Shon Jones traded what would have been a career in pharmacy for a future in technology, where he found a lifelong passion. The Houston native was raised by parents who both worked in technology. As a teen, he recalls going to work with his father to put computers together for the summer and later working for Compaq for a few years. His career took a pivot, one that nearly led to him become a pharmacist. In 1997, he geared his studies around that career field but had a change of heart after considering the impact of charging $100 for medicine he said was valued at 30 cents. “That didn’t seem to align with my spirit. That’s not for me,” he told AFROTECH™ in an interview. Jones decided to focus on computer information systems. He enrolled at the University of Houston while simultaneously working as a network administrator, according to his LinkedIn. When he obtained a degree in c omputer and information technology administration and management at the University of Houston, he already...

Taylor Rooks is launching a foundation that will assist Black and brown families. Taylor Rooks Foundation According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, the two-time Emmy Award-nominated journalist and producer was inspired by the stories she has told and people she has encountered throughout the course of her life to launch the Taylor Rooks Foundation. This has led to what will be a long-term effort to support storytellers and uplift Black and Brown individuals and families through education, health, and opportunity regardless of their “zip code, background, or bank account.” The nonprofit is guided by the following pillars: REACH (educational resources, community wellness initiatives, small business support, and direct giving) RELIEVE (support for health and recovery, crisis assistance, and essential living needs) REPRESENT (mentorship for journalists, storytelling workshops, and launch of Rising Rooks Award) “I believe that equity starts with access — access to care, to...

How Senior Black Tech Professionals Turn High Salaries Into Real Financial Power The numbers tell a compelling story. Black tech professionals who crack the six-figure barrier represent less than 3% of the industry, yet many still face the same financial challenges they did at lower income levels. If you’re reading this, you’re likely part of that elite group. You broke into tech, leveled up, earned a strong title, and an even stronger paycheck . You’re making $150,000, $180,000, maybe more. By every external measure, you’ve made it. But internally? The financial pressure hasn’t disappeared. It’s evolved. Higher tax brackets take bigger bites out of your income . The cost of living in tech hubs keeps climbing. Family financial requests carry more weight when everyone assumes you’ve “made it.” You want to invest, but lack the advanced strategies your income now demands. You’re saving, but without the wealth-building framework that turns high earners into high net worth individuals....

Data analyst Hervé Aniglo is on a mission to make coding fun through music. The University of Memphis alum’s passion for technology began in elementary school. Over the years, he gained experience as a software engineer and business analyst, but it was his love for using data to tell compelling stories that ultimately led him to his current role. “I just like working with data — gathering information and seeing what I can do with it. I love to tell stories,” he told AFROTECH™ in an interview . “So that, being a data analyst, it shows the world and it shows people like what stories you can tell from it in a sense. You can predict the future. You can see what’s going to happen with the current trend.”‘ Personal Call To Action In Tech Aniglo is also dedicating time within the industry to give back, guided by two personal calls to action. The first is to help people find roles and support their professional development. This mission, which began in college, includes reviewing resumes,...

How mid-career Black tech professionals can turn raises into real returns. You got the raise. Maybe a title bump. Maybe equity. On paper, it’s progress. But a few pay cycles in, your spending’s up , family asks are louder, and your calendar feels less like control and more like chaos. The raise solved old problems. And surfaced new ones. Equity Means Nothing If You Don’t Understand It Equity sounds like a win until you’re staring at a vesting schedule you’ve never seen before. Mid-career is where the gaps show up: in your calendar, in your confidence, and in your checks. For Black professionals in tech, visibility is high but support is low. The infrastructure isn’t broken. It was never built for you . What AfroTech Insider Members Have That You Don’t Most people treat a raise like a reward. Insiders treat it like a runway. AfroTech Insider gives mid-career professionals the structure that raises don’t. Here’s how it works. Coaching That Levels You Up Monthly 1:1 sessions with HR...

What Black professionals need to know to make their first $15K in tech actually mean something. The tech offer letter felt like winning the lottery. After rounds of interviews and late-night prep sessions, the six-figure salary and signing bonus proved it was all worth it. But two paychecks in, reality hits. Relocation wiped out your savings. Rent in your “dream city” is three times your mom’s mortgage. Your first student loan payment just posted. And suddenly, you’re asking yourself why this win doesn’t feel more stable. Welcome to the quiet tax of upward mobility. Tech Checks Disappear Faster Than You Think Most new tech hires burn through their first $15K fast. Not because they’re careless, but because they’re isolated. No one teaches you how to structure a 401(k) when your parents never had one, or how to invest when your family expects you to “help out” now. Tech hub rent eats 40-50% of your paycheck. Professional development, conferences, and networking events cost thousands....

