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Los Angeles, CA-based venture capital firm Slauson & Co. has announced a new cohort of its Friends & Family program. According to its website, the Friends & Family program benefits founders of emerging category-defining businesses across various sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI) , consumer technology, health and wellness, and fintech . The initiative offers essential capital, connections, and community support to help the founders advance business operations, attract investment, and connect with like-minded individuals in its early stages. On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the firm announced 10 founders selected from over 800 applications, including Ballin AI, which provides AI-powered scouting and recruiting tools for athletes and athletic departments worldwide, and Coblr, a streamlined platform that connects fashion repair shops, brands, and consumers to unlock the $700 billion circular fashion market. “I couldn’t be more excited to learn from, and grow alongside, this...
Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is a serial investor passionate about educating the youth in STEM. NFL Days Fitzgerald Jr. is a former NFL player drafted in 2004 by the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN mentions that his selection for the team was a no-brainer for general manager Rod Graves and head coach Dennis Green, who passed away in 2016. The Football Foundation notes that Fitzgerald Jr. was one of the best wide receivers in college football history. He was also the first sophomore to receive the Walter Camp Player of the Year award given to athletes who strive for excellence in their careers while benefiting others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by College Football Hall of Fame (@cfbhall) “[Green] knew the family, he knew all of that, but there was no question about [Fitzgerald’s] football ability,” Graves said, according to ESPN. “Based on all the information we had, we felt that he was the No. 1 player in the country.” Larry Fitzgerald Foundation One year after being drafted into the...
Atlanta, GA -based Georgia Tech University has joined the list of institutions adapting to federal laws surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives nationwide. On Feb. 26, 2025, the Georgia Tech Pride Alliance announced that the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center (LRC), the Women’s Resource Center, and the Black Culture, Innovation, and Technology Center would be dissolved and integrated into the Arts, Belonging, and Community Department, according to Rough Draft Atlanta. “We’ve known this was a possibility for years,” GT Pride Alliance said on Instagram. “These centers are losing the ability to distinguish and market themselves as what they are — a resource for marginalized groups. Other DEI programs are already undergoing similar restructuring across campus, but it is unclear when those changes will be fully announced.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by GT Pride Alliance (@gtpridealliance) According to Georgia Tech, the Arts, Belonging, and Community...
The NAACP has launched a “fund of funds” to scale impact within communities of color. According to a news release, NAACP Capital was formed with the support of Kapor Capital, the Kapor Center, and nine venture fund managers. It seeks to raise $200 million to fulfill its goal of investing in fund managers connected to sectors such as education, healthcare, and finance, with a focus on supporting underserved communities. Beyond capital, the initiative aims to close racial equity gaps and increase diversity within the tech industry. As part of this mission, resources and support will be provided to fund managers and founders. “As an ever-evolving legacy organization, the NAACP knows that innovation is borne out of inclusivity. Impact investing has the power to drive historic financial returns and uplift overlooked communities,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “Right now, deeply entrenched systemic barriers are curtailing the innovative progress necessary to...
In a world where things move at lightning speed, just coasting on your current skills won’t cut it anymore. Especially for Black professionals—whether you’re a millennial hustling for a promotion or Gen Xer looking to pivot into new industries—upskilling is the key to leveling up. It’s not just about staying in the game; it’s about dominating it. Learning new skills doesn’t just set you up for the next step; it helps you rise, thrive and own your space—especially in fields where we’re still pushing for more representation. Whether you want to transition into leadership , explore new industries or simply sharpen your expertise, upskilling gives you the power to reshape your career path. And for Black professionals, this journey isn’t just about stacking up certificates—it’s about busting down doors where diversity still lags. Why UC Berkeley Extension is the Move for Your Next Chapter When it comes to upskilling, UC Berkeley Extension offers certificates that will help you thrive in...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. When one thinks about interest rates, the first thing that comes to mind could be credit cards, car loans, and mortgages, but did you know that they also have materially shaped the tech industry over the past 20 years? That’s because the federal interest rate that the Federal Reserve Board sets also informs the industry on whether money will be cheap or expensive, and that changes the way the industry seeks to operate. Below, we will touch on all of the players impacted by the increases and decreases in the federal interest rates. The startup ecosystem players that are affected in different ways by lower or higher interest rates are limited partners, venture capital firms, founders, and employees. The first one is limited partners, or LPs as they are called in the industry. LPs are the institutions or people that invest in venture capital firms. Examples of institutional LPs can be pension funds...
Artificial intelligence (AI) can sometimes seem unpredictable and even scary, but Cliff Worley wants to help business owners understand how it can help them take their companies to the next level. Worley stresses the importance of taking the time to learn AI tools rather than immediately running away from the ever-evolving technology without ever attempting to understand it . As an accomplished marketing leader and growth advisor to startups, he has an affinity for helping entrepreneurs elevate their businesses. Worley is on a mission to do so by teaching them how to use AI to the advantage of the business they’re looking to grow and scale. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) Currently, Worley is the head of portfolio growth marketing at Kapor Capital. He provides strategic coaching to venture capital-backed companies on how to effectively go to market and scale customer acquisition. He also curates a newsletter called “Cliff...
The battle between artificial intelligence (AI) software and the music industry continues in a new lawsuit against two AI music startups. Top record labels Universal Music Group (UMG), Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Records are accusing AI music creation programs Suno Inc. and Udio AI of “massive and ongoing infringement.” The lawsuit claims that the entities “copied sound recordings from the labels ‘en masse and ingested them into its AI model,’” a practice that the plaintiffs say violates copyright laws, Forbes reports. Moreover, Suno and Udio AI are accused of using artists’ songs to “train their AI services.” In the suit against Suno, the filings allege that if the company hadn’t “violated copyrights on such a large scale, Suno’s service would not be able to reproduce the convincing imitations of such a vast range of human musical expression at the quality that Suno touts.” Similarly, the accusations against Udio AI hold some of the same weight, noting that “since the day...
Something new is on the horizon when it comes to investing in companies that are often overlooked and underserved, and these Black founders are helping to lead the charge. According to Forbes , Westbound Equity Partners, a venture capitalist firm spearheaded by former nonprofit director Sean Mendy is on a mission to pour millions into companies led by Black, Latin, and diversity-driven founders. “We aren’t investing in underrepresented founders as this altruistic thing,” Mendy told the outlet. “This fund is about investing in the best companies and performance. Explicit impact is what we’re doing on the foundation side.” Since its inception in 2019, the firm formerly known as Concrete Rose Capital has managed to invest in over 40 startups as well as tap into what Mendy says is “the diversity opportunity,” which provides capital to underrepresented founders, especially Black and Latino companies. What’s more, there is a key focus on startups with goals of serving their communities....
In the evolving business and technology landscape, innovation is a major marker of progress. However, ideas are often obstructed by hurdles that challenge the expansion of creativity. As organizations strive to pioneer new horizons, they frequently grapple with a phenomenon known as the “innovation stall.” Innovation stalls occur when the regular flow of creative ideas within an organization temporarily slows down or halts. This can result from factors like resistance to change, cultural issues, or resource constraints. Amidst these challenges , navigating the delicate balance between tradition and transformation becomes a crucial endeavor for organizations aiming to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible. What Is The Biggest Blocker To Innovation? Understanding the obstacles to innovation is pivotal for crafting effective strategies . Among the blockers, a prevalent one is resistance to change entrenched within organizational culture. Embracing innovation requires a fundamental...
