Showing 326 results for:

Black Woman Founders

by Topic

All results

326
After Helping Other Brands Generate Revenue, Jackie Asamoah Bet On Herself And Launched FORVR Mood With Her Husband, Denis Asamoah

Jackie And Denis Asamoah are conquering the world of business hand in hand. Inception The married couple are the co-founders of FORVR Mood, a shared passion project that birthed a brand. Their company launched with distinctive candles and later expanded into a fragrance collection that includes I Am Her, You Remind Me, Hard To Get, and NDA, all intentional priced at $79. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FORVR MOOD (@forvrmood) For Jackie, it was a full-circle moment to enter an industry she believes has long been gatekept from Black founders and Black creators, she shared in an interview on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast. She remembered the first beauty product she could afford was perfume — a purchase that not only helped her bond with her mother but also proved useful in managing the hyperhidrosis (a condition that causes excessive sweating unrelated to heat or exercise) she developed at age 10. “I tie it back to bonding with my mom and also attributing it to the...

Jul 16, 2025

Praxis Labs, An AI-Powered Immersive Learning Company, Has Been Acquired

Praxis Labs has been acquired. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the company was co-founded by AFROTECH™ Future 50 honoree Elise Smith and launched as an “immersive practice-based platform that drives inclusive, engaged, and higher-performing teams” powered by AI. Praxis Labs’ product offerings are Pivotal Practice, which helps managers to improve their critical human skills, and Pivotal Experiences, 15-30-minute perspective-taking simulations intended to increase empathy and provide a practice ground for workplace scenarios, its website mentions. TechCrunch notes the company’s client pool includes eBay, Zoom, Amazon, Google, and Target. “For me, it’s how do we use technology to help us become even better humans, to help us be able to give feedback across differences, to navigate difficult conversations, to provide performance feedback and expectations with accountability and care in a way that actually serves us all better, that creates more value for everyone, doesn’t cause harm,”...

Jul 15, 2025

Journalist Taylor Rooks Launches Foundation To Empower Black And Brown Families Through Education, Health, And Opportunity

Taylor Rooks is launching a foundation that will assist Black and brown families. Taylor Rooks Foundation According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, the two-time Emmy Award-nominated journalist and producer was inspired by the stories she has told and people she has encountered throughout the course of her life to launch the Taylor Rooks Foundation. This has led to what will be a long-term effort to support storytellers and uplift Black and Brown individuals and families through education, health, and opportunity regardless of their “zip code, background, or bank account.” The nonprofit is guided by the following pillars: REACH (educational resources, community wellness initiatives, small business support, and direct giving) RELIEVE (support for health and recovery, crisis assistance, and essential living needs) REPRESENT (mentorship for journalists, storytelling workshops, and launch of Rising Rooks Award) “I believe that equity starts with access — access to care, to...

Jul 14, 2025

Founder Jordyn Weaver Wants To Help Creators 'Bring Black-Owned Businesses To The Forefront Of The World'

Entrepreneur Jordyn Weaver is bridging the gap between creators and Black-owned businesses. Forefront Weaver, who comes from a non-technical background, built a team to help her bring Forefront’s vision to life. The company was founded in 2020, initially operating within the social commerce industry. Consumers could discover and shop Black-owned brands and also invite their friends into the process. On the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, Weaver said while the platform still carries this sentiment, it has pivoted its focus to creators. Forefront markets itself as a “content and creator marketplace for the culture.” Emerging brands looking to connect with culture and tap into influencer marketing organically could benefit from the platform. Influencer marketing is projected to be a $480 billion industry, according to Goldman Sachs. Creators can onboard the platform and have the chance to interact with BIPOC brands to spark gifted, paid and UGC partnerships, according to the...

Jul 9, 2025

Founder Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela Used Her Science Background To Break Into South Africa’s Brewing Scene, Now She’s Behind An Academy Helping Others Do the Same

South African brewer Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela wants to see more diversity within the beer industry. Nxusani-Mawela is the founder of Tolokazi Premium Beer & Cider, which offers a variety of beers and ciders that honor the legacy of African female brewers and is inspired by the Tolo Kingdom’s history of brewing, according to information shared on her LinkedIn. She began brewing back in 2007 after obtaining a microbiology degree from the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria, mentions AP News. She also found that she was able to put her science background to good use with brewing. “I sort of fell in love with the combination of the business side with the science, with the craftsmanship and the artistic element of brewing,” she told AP News. This led Nxusani-Mawela to receive further education at the Institute of Brewing and Distilling between 2006 and 2014. By 2019, she positioned herself as a founder within the brewing industry and also owns a brewery that sits in...

