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Independent music licensing partner Merlin is teaming up with Twitch to give artists better opportunities. According to a press release sent to AfroTech, the partnership was created to empower Merlin members and their artists by providing additional streams of income and accessibility to Twitch’s music programming. On its own, Merlin appears to be a powerhouse. The licensing group reportedly accounts for 15 percent of global music shares. The company is also said to help thousands of artists globally and has continued to spearhead opportunities with interested partners. The newly announced partnership aims to reinforce its commitment to creating an innovative hub for its talent. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Twitch for this groundbreaking deal,” said Jeremy Sirota, Merlin CEO, in a press release. “We’ve been engaged in conversations with Twitch since the day I started at Merlin, and I’m pleased that our team found a path for Merlin members and their artists to better engage...
This past weekend, I got to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. When she was born 17 years ago on May 31, it never occurred to me that her connection to such a dark day in our country’s history would later serve as a beacon of light for building our family’s legacy and make her a driving force in my own career trajectory years later. Known as the Tulsa Massacre, the events of May 31, 1921, arguably encompass the most devastating atrocities of injustice we as Black Americans have endured in this nation’s history, shaping the future of our families for generations to come. It is on this day that a symbol of economic hope and success for Black communities in the United States came to an end when within hours, a white mob turned three square miles of a vibrant Black community into ashes, with more than 300 Black people killed and over 1,000 homes and businesses looted and set on fire. The Tulsa Massacre would set in a wave of fear and a warning for Black communities across the country for...
Seeing some people despite their availability to be there in person has just gotten easier. Proto, Inc. (formerly PORTL) and Diddy have joined forces, announcing that the Bad Boys founder is an advisor to the holoportation firm. Porto operates in numerous industries that include but is not limited to entertainment, education, retail, fashion, and marketing. Sean Combs invested in Proto’s advanced proprietary technology that allows interactive holoportation possible. The company’s technology allows any person to “beam” to any location in real-time when they cannot be there physically. The hip-hop mogul was first introduced to the holoportation technology when he beamed from Miami to Los Angeles to sing happy birthday to his son, Christian “King” Combs. “Sean Combs has always been an inspiring pioneer in music and business, constantly changing the game with whatever he does,” said David Nussbaum, CEO, and Founder of Proto Inc. “We were honored to bring his family together last Spring,...
Black women dominate every space they enter. Therefore, it’s only right that we continue to uplift, support, and equip them with the keys that they need to win. To take things beyond just highlighting women across the AfroTech platform during Women’s History Month, the brand took things a bit further and ended March with a bang. The AfroTech Executive Brooklyn event was a one-day, in-person leadership summit dedicated to addressing the lack of representation in boardrooms across America, the wage difference that women are up against, and the actions that need to be put into motion to lead more Black women to the wealth that they more than deserve. Held in Brooklyn, at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge on March 25, the experience included sessions from boss women like Ursula Burns, the first Black woman CEO in the Fortune 500; Merline Saintill, Fortune 500 board director and lead director of Rocket Lab; Heather Hiles, entrepreneur, technologist, and investor; Samantha Tweedy, the inaugural...
Al Harrington and the cannabis industry are starting to go hand in hand. Cannabis brand Pilgrim Soul has closed a $2 million seed round, Benzinga reports. Participating investors include Merida Capital Holdings, Bee House, Skip-Hop founder Michal Diament, and other notable tech entrepreneurs. More brand advisors and equity holders include Soothe founder Merlin Kauffman, former Sperry & Club Monaco CMO Ann Watson, and Viola Brands founder Al Harrington. “Like Skip Hop, the company I founded that brought product innovation to baby gear, I invest in companies and people that see around corners and help to redefine industries,” Diament said, according to Benzinga. “Shawn Gold [founder and CEO of Pilgrim Soul] has a keen eye for culture and a long history of assembling amazing teams that build breakthrough products.” Harrington joined the investment round due to Pilgrim Soul’s efforts to support marginalized communities. “Like Viola, Pilgrim Soul is a purpose-driven brand. For them, it’s...
Recently, HBCU students and alumni founders across America gathered virtually to compete for a $20,000 grand prize for the Pitch:HBCU competition hosted by multimedia platform The HBCU Advocate, and sponsored in part by Base10 Partners and Plexo Capital. Of the 75 startup ideas submitted, from high-tech fashion brands to AI companies, only one winner was selected — At Ease Rental Corp — a startup that assists military families and other government workers with their temporary housing needs. It was founded by FAMU graduate and U.S. Marine Anthony Gantt, who submitted his company for the competition so he could take it to the next level. The idea behind Gantt’s startup was inspired by his own experience with limited housing options as a Marine. He wanted to create a better solution for other military families and federal workers. For Gantt, the $20,000 prize was perfect timing as he shared he needed the capital to expand his team and hire more military spouses. “I was looking for...
Entrepreneurship is not easy and running a business is almost impossible without proper funding. In the beginning, many small businesses rely on grants to get started. If you’re not sure how or where to secure a grant, these seven resources are the best for black businesses. Grants.gov When looking for up-to-date information on grants being offered, the grants.gov database should be your #1 go-to. Here, you’ll be able to do an in-depth search based on the type of business you have, your needs, the type of grant you are searching for, and so much more. The website is very thorough, providing all the information you need to apply right there on the website. Minority Business Development Agency The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) holds annual grant and loan competitions and when they’re not holding competitions, you can visit your nearby Minority Business Centers for business consulting, financial counseling, grants, and more. FedEx $50K Small Business Grant Contest Since...