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Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Foundation is on a mission to not only support the next generation of creatives but also to equip them with the resources necessary to thrive. Justin Riley, the company’s Vice President of Operations and Business Development, sat down with AfroTech to share the latest initiatives geared toward helping others. From its Mentorship Lab for writers, actors, and executives to its filmmaking program — Rising Voices — a partnership with Indeed, and more, Hillman Grad Foundation is creating direct pathways for people to move into the industry.
Amidst the chaotic times brought on by COVID-19, racism in America, and the fight against racial injustice, Black Americans have been dealing with many mental stresses this year alone. Thanks to this Brooklyn tech startup, it’s found a way to help the Black community find a sense of peace during this time. Digital Park — a startup launching new technology companies and enhancing the human experience — announced the launch of their new mobile app called Drift – wellness + sleep, “a growing collection of Ultra HD videos and sounds to support mindfulness, focus, or sleep anytime and anywhere you are,” according to a press release. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Digital Park (@digitalparkstudio) The app works by creating a relaxed viewing and listening experience for users playing videos and sounds from nature, including water against rocks, birds, rain, trees, and a crackling fire. According to a press release, each video is an immersive Ultra HD experience combined that...
If you’ve ever hesitated at checkout, wondering whether you need that grocery haul, electronics upgrade, or self-care splurge—you’re not alone. And Klarna, the AI-powered payments and commerce platform, is betting big on that exact moment of hesitation. Klarna has joined forces with DoorDash and Walmart to give shoppers flexible pay options. These strategic partnerships don’t just mark a shift in how we handle money at checkout—they reflect a deeper story about consumer habits, trust, and the evolving economy in 2025. Klarna And DoorDash Team Up According to an announcement from Klarna, DoorDash customers in the U.S. will soon see Klarna listed as a payment option when ordering from the app or website. This will make it even easier to snag groceries, electronics, beauty items, and even the DashPass Annual Plan without having to pay the full amount upfront. The options? Pretty straightforward and stress-relieving: Pay in full at checkout Pay in 4 equal, interest-free installments Pay...
Hong Kong, China -based company CK Hutchison Holdings Limited has agreed to sell its stake in two ports on the Panama Canal to a U.S.-led consortium in a $22.8 billion deal. On March 4, CK Hutchinson announced the deal, which includes the selling of its subsidiary, Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) — the owner of terminals and other assets at the ports of Balboa and Cristobal in Panama. The consortium making the purchase includes BlackRock, a U.S. private equity firm, and MSC, based in Geneva, Switzerland, according to Freight Waves. This is just the latest since President Donald Trump made disputed claims that the Chinese military was in control of the Panama Canal and transit tolls were being unfairly charged to American vessels. Trump also threatened U.S. action to regain control of the waterway, which it transferred to Panama in 1999. The canal is an essential route for military and merchant vessels between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, per the outlet. Frank Sixt, co-managing...
After her first business failed, Carolyn Rodz is now making it her mission to help other entrepreneurs succeed. Rodz was an investment banker for JPMorgan Chase between 2001 and 2005, per her LinkedIn. After exiting her job, she ventured into entrepreneurship , but that did not fare well, leading her to reenter the workforce. Although this was a trying time, it did not deter her from entrepreneurship altogether — she launched Cake, a digital media company, in 2009 and exited in 2015 — and it paved a pathway of opportunity for a wider community. “I knew very little about starting a company and my first business failed,” Rodz said in an interview with the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast. “I went back to work, paid off debts, licked my wounds for a bit, started a second company that I ultimately sold, ran it very differently with the lessons that I learned and feel very fortunate that I got to start over again because many people don’t have that opportunity. I was young and single and...
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, LA, in August 2005, wiping out 200,000 trees. While the city has faced challenges in restoring its tree canopy, efforts were underway thanks to a $75 million grant from the U.S. Forest Service to the Arbor Day Foundation that aimed to plant trees in neighborhoods without the resources to afford them, according to The Associated Press. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has, at least for now, terminated the funding to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order focused on banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within the federal government. “Protecting the people and communities we serve, as well as the infrastructure, businesses, and resources they depend on to grow and thrive, remains a top priority for the USDA and the Forest Service,” the USDA said, per AP. Trees offer various benefits, including cleaning the air in polluted areas, capturing stormwater and replenishing groundwater, and providing shade...
In an era of rising costs and increasing financial awareness , many people are turning to the “ no-buy year ” as a strategy to take control of their spending habits. This trend challenges individuals to commit to purchasing only essentials for an entire year. By eliminating non-essential spending, participants aim to build savings, reduce waste and cultivate a more mindful approach to consumption. However, the specific rules of a no-buy year vary from person to person, making it a flexible yet disciplined approach to financial wellness. A no-buy year is not about deprivation—it’s about intentional spending. The goal is to break the cycle of impulse purchases, reassess financial priorities and learn to appreciate what you already own. Whether you’re looking to save for a major goal, minimize clutter or simply gain a deeper understanding of your relationship with money, setting clear guidelines is essential for success. How A No-Buy Year Works At its core, a no-buy year revolves...
Joanna Brooks has been creating a safe wellness studio for people of color for the past 10 years. She developed an interest in yoga as a teenager and, over time, explored different areas of fitness, she wrote in her LinkedIn bio. This exploration influenced her practices, which include Bikram Yoga, Hot Vinyasa Flow, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, and Yin Yoga, ultimately leading to the establishment of Embody YOGA studio in Milwaukee, WI. “These styles contribute significantly to my teaching style. I am experienced in leading both group and private classes and enjoy working with people of all ages. My intention is for my students to leave class with a quiet sense of strength and peace,” she wrote in her bio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Embody Yoga (@embodyyogamke) In an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Feb. 18, Brooks honored the instructors who came before her, giving them their flowers for paving the way — including ZenZen Yoga Arts Founder Therese Bailey. “I’ve said it...
