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As a Black woman tech executive at Amazon, Mamar Gelaye is on a mission to diversify the industry. Gelaye, an Ethiopia native, has a decades-long career spanning more than 20 years that dates back to her time as a management consultant at Accenture. Her interest in technology was evident while attending the University of Tennessee, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. She even worked on a hybrid electric vehicle project during this time. Belief In Technology Her faith in the advancements of technology remained strong, and following her time at Accenture, she pursued roles that reflected this. “I just really understood that technology was going to transform a great deal. I just understood that software was gonna control the machine,” she explained. “So when I left management consulting, I went into large industrial companies that were kind of big manufacturing, but manufacturing through automation, through kind of transformational engineering.” In...
Amazon is pulling the plug on its remote work policy and reinstating a full-time office presence, reverting to pre-COVID operational norms. CEO Andy Jassy shared the news on Monday, letting employees know to prepare to return to the office full-time starting on Jan. 2, 2025, as the world’s largest online retailer works to strengthen its culture and teams. In a memo to employees , Jassy stated, “When we look back over the last five years, we continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant.” He asserted that the last 15 months of hybrid work have only strengthened this belief, noting that “collaborating, brainstorming, and inventing are simpler and more effective” when teams are physically present. According to Fox Business, Amazon shifted from a remote work model to a mandatory three-day-in-office policy in May of last year. The retail giant’s CEO reflected on the pre-pandemic work culture in his memo, explaining, “Before the pandemic, not...
Amazon has come under harsh scrutiny for its treatment of employees in recent years, from accusations of systemically shortchanging paychecks to driving employee injuries by urging them to focus more on speed than safety. It might not be a dream career path for the average American, but for consumers, the multi-purpose company is driven by efficient customer service. They’ve mastered the art of promptly bringing packages to your door, but now, Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is revolutionizing the shopping world . Its capabilities are undeniably impressive, although not everyone is ready for the takeover of artificial intelligence. What Is Just Walk Out Technology? The first store to offer the Just Walk Out experience was an Amazon Go convenience store in Seattle in 2018; now, over 100 third-party retailers across the country allow people to grab their items and leave without waiting in a line or partaking in a transaction. “ They hated standing in lines in 1924, they hate...
Amazon has introduced a new delivery service that caters to low-income families to help cut costs and time for grocery shopping. According to a press release, the retail giant unveiled its grocery delivery subscription, which is provided at a lower cost to individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Available in over 3,500 U.S. cities, the subscription provides unlimited grocery delivery on orders more than $35 from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and other local grocery retail stores on Amazon.com. Customers who use a registered EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card to purchase groceries aren’t required to have a Prime membership to access the subscription’s benefits, the press release details. The cost for this group of customers is $4.99 per month, and Prime members pay $9.99 per month. Under the new Amazon subscription, both SNAP recipients and Prime members are offered convenience through one-hour delivery windows and 30-minute pickup...
A long while back, there was a cartoon about a family that lived far into the future. They had robots, flying cars, and all sorts of technology that many people could not conceive at the time. Although “The Jetsons” only lasted for three seasons, it foretold some things to come. The concept of artificial intelligence (AI) was built into the show’s fabric. And while some of the ideas in “The Jetsons” have yet to come to fruition, society is currently inundated with AI’s power and evolving possibilities. For many people and organizations, AI is a lifesaver. With ChatGPT helping folks save time with emails to platforms that serve as resume-writing assistants, AI is here to stay. However, with such strong possibilities comes the growing fear of human replacements in the workplace. While this fear may have some rational context, the future will likely be less about an AI takeover and more about the collaborative intelligence between AI and human capacity, with the goal of improving work...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we are not talking about Christmas. The world is in the middle of Amazon Prime Day, and packages are being shipped out like an Oprah giveaway — everyone gets a box! However, in good AfroTech fashion, Amazon Prime Day is an opportunity to support all Black-owned businesses and brands. As a company, Amazon has been intentional with its support of Black-owned businesses. As a part of its support over the last several years, the e-commerce giant has amplified the voices of Black business owners by creating a landing page for consumers to navigate. We took some time to navigate through all of the brands created by Black people, and we found some dope stuff. From beauty brands to cooking essentials, there is literally something for everyone during this “prime” shopping season. Check out this list of brands and creators available to shop with on Amazon below:
Are you missing a loved one or family member? Well, people may soon be able to have their deceased relative read the latest news headline with the introduction of Amazon Alexa’s new technology (If your mind immediately went to “Black Mirror,” you’re not alone. We thought the same thing). During Amazon’s re:MARS conference, the tech giant announced that the new feature would be a way for users to hold on to their fondest memories by connecting to familiar voices in the afterlife. During his presentation, Senior Vice President and Head Scientist for Alexa Artificial Intelligence, Rohit Prasad, showed how the new voice options could mimic the voice of a dead relative. Once Alexa listens to the voice for at least one minute, the smart assistant can simulate the desired voice when speaking. Making the seemingly eerie technology real, a video of the upcoming Alexa feature showed a child asking their grandmother to read them “The Wizard of Oz.” Immediately recognizing the request, Alexa’s...
Do you remember getting new shoes for school, and your mom made you walk across the store to see how they looked on your feet? If you answered “yes,” then many of us had a similar childhood. More interesting than that, however, is a new technology that will allow you to take that fashion stroll from the comfort of your home to determine if the shoe you want is the right choice. Amazon announced that shoppers in the United States and Canada will have access to its new Virtual Try-On feature for shoes, which will be available for iPhone users. The company, founded by Jeff Bezos, already allowed its users to participate in the try-before-you-buy program for Amazon Prime members. If a person was interested in specific pieces of clothing, they could use the program to try it on and send it back if it wasn’t a good fit. Building on this program, the augmented reality (AR) technology will allow buyers to try on shoes they like without ever leaving their homes. “Amazon Fashion’s goal is to...
There is no secret about some of the historical challenges that communities of color have faced in the United States. People of color have documented accounts of the hurdles that can impede success, particularly around wealth and ownership. However, none of that stopped the thousands of business owners and innovators from being successful despite the challenges. To copy the words of Atlanta-based HBCU Clark Atlanta University , people of color continue to “find a way or make one.” Regardless of the grit and hustle it sometimes takes to overcome policies and systems designed to hinder success, business owners of color persist. Some of this persistence comes from the assistance of individuals and organizations that recognize the struggle and are willing to be more than allies. They are looking to be accomplices.