It was a celebration for Hip-Hop when it was announced that De La Soul regained their music catalog, which wasn’t available for fans for over 20 years. On March 3, the Long Island, NY group’s first six albums made its debut on streaming services after Reservoir Media acquired Tommy Boy Records, their former label, in 2021, according to a press release.
For a company that prides itself on pushing the boundaries in space exploration , SpaceX just hit another major roadblock—literally. The highly anticipated test flight of its Starship mega rocket ended in disaster (again) after controllers lost contact with the upper-stage vehicle just minutes into the launch. This marks Starship’s second consecutive failure, raising serious questions: What’s causing these explosions? Has this happened before? And what is SpaceX doing to fix it? Let’s break it all down. Why Did This Happen? According to an NBC News report, the launch kicked off with promise. Near Brownsville, Texas, on Thursday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET, Starship blasted off from SpaceX’s Starbase for its eighth test, soaring toward the skies with the power and spectacle you’d expect from the world’s most advanced rocket. But then—like déjà vu—disaster struck just over eight minutes in. Live video showed the upper-stage vehicle spinning uncontrollably, and within seconds,...
Midway through the pandemic , in 2022, there were a small amount ( 19% ) of American workers who were working in jobs that were exposed to artificial intelligence (AI). Meanwhile, almost one-quarter (23%) of workers had the least exposure to AI. The remaining job industries varied with AI exposure. And while there are differing opinions about whether AI is taking away jobs from American workers or helping them to skip monotonous tasks, job seekers would arguably agree that they’d love to have an AI program that automatically filled in all of those little boxes in job applications. Even with a functional resume that focuses exactly on what the job description is looking for, some companies will still require filling out traditional job applications with your job history in sequential order. And this can quickly get tedious. Autofill sorta helps but not enough to avoid job seekers having to edit the automated info afterwards. So with all the extra work involved in using automated...
In today’s competitive job market , having additional licenses, certifications, education , and training can give you a significant edge, enhance your resume, and make you more marketable to employers. The best part? Some of these credentials are easy to obtain and don’t require years of study or experience. Here’s a guide to some simple yet impactful licenses and certifications that can help you advance your career. Google Analytics Certification Google Analytics certification is a must-have for professionals in marketing, e-commerce, and web development. This free certification, offered by Google, provides a solid foundation in analyzing web traffic, understanding customer behavior, and optimizing online performance. According to DashThis , the certification helps professionals improve their data interpretation skills, a critical aspect of any business reliant on digital channels. The program is beginner-friendly and can be completed in under 10 hours. It also sets candidates...
Inspiration can come from many sources. For Yara Shahidi , the star of “Grown-ish,” one of the many influential figures in her life is her cousin — Grammy-Award-winning rapper and entrepreneur Nas. During a recent appearance on the “Sherri” show, the actress, producer, and Harvard graduate shared Nas’ role in inspiring her to attend the Ivy League institution , according to Because Of Them We Can (BOTWC). “There’s so many artists in your family. I did not know that Nas is your cousin. And that Nas, the great, inspired you to go to Harvard ,” host Sherri Shepherd told Shahidi. The actress replied, “Yes! I think the one thing people know about him just through, even his music, is just how smart he is. And he has such a deep passion for our culture and for education. And so, the first time I got to step foot on Harvard’s campus was when he was announcing a fellowship for graduate students that were studying hip-hop.” Harvard launched the Nasir Jones Hiphop Fellowship in 2013. Designed...
In an industry that thrives on creativity and innovation, Black-owned marketing agencies are making a significant impact by offering fresh perspectives and culturally relevant campaigns. These agencies are not only shaping how brands communicate with diverse audiences but are also fostering inclusivity within the marketing world. Here are seven Black-owned marketing agencies that are leading the way in creativity, strategy, and results. 1. Burrell Communications Founded in 1971 by Tom Burrell, Burrell Communications is one of the pioneering Black-owned marketing agencies in the United States. With a mission to redefine how brands communicate with African American audiences, Burrell has worked with iconic brands like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Toyota. The agency blends cultural insights with powerful storytelling to create campaigns that resonate deeply with consumers. 2. BLKBOX BLKBOX is a digital marketing agency that specializes in developing strategies tailored to multicultural...
Wall Street day traders found themselves shocked and confused last week when Reddit’s stock price climbed to heights of 58 percent, surpassing the expectations of even the most liberal investors on r/WallStreetBets. The social media site , which is primarily used for sharing opinions, discussing niche topics and delivering daily news to millions of user-generated in-groups, reported $348.4 million in Q3 revenue according to data on Yahoo Finance . While these sky-high figures would be a bit surprising to most financial analysts, they were especially shocking to Wall Street insiders , who were reportedly planning to short the RDDT stock based on their expectation that the site would lose money during the most recent earnings report . In order to understand why and how the Reddit stock was able to surpass expectations, we’ll have to take a brief look at what’s changed in the site’s business model in recent months, watch similar stocks such as META and NVDA, and study the industry...
Thanks to a number of innovations in the world of business, the global workforce is seeing a massive uptick in freelancing, gig economy gains , and other small business ventures. If you’re feeling the entrepreneurial spirit, there’s never been a better time to go into business for yourself. Still, one of the hardest parts of launching your business is coming up with ideas on what to sell, what services to offer, and where to market yourself. Here’s a brief but comprehensive list of small business ideas to get you started. Maybe you’ll glance over this list and have a major eureka moment, or maybe these ideas will spark your creative drive and assist you in developing something brand new. Either way, these options are teeming with possibility. Graphic Designer If you’re interested in launching your own small business, and you have a passion for art, why not try your hand at graphic design ? There are tons of outlets available for artistic people to work directly with individual...
