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Being a founder is not an easy journey. James Oliver who is currently behind Kabila, a company connecting underserved founders to co-founders, capital, and community, had his fair share of challenges prior to the venture. In fact, his first startup, WeMontage, failed while he was also navigating the early days of fatherhood — his twin children were born prematurely at just two pounds each via an emergency C-section. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, some of his difficulties were launching his company as a non-technical founder creating software. Two days after his children’s births, he had to attend an accelerator, led by gener8tor, which was a two-hour drive from where he lived in northeast Wisconsin. Ahead of a presentation on demo day, Oliver was greeted by an angel investor group, and they were willing to invest $250,000. “I dropped to my knees and thanked God because everything I was going through at that time was really hard. So that was my introduction to being a parent and...
The first patient to receive gene therapy for sickle cell disease since its approval is finally home. The New York Times reported that staff members were overjoyed as 12-year-old Kendric Cromer left Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, in a wheelchair on Oct. 16, 2024. Kendric is one of approximately 20,000 people with the most severe form of sickle cell disease. This condition results from a mutation in the hemoglobin genes, causing red blood cells to take on a crescent shape. These misshaped cells can block blood vessels, leading to severe pain, stroke, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy. “I thought I would have sickle cell for the rest of my life,” Kendric said, according to The Times. Throughout his childhood, the disease had prevented him from enjoying playing basketball or riding a bike. Such activities would trigger pain and require frequent trips to the hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , about 100,000 people in the U.S....
Venus Williams has taken “better” steps to destigmatize mental health. And according to The New York Post, mental health seems to have always been a priority for the tennis great. “My parents were big proponents of mental health — not just self-care, but proactivity,” Venus Williams told the outlet. “It was about realizing that the world is a beautiful place, but it’s also a challenging place, and that you have to prepare mentally to be able to handle the pressures. I was able to succeed in places where others [didn’t] because I had that support from a young age.” Despite all of the advances made in the normalization of mental health, overall, there’s still a stigma attached to it. “While Black Americans experience a wide range of attitudes toward mental health treatment, there’s a stigma surrounding mental illness that prevents some people from getting help,” reports VeryWellMind. “It’s important to consider how the stigma—and the forces that create the stigma—may make it difficult...
When Eric Coly founded AYANA Therapy, he knew that there would, initially, be some resistance to the concept. As a Black man originally from the country of Senegal, Africa, he understood that there would be cultural resistance from the Black men both from his country of origin and his adopted country. “There are a number of reasons why, of course,” Coly told AfroTech. “But no matter where in the diaspora you’re from, the resistance to therapy can be summed up in one word: culture.” Coly said he was inspired to start the company after having a chat with a longtime friend, who told him of the struggles he was having with his mental health. The friend, according to Coly, recognized that he was in need of mental health services, but he struggled with finding a therapist that was sensitive to his cultural needs. And thus, AYANA Therapy was born. Billing itself as an online platform that offers access to mental health services to minorities and marginalized communities with an emphasis on...
Since COVID-19 hit, a huge focus for many personally affected by the virus has been prioritizing mental health. With people’s loved ones dying and communities struggling to stay afloat, the effects of the pandemic have taken their toll on many. In an effort to alleviate the stress of the health crisis, two beauty entrepreneurs want to offer women of color a resource to remind them to put their mental health first. DRK Beauty , founded by Wilma Mae Basta and Danielle Jackson, is a digital community that supports, celebrates, and empowers women of color. In light of COVID-19, the company launched its DRK Beauty Healing initiative to provide 10,000 hours of free therapy to women of color in America who have been severely impacted by COVID-19. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DRK BEAUTY HEALING (@drkbeautyhealing) “With DRK Beauty Healing we hope that our mental health initiative will spark conversation and change in our community. We have always envisioned DRK Beauty being...
During trying times like these, maintaining your mental health is just as important as your physical health. To help alleviate worry in the Black community, actress Taraji P. Henson is launching a free virtual therapy campaign for families and others dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19. She unveiled the COVID-19 Free Virtual Therapy Support Campaign on Wednesday via Instagram to better assist “under-served communities experiencing life-changing events related to, or triggered by, the COVID-19 pandemic,” as stated in her video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson) Henson’s campaign is sponsored by the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation , named after her father, who had his struggles with mental health after serving in the Vietnam war. “In the African-American community, we’ve been taught to tough it out, hide our suffering, but this is something none of us have ever experienced, and no one should suffer in silence,” Henson said on Instagram....
For many Black people in the United States, getting access to mental health care is a long, complicated process. From navigating anti-Blackness in the medical industry, to restrictive costs, to trying to find a therapist who shares your identity, there are a lot of potential roadblocks. According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health , Black people are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. Knowing that societal factors like racism can impact people’s health, it’s vital for Black people and members of other vulnerable communities to access mental health services. This is where Ayana therapy comes in— an app developed by founder Eric Coly with the goal of providing marginalized communities with access to online therapy. Ayana — which means “mirror” in Bengali — matches marginalized communities with licensed therapists based on their unique experiences and identities. By providing people with the ability to...
