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Amid the explosion of engaging, entertaining videos on social media during quarantine, Instagram introduced a new visual feature to its platform to rival its competitor, TikTok. Now it’s proving to be a fruitful asset to Black-owned businesses who have set up shop on the app. With many people sheltered-in-place, online shopping saw a huge uptick in traffic prompting many shop owners to turn their attention toward their online stories and digital platforms to incorporate shopping-friendly features in their content. Back in November of last year, Instagram launched its Reels and Shop tabs — both efficient and fun ways for brand owners and entrepreneurs all over the world to connect with consumers — in an effort to accommodate this booming era of e-commerce. Photo Credit: Instagram The way these new features work for businesses on the app provides a better shopping experience for consumers looking to discover new items and brands. Users are able to see a Reel with tagged products,...
Everyone loves a good story about a career “come-up,” and Shou Zi Chew has one that includes an unexpected stop: a brief internship at Meta (then called Facebook). While most know Chew as the CEO of TikTok, his career path holds some interesting twists that shaped the leader he is today. According to Fortune magazine, Chew spent a short stint at Meta in 2009 while at Harvard Business School. This was during a time of rapid growth for the company under founder Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership. For Chew, the experience offered a firsthand look at the challenges of scaling a tech platform globally. Immersed in the fast-paced environment, he gained valuable insights that would later influence his leadership approach. From Meta Intern To TikTok CEO Chew’s time at Meta may have been short, but it was an important stepping stone in his career. After completing his MBA at Harvard Business School, he went on to work at Goldman Sachs and later DST Global, where he contributed to securing...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Last week, the Chinese social app RedNote grew in popularity as a potential TikTok replacement . As TikTok users waited for the Supreme Court to rule on the ban, they quickly migrated to the platform. The app became number one in the Apple App Store, with thousands of American users joining. Users have mistakenly referred to RedNote as the Chinese version of TikTok, but the platform is more akin to Instagram. RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu in China, launched in 2013 as a shopping platform. Like many apps, it serves as a default search engine for content on makeup, fashion, travel, and lifestyle tips. Users can post photos and videos in a similar fashion to Instagram Reels and TikTok. The migration from TikTok to RedNote has become a protest statement in the wake of the U.S. government’s ban on TikTok. Initially, calls to ban the app began with President Donald Trump in 2020 before being passed...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. TikTok may go dark in the United States. As a former TikTok employee, the way the ban will work here in the United States will be different than the one in India in 2020. The first difference is the politics surrounding why the bans are happening in the two countries in the first place. In India, the ban was less about TikTok and more so about the strained relationship between India and China. The root of their strain comes from the dispute that China and India have related to who owns Aksai Chin, which India claims to be part of its Ladakh region. China has claimed the land since 1962 and the Sino-Indian War. Due to the longstanding tensions between the two countries since, India opted to use economic tools against China, which in this case meant banning Chinese companies from doing business in India. When TikTok was banned from India so were WeChat, Alibaba, and Xiaomi. In the United States,...
There is still optimism surrounding the future of creators amid the looming TikTok ban. This sentiment is felt by Eddie Rizzo, who serves as the VP of marketing at WORTHI, a full-service cultural connections agency on a mission to grow brands and build IP all while amplifying people of color. In 2024, Rizzo managed nearly $1 million in creator partnerships primarily on TikTok for BIPOC creators and clients such as Paramount+, Max, Google, GoFundMe, Amazon, and more. “My mission as the VP of Marketing at WORTHI is to grow and develop the best of the best team of predominantly BIPOC and LGBTQ+ strategists and creatives to deliver impactful work for our clients that’s intrinsically culture-forward from the inside out because we live and breathe culture,” he told AFROTECH™ in an interview. “This aligns with our company’s overall vision of unlocking the business value and cultural impact of historically underestimated communities.” Looking to the current landscape, Rizzo acknowledges the...
As the U.S. government inches closer to banning TikTok, its millions of American users are left with pressing questions: Will the app still work? What happens to creators and businesses that rely on it? And what’s the truth behind those rumors about Elon Musk buying the platform? Let’s break down what this potential ban means for TikTok users — and what steps they can take to prepare. Will TikTok Still Work After The Ban? If no one intervenes and the ban goes into effect, TikTok will be removed from app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store. While current users may still have access to the app, CBS News reports that one likelihood is that they won’t receive updates, which will likely lead to significant performance issues over time. Without updates, key features like bug fixes, video uploads, editing tools, and personalized content recommendations may falter. There’s also the possibility that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) could block TikTok’s servers entirely, making...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Remember when teachers used to warn us not to let one bad apple spoil the bunch? Now, amplify that idea by millions. Imagine the impact of that spoiled apple hitting some groups harder than others. That’s exactly what Black creators face with the looming TikTok in the United States. Like most things in the United States, when things go south, they disproportionately impact the Black community. And with Black creators having a history of overcoming barrier after barrier to have their content seen and valued, the removal of a major social platform will be catastrophic for some. TikTok: A Stage For The Unseen For Black creators, TikTok has been a platform that provided opportunities for visibility and reach that many creators couldn’t find elsewhere. It’s where viral dances, cultural commentary, and grassroots movements can exist side by side. It’s where creators like Khaby Lame, who broke barriers...
