Showing 254 results for:
Popular topics
Data analyst Hervé Aniglo is on a mission to make coding fun through music. The University of Memphis alum’s passion for technology began in elementary school. Over the years, he gained experience as a software engineer and business analyst, but it was his love for using data to tell compelling stories that ultimately led him to his current role. “I just like working with data — gathering information and seeing what I can do with it. I love to tell stories,” he told AFROTECH™ in an interview . “So that, being a data analyst, it shows the world and it shows people like what stories you can tell from it in a sense. You can predict the future. You can see what’s going to happen with the current trend.”‘ Personal Call To Action In Tech Aniglo is also dedicating time within the industry to give back, guided by two personal calls to action. The first is to help people find roles and support their professional development. This mission, which began in college, includes reviewing resumes,...
Dr. Valerie Camille Jones Ford, an educator with over 25 years of dedicated service, was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame on June 20, becoming only the sixth Black woman to receive the honor. The induction joins a long list of accolades, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, recognition in the U.S. Congressional Record by the late Rep. John Lewis, and multiple honors from President Barack Obama for her work advancing equity and excellence in education. As a Black female leader in STEM education , Jones Ford is committed to using her platform to inspire underrepresented students to pursue similar paths. “I’m incredibly proud to be among such amazing educators, but it lets me know there’s still work to be done as far as bringing recognition, because I know there are so many teachers of color who deserve this platform,” Jones Ford told AFROTECH™. She said that she wanted to use her platform to share her experience and to bring...
It’s another historic feat in space exploration. According to a press release, Blue Origin — an American space exploration company founded by Jeff Bezos — completed its 13th human spaceflight as part of the New Shepard program, bringing the total number of people it has sent to space to 70. This is after an historic, all-women-led crew, including journalist Gayle King, pop star Katy Perry, and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe launched in April, as AFROTECH™ previously told you. “I’m honored to be part of Blue Origin’s first all-female flight team and this historic moment in space exploration and human potential,” Bowe expressed at the time in a news release. “This mission is about redefining what’s possible and showing young people, especially girls, that they belong in every field.” Now, a new historic feat has been reached through Blue Origin. On June 29, its 13th human spaceflight, NS-33 crew, included Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian-born attorney and financial consultant who is...
Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper are returning to Detroit using their business as a tentpole. The Morehouse College graduates are the visionaries behind Eastside Golf, a golf apparel lifestyle brand launched to bring more attention to youth golfers and energize interest in golf among those who don’t commonly play the sport, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. The pair did not have a background in fashion, but made the risky move to quit their full-time corporate jobs in America to put everything into the venture, according to AFROTECH™. That move has fared well for the entrepreneurs. Their business secured $3.4 million in funding in 2024 through a round led by EP Golf Ventures, a partnership between the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) and Elysian Park Ventures. The pair also debuted a footwear collaboration with Nike in 2024 and have secured partnerships with the MLB, NFL, NBA, Mercedes-Benz USA and Jordan Brand, AFROTECH™ previously reported. What’s more, the...
Recent graduate Sabrin Khalif is ensuring her parents’ sacrifices weren’t in vain. According to CBS News, Khalif has earned not only a high school diploma from Irondale High School in New Brighton, MN, but also an Associate of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from nearby Anoka-Ramsey Community College. This feat holds emotional weight considering her parents, who were raised in Somalia, never had a chance to finish school even at the elementary level. The pair moved to the United States in hopes of creating a better life. “All of the aspirations my parents wanted, it’s now set on me,” Khalif told the outlet. “Not only to fulfill it, but also to show them that all of their sacrifices, everything that they gave up on, they’re able to say, ‘Hey, it was actually worth it.'” What’s Next? Looking ahead, Khalif intends to further her studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in Minneapolis-St. Paul and will be pursuing a bachelor’s in human physiology and a bachelor’s in public...
