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On March 15, 2025, the U.S. bombed Houthi terrorist targets across Yemen. But two hours before the world knew, a Signal message had already mapped the strike. The sender? Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The recipients? Top intelligence officials, but also Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic — a journalist inadvertently folded into the highest levels of American military planning. This wasn’t a clandestine leak. It was a raw, unfiltered display of the fragility of power in the digital age. It was a breach not orchestrated by a hostile foreign actor but self-inflicted — executed casually, almost thoughtlessly, by the nation’s top security officials on a consumer messaging app. For those of us who approach these matters with a deep understanding of U.S. statecraft and a critical perspective shaped by intellectual and resistance traditions, the story may demand more than mere procedural outrage. It calls for an unflinching analysis of how an empire, when unmoored from...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The tech industry has long had an obsession with youth. This is seen in how the industry conducts itself, who investors look to invest in, how people look at hiring in the world of startups, as well as which programs are being targeted by DOGE, and which ones aren’t, as they look to make the government more efficient. Over the last few months, the Department of Government Efficiency has aggressively looked for waste and fraud within the federal government. It started with organizations that do not come to mind for the average American, like the United States Agency For International Development, or USAID, which focuses on deploying aid to foreign countries for a variety of efforts centered around health, disaster aid, and economic development. DOGE came in like a wrecking ball to the organization, and as reported by ABC News in February, 4,080 employees worldwide were placed on leave and an...
New funding has been raised for an online learning platform helping students avoid the debt of college. Campus was created by Tade Oyerinde, also its chancellor, to provide quality education to students through accredited, career-focused degree programs led by professors from top higher learning institutions such as Stanford University, University of California – Los Angeles , and Howard University. According to its website, Campus offers online associates degrees in business administration and business administration with applied artificial intelligence (AI) concentration to participants nationally. For its Sacramento, CA, campus, it has specific offerings for students in-state such as an associate’s degree in paralegal studies as well as one in AWS cloud administration. This campus also provides certification in medical assisting, medical billing and coding, phlebotomy, technical support, barbering and cosmetology, and other programs for California residents. Furthermore, to...
The crypto market is surging following a major regulatory shift. According to CNBC, XRP jumped 10% to $2.49 after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dropped its case against the company. This decision marks the end of a four-year legal battle that has shaped the industry’s regulatory landscape and fueled speculation about a broader shift in the SEC’s approach. Ripple’s Long-Awaited Victory Speaking at the Digital Assets Summit in New York, Garlinghouse reflected on the drawn-out legal fight, calling it a painful yet necessary battle for the industry. “It’s been almost four years and about three months since the SEC originally sued us, certainly a painful journey in lots of ways,” Garlinghouse said. “I really deeply believed that we were going to be on the right side of the law and on the right side of history.” The SEC sued Ripple in 2020, alleging that the company sold XRP as an unregistered security. Ripple scored a...
JuJu Watkins has secured a groundbreaking NIL deal. The USC Trojans basketball athlete currently boasts a $739,000 name, image, and likeness (NIL) valuation , thanks to deals with Ritz Crackers, Degree, United Airlines, and NYX Cosmetics. “We are beyond excited to welcome JuJu to the NYX Professional Makeup family,” said Yasmin Dastmalchi, general manager of NYX Professional Makeup, in a news release. “JuJu’s spirit, talent, and commitment to excellence make her a perfect pick for our brand. We can’t wait to support her as she uses her voice to further inspire our community and share our core values.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Juju Watkins (@jujubballin) Watkins is already making groundbreaking moves as a collegiate athlete. As AFROTECH ™ previously told you, she extended a multi-year contract with Nike, becoming “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” More recently, she expanded her portfolio by adding Fanatics and Fanatics...
Kylian Mbappé has added a team to his growing investment portfolio. Forbes named the French and Real Madrid soccer player among the richest athletes in 2024, with an estimated total earnings of $110 million. It appears he is putting his earnings to good use by investing in the luxury watch-shopping platform Wristcheck, which Jay-Z also backs. According to Robb Report, Mbappé’s interest in the company stemmed from their innovation in technology and creativity. “I’m thrilled to join Wristcheck as an investor through Coalition Capital,” Mbappé said in a press statement, according to the outlet. “As a Hublot ambassador and someone passionate about watches and innovation, I see Wristcheck as a platform that truly understands the next generation of collectors. They’re reshaping the watch industry with a forward-thinking approach that blends technology, transparency, and creativity.” More recently, Mbappé became a team owner. He secured a stake in the France SailGP Team, which is owned by...
Myles Garrett has signed a historic deal to remain with the Cleveland Browns. Garrett joined the league in 2017 as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, notes Yahoo Sports. He was chosen by the Cleveland Browns and has remained there for eight seasons. While his achievements include stats such as 352 total tackles in 117 games and securing titles such as first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors multiple times, he has yet to earn a coveted Super Bowl ring. As a result, the defensive end expressed interest in being traded to another team. “It’s not a decision I take lightly,” Garrett told sports commentator Rich Eisen, according to Cleveland.com. “It took time and lots of conversation, but just looking at the trajectory of the team, talking to some of the higher-ups… I have a lot of respect for them, but I just don’t think we’re aligned on where the team is going in the near future. I feel like the window for us as athletes is only so broad and only continues to close as years go by with...
Stephen A. Smith has officially signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension with ESPN, solidifying his role as the face of “First Take” while also gaining greater flexibility to expand his presence beyond sports. According to Sports Illustrated, Smith confirmed the extension on First Take, expressing gratitude for the deal while acknowledging the lengthy negotiation process. “It took too d-mn long,” he remarked with a smile, adding that he remains proud to be part of the “Worldwide Leader in Sports.” His co-host, Molly Qerim, responded lightheartedly, “Yeah, you’re telling me! I saw those mood swings.” Evolving Role at ESPN Under the new agreement, Smith will continue as the primary voice of “First Take” but will scale back appearances on other ESPN programs, including a reduced role on the network’s NBA pregame show, The Athletic noted. This shift allows him to explore additional media opportunities, including political commentary, a space he has engaged with more...
