Showing 168 results for:
sustainability
Popular topics
All results
Ethiopian sustainable tech startup Kubik has scored a first for the country. According to a press release sent to AFROTECH™, it has raised $5.2 million in a seed round. Investors include East African venture capital firm African Renaissance Partners, Endgame Capital, and King Philanthropies. It will now further its work in using plastic waste to make affordable buildings and removing waste from the environment. “Kubik’s vision to build safe and affordable living for all speaks directly to King Philanthropies’ mission to catalyze solutions at the intersection of climate and livelihoods,” Kartick Kumar, managing director at King Philanthropies, said in a press release. “Kubik is at the forefront of innovation in Ethiopia and across the African market, and we’re proud to support the tremendous impact they’re making combatting plastic waste and providing safe, durable, and affordable housing.” The funding round makes Kubik the first Ethiopian country to earn a multi-million-dollar...
1970 was pivotal in America’s relationship with sustainability and earth preservation. Earth Day was created on April 22, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established on Dec. 2, 1970. Since this time, pervasive movements have centered around how people can intentionally preserve the planet by reducing trash, reusing materials, and recycling products to be repurposed. But if you were to talk to many members of the Black community, these practices have been a staple in Black households for decades. While sustainability is making waves through the popular halls of society, the concept is not new for those deeply associated with Black culture. From the reuse of everyday items to the current display of being plant parents, Black people from across the diaspora have been tapping into innovative and natural ways to keep the world “green” before it was ever an official thing. Plant enthusiast and Memphis, TN, resident Eso Tolson reflected on many green moments he...
Everything in the world has some energy source. It takes energy to keep the lights on, power the most advanced machines and technologies and to keep people inspired. And while society has barriers that separate, energy has the power to be a connector. Southern Company believes energy can connect communities, businesses and future generations to opportunity. The Atlanta-based energy leader is committed to being a role model among companies forging change and driving equity to ensure all groups are well represented and treated fairly . In Summer 2021, Southern Company made the founding investment in the Elevate Future Fund (Elevate). This fund is a sub-fund of Energy Impact Partners (EIP) , a utility-backed venture capital fund focused on decarbonization in the energy space. Southern Company is a founding member of EIP. “Elevate” aims to ensure greater diversity and representation among founders in the start-up community to build a more diverse and inclusive venture capital...
Diddy’s media company REVOLT and adidas originals have partnered with social media star Druski to introduce a new sustainability-focused brand campaign for Hip Hop that pledges to end plastic waste worldwide. According to a press release, the campaign also kicks off the launch of REVOLT’s new branded content agency, which will act as a launching pad for entertaining content with influential members in the Hip Hop industry to spark important conversations about cultural changes in the Black community. “Hip Hop is the leading genre of music globally. As an authority on Hip Hop culture, the world follows where we go. REVOLT has always strived to ignite positive changes within the Hip Hop community and the world around us, and we are thrilled to partner with a likeminded company like adidas Originals to pledge our efforts in encouraging sustainability,” Andre Woolery — SVP of Branded Content for REVOLT — said in a statement. “We are excited to leverage the power of Black culture to...
Climate change has been a long-standing global issue, and following Wednesday’s vice presidential debate, it’s clear the world needs more direction and initiatives focused on cleaning up the planet. In an effort to make changes on HBCU campuses across the country, the HBCU Community Development Action Coalition (HBCU-CDAC) — a nonprofit HBCU advocacy group — founded a Clean Energy Initiative to implement sustainable solutions for historically Black colleges in America. According to Black Enterprise , the initiative was created with the help of a grant previously received from the National JPB Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to supporting initiatives toward medical research, sustainability, and empowering those living in poverty. “With the JPB Foundation’s increasing their support for our Clean Energy Initiative, we will deliver more residential installations and increase awareness in underserved communities around the country,” said Ron Butler, CEO of the HBCU-CDAC in a press...
As sustainability and its technologies evolve, some urban communities are getting left behind. Urban Energy Garden, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, is giving college students the opportunity to bring sustainability to communities. Urban Energy Garden launched in 2017 after its founder and president Taylor Weaver finished a research project with his Georgetown Law School professor. “A lot of people at the margins of the poverty line or who are right below it don’t have the same access to sustainable resources that other communities do,” Weaver said. Weaver’s research showed that black and Latino populations are disproportionately affected by pollution because their communities are not regulated, which can lead to community health issues like asthma and lung cancer. He also found that there was a very low minority representation in regulatory sectors and wanted to change that. Urban Energy Gardens is combatting this trend by providing internships and scholarships for college...
When Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown walks onto the court, you see precision, focus, and intent. What you don’t see is the noise, the constant mental motion, the layered thoughts arriving all at once, and the lifelong challenge of navigating it all. For the first time, the NBA All-Star and entrepreneur is pulling back the curtain on that unseen world and sharing a personal revelation: he has ADHD. “I never even knew,” Brown told AFROTECH™ in an interview with AFROTECH™. “My mom never told me. She knew I was diagnosed but didn’t want to make it a thing. So I just figured out how to push through.” Brown pushed through, knowing he had ADHD, into a purpose for something bigger: a movement to normalize tech-forward, non-invasive approaches to mental health, especially for Black men. At the center of that mission is Hapbee, a wearable device that utilizes patented frequency technology to deliver mental states such as Focus, Calm, or Alertness without the use of chemical stimulants....
