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Equity-focused work may be a point of contention in today’s political environment, but it has not stopped the commitment of those dedicated to ensuring justice. Recently, Operation HOPE Inc. hosted its Hope Global Forums Annual Meeting. This convening brought together community stakeholders and influencers to discuss how to move into the future through economic, technological, and cultural advancements. During the meeting in Atlanta, GA, Hope Global Forum leader and CEO of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant, announced one of his goals to raise $100 million to fund the organization’s work of providing financial literacy and economic growth tools for individuals and small businesses. While providing his final remarks, Bryant confirmed that he is well on his way to receiving that fundraising amount through partners and corporations including Delta, Shopify, Truist, and Bishop T.D. Jakes. “Shopify, they’re ready for $60 million,” Bryant said. “Why did they do this? They are good people,...
Melissa Bradley is turning a new leaf! Since 2016, Bradley, who was featured as an AFROTECH™ Future 50 Dynamic Investor, has been the proud founder of Washington, DC-based 1863 Ventures, which provides business development programs, coaching, mentorship, and access to capital primarily for new entrepreneurs, as noted on her LinkedIn profile. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the venture aims to create $100 billion in wealth for the “New Majority,” Black and brown entrepreneurs. This goal is reflected in its portfolio, which comprises 90% Black-owned businesses, including the following: Nubian Heumann Eu’Genia Shea Harlem Candle Co. The Black Girl Doctor Now, eight years into 1863 Ventures’ inception, the Washington Business Journal has reported that the organization’s board voted to close down 1863’s nonprofit arm, which focused on early-stage companies. Currently, Bradley is on the hunt for a partner who can take on ownership of its portfolio companies, which have benefited from an...
Kai Cenat plans to put his latest subathon to good use. Cenat is currently making a significant income as one of the most successful content creators. According to Forbes, he ranks No. 24 among top earners in the creator economy, with earnings totaling $8.5 million so far this year, as of Oct. 28, 2024. His recent accolades include: Setting Twitch’s North American viewership record through a stream with Kevin Hart and Druski First streamer to secure a partnership with Nike Multi-million-dollar deal with Rumble Deals with McDonald’s and T-Mobile View this post on Instagram A post shared by McDonald’s (@mcdonalds) Now, Cenat is fully immersed in Mafiathon 2, a nonstop, 30-day Twitch stream running 24/7 since it kicked off on Nov. 1, 2024. To boost visibility for the subathon, the streamer enlisted Kim Kardashian for promotion. Cenat hopes this event will serve as his redemption arc in reclaiming the title of the most-subscribed Twitch creator of all time — a record currently held by...
DIAGEO is opening its pocketbooks to support innovation at HBCUs. In celebration of homecoming week, the company hosted several events to honor the traditions that thrive across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This includes its Alumni Bison Ball and “Off The Yard” tailgate festival held Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 at Howard University as well as a football classic in Alabama on Oct. 25 and another one in Louisiana on Nov. 30, a press release mentions. Photo Credit: DIAGEO “At DIAGEO, we believe a business that includes everyone is a better business. Our business is centered around celebrations, culture and memorable moments,” Danielle Robinson, Ph.D., director of community initiatives and partnerships at DIAGEO, told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. “HBCU Homecoming and Classic season represents one of those vibrant memorable moments. As alumni from these respected institutions continue to make meaningful impact in society and the business world, we are thrilled to...
Brandon Nicholson is a part of a nonprofit exposing Black males to technology. The Hidden Genius Project Nicholson, an AFROTECH™ Future 50 honoree, serves as CEO of The Hidden Genius Project, an Oakland, CA-based venture that curates several programs, mentoring Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills, according to its website. Nicholson reveals that the project was originally planned as a two-year initiative but ultimately grew into something much greater, now spanning nearly a decade. “As volunteers with no budget and no infrastructure and no real idea of what we’re doing and probably no business doing it at all, we set out to establish this first ever cohort in 2012,” he told AFROTECH™. “Five young men, high school age who are gonna commit to it just a short period. But what eventually became like a two-year program unbeknownst to literally everybody involved, it just, [was] building the plane as it was flying.” Today, The Hidden Genius...
