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PepsiCo representatives met with civil rights leaders from the National Action Network (NAN) after Reverend Al Sharpton threatened to lead a boycott over the company’s decision to scale back parts of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives . After sending a letter to the food and beverage brand on April 4, 2025, outlining details of the intended boycott, Sharpton issued a statement on Tuesday, April 15, saying that he and several members of NAN had a “constructive conversation” lasting over an hour with PepsiCo Chairman Ramon Laguarta and PepsiCo North America CEO Steven Williams. During the meeting at PepsiCo’s global headquarters in Purchase, NY, they had a chance “to discuss our grievances over reports they were rolling back nearly $500 million in DEI commitments .” “We agreed to follow up meetings within the next few days,” Sharpton wrote. “After that continued dialogue, NAN Chairman Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson and I, both former members of the company’s African...
As Pinky Cole continues to reach the pinnacles of success as an entrepreneur, she also lifts others as she climbs. The Slutty Vegan founder and CEO has never been afraid of taking risks and betting on herself, even when the odds are stacked against her. Her Atlanta, GA-based restaurant has been wildly successful, even though she created the concept as a passion project, initially launching the company as a food truck without focusing solely on profit. “I pinch myself every day,” she told AFROTECH™ in a recent interview. “Sometimes we’re so immersed in our work that we don’t realize the blessings happening around us. I think about how Slutty Vegan opened the door for me to partner with PepsiCo on the Pepsi Dig In Campaign to support Black-owned restaurateurs. As a leader in this space, I can help provide the support they need.” Cole added, “It’s all been a passion project for me because I get to help people reimagine food in a way they never have before. Every single day, I’m humbled...
It can be a bittersweet feeling when students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are proud to rep their school while also facing the challenges that may come with attending one. According to a 2022 report by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice (Temple University), out of a surveyed 5,000 students from 14 private and public HBCUs in the fall of 2020, 46% shared that they “ lacked sufficient food a month prior to when the survey was taken.”
If you want to have a good time on the weekend, most cities offer a range of places that provide top-tier vibes. But if you talk to the locals, you’d be sure to discover the spots beyond what a typical Google search can provide. If you find yourself in Atlanta, GA, rapper 2 Chainz’s Esco Restaurant and Tapas will likely be on that list created by local patrons. Now, those outside the Atlanta Metropolitan Area will get a taste of Esco as a part of PEPSI® Dig In, the brand’s platform designed to “drive access, business growth, and awareness to Black-owned restaurants.”
Keith Lee is embarking on amplifying Black-owned restaurants beyond his social media. The popular TikTok food critic has partnered with Pepsi Dig In to help discover top-notch dining establishments across the U.S. for its Restaurant Royalty program, according to a press release shared with AfroTech. For its second year, the platform and Lee aim for consumers to nominate their favorite Black-owned restaurants.
Traditional Black-owned barber shops are the cornerstone for all things sports related. From who’s the greatest player of all time to ideas about the next free agency move, sports fans of all kinds drop their opinions while waiting for that crisp line up. A consistent staple in these sports conversations is NBA superstar LeBron James. He has the people talking again, and this time, it’s about one of his off-court deals. James is the new partner with PepsiCo’s premium bottled water brand LIFEWTR.
Big Sean asked the question – “Why would I stop?” The song was more than just a popular single from his chart-topping album, “Detroit 2.” It was a mantra – the backdrop to IG captions, TikTok videos, and motivational stories for many. Apparently, the song’s impact was more prominent than human influence because non-fungible tokens (NFTs) took the same perspective. It’s a brand-new week, and AfroTech is back with fresh additions to the unstoppable NFT community.
Khaby Lame is continuing to make moves in silence — literally! As previously shared by AfroTech, the TikTok star was enlisted by Mark Zuckerberg for Meta’s promo in November 2021. Then, at the top of 2022, he went on to sign a multi-year deal with the iconic fashion line Hugo Boss. His latest win is partnering with Pepsi on an ad campaign called “A Smoother Way to Soda” for Nitro Pepsi, Marketing Dive reports. The new drink — described as “the first-ever nitrogen-infused cola that’s actually softer than a soft drink,” — was first revealed to the public in February. Ahead of the new product officially hitting shelves nationwide on March 28, Lame became a part of its marketing rollout. “Since Khaby Lame is known for pointing out the obvious with the use of his signature hand gestures, we felt he was the perfect person to show the world Nitro Pepsi is a simple solution for those who prefer less carbonation than that of a traditional cola,” said Todd Kaplan, chief marketing officer at...
College students are making history, thanks to the changes to the name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules. Next up is Jackson State University (JSU) quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who becomes the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) athlete to sign a multi-year deal with Gatorade. “It’s an honor to join the Gatorade Family and represent this historic moment for HBCU athletes,” said Shedeur Sanders, according to a press release sent to AfroTech. “I can’t wait to work with Gatorade on and off the field to help create even more opportunities for HBCU students and athletes.” Shedeur Sanders can celebrate being a new signee alongside other accomplishments, which include becoming the first HBCU athlete to win the Jerry Rice Award. More recently, the 19-year-old star was named Freshman of the Year at the Southwestern Athletic Conference. “As one of the country’s best freshmen college football players, Shedeur Sanders is another incredible addition to the Gatorade Family,”...
Football season is in full swing! There’s nothing quite like fall football games at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). And this year, Pepsi is blessing fans for their school spirit in a huge way. According to an official press release, the beverage company has launched a contest where HBCU students and alumni can vote for their favorite university. In turn, they will donate $25,000 to the winning institution’s general scholarship fund. “As a long-time resident of the South, I love the energy, spirit, and sense of community that HBCUs bring, especially around the highly anticipated return of football,” said Chauncey Hamlett, Vice President, and Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Beverages North America (South Division) in an official release shared with AfroTech. “This scholarship opportunity isn’t just open to students and alumni to cast their votes, but to anyone who shares pride and enthusiasm for these great institutions. I have a strong passion for HBCUs, and I...
PepsiCo and the National Urban League (NUL) are teaming up to provide financial support for Black-owned restaurants. According to a press release, the global food and beverage (F&B) leader has formed a partnership with the NUL to launch their Black Restaurant Accelerator Program, which has pledged to give 500 Black restaurant owners in 12 U.S. cities a total of $10 million over the next five years. Both entities’ support comes about following a tumultuous year for small Black-owned businesses that were impacted by the pandemic. “As the pandemic exposed existing disparities many minority business owners face, we saw a fundamental threat that could erase the decades of progress Black-owned restaurants have made,” C.D. Glin — Vice President, Global Head of Philanthropy at The PepsiCo Foundation — said in a statement. “This investment will help Black restaurateurs not only recover from the pandemic but set them on a path to long-term economic resilience. We are inspired by the progress...