Denver, CO -based KT Winery, a Black, Asian-owned, and women-led wine company, has expanded its board of advisors to include Monique Rodriguez, founder of global beauty brand Mielle Organics , and Rachel Roff, founder of clinical skincare brand Urban Skin Rx . According to a March 13, 2025 news release, Kristin Taylor and Macie Mincey launched KT Winery in 2020 for the modern, health-conscious wine drinker and to address the lack of diversity representation in the wine industry. The brand is available in over 500 locations online and at select retailers, including Target and Total Wine, and on flights with major airlines. Rodriguez and Roff will provide strategic guidance to help shape the brand’s direction. “We are honored to have such notable female founders join the KT Winery board of advisors to provide their insight and guidance as we continue to grow another woman-led brand made for us,” said Taylor. As previously reported by AFROTECH™ , Rodriguez founded Mielle Organics in...

Six years after opening, a Philadelphia, PA, pizza shop continues its mission of providing a fresh start and making life easier for former inmates . According to NBC News, the seven-member staff at Down North Pizza consists entirely of formerly incarcerated individuals, including executive chef Michael Carter. Carter was searching for a new beginning after losing his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and selling barbecue meals off his porch. “When I add up the guys who work here, it’s about 63 years incarcerated. So it’s like we understand each other, where we come from,” Carter told NBC. “We had the same barriers when we came home, like whether it be employment, housing, health care — we all had to figure it out.” Carter was one of the first hires at Down North with experience in the kitchen, AFROTECH™ previously reported. Childhood friends Kurt Evans and Muhammed Abdul-Hadi founded the North Philly staple, hoping to reduce recidivism rates in the area. The restaurant serves pizza,...

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...

A federal judge is reportedly considering significantly reducing a multimillion-dollar settlement previously awarded to Clifford “T.I.” Harris and Tameka “Tiny” Harris. Multiple reports indicate that the judge is contemplating lowering the $71 million settlement to $17.8 million due to insufficient evidence that MGA acted in bad faith, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Last year, a jury awarded the Atlanta couple $71 million after a lengthy legal battle with MGA concerning the alleged misappropriation of their likeness in its popular ‘L.O.L. (Li’l Outrageous Littles) Surprise Dolls line, as reported by AFROTECH™. “Jurors reportedly agree that ‘L.O.L. Surprise! OMG dolls’ infringed on the trade dress and misappropriated the name, image, and likeness of the all-female group that T.I. and Tiny formed,” AFROTECH™ reported. During the weeks-long trial, lawyers pointed out seven MGA Dolls with appearances uncanny to the singers at “ very specific public events.” Tiny’s oldest daughter, Zonnique...

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...

A college student turned entrepreneur recently turned down a $300,000 offer on “Shark Tank,” a decision he credits to trusting his gut. Kobe Harris, then a student at Loyola University Chicago, launched his lip balm company, Kobee’s, from his bedroom in 2019 while researching sustainability and bees for a college project, CNBC reported . With $200 from his mom, he ordered ingredients on Amazon and started experimenting with simple formulas, using beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and mango butter, according to CNBC. Kobee’s offerings now includes lotion, lip scrub, cuticle butter, and hand salve — all packaged in eco-friendly, compostable materials and priced from $5 to $42. The company primarily sells through Amazon and its direct-to-consumer website, and once generated $15,000 in sales in only a day. Appearing on the Nov. 1 episode of “Shark Tank,” Harris sought a $300,000 investment in exchange for 6% equity, looking for mentorship and support in scaling distribution. Kendra...

Flau’jae Johnson is putting down roots in more ways than one. On Friday, the Louisiana State University (LSU) basketball guard and rapper shared that she has purchased 20 acres of land, a significant step toward turning her dreams into reality. In a celebratory Instagram post , Johnson said, “GOD IS AMAZING! I Done Got Addicted To The Acres. 20 Years Old With a total of 20 Acres !! Generational Wealth Fr @HomeDepot, what’s up?? Help me make some dreams a reality!”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Big 4️⃣ (@flaujae) For Johnson, her dreams reach far beyond her talents of music and basketball. “This land represents more than just an investment for me—it’s about building something bigger than basketball or music. I want to create opportunities for my community and leave a legacy that shows young women, especially young Black women, that we can do it all. Owning 20 acres at my age is proof that with vision and hard work, we can break boundaries and build the future we...

Teenage twins Taylan and Tylan Walker have united their individual interests to become entrepreneurs. WAVE 3 News in Louisville, KY, reports the pair was looking to open a brick-and-mortar store to start selling shoes when they completed high school. At the age of 13, Tylan had already started buying and reselling shoes on the market, while Taylan was watering his interest in cameras and videography. As the business of selling shoes grew, it became clear to them it was time to scale the venture. ”When I was in my house I was getting a bunch of shoes, and I was getting more and more shoes until like I was getting to the point where I needed to change locations because I had too many shoes in the house basically,” Tylan told the outlet. This led to the storefront Finest Kicks opening its doors in Louisville. The venture was supported through the brothers’ earnings from restoring and cleaning shoes as well as sales from buying and reselling shoes on the market. View this post on...