Jul 8, 2025

Will Smith And Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Media Company Joins Forces With Studio Azuki For Global Anime Push

Westbrook Inc., the entertainment studio founded by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez, and Ko Yada, is entering the anime world — and not quietly. According to a report from Variety, the company has announced a partnership with the newly formed Studio Azuki, signaling a global push that connects Hollywood storytelling with next-generation anime development. The collaboration pairs Westbrook with a new kind of anime studio, one rooted in Japanese tradition, driven by fan participation, and powered by digital culture. “…Our mission has always been to tell stories that connect, inspire, and transcend borders,” Yada, CEO of Westbrook, said via Variety. “…[Studio Azuki’s] creative vision and cultural insight align seamlessly with our global strategy.” Studio Azuki is a joint venture formed by digital-native brand Azuki, manga publisher Comisma Inc., and animation house Xenotoon Inc. Each brings something different to the table. Azuki, born from an NFT project, has already...

Jul 1, 2025

Why Tyra Banks’ New Sydney, Australia, Ice Cream Shop Dedicated To Her Mother Is A Sentimental Full-Circle Moment For Them Both

Tyra Banks is dedicating her latest business move to her mother. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the supermodel is the proud founder of the ice cream shop Smize & Dream, which had planted its seeds in Dubai and Washington, DC. The venture is very dear to the mother and daughter. Carolyn London, Banks’ mother, sacrificed in her earlier years to provide for both her children after a divorce, Today reports. Grabbing ice cream weekly would be a way to convene and reflect on a more hopeful future. “Years ago, when I was working so hard as a single mom, I worked more than one job,” London said in an Instagram post. “I worked two jobs. I worked three jobs. I did whatever I could. And the way we would celebrate each week that I got through is I would take her for ice cream in Hollywood. We live near Hollywood, and we would go for ice cream, and we would sit in the car and talk about what we wanted out of life, and where we wanted to go and how we wanted to live and her dreams, and try to...

Jun 26, 2025

Meet The 2025 AFROTECH™ Future 50 Carrying The Torch Forward And Disrupting Industries

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...

Jun 18, 2025

Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver Debunks Notion That In Order To Not Fail As An Entrepreneur You Must Sell Your Company

Fawn Weaver does not believe selling your company is necessary to show you didn’t fail as an entrepreneur. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Weaver is the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, a whiskey brand honoring the spirit of “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man credited for teaching Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. The company has achieved remarkable success. It has a 458-acre distillery with the world’s longest bar (518 feet) in Shelbyville, TN, and sells its whiskey in more than 30,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Additionally, the company surpassed a valuation of $1 billion, but if you think for a second Weaver plans on selling, think again. She has not warmed up to venture capitalists, private equity, or institutional lending. Instead, Weaver has relied on the support of individual investors. By 2023, she raised $225 million through this route, with individual investors not owning more than 2% to 3% of the company each (employees own less than 3%). Weaver...

Jun 17, 2025

Meet Kai Frazier, An Educator Who Sold Her Assets To Bet On Kai XR, A Metaverse Learning Experience For Students

Kai Frazier took a bold leap by creating a metaverse learning platform, empowering elementary and middle schoolers as a way to invest in the future of learning. Kai XR Frazier founded Kai XR, described as a learning tool “bridging the gap between technology and access for all students,” according to its website. She became convinced that the solution lies in technology, particularly Extended Reality (XR). Frazier visited Stanford, located just 30 minutes from Oakland , CA, where she gained insights from its Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL), which, according to its website, examines the psychological and behavioral effects of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). “That’s where all of the XR technology and the research is happening,” Frazier told AFROTECH™ at ED Farm’s Future of Learning Summit 2025. Photo Credit: Kai XR Frazier has a passion for history that has translated into a background in education spanning over two decades. She began her career as a teacher...

