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A new Detroit, MI, coffee shop has opened its doors. Crain’s Detroit Business reports Charity Dean, president and CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance, has launched Rosa Cafe + Market at 222 Third Ave. This isn’t Dean’s first venture either — she previously opened a Rosa Cafe, named after her great-grandmother, in 2022. “We just wanted to make sure we were open for the people,” Dean explained to the outlet. “There’s been a lot of excitement about the new cafe, so we wanted to get it open.” The new 800-square-foot storefront, which is currently being stewarded by five employees, is in a luxury residential property close to the Detroit River. The Cafe will be able to seat nearly a dozen customers at once inside while more can gather in its outdoor patio. Customers can expect to sip on various coffee items including an Ethiopian house roast coffee made by Faust Haus Roasting Co. Additionally, there will also be snacks and food options available for purchase. Dean is looking...
Stephen Curry doesn’t miss — not even from the Metaverse! Following his latest victory of breaking the all-time NBA three-point record during the Golden State Warriors game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Curry launched his very own non-fungible token (NFT) collection, which sold out in less than five minutes. https://cms.afrotech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2974sc-MainPreview.mp4 Within the first hour, the drop raised $2.1 million and all of the profits will go directly to charity including his very own foundation alongside his wife Ayesha Curry, Eat. Learn. Play. “We’re incredibly proud of Stephen for this amazing achievement,” said Chris Helfrich, CEO and President of Eat. Learn. Play., in an official press release shared with AfroTech. “We’re honored that these commemorative moments of Stephen’s brilliant career will benefit Eat. Learn. Play., where the funds raised will go directly to support our foundation’s work in improving the lives of children in...
Before he passed away, Kobe Bryant designed a watch known as — what else? — the Black Mamba. Today, that watch is said to be on track to sell for $10 million. According to Radar Online, the Hublot watch in question was signed and designed by Kobe Bryant, which he reportedly designed back in 2012, when he was a Hublot brand ambassador. But according to the outlet, the auction doesn’t just include the Black Mamba watch (which can fetch upwards of $250,000 on eBay and similar auction sites). Rather, the auction is positioning itself to be “the ultimate collector’s item” by offering other items tied to the late basketball legend. “A digital auction is gearing up to drop a Nike Zoom VII sneaker signed by the longtime Los Angeles Laker — but that’s not all,” reports the outlet. “We’ve learned the package also includes one of the three 18K rose gold Black Mamba Hublot Watches ever designed and signed by Kobe, as well as a custom-curated digital artwork designed by New York City-based...
Even during this unique time, artists are still finding creative ways to support one another. Among those supporting the music community is Pharrell, who recently announced that he’s partnering with SoundCloud to hand-pick new artists to create a charity album. “For our shared passion and vision for music, @i_am_OTHER and I are teaming up with @SoundCloud to discover the next creators. Starting today you can tag #SCxiamOTHER on your SoundCloud track for a chance to be featured on a compilation we’re working on,” he said in an Instagram post. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_SSQDBH3la/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The SoundCloud compilation album titled, “SoundCloud Presents: i am OTHER, Volume 1,” will champion emerging musicians and provide funding for undiscovered artists’ future music releases. This partnership both calls attention to a community that’s often overlooked and shows support for their artistic crafts. “We know the rise of the coronavirus has hit creators hard with a loss...
Sports fans around the world tuned in this past weekend to watch Michael Jordan’s highly-anticipated documentary, “The Last Dance,” which aired on ESPN. The NBA superstar is now pledging to donate all the profits he’s expected to receive from the docuseries to charitable causes, according to Complex . Forbes reported that Jordan is set to make roughly $3 million to $4 million from the documentary, which largely focuses on his 1997–98 season with the Chicago Bulls. The docuseries was originally slated to release in June, but in light of the NBA season being suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak, ESPN pushed the release date up. #TheLastDance is already the most-watched documentary in ESPN history: https://t.co/0dYZWzi1MY — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 20, 2020 Complex reported that director Jason Hehir recently sat down with The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch to recount Jordan’s take on the public’s anticipated reaction to the docuseries. “When people see this footage I’m not sure...
