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Many NFL players shine on the field, but not all translate that success into thriving businesses — Zaire Franklin is making it happen. The Indianapolis Colts linebacker has teamed up with his longtime mentor, Eric Taylor, to open a Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard franchise. Taylor was coaching youth football in Philadelphia, PA, when he met a 9-year-old Franklin, and their bond quickly developed. While he acknowledges that it may sound “crazy” for an adult to have much in common with a younger person, that’s exactly what it was like when he met Franklin. “I think the basis and foundation of our relationship comes with the love of our grandmothers,” Taylor shared in an interview with AFROTECH™ . “At the time, when Zaire was a young guy, his grandmother was instrumental in his life. She was at all the football games, she was very supportive.” Taylor had a similar bond with his own grandmother, so when Franklin lost both his mother and grandmother just months apart in 2013, their...
The roots of Gospel music can be traced through several popular genres. And the direction of Gospel music, specifically, has steadily evolved over time. One person who can get a lot of credit for its modern revolution is Kirk Franklin. Making his musical debut in 1993 with the album, “Kirk Franklin and The Family,” the Texas native has been blazing the charts and airwaves with faith-based hits meant to inspire those who encounter his music. However, the acclaim of his first album did not yield the monetary returns that typically come with a successful project.
The estate of the legendary Aretha Franklin is finally done with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to USA Today, the outstanding $7.8 million debt has officially been paid in full. This is a huge win for Franklin’s four sons who inherited her estate following her passing in 2018. Now, they will be able to reap the benefits from all revenue being brought in from her estate which, per a report, could be millions of dollars. Access to the affairs of Franklin’s estate has been an uphill battle due to IRS being in the picture. Any money being drawn in from her music, and even recent projects like the “Respect” biopic, was never seen by her children. Instead, it was placed into the hands of the government. AfroTech has previously reported on how messy things can get once a celebrity has passed and even noted the years-long process it often takes before families can see a dime of the money. Prince, James Brown, and even “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman all had estate...
When it comes to the Queen of Soul, no one could ever depose Aretha Franklin. Her contributions to the music industry — and, indeed, to pop culture — cannot be overstated. She stands as one of the best-selling musicians of all time, with 75 million albums sold to date and climbing. And according to Celebrity Net Worth, her likeness, music streams, and catalog have a total net worth of $80 million and climbing. The death of Aretha Franklin left a hole in the world of pop culture that will never be filled. On Aug. 16, 2018, she passed away at the age of 76-years-old, having succumbed to her battle with pancreatic cancer. Fortunately, however, her legacy lives on. She has four sons — all of whom are in the entertainment industry, and who have very successful careers of their own. Throughout her life, Aretha Franklin encouraged her sons’ careers — and even had them perform with her on more than one occasion. And now, her grandchildren are carrying on her legacy with music careers of...
DEI terms are being removed from some public colleges. According to a landing page from The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 17, titled “Responsibility of Governing Boards Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives,” on June 14, 2023. The bill restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, as well as the programs, activities, and trainings across public institutions of higher education. It went into effect in January 2024. “DEI programs have been shown to be exclusive, they have been shown to be ineffective and they have shown to be politically charged,” Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, the ban’s author, stated on the Senate floor, according to The Texas Tribune in February 2024. “Many of these programs have been weaponized to compel speech instead of protecting free speech.” An internal memo shared in November 2024 by TikTok user momuniversity, who was a UT Austin educator at the time, provided updated...
Charlamagne tha God has been inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial spirit for as long as he can remember. His father, who owned a fish market and a construction business, told him long ago, “When you get a business, don’t put your name on it. Because people [will] hate on it for no reason.” He’s kept that advice in mind on his journey. Born Lenard McKelvey, Charlamagne has established himself as a radio host, television personality, comedian, and businessman. One of his latest ventures involves expanding Krystal Restaurants. In an interview with AFROTECH™ , Charlamagne said franchising has always been a goal of his, and partnering with Krystal, a beloved Southern staple, was a great opportunity. “It just became one of those things that me and my wife wanted to do,” he told AFROTECH™. “This is one of those situations that just happened pretty organically. And I was with it. My wife was with it. You know, my financial team was with it. And we made it happen.” Charlamagne and his...
