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The city of Memphis is growing into a hotspot for Black entrepreneurs and tech talent with the assistance of innovative organization, Epicenter. This nonprofit is helping Memphis create and sustain an entrepreneurial ecosystem by investing and providing resources for Black tech startups. The current goal is to raise $100 million to fuel the future of the city, which is attracting Black tech talent in various industries across the world. Through its numerous programs, Black innovators are thriving and excelling from the plethora of opportunities the city has to offer. Programs include: The 800 Initiative Propel Minority Business Accelerator CO.STARTERS ZeroTo510 Medical Device Accelerator The Patents to Products Fellowship Programming for early and growth-stage tech startups in logistics and construction technologies Epicenter’s capital executive-in-residence, Anthony Young and program manager of ZeroTo510, Danielle Gore spoke with AfroTech about why Memphis is the ideal place for...
Finding a hotspot can be one of the most annoying things when you’re out and about. An Android app called WiFi Finder — downloaded by thousands of users — was meant to make that entire process easier. By simply typing in an address, people would be able to find the Wi-Fi in a “cafe, restaurant, airport, or any other places.” However, it seems that this popular app ended up exposing the Wi-Fi network passwords for more than two million networks, as reported by TechCrunch . The database — which anyone could access and download — was discovered by Sanyam Jain, a security researcher and member of the GDI Foundation . TechCrunch was unable to contact the developer after more than two weeks. The host, DigitalOcean, ended up taking down the database. A spokesperson told the outlet, “We notified the user and have taken the [server] hosting the exposed database offline.” Along with network passwords stored in plaintext, TechCrunch reported that the records contained the Wi-Fi network name,...
For generations, the idea of retirement was wrapped in images of palm trees, golf courses, and pastel-colored condos lining the Florida coast. But for today’s retirees, those images are changing. The decision of where to retire is no longer just about sunshine and tax incentives; it’s about affordability, quality of life, and long-term stability. Instead of heading south, many retirees are opting for places like the Midwest, trading palm trees for pine forests, ocean waves for mountain peaks, and high insurance rates for financial security. And this shift isn’t random. For decades, Florida has been synonymous with retirement. The Sunshine State’s warm climate, tax advantages, and retirement-friendly communities made it the ultimate destination for older Americans. However, recent trends suggest that the tides are turning. A new study from Mirador Living, titled “Retirement Expectations vs. Reality: Factors that Impact Retirement Decisions,” reveals a surprising shift in where...
After creating a unique, Twix-powered and -inspired space for future Black technologists at AfroTech 2023, Mars Inc. returned to the conference this year ready to take things up several notches. The interactive installation’s effect on attendees started from a vibrant layout inspired by the iconic candy’s traditional gold and red packaging, arranged in such a way that they served as an instant pick me up for anyone in the area. Within the conference hall oasis, Mars, Inc. created a number of Twix-themed stations for candy and dessert fanatics, content creators, and techies looking for inspiration. The Creator Lab was all about connection and creativity. Attendees spent time at the Twix-inspired bracelet-making station, threading beads (in signature Twix colors) to craft fun pieces for themselves, friends, and family. The setup wasn’t just about making bracelets—it became a socializing and networking hotspot whenever attendees needed a break from the hustle and bustle on the...
Investing in real estate is a popular way to grow wealth, but knowing where to invest is crucial to maximizing your return on investment (ROI). In 2024, several states stand out as prime locations for real estate investments , offering high appreciation rates, growing demand, and favorable market conditions. Let’s explore the states with the highest ROI on real estate and what makes them attractive for investors. Texas Texas consistently ranks among the top states for real estate ROI due to its rapidly growing population and robust economy. Major cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio have seen significant increases in property values over the past decade. Austin, in particular, has experienced rapid appreciation thanks to the tech industry boom and a strong influx of new residents. In addition to rising home prices, Texas offers low property taxes and no state income tax, which makes it even more appealing for both investors and homebuyers. The state’s economy remains...
As we step into 2025, high-end property investments continue to be a lucrative avenue for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and secure stable, long-term returns. The luxury real estate market is known for its resilience, even in the face of economic volatility. Here’s a guide to help you navigate high-end property investments in 2024, focusing on trends, strategies, and key considerations. High-End Property Investment Trends In 2024 Sustainable Luxury In 2024, sustainability is a top priority in luxury real estate. High-end properties that incorporate eco-friendly features, such as solar panels, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable building materials, are in high demand. These properties appeal to environmentally conscious buyers and are often located in eco-friendly communities. Smart Home Technology The integration of advanced technology into homes continues to grow. In fact, there’s been a 25% increase in smart home integrations in 2024, which sheds light on...
