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Zoe Saldana has proven to be a force to be reckoned with as she has been featured in three of the highest-earning films of all time. Zoe Saldana: Her Journey to Stardom Begins The actress made her flash splash in the late 1990s when she starred in two episodes of “Law & Order.” Soon after, Saldana found herself on the big screen in her role as a ballet dancer for “Center Stage.” That role paved the way for more appearances including “Crossroads (2002)” and her breakthrough role in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).” Editorial note: The net worth listed in this piece is a speculative estimate drawn from a variety of online sources.
Just in time for the back-to-school season, we’re dropping our favorite HBCU-centric shows and movies to give viewers a peek at life on historically Black college campuses. This curation of TV shows, movies and more offers something for everyone interested in learning about HBCUs, their campus cultures and their contributions to Black culture at large. So grab some snacks, settle in and get into them.
New funding has been raised to help movie fans benefit from the entertainment industry. MoviePass On May 1, 2025, tech platform MoviePass — with the help of its partner, the C3 Foundation — announced the launch of Mogul, a “daily fantasy entertainment platform” for Hollywood, according to a press release. The platform, which is the first of its kind, allows fans to participate in fantasy-style tournaments, head-to-head matchups, and solo challenges where they can apply their insights to predict audience attendance, critic scores, award winners, and more. “You basically create your own studio by picking real movies, real actors, real directors and the way those projects behave in the real world, and your ability to pick and predict what might happen, impacts your scoring,” explained Stacy Spikes, co-founder and CEO of MoviePass, via an exclusive from Variety. Furthermore, fans can receive incentives such as blockchain -based digital rewards, including new avatar images and artwork,...
New music from the late legendary rapper Eazy-E could be on the way, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). There are mixed reaction from artists regarding the use of AI. However, the technology has been embraced by some, including Timbaland. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the artist is an advocate for the music AI creation tool Suno. “You can put out great songs in minutes,” Timbaland told Rolling Stone. “I always wanted to do what Quincy Jones did with Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ when he was [almost] 50. So my ‘Thriller,’ to me, is this tool. God presented this tool to me.” Tag teaming in the appreciation for AI is Lil Eazy-E, born Eric Darnell Wright Jr. He is the son of Eazy-E, who passed away in 1995. According to TMZ, Lil Eazy-E has expressed interest in creating an AI-packaged biopic film about his father’s life and has teased a potential joint album in the future. “I actually just got a sample of him talking to me. It made my mind go another route with the possibilities...
Tyler James Williams has built a remarkable career in Hollywood , transitioning from a child star to a respected actor in television and film. Best known for his breakout role as the lead in Everybody Hates Chris , Williams has continued to evolve in the industry, securing major roles in critically acclaimed projects like Abbott Elementary . His ability to adapt and maintain longevity in the entertainment world has contributed to his financial success. But how much is Tyler James Williams’ net worth today? Let’s explore his career, earnings, and business ventures as well as his estimated wealth. Early Career And Breakthrough In Hollywood Williams’ introduction to Hollywood happened at a young age. Before Everybody Hates Chris , he was already acting on television. He made guest appearances on hit shows such as Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live . His early exposure to the industry gave him a solid foundation, preparing him for his breakout role. His big break came in 2005 when he...
Jonathan Majors has had one of the most dramatic and publicized rises — and setbacks — in recent Hollywood history. Known for powerful performances in acclaimed films like The Last Black Man in San Francisco and major franchise roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Majors became one of the industry’s most talked-about stars. However, with ongoing legal challenges and a sudden shift in his career trajectory, questions about his finances have become increasingly relevant. So what is Jonathan Majors’ net worth in 2025, and how did he get there? Early Career And Breakthrough Performances Majors graduated from the Yale School of Drama, one of the top MFA programs in the country, in 2016. His training and stage background positioned him for serious dramatic roles, and his first major on-screen appearance came in 2017’s Hostiles , starring Christian Bale. From there, his filmography quickly expanded. In 2019, Majors drew widespread attention for his lead role in The Last Black Man in San...
Bobby Brown’s mother had a hand in his publishing deal that is still sending him checks today. Brown is an R&B crooner whose music career began with the boy group New Edition. The group was formed in the Orchard Park Projects of Roxbury, Boston, MA, and originally included Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Brown. Ralph Tresvant and Ronnie DeVoe joined later, notes The Grio. Their claim to fame was participating in a talent show in 1983 where they finished in second place, catching the attention of musician and producer Maurice Starr. The group signed to Starr under a deal with a $500 bonus . “Our royalty check was like $168 but we got $500 to sign and a VCR… We didn’t know anything about it,” Brown acknowledged on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast with Shannon Sharpe . “All we wanted was to perform. All we wanted to do was make enough money to go to the movies, buy candy, date girls. That’s all we thought about. We wasn’t thinking about the longevity.” New Edition then released their debut...
Will Packer knows a thing or two about spotting a good story. With films like “Ride Along,” “Think Like a Man,” and “Stomp the Yard,” he’s turned everyday moments into box-office gold, built characters we root for, and created cultural blueprints that stick. But when the call came offering a confidential shot at owning a piece of an NFL team — no details, no guarantees — this wasn’t a plot twist in a film. This was real life. And it didn’t come with a pitch deck or press release. It came with a non-disclosure agreement and the vaguest of possibilities. “I said, NFL? National Food League?” Packer joked. “Because I know the NFL doesn’t just let people in.” The terms? Mysterious. The team? Unknown. The risk? High. But Packer signed the NDA anyway. That moment — unflashy, uncertain, but undeniably bold — set off a chain of events that would lead him not just into the NFL ownership circle but into a growing movement to rewrite what power and equity look like in professional sports. Fast...