Jaylen Brown has designed courses that champion STEM education to empower students. As the founder of the 7uice Foundation, he aims to create better educational outcomes for underserved youth of color, with support from institutions, organizations, and social change leaders, its website mentions. Its four pillars include: Entrepreneurship and financial literacy Health and wellness Leadership and activism Sustainability and technology The foundation also offers a Bridge Program in partnership with MIT’s Media Lab with a four-day camp held during the summer for students in eighth through 12th grade. Brown designed a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum for the program, which includes space exploration, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence, as he revealed during a conversation on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” “I designed a curriculum over at MIT pretty much every summer… I take kids from Dorchester, from Roxbury, from underrepresented...
REFORM Alliance and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation joined forces Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, by hosting a job fair in Richmond, VA, that connected over 2,000 job seekers with more than 1,500 open positions. The free event focused on removing employment barriers for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system , particularly those on probation or parole, according to a press release. Participants had access to a diverse range of 36 employers, including major national brands like Amazon, Starbucks, and Foot Locker , alongside local businesses from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The job fair also featured numerous state and local government agencies, such as the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State University, and the City of Richmond. Jessica S., who was recently released from incarceration, interviewed with both Amazon and Foot Locker and received invitations for second-round interviews. “It’s been a struggle to find work...
Jackson State University in Jackson, MS, will be able to support its students pursuing careers in cybersecurity. According to a news release, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has received a $2 million grant from the Entergy Charitable Foundation. To be allocated over several payments, the grant supports the establishment of the Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab, which will provide the launching pad for cybersecurity careers. “I am honored to receive this generous grant on behalf of Jackson State University . This gift will have a lasting impact on the lives of our students and the future of the energy sector,” JSU President Marcus Thompson, Ph.D., said in the news release. “Looking ahead, this lab will not only benefit Jackson State University and our students, but it will also play a critical role in shaping the broader energy landscape.” Haley Fisackerly , Entergy Mississippi president and CEO, commented: “The robust growth in our company and the state...
A grocery store considering its community first has opened in Baltimore, MD. The Baltimore community will now be able to shop at the Pratt Free Market, which will operate as a full-service grocery store following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the city’s Enoch Pratt Free Library. The market is inside the library’s Southeast Anchor location in the Highlandtown neighborhood. M’Balu “Lu” Bangura, chief of equity and fair practices at the Enoch Pratt Library, shared on Instagram that no income verification or ID will be required at the grocery store, and all items will be available for free to those living in a state where one-third of the population experiences food insecurity. Per WBAL-11 TV, customers will be able to stock one library-supplied bag each day. “Just come as you are and fill a bag with groceries at NO COST,” Bangura wrote on Instagram. “This market is for the City. All are welcome…I dreamt of this almost 2 years ago, I’m so proud to cut the ribbon on the first 100%...
Charles Barkley is fulfilling his commitment to a school that has ties to a historic math discovery. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, who attended St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans, LA, at the time, found an alternative way to solve the Pythagorean Theorem during their senior year. Without using circular reasoning, they were still able to use trigonometry, which had puzzled mathematicians for over 2,000 years. “Calcea and Ne’Kiya explained it to me like this: Basically, trigonometry is based on Pythagoras’ Theorem (A^2 + B^2 = C^2, sound familiar?), so using trigonometry to prove Pythagoras’ Theorem is what’s known as circular logic,” mentioned WWL-TV 4 reporter Sam Winstrom. The young prodigies had come to this conclusion following a math contest held at their school, which was attached to a $500 incentive. “There was a bonus question that was to create a new proof of the Pythagorean Theorem,” Johnson told PEOPLE. “Ne’Kiya and I were the only...
