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This self-taught programmer has secured funding for his newly established startup. According to TechCrunch, Bereket Engida had an idea while living in Ethiopia to create a startup that would resolve issues he experienced around authentication. As a programmer, he created a platform that helped developers observe user behavior on their websites while he was working at remote software jobs. This took him down a new rabbit hole after he noticed frequent issues around authentication. He also did not have great faith in some of the tools that already existed to handle the process, which prompted him to take matters into his own hands. “I remember needing an organization feature. It’s a very common use case for most SaaS applications, but it wasn’t available from these providers,” Engida told TechCrunch. “So I had to build it from scratch. It took me about two weeks, and I remember thinking, ‘This is crazy; there has to be a better way to solve this.’” Better Auth This idea eventually...
Tyra Banks is dedicating her latest business move to her mother. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the supermodel is the proud founder of the ice cream shop Smize & Dream, which had planted its seeds in Dubai and Washington, DC. The venture is very dear to the mother and daughter. Carolyn London, Banks’ mother, sacrificed in her earlier years to provide for both her children after a divorce, Today reports. Grabbing ice cream weekly would be a way to convene and reflect on a more hopeful future. “Years ago, when I was working so hard as a single mom, I worked more than one job,” London said in an Instagram post. “I worked two jobs. I worked three jobs. I did whatever I could. And the way we would celebrate each week that I got through is I would take her for ice cream in Hollywood. We live near Hollywood, and we would go for ice cream, and we would sit in the car and talk about what we wanted out of life, and where we wanted to go and how we wanted to live and her dreams, and try to...
These founders are leaning into AI to help patients combat their medical bills. Avelis Health Founded in February 2025 by Angel Onuoha (CEO) and Ahmad Shehu (chief technology officer), Avelis Health employs AI agents to find errors, audit, and negotiate medical bills, which can help lead to direct savings as well as prevent rising premiums and less favorable coverage. Onuoha shares that its inception derived from an injury that left him with piling medical debt. “I’ve dealt with a chronic knee injury for the past decade and had multiple surgeries on my right knee. What inspired me to start Avelis was having to fight down over $250K of inflated hospital bills as a result of these procedures,” he mentioned in an email to AFROTECH™. “If I was struggling with this system, I knew millions of other Americans were facing the same problem without the resources to fight back. The medical billing system is broken, 100 million Americans have medical debt, and 50-80% of bills have errors in...
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...
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...
In East Oakland, CA, a powerful coalition of Black-led organizations has secured $100 million to fund Rise East, a decade-long effort to transform 40 blocks into a model for what real community-led development can look like, Shoppe Black reports. According to the outlet, after decades of disinvestment and promises not met, the project marks one of the most significant grassroots investments in Oakland’s history, aimed at reversing long-standing patterns of displacement and economic exclusion. A Vision Rooted In Community At the center of Rise East is the 40×40 Council, a group of Black-led nonprofits working together to create long-term stability by focusing on three key areas: education, public safety, and housing. The 40-block area, according to Shoppe Black, spans from Interstate 580 to the San Francisco Bay and from Seminary Avenue to the San Leandro border. It’s home to Oakland’s largest concentration of Black residents, a community that has long endured the ongoing effects of...
80-year-old entrepreneur Beatrice Wilson did not take no for an answer. Wilson had worked at local car dealerships before deciding to attend nail school to learn how to do nails, according to 11 Alive. However, when she tried to get a job at a nail salon, she faced rejection. That is when she took matters into her own hands and opened Bee Nails, a nail salon in Atlanta, GA. “I feel you’re never too old; it’s never too late to follow what you love doing,” Wilson told 11 Alive. Wilson opened seven storefronts across metro Atlanta before retiring in 2021. However, as a result of boredom, she jumped right back into the business and opened up an eighth location. “Personally, I love being away from home and talking and interacting with people,” Wilson told the outlet. Now, she is the proud owner of her newest and largest store. Last week, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and City Council member Andrea Boone attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new storefront. “It’s very heartwarming...
NBA superstar Stephen Curry is experiencing considerable success with his business venture, Thirty Ink, which generated $173.5 million in revenue in 2024, according to CNBC. Thirty Ink is a brand conglomerate that encompasses Unanimous Media, Gentleman’s Cut bourbon, and Underrated Golf and Basketball, the outlet reported. A majority of the company’s revenue stems from Curry’s Under Armour partnership. As previously reported by AFROTECH™ , he has been signed to Under Armour since 2013, with the retailer establishing The Curry Brand in 2020. The Golden State Warriors point guard, who is also an 11-time NBA All-Star, serves as the president of The Curry Brand and was awarded 8.8 million Under Armour common shares in 2023, valued at $75 million at the time, which also included awards and incentives, CNBC reported. Now as Curry’s Thirty Ink portfolio continues to grow every business is making a profit. “It’s completely unique,” Suresh Singh, Thirty Ink’s secretary-chairman, told the...