We are giving our flowers to Black leaders who are shaping the future. Established in 2022, the AFROTECH™ Future 50 list will commemorate innovators, visionaries, founders, venture capitalists, technologists, and changemakers in the technology sector who have made historic strides, lifted as they climbed to create a more inclusive future, and are transforming their sectors and communities. AFROTECH™ Future 50 Categories There are five categories for submission. The Dynamic Investors category highlights venture capitalists who have not only driven strong returns but have also championed underrepresented founders in technology. A prime example is Charles Hudson, founder and managing partner of Precursor Ventures, which manages over $175 million in assets and has made more than 413 investments, according to Carta. Next, the Future Makers category will honor Black professionals who have achieved historic firsts, earned industry recognition, launched groundbreaking products, measured...
Swizz Beatz is one of the most influential producers and entrepreneurs in the music industry, known for crafting chart-topping hits while expanding his business empire beyond music. His career spans decades, from producing for top artists like Jay-Z and DMX to co-owning major brands and making strategic investments in art and real estate. With multiple revenue streams, Swizz Beatz has built substantial wealth, but how much is he actually worth today? Let’s explore his music career, business ventures, and financial success before revealing Swizz Beatz’s net worth in 2025. Swizz Beatz’s Rise in the Music Industry Born Kasseem Dean in The Bronx, Swizz Beatz entered the music industry as a teenager in the late 1990s. His uncles founded Ruff Ryders Entertainment, and through their connections, he started producing tracks for DMX, Eve, and The LOX. His breakout came with DMX’s 1998 hit “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” which became a defining moment in hip-hop. As a producer, Swizz Beatz developed a...
Ava DuVernay , Janelle Monáe, Chris Rock, and Cynthia Erivo are among over 400 Hollywood filmmakers, writers, actors, and musicians who signed an open letter urging President Trump’s administration not to roll back copyright protections at the request of AI companies. The creatives penned the letter in response to recent submissions to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), during which Google and OpenAI asserted that U.S. copyright law should permit AI companies to train their systems on copyrighted works without needing permission or compensation from the rights holders, according to Variety. “We firmly believe that America’s global AI leadership must not come at the expense of our essential creative industries,” the letter states. “America’s arts and entertainment industry supports over 2.3 million American jobs with over $229 billion in wages annually while providing the foundation for American democratic influence and soft power abroad. But AI companies are asking...
Researchers have developed algorithms that accurately depict coily Black hair in computer graphics — a historic advancement for Black characters in media. According to The Guardian, AM Darke, an associate professor in the department of performance, play, and design at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Theodore Kim, a professor of computer science at the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, co-authored the study. Despite increased representation and numerous papers published on computer graphics algorithms over the past 50 years — particularly regarding hair — Kim noted that representations of Black hair have remained relatively unchanged. Due to a lack of appropriate formulas, animators have struggled to accurately depict textures like type 4C hair , characterized by tightly coiled curls. “There’s only one or two hairstyles that people gravitate towards because they find that it’s culturally approved,” Kim said. “The vast diversity of type four hair is then...
Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., is a multi-talented artist who has made a significant impact not only in the music and film industries but also in business and philanthropy. With a career spanning over three decades, Common has transcended the typical rapper persona to become an influential figure in Hollywood and the entrepreneurial world. In 2025, his net worth continues to grow due to his diverse ventures and his commitment to social change. So, how much is Common worth in 2025? Let’s explore the trajectory of his career, his business ventures, and his philanthropic efforts, which are integral to his financial success. The Early Years And Breakthrough In Hip-Hop Born and raised in Chicago , Common began his music career in the early ’90s, initially releasing Can I Borrow a Dollar? in 1992. However, it was his critically acclaimed album Resurrection (1994) that introduced his poetic and socially conscious style to the world. Tracks like “I Used to Love H.E.R.” cemented his...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Venture capital has transformed over the last 15 years from a little-known industry to one of the most sought-after fields, thanks to the rise of iconic tech companies and the media spotlight on their stories. Movies, television, and digital media have brought the narratives of this once-obscure sector to screens worldwide. The first major story to captivate global attention was “ The Social Network” in 2010, chronicling Mark Zuckerberg’s journey from founding Facebook (now Meta) in his Harvard dorm room to building one of the world’s largest companies, with a market cap of $1.5 trillion. The allure of startups also made its way to the small screen with the hit HBO series “ Silicon Valley ”. Over six seasons, the show followed Richard Hendricks and his fictional startup , Pied Piper, portraying the highs and lows of launching, scaling, and exiting a startup. Each week, viewers gained insights into...
Chris Paul has shared an exciting update about one of his investments. According to its LinkedIn page, the former NBA star is an investor in PlayersTV, the first athlete-owned media network and content provider. As previously reported by AFROTECH™ , the network was launched in 2020 by Deron Guidrey and Collin Castellaw. PlayersTV offers athletes the opportunity to hold a stake in the company, with many also owning production companies. Notable athlete investors include Travis Kelce, Dwyane Wade, and Damian Lillard. “Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Damian Lillard are just a few of the 50+ athletes on PlayersTV’s roster. All of our athletes each have their own production companies and unique content they want to share with their fans,” Guidrey previously told AFROTECH™. “PlayersTV unlocks this opportunity and enables them to share their content in an authentic and meaningful way . By partnering with PlayersTV, these athletes are able to connect with their fans on a larger scale through...