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Keke Palmer has no regrets about being the breadwinner for her family. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Palmer earned her first $1 million at just 12 years old as a child actress . At that time, her parents, Sharon and Larry, also hired a business manager to help oversee her finances. “They wanted me to know that they weren’t the ones controlling my money. They had heard these stories, and my mom said ‘I don’t want money to come in between me and my child,'” Palmer said on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast. Her parents would remain her backbone as she found her footing in Hollywood. Her early acting footprint included roles in “Barbershop 2: Back in Business”, “Akeelah and the Bee,” and “Jump In!” In 2008, she landed her own show on Nickelodeon with “True Jackson, VP” and her “life was changed after that,” she told People. “I was happy my family, we came to California for me to pursue my dreams I got my own show, right. H oney, my parents at their best made $40,000 a year growing...
Rumors surrounding Cynthia Erivo’s and Ariana Grande’s compensation have been addressed. T he two actresses star in “ Wicked ,” directed by Jon M. Chu. The film impressed with a stellar opening weekend, earning $162.5 million globally, according to Deadline. Based on the Broadway adaptation, it was produced on a budget ranging from $145 million to $150 million, per Screen Rant. Grande plays Glinda the Good Witch while Erivo plays Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West. Speaking on their roles, Grande commented to Blavity’s Shadow and Act, “I think it’s such an incredible honor and privilege to be trusted with the responsibility of playing Glinda, a role that I’ve loved since I was 10. And it does in a way, feel like a reintroduction. I feel like for both of us [Cynthia and I], this baby of ours has been a secret for such a long time. And I know it’s coming fast, and it’s loud, and it’s everywhere, but it’s been such an intimate part of our lives for the past three and a half years...
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is making significant moves in the real estate sector. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, the boxing world champion has invested $402 million in an affordable housing project in New York, which includes over 60 buildings with more than 1,000 units “Growing up, I used to dream about owning just one home by myself, when you work hard you can achieve anything,” Mayweather told TMZ. Mayweather’s investments in real estate also include ownership of nine skyscrapers in New York through a partnership with SL Green. “‘You see that building right there? Yeah, we own that. You see this building? We own it.’ So we was walking and walking . Then he said, ‘You know, a boxer makes money when he’s boxing. A football player makes money when he’s playing football. A basketball player makes money when he’s playing basketball.’ He said, ‘But New York real estate, you make money when you sleep.’” On Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, Mayweather also invested in a $10 billion office portfolio...
Issa Rae has opened a new restaurant in Los Angeles. The actress and serial entrepreneur , already renowned for the community-focused Hilltop Kitchen + Coffee, is expanding her presence. With the same spirit, she brings a new energy to Los Angeles through her latest venture, Somerville. “Always wanted a neighborhood lounge to complement the special community that is View Park-Windsor Hills. The genius GVO Gentlemen said, how about a restaurant? @somerville.slauson — an ode to the classic, artistic past of Black South Central L.A? And sure, the ambience will be fantastic, but the food and cocktails will keep you coming back,” Rae said in a post shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Issa Rae (@issarae) Customers can visit Somerville at Park-Windsor Hills, which GVO describes as a “progressive American dining experience.” According to the restaurant’s website, its extensive menu includes the Somerville burger, pan seared ora king salmon, and Mary’s organic...
Michael Rainey Jr. has teamed up with partners to launch a financial literacy initiative that will benefit his hometown of Staten Island, NY. Hot97 reports the actor has collaborated with the Restoring America through Recovery Education (R.A.R.E.) Foundation, which aims to provide financial education and training to underserved communities. “We are dedicated to giving every individual the opportunity to recover, improve, and thrive financially. Our mission is rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of their past or current circumstances, deserves a respectable chance to achieve financial stability and success,” its website reads. The partnership facilitated Rainey Jr.’s appearance at Port Richmond High School, where he shared his personal journey in wealth building and provided meaningful advice to students. “As a kid being in this room I would definitely go home, ask my parents what their credit score is and then start the conversation of when can I become an authorized user...