Thanks to online support, this recent high school graduate can now afford to go to college. In May 2025, Mykale Baker received his diploma from Mills Creek High School in Gwinnett County, GA, while adorned with two medals, People reports. Though most graduates might celebrate with a party or dinner with loved ones, Baker instead clocked in to help his co-workers at Burger King. A video of him working at the fast food restaurant in his cap and gown went viral on TikTok, garnering over 706,000 likes (at the time of this writing). Maria Mendoza, 45, was the customer who spotted Baker and shared the video with the caption, “This young man deserves a scholarship!” @mariabonita528 This young man deserves a scholarship!!!! @Carlos_Eduardo_Espina @Burger King #daculaga #burgerking #youngkid #graduated #hardworking #pesopluma #nuevavida ♬ NUEVA VIDA – Peso Pluma “I saw him with his sash and medals. I see Mykale right there, just working with a smile,” Mendoza told WSB-TV 2 in Atlanta. “I...
Kendrick Lamar and SZA have made history in the music industry. Grand National Tour The Grammy-award winning artists are frequent collaborators and performed together at the 2025 Super Bowl LIX performance in New Orleans. The pair later embarked on the “Grand National Tour,” which kicked into gear on April 19 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, according to USA Today. The tour, presented by Live Nation, pgLang (Lamar’s agency), and Top Dawg Entertainment, made its way to 19 stadiums in cities such as Los Angeles, Houston, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, mentions Seattle’s Lumen Field. Concluding the North American leg on June 18, the tour will continue throughout the U.K., Europe, and Australia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) This has marked the first stadium tour for both artists. “There’s so many firsts happening back to back,” SZA said on the “Sherri” show . “I can’t express what it’s like to go through life for the first time but in front...
VJ Edgecombe, a 2025 NBA draft pick, isn’t taking his positioning for granted. Edgecombe was drafted on Wednesday to the Philadelphia 76ers during the first round as a third overall pick, according to CBS Sports. The moment was emotional for Edgecombe as he reflected on his upbringing. He was born and raised in Bimini, a small island in the Bahamas, according to WHYY. He told NBA reporter Taylor Rooks that his family struggled, lived without electricity for seven years, and had to rely on a generator. “See what she had to go through to feed us? It’s crazy… My mind [is] everywhere right now,” he told Rooks. Basketball is now his saving grace. Edgecombe moved to the U.S. in the ninth grade and completed his senior year of high school at Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, NY, per USA Today. In college, he played basketball at Baylor University and made a name for himself, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, Sports Spectrum reported. His talents...
Not long ago, Red Lobster was making headlines for all the wrong reasons—financial losses, restaurant closures, and a bankruptcy filing. But recently, the mood has shifted, and so has the menu. Thanks to its CEO, Damola Adamolekun, the iconic seafood chain is starting to feel like itself again, just a little fresher, marking a promising comeback for Red Lobster. Since taking the helm in August 2024, as AFROTECH™ previously reported, Adamolekun has been on a mission to bring Red Lobster back to life, meaning more than just shrimp deals and cheddar biscuits. It’s about creating a better dining experience, from the food on your plate to the smile that greets you at the door. A New Menu, Familiar Favorites, Real-World Value One of Adamolekun’s goals was to revitalize the menu by bringing back classic Red Lobster dishes and promotions. On Monday, the seafood chain announced the return of Crabfest, which includes items like a sirloin steak or salmon topped with crab, as well as seafood...
Kande Sill is proof of the importance of exposing children to STEM routes early. The 16-year-old U.K. student has a passion for design and engineering, which was made possible by following her parents advice to attend a school with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), she revealed on “The Perfect Balance Trod Class” podcast. “I never really had much of a directed interest in engineering before this, but when my parents said that maybe I should try out going to the school, a very STEM focused school, that was kind of when I got into engineering and I realized I quite enjoy learning about engineering,” Sill, who attends a University Technical College, explained on the podcast. According to Black News, she is now making a mark in the sector, serving as an inspiration for others. As part of a project, she created the “Enhancing Medical Delivery” prototype to deliver medical supplies more efficiently to underserved communities globally. Its design includes...
