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Remaining a student has led Carmelo Anthony into various industries. The former NBA player, who retired in 2023 and is a first-ballot Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, reflects on his evolution from the 19-year-old drafted in 2003 to a businessman who is now a serial investor and founder in the wine and cannabis sectors. One of Anthony’s biggest takeaways: He is no longer operating in fear. “A top lesson that I’ve learned was ‘stop being afraid,'” he recalled in an interview with AFROTECH™. “ A lot of times when you’re younger and you in these powerful roles and there’s people who are making decisions and there are people writing checks, it’s like ‘You too young to understand it,’ until you grow and until you get older, you go through it and you understand what you truly want to do.” He continued, “At 19, 20, 21, I didn’t have any type of sense of business. I knew street business, I knew street knowledge. I have foundational ethics and morals that could carry over from the streets...
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...
Flowing with Blessings Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Atlanta’s homeless population, has teamed up with industrial design students from Georgia Tech to develop an innovative Mobile Laundry Bus, according to the university’s News Center. Founded by Nicky Crawford in February 2022, Flowing with Blessings provides essential services such as showers and clean clothing for those in need. Georgia Tech reported that Crawford’s commitment to alleviating the daily struggles of those they serve — by helping individuals preserve their cherished belongings and maintain personal hygiene without the stigma often associated with homelessness — inspired the creation of the mobile laundry bus. Crawford bought a school bus to convert it into a mobile laundry service, going to Georgia Tech for help with the process. The initiative, led by Steve Chininis, professor of practice at the School of Industrial Design, involved students Zaria Hardnett, David Hounyo, Lily Liang, Claudia Ross, and...
Investing in a profitable franchise is an attractive way to start a business with a well-established brand, proven business model, and ongoing support. High-profit franchises allow owners to maximize their returns while leveraging a recognized name and customer base. Here’s a look at some of the most profitable franchise opportunities in various sectors, what they offer, and why they are among the best choices for those looking to start a successful franchise. Fast-Food And Quick-Service Franchises Fast-food and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are consistently profitable, especially those with large brand recognition and wide customer appeal. For example, McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A are considered some of the highest-grossing franchises in the food industry. These franchises benefit from high consumer demand, streamlined service models, and generally strong brand loyalty. Although upfront costs can be substantial, particularly for McDonald’s, with the average franchisee bringing in...
David “Slim” Penn Jr. has opened a cannabis shop in Pasco, WA. Penn’s journey into entrepreneurship began as a child, according to the Tri-City Herald. He would mow his neighbors’ yards and had a paper route. “I remember those 20-pound papers,” he told the outlet, embellishing the weight of newspapers in the past when they were larger and heavier. Today, that business mindset has carried over into the cannabis space. Penn is now a franchisee of Lucky Leaf Co., which is owned by his friend David Morgan, who has stores in Spokane, WA, and Pasco. Penn had previously backed Morgan when he was looking to challenge the city to allow for legal cannabis sales to adults back in 2022. The following year, a council approved removal of the ban and permitted the legal sale of cannabis, paving the way for three storefronts including Lucky Leaf Co. Now, Penn will operate his own store alongside his partner Jamie Badden, who serves as the manager of the store. To get the shop up and running, they...
CocoLife has been awarded a $100,000 grant from CVS Health to improve Black maternal health outcomes. CocoLife — a nonprofit founded by Alexia Omega Doumbouya in July 2019 — offers support through maternal health groups, one-on-one doula visits, and 24/7 doula assistance for mothers until they are 12 weeks postpartum, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. The need to support women in maternal health was inspired by a lived experience. According to The Philadelphia Citizen, Doumbouya had difficulties following the birth of her daughter in 2011, leading her to experience severe postpartum depression, psychosis, and anxiety. “I had this baby, and six weeks later I was expected to go back to work. And I just kept thinking How am I supposed to do this,” she explained, per the outlet. As time went on, she recognized other women had also faced challenges in their pregnancy journeys. This prompted her to become a trained certified doula prior to kickstarting CocoLife, which began...
If you’re a fitness nut, you’re likely already aware of the El Segundo, California-based multi-level marketing company Beachbody. The company, which operates a number of affiliate entities including Shakeology and Beachbar supplements, as well as Beachbody On Demand and MYXfitness live-coaching has recently announced a major shift in their business model. The company’s new approach sees them moving full-steam ahead towards profitable growth , as they eschew their MLM framework for a more streamlined single-level affiliate program, in a bid to appeal directly to their highest-spending consumers. Essentially, this cuts out the middle man, and allows those interested in taking video courses or purchasing supplements to meet their corporate supplier right at the source. Given that the company is projected to experience exponential growth with their new streamlined approach, it only makes sense to examine Beachbody’s history, current net worth, and plan for the future. This should give...
For anyone who gets frustrated with their partner’s gaming habits, Tee Grizzley may have some news to change your mind. During an appearance on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast , the rapper and gamer pro shared that he has “made millions” from simply playing video games. “The way to make money, you gotta know how to repurpose things,” Tee Grizzley explained, detailing how he generates income through Twitch. “Boom, you got subscribers, you got ads, you got people that can donate to you — and the sky’s the limit with all that stuff.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by VSG Entertainment (@vsgent) He continued, “With your videos saved, so you can take those videos [and] you can make content out of them on your TikTok, your Instagram, YouTube. You can [even] get a bag off Snapchat.” This isn’t the first time Grizzley has highlighted his lucrative gaming ventures. As AFROTECH™ reported, in a 2022 interview with the “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game” podcast, Grizzley shared that...