Who ever thought the end of AFROTECH™ 2024 would evoke the feels of Boyz II Men’s classic “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday?” And now that AFROTECH™ has wrapped up, those lyrics hit differently as we say farewell to an unforgettable week. Houston, TX, welcomed 37,500 industry leaders for four days of groundbreaking discussions and networking. The city was buzzing with Black excellence — from entrepreneurs and tech innovators to corporate powerhouses, all owning their futures and reveling in the experience. Every day, attendees dived into immersive sessions that were as empowering as they were culturally on point. With a lineup of standout speakers — like Bun B, Tobe Nwigwe, will.i.am, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins, Kendrick Sampson, Angelica Ross, and Rashad Robinson — AFROTECH™ made sure every moment was full of inspiration. AFROTECH™ Conference also showcased groundbreaking initiatives and discussions aimed at driving innovation, equity, and community empowerment. Angel...
Whether you’re using WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family across oceans and time zones, or finding all types of entertainment and inspiration on Reels, chances are Meta touches your life on a daily basis. Many of us have had a front row seat to the evolution of this brand, from the days when your Facebook page had to be linked to a college email address, to the futuristic capabilities of the new Meta Quest 3 VR headset. Behind the tech giant that has come to permeate our lives are diverse tech creatives who have built an amazing ecosystem that equally pulls from their similarities and their differences. We recently caught up with Cyriel Dikoume, an Engineering Manager at the company, to find out more about what it’s like to be part of the team responsible for the wide range of innovation that has happened at Meta in even just the last two years. “It’s kind of like our apps: connecting people is what we do best,” Dikoume told AfroTech. “The essence of connection and...
AFROTECH season is here, and this year’s lineup is one for the record books. With speakers like Issa Rae, Timbaland, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, ticket holders will leave with tons of gems to propel their futures. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) But what good would it be, to have powerhouse speakers like those, events that amplify the culture, and hundreds of opportunities for networking if you did not take advantage of it all? Coming to AFROTECH Conference means having a plan of attack to prevent you from being overwhelmed. The conference hosts didn’t coordinate the schedule for you to be in over your head. This year’s conference is designed for you to level up and make the most out of each day you are present. Each year, attendees leave empowered, filling social media with reels and photos that detail how they left no stone unturned. Here are a few tips that can help you make this year’s experience one you’ll be talking about for years...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the writer’s own and not those of AfroTech. Five years ago, I started my business, Beaux & Paws, making bow ties, which are in my personal opinion – the perfect complement to any formal outfit. When I launched the business, I knew I wanted to do more than just sell a product. I wanted to make a difference. My idea sparked when I saw all of the displaced pets following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey. Some of these animals were understandably not looking their best given what they’d been through. And while we know we shouldn’t, many of us judge books by their covers. I’ve always gotten compliments on how I present myself — my signature bow tie and dapper look is even how I got the nickname “Sir Darius.” That’s when I had the thought: what if, by wearing my bow ties, these dogs could find their “furever” homes faster? After all, who can resist a puppy in a bow tie!? I started by donating some bow ties to the ASPCA in New York City. Soon, I...
The shift in accessibility and popularity of remote work has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with more people working from home, greater flexibility with tasks and projects is presumed. For some, this flexibility has been a Godsend. And we see this through popular memes, Reels, and TikTok videos that explore the various types of multitasking from people who have fully embraced the remote-work culture. But what if you didn’t have to figure out how to make that box braid appointment and your team meeting scheduled at the same time work? What if you could be in multiple places simultaneously and get paid for making it happen? CEO Brandon Cooper of Aphid has created a process that allows you to do just that.
One of the many things Beyoncé is excellent at is providing music that speaks to specific feelings and placements in life. She is particularly keen on doing this with women empowerment, and her latest album, “Renaissance,” is no different. She opens the project with “I’m That Girl,” a celebratory ode expressing her confidence and cultural space. And with captions and reels all over Instagram that use this song as inspiration, many women fully embrace the song’s message. Actress Crystal Hayslett is one of those women that has fully tapped in. The “Sistas” and “Zatima” actress recently sat with AfroTech to discuss her range and versatility, breaking down why she is, in fact, that girl.
Basketball hosted one of its most exciting nights, the NBA draft. Each year, prospects from around the world wait in anticipation, hoping their hard work on the collegiate level or in semi-professional leagues will earn them one of the most coveted spots in the world’s most revered basketball league. Year after year, new talent emerges, and the idea of who will be the NBA’s next big star enters sports chats. With all of the hype around this pivotal night, another focus is the deals and payouts draftees receive due to their newfound success. Young superstars of today benefit from rising costs due to inflation, the advancement of endorsement deals, and the ability to leverage highlight reels and salary caps to move the needle for their large rookie contracts. Photo Credit: Nic Antaya By comparison, some of the league’s best players in history commanded top-dollar salaries. For example, Ervin “Magic” Johnson signed an estimated $2.3 million contract over five years as part of his 1979...
History was made in Staten Island, NY to kick off the new month of April. On April 1, Amazon workers in the city celebrated a major win against Jeff Bezos after voting to unionize the Amazon Staten Island warehouse, Vox reports. With the retail giant having a long history of being anti-union since its inception, there were 2,654 votes for the union and over 2,131 against, which “marks the first time a majority of workers at an Amazon facility in the US have voted to join a union.” The historic victory was led by Amazon Labor Union founder Chris Smalls. Chris Smalls, fired from Amazon almost two years ago to the day, just popped champagne outside the NLRB offices where he and his peers won one of the greatest labor victories in a generation. “To the first Amazon union in history,” he said. pic.twitter.com/ZHNcjFC5N1 — Jodi Kantor (@jodikantor) April 1, 2022 “@amazon wanted to make me the face of the whole unionizing efforts against them…welp there you go! @JeffBezos @DavisZapolsky...