Katt Williams has purchased land to open a movie studio. During an interview with GQ, the comedian revealed he has acquired a former military base located in Alabama. It has been confirmed by Williams’ publicist, Amy Sisoyev. “I can’t disclose the amount or exact location just yet, but I can confirm that he has purchased a former military base in Alabama,” Sisoyev said via email to AL.com. Williams shared that he aims to follow in the footsteps of other celebrities, such as Tyler Perry. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Perry, a self-made billionaire, opened the world’s largest Black-owned studio. The studio, which Perry self-funded, reached a valuation of $280 million in 2023. Speaking of wanting to be next in line, Williams commented to GQ : “It’s just not fair to put all that pressure on Tyler Perry. He can only do so much.” At the time of this writing, it is unclear when the movie studio will break ground. Williams is part of a growing number of Black figures seeking to disrupt...
Rapper and entrepreneur Pusha T has entered the coffee scene. A post on his Instagram page revealed his latest venture, Grindin, a coffee brand inspired by the Clipse single. Some customers got an exclusive first look at Pusha T’s creation at Café Tropica in Los Angeles, where they sampled its high-caffeine blend on Nov. 16, 2024, Complex notes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pusha T (@kingpush) Reflecting on the venture Pusha T commented, “All my dreams & ideas start from my passions. Luckily I have been able to find partnerships and platforms to help bring my visions to life. This is just a piece of me & how I start my day.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pusha T (@kingpush) “Looking ahead, Pusha T plans to launch a proprietary blend in the upcoming year. He also aims to expand nationally, positioning the brand as ‘premium yet accessible’ within the market.” “Like-minded hard workers will find that Grindin is the tool they need to get things done,” a...
Dwayne Johnson decided to fire his agents because he saw the bigger picture. Johnson first put his name on the map as a professional wrestler, inspired by his father, Rocky Johnson, who had a legendary resume within the sport and was honored as a WWE Hall of Famer. “I think I’m going to like professional wrestling,” Johnson remembered, according to a conversation with GQ. “So we fought. [My dad] didn’t want me to get into it. And then I wound up having the career that I had. And he was proud. But he also wrestled with a lot of my success, and I know that as his son.” Johnson would later find a commonality between wrestling and acting. He revealed to GQ that he pivoted attention towards Hollywood, understanding that he could still reach the masses as an actor. “When I got into the business of Hollywood and moviemaking, it’s like, ‘Okay, well, what kind of movies do I want to make? I want to make movies that hopefully are good, that don’t suck. But also reach as many people as...
Hit-Boy and D’USSÉ have teamed up for a unique tech collaboration. According to a press release, the pair have partnered on the D’USSÉ VSOP Holiday Gift Box, which will include a 750 mL bottle of VSOP. Customers can look forward to more than just a sip of the spirit. They can also expect a direct experience from Hit-Boy, enabled through augmented reality (AR) integration. This will provide an AR-powered DJ performance, branded as “The Set.” Phot Credit: D’USSÉ For D’USSÉ, this marks its first AR filter. “As a modern spirit, D’USSÉ has always aimed to push the preconceived notions around cognac,” said D’USSÉ Global VP of Marketing, Jennifer Pisciotta, in a news release. “Music is core to our DNA, and this collaboration perfectly brings to life an innovative music experience that leverages technology. We’re excited to venture out into this new realm and offer an exclusive experience for anyone gifting or receiving D’USSÉ this holiday season.” To kick off “The Set,” customers must scan...
Sony Music had a successful quarter, reportedly driven by the success of popular artists like SZA. The St. Louis, MO-born artist is still basking in the success of her sophomore album “SOS,” which was released on Dec. 9, 2022. Billboard reports the album claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart when it debuted, selling 318,000 equivalent album units and setting a record for the best streaming week for an R&B album. Hit singles on the album included “Kill Bill” and “Snooze.” Speaking to the album’s inspiration, SZA told Rolling Stone, “I think this album was partially inspired by love lost, but mostly inspired by my departure from attempting to be a nice girl. I’ve tried to be a nice girl for so long and it’s just not who I am, inherently. And I think I’ve done nice things and I am a kind person, but I’m not a nice girl. And that’s okay. And I think coming to terms with that and really expanding upon that and exploring that is kind of like this new chapter in my life.” “SOS”...