Google announced today that it will be removing a controversial “conversion therapy” app from its store after pressure from civil rights groups. Google was suddenly willing to cooperate on the same day of losing an endorsement from a top LGBTQ rights group over its failure to pull a conversion therapy app. The app in question is Living Hope Ministries, and it can no longer be found in Google’s store, as confirmed by TechCrunch and Axios . The controversy around the app came early on. Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft all removed the app from their own platforms after Truth Wins Out, an organization opposing conversion therapy, launched their own petition. Then, it became the subject of a Change.org petition with over 142,000 signatures urging Google to remove it. Previously, Google maintained that the app didn’t violate its Play Store terms of service. Now, Google reportedly told Axios, “After consulting with outside advocacy groups, reviewing our policies, and making sure we had a...
Every year, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) —an LGBTQ civil rights group —publishes a corporate equality index rating companies on how well they treat LGBTQ people. Typically, Google scores high on the list and receives a 100 percent rating , until now. HRC has made the decision to suspend Google from its 2019 corporate equality index after the company failed to remove a conversion therapy app. In footnotes of the report, HRC wrote that it had become aware of an app distributed in the Google Play Store supporting the practice of conversion therapy. HRC went on to say: “Such practices have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades. Minors are especially vulnerable, and conversion therapy can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide. Pending remedial steps by the company to address this app that can cause harm to the LGBTQ community the CEI rating is suspended.” — Human Rights Campaign The app, called Living Hope...
Charlamagne tha God has been inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial spirit for as long as he can remember. His father, who owned a fish market and a construction business, told him long ago, “When you get a business, don’t put your name on it. Because people [will] hate on it for no reason.” He’s kept that advice in mind on his journey. Born Lenard McKelvey, Charlamagne has established himself as a radio host, television personality, comedian, and businessman. One of his latest ventures involves expanding Krystal Restaurants. In an interview with AFROTECH™ , Charlamagne said franchising has always been a goal of his, and partnering with Krystal, a beloved Southern staple, was a great opportunity. “It just became one of those things that me and my wife wanted to do,” he told AFROTECH™. “This is one of those situations that just happened pretty organically. And I was with it. My wife was with it. You know, my financial team was with it. And we made it happen.” Charlamagne and his...
Former NFL player Mark Clayton sketched his vision for entrepreneurship while in business school. Clayton founded LIVV Audio, which offers high-performing headphones designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The product was inspired by his experiences as an athlete. Drafted to the NFL in 2005 by the Baltimore Ravens, he signed a five-year deal valued at $8.2 million, according to Spotrac. Around 2008, he was among the many athletes sporting Beats headphones. Over the years, Clayton recalled breaking two pairs. In 2010, he was traded to the St. Louis Rams but suffered a season-ending injury. During his recovery, he turned to aquatic therapy but faced challenges using over-the-ear headphones during his sessions. “I made it to St. Louis and had a season-ending injury. And a lot of the rehab we did was in the swimming pool,” Clayton told AFROTECH™. “So, of course, I want to wear my over-ear headphones, but they would start to fall off, and then I have to take ’em off because I...
A Michigan-based venture capital fund focused on investing in businesses owned by people of color has joined forces with a renowned investment firm, paving the way for expanded growth and a more significant impact for both organizations. According to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, the New Community Transformation Fund has partnered with Michigan Capital Network, which will manage fund’s, daily operations, and offer strategic guidance. Discussions between the two Grand Rapids firms began months ago. Paul D’Amato, CEO and managing director of Michigan Capital Network, said it “made sense” for both organizations from the start of the process. “We share their goal of creating access to capital for people of color because we know that business growth, entrepreneurship and capital investment strengthens our economy and makes our state more attractive to other businesses looking to relocate,” D’Amato said, Crain’s Grand Rapids reported. Through the affiliation, which gives the venture...
After creating a unique, Twix-powered and -inspired space for future Black technologists at AfroTech 2023, Mars Inc. returned to the conference this year ready to take things up several notches. The interactive installation’s effect on attendees started from a vibrant layout inspired by the iconic candy’s traditional gold and red packaging, arranged in such a way that they served as an instant pick me up for anyone in the area. Within the conference hall oasis, Mars, Inc. created a number of Twix-themed stations for candy and dessert fanatics, content creators, and techies looking for inspiration. The Creator Lab was all about connection and creativity. Attendees spent time at the Twix-inspired bracelet-making station, threading beads (in signature Twix colors) to craft fun pieces for themselves, friends, and family. The setup wasn’t just about making bracelets—it became a socializing and networking hotspot whenever attendees needed a break from the hustle and bustle on the...
Google has convened at one of the yearly hot spots for art and thoughtful conversations. To celebrate Art Basel/Miami Art Week 2024, Dec. 2 – 8, many are gathering in Miami, FL, to view the works of artists from all over the world. Kicking it off on Monday, Dec. 2, ELLE Magazine Editor-At-Large Hassan Pierre; Senior Director, Global Consumer Marketing, Commerce at Google, Stephanie Horton; and journalist Lola Ogunnaike hosted an intimate conversation with multidisciplinary artist Derrick Adams, in celebration of the week, and his partnership with Google Shopping at the Matador Room inside The Miami Beach EDITION hotel. Photo Credit: Matteo Prandoni / BFA.com | Editor Credit: Brendon Cook / BFA.com | L-R: Hassan Pierre, Stephanie Horton, Lola Ogunnaike, Derrick Adams Also in attendance were artist Mickalene Thomas; interior designer Sasha Bikoff; Carmen Busquets (founder of Net a Porter); Jasmine Wahi (founder of Project for Empty Space); and broadcast journalist Cari Champion, among...