It’s been two decades since Fantasia Barrino’s “American Idol” win. The Grammy Award-winning singer was crowned in the show’s third season in 2004, at just 19 years old. In the finale, she had three standout performances including “All My Life,” “I Believe,” and “Summertime,” which was also performed earlier in the season and is the song she believes changed America’s heart towards her. “For me, going back to ‘Summertime,’ it means a lot because that’s the song that made people change their mind on me. When I first was on ‘American Idol,’ you’re thinking someone who’s clean, polished, who has somewhat of a perfect story, and I do not have that,” she told AFROTECH™. “I was already a young mom. I had already been speaking about how I got there.” An ode to that special moment in time for Barrino, she is reimagining “Summertime,” collaborating with music director and producer Adam Blackstone — known for his work with Rihanna, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, and Jazmine Sullivan — in its latest...
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...
This Black doctor just made history at Johns Hopkins University! In June 2024, Nancy Abu-Bonsrah achieved a historic feat, becoming the first Black woman to graduate from Johns Hopkins University’s neurosurgery program. She took to social media to announce the news, however, it was a close friend who noted that Dr. Abu-Bonsrah had quite literally also made history, Because Of Them We Can reports. “Congratulations to my dear friend, and the first Black woman to graduate from the neurosurgery program at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Nancy Abu-Bonsrah!,” wrote the woman called Anna, whose username is @itsafronomics. Congratulations to my dear friend, and the first Black woman to graduate from the neurosurgery program at John’s Hopkins, Dr. Nancy Abu-Bonsrah ( @BonsrahNancy )! #medtwitter pic.twitter.com/gdu6x7pF9i — Anna (@itsafronomics) June 28, 2024 According to Dr. Abu-Bonsrah, becoming a neurosurgery doctor was a 12-year journey. She also noted that it felt “surreal” that she’d completed the...
Phrases like “Home is where the heart is” or “There’s no place like home” are common ways to describe a person’s connection to a place based on fond memories and comfort. But for those with a robust real estate portfolio, home can be wherever their investment dollars lead them. Naomi Campbell is an example of the latter. Naomi Campbell Is Multi-Dimensional Campbell, the British supermodel perhaps best known for her signature runway walk and fashion style, has invested in several global properties, adding to her business diversity. In 2024, Campbell was honored at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum with a first-of-its-kind exhibit — Naomi: in Fashion — that opened June 22, 2024, and runs through April 6, 2025. The exhibit traces her 40-year journey from her childhood days as a dancer to the pinnacle of her modeling career in the 1990s. As MSN reported, the exhibit features her signature looks and career-defining moments. This exhibit not only celebrates Campbell and her fellow Black...
Encouraged by rap-artist -turned-businessman Bun B, Derrick Turton elevated his interest in cooking. Turton, who was born in Brooklyn, NY, moved to Miami, FL, in 1998 and enrolled in culinary school. Upon graduation, he secured his first job as a line cook at a Red Lobster, according to The New Tropic. However, he disdained his time at the restaurant and made his exit. “I thought I was going to be a ‘Top Chef,’ and I got my first job at Red Lobster,” Turton told the outlet. “It was either Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, and [orders] were coming out of the register [nonstop]. I was just staring at it, and I was like ‘I’m out.’” He then pivoted, becoming a club promoter, which was his entry into the music scene. As he moved into record label promotion, this put him under the radar of rapper and record executive Luther Campbell, and he began to work for Campbell’s record label, The New Tropic reports. Turton was introduced to Armando Christian Perez, who is widely recognized as...
Marsai Martin is one of the brightest stars in Hollywood and the definition of young Black excellence. Born in 2004, she’s quickly made a name for herself in Hollywood and presents herself as a role model for young Black girls around the world. The young actress and producer has accomplished so much since her breakout role in “Black-ish,” describing the time right now as “surreal,” according to Good Morning America . Let’s get to know her more with the fun facts below. Editorial note: This article was initially published in 2019 and updated to reflect the most recent information. Her real name isn’t Marsai Martin. “Marsai” is actually her middle name. Her given name is Caila Marsai Martin. Marsai Martin made her first national commercial appearance at 5-years-old. Photo Credit: Screenshot via YouTube Before starring in ABC’s “Black-ish,” the young actress got her first start in the entertainment industry by nabbing a national commercial with Meineke. She made her big-screen debut at...
Dennis Rodman is just one of the many celebrities who lost it all at the height of his career. But, as AfroTech previously reported, Rodman didn’t lose it all because he frittered his money away, or because he was sued into oblivion. Rather, Rodman lost it all because his business manager at the time was involved in some shady financial dealings — and those dealings ultimately landed her in prison. What’s more, Rodman could only recover a mere fraction of the money he’d lost to Peggy Ann Fulford’s illegal activities. Fortunately, Rodman was able to build back better — and while he’s nowhere near his peak net worth of $27 million, he still stays paid…and, inexplicably, inside a Planet Fitness. Iconic. Planet Fitness aside, Rodman’s only the first of many celebrities who lost it all — only to build back better when the time was right. From musicians, to athletes, to actors, no one stays down forever — and these superstars are living proof that it’s not how far you fall, but how you...