Juicy J says he has consistent revenue coming in from music sampling. The artist was a part of Hip-Hop group Three 6 Mafia, which formed in the early ’90s. BlackPast reports the original group members included Paul Duane “DJ Paul” Beauregard, Jordan Michael “Juicy J” Houston III, Lola Chantrelle “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell, Darnell “Crunchy Black” Carlton, Ricky “Lord Infamous” Dunigan, and Robert Cooper “Koopsta Knicca” Phillips. The group paved their way first in Memphis, TN, before they found success across the country in the later ’90s, ultimately selling millions of albums, mentions Genius. Among their records includes “Stay Fly,” “Doe Boy Fresh,” “Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body),” “Who Run It,” and “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006 for its feature in the film “Hustle & Flow.” Before making an imprint for innovating the Hip Hop space, it had not dawned on Juicy J to consider the business side in addition to the art form. “I...
Jaylen Brown and Jason Kidd have a heart for the Oakland community. Each has ties to the city, which also catalyzes their bond. NBA Hall of Famer Kidd’s hometown is Oakland, CA, while Boston Celtics player Brown attended the University of California, Berkeley, and his college roommate was from Oakland, CA. “Oakland is like the second home to me. I went to Berkeley. Jason also went to Berkeley. Jason is one of my mentors,” Brown told AFROTECH™. “One of my roommates when I was in college was from Oakland. So I spent a lot of time in Oakland,” Giving Back To Their Communities While Brown and Kidd are connected through their ties to Oakland and their prominence in the world of basketball, they also share a passion for investing back into their communities. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Kidd showcased this when he participated in a $2.6 million raise to become co-owner of Oakland, CA-based soccer teams Oakland Roots SC (men’s) and Oakland Soul SC (women’s ) in 2023. “I grew up...
Beyoncé generated significant gains for a major technology company. The release of “Cowboy Carter” led to a boost for Sony. The album was released on March 29, 2024, in partnership with Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. The album featured 27 songs, including “Blackbiird,” “16 Carriages,” “Jolene,” and “Levii’s Jeans.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) As a Houston, TX native, Beyoncé reflected on the album’s creation in an Instagram post, writing,” This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical...
Boston Celtics player and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown is honoring his commitment to creating wealth for underrepresented communities. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Brown announced his plans to bring Black Wall Street to Boston, MA, after he signed a five-year supermax contract extension valued at $304 million in July 2023. Boston XChange One year later, Brown announced a new venture spawned from that desire — Boston XChange (BXC). According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, Boston XChange is a nonprofit that aims to create $5 billion in new wealth for underrepresented communities through investments and partnerships that could lead to coaching from seasoned individuals, resources, and workplaces for creators. “True systemic change requires collaboration, shared vision, and collective impact,” Brown said in the press release. “By working with community partners, thought leaders, and cultural influencers, we can create a powerful network of support and innovation....
Dr. Tiara Moore has created a community for Black marine scientists. She was born in Philadelphia, PA, and at 18 months, she and her grandmother moved to South Carolina after her mother was sent to spend time behind bars. “She moved us to get us basically out of harm’s way,” Dr. Moore explained to AFROTECH™. Dr. Moore grew up with her grandmother’s children in a modest household. She spent some of her days reading various books, nurturing her interest in education. She also credits “The Cosby Show” with inspiring her to become a doctor. Interest In Marine Biology And Environmental Science Dr. Moore attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, on a full-ride scholarship and majored in biology with the goal of becoming a pre-med student. However, the reality of being a doctor working in a standard practice settled in, and she decided to pivot to marine and environmental science. “I realized, probably not even a year or two in, that I didn’t like it at all. I didn’t really like the...
Two Black women are entering into business to help other Black- and woman-owned businesses thrive. Aya House According to Crain’s Detroit Business, Nina Love and Tequion Brookins are opening Aya House, a 3,000-square-foot co-working space that will be a home to other businesses. The founders also will donate a portion of monthly proceeds to a nonprofit. The space will be located at 2055 Gratiot Ave in the Eastern Market area of Detroit, MI, and open towards the end of August. The founders are fueling the venture with their background knowledge as well as their respective experience in hospitality (Love’s The Love Experience) and event production (Brookins’ Tequion Brookins LLC). It will also be supported through a $130,000 investment from the founders in addition to a $40,000 cash grant from Motor City Match. As for what customers can expect, there will be monthly and annual memberships available. Additionally, private events can be held at the location for a rate of $300 per hour,...
The Smart Tech Health Hub will be making its way to Miami, FL. According to a news release provided to AFROTECH™, $4 million has been awarded to the S.E.E.K. (Seeking Education Empowers Knowledge) Foundation Inc., a nonprofit launched by Anike Sakariyawo, in order to make that possible. The foundation, which focuses on STEM education, community involvement, and health and wellness for children ages 3 to 18 plans to open the four-story building in Opa-Locka, a suburb of Miami. This will facilitate access for residents, children, and their families to STEAM education, workforce re-entry programs, and broadband service, dismantling existing entry obstacles. The hub will also provided basic essential health services. Its presence is being described as “the first of its kind in the city” as there has not been a technical facility in the area nor a high school. “The partnership with the Miami Foundation’s Digital Equity Collective program has been pivotal in advancing this initiative,”...