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Stacey Abrams wears many hats. The first Black woman nominated for governor in U.S. history, she is a national leader, voting rights advocate, romance and thriller novelist, and serial entrepreneur with her own media and podcast ventures. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 in Houston, Abrams joined Dr. Rachel Gillum, vice president of ethical and humane use of technology at Salesforce, for a session titled “Democracy in the World of AI,” highlighting AI’s rapid spread, its impact on every sector from health care to the economy, and its connection to democracy. Abrams explained that her commitment to democracy is driven by her experience with poverty, which she called immoral, economically inefficient, and solvable — a reality she is determined never to return to. “Democracy is how we have always advanced the cause of more voices being involved in the answer,” Abrams shared from the stage. “I create companies because I was poor, and I don’t like it, and don’t ever want to do it again. My...
Black women continue to face the highest unemployment rates in the United States, with joblessness rising to 6.7% in August. August’s figures follow several months of elevated unemployment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Black women have lost over 300,000 jobs since February — including 266,000 in March alone, a 2.5% drop and the sharpest monthly decline since mid-2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A July report showed that Black women faced nearly 6% unemployment, marking three straight month of high rates. The rate climbed from 5.1% in March to 6.1% in April, peaked at 6.2% in May, and dipped slightly to 5.8% in June. The trend is so alarming that Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Massachusetts) urged Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to take action, calling for a detailed plan to address rising unemployment among Black women and uphold the Fed’s mandate to maximize employment for all, AFROTECH™ noted. “Black women are more likely...
In a world where vast amounts of information are available at the click of a button, Joe Tillman , managing director and head of private capital markets at The Raine Group, emphasizes continuous learning — especially for leaders looking to raise capital and achieve long-term success. Tillman came from humble beginnings in Paris, CA, and went on to graduate from California State University in 2008 amid the financial crisis, as well as pursue a law degree at New York University. He joined MaC Venture Capital’s first chief operating officer , Jennifer Randle, at AFROTECH™ 2024 , where he highlighted the power of targeted investment and strategic decision-making. Watch the full session at AFROTECH™ Conference 2024. After law school, Tillman spent four years at Gibson Dunn advising private equity and venture firms on M&A, finance, and fund formation before joining Raine as in-house counsel. While intellectually stimulating, he shared that he quickly realized practicing law wasn’t...
Resilience, determination, and a commitment to paving the way for future generations — all qualities that define Sharon Bowen, the first Black woman and person of color to chair the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 , Bowen joined Uber’s Vice President of Operations and General Manager of North American Rides, Camiel Irving, to reflect on her trailblazing career spanning law, finance, and government, highlighting the power of mentorship, networking, and diversity in leadership. Watch the full session at AFROTECH™ Conference 2024. Bowen’s beginnings trace back to her childhood as the youngest of five children growing up in segregated Virginia, where she attended the same all-Black elementary school as her siblings. “And those teachers and my family and community sort of instilled the confidence in me, stress the importance of education to me,” Bowen said. “And it’s that background. I stand where I am today because of that background. So [I] always want to...
Recently, more than 125 students graduated from Detroit’s Apple Developer Academy, a one-of-a-kind, free 10-month program launched in 2021 through a partnership between Apple and Michigan State University (MSU), according to a news release shared with AFROTECH™. But the Apple Developer Academy is about more than just coding. It equips Detroiters with real-world skills and the confidence to thrive in app development, business, and today’s ever-evolving tech landscape, per the release. A Pipeline For Real-World Innovation What makes Detroit’s Apple Developer Academy truly unique is its approach. Beyond mastering Swift coding, students dive into AI, UX design, marketing, and project management. The program is also backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation, which helps connect graduates with internships, mentors, and career opportunities across Detroit. “As Detroit continues to emerge as a national hub for technology, the Apple Developer Academy is creating pathways for Detroiters of all...
Blavity Fest 2025 lit up Atlanta, GA’s Lee + White complex last weekend in celebration of Black innovation , cultural expression, and collective wealth-building. Attendees experienced inspiring panel discussions led by experts in entrepreneurship , personal branding, creative development, and financial empowerment, while hands-on workshops offered practical skills in areas including stock trading, book launching, and event planning. The event, held from May 31 to June 1, also featured networking opportunities at community meetups, a Black-owned small business market, and immersive installations designed to spark creativity and connection. The high-energy, high-stakes, and high-impact success of the 2025 Blavity Fest was no accident, as Atlanta is, for the third consecutive year, the nation’s leading hub for Black-owned businesses, as previously reported by AFROTECH™ . According to a LendingTree analysis, nearly 14,000 — or 11.3% of all businesses in the city — are Black-owned as of...
Representation matters now more than ever — a key theme highlighted during the AFROTECH™ 2024 Conference panel discussion, “Fueling Ambition For Women On The Rise.” The Summit Stage came alive with an inspiring conversation between two powerhouse leaders: Gabrielle Wesley , chief marketing officer of Mars Wrigley North America, and Jennifer Lynne Williams, chief development officer at the USA Basketball Foundation. Moderated by Zuhairah Scott Washington, founder and CEO of Unlimited Ventures, the session explored bold leadership, inclusive innovation, and the fearless pursuit of impact. Through personal stories and hard-earned insights, the panelists offered attendees tangible strategies to fuel their own ambition and rise in their careers. Both Wesley and Williams reflected on the impact of seeing Black women who looked like them in leadership roles and how mentorship shaped their own journeys, expressing a deep commitment to doing the same for the next generation — serving as...
