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Last week, Black Restaurant Week — the annual nationwide culinary movement that celebrates African, African-American and Caribbean cuisine — proudly announced the launch of the Feed The Soul Foundation , a new non-profit designed to help support marginalized entrepreneurs in the culinary industry. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feed The Soul Foundation (@feedthesoulfoundation) According to a press release , the organization will assist culinary entrepreneurs with their business development plans by offering resources and mentorship support to foster sustainable business growth. Additionally, the Feed The Soul Foundation will create a Restaurant Business Development Fund, designed to boost marginalized businesses by providing workforce training, business development training and consultation services, and increased access to programming, funding, and technology. With help from Maker’s Mark® and other community partners across the country, the goal for the Feed the Soul...
Racism in sports has a long history of silencing, white privilege, and racist tactics used to oppress Black people who strive to dismantle the crooked systems built to discourage our efforts in speaking out. As seen with Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protests and Milwaukee Buck’s recent strike, sports and reality do not exist in separate worlds and players are looking for the support they need to exercise their legal rights as Black Americans. In an effort to create safe spaces for Black individuals in sports, a newly-established non-profit organization called Advancement of Blacks in Sports, Inc. has been founded to advocate for racial, social, and economic justice for Black people in sports. View this post on Instagram A post shared by We Are ABIS (@weareabis) According to a press release , founder Gary Charles has leveraged his relationships with high-profile figures such as civil rights attorney Ben Crump, former NBA player Tracy McGrady, Chuck D. of Public Enemy, and many more to...
For many small and Black-owned businesses, COVID-19 has presented an uphill battle of maintaining and surviving the fragile economy. Additionally, some businesses have also suffered as a result of the uprisings and civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. While some business owners have made individual efforts to rebuild, CEOs Alexis Akarolo and Zelnnetta Clark teamed up to create Rebuild the Block , which works to give small Black-owned businesses a helping hand to get back on their feet. What started as a GoFundMe page blossomed into a full-blown organization determined to rebuild businesses in the Black community so they can continue to prosper. Credit: Alexis Akarolo Co-founder Akarolo — creative director for clothing brand, Lovello Elizabeth , and graduate student at Penn State — described the initiative as “divine intervention” in the way that it came together. A personal passion project of hers turned into a joint venture with her former college roommate, Clark — a...
Last month, Myspace confirmed it had accidentally deleted 12 years worth of users’ music, along with photos, videos, and other audio files. Now, it seems the Internet Archive may be able to help some people recover what they’ve lost. The Internet Archive is a non-profit library of books, movies, software, music, and more. On Wednesday, The Internet Archive’s Jason Scott announced the Myspace Music Dragon Hoard. According to Scott, the collection contains 450,000 songs from 2008-2010 on Myspace, “gathered before they were all ‘deleted’ by mistake.” Myspace reported it had lost data uploaded between 2003 and 2015, but the Myspace Music Dragon Hoard doesn’t expand to all of those years. Still, for those who used Myspace as a window into early music by their favorite artists, it’s good news. ANNOUNCING THE MYSPACE MUSIC DRAGON HOARD, a 450,000 song collection of mp3s from 2008-2010 on MySpace, gathered before they were all "deleted" by mistake. https://t.co/oIunuHF7wc includes a link to...
Nonprofit 826 Boston is willing to lose significant funding from the federal government to uphold DEI. The Massachusetts-based organization, which offers writing, tutoring, and publishing services for educational purposes, will no longer seek federal funding . In a letter, it confirmed that the decision follows the Trump administration’s directive for agencies to dismantle DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs if receiving federal grant and contracts. Standing on its mission to support students and reflect the diversity of its community, the nonprofit will withdraw its application to receive a $250,000 federal grant for the 2025–2026 AmeriCorps program year. The organization made this decision in order to uphold DEI in its hiring practices, according to CBS News. “826 Boston’s six Writers’ Rooms in Boston Public Schools are staffed with one full time Writers’ Room Manager and two AmeriCorps service members,” Executive Director Corey Yarbrough stated in a letter, per the...
Being a founder is not an easy journey. James Oliver who is currently behind Kabila, a company connecting underserved founders to co-founders, capital, and community, had his fair share of challenges prior to the venture. In fact, his first startup, WeMontage, failed while he was also navigating the early days of fatherhood — his twin children were born prematurely at just two pounds each via an emergency C-section. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, some of his difficulties were launching his company as a non-technical founder creating software. Two days after his children’s births, he had to attend an accelerator, led by gener8tor, which was a two-hour drive from where he lived in northeast Wisconsin. Ahead of a presentation on demo day, Oliver was greeted by an angel investor group, and they were willing to invest $250,000. “I dropped to my knees and thanked God because everything I was going through at that time was really hard. So that was my introduction to being a parent and...