Jun 16, 2025

Goodr, A Black Woman-Owned Sustainable Food Waste Startup, Heads To Chicago With Its First Free Grocery Store Located In A Hospital

Goodr will be bringing its free grocery store to the windy city. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Goodr — the brainchild of Jasmine Crowe-Houston — is a sustainable food waste management company based in Atlanta, GA. Since its inception in 2017, the company has launched various initiatives, including a free grocery and clothing store at Atlanta’s McNair Middle School in partnership with rapper Gunna (2021). More recently, it introduced the Goodr Community Market at iVillage @ MLK (2024), which features a free grocery store and health clinic, with a goal of serving 600 families by 2026. “I have a lot of crazy good ideas to help people and I am so blessed when partners and my team join me to bring them to life,” Crowe-Houston said at the time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jasmine Crowe Houston (@jasminecrowe) First P ermanent Location In Chicago Now, Goodr is scaling its mission to the south side of Chicago, IL, opening its grocery store model in a hospital. This will...

Jun 13, 2025

Culina Health Co-Founder Vanessa Rissetto Believes Removing ‘Human Element Out Of Health Care Is Incorrect’

Culina Health Founder Vanessa Rissetto is behind a personalized, virtual nutrition-care startup that has raised millions of dollars to provide dietary guidance to patients. Culina Health Established and bootstrapped in 2020 alongside co-founder Tamar Samuels, Culina Health recently secured over $7.9 million in Series A funding, bringing its total funding to more than $20 million, per Essence. The health tech company offers holistic and evidence-based nutrition care from registered dietitians, its website notes . Here’s how the platform works: Within 10 minutes, patients are matched with a registered dietitian to schedule their first 60-minute session. From there, they can discuss their health history, and follow-up 45-minute sessions help patients establish healthier habits and assess their progress. The platform has over 90 registered dietitians and has served over 10,000 patients across all 50 states. Culina Health’s superpower includes its ability to track patient data and...

Jun 12, 2025

80-Year-Old Entrepreneur Beatrice Wilson Turns Dreams Into Reality By Opening One Of Atlanta's Newest Nail Salons

80-year-old entrepreneur Beatrice Wilson did not take no for an answer. Wilson had worked at local car dealerships before deciding to attend nail school to learn how to do nails, according to 11 Alive. However, when she tried to get a job at a nail salon, she faced rejection. That is when she took matters into her own hands and opened Bee Nails, a nail salon in Atlanta, GA. “I feel you’re never too old; it’s never too late to follow what you love doing,” Wilson told 11 Alive. Wilson opened seven storefronts across metro Atlanta before retiring in 2021. However, as a result of boredom, she jumped right back into the business and opened up an eighth location. “Personally, I love being away from home and talking and interacting with people,” Wilson told the outlet. Now, she is the proud owner of her newest and largest store. Last week, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and City Council member Andrea Boone attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new storefront. “It’s very heartwarming...

Jun 11, 2025

Op-Ed: The Case For Billion-Dollar Deals For Black Entrepreneurs

Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. For many founders in the beauty and lifestyle space, the measure of success isn’t just in sales but also in the value of an exit. Recently, Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand, Rhode, was acquired by e.l.f . for $1 billion. Founded in 2022, the beauty brand has reached its valuation quickly thanks to Bieber’s name recognition and viral social media campaigns. But while Bieber has been praised for selling her company, the majority of Black founders are accused of being sellouts by Black customers when they do. Over the past several years, Black-owned brands like The Honey Pot Company, Mielle Organics , and Briogeo Hair Care have been acquired by large conglomerates. For every acquisition, a large portion of their Black customers have complained or claimed that they would no longer buy from the brand because they view the acquisition as a form of selling out. Black founders are held to a different standard...

Jun 3, 2025

Amid Boycott, Melissa Butler Says The Lip Bar's Sales At Target Decreased 30% To 40%

Founder Melissa Butler says The Lip Bar was impacted by the Target boycott. How Target’s DEI Stance Impacted Its Q1 Earnings As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Target made the decision to scale back its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which included dismantling a program that worked to feature Black-owned businesses in its stores. The company also stopped sending reports to an external diversity-focused organization. This prompted a 40-day consumer boycott led by Rev. Jamal Bryant, which attracted participation from nearly 200,000 consumers, per Atlanta News First. Target experienced a decline in foot traffic for 11 consecutive weeks, and its first-quarter earnings were $23.8 billion, which was 2.8% lower than the same period the previous year, according to a press release. To no surprise, business owners shelved at the store have felt the brunt of the boycott. This includes Butler who shared that sales had plummeted between 30% and 40%. “When people ask me...

May 30, 2025