Recently, more than 125 students graduated from Detroit’s Apple Developer Academy, a one-of-a-kind, free 10-month program launched in 2021 through a partnership between Apple and Michigan State University (MSU), according to a news release shared with AFROTECH™. But the Apple Developer Academy is about more than just coding. It equips Detroiters with real-world skills and the confidence to thrive in app development, business, and today’s ever-evolving tech landscape, per the release. A Pipeline For Real-World Innovation What makes Detroit’s Apple Developer Academy truly unique is its approach. Beyond mastering Swift coding, students dive into AI, UX design, marketing, and project management. The program is also backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation, which helps connect graduates with internships, mentors, and career opportunities across Detroit. “As Detroit continues to emerge as a national hub for technology, the Apple Developer Academy is creating pathways for Detroiters of all...
“Insecure” actor Kendrick Sampson wants to liberate marginalized communities. The Houston native said that in his foray into Hollywood, he wanted to prioritize securing guidance from Black men in the entertainment industry. Sampson’s Hollywood pursuit led him to the Los Angeles-based Robey Theatre Company, founded by actors Danny Glover and Ben Guillory. The company is intentional about telling nuanced and complex stories of the Black experience, according to its website. Within his first year working at the theatre, Sampson was exposed to figures such as Toussaint L’Ouverture, a Haitian general who led the country’s independence movement; civil rights leader Malcolm X, who advocated for Black nationalism; and Paul Robeson, a singer and radical activist. “These are the stories we need to be telling, and I saw how much resistance there was to get resources to tell those stories and why…[I read ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’]. So there was no mistake in where I was supposed to be...
If the bevy of look-alike summer event flyers flooding our timelines are any indication, we are fully in the AI era, and we won’t be turning back. While it seems like we’re just scratching the surface of end user applications of GenAI, companies are looking to adapt their businesses to incorporate GenAI. However, many are not quite sure how to do so in a way that is sustainable, both from a business perspective and in terms of environmental impact. Enter CoreWeave, where they are actively customizing AI innovation for a variety of clients to develop cloud infrastructure intentionally created with AI in mind. CoreWeave’s approach to creating a modern infrastructure stands out from that of other companies in this space in that they directly address the fact that so much compute capacity (up to 65%) is lost due to system inefficiencies once embedded in GPUs. With that and other factors in mind, the company built out data centers around GPU clusters powered by NVIDIA along with powerful...
Expect to have a more seamless experience at this year’s AFROTECH™ Conference. The event, which is the largest gathering of Black tech professionals and entrepreneurs, will t ouch down in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center and run Oct. 27–31, 2025. This marks the conference’s second consecutive year in the city and builds on its momentum, having attracted over 40,000 attendees since its inception. It’s clear the conference is the place to be, and you won’t want to miss what’s next. We’re leveling up the experience for ticket holders to help you customize your scheduling for various sessions to ensure you achieve your conference objectives and professional goals. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got it. We’re targeting core areas including Cybersecurity and Risk, Engineering, Data, Government and Civic, Product and Design, Future of Work (HR), Esports, Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Marketing, and Advertising. And we’re not stopping...
Skai Jackson is an American actress, author, and social media influencer who rose to fame at a young age. Best known for her role as Zuri Ross on the Disney Channel sitcom “ Jessie ,” she has evolved into a multi-talented entertainer with a growing presence in acting, writing, and digital media. Beyond her early acting success , Jackson has diversified her career with brand partnerships, entrepreneurial ventures, and activism, making her one of the most prominent young celebrities today. Let’s explore her career trajectory, sources of income, and estimated net worth in 2025. Early Life And Career Beginnings Born on April 8, 2002, in New York City , Jackson started her career as a child model, appearing in commercials for major brands. Her natural talent and charisma quickly caught the attention of casting directors, leading to minor roles on television shows. Her big break came in 2011 when she was cast as Zuri Ross in “Jessie,” a Disney Channel series that ran until 2015. “Jessie”...
Tennessee State University (TSU) has finalized an agreement with state leaders that will reallocate $96 million in state funds to stabilize the institution’s operations and restore financial confidence, according to the Tennessee State University Newsroom. The move is considered a critical step toward ensuring TSU’s sustainability after years of systemic underfunding and financial instability. The funds were initially designated for deferred maintenance as part of a $250 million capital improvement allocation in 2022. However, the funds will now be used over the next three years to support university operations. University officials described the arrangement as a transformational opportunity that will relieve cash flow concerns and fund improvements to student services, staffing, and long-term infrastructure, the HBCU reported. “This agreement provides TSU with the opportunity to solve its financial challenges and regain its legacy as one of our nation’s great, historic institutions...
As some corporations move to align with President Donald Trump ‘s agenda, manufacturing giant Caterpillar Inc. stands firm on its diversity, equity, and inclusion ( DEI ) commitments. According to Manufacturing Digital, at the company’s recent shareholder meeting, investors rejected a proposal aimed at dismantling Caterpillar’s DEI programs . The motion — Proposal 6 — received 3% of shareholder support, with 97% voting against it. The proposal was introduced by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) through its Free Enterprise Project (FEP). It called on Caterpillar to abolish its DEI department, policies, and related goals. FEP Associate Bennett Nuss presented the motion and referenced what he described as the company’s prior “significant revisions” to its corporate sustainability programs in September 2024 — noting his approval of actions it appeared to take in reducing its diversity efforts. “I’d like to thank the Board for this, as it shows that they are...