A new venture undertaken by Wu-Tang’s Raekwon and “Breakfast Club” host Charlamagne Tha God has officially broken ground. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Hashstoria, a cannabis lounge, was slated to open in Newark, NJ, and would fulfill a long-held dream of Raekwon’s. “My own life compass has been great to me and can only become greater…these are goals and admirations on my vision board. I’m just marking them off,” the rapper said in a previous Instagram post. In 2023, there were initial roadblocks to overcome when getting the business up and running, as they were first rejected by the Newark Central Planning Board to operate as a Class 5 cannabis retail facility. However, their application was later greenlit by the same board, per NJBIZ. Fast forward to November 2024, and Raekwon and Charlamagne Tha God have officially opened Hashstoria’s doors to the public in partnership with civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers and entrepreneur Jedd Canty, a news release shared with AFROTECH™...
Yale University will be teaching a course centering Beyoncé. NBC News reports the university will be offering a course titled, “Beyonce Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music.” Provided for the 2025 spring semester, it will be taught by Daphne Brooks, a professor of African American Studies and music who also leads Yale’s Black Sound & the Archive Working Group, a 320 York Humanities Initiative. An official release from the university states that students will examine the time period between 2013 and 2024 to look into the singer’s works, with the goal “to study Black history, intellectual thought, and performance.” “I’m looking forward to exploring her body of work and considering how, among other things, historical memory, Black feminist politics, Black liberation politics and philosophies course through the last decade of her performance repertoire as well as the ways that her unprecedented experimentations with the album form,...
Marlon Wayans has announced the return of the “Scary Movie” franchise. This represents a significant change for the series, which was originally rooted in the Wayans family. USA Today reports that the first two films were directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, with Marlon and Shawn Wayans serving as writers and actors for some of them. According to ABC News, the original “Scary Movie” (2000) grossed over $277 million worldwide. Despite “Scary Movie” becoming a pop culture staple, the Wayans family’s involvement in the franchise fizzled out after the second film. According to AFROTECH™, Marlon Wayans claimed that The Weinstein Co. “snatched” the franchise from them after it was initially passed over by other production studios. The Wayans family reportedly learned through a publication that they would no longer be involved. “The second one they rushed us into, and by the third one, they didn’t want to pay the money, so they snatched it. We found out on Christmas that they hired somebody...
Keke Palmer is more wise with her earnings after filing for bankruptcy in her early adult years. The Illinois native, born in Harvey but raised in Robbins, entered into the industry as an actor at the tender age of 9 years old. She snagged her first role in the film “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” (2004) and was later featured in “Madea’s Family Reunion” (2006) as Nikki before landing her first lead role in “Akeelah and the Bee” (2006), reports US Weekly. For many child stars, navigating the industry is a journey, and Palmer had the backing of her parents throughout the highs and lows. They took the step of hiring a business manager when she was 12. “That has helped me immensely,” she said during the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Financial Empowerment Summit held on Oct. 12, 2024, at the UIC Forum in Chicago, IL. Despite the guidance of a business manager, Palmer still found herself in financial troubles. When she was between 18 and 19 years old, she filed for bankruptcy. “I...
Authenticity has remained Kordell Beckham’s superpower beyond the villa. Beckham and his girlfriend, Serena Page, were crowned the Season 6 champions of Peacock’s “Love Island USA,” which had become the most-watched series on streaming platforms in the U.S. ahead of the season finale in July 2024, per NBC Universal. Beckham and Page also made history as the first Black couple to win on the show, The Hilltop mentions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Jennifer Hudson Show (@jenniferhudsonshow) Investing Cash Prize The couple — who now have 7 million followers combined across their TikTok and Instagram accounts — earned a $100,000 cash prize on the show, which they split evenly, according to US Weekly. Beckham has decided to be wise with a portion of his earnings going toward investments, and this will include the launch of his own clothing brand now in the works with his team. “We’ve been talking with a bunch of businesses to see what we can do to jumpstart a clothing...