Jamaica’s largest fast-food chain, Juici Patties, is planning a U.S. expansion, with 57 franchise agreements signed and locations set to open by 2027, Black Enterprise reports. Founded in 1980 by Jukie Chin in May Pen, Clarendon, Jamaica, according to its website, Juici Patties began with one standout product: the Jamaican beef patty, a flaky pastry filled with spiced beef. What started as a teenage side hustle in his mother’s kitchen has become a household name with more than 60 locations across the island today and exports throughout the Caribbean. The chain had already begun branching out into the U.S. market, launching locations in South Florida in 2024 and more recently in Brooklyn and the Bronx, according to Eater. The strong response to these locations shows that the appeal of Jamaican cuisine reaches far beyond diaspora communities. “This is more than just a business. This is an opportunity for a Jamaican company and brand to expand on the global stage and show the world...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. For many founders in the beauty and lifestyle space, the measure of success isn’t just in sales but also in the value of an exit. Recently, Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand, Rhode, was acquired by e.l.f . for $1 billion. Founded in 2022, the beauty brand has reached its valuation quickly thanks to Bieber’s name recognition and viral social media campaigns. But while Bieber has been praised for selling her company, the majority of Black founders are accused of being sellouts by Black customers when they do. Over the past several years, Black-owned brands like The Honey Pot Company, Mielle Organics , and Briogeo Hair Care have been acquired by large conglomerates. For every acquisition, a large portion of their Black customers have complained or claimed that they would no longer buy from the brand because they view the acquisition as a form of selling out. Black founders are held to a different standard...
Award-winning cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson is inspiring the next generation. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Robinson is making an imprint within his industry through his career trajectory, which includes contributions to skin care at Rhode, a lifestyle beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber that was recently acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion. “Proud day for science. Hailey, Michael @ratty Lauren @laurenratner and the entire @rhode team – Thank you for bringing us on as partners from the very beginning,” he expressed on Instagram. “While some may have experts just for marketing, you truly leaned into the science and allowed us to be part of the team. Because of you, brands have taken notice and now value the need for science-led formulations. This has been the journey of a lifetime and we are proud to be a part of it.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ron Robinson (@ronrobinsoncosmeticchemist) Partnership With Girls In STEM Beyond his work at Rhode, Robinson is...
Founder Melissa Butler says The Lip Bar was impacted by the Target boycott. How Target’s DEI Stance Impacted Its Q1 Earnings As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Target made the decision to scale back its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which included dismantling a program that worked to feature Black-owned businesses in its stores. The company also stopped sending reports to an external diversity-focused organization. This prompted a 40-day consumer boycott led by Rev. Jamal Bryant, which attracted participation from nearly 200,000 consumers, per Atlanta News First. Target experienced a decline in foot traffic for 11 consecutive weeks, and its first-quarter earnings were $23.8 billion, which was 2.8% lower than the same period the previous year, according to a press release. To no surprise, business owners shelved at the store have felt the brunt of the boycott. This includes Butler who shared that sales had plummeted between 30% and 40%. “When people ask me...
A new center is set to be the first of its kind for Black-owned businesses and professionals in Charlotte, NC. Innovation Center According to The Charlotte Observer, a project called the Innovation Center is underway, guided by a mission to promote economic growth and combat food disparity. The initiative is led by Cathay Dawkins, an entrepreneur and chairman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce, along with other members of the organization. “Think of it as a one-stop shop for professionals and small businesses,” Dawkins told the outlet. Why It Was Needed After visiting similar establishments in cities such as Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; and Durham, NC, Dawkins says he felt it was essential for Charlotte to have a center of its own. Now, the Innovation Center is set to become the city’s first hub specifically geared toward amplifying Black business people. “As things in the community get taken away, like federal funding and grants, we want to be a safe space,”...
Martha’s Vineyard is a place of solitude for Black families during the summer. The island in Dukes County, MA, was recently featured in the popular Netflix series “Forever” directed by the legendary creator of “Girlfriends,” Mara Brock Akil. In the new show, characters Keisha Clark (played by Lovie Simone) and Justin Edwards (played by Michael Cooper Jr.) reconnect in Martha’s Vineyard after a breakup. Edwards’ family resides particularly in Oak Buff each summer. History Of Martha’s Vineyard Explained Furthermore, the location of their reconnection was intentional, per Brock Akil, who lives part-time in Martha’s Vineyard, according to Netflix. The series is adapted from Judy Blume’s 1975 YA novel of the same name, and Episode 5 takes viewers to Martha’s Vineyard, serving as a love letter to the island. “Understanding the essence of the island, even in the way it shaped the story, is important,” Brock Akil told Netflix. “You think you’re just arriving on the island, and you don’t...
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” proved to be good business for Chicago, IL, locals. The entertainer who won Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards for “Cowboy Carter” is currently touring its tunes with a stop in the Windy City. According to USA Today, the three planned concerts took place on May 15–18 at Soldier Field . View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) The tour brought great momentum for the city and was beneficial to several Black-owned businesses, including Bronzeville Soul. The restaurant first benefited from the Carter family in 2023. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z had been in the area to celebrate his wife Beyoncé’s second night of her “Renaissance World Tour,” which was also held at Soldier Field. The soul food restaurant had been “up and down” for nearly a year before Jay-Z’s visit, but it was able to gain new momentum afterward. “The element of that surprise was huge. It was overwhelming,” Bronzeville Soul Co-Owner Mario...