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Jamaica’s largest fast-food chain, Juici Patties, is planning a U.S. expansion, with 57 franchise agreements signed and locations set to open by 2027, Black Enterprise reports. Founded in 1980 by Jukie Chin in May Pen, Clarendon, Jamaica, according to its website, Juici Patties began with one standout product: the Jamaican beef patty, a flaky pastry filled with spiced beef. What started as a teenage side hustle in his mother’s kitchen has become a household name with more than 60 locations across the island today and exports throughout the Caribbean. The chain had already begun branching out into the U.S. market, launching locations in South Florida in 2024 and more recently in Brooklyn and the Bronx, according to Eater. The strong response to these locations shows that the appeal of Jamaican cuisine reaches far beyond diaspora communities. “This is more than just a business. This is an opportunity for a Jamaican company and brand to expand on the global stage and show the world...
In 2017, a couple visited a bakery in New York, NY, to try what they believed was “one of the best cookies” ever. Fast-forward to nearly six years later, they are responsible for a Black-owned, Texas-based cookie company where friends, families, and customers can enjoy their sweet treats.
For Randall Yarborough, being highly in tune with his surroundings as an adolescent was the foreshadowing of his future career. The footwear designer grew up on the west side of Detroit, MI — off of Joy Road to be exact — and was fascinated by the buildings in the downtown area. While he didn’t know exactly just what architecture was at the time, he knew he wanted to get his hands on it.
As technology continues to evolve, so does the culture of sneakers as we know them. No longer are eager collectors waiting in line for new releases, instead, they can be accessed by the click of a button. Now, with the metaverse playing a huge role in the day-to-day life of consumers, one popular self-taught artist is turning top-selling sneakers into digital characters. “Technology has definitely changed my life,” said Anderson Bluu, the visionary behind The Sneaker Transformation Series, a limited edition line of NFTs. “I don’t even know if I could do what I’m doing now without the way the world is built with social media technology and how everybody has a phone in their hand.” Bluu is a self-taught artist from Long Island, NY. He is also a sneaker designer who uses his creative powers to produce his own artwork, which is inspired by his love of sneakers, basketball, and pop culture. He further explained how technology has transformed his life, specifically as an artist. “I use it...
What would the music industry be without Black music? Or rather, what would it be without Black women ? Across eras in music, Black women — especially those more behind the scenes — have been the glue that holds things down. We love to sing along with our favorite artists. However, credit also needs to be rightfully given to the songwriters, producers, and composers who are a key reason why we blast our favorite tracks on YouTube, streaming platforms, and beyond. From infectious hooks to a catchy bass, it’s all a part of the formula to a smash record. Take a look at some of our favorite Black women behind the charts — who majority also have successful careers as artists — that AfroTech has our radar on.
Vori is a digital B2B wholesale app that is shaking up the traditional ways of the grocery industry. Co-founded by Brandon Hill, Tremaine Kirkman, and Robert Pinkerton, the online wholesale marketplace uses its technology to modernize the process of ordering for supermarkets. Its technology is a win-win for local retailers and local distributors as it has created easy steps for wholesale ordering. AfroTech previously shared that in 2021, Vori secured $5.7 million in funding from YCombinator, Greylock Partners, South Park Commons, and more — earning Hill and Kirkman spots on Forbes’ 30 Under 30. Since the startup’s launch, the Vori team has received praise and recognition from people who have expressed that they’ve “been waiting on a solution like this their entire career.” Their innovation has led to investments including Mollie Stone’s Markets, an independent family-owned grocery store chain with locations in California — where Vori is based. The heart of Vori’s mission is...
A new claim by Forbes suggests that celebrity startups may not be what we think they are. The outlet starts out by taking aim at both Rihanna and Kim Kardashian’s recent announcements about their latest funding rounds in their celebrity startups, questioning whether Savage X Fenty and SKIMS (respectively) were really worth the money they’d raised in recent funding rounds (Savage X Fenty raised $125 million in a Series C funding round, while SKIMS raised an additional $240 million, thus bringing its new valuation to $3.2 billion). The outlet also points out that celebrity investments (in other words, what they’ve invested from their personal checkbooks) in their own companies are often not disclosed — and neither are the real sales numbers. “All these private companies are on a PR tear and it’s even easier when a big name is involved,” said Sucharita Kodali, a retail analyst at Forrester, to Forbes. What’s more, she said, company valuations are often inflated by up to ten times their...