Through their foundation, Stephen and Ayesha Curry plan to invest $25 million in Oakland, CA, over the next five years. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the couple are founders of the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which is intended to improve the lives of children through increased literacy rates, healthy meals, and opportunities for active lifestyles. Their work is being carried out in their “adopted hometown” of Oakland. In 2022, the foundation committed to building 150 libraries across Oakland and bringing 30,000 books into the hands of the youth. Additional efforts over the years have included $5 million in grants to support tutoring across more than 20 elementary schools, $2.5 million in grants allocated to libraries and teachers, and the remodeling of two elementary school libraries, according to a press release shared with AFROTECH™ . Photo Credit: Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation $25M Commitment Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation continues to scale its commitment in light of a $25...
Gunna continues to pour into the Georgia community. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, rapper Gunna, born Sergio Giavanni Kitchens in College Park, GA, has proven to have an affinity for the state by engaging in philanthropic efforts such as launching a free grocery store for his former middle school (McNair Middle School) with the support of Goodr Founder Jasmine Crowe in 2021. He also provided Gunna’s Drip Closet, an in-school clothing store that makes all items available free of charge. Improving the standard of living for those in Georgia is still a priority for the rapper. According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, he has partnered with Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to launch the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program. It will benefit the lives of 30 families per month residing in the 30349 zip code of South Fulton, GA, by allocating $1,000 monthly stipends for a year that will be supported through a $500,000 commitment. Beyond financial assistance,...
John Legend is helping create a brighter future for students. According to a news release, the “All of Me” singer partnered with Box Tops for Education to support students at Westport Heights Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Los Angeles, CA. With $30,000 from Box Tops, the school plans to invest in the children by developing an outdoor area where they can learn about environmental science. “I recently had the heartwarming opportunity to meet inspiring educators from Westport Heights Elementary School, right in my backyard of Los Angeles,” Legend said in a news release. “I was thrilled to help Box Tops award $30,000 to support their school’s new outdoor space, and I’ve seen it for myself – downloading the Box Tops app is one of the easiest ways for families to show support to educators who are making a difference in our communities. As a father with a long-standing passion for education, I’m honored to be partnering with Box Tops for Education to Champion Legendary Teachers...
After dedicating years to researching Black women’s health, Dr. Leeja Carter has developed a device to assist them. As a professor and a scholar, C arter had a desire to do more work within the community beyond the standard work on publications and presentations. Even in her academic role at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, she said she felt like a spectator to the issues that were important to her. That all changed in 2020. “My research and work were really social determinants of physical activity and its impact on Black women’s health,” Carter told AFROTECH™. “And being in academia for 15 years as a Black woman researching Black women’s health, while I definitely had spaces of comfort, care, and support, I would say there were greater experiences where I still definitely felt like an outsider and felt that it was still an uphill battle to gain support to do the work that was so close to my heart.” She added, “When you’re in an academic space, what is currency is...
Rick Ross is auctioning off items for a good cause. According to Billboard, the rapper is teaming up with Julien’s Auctions to host Push It to the Limit: Luxury and Lifestyle, a two-day event held June 25-26 live and online with 800 items up for grabs. People mentions items such as Ross’ exclusive collection of street and contemporary art, designer wear, rare sneakers, and music memorabilia like Michael Jackson’s sealed “ONE” by Cirque du Soleil light-up glove , and more. Specific items include the Air Jordan Retro 5 “University of Michigan Fab 5” PEs (estimated value, $2,000-$3,000); Air Maxes (est. $1,000-$2,000); DJ Khaled “Father of Asahd” Air Jordans (est. $3,000-$5,000) and Virgil Abloh Off-White collaborations (est. $500-$700); Versace silk shirts (est. $500-$700); and designer sunglasses and varsity jackets (est. $200-$500); among others, per Billboard. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Julien's Auctions (@juliens_auctions) What’s more, in partnership with The...