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By capitalizing on her status as a leading beauty influencer, Jackie Aina has built the foundation for a prosperous business empire. How It Started Aina, a Nigerian-American born in California’s San Gabriel Valley, came from humbling beginnings. BuzzFeed News mentions she has six siblings, with an even split between brothers and sisters. She recalls “growing up with nothing” at times, bouncing around shelters with her mother and siblings. “Growing up, I had no leverage, I had no rich uncle,” she said, per the outlet. “We got kicked out of a shelter, we couldn’t get to another one quick enough. And when you’re a mom of seven, It’s not easy.” To change her outcome, Aina studied medicine at the California State University, Business Insider reported. That route did not pan out for Aina, and she made the decision to serve in the Army in 2008, after being convinced by her then-boyfriend. They would marry — although they later divorce — and she moved to Hawaii to live with him where she...
2024 is only halfway done, but we’ve already seen many Black creatives go viral thanks to their savvy social media skills. In the winter, TikToker Reesa Teesa had the world on the edge of its seat as she told the story of her tumultuous marriage, ultimately inking her a deal with CAA for future content creation opportunities. Elsewhere, Kai Cenat and fellow members of the AMP collective have been dancing on stage with Nicki Minaj and teasing Jordan sponsorships online. The 22-year-old is the most-followed among the YouTube group, but right behind him is his good friend, Duke Dennis – best known for his gaming videos and entertaining storytimes across numerous channels. Several years older than his frequent collaborator, Dennis was born on Feb. 26th, 1994 in Greenville, South Carolina. One of the former athlete’s brothers, Darius, often appears in Duke’s videos, which millions of people watch across his different accounts. Though he was a talented football player, the 30-year-old and...
When iAsia Brown remembers her time in the military, she looks back with a fondness for what were clearly some fine times — but she admits that going back into the “normal” workforce presented its share of challenges. “What we go through in the military is unique only to us,” she told AfroTech. “That experience, while beneficial, is so unique that when we go back into “normal” society, we have a problem re-integrating. We not only don’t understand basic protocol — like not calling our superiors ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ — but our approach to work is completely different. But, that’s where someone like me comes in.” Research backs up iAsia Brown’s claims. According to Pew Research Center, about half of post-9/11 veterans say it was somewhat (32 percent) or very (16 percent) difficult for them to transition into civilian life after military service. However, like Brown said, that’s where what she offers comes into play. Brown has helped over 100 veterans make the transition into tech in the...
Amid the Virginia Military Institute’s (VMI) fierce probe of racism in its ranks, last week VMI officials announced the interim appointment of Retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, the first Black leader to serve in its 181-year history, The Washington Post reports . Maj. Gen. Wins — the 57-year-old two-star general — will serve as interim superintendent until the board can appoint a permanent chief to run the nation’s oldest state-funded military college in Lexington City, Virginia, BET shares . Gov. Ralph Northam ordered an independent investigation on the Virginia Military Institute after several Black cadets stepped down over racial bias for what Northam and other officials describe as “the clear and appalling culture of ongoing structural racism,” according to The Washington Post . Amid the investigation, Maj. Gen. Wins is expected to take over for the school’s longtime superintendent, retired Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III, who resigned from his position following those reports...
In 2019, the Peter G. Peterson foundation reported that at $649 billion, the U.S. spends more on defense than the next seven countries combined. However, as the world continues to evolve, so does the military-industrial complex. With digital technologies emerging as their own industry, tech companies have become heavily involved with developing military technology. Tech writer Navneet Alang described it as a “military-technology complex” designed to replace the military-industrial complex of the 20th century. Others have described it as the “military-technological complex,” “military-digital complex,” or “military-AI complex.” Although the phenomenon may currently be too new for everyone to have a single unified term, the questions surrounding it remain the same. Namely, what business does big tech have in developing weapons of war for the U.S. government? There is nothing benevolent about war; especially ones launched by a nation founded through the genocide of enslaved Africans...
On Friday, Microsoft employees issued a letter criticizing the company’s Pentagon contract and calling for it to end. Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella, however, seems to disagree. In an interview with CNN , Nadella defended the company’s military contract as a “principled decision.” “We made a principled decision that we’re not going to withhold technology from institutions that we have elected in democracies to protect the freedoms we enjoy,” Nadella told CNN Business, “We were very transparent about that decision and we’ll continue to have that dialogue [with employees].” Microsoft won a $480 million contract with the Department of Defense to supply as many as 100,000 HoloLens prototypes for military use. A government description of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) said it was meant to “increase lethality by enhancing the ability to detect, decide, and engage before the enemy,” as reported by Bloomberg. In a letter — addressed to both Nadella and company president...
In November, Microsoft took a $480 million contract with the U.S. Army to supply prototypes for the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). It may mean big money for the company, but its employees are not impressed. A group of more than 100 Microsoft employees are now criticizing the company’s plans and calling for Microsoft to end its military contract, TechCrunch reported . The Verge reported the letter — addressed to CEO Satya Nadella and president Brad Smith — said, “We are alarmed that Microsoft is working to provide weapons technology to the US military, helping one country’s government ‘increase lethality’ using tools we built.” A government description of the IVAS program stated it was meant to “increase lethality by enhancing the ability to detect, decide, and engage before the enemy,” according to Bloomberg. Through the program, Microsoft would provide more than 100,000 headsets for combat and training. In the letter, employees went on to say, “We did not sign up to...