Football season is in full swing! There’s nothing quite like fall football games at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). And this year, Pepsi is blessing fans for their school spirit in a huge way. According to an official press release, the beverage company has launched a contest where HBCU students and alumni can vote for their favorite university. In turn, they will donate $25,000 to the winning institution’s general scholarship fund. “As a long-time resident of the South, I love the energy, spirit, and sense of community that HBCUs bring, especially around the highly anticipated return of football,” said Chauncey Hamlett, Vice President, and Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Beverages North America (South Division) in an official release shared with AfroTech. “This scholarship opportunity isn’t just open to students and alumni to cast their votes, but to anyone who shares pride and enthusiasm for these great institutions. I have a strong passion for HBCUs, and I...
Watching Malia Obama and Sasha Obama grow up before our very eyes has been a real treat. The Obama girls are a Black political legacy that are a source of pride for Black men and women all over the country. But if you believe their father, Malia Obama and Sasha Obama won’t be following in their father’s footsteps to the White House. “Them as teenagers having Secret Service guys follow them when they were going out on dates I think probably has shut down their interest in public service,” Obama said to James Corden, according to USA Today. “They still have PTSD from guys talking into their wrist microphones and glasses as they’re trying to go to a music concert. But you never know. If they decided to do it, obviously I would be extraordinarily proud of them.” No matter, though, because the Obama girls have plenty of other career opportunities at their disposal. Their parents frequently broker a variety of new deals from animated series to podcasts, and they’re also educated and...
Former President Barack Obama is making headlines this week. According to Axios , the 44th president is planning a blow-out birthday bash at his home in Martha’s Vineyard, and is inviting all of his celebrity friends. Invitees include Steven Spielberg and the legendary rock band Pearl Jam. It goes without saying, of course, that there’s a certain contingent that believes this party is evidence of a global conspiracy by the “elites” to implant microchips. And it really goes without saying that they hate the fact that Obama isn’t sitting home stuffing his face with cold Big Macs the way another former president is currently doing. Obama, however, made clear that this will be an outdoor event, that guests are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and that Martha’s Vineyard is considered a “low-risk” area for coronavirus infection. But if that isn’t enough to make a certain contingent seethe, his net worth certainly will. And at least his is legitimate, and not plagued by...
Noel Braham is tackling diversity in the world of entertainment head-on! The Emmy-nominated producer and filmmake r has officially acquired television rights for fan-favorite comic series , “The Antagonists.” Created by Tyler F. Martin, the series tells the average “superhero story” in a way that has never been done before. It follows infamous supervillains Desructus and Ultima as they look to reap the rewards of retirement following a successful mission to overtake the world. Throughout the series, the couple works to balance married life, parental responsibilities, being Black in America, and hiding their past and former identities from their children who have inherited their superpower abilities. They also struggle to keep their worst impulses in check. “We are extremely excited to work and deepen our relationship with Tyler and Godhood Comics in developing this dynamic franchise,” said Braham in an official press release.” Being that Tyler and I hail from the same hometown; this...
This Black doctor is the scientist behind some of our favorite beauty brands! Dr. Maiysha Jones serves as a Senior Scientist and Senior Scientific Communications Manager for Olay Body and several other P&G personal care brands. While she has a true passion for contributing scientifically to the brands, Dr. Jones is also committed to the development of young professionals in the sciences who have a specific interest in the growth and development of women and underrepresented minorities. “Black women bring a unique perspective to the STEM fields, and our voices need to be among those making decisions about the direction of consumer product and technology development to help protect against marginalization,” Dr. Jones told AfroTech via email. Since middle school, Dr. Jones knew that she wanted to grow up to become a scientist, but it wasn’t until after her undergraduate studies that she wanted to do research that specifically served a purpose in people’s lives. From there, she had the...