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Dr. D’Wayne Edwards learned knowledge was currency early on. As a young Black kid proudly repping Inglewood, CA, he refused to accept the projections others placed on him while pursuing a career in footwear design, despite having no formal college education. Still, he broke into the industry at just 19 as an entry-level designer for LA Gear, according to Southern University Law Center. Edwards attributes this to his hungry spirit and relentless drive to carve out space for himself in a field where few people looked like him. “I started to understand the the the the value of actually either asking for help or being proximity to help,” Edwards told AFROTECH™. “And then that allowed me to propel myself past them because I was hungry. And when you’re hungry, you do anything to eat…Mentally, I needed that fuel because there were a certain level of, I think, animosity for me because I felt like they looked at me like a charity case because I’m a young Black kid fresh out of high school...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Google announced that it will now allow users under 13 years old to access its Gemini AI chatbot. Gemini is a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and has quickly been integrated into other Google services. Gemini will be available to kids whose parents use Family Link, which enables Google services for children only with the permission of the family. Young users will be able to communicate with the chatbot for text responses and create images generated by the system. Artificial intelligence has become the center of our lives as it disrupts industries and employment opportunities, and companies look to replace workers with AI. But while the AI industry is growing, there’s still so much we don’t know or understand about the technology as adults. Though Google has stated it won’t use data from younger users to train its AI, we shouldn’t trust this technology in the hands of young, impressionable...
Harvard University is suing the Trump administration for threatening to withhold federal funding after the university refused to comply with demands the government outlined in a letter dated April 11, 2025. On Monday, April 21, Harvard University President Alan Garber announced the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Boston, MA, in a letter published on the university’s website. In the letter, he said the administration’s demands violate the First Amendment, disregard federal law, and threaten life-saving medical research. “Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority,” Garber wrote. “…Before taking punitive action, the law requires that the federal government engage with us about the ways we are fighting and will continue to fight antisemitism. Instead, the government’s April 11 demands seek to control whom we hire and what we teach.” On April 14, the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat...
In today’s competitive job market , having additional licenses, certifications, education , and training can give you a significant edge, enhance your resume, and make you more marketable to employers. The best part? Some of these credentials are easy to obtain and don’t require years of study or experience. Here’s a guide to some simple yet impactful licenses and certifications that can help you advance your career. Google Analytics Certification Google Analytics certification is a must-have for professionals in marketing, e-commerce, and web development. This free certification, offered by Google, provides a solid foundation in analyzing web traffic, understanding customer behavior, and optimizing online performance. According to DashThis , the certification helps professionals improve their data interpretation skills, a critical aspect of any business reliant on digital channels. The program is beginner-friendly and can be completed in under 10 hours. It also sets candidates...
Students can now lean into Google’s AI assistant for college application readiness. According to a blog post from Google, it has launched Gemini to streamline tasks for users such as researching new topics, providing advice, planning events, and generating ideas. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Google Gemini app (@googlegemini) It can be connected to apps such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Maps, and YouTube and is available in English and Spanish, with the company planning to expand to additional languages. The feature is also a helpful tool for those who are looking for guidance as they prepare for the college admission process, and particularly first-generation college students. According to Reality Changers, these students often do not receive college readiness or familial guidance and have less financial stability. This could later result in lower self-esteem and make the transition to college more difficult. “The college application process can be daunting: There is...
Choosing a career can feel like a monumental decision, but breaking it down into manageable steps can make the process less overwhelming and more fulfilling. It’s a journey of self-discovery, research, and planning that aligns your interests, skills, and values with professional opportunities. For those still in university, this can even impact your studies when it comes to choosing a major. About 25% of college students surveyed by BestColleges reported reconsidering their chosen field frequently. Choosing a career comes down to choosing what you want to do presumably for the rest of your life. It’s not unusual to feel a bit of pressure. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can narrow down your choices and learn how to choose a career. Reflect On Your Interests And Strengths Start by identifying what genuinely excites you. Consider activities or topics you enjoy in your personal life and at work or school. Are you drawn to creative tasks, analytical problem-solving, or helping...
Will.i.am believes creatives will continue to stand the test of times in the midst of artificial intelligence (AI). One Step Ahead In Technology The rapper and singer-songwriter has been ahead of the curve of technology for quite some time. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, he was an early investor in Beats Electronics and even incorporated their technology in the Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” music video 15 years ago. He reportedly made a fortune from the investment when Apple acquired Beats Electronics and Beats Music for an amount nearing $3 billion. Will.i.am’s interests in technology have only widened since then. He invested in machine learning startup Inflection AI, and through a private investment group he has invested in additional companies empowered by AI such as: Udio Anthropic OpenAi Runaway FYI (Focus Your Ideas) He is also leading change through his own company FYI (Focus Your Ideas). As AFROTECH™ previously reported it is an AI-driven collaboration platform created...