Cybersecurity remains one of the most important — and unpredictable — topics shaping today’s technology landscape. At AFROTECH™ 2024, Nicole Dove, director of security engineering at Riot Games, led a session on how bad actors use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance cyberattacks and how defenders are evolving to stay ahead. Moderated by Dr. Christine Izuakor, founder and CEO of Cyber Pop-up, the session also included Oluwadamilola Obamehinti, who has over a decade of experience at major tech companies including eBay. During the session, Dove and Obamehinti were presented with high-stakes real-world scenarios to respond to live. “We’ve all heard a lot of the nightmare stories over the last year, especially when it comes to security,” Izuakor said. “Everything from unprecedented amounts of data being leaked to social media hacks to a global IT outage — and it’s important as leaders for us to be able to respond in ways that are efficient, to remain calm, to think critically while...
Five days of fun, networking, mentorship , and the chance to enjoy everything the most magical place on Earth has to offer — that’s what Disney’s Dreamers Academy is all about. From Wednesday, March 26, to Sunday, March 30, 2025, students from around the world traveled to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL, to be inspired, motivated, and energized by educators, business executives, community leaders, and celebrities, including “DREAMbassador” Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”) and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe . For the 100 participants — ages 13 and 19 — such as Alexis Limary, Jayden Kelly, Christian Rutter, Iraj Shroff, Ava Powers, and Tristan Williams, getting accepted into the 18th annual Dreamers Academy was a dream come true, preparing them for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and math ( STEM ). “The opportunity to even be able to come to Disney World, expenses paid, that’s just someone’s dream. Also, to be able to become a part of...
If you have even a passive interest in sports, professional fighting , or mixed martial arts, you’re undoubtedly aware of the UFC, which shattered records in 2023 as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The entity, whose title is short for Ultimate Fighting Championship, is one of the largest subsidiaries of Endeavor Group Holdings, which owns such massive companies as the Asylum Entertainment Group, TKO Group Holdings, and Professional Bull Riders. As of 2024, the UFC has ballooned its market capital to record highs , and run more than 700 events worldwide. According to BetMGM , the UFC is currently valued at a net worth of over $12 billion, with expectations to continue growing as the years carry on. Given that the outlet is so successful, it only makes sense that we perform a deep dive into the history and financial security of the business. Any entity which balloons from a humble MMA showcase to a multi-billion industry in the span of just 30 years is absolutely worth...
Fresh starts are mostly full of excitement, but with major shifts in life come nervous jitters. No matter how old you get, the first day of a new semester or a job interview can still give you sweaty palms and a racing heart. However, if you’re as well prepared as possible for what’s yet to be thrown your way, you’ve got nothing to worry about. There will always be things out of your control, but if you manage to maintain your confidence while chatting with a potential new boss, friend or date, you’re on the right path toward success. Even if you don’t land the job, become close pals with the person who sat beside you in class or lock it down with your gym crush, you’ll still leave every situation more confident after showing up as your best self. In many cases, job interviewers and professors alike enjoy getting to know people in lighthearted ways, such as “fun fact about me” games. Some university students spend time at the beginning of the semester carefully planning what...
Most people spend a significant portion of their day at work, making it natural to form friendships with co-workers . Building these relationships can enhance the working environment, facilitating better communication and workflow while reducing the likelihood of disagreements. However, there are both benefits and potential downsides to becoming friends with co-workers. Do I Have To Be Friends With My Co-Workers? There is no rule that you must be friends with your co-workers. If you prefer not to befriend them, that is entirely your choice. However, it is worth considering why you feel this way about someone you work closely with and addressing any issues to maintain a professional working relationship. In cases of serious disagreements, involving management might be necessary. Alternatively, you can limit interactions to work-related matters. While not being friends with colleagues can lead to awkward situations, being friendly can significantly ease workplace dynamics. How To Make...
If you want to advance in your professional career, it is imperative to obtain guidance from the right supporter. Keith Chaney learned this while working at technology company Google as the strategy and operations lead of its global partnerships and at McKinsey & Co., where he served as a management consultant. That’s when he decided to exit those jobs to pursue his own career as a founder. During the South by Southwest (SXSW) 2024 pitch competition, he recalls his experience as a first-generation graduate navigating the intricacies of post-college life. He later realized the importance of gaining peer support to be successful in the long term. “When I started my career, I was surrounded by an amazing family. Unfortunately, no one in my family had worked for Google, McKinsey, or any of the places I found myself during my career. So, despite their best efforts, no one was ever able to tell me the information that I needed to win in those spaces,” Chaney said at SXSW 2024. His desire...
Floyd Mayweather Jr. , widely acclaimed as one of boxing’s most legendary figures, has enjoyed immense success inside the ring and built a substantial fortune. His strategic endeavors have solidified his status as a cultural icon, captivating both fans and investors. Based on recent evaluations up until 2023, Mayweather’s estimated net worth currently stands at $1.2 billion. Predicting his financial standing for 2024 is difficult due to the inherent volatility of investments and the multifaceted nature of his business ventures. Nevertheless, considering his track record, it’s foreseeable that Mayweather’s net worth could reach a whopping $1.5 billion by 2024. Mayweather’s Career Success Mayweather’s career in boxing is marked by a series of historic moments that solidified his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Beginning his professional journey after winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics , Mayweather quickly rose through the ranks. In 2007, he faced off against...