Andrea Wallace has reportedly secured funding for an entertainment marketplace. In 2018, Wallace, a professional DJ with a business degree from Grand Valley State University, founded and launched Opnr, an “all-in-one data-powered” solution designed to simplify the booking process for musical talent. According to the company website, it provides concert organizers with data and analytics to help them book the right talent for local events. It also helps musicians showcase their work through an electronic press kit generator that serves as a resume, and through its FAN-CLAIM™ software, they can connect with their local fanbase. According to MLive , Opnr has been used by nearly 12,000 musicians and 800 organizers. “We’ve got pretty good traction,” Wallace said of the company, which is headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, according to the outlet. Even so, it has not been easy to gain support in funding. “There are plenty of people in Grand Rapids who are super helpful,” Wallace mentioned,...
Vista Equity Partners Chairman and CEO Robert F. Smith believes diversity will overcome. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are being dismantled, causing a ripple effect across various sectors. According to a news release, the White House issued executive orders to end all DEI practices in the federal workforce and in federal contracting and spending. This resulted in federal employees in DEI roles being placed on paid leave. A Maryland federal judge has since blocked portions of Trump’s executive orders, including a halt on federal contracts tied to DEI and restrictions on private companies with DEI programs, according to JD Supra. Furthermore, some companies have shifted their policies to align with the Trump administration, which some attribute to political pressures from conservative groups and figures such as Robby Starbuck. Companies that have adopted anti-DEI agendas include Target, which led to the retail giant being sued by its...
Gillie Da Kid and Wallo helped squash a longtime beef between Cam’ron and Mase, leading to a major financial win. Cam’ron and Mase had been longtime friends as Harlem, NY, natives who played on the same high school basketball team, HotNewHipHi mentions . The duo later collaborated in the Hip Hop scene, forming the group Children of the Corn in 1993, which lasted for four years. Beyond the group, Cam’ron and Mase worked together once more on the single “Horse & Carriage,” featured on Cam’ron’s album “Confessions Of Fire” (1988), released by Sony. However, it was reported that Mase, who was signed to Bad Boy Records, requested $40,000 from Cam’ron to appear in the video, per The Fadar. Mase did not appear in the video, and a body double was used instead. Shortly after, in 1999, Mase stepped away from the music industry and became a pastor the same year he released his album “Double Up” (1999). “He went to church. I kinda didn’t understand it at the time because that’s my man all day,...
African fintech platform Mansa has secured new funding. Mansa, founded in 2023 by Mouloukou Sanoh (CEO) and Nkiru Uwaje (COO), enables seamless cross-border payments and instant transactions for its customers. Its offerings include competitive exchange rates, virtual card processing to support cash flow management, and automated matching of financial transactions to bank statements. This is made possible by leveraging a stablecoin infrastructure, its website mentions. “We’re starting by being the primary liquidity provider to the biggest payment companies across emerging markets,” Sanoh explained to TechCrunch. “From there, we can handle payouts and also offer additional services like foreign exchange. The goal is to create a one-stop payment platform where they can finance their payments, settle transactions instantly, and access foreign currency seamlessly — all in one place.” The inception of Mansa, based in Dubai, UAE, originated from Sanoh experiencing issues receiving money...
Black Unicorn Factory has set a historic precedent in equity crowdfunding. Black Unicorn Factory (BUF) is a business development accelerator and equity crowdsourcing platform established by Johnny Stewart in 2012. Through BUF’s Follow Me for Equity app, it uniquely allows individuals to secure stock in pre-IPO companies by simply becoming a follower of a company through the app. “Stop following for free and earn equity,” actor Anthony Anderson said in a promotional video for the company. BUF’s target audience is underserved communities who are being left out of opportunities in the venture capital space. “It is disheartening to observe that the venture capital industry only allocates funds to a mere 1% of businesses led by individuals from underrepresented communities. At BUF, we firmly believe that this disparity cannot persist, and we are committed to providing an alternative to the discriminatory practices prevalent in the traditional venture capital landscape,” a statement on...
British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is helping the next generation pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. In 2021, Hamilton launched Mission 44, a foundation named after his race car number, dedicated to creating equal opportunities for young people worldwide. According to its website, the initiative focuses on advancing education, expanding access to STEM and motorsport careers, and empowering the next generation to reach their full potential. Initiatives include a motorsport scholarship, created in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, that connects students with industry leaders. Recipients include Gerren Ntir, who earned a bachelor’s degree in motorsport engineering and is now pursuing a master’s. He was part of the scholarship’s second cohort. “Having seen the amazing work Mission 44 has been doing throughout the past year, I knew it was something I wanted to become involved in. Now, embarking on my own journey as one of their...
UnitedHealth Group, one of the biggest players in U.S. healthcare, recently disclosed a significant cyberattack that compromised the personal data of nearly half the American population. The breach has left many questioning the security of sensitive health information in an increasingly digitized industry. To add to the complexity, the company has undergone a significant leadership transition, appointing Tim Noel as its new CEO during one of the most turbulent periods in UnitedHealth’s history. With millions of Americans watching, this moment could define the company’s legacy. How The UnitedHealth Cyberattack Exposed Sensitive Data Of Millions The cyberattack, as reported by The Detroit News, compromised sensitive information, including personal health records and financial data, affecting nearly 50% of the U.S. population. Cybersecurity experts have long flagged healthcare as a prime target for attacks due to the value of its data and the sector’s lagging security measures....