Former Carolina Panther player Mike Rucker filed a lawsuit against his financial advisor, Jon Kubler, claiming that Kubler mismanaged nearly $3 million of his earnings. Rucker and his wife, Kristina, filed a lawsuit in a North Carolina Business Court in March, alleging that they had unknowingly invested in a Ponzi scheme. The couple, who met Kubler while Rucker was playing football for the University of Nebraska, claims that Kubler persuaded them to invest in his Nebraska commercial real estate company Aksarben in 2009, according to The Charlotte Observer. They say the investment was a failure and that Kubler did not return their funds or money from other investors. Of the $5.6 million Kubler and his companies — including Steelpool Inc. and Capital Synergy Partners — had raised for commercial real estate companies, only 4% of the funds were reportedly invested in the ventures. Kubler had been the Ruckers’ financial advisor for 21 years and in the early 2000s had “integrated himself...

In a significant update to credit scoring coming this fall, FICO will now include Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) data in its credit scores. On Monday, June 23, 2025, FICO announced the launch of FICO Score 10 BNPL and FICO Score 10 T BNPL — the first scores from a leading provider to incorporate BNPL data. BNPL is an interest-free loan that lets consumers split their purchases into smaller payments, AFROTECH™ previously reported. While short-term financing can benefit those with credit cards or who are managing debt, it can also cause harm if late payments occur; lenders can charge high fees, posing a risk for individuals with multiple loans. “Buy Now, Pay Later loans are playing an increasingly important role in consumers’ financial lives,” said Julie May, FICO’s vice president and general manager of B2B Scores. “By expanding our FICO Score 10 Suite with new models designed to incorporate BNPL data, we’re enabling lenders to more accurately evaluate credit readiness, especially for...

American Express (Amex) is planning a major refresh of its flagship Platinum card. In a news release, the company described it as the “largest investment ever” in the Platinum product line, with changes coming to both personal and business versions later this year. “We’re going to take these cards to a new level,” said Howard Grosfield, president of U.S. consumer services at American Express. “Not only in what they offer in travel, dining, and lifestyle benefits, but also in how they look and feel.” Big Moves For Business Builders And Jet-Setters The refresh comes as competition among premium credit cards continues to grow. With options like Chase’s Sapphire Reserve and Capital One’s Venture X gaining popularity, American Express appears to be stepping up to stay ahead. For cardholders who use the Platinum card to manage a busy travel schedule or handle business expenses, the new perks may make it even more worthwhile. Here’s what the company has confirmed so far: New Lounge Access:...

A financial boost could be on the way for many Americans this summer, as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) prepares to distribute tax refunds in June and July. For eligible taxpayers, IRS tax refunds close to $3,000 may be deposited into bank accounts or mailed out within the month, as Mint reports. Who’s Eligible? According to the outlet, taxpayers who submitted their 2024 tax return before the end of May 2025, or filed for an extension, may be eligible to receive the refund. Eligibility is also determined by the accuracy and completeness of your return. If your paperwork was filed electronically and you opted for direct deposit, you’re more likely to receive your refund faster than someone who mailed in a return or is receiving a paper check. The IRS has emphasized that e-filers with no significant errors or missing information, whose returns are not under review or audit, will be prioritized. That means if you submitted your return accurately and early, you could see your refund...

Five Howard University students have earned a $1 million grant for their school after winning the fifth annual Goldman Sachs Market Madness competition, as part of its HBCU Possibilities Program, according to an announcement posted on the university’s website. As AFROTECH previously reported, Spelman College won in 2024. The winners of the 2025 Market Madness competition, Keyla Arrechea, Jordan Atkins, Aaron Harrison, Kadijah Mansaray, and Jada Rabun, were among the Howard students in the semester-long program, which is designed to provide, immersive introduction to key financial concepts and their real-world applications, as Goldman Sachs’ website states. During the competition, the Howard team competed against students from 11 other HBCUs. Most of the team had not yet completed their first semester of college when the program began, yet they advanced through two virtual rounds and ultimately delivered their final pitch live at Goldman Sachs’ New York headquarters. They were tasked...

John W. Rogers Jr. had the confidence to make history at 24 years old because he was an investor at 12. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, it would be his father, who made the decision to ensure Rogers received stocks for Christmas and his birthday instead of toys, which included $200 worth of shares from companies such as General Motors and Commonwealth Edison. His father also played a role in him connecting with Chicago, IL’s first African American stock brocker, Stacy Adams, who became a mentor and role model. While both his parents worked as lawyers — his mother even made history as the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School — not to mention his grandfather, he never felt pressure to follow a similar footprint and was trusted to make his own decisions. Ariel Investments Rogers went on to pursue education at Princeton University, earning a degree in economics by 1980. He then spent two and a half years as a stock broker at William Blair and,...

In an era where the boundaries between technology, law, and culture constantly shift, Blake Richardson, Esq., is one of the few professionals standing firmly at the intersection. As chief legal officer at Gala Games, Gala Music, and Gala Film, Richardson navigates one of emerging tech’s most complex regulatory environments: blockchain. But her journey — from working behind the scenes at NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, and the Phoenix Suns to helping shape blockchain legal frameworks — is more than a personal evolution. It’s a case study in how legal minds are increasingly essential to the tech sector’s future. Understanding Legal Tech In The Age Of Blockchain At its core, legal tech encompasses tools that streamline how users interact with and interpret the law. From document automation and case law research to e-discovery platforms and client management systems, legal tech is transforming how firms and in-house departments operate. But as Reuters notes, it’s not just about efficiency —...

The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), dedicated to expanding opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in Atlanta, GA, and beyond, has received a $2 million donation from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. According to a news release, Blank’s donation will help the center move forward with RICE 2.0, a hub for innovation, collaboration, and economic empowerment that will provide essential resources for Black business founders, including small business grants, expanded programming, and mentorship opportunities. “This investment reflects our chairman’s entrepreneurial journey and his commitment to giving back to Atlanta, a city that has given him so much,” Blank Foundation President Fay Twersky said. “RICE’s extraordinary work supporting entrepreneurs creates pathways to economic mobility and opportunity. By investing in entrepreneurs at all stages, we’re fostering collective thriving where individual success strengthens entire communities.” In 1978, Arthur Blank...