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...
President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders that will impact education. Historically Black Colleges And Universities According to a press release, an executive order by Trump establishes a White House Initiative on HBCUs and seeks to enhance the quality of education at these universities through private-sector partnerships, as well as institutional and workforce development in industries such as technology, health care, manufacturing, and finance. The initiative will also work to ensure federal and state grant dollars are more accessible and plans to launch a yearly White House Summit geared toward HBCUs to determine goals and establish partnerships. At the same time, the order establishes the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, which will exist under the Department of Education and include changemakers in philanthropy, education , business, finance, entrepreneurship , innovation, private foundations, and HBCU presidents. “HBCUs are essential to fostering...
PepsiCo representatives met with civil rights leaders from the National Action Network (NAN) after Reverend Al Sharpton threatened to lead a boycott over the company’s decision to scale back parts of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives . After sending a letter to the food and beverage brand on April 4, 2025, outlining details of the intended boycott, Sharpton issued a statement on Tuesday, April 15, saying that he and several members of NAN had a “constructive conversation” lasting over an hour with PepsiCo Chairman Ramon Laguarta and PepsiCo North America CEO Steven Williams. During the meeting at PepsiCo’s global headquarters in Purchase, NY, they had a chance “to discuss our grievances over reports they were rolling back nearly $500 million in DEI commitments .” “We agreed to follow up meetings within the next few days,” Sharpton wrote. “After that continued dialogue, NAN Chairman Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson and I, both former members of the company’s African...
On March 15, 2025, the U.S. bombed Houthi terrorist targets across Yemen. But two hours before the world knew, a Signal message had already mapped the strike. The sender? Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The recipients? Top intelligence officials, but also Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic — a journalist inadvertently folded into the highest levels of American military planning. This wasn’t a clandestine leak. It was a raw, unfiltered display of the fragility of power in the digital age. It was a breach not orchestrated by a hostile foreign actor but self-inflicted — executed casually, almost thoughtlessly, by the nation’s top security officials on a consumer messaging app. For those of us who approach these matters with a deep understanding of U.S. statecraft and a critical perspective shaped by intellectual and resistance traditions, the story may demand more than mere procedural outrage. It calls for an unflinching analysis of how an empire, when unmoored from...
For decades, Ben & Jerry’s has been more than just an ice cream company — it’s been a loud, proud, and unapologetic advocate for progressive causes. From climate justice to racial equity, the brand has built an identity around speaking truth to power. But now, that identity is at the center of a corporate power struggle. Ben & Jerry’s is accusing its parent company, Unilever, of firing CEO David Stever, not because of poor performance but because he refused to back down from the company’s social mission. According to the New York Times, the lawsuit, filed in a Manhattan, NY, federal court, claims that Unilever violated a key part of its 2000 merger agreement by removing Stever without advisory board approval. What started as a quirky Vermont ice cream shop with a social conscience has now turned into a legal battleground, with Unilever allegedly trying to muzzle the very activism that made Ben & Jerry’s a cultural force. A Brewing Corporate Clash Ben & Jerry’s alleges that...
Entrepreneur Evan Fay has a new venture launching. In 2024, Fay, a U.S. Air Force veteran and California native with experience in real estate, celebrated the grand opening of his French-inspired coffee shop, Café Noir, in North Detroit, MI. He and his business partner , Asher Van Sickle, opened the shop to “provide a welcoming space for people to connect, socialize, and build community,” the Detroit Metro Times reports. “Yes, we want to offer coffee and really good food but we also want to be community-centric… We just want to offer a space that is inviting and if you need to use it or there’s a private event or whatever, we want to make sure that we’re that space,” Fay said at the time, per the outlet. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, a lot of people have been very excited about coming to the space and showing support. We’re really thankful to the community in the North End. We’re really excited. We’re here to be consistent and be available for people to come.” View this...
Rick Ross has partnered with his dentist to open a clinic in Atlanta, GA. According to a news release shared with AFROTECH™, the rapper is teaming up with Dr. Mario Montoya, who launched his career path after earning a bachelor of dentistry autonomous degree from the University of Manizales in 1991. He later pursued postgraduate studies in oral rehabilitation at the Military University in 2005, his website mentions. Dr. Montoya co-founded Matizz Dental Clinic in 2008, and after a decade, he launched Smiles by Mario Montoya in Colombia. His initial clientele was Puerto Rican urban artists , but his reach expanded, adding Ross, Nicki Minaj, Tiny, Ari Fletcher, Moneybagg Yo, French Montana, and more to his roster. His treatments include root canals, dental implants, gum contouring, and porcelain veneers made using computer-aided design and manufacturing technology. With the help of Ross, Dr. Montoya plans to make his offerings more accessible to people residing in Atlanta, GA. The...