We are shedding a light on a group of Black pioneers making significant strides. AFROTECH™ Future 50 Launched in 2022, the AFROTECH™ Future 50 is a prestigious list that amplifies 50 innovators, visionaries, founders, venture capitalists, technologists, and changemakers annually. Dynamic Investors – venture capitalists empowering underserved founders in tech. Future Makers – recognizes professionals for groundbreaking innovation and historical firsts in technology. Visionary Founders – acknowledges the accomplishments of founders who showcase outstanding company growth and a strong dedication toward promoting diversity and inclusion. Changemakers – honors individuals for significant social impact in the tech industry. Corporate Catalysts – professionals who have a track record of championing diversity. Legacy Leaders View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Exemplifying the aforementioned categories are our Legacy leaders who have upheld these standards of...
Marvin Ellison has made history as a Fortune 500 executive. Career Trajectory Back in the day, Ellison worked part-time at Target with paychecks reflecting compensation of $4.35 an hour as an employee, according to Fortune. Ellison, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of Memphis and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, went on to serve as a director at Target for 15 years beginning in 1987, and later as executive vice president of stores at The Home Depot, according to his LinkedIn profile. CEO Of Lowe’s, Which Crossed $83.67B In Revenue Ellison transitioned to JCPenny as its CEO and now holds that title at Lowe’s where he has been since May 2018, a news release mentions. He has led the home improvement company to $83.67 billion in revenue and almost $7 billion in profits for 2025, per Fortune. “Attracting Marvin is a great win for the entire Lowe’s team. Marvin is an experienced retail CEO with extensive expertise in a complex...
Three historically Black colleges and universities ( HBCUs ) in Mississippi will benefit from a $9.1 million higher education grant the state received to expand artificial intelligence (AI) education , workforce training, and entrepreneurship. According to WJTV 12 News, on June 12, 2025, Governor Tate Reeves announced the grants through the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP), aimed at strengthening the state’s workforce and economic future. In addition to the state support, each institution will seek private funding and resources to maximize impact. “This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,” Reeves said. “We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re building it. This investment will help to ensure that Mississippians are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.” Administered by AccelerateMS, Jackson State University (JSU) in Jackson received $1.3 million to launch the Executive On Roster (XOR) initiative, which...
The sky is the limit for California high schooler Keion Rothschild. CBS News reports the Vista Oaks Charter School senior graduated with a 4.0 GPA with honors and has been accepted into 24 colleges and universities, including University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Los Angeles; and the University of Southern California. What’s more, he has been empowered with $1 million in scholarships. “Wow, I’m really able to do that,” Rothschild expressed to the outlet. “It really puts it into perspective what you can do when you put your mind to it.” Rothschild’s mother, Onó, commented: “I’m ecstatic for my son and I say this so often; I am just blessed to be his mom.” Rothschild is already charting his future ahead. He has chosen to attend the University of Oregon with a full-ride scholarship made possible through their honors program. He will pursue an English degree to fulfill his aspirations of becoming a screenwriter. But beyond academic goals, his dreams are deeply...
Meharry Medical College will be broadening its reach to Memphis, TN. The Historically Black College and University (HBCU), based in Nashville, TN, has long-term plans to expand to Memphis, TN, as CEO and President James Hildreth told Commercial Appeal. Already, the school held a grand opening for a new medical training facility that will be located at the 23-acre mixed-use campus of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, launching its Office of Memphis Programs. “I see this as a wonderful opportunity to turn the tide on and bring about better health care outcomes in the city of Memphis,” said Rev. Jason Turner of Mississippi Boulevard Church, according to the outlet. The training facility will be timely as Meharry Medical College has often sent its students to hospitals in other states due to outstanding commitments local major hospitals already had to train students from other schools. “One of the things that the branch campus in Memphis will do for us is to allow us to have two...