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When Black women link up, the magic happens. And Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell are proof. The best friend duo debuted their “Okay, Now Listen” podcast on Netflix’s Strong Black Lead in 2020, delivering raw conversations ranging from dealing with the stages of heartbreak to bouncing back from career failures. Plus, guests included the likes of Zendaya, Nia Long, Damson Idris, and more.
Issa Rae said it was her “me season.” In yet another deal that serves the Black creative community, Issa Rae proves that it’s her winning season even with the series ending of the beloved “Insecure.” In a press release provided to AfroTech, the creator’s company Raedio has announced that it has closed in on a worldwide multi-project development deal with Audible.
Issa Rae is always helping creatives get in their bag. According to Billboard, with the help of Google, artists can be on standby for t he Raedio Creators Program. The new emerging artist program aims to ensure u nderrepresented independent artists receive the support they need to thrive within the entertainment space. Issa Rae’s “audio everywhere company” — launched in 2019 — has helped four artists break through and find their voice. Yung Baby Tate and TeaMarrr are two Black female artists who have reaped the benefits of Issa Rae’s music platform. Through the partnership with Google, the intended goal is to increase representation for women of color in the music industry. “This partnership is perfectly aligned with my mission in helping open doors and provide opportunities for women to succeed and flourish in their craft,” Issa Rae told Billboard. “I can’t wait to see the impact this program and partnership has on the selectees and the music that is created as a result.”
This week, Issa Rae’s audio-everywhere company Raedio announced that it has joined forces with award-winning podcast duo, The Read, to bring a historic, first-of-its-kind record deal to life for an upcoming original comedy album. Shadow and Act confirmed the news with the company, which revealed plans to release the new full-length project — executive produced by Raedio president Benoni Tagoe, Rae, The Read’s (Kid Fury and Crissle) and talent manager Alexandra Rago — featuring both commentary on historic pop culture moments from The Read along with original music from today’s most prolific artists. For nearly a decade, entertainment and podcast personalities Kid Fury and Crissle, formally and jointly known as The Read, have amassed a huge following of listeners and supporters through their unfiltered opinions that have taken the industry by storm. As one of the more prominent players amid the podcast era, The Read has made a huge impact in the way that audiences consume and resonate...
Issa Rae has expanded her business empire with yet another venture that caters to creatives. Business Insider reports that the media mogul has launched Ensemble, a company that works to connect brands with Black and brown creators. Moreover, the ultimate mission is to be a part of closing the creator pay gap between creators of color and their white counterparts. Funded by Rae, the company is already working with 50 creators such as comedian Mark Phillips, who is co-founder of the popular social media collective RDCWorld. What’s more, several major brands have joined Ensemble’s roster, such as Pepsi, Chili’s, and Popeyes. “We want Ensemble to be seen as a general market company,” said Montrel McKay, president of development and production at Hoorae Media , Rae’s media and entertainment company. “We want to go after media budgets. We don’t want to go after small allocations that are for diversity buys. That’s why it’s important to work with Pepsi out of the gate — we want to show the...
For over a decade, Stephen A. Smith has been recognized as one of the faces of ESPN. Before becoming a host on “First Take,” the veteran sports broadcaster hosted “The Stephen A. Smith Show” on ESPN Radio from 2005 to 2008, per ESPN Press Room. By 2011, Smith returned to host a weekday local show on ESPN Radio 98.7FM in New York, NY, and a local show on ESPN LA 710AM in Los Angeles, CA. In an interview with “Earn Your Leisure” podcast, Smith recounted being fired from ESPN in 2009. He explained that the reason for his departure was that his contract at the time did not align with what he believed he should earn. “I thought that I deserved more than they offered,” Smith shared on “Earn Your Leisure. “I was appalled at the offer they made me. I did not like it. I did not appreciate it. I felt disrespected. And I said ‘No.’” Smith admitted that his disapproval with the offer he received was based on the acclaim and accolades that were pouring in for him. However, he says when he...
Whether you were born in the 1990s or simply a fan of that era, the sitcom “Martin” was more than just a show. It was a part of your reality, a nostalgic journey that still resonates today. This unique blend of humor and relatability left an indelible mark on ’90s pop culture that people can still feel and cherish. For the years 1992-1997, the 30-minute comedy series “Martin” aired over 130 episodes, bringing viewers countless laughs and unforgettable moments. The show’s magic was not just about the individual performances but about the camaraderie and chemistry of the cast. Martin Lawrence played the character Martin Payne with Tisha Campbell (Gina Waters-Payne), Thomas Mikal Ford (Tommy Strawn), Tichina Arnold (Pamela James), and Carl Anthony Payne II (Cole Brown) playing their iconic roles — each one of them was instrumental in the show’s success, creating a bond that was as solid off-screen as it was on-screen. Week after week, the cast of “Martin” delivered unforgettable...
