreneur Clinton Sparks, in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning artist T-Pain and tech visionary Jeff Hoffman, GGL is building the first entertainment system that monetizes the world’s largest and most engaged audience: the more than 3 billion people who play video games. “There are over 3 billion gamers around the world,” Sparks said. “But there’s still no centralized platform that gives everyday players the spotlight—while authentically connecting brands, celebrities, and competition in a way that’s truly entertaining. That’s where GGL comes in.” Each GGL team has four players — including high-profile influencers , actors, athletes, artists, and casual and professional gamers — competing...
The tech industry faces uncertainty and fear due to the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies, leading companies to advise employees on visas not to leave the United States because they might not be allowed to return. During President Donald Trump’s first term, the denial rates for high-skilled visas increased to 15%. Law firms have warned that a similar upward trend is possible during his current presidency , according to The Washington Post. “What we’re seeing right now is just a lot of worry and panic,” said Principal Attorney Malcolm Goeschl of Goeschl Law, a San Francisco, CA, firm specializing in business immigration for the tech industry . “It seems like [the administration is] just getting more and more momentum, and we don’t know what’s around the corner.” Silicon Valley , Northern California’s global hub for technological innovation, is known for housing many of the world’s largest tech companies and producing groundbreaking inventions. Tech giants in the...