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MacKenzie Scott’s latest Yield Giving Open Call exceeded its initial expectations. In March 2023, Yield Giving, founded by the billionaire and philanthropist, launched the initiative to back community-led, community-focused organizations that actively support people “in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States,” per the organization’s website. On Mar 19, 2024, CNN reported that Scott donated $640 million to 361 non-profits. Initially, 250 organizations were to be awarded $1 million each. However, with over 6,000 applicants, the donation plan expanded. “We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change — which managed the Yield Giving Open Call — per the release. “In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.” According to the release, Birthing...
After birthing twins, Jade Kearney Dube developed a tool to advance her efforts in the maternal health sector. As AFROTECH previously mentioned, Kearney Dube founded digital health platform She Matters after feeling “invisible” in the healthcare system during postpartum. The platform requires professionals working with Black mothers to complete cultural competency training. In 2023, Kearney Dube was faced with another epiphany after being dismissed from the hospital after giving birth. At home swollen, with two babies who were just 5 days old, she was simply given a magnet to place on her refrigerator to help her determine if her blood pressure was high. She recognized this was an issue. “You can be a culturally competent physician and healthcare network and give all the resources, but once the mom leaves, she’s gone, right?” Kearney Dube told AFROTECH in an interview. “I’m on the third floor, and I have kids all around me. There needs to be something that’s on my body that can tell...
Contrary to popular opinion, lactation isn’t something that always comes easy (or naturally) for mothers. That’s why Shamiesha Ebhotemen created a lactation subscription service for Black mothers . The NurseMilk Latch Baby Latch is designed to “erase the stigma of breastfeeding.” And while breastfeeding has become more accepted as time goes on, there are still plenty of women that could use all the help they could get. With the Liquid Gold subscription, expectant mothers receive a support assessment, 1-on-1 classes, group classes, free merchandise, and weekly emails — and that’s just the beginning. According to Nurses You Should Know, Ebhtomen realized that it was important to her to create this lactation subscription service for mothers because her experience in both the medical field and as a mother made her realize that she needed to fill a void. “During her pregnancy, Shamiesha began searching for a lactation consultant of color in her neighborhood. She was only able to locate...
As maternal mortality rates continue to skyrocket amongst Black and Brown communities, the need for medical accountability continues to increase. The Irth app, to that end, hopes to bridge the gap between accountability and communication. According to Black News, the NYC-based and Black woman-owned app — which is now available in the Google Play and Apple app stores — has a specific aim in mind: to target racism and bias in health care. The company says their name is inspired by the word “birth,” but without the “b” for “bias.” Irth was founded by Kimberly Seales Allers, a former senior editor at Essence, a five-time author, and a maternal health advocate. For her, it was most important for doctors and other health care providers to be accountable in how they treat their Black and Brown patients — and if they couldn’t be, then it was up to the public to make them. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Irth (@theirthapp) “When I had my first child, I asked white co-workers...
The late Notorious B.I.G.’s estate has filed a lawsuit against Faith Evans. New York-born rapper Christopher George Latore Wallace, best known as The Notorious B.I.G. and for timeless hits like “Big Poppa” and “Mo Money Mo Problems,” was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1997. His legacy continues to live on, thanks in large part to his mother, Voletta Wallace, who had played a key role in managing his estate before she recently passed away. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, she successfully secured rights to most of his catalog from Bad Boy Records, increasing her ownership of his music from 50% to 85%. The Notorious B.I.G. was originally signed to the label by founder Sean “Diddy” Combs. In 2020, Voletta acquired the remaining 15%, gaining full control of her son’s music catalog. “Securing control of my son’s publishing and masters was a hard-fought journey, one that was not easy to accomplish,” Voletta explained, according to The Wall Street Journal. Voletta died at 78 years old...
Bill Gates intends on allocating the majority of his wealth to Africa. As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, Microsoft founder Bill Gates plans to donate the majority of his wealth by 2045 — an estimated $200 billion. Despite this massive philanthropic effort, he is still expected to remain a billionaire and may even stay the fifth-richest person in the world, BBC reports. “People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” he wrote in a blog post, per BBC. Gates intends to distribute his wealth through his foundation. The original plan was for the foundation to continue operating beyond his lifetime; however, he now has faith in the next generation of wealthy individuals to carry on his efforts, believing they will be better positioned to do so. “At the end of 20 years, the foundation will sunset its operations,” the Gates Foundation said in a statement, per BBC. In the meantime, Gates will focus on using his wealth...
Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) is mobilizing support for Black maternal health. Black Maternal Health Week April 11–17 is Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), an initiative created by the Black women-led, cross-sectoral consortium Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), with the intent of raising awareness and fostering community around the experiences of Black mothers and birthing people, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. Atlanta-GA-based BMMA traces its origins to 2013 when the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective (SisterSong) began constructive research on the obstacles Black mothers face in accessing health care. Once it had become its own independent entity in 2018, BMMA established Black Maternal Health Week and began working with up to 18 community-based organizations. That number has since grown to nearly 50. Black Maternal Health Week also intentionally coincides with National Minority Health Month,...
