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Solange made it clear with her widely acclaimed album “A Seat at the Table” that she’s dedicated to protecting what Black people own, and she’s just announced her inaugural free library that does just that. Under her studio and platform Saint Heron, the singer has revealed its new community library filled with rare books and art by Black creators for research, study and exploration, Variety reports . As previously reported by AfroTech, Saint Heron’s mission is to preserve, collect and uplift the stories, works, and archives of Black and brown artists within our creative communities. https://www.instagram.com/p/CU-n3_YvBEz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link “The Saint Heron Library continues the work we have been building by preserving collections of creators with the urgency they deserve,” Solange said. “Together we seek to create an archive of stories and works we deem valuable. These works expand imaginations, and it is vital to us to make them accessible to students, and our...
Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Solange Knowles originally launched her company, Saint Heron, back in 2013 with a simple mission to create a cultural hub that amplifies the work of Black artists across music, art and film. Now, the digital brand is looking to reintroduce itself through its next evolutionary phase as a cultural institution. According to a press release shared with AfroTech, Saint Heron is officially expanding into a multidisciplinary platform, studio and creative agency in which its mission will continue to uphold values that “preserve, collect and uplift the stories, works, and archives” of Black and brown artists throughout our creative communities. “Saint Heron’s vision to build and structure new worlds that connect and strengthen our identities through expression, is the foundation of its work,” Knowles told ESSENCE. “We are intentional about how we empower authenticity, and that begins from our center. I am so honored to have this incredible team of women by my...
Founder Telfar Clemens has always resisted conforming to the fashion industry. Divorcing Fashion Industry At Inception Early on, he embraced a bold sense of individuality, developing his own unique style that set him apart. This nonconformity often clashed with the uniform policies of the schools he attended, and he was similarly uninterested in following the traditional dress codes of his Liberian heritage. “I always have been interested in clothes. I’ve always had my own perspective on what I wanted to wear… I come from West African parents. I’m from Liberia and there’s a certain way of how you should dress and how you should carry yourselves and I completely was not with that, ” Clemens mentioned on “The Breakfast Club.” In 2005, Clemens introduced the world to Telfar, a New York-based unisex fashion brand designed to stand apart from the traditional fashion industry. From the outset, he distanced himself from the industry, viewing it as too closed-minded to embrace the...
Mathew Knowles has made a name for himself in the business world without the help of investors. Entrepreneurship In His DNA The businessman was seated center stage during the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Financial Empowerment Summit held at the UIC Forum in Chicago, IL, on Oct. 12, 2024. The event is designed to connect the community to tools, resources, and conversations that encourage the desire to create long-term wealth . “Bringing Mathew Knowles to our summit reflects our dedication to teaching real, sustainable wealth-building principles,” said Melissa Conyears-Ervin, the city’s treasurer . “His focus on generational wealth and self-funded success aligns with our goal of helping Chicagoans achieve true economic mobility. At the Treasurer’s Office, we believe everyone deserves access to the knowledge and resources to build wealth on their own terms, creating a legacy that will benefit future generations.” Photo Credit: Antwan Collins Knowles is well regarded as the...
Once again, Beyoncé’s impact is being taught in school. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East offered a virtual course titled “Black Is Queen: The Divine Feminine in Kush” in 2021, taught by Dr. Solange Ashby, who has a Ph.D. in Egyptology and was an adjunct professor at Barnard College at the time. Beyoncé has also been taught at Cornell University, Arizona State University, and Rutgers University, among others. Now, Widener University in Pennsylvania becomes the latest school to feature a course on the “Cowboy Carter” artist, according to CBS News. T his time to a class of nearly 10 freshman students, all young women. “Who doesn’t want to take a course on Beyoncé? I grew up listening to her music,” Grace Schneider, a Widener freshman, said, according to the outlet. Jayla Stone, another freshman at Widener, commented: “This is the class I talk the most in. It’s a small class and we’re able to connect more.” The course is taught by Dr. Richard...
There are certain songs that, if played, will provoke a specific response from people — “Say My Name” is one of those songs. And while Destiny’s Child is behind that classic hit, during their formative years, Mathew Knowles was the man behind the girl group. Knowles is a record producer and music talent manager, mainly known for his work with Destiny’s Child. However, his career spans beyond his work with the chart-topping girl group. According to his website, Knowles has worked as the executive producer for over 100 award-winning albums. His work can be found with other big names like Chaka Khan, Solange, The O’Jays, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Knowles also created Music World Films & TV in 2022, managing a $275 million fund for new television and film incentives. As previously reported by AfroTech, Knowles began his work with the music fund after he sold his music company to APX Capital Group. Outside of the media business, Knowles holds an MBA and Ph.D. from Cornerstone Christian...