In August 2010 , 40 of the richest people in America gave birth to The Giving Pledge by committing half of their funds to charity. Since then, 204 people from 23 countries — including Australia, Canada, Germany, India, and more — have pledged to do the same. Over the weekend, MacKenzie Bezos became the latest person to commit to The Giving Pledge. On Saturday, Bezos published a letter with the organization pledging at least half of her $35 billion fortune to charity. “We each come by the gifts we have to offer by an infinite series of influences and lucky breaks we can never fully understand. In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share,” Bezos wrote. “My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care. But I won’t wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty.” Back in January, Bezos announced that she and her husband, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, were seeking a divorce. As...
Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, had solid revenue in its first year. Investing In Its Athletes From The Start As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the Medley, FL-based league with 36 players was created by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart and offers the highest-paid salaries in women’s sports, with an average salary of over $200,000. The league has also provided incentives to players, with $50,000 allocated to each player on the winning 2025 Playoffs team. This year’s reigning champion is the Rose BC, led by Coach Nola Henry and featuring players Brittney Sykes, Angel Reese, Kahleah Copper, Azura Stevens, Lexie Hull, and Chelsea Gray. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rose BC (@rosebc) What’s more, Unrivaled is pushing the boundaries of what it means to invest in women’s sports. The league provides a makeup room, weight room, and daycare center for practice and games, per Front Office Sports, and it has partnered with Samsung as its official presenting and...
Swizz Beatz is one of the most influential producers and entrepreneurs in the music industry, known for crafting chart-topping hits while expanding his business empire beyond music. His career spans decades, from producing for top artists like Jay-Z and DMX to co-owning major brands and making strategic investments in art and real estate. With multiple revenue streams, Swizz Beatz has built substantial wealth, but how much is he actually worth today? Let’s explore his music career, business ventures, and financial success before revealing Swizz Beatz’s net worth in 2025. Swizz Beatz’s Rise in the Music Industry Born Kasseem Dean in The Bronx, Swizz Beatz entered the music industry as a teenager in the late 1990s. His uncles founded Ruff Ryders Entertainment, and through their connections, he started producing tracks for DMX, Eve, and The LOX. His breakout came with DMX’s 1998 hit “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” which became a defining moment in hip-hop. As a producer, Swizz Beatz developed a...
Megan Holston-Alexander and Andreessen Horowitz’s Cultural Leadership Fund is shifting the investment mindset of cultural leaders. The Montgomery, AL, native is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz’s Cultural Leadership Fund, which connects global leaders such as athletes, entertainers, musicians, and C-level executives with emerging technology companies and champions the next generation of Blacks in technology. According to TechCrunch, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has a stake in at least 300 companies in sectors that include crypto, consumer, enterprise, fintech, healthcare, and biotech. It is also “Silicon Valley’s first venture capital fund consisting exclusively of Black cultural leaders and organizations,” its website mentions. Holston-Alexander is dedicated explicitly to wealth generation in technology for the Black community and is tasked with finding and sourcing deals. She has remained in her role at Andreessen Horowitz since 2020. “When you think about companies that have grown...
Kylian Mbappé has added a team to his growing investment portfolio. Forbes named the French and Real Madrid soccer player among the richest athletes in 2024, with an estimated total earnings of $110 million. It appears he is putting his earnings to good use by investing in the luxury watch-shopping platform Wristcheck, which Jay-Z also backs. According to Robb Report, Mbappé’s interest in the company stemmed from their innovation in technology and creativity. “I’m thrilled to join Wristcheck as an investor through Coalition Capital,” Mbappé said in a press statement, according to the outlet. “As a Hublot ambassador and someone passionate about watches and innovation, I see Wristcheck as a platform that truly understands the next generation of collectors. They’re reshaping the watch industry with a forward-thinking approach that blends technology, transparency, and creativity.” More recently, Mbappé became a team owner. He secured a stake in the France SailGP Team, which is owned by...