Technology is enabling fans to immerse themselves in the music of legendary artists like Janet Jackson. The “Anytime, Anyplace” songstress is currently headlining a residency at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, NV, running through May 31, 2025. Fans can relive 42 of her timeless hits, including “I Get Lonely” and “When I Think of You.” The latter, released in 1986 as the third single from her “Control” album, became her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as Billboard notes. Jackson’s Vegas residency carries deep significance. Her career began when she was seven years old at MGM Las Vegas. She performed alongside sisters Rebbie and La Toya, as noted in Las Vegas Magazine. “I will always have a very, very special place in my heart for Las Vegas. I started my career here 51 years ago. I love you so much,” Jackson said during her performance on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Photo Credit: Resorts World Theatre L-Acoustics With a career spanning five decades, Jackson’s passion for performing...
Breakr continues to find new ways to improve the creator economy. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the platform was created by Historically Black College and University (HBCU) alums and brothers Anthony and Ameer Brown to ensure artists can connect with brands and agencies and establish creative campaigns they are compensated for. With an early focus on music, Breakr partnered with BMG and Sony Music and built a roster of clients that included Ye (formerly Kanye West), Young Thug, Megan Thee Stallion, Rick Ross, Future, and Gunna. Additionally, Nas is involved not only as an artist on the platform but also as an investor. He participated in a $4.2 million seed round led by Slow Ventures in 2021. Breakr has expanded its scope beyond the music industry, adding partners such as Hershey, Billboard, Celsius, Samsung, and UMG, information shared with AFROTECH™ notes. In 2022, 30,000 creators had onboarded onto its platform. In 2025, that number has more than doubled, reaching a community...
Shaquille O’Neal is many things, and that also includes doctor! The former NBA star did not neglect his education journey despite going on to earn millions throughout his career. He attended Louisiana State University but did not initially complete his degree when he was drafted as the first overall pick in 1992 by the Orlando Magic. Spotrac reports he secured a four-year rookie contract valued at $17.4 million. O’Neal, who also is passionate about music, went on to secure a $10 million deal to release three albums under Jive Records. This led to collaborations with some music greats. “I was like ‘I got to take it,’ but then reality kicked in,” O’Neal shared on “Check-In at Wynn” in Las Vegas, NV. “I was like ‘I’m not a rapper’ and then I said ‘Let’s have a meeting’… I said as long as I can rap with all my favorite rappers, I’ll do it and they agreed. So, I think for a non-rapper, I probably have the best discography ever. Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Snoop, Ice Cube, Notorious...
Financial changes can be stressful, especially when you’re nervous about a pay cut or job loss. You know you need to do something to make yourself happier, but execution isn’t always there. You might want a career change altogether with your current employer. Or, maybe you want to start your own business and are feeling confined in your current industry . New Year’s resolutions are a common time when people reflect on both. No one wants to start the year with an employer that they don’t like or at a job where they feel unfulfilled. Could asking motivational interviewing questions be what you need to figure out your career long-term? What Are The 6 A’s Of Motivational Interviewing? Motivational interviewing questions started off with a connection in the health care industry. In the clinical trial report Do the five A’s work when physicians counsel about weight loss? from 2011, physicians would often participate in the Ask and the Advise but rarely continue on with the Assess, Assist...
Crowdaa aims to remind the middle-class creator economy that power can be in their hands. The French-American startup, founded by musician and psychologist Vigile Hoareau and American composer and producer Jimmy Thomas, understands the potential of technology to level the playing field for creators. The company aims to empower users to take greater control of their creative freedoms and challenge the status quo often perpetuated on social media platforms like TikTok—which faces a potential ban on January 19 unless sold to a U.S.-based company—and Instagram, as well as on music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. This includes moving away from traditional revenue models on these platforms, which often benefit the platforms more than the creators, especially regarding compensation. Even Snoop Dogg has voiced concerns about the low payouts from Spotify, despite achieving 1 billion streams. He reportedly received less than $45,000, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. “When you look at...
Embrace new opportunities in the coming year. The new year often brings a time of reflection and a renewed focus on personal growth and professional development. This includes strengthening one’s professional brand, enhancing skills through customized learning paths, obtaining industry-recognized certifications, and cultivating meaningful connections within one’s field. One key opportunity to consider in the new year is the AFROTECH™ Conference. This event has helped professionals land their dream roles in tech , secure speaking engagements, attract new clients, and open doors to countless other opportunities. The annual event empowers the next generation through insightful discussions led by industry change-makers, hands-on activations, recruitment opportunities from leading companies, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies. This year’s event — held in Houston, TX, at the George R. Brown Center between Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, and Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 — drew in a crowd of...
When you’re in a job interview, one common question you may face is, “What was your biggest non-technical challenge?” This question is often asked to gauge your problem-solving abilities, resilience, and interpersonal skills. Since it’s not focused on your technical expertise, the answer gives employers insight into how you handle difficult situations, work with others, and grow from adversity. Here’s how to effectively approach this question and craft a strong, thoughtful response. Understand The Question The “biggest non-technical challenge” question is meant to assess how you handle situations that don’t necessarily involve technical skills but still affect your ability to succeed in a workplace. This can involve anything from communication issues, managing conflicts, handling stress, or overcoming personal obstacles that impacted your work. It’s essential to understand that the goal is to demonstrate your emotional intelligence, adaptability, and capacity for self-improvement....