It is safe to assume that you must live under a rock if you haven’t heard about AFROTECH Conference ’23. AFROTECH Conference isn’t holding back on anything with this year’s conference. As always, the event will be power-packed with information and opportunities to allow each ticket holder to grow and develop beyond their imagination. This year’s speaker lineup is out of this world too, with industry experts and influencers such as Grammarly’s Chris Locklin, Google’s Adrienne Lofton, venture capitalist Ashley DeWalt, and Sylvia Obell of “The Scottie & Sylvia Show.” This fire speakers’ list is guaranteed to leave people inspired with gems and tools to take their careers and business ideas to the next level. But don’t get it twisted. AFROTECH Conference isn’t just about work. The conference is curated in a way that amplifies the “work hard, play hard” motto in all of the best ways. AFROTECH Music is bringing social vibes with performances from major artists including Rick Ross and...
Now more than ever, creatives need resources to help propel themselves to the next level. To do that, Steve Stoute’s UnitedMasters headed to Brooklyn, NY on May 5, 2022, to build a better future for creators at the fourth annual SelectCon. Programming throughout the afternoon included DJ Drama, Coodie, Hit-Boy, and Jim Jones to help emerging artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs prepare for the future. There was even a fireside chat with Stoute and Issa Rae that was fitting for a grand finale in the evening. Before a DJ line-up featuring DJ Drama, Angel + Dren, and more invaded, though, Issa Rae talked the music industry, what’s next, and more. Check it out below.
There’s no question that Martin Lawrence is a comedy legend. Whether you first came to know him through his legendary stand-up routines, his legendary television show “Martin,” or his starring roles in the “Bad Boys” franchise (opposite Will Smith), Martin Lawrence has been entertaining you for generations. No less of an authority than Steve Harvey has acknowledged the role that Lawrence has played in today’s modern comedy world. “If nothing else, Martin’s career is a blueprint for young comedians to try and replicate,” steveharvey.com wrote. “Today, we see Charlie in ‘Black-ish’ (Dion Cole) or Thug Yoda on ‘Insecure’ (Tristen Winger) carry on the tradition that Lawrence helped build with ‘Martin.’ Whether young comedians are writing for themselves or writing for others, this basic principle of developing memorable characters is the key to becoming the success that Lawrence has become all these years later.” And Martin Lawrence has been well rewarded for this influence. According to...
After having created a successful music career for himself over the course of three decades, Method Man has partnered with a new platform to help independent artists carve out their own lane. According to a press release shared with AfroTech, the Hip-Hop vet has joined entertainment technology company Intercept Music to debut its worldwide digital distribution platform. View this post on Instagram A post shared by STREETLIFEWU (@streetlifewu) The new launch is designed to “underscore the value and importance of artistic emancipation in today’s creator economy.” “I am so honored to be a part of these revolutionary times as independence take center stage,” Ralph Tashjian, Chairman, Intercept Music said, according to Music Business Worldwide. “Our goal at Intercept Music is to give voice to emerging and established artists and labels by providing the tools they need to succeed. Forging a powerful partnership with Method Man, Intercept underscores the value and promise of artistic...
Funding for Black women is a sight we always love to see. The Black Future Co-op Fund is set to award $1.05 million in grants — titled “We See You” — to 21 Black women-led organizations, according to The Seattle Medium. The grand gesture is one that is “for Black women, by Black women” as the funding’s goal is to directly provide resources and support for the underrepresented group who have invested in the Black community. “Black women have long been at the forefront of our collective liberation — strategizing, organizing, leading, and caring for our communities,” says Fund architect and State Senator T’wina Nobles. “With these grants, the Black Future Co-op Fund recognizes Black women who are champions and vital shapers of Black self-determination.”
Seeing a Black woman break into the tech industry is always an accomplishment to celebrate, but what makes the win even more major is how they lift up others along with them. In the age of social media, the underrepresented group is not only sharing their experiences in their fields but also using their platforms to create a domino effect of Black talent going from sending in their resumes to signing job offer letters. Here are 10 Black women tech influencers who are working with big names like Google, Meta, and Microsoft that are teaching the ins and outs of the industry to help bring more of the community on board.