There were some initial hesitations around Unrivaled’s 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, but that has not stopped it from attracting notable investors. Unrivaled is a startup founded in 2023 by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, its business model is unprecedented, offering the highest salaries in women’s sports and granting participating players an equity stake in the league. Its concept has proven to be a success among its players. “Everybody got equity coming into this league, that’s the most important thing…I know five years from now this thing is gonna be bigger than ever,” Angel Reese from Unrivaled’s Rose BC team shared during a virtual press conference held in January. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rose BC (@rosebc) The potential of Unrivaled was not understood by all. In fact, Collier recalls receiving various “no’s” during the league’s inception. “It was hard because you think the same thing like, ‘Oh, I’m an...
World-renowned boxer Floyd Mayweather is making headlines for a recent knockout away from the ring: the gift he gave his grandson on Christmas Day. This year for the holidays, little KJ became the owner of a $20 million building in the Diamond District of New York City as shown in a heartwarming video circulating on social media . The three-year-old is the son of Iyanna Mayweather and rapper NBA Youngboy (who has 12 kids total); while their relationship didn’t last, Floyd has infinite love for his grandson, even proudly showing off the toddler’s boxing skills over the summer. Through his success, Mayweather has created generational wealth for his family, including Iyanna’s four siblings and their children. He was once the fifth-highest-paid athlete of all time, ending his career with a 50-0 record. However, his achievements and earnings are not the result of an easy path. As CNN reports, the icon’s father, after being released from prison , began training him for success at an early...
Seasoned tech executive Omar Johnson is leveraging his experience to revolutionize how brands market themselves. Raised in Brooklyn, NY, Johnson’s exposure to technology was initially limited to video games and consumer electronics. However, his inquisitiveness grew and ultimately helped him secure roles with major tech giants. “A lot of my curiosity was sort of like self-driven,” he told AFROTECH™ in an interview. Tech Journey Johnson’s interests also lay in marketing, leading him to earn an MBA from Emory University in 2004. Following a brief stint at Campbell Soup Company as an associate brand manager, he transitioned to roles with brands such as Coca-Cola and Nike. At the latter, he began as an assistant brand manager before being promoted to content manager of advising and innovation, which remained his focus. “Find the most important things that the company is betting on for the future and work on those things,” Johnson explained. “I always had that sort of lean when I was at...
The Michigan Black Business Alliance has opened a new hub to empower more entrepreneurs and drive economic equity. According to Crain’s Detroit Business, the organization — which focuses on closing the racial wealth gap through access to capital, networking opportunities, and advocacy — is expanding its reach. Since its inception in 2021, the alliance has grown its network from 250 to 1,800 members. “We’re still growing, and our members all have different needs,” Charity Dean, CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance, told the outlet. “We did a survey of our members in 2022, and some wanted a commercial kitchen and space for pop-ups. Imagine being able to try out products before you sign a lease to see if there’s a market for what you’re offering.” The Michigan Black Business Alliance has moved into a 5,000-square-foot space at Grand Park Centre at 28 W. Adams Ave. Entrepreneurs will benefit from co-working spaces, conference rooms, a wellness center, and classrooms. Furthermore,...
Financial literacy is the new civil rights movement according to John Hope Bryant. Bryant, a passionate advocate for economic empowerment, urges the Black community to adopt a laser-focused mindset on f inancial literacy. Since 1992, he has served as Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc., dedicating himself to empowering underserved communities. According to its LinkedIn profile, the organization has impacted over 2.8 million people and has facilitated the direction of $2.4 billion in private capital. The Oprah Rule Bryant appeared on the “Black Tech Green Money” (BTGM) podcast, emphasizing the importance of understanding relationship capital, forming strategic partnerships, adopting a broader vision of wealth-building, and the day he learned the “Oprah rule.” He had been investigated before receiving the Use Your Life Award from Oprah Winfrey, an honor given to individuals improving others’ lives through charity. “When her investigators came around after she said she wanted to...