Quincy Jones will forever be etched in history. It was announced on Nov. 3, 2024, that the famed producer, born Quincy Delight Jones Jr. in Chicago, IL, passed away at the age of 91 in his Bel Air home in Los Angeles, CA. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” Jones’ family said in a statement, according to US Weekly. Fortune And Legacy He is survived by seven children and leaves behind a legacy that led to a reported $500 million fortune, as AFROTECH™ previously told you. Jones is a decorated figure within the music and entertainment industry, with accolades that include 28 Grammy awards and a number of legendary works, including composing “The Wiz” and serving as executive producer of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which starred Will Smith. Reflecting on the loss,...
MaC Venture Capital has closed its third fund. According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, the venture capital firm, launched in 2019 by former Washington, DC, Mayor Adrian Fenty and seed-stage venture capitalist Marlon Nichols , has raised $150 million in its third investment fund. Returning investors in this round include Boston College, Fairview Capital, the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension, the Michigan Department of Treasury, Stepstone, the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois, and the University of Michigan. This investment brings MaC Venture Capital’s assets under management to $600 million, making it one of the largest seed-stage firms in Los Angeles, CA, and North America, per the release. “We’re grateful that we’ve grown so quickly in recent years, emphasizing that our investment framework succeeds in finding untapped potential in dynamic founders,” Fenty said. “During a time when the fundraising market looks troubling for early-stage startups, we continue to...
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...
Chiney Ogwumike has been a trailblazer in both sports and media. Ten years after being drafted as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA by the Connecticut Sun, Ogwumike has had numerous opportunities to reflect on her illustrious career, which began at Stanford University. According to her Stanford profile, she held the title of all-time leading scorer by the end of her time there. Her collegiate achievements include: Pac-10 All-Freshman Team (2011) Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (2011) Pac-12 Tournament MVP (2013) 3x Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year In October 2024, Ogwumike was inducted into Stanford Athletics’ Hall of Fame. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chiney (@chiney) Embracing It All Although talented in sports, Ogwumike initially dreamed of a career in politics and even considered becoming a lawyer. “I always loved politics. As a kid, my family would always catch me watching the news, not like cartoons. I was a super nerd,” she told AFROTECH™ in an interview. In college,...
Once again, Beyoncé’s impact is being taught in school. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East offered a virtual course titled “Black Is Queen: The Divine Feminine in Kush” in 2021, taught by Dr. Solange Ashby, who has a Ph.D. in Egyptology and was an adjunct professor at Barnard College at the time. Beyoncé has also been taught at Cornell University, Arizona State University, and Rutgers University, among others. Now, Widener University in Pennsylvania becomes the latest school to feature a course on the “Cowboy Carter” artist, according to CBS News. T his time to a class of nearly 10 freshman students, all young women. “Who doesn’t want to take a course on Beyoncé? I grew up listening to her music,” Grace Schneider, a Widener freshman, said, according to the outlet. Jayla Stone, another freshman at Widener, commented: “This is the class I talk the most in. It’s a small class and we’re able to connect more.” The course is taught by Dr. Richard...
Many singing shows have come and gone since American Idol was in its prime, but few contestants have made as much of an impact without actually winning as Jennifer Hudson. You might recall the Chicago native from season three of the reality series, where she quickly won over the hearts of audiences with her stellar vocals and down-to-earth energy. Much to the viewers’ surprise, Hudson was voted out early in the competition, but she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dreams. Instead, Jennifer Hudson’s net worth is now in the multimillions thanks to her decades of dedication to her craft . The mother of one is the youngest of three on her maternal side but found out as a teenager that her absent father was responsible for 26 other children. She was only seven when she took an interest in singing in the church choir, and it was her grandmother, Julia, who encouraged Hudson to get involved in community theater. She’s cited Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle and the late Aretha...