Moses West wants clean water to be accessible to all. Solving An Issue Impacting Billions The U.S. Army veteran and engineer has used technology to develop an Atmospheric Water Generator that turns air into clean water. This groundbreaking invention has the potential to address the needs of more than a billion people who currently do not have clean water. Forbes reports that while water covers 70% of our planet, only 3% is fresh, and the majority of this fresh water — two-thirds — is held in frozen glaciers. It also highlights that 1.1 billion people lack water access, 2.7 billion struggle to find clean water at least one month each year, and 2.4 billion face issues with insufficient sanitation. Despite these statistics, West is looking to change these outcomes through his Atmospheric Water Generator. “The one crisis that everyone says, ‘We’re going to run out of water,’ and I’m sitting here saying, ‘No you’re not. You’re walking around in it every day. T rillions of gallons of it,...
One of the most anticipated decisions of the 2024 election was made when Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate. Political pundits and supporters have applauded the choice, seeing it as a unifying move for the Democratic Party. Harris’ choice also speaks to the type of policies Walz would champion. Before Harris made her official choice, Forbes reports that she had a short list of other political standouts, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Despite the accomplished list of potential running mates, Walz rose to the top based on his consistent record of accomplishments and relatability. According to Politico, Walz is a former high school geography teacher, football coach, and veteran who turned a Republican-leaning district blue in 2006. Harris believes this resume will not only speak to the American people...
Vonnya Pettigrew, Hon.D., is concentrating all her interests in one place — a property building located on Baltimore, MD’s Waterfront. But that’s just the start. The Baltimore Times reports Dr. Pettigrew comes from a communications background stamped by a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland College Park. During her time in higher education she landed opportunities to intern under President Bill Clinton as a speech writer. She also interned for a television show. “It was a political show that was produced on Capitol Hill and filmed out of Reuters newswire, and so I fell in love with television and film,” Pettigrew told the outlet. Root Branch Media Group Pettigrew also learned scriptwriting and took her skills to create content for TV One and Discovery Channel. Now, she is investing in her own media empire. In 2006, she launched Root Branch Media Group, which she named for her family’s property in South Carolina. “When I established my business, I wanted it to...
Caleb Williams, rookie quarterback for the Chicago Bears, is scaling his interest in the investment space. While in college at the University of Southern California, Williams was among the first athletes to leverage name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. He became a part- owner of the male grooming company Faculty in 2022, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. He was also the No. 1 draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draf t and was picked by the Chicago Bears . Now, Williams is scaling his interest in the investment arena by launching his own investment firm. Williams has established 888 Midas, which will “capitalize on select alternative investments in private equity, venture capital, and real estate,” according to a press release. His partners and advisors will support the firm. They include: Sherif Guirgis, former managing director of Main Street Advisors Ross Walker, co-founder and managing partner of Hawkins Way Capital, a multi-billion-dollar real estate enterprise John Terzian, co-founder...
Spelman College students have been reigning undefeated for the Goldman Sachs Market Madness Competition through the HBCU Possibilities Program. In April 2024, Victoria Cain, Makhi Frempong, Olivia Rivera-Spann, and Symone Thompson won the pitch competition and its $1 million top prize, according to a news release. The victory marks the HBCU’s third win in four years. “Emerging victorious in the Goldman Sachs Market Madness competition is a genuine reflection of our unwavering perseverance, meticulousness and the goodness of God,” said Frempong, who is an economics major, according to the news release. “This exceptional contest provided us with a platform to hone our abilities and visualize our forthcoming roles as analysts in the industry. It is a remarkable feat to be part of Spelman’s enduring heritage by virtue of our hard work. This journey has been truly extraordinary, demonstrating our growth as professionals in an astonishing manner.” The win came after Frempong, Cain,...
When the phrase “Black Girl Magic” enters the chat, Atlanta’s Spelman College is usually a part of the conversation. Ranked as the top HBCU in the nation, Spelman has a 141-year history of educating Black women, and NBA legend Charles Barkley has taken notice. Recently, the former basketball superstar revealed that he would pledge $1 million to the historic institution for women.
Getting to the bag has been a part of Spelman College alumna Rosaline “Roz” Brewer ’s story. Appointed as the CEO of Walgreens in March 2021, Roz has now become the highest-paid female chief executive officer, according to a recent Equilar study. Brewer’s salary was $28.3 million, with $20.2 million of that compensation in stock awards. According to CBNC, Equilar looked at the largest 100 companies by revenue that filed 2021 proxy statements by March 31. Although several companies have not submitted proxy statements, the data found did provide insight into how things are shaping up for top executive women. According to the data, nine women CEOs are among the top female earners. This was an increase from six in the prior year. However, there were no women in the overall top chief executives. Nevertheless, Brewer ranked 14 overall among the highest-paid CEOs. “It is discouraging to see how underrepresented women are at the top and how overrepresented they continue to be at the bottom...
Thanks to Zillow, these Morehouse College students are cashing out and helping others at the same time! Zillow has officially announced the winners of its HBCU Housing Hackathon, where more than 150 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) competed for top prizes. Each team of students was to bring innovative ideas to life that would help both at-risk renters and struggling first-time home buyers. The team from Morehouse, made up of four students, walked away with first place and a grand prize of $20,000 which will be split evenly amongst all four students. Their program, “Reliby,” uses a machine to predict increases in rent and utility costs at a particular address over time. Their program also offers renters an early warning about any affordability challenges that may be underway. “It’s awesome to conceptualize a project that could help a lot of people and not only win this hackathon and receive prizes that are great for my team, but also help earn a...