In 2016, Solange released her critically acclaimed album, “A Seat at the Table.” The album spoke to the Black experience and some of how the community navigates culture. One of the songs from this album that fully embraces the concept of the challenges, range, and beauty of the Black experience is “F.U.B.U.” In it, she opens by declaring, “…Made this song to make it all y’all’s turn. For us, this sh-t is for us.” In just a few short months, the Solange-inspired calling card will have undeniable evidence as members of the tech and business communities gather in Austin, TX, for AfroTech Conference. On Nov. 13-17, 2022, conference attendees will participate in panel discussions and keynote addresses, network with industry experts, and engage in various entertainment experiences guaranteed to keep the vibes high. While the conference is open to everyone, there is no doubt that AfroTech is a F.U.B.U (for us, by us) situation. So, check out these tips to help maximize your experience at...
Three decades ago, Mathew Knowles founded his own music company Music World Entertainment Group. Now, the longtime music executive — who formerly managed Destiny’s Child and his daughters Beyoncé and Solange — is turning a new chapter in his career. Knowles has sold his music company to APX Capital Group, Deadline reports. Music World Entertainment is set to merge its film and TV division within the investment fund. Under the acquisition, the former owner will now manage the $275 million fund for film and TV co-productions for the U.S. and Italy. “The decision to partner with APX Capital Group is well made and corresponds to Music World Entertainment Group’s intent to expand its film and television portfolio,” Knowles shared, according to Deadline. “Through this unique collaboration and as head of this new division under APX I’ll be able to share the story of my life by combining compelling storytelling with access to exceptional talent and music that will both entertain and...
Vans isn’t just skating through Women’s History Month with performative actions — the brand is providing resources to women-identifying creators. This month, instead of spending its allocated budget on traditional ads, Vans dedicated those resources to creatives — including mixed-media artist Rewina Beshue and ceramicist Lalese Stamp — to actually create inspiring works for a digital museum. The online exhibit showcases drawings, sculptures, music videos, custom shoes, digital animations, and more. “I’m drawn to projects that uplift and shine a light on topics that are important to Black women taking up space in the art world,” said Beshue. “I love using my art and my platform to promote representation and inclusivity. Growing up, there wasn’t much Black representation in the art world, or at least I wasn’t exposed to it. It was hard to find. It’s really important that we use our platforms to promote representation of creative women in the mainstream world.” “I’ve always worn Vans,”...
The mass call to support Black-owned businesses has seen a tremendous response from the public over the last year. This large spotlight has both attempted to boost American consumers’ morale and recognize how important Black entrepreneurs are to the economy. Above all, it’s not just important that we show our support to these businesses through the power of the internet, it’s also crucial that we amplify the Black founders — especially the Black women — behind these brands. According to the 2019 State Of Women Owned Businesses Report, it found that Black women-owned businesses earned an average revenue of $24,000 per firm vs. women-owned businesses overall that pulled in $142,900 — pointing out that the disparity gap between Black women-owned businesses and all women-owned businesses’ average revenue is the largest out of any minority. Many Black women founders have established successful brands because of their moving origin stories and impactful brand missions. It is now our job...
Dr. Solange Ashby holds a Ph.D. in Egyptology with a specialization in ancient Egyptian language and Nubian religion from the University of Chicago. Now, this Barnard professor wants to share her findings of the divine feminine with a larger audience, using Beyoncé’s “Black Is King” as a soundtrack. The Harvard Museum of the Ancient East will present “Black Is Queen: The Divine Feminine in Kush,” on March 25, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. ET. It will be presented virtually, via a Zoom meeting, and pre-registration is required. However, this isn’t just your ordinary scholarly presentation. Rather, according to the lecture’s official website, “Black Is King” — the modern classic visual album by Beyoncé — will be “interwoven into this presentation on Kushite queens to emphasize the power and centrality of the African queen mother in her royal family and kingdom.” Beyoncé has long served as an inspiration for both rising young entrepreneurs and older people alike — but this is the first time that...
As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, we want to highlight these Black Women who have taken the unconventional route to success and built their own platforms for their respective endeavors. Black women are the future and these ten women are proof that there’s no standard blueprint to follow in order to prosper. Find out more about these phenomenal trailblazers below. Karen Civil Photo Credit: Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET Elizabeth, New Jersey native Karen Civil has come a long way in the entertainment business. The self-made marketing guru has become one of the most sought after influencers in hip hop culture. She started in this business as an intern for Hot 97, which helped her launch her own website KarenCivil.com in 2008, covering upcoming artists like J. Cole and Nicki Minaj. Civil later turned her love for online blogging into a fruitful career in entertainment. The media maven has built up a platform that she continues to expand today, branching out into...