Gabby Thomas is chasing purpose not a check. The Harvard University alum and track runner, who boasts several gold medals at the Olympic level, has remained grounded throughout all her success over the years. This she attributes to her upbringing in a single-parent household. Thomas views her mother, Jennifer Randall, as a “superhero” and credits her for the work ethic that she carries today on and off the field. According to information shared on the Olympics page, Randall moved her family to Massachusetts from Georgia with few financial resources so she could obtain a Ph.D. while teaching. Today, she is a professor at the University of Michigan, her LinkedIn states. “She showed me what leading with work ethic and compassion looks like on a daily basis,” Thomas told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. “Furthermore, she led with a focus on education and giving back. She taught me that leaving a place better than you found it is not only the nice thing to do, but the right thing to do....

Dr. Christine Izuakor is making it easier for people in technology to forge meaningful connections. The Houston, TX, native is a cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience leading cybersecurity functions at Fortune 100 companies. Her career journey could have looked very different had she pursued the medical field, a path favored by her Nigerian parents. However, she “failed miserably” in her attempt to become an eye doctor. Her pivot came after taking a course on encryption, which sparked her interest in cybersecurity. “I immediately switched my major and went on to earn a Ph.D. in security engineering. From there, I spent about 10 years leading different security functions at United Airlines, was a graduate cybersecurity professor, and so that’s what really kind of got me into this space and then allowed me to grow,” she told AFROTECH™ in an interview. Cyber Pop-up Today, Izuakor works part-time as an adjunct professor in cybersecurity at various schools and...

Entreprenuership is a risk that Monique Rodriguez was willing to take on. Business Risks Rodriguez is the co-founder of haircare brand Mielle Organics, which she launched with the help of her husband, Melvin. She shares on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas, that her earliest risk in her entrepreneurship journey was walking away from a stable position as a registered nurse. Melvin also took a leap, leaving his corporate role. Together, they trusted in what they believed was a vision from God and created a blueprint that ultimately led to success. “We didn’t just leave our jobs and say, ‘Oh, we don’t have a plan in place or we don’t have income.’ We had to have a solid plan in place to map out how we were going to get some type of income to still keep our bills afloat and food in our kids’ mouth. So we had to plan that out. But it was a huge risk of the unknown, of both of us turning away from our jobs,” Rodriguez mentioned on the...

Growth Warrior Capital has raised new funding to support enterprise companies being fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). The operator-led venture firm, which invests in early-stage Enterprise AI companies, was created by Promise Phelon, a former Silicon Valley tech CEO with more than 15 years of experience as an angel investor. According to a news release shared with AFROTECH™, her career trajectory has led to an expansive network , some of whom have now invested in Growth Warrior Capital’s first fund, which totals $26 million. Limited partners include Ho Nam and Han Kim (Altos VC) and well as Seth Levine and Brad Feld (Foundry). Amazon Catalytic Capital, Bank of America, Bessemer Venture Partners, Pivotal Ventures, and more are also listed as limited partners. “My goal is to be the first VC fund of significant scale run by a woman of color,” Phelon, founder and managing partner, said in a news release. “We have the backing of VC industry legends, and their support is proof of...

CoCo Gauff is on a mission to “take greater ownership” of her tennis career, starting with launching her own management agency. On Wednesday, April 2, Gauff, describing herself as an “athlete, entrepreneur, and changemaker,” announced the launch of Coco Gauff Enterprises. The initiative is supported by talent representation agency WME (William Morris Endeavor), which Gauff asserted has the “vision and resources to help me explore all of the opportunities ahead.” “From the moment I first picked up a tennis racket, I’ve always believed my purpose extended far beyond the court,” Gauff’s post said. “Today, I’m thrilled to announce CoCo Gauff Enterprises, a venture that reflects my passion for making an impact—not just in tennis, but in business, philanthropy , and beyond.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Coco Gauff (@cocogauff) The venture marks the end of Gauff’s partnership with Team8, the boutique agency co-founded by former Swiss professional tennis player Roger...

Cost of Doing Business (CODB), the holding company co-founded by Topicals CEO Olamide Olowe and President Sochi Mbadugha, has acquired premium haircare brand Bread Beauty Supply. According to a news release, the acquisition is CODB’s first step in building brands that connect culture, community, and commerce — especially as many companies scale back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts . “At a time when DEI commitments are being rolled back, it’s critical that Black-owned businesses not only survive — we have to win,” Olowe said. “Maeva Heim, BREAD’s Founder, is one of the most talented creatives in the space and has led BREAD to have a major impact in the hair care industry, and with CODB’s resources and expertise, we’re ensuring that it continues to grow while remaining deeply rooted in its mission and creative ethos.” Photo Credit: Gold Owolabi With Bread now under CODB, the brand is set for growth while preserving its commitment to textured hair care. The...

Success comes with its moments, and Pinky Cole Hayes knows this firsthand. Cole Hayes is the mastermind behind Slutty Vegan restaurant, with seven locations, primarily in Georgia. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the company’s market value was estimated at nearly $100 million by 2022, which included $25 million from a Series A funding round. Over the years, the company’s triumphs included expanding to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Spelman College, although the location at the HBCU has since closed. Cole Hayes has experienced roadblocks with the venture in 2024, and those challenges led to her losing the business, she told People. “Right now, in this moment, I’ve really been in a place of peace, but I had a really rocky 2024. Our corporate overhead was about $10 million,” Cole Hayes mentioned to People. “I was chasing something that I couldn’t catch for so many reasons.” Cole Hayes also acknowledged that she had not been “the operational person,” which has led...

A Black woman-owned wine brand has secured a sweet victory. Established in 2023, IBest Wines has secured a partnership with American Airlines. The company was launched by Ingrid Best, who carries two decades of experience in the wine and spirits sector from companies such as Diageo, Moët Hennessy, and Bacardi, the company website mentions. She entered the industry as a brand ambassador, assisting in the launch of a small rum brand for Diageo in San Francisco, CA, New York, and Miami, FL, she said during an interview on “Way Up With Angela Yee.” She later rose up the ranks in the aforementioned companies, holding titles that include Regional Marketing Manager for Hennessy (2013-2016), Brand Director for D’USSE (2019-2020), and CE’s EVP, Global Head of Marketing Spirits (2021). Her career milestones include managing two of the largest venture joint spirit partnerships. “I was so fortunate to be exposed to every facet of the business, which typically, in an ambassador role, you aren’t...