Hyundai is on a mission to get drivers to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). In 2023, the multinational automotive manufacturer launched the first-ever, all-electric 2023 IONIQ 6. The award-winning car features Bluelink, digital key two touch, an in-car WiFi hotspot, and more. Additionally, the IONIQ 6 has an ultra-fast charging time of going from 10% to 80% in less than 18 minutes. Hyundai aims for the target buyer of the IONIQ 6 to be Millennial professionals in urban areas looking to go against the status quo by being behind the wheel of an EV without altering their lifestyle.
Charles Barkley is making a difference in his hometown of Leeds, AL. According to Southern Living Magazine, he’s donated over $3 million in scholarships to the graduates of Leeds over the years. Plus, he also donated laptops and cleaning supplies, worked to ensure students would have Wi-Fi hotspots, and gave every school system employee $1,000.
Dolly Parton will always love Whitney Houston and her new noble revelation is proof of that. During an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” this week, the singer and songwriter revealed that she’s been using royalties that she’s collected from Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” — which was originally sung by Parton — to invest in a Black Tennessee community, TMZ reports. In her interview with Cohen, she went on to explain how she purchased “my big office complex down in Nashville” and decided to buy the property in honor of the area’s Black community and Houston’s legacy. “I bought a property down in what was the Black area of town, and it was mostly just Black families and people that lived around there,” she said. “And it was off the beaten path from 16th avenue and I thought, ‘Well I am going to buy this place, the whole strip mall.’ And thought, ‘This is the perfect place for me to be,’ considering it was Whitney.” “So I just thought this was great,...
For many Black entrepreneurs, the true path to economic freedom and independence starts with the launch of a business – but entrepreneurship doesn’t have to stop at one venture. Just take it from serial entrepreneur Ryan Fletcher, a former A&R executive juggling multiple thriving business endeavors. Fletcher — a Brooklyn native and graduate of Purdue University — grew up surrounded by music, so naturally he believed his calling was to get involved in the music and entertainment industry. After working at places like Def Jam Recordings and Downtown Records, he started dabbling in his own side hustles that quickly turned into buzzing businesses like Yacht Club Company — a Black-owned yacht experience based in Tulum — and ECOGAVE — a biodegradable straw company. In addition to helming his own businesses, Fletcher is also one of three co-hosts of the Guys Next Door Podcast — a show that details the experiences of millennial Black men today. All of these ventures are a part of Fletcher’s...
Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is now the latest among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to forgive student debt amid the pandemic. According to an announcement from the Atlanta HBCU, it surprised its students last week after announcing that it would be clearing unpaid student account balances from the last five semesters over the 2020-2021 school year. FOX 5 also reported that CAU officials say that roughly 900 students with nearly $2 million in debt will have their balances canceled immediately. “We understand these past two academic years have been emotionally and financially difficult on students and their families due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” President Dr. George T. French, Jr. shared in a statement. “That is why we will continue to do all we can to support their efforts to complete their CAU education. Their academic and professional future is important to me and the entire Clark Atlanta University family. We care about students and want to lighten their...
Last year, online learning and talent platform Udacity announced the launch of a free scholarship program that pledged to help emerging Black techies develop new tech skills for their careers. Today, the company has announced the completion of said pledge that’s working to build a stronger pipeline of Black tech talent in the industry. According to a press release, Udacity — which uses its platform to power the careers of the future — has declared that its Pledge to Equality Scholarship program has helped 730 recipients complete more than 1,100 projects as part of their coursework and hired seven graduates as company interns across different departments. The scholarship program was initially launched to offer free Udacity Nanodegree programs to Black communities across the U.S. The company also arranged to host a virtual career fair featuring seven different companies and contributed over $1 million to cover the cost of these free Nanodegree programs for learners. According to...
For over a year now, the connectivity gap in American homes and schools has been jarring to see as many students all over the country have struggled to gain access to educational tech devices and strong internet connections. In an effort to close the connectivity gap amongst U.S. students, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the launch of a $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund to help schools and libraries purchase technology and resources like laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and broadband connections for schooling. According to a press release, this marks the agency and country’s largest effort to close the homework gap and connect American students to the tools they need to support their education. “Even before the coronavirus pandemic upended so much of day-to-day life, seven in ten teachers were assigning homework that required access to the internet,” FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared in a press statement. “But data...
You don’t have to be in Silicon Valley to build a tech empire thanks to innovators like this! Hajj Flemings is the founder of Rebrand Cities, a global design partnership created with WordPress.com with a goal to get 10,000 small businesses online. “I think historically if you look at the DNA of Black and Latinx people, we have always had a creative DNA in us,” said Flemings on the latest episode of Black Tech Green Money with host Will Lucas. “We’re typically in a situation where there are high barriers of entry, there are access issues, but still we always figure out a way to do more with less,” he continued. For Flemings, it’s super important that Black founders and creatives understand that they don’t have to flee to Silicon Valley just to make their entrepreneurship dreams come true. He shares insight on what founders can do if they do decide to stay in a place where it seems things like building an app can’t be done. “In all of these cities, there are anchors,” Flemings...