A portion of Notorious B.I.G.’s estate will now be handled by Primary Wave. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, a deal rumored to be in the “eight figures” was in the works between Notorious B.I.G.’s estate and the music publisher and involved half his publishing and master rights, including his rights to name, image, voice, and “other identifiable characteristics.” Notorious B.I.G.’s estate had been primarily run by his mother, Voletta Wallace, who was instrumental in securing stake from Bad Boy Records. Christopher Wallace, otherwise known as Biggie Smalls or Notorious B.I.G., had been one of the first artists to sign to the label owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs. Bad Boy Records had 50% stake in his songwriting catalog, Variety mentions. Voletta was able to increase the estate’s stake to 85% after arguing it was doing the heavy lifting in securing deals to license and monetize Notorious B.I.G.’s music. She then secured the remaining 15% stake in 2020. “Securing control of my son’s...
If you missed out on your 2021 stimulus payment, there’s still time to claim what you’re owed. According to USA Today, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is giving eligible taxpayers another chance to receive up to $1,400 through the Recovery Rebate Credit. Are You Eligible For The Stimulus Payment? You may qualify for this Economic Impact Payment (EIP) if you: Filed a 2021 tax return but did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. Have not yet filed your 2021 tax return but do so before April 15, 2025. To check if you’re eligible, review your 2021 tax return. If the Recovery Rebate Credit section is blank or marked $0, you could still receive your payment. Filing before the deadline ensures you receive not only this credit but also any additional refund you may be entitled to. How To Claim Your Stimulus Money For those who already filed their 2021 tax return but didn’t claim the credit, there’s nothing else to do — the IRS began automatically distributing stimulus payments in...
Alisa Bowens-Mercado is the proud owner of a beer company available across several states, FOX61 reports. Working as a salsa instructor for 16 years, Bowens-Mercado made the decision to venture into entrepreneurship. She was motivated by her grandmothers, Mary Pullen and Delores Bowens, “who were lager drinkers back in the 1970s, and because I would partake and enjoy some wonderful lagers,” she told the outlet. She also wanted to increase representation within the sector. “I knew that I needed to go into business so that I could amplify voices of color in this very male-dominated industry,” Bowens-Mercado explained. In November 2017, she launched Rhythm Brewing Co. in New Haven, CT, and made history as the state’s first Black woman-owned beer company. “I don’t take that lightly,” Bowens-Mercado told FOX61. “It’s because I have to continue to open up doors for the future. And so, if my journey and my mission can help anyone that wants to do something or go into an industry that you...
Daymond John is dispelling some traditional truths told in the business world. John is a serial investor and “Shark Tank” judge who made his mark through his streetwear brand FUBU. The brand, founded in 1992 by O’Leary and his friends Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin, and Carlton Brown, was launched from his mother’s home with an initial investment of just $40, as previously reported by AFROTECH™. “I didn’t start with a leap, and I think that’s important to know. I started with $40,” John told the Truckload Authority. “I bought some material and made a bunch of hats. I went out on the street to see if I could sell them. That’s not a leap. It was a small, affordable step. Entrepreneurship isn’t an ‘all or nothing’ thing. You can and should wade into it. I can’t say where I would have been if I didn’t start FUBU, but I know I would have kept trying things.” FUBU received an early boost when John’s mother invested $100,000 from her mortgage to support the brand’s growth. While working to...
Russell Simmons , a pivotal figure in the music and fashion industries, has amassed significant wealth over the decades. This fortune stems primarily from his groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop culture, business ventures, and media endeavors. Simmons is best known as the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, a label that helped launch the careers of iconic artists like LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and Run-D.M.C. Building Wealth Through Music The foundation of Simmons’ net worth lies in his revolutionary work in music. Def Jam Recordings , which he co-founded with Rick Rubin in 1984, became one of the most influential labels in hip-hop history. The label’s success, fueled by signing game-changing artists, established Simmons as a major player in the music industry. By the late 1990s, he sold his stake in Def Jam to Universal Music Group for a reported $100 million, cementing his financial success. Expanding Into Fashion Simmons didn’t stop with music. In 1992, Russel Simmons ventured...
Beyoncé is seeking to gain the trademark of her firstborn. Back in 2012, Beyoncé’ had made an effort to secure the trademark through BGK Trademark Holdings LLC. Jay-Z shared his thoughts on the matter in a conversation with Vanity Fair in 2013. “People wanted to make products based on our child’s name, and you don’t want anybody trying to benefit off your baby’s name. It wasn’t for us to do anything; as you see, we haven’t done anything,” Jay-Z told the outlet. “First of all, it’s a child, and it bothers me when there’s no [boundaries]. I come from the streets, and even in the most atrocious sh-t we were doing, we had lines: no kids, no mothers — there was respect there. But [now] there’s no boundaries. For somebody to say, ‘This person had a kid — I’m gonna make a f-ckin’ stroller with that kid’s name.’ It’s, like, where’s the humanity?” In the years that followed, Beyoncé and her team had ongoing issues with a lifestyle event planner, Veronica Morales, as she used Blue Ivy in her...
Many NFL players shine on the field, but not all translate that success into thriving businesses — Zaire Franklin is making it happen. The Indianapolis Colts linebacker has teamed up with his longtime mentor, Eric Taylor, to open a Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard franchise. Taylor was coaching youth football in Philadelphia, PA, when he met a 9-year-old Franklin, and their bond quickly developed. While he acknowledges that it may sound “crazy” for an adult to have much in common with a younger person, that’s exactly what it was like when he met Franklin. “I think the basis and foundation of our relationship comes with the love of our grandmothers,” Taylor shared in an interview with AFROTECH™ . “At the time, when Zaire was a young guy, his grandmother was instrumental in his life. She was at all the football games, she was very supportive.” Taylor had a similar bond with his own grandmother, so when Franklin lost both his mother and grandmother just months apart in 2013, their...