When preparing for a job interview, most candidates focus heavily on answering questions about their skills, experiences, and fit for the role. However, one of the most overlooked yet powerful parts of the interview process is the opportunity for candidates to ask questions, especially unique and thoughtful ones. Asking a potential employer insightful and unique questions during an interview demonstrates your genuine interest in the role. It also helps you assess whether the company aligns with your values, work style, and career goals. Alison Green of The Cut wrote that not asking any questions in an interview can give the interviewer the impression that you’re not interested. However, she also acknowledged that it’s tough to figure out how to ask about things like communication styles, management styles, and team dynamics without coming off as being too frank. To that end, here’s a collection of unique interview questions you can ask a potential employer. These questions go beyond...

Getting to know someone meaningfully is the foundation of all strong relationships, whether it’s friendship, romance, or professional connections . The right questions can spark authentic conversations, reveal true personality traits, and build trust. But not all questions work the same way. The best ones are respectful of boundaries, invite openness, and encourage genuine sharing rather than superficial answers. Let’s explore some of the best questions you can ask to get to know someone new. Whether you’re networking, meeting a new co-worker for the first time, or deepening a work friendship, these questions can open the door to a genuine connection. Questions About Background And Life Experiences One of the best ways to start getting to know someone is by understanding their background and life story. Asking about where someone grew up and what that experience was like gives insight into their roots and early influences. Asking about a memorable experience from their youth often...

Authenticity and research fuel successful brand partnerships — and Aaron Walton recognized this long before it became the norm. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Walton, CEO and founder of award-winning ad agency Walton Isaacson, joined Shardé Marchewski, Wayfair ‘s Head of Supplier Diversity , for a conversation on how aligning values and culture with the right celebrity can elevate storytelling and impact consumers. The session offered creatives a behind-the-scenes look at major brand collaborations and practical strategies for securing and executing high-impact campaigns. Walton’s brand story began after graduating from Babson College in 1983. With a passion for advertising , he joined the Pepsi-Cola Company as a research analyst, learning how to tell stories with data before being promoted into brand marketing , marking the start of a game-changing career. “The truth is everything that we do now, whether it is an event or some type of communication, starts with looking at what the business...

Retirement marks a major transition that’s often filled with mixed emotions. It’s the close of a long chapter of hard work, but also the start of a new season filled with rest, reinvention, or even new purpose. Whether you’re writing a farewell card or toasting someone’s next step , the right quote can strike the perfect tone. Some of the best retirement quotes are funny, poking lighthearted fun at the shift from 9-to-5 to everyday freedom. Others are more reflective, honoring decades of dedication and looking forward to what lies ahead. Below, you’ll find a collection of quotes, all ideal for celebrating retirement in the workplace or beyond. Quotes About New Beginnings Whether someone is headed for travel, creative pursuits, or long-awaited rest, these quotes underscore that retirement can be as full of purpose and momentum as the career preceding it. “Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway.” — Unknown This classic metaphor frames retirement...

For CeD Mixon, balancing user-centered design with data-driven product strategy is core to his approach. As a seasoned design leader, he collaborates closely with product managers, VPs, and cross-functional teams to keep the end goal sharply focused on the user. At AFROTECH™  Conference 2024 , Mixon shared actionable insights on when to lead with design thinking and when to lean into product-led growth. The session offered practical frameworks to help engineers, designers, and solution architects align product development with both user experience and business goals. With over a decade of experience scaling companies from small startups to global platforms impacting millions, Mixon reflected on entering the tech industry at a time when he was often the only Black person in predominantly white spaces. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) “In the beginning, I wasn’t that...

Are you looking to network with tech professionals in a more relaxed atmosphere? Pull up to the AFROTECH™ MEETUP series. The event, sometimes held virtually, travels to various cities annually to connect creatives, tech innovators, and local change-makers, building long-lasting connections and fostering their growth and success. More than 1,800 professionals , including software engineers, technical program managers, product managers, founders, and CEOs, attended the AFROTECH™ MEETUP series in 2024. The organizers have held the series in Miami, Nashville, Seattle, and New York. “I LOVE seeing this many Black tech ppl in DUMBO,” one attendee from a MEETUP event held at the Dumbo House in New York expressed. A Cincinnati MEETUP attendee commented regarding the networking opportunities, “I was able to meet some more people local to the area [who] were really nice and gave me… great advice.” AFROTECH™ doesn’t want you to miss out on the festivities. As you consider your summer agenda,...

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...

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...

Consistency is often overlooked in the quest for success, overshadowed by more glamorous concepts like talent, innovation, or luck. Yet, consistency — the commitment to show up, day after day, and perform necessary tasks — separates those who achieve their goals from those who fall short. Whether you’re striving for career advancement , personal growth, or better habits , the power of consistency is undeniable. It’s the force that turns small actions into transformative results over time. Here are some of the best quotes about consistency that will inspire you to embrace this essential principle in your own life. Quotes That Show Consistency Is The Key To Success “Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.” — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson With this quote, Johnson reminds us that showing up and putting in steady effort is often more important than bursts of brilliance. “Success is the sum of small efforts,...