Meta is being sued for allegedly directly contributing to education inequities in Black communities. A lawsuit filed by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP on behalf of the Equal Rights Center (ERC) cites that Meta’s algorithm has shown bias by directing ads for for-profit colleges and universities to Black communities. In contrast, more ads featuring public and nonprofit colleges and universities were shown to white users. “Relegating Black students to receive information about for-profit schools, which often provide lower quality education at greater financial cost, also sends a negative message about who belongs in which types of institutions,” a statement from an email sent to AFROTECH™ by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights read. The difference between the two types of institutions is that for-profit colleges focus on generating profits...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The tech industry has been experiencing a wave of layoffs, with many companies citing economic uncertainty and restructuring as the reasons. However, this trend has disproportionately affected Black tech professionals, who are already underrepresented in the industry. According to a report by Layoffs.fyi, Black employees are 1.5 times more likely to be laid off than their white counterparts.. In this article, we’ll explore the challenges faced by Black tech professionals in the current job market and provide guidance on how to stay resourceful and adaptable in the ever-changing tech landscape. The Rise of Layoffs for Black Tech Professionals The recent layoffs have been particularly devastating for Black tech professionals, who have worked hard to break into the industry. Some of the most notable layoffs include: Twitter’s layoffs, which affected 25% of its Black employees. Meta’s layoffs, which...
Job interviews are some of the most important steps a person will take in their career. Making a good impression and ensuring you align with the company while sticking out from other candidates is what can help you secure the position . A great way to prepare for an interview is by becoming familiar with how you would answer these common interview questions. There is an endless amount of questions that could potentially be asked during an interview, especially across various fields . For that reason, preparing solid answers for a handful of questions is most effective. Here are some common interview questions as well as best approaches for answering them and example answers. Your response does not have to sound exactly like these examples given. It is actually better to memorize key points to highlight during the interview rather than memorizing your entire answer and sounding as though you are reading from a script. 18 Common Interview Questions Tell me about yourself. Why do you...
There is very little that’s as encouraging as family and friends’ support, and Keisha Caine Bishop has been a shining example regarding her son Noah Lyles during the 2024 Paris Olympics. While Lyles may be at the center of many of the conversations, Bishop was a decorated athlete in her own right. Lyles’ parents, Kevin Lyles and Bishop, met at Seton Hall University during the 1990s. According to People, both were accomplished track and field athletes in college. As a student, Bishop studied political science and Spanish. Keisha Caine Bishop’s Track Record According to her 2018 Hall of Fame induction bio, Bishop was a standout athlete for the Seton Hall Pirates, earning All-American honors nine times. She contributed to two NCAA national titles as a member of the 4×400 relay teams and played a key role in winning the 4×400 relay at the 1994 Championship of America at the Penn Relays – University of Pennsylvania. Bishop was also part of two BIG EAST Championship-winning teams and was...
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology contains so many different levels and nuances, and licensed attorney Jarell Oshodi implores people to consider how it affects us daily. Generative AI impacts many people, but its effects on the Black community in recent years have sparked concerns. In January 2024, as AFROTECH™ previously reported, “a complaint was filed against Rite Aid for using artificial intelligence-based software in hundreds of its stores to identify people that they believed were ‘deemed likely to engage in shoplifting or other criminal behavior.'” At the time, it was said that the chain had “unfairly targeted people of color.” “I want to ensure that advancements in AI don’t perpetuate biases or create new forms of discrimination,” Oshodi told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. “It’s important to have inclusive policies that safeguard the privacy rights of all individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups.” Buy your AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 ticket now. As a...
History has been made by Sheila Jackson and Natasha McCrea. They are reportedly the first Black women entrepreneurs to own a whiskey brand in the state of California. The founders’ vision stemmed from a 2020 conversation held over dinner when they bonded through a shared interest in whiskey. It was then that they came to an understanding they could make their mark in the industry by entering into business together. “…Many women love whiskey but we are never included in the conversation,” McCrea said during an interview with Canvas Rebel. “We talked about how whiskey sales were on the rise and how we had both thought about starting a whiskey brand. In that moment we decided we should be the women who disrupt an entire industry.” In 2022, Jackson McCrea was launched. Both founders bring together past career experiences in separate fields. Jackson helms a production company uplifting Black woman and leads “The Good CEO” podcast, speaking with “bold, unapologetic CEOs.” “My entire...
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...
Floyd Mayweather Jr. , widely acclaimed as one of boxing’s most legendary figures, has enjoyed immense success inside the ring and built a substantial fortune. His strategic endeavors have solidified his status as a cultural icon, captivating both fans and investors. Based on recent evaluations up until 2023, Mayweather’s estimated net worth currently stands at $1.2 billion. Predicting his financial standing for 2024 is difficult due to the inherent volatility of investments and the multifaceted nature of his business ventures. Nevertheless, considering his track record, it’s foreseeable that Mayweather’s net worth could reach a whopping $1.5 billion by 2024. Mayweather’s Career Success Mayweather’s career in boxing is marked by a series of historic moments that solidified his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Beginning his professional journey after winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics , Mayweather quickly rose through the ranks. In 2007, he faced off against...
In the fast-paced world of technology, where innovation is a driving force for change, ServiceNow emerges as a beacon of leadership. Vanessa Smith, President of ServiceNow.org, shares her insights into her journey and the organization’s commitment to making a positive impact on nonprofit organizations, the transformative power of technology, the role of digital experience, and the importance of inclusivity in the tech industry. A Change Catalyst: Vanessa Smith’s Tech Odyssey Smith’s journey with ServiceNow began in September 2020, a time marked by the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was drawn to ServiceNow by three key elements: the readiness for change, the remarkable capabilities of the NOW platform , and the chance to work again with influential tech leader Bill McDermott . With over 25-years of experience in tech and a family deeply rooted in the industry, Smith’s unique perspective and passion for social impact fuel her role as President of ServiceNow.org . Smith’s family...