We are shedding a light on a group of Black pioneers making significant strides. AFROTECH™ Future 50 Launched in 2022, the AFROTECH™ Future 50 is a prestigious list that amplifies 50 innovators, visionaries, founders, venture capitalists, technologists, and changemakers annually. Dynamic Investors – venture capitalists empowering underserved founders in tech. Future Makers – recognizes professionals for groundbreaking innovation and historical firsts in technology. Visionary Founders – acknowledges the accomplishments of founders who showcase outstanding company growth and a strong dedication toward promoting diversity and inclusion. Changemakers – honors individuals for significant social impact in the tech industry. Corporate Catalysts – professionals who have a track record of championing diversity. Legacy Leaders View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Exemplifying the aforementioned categories are our Legacy leaders who have upheld these standards of...

Issa Rae, the Emmy-nominated actress and producer behind the HBO hit “Insecure,” is once again proving that her impact goes far beyond the screen by partnering with a private equity firm to grow her business footprint. Rae’s company, ColorCreative, has entered into a significant strategic partnership with HarbourView Equity Partners, according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR). Rae was set to announce the deal during the Cannes Lions Festival on Tuesday, the outlet reported. While the terms of the deal have not been made public, the partnership is expected to help ColorCreative grow its talent representation and production capabilities. It will also support the creation and ownership of original content, pushing the company into its next phase of global storytelling. “We built ColorCreative to be a home for visionary talent and distinct, multifaceted stories,” Rae told the Hollywood Reporter. “Partnering with HarbourView allows us to dream even bigger, while staying true to our...

Allen Media Group (AMG) CEO Byron Allen has long been a formidable presence in the entertainment industry, but his recent legal victory against McDonald’s has thrust him into the spotlight once again.  Thanks to the settlement, Allen’s already considerable wealth is sure to reach new heights. The media mogul previously filed a discrimination lawsuit against McDonald’s for $10 billion. While the final numbers of the settlement aren’t public, they could be substantial. Given the stakes, the settlement is sure to increase Byron Allen’s net worth even more. For some people, this lawsuit may have been the first time they’ve heard of Byron Allen. If so, they’re likely wondering how he amassed enough wealth, influence and capital to sue one of the most recognizable brands in the world. However, his journey from stand-up comedian to billionaire media mogul is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and determination. Born in Detroit in 1961, Allen moved to Los Angeles at a young age and...

Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. When people hear the word “Apple,” they do not automatically think of the fruit; they think about the company that has been a mainstay in the world of consumer technology since Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded it in 1976. Apple was founded in Los Altos, CA, a suburb of Silicon Valley , in the home of Steve Jobs’ parents. The time Jobs spent building the original vision for Apple in his parents’ garage is why many entrepreneurial stories reference the garage as a symbol of humble beginnings when discussing how their companies first got off the ground. While many millennials and Gen Z remember how life-changing the iPod was when it was released, it revolutionized the way we listened to music, along with iTunes, which changed the way music was purchased and consumed. Long before the iPod, Apple’s first consumer smash hit was the Apple II . Released in 1977, the Apple II debuted alongside other...

The NAACP plans to sue Elon Musk ‘s Memphis, TN-based AI company, xAI, over concerns about air pollution stemming from a supercomputer facility allegedly operating gas turbines without proper permits. Represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), the NAACP filed its legal challenge on Tuesday as the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) reviews xAI’s permit application, according to The Associated Press. Activists and opponents say the facility is polluting predominantly Black neighborhoods in South Memphis. The NAACP sent a letter to the SCHD and Memphis Light, Gas, and Water on May 29, demanding an emergency order to halt xAI’s operations or, at the very least, cite the company for violatiJng clean air standards, AFROTECH™ previously reported. “While data centers are becoming more prevalent across the country, there is a growing need to guarantee transparency regarding environmental and climate concerns, the burden these centers have on communities, and ensuring...

Dwyane Wade has widened his footprint in the sneaker space. Way of Wade In 2012, the three-time NBA champion launched the Way of Wade brand, alongside Li-Ning, a Chinese athletic apparel and footwear brand founded in 1990 by Olympic champion gymnast Li Ning, its website notes. Within a year of forming the partnership, six signature shoes launched, and now the Way of Wade brand is in its 10th iteration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WAY OF WADE by Dwyane Wade (@wayofwade) Expanding Globally Wade plans to scale Way of Wade through global sneaker platform KICKS CREW after becoming its latest investor, according to Sports Illustrated. This will unlock increased support in product development, marketing, and international distribution. Wade will still retain creative and operational control of his brand. “KICKS CREW is redefining what it means to empower athletes. This isn’t just about selling sneakers—it’s about ownership, control, and building something that lasts,” Wade...

TikTok will be granted another 90-day extension to prevent its ban in the U.S. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, former President Joe Biden signed a law on April 24, 2024, that would require TikTok’s Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform within a year or it would face a nationwide ban. The U.S. has national security concerns about the app and China’s possible access to American citizens’ private data. TikTok is used by an estimated 170 million users, notes NPR. The Supreme Court had also upheld the law signed by Biden in January 2025. “There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the court had written in an unsigned opinion, according to another NPR report. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship...

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that the company plans to decrease its corporate workforce as it adopts more generative AI tools. “We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs. It’s hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company,” Jassy said in a company memo on Tuesday. He added that Amazon is utilizing AI to optimize inventory placement, enhance demand forecasting, and improve its robots, noting that this has resulted in lower costs and faster delivery speeds. Amazon announced in February that it will spend $100 billion on capital expenditures, driven by investments in artificial intelligence, according to CNBC. The company has reduced its workforce in recent years, having laid off over 27,000 employees since 2022, CNBC reported. AI’s Influence...

NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook’s AI-enabled funeral planning platform Eazewell has partnered with LegalZoom to help users simplify the process of preparing wills, trusts, and estate planning documents, according to a press release. Partnership With LegalZoom The partnership will grant access to LegalZoom’s estate planning infrastructure, allowing end-of-life documents to be created in minutes. It will also leverage LegalZoom’s attorney network and an advanced AI-driven interface to streamline the onboarding experience. “Our partnership with LegalZoom is a game-changer. Legal and estate planning has always felt out of reach for many families, too complex, too expensive, or simply too intimidating,” Donnell Beverly Jr., an Eazewell co-founder, told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. Adding, “LegalZoom helps us break down those barriers. Together, we’re democratizing access to essential documents like wills, power of attorney, and trusts, all through a seamless, user-friendly experience....

Marvin Ellison has made history as a Fortune 500 executive. Career Trajectory Back in the day, Ellison worked part-time at Target with paychecks reflecting compensation of $4.35 an hour as an employee, according to Fortune. Ellison, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of Memphis and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, went on to serve as a director at Target for 15 years beginning in 1987, and later as executive vice president of stores at The Home Depot, according to his LinkedIn profile. CEO Of Lowe’s, Which Crossed $83.67B In Revenue Ellison transitioned to JCPenny as its CEO and now holds that title at Lowe’s where he has been since May 2018, a news release mentions. He has led the home improvement company to $83.67 billion in revenue and almost $7 billion in profits for 2025, per Fortune. “Attracting Marvin is a great win for the entire Lowe’s team. Marvin is an experienced retail CEO with extensive expertise in a complex...

NBA legend Magic Johnson relies on his intuition when it comes to making business deals. The billionaire holds stakes in several teams, including MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, MLS’s Los Angeles Football Club, WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, NFL’s Washington Commanders, and NWSL’s Washington Spirit, AFROTECH™ previously reported. He most recently expressed interest in owning the New York Knicks, telling ESPN “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith that he’d be “first in line” if current Knicks owner James Dolan ever put the team up for sale, according to Fadeaway World. Last year, Johnson expressed his excitement about joining the Washington Spirit’s investor group. “I’m so excited to join the Washington Spirit’s investor group at such a pivotal time in the club’s history!,” he said in an Instagram caption. “Partnering with a visionary like Michele Kang and her team to advance the growth of the Washington Spirit and the NWSL is an incredible opportunity.” View this post on Instagram A post shared...

Fawn Weaver does not believe selling your company is necessary to show you didn’t fail as an entrepreneur. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Weaver is the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, a whiskey brand honoring the spirit of “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man credited for teaching Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. The company has achieved remarkable success. It has a 458-acre distillery with the world’s longest bar (518 feet) in Shelbyville, TN, and sells its whiskey in more than 30,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Additionally, the company surpassed a valuation of $1 billion, but if you think for a second Weaver plans on selling, think again. She has not warmed up to venture capitalists, private equity, or institutional lending. Instead, Weaver has relied on the support of individual investors. By 2023, she raised $225 million through this route, with individual investors not owning more than 2% to 3% of the company each (employees own less than 3%). Weaver...

American Express (Amex) is planning a major refresh of its flagship Platinum card. In a news release, the company described it as the “largest investment ever” in the Platinum product line, with changes coming to both personal and business versions later this year. “We’re going to take these cards to a new level,” said Howard Grosfield, president of U.S. consumer services at American Express. “Not only in what they offer in travel, dining, and lifestyle benefits, but also in how they look and feel.” Big Moves For Business Builders And Jet-Setters The refresh comes as competition among premium credit cards continues to grow. With options like Chase’s Sapphire Reserve and Capital One’s Venture X gaining popularity, American Express appears to be stepping up to stay ahead. For cardholders who use the Platinum card to manage a busy travel schedule or handle business expenses, the new perks may make it even more worthwhile. Here’s what the company has confirmed so far: New Lounge Access:...

When you leave your job , there’s a high chance the company’s human resources department will ask you exit interview questions. These interviews allow you to provide feedback and reflect on your time at the company. This conversation might seem awkward or uncomfortable, but handling it gracefully can benefit you and the company. Your responses can shape your reputation and even provide valuable insights for your future career. What should you expect in an exit interview, and how should you answer? Let’s break down the most common exit interview questions, why they’re asked, and how to answer them in a way that’s professional and constructive. We’ve also included a list of thoughtful questions to ask your employe r to demonstrate your professionalism and help you close this chapter with confidence. Why are you leaving your current role? Why it’s asked:  This is typically your employer’s first ques tion. They want to understand your reasons for leaving: Is it a personal decision, a...

Three historically Black colleges and universities ( HBCUs ) in Mississippi will benefit from a $9.1 million higher education grant the state received to expand artificial intelligence (AI) education , workforce training, and entrepreneurship. According to WJTV 12 News, on June 12, 2025, Governor Tate Reeves announced the grants through the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP), aimed at strengthening the state’s workforce and economic future. In addition to the state support, each institution will seek private funding and resources to maximize impact. “This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,” Reeves said. “We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re building it. This investment will help to ensure that Mississippians are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.” Administered by AccelerateMS, Jackson State University (JSU) in Jackson received $1.3 million to launch the Executive On Roster (XOR) initiative, which...