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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...
NBA superstar LeBron James has partnered with Swiss luxury watch company Richard Mille for a good cause. The Los Angeles Lakers athlete and Richie Millie debuted a limited-edition watch called the Richard Mille’s RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph LeBron James. The watch, which had only 150 pieces, sold out within hours of its debut at Fanatics Fest, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. The watch pays homage to James being named the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer on Feb. 7, 2023, a record previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, according to ESPN. Additionally, the design choice of yellow and green accents is an ode to the LeBron James Family Foundation. Photo Credit: LRMR Ventures The James Foundation was launched in 2004 and exists to “positively affect the lives of children and young adults through education and co-curricular educational initiatives,” AFROTECH™ previously reported. The foundation’s imprint can be found in Akron, OH, James’ hometown. In 2017,...
At a time when many billionaires were expanding their empires or chasing vanity projects, Bill Gates was choosing a different path. According to Fortune, the Gates Foundation, one of the most influential philanthropic institutions in modern history, has announced a final, ambitious chapter: a $200 billion commitment over the next 20 years to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing problems, after which the foundation will close its doors permanently. This is not a rebranding effort or a gradual fade into the background. It is a strategic decision to concentrate every remaining resource for maximum global impact. With this move, Gates places a historic bet on humanity’s ability to collaborate, innovate, and confront inequality head-on. Gates Foundation Sets 2045 As Its Final Year Gates is donating nearly all of his remaining personal wealth—an estimated $100 billion—to the Gates Foundation, effectively doubling its resources. The foundation will now operate with a projected total of...
Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) is mobilizing support for Black maternal health. Black Maternal Health Week April 11–17 is Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), an initiative created by the Black women-led, cross-sectoral consortium Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), with the intent of raising awareness and fostering community around the experiences of Black mothers and birthing people, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. Atlanta-GA-based BMMA traces its origins to 2013 when the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective (SisterSong) began constructive research on the obstacles Black mothers face in accessing health care. Once it had become its own independent entity in 2018, BMMA established Black Maternal Health Week and began working with up to 18 community-based organizations. That number has since grown to nearly 50. Black Maternal Health Week also intentionally coincides with National Minority Health Month,...
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), dedicated to expanding opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in Atlanta, GA, and beyond, has received a $2 million donation from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. According to a news release, Blank’s donation will help the center move forward with RICE 2.0, a hub for innovation, collaboration, and economic empowerment that will provide essential resources for Black business founders, including small business grants, expanded programming, and mentorship opportunities. “This investment reflects our chairman’s entrepreneurial journey and his commitment to giving back to Atlanta, a city that has given him so much,” Blank Foundation President Fay Twersky said. “RICE’s extraordinary work supporting entrepreneurs creates pathways to economic mobility and opportunity. By investing in entrepreneurs at all stages, we’re fostering collective thriving where individual success strengthens entire communities.” In 1978, Arthur Blank...
Fawn Weaver established a scholarship to carry the torch of excellence surrounding Nearest Green. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Weaver is the CEO and co-founder of Uncle Nearest, a whiskey brand valued at over a billion dollars. The brand was born after she came across a 2016 New York Times article while traveling in Singapore. The article featured an image of Jack Daniel alongside a group of men, with Nathan “Nearest” Green—known as Uncle Nearest—positioned in a way that ensured he wouldn’t be overlooked. In 1864, Green, who was enslaved, began teaching Daniel how to make whiskey in Tennessee. Daniel went on to sell whiskey throughout Lynchburg, TN, and the business formed into the popular brand Jack Daniel’s. Green’s role had been lost over time despite him being the master distiller at the Jack Daniel Distillery and the first African-American master distiller on record in U.S. history. As a whiskey maker, research shows he became the wealthiest African American in Lynchburg,...
British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is helping the next generation pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. In 2021, Hamilton launched Mission 44, a foundation named after his race car number, dedicated to creating equal opportunities for young people worldwide. According to its website, the initiative focuses on advancing education, expanding access to STEM and motorsport careers, and empowering the next generation to reach their full potential. Initiatives include a motorsport scholarship, created in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, that connects students with industry leaders. Recipients include Gerren Ntir, who earned a bachelor’s degree in motorsport engineering and is now pursuing a master’s. He was part of the scholarship’s second cohort. “Having seen the amazing work Mission 44 has been doing throughout the past year, I knew it was something I wanted to become involved in. Now, embarking on my own journey as one of their...
Travis Scott has launched a new program that will fuel the design and creativity of students. In 2020, the rapper and songwriter extended his impact in his hometown of Houston, TX, by launching the Cactus Jack Foundation in November 2020, providing the next generation with educational and creative resources, Variety notes. One year after its inception, the foundation launched the 60,000-square-foot Cact.us Design Center at TXRX Labs, serving at-risk middle and high school students. It offers training, mentorship, and exposure to career paths in graphic design, fashion, and music, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. The foundation also provides $10,000 scholarships to college students in partnership with the Fashion Scholarship Fund through the Design Ethos Program. It has awarded scholarships to two cohorts since 2024. Recipients include: Gerald Baano-Stewart II (Morehouse College, 2024) Amanda Kerr (Savannah College of Art and Design, 2024) Satchel Smith (Thomas...
Russell Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star and 2017 MVP — accolades that speak to his skill set. When he isn’t dominating the court, the Denver Nuggets point guard dedicates his time to making a difference through his Why Not? Foundation. Founded in 2012, Westbrook’s foundation strives to lead, impact, and inspire underserved communities. With a focus on education, mental health, and career development, it seeks to bridge socioeconomic gaps and encourage people to believe in themselves and overcome obstacles, according to its website. “I started my foundation strictly based on education initially,” Westbrook told AFROTECH™. “I wanted to expand into other areas that I felt [would] be beneficial for the people, not just in Los Angeles, but globally, with mental health and in the workforce, and obviously keeping education as part of our pillars.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Russell Westbrook Enterprises (@westbrookenterprises) “Why Not?” has been hailed as a...
Jennifer Lynne Williams is a prominent leader championing global opportunities in sports. As Chief Development Officer of the USA Basketball Foundation, she recognizes the importance of confidence in the industry and holds a hopeful vision for the future of young athletes. Originally from Detroit, MI, Williams studied at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and African American studies. Originally dreaming of a career in television, she pivoted to pursue a master’s degree in athletic administration at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), which equipped her for a successful career in the sports industry. As an athlete herself, Williams wanted to make a difference for college athletes and those who were looking to break into the professional leagues. Williams served as the associate athletic director of development and executive director of the Aggie Athletic Foundation at North Carolina A&T University for four years....
A new financial education program is making its way to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the help of Jay-Z. According to a news release shared with AFROTECH™, the Shawn Carter Foundation, with support from Toyota Motor North America, is launching the Champions for Financial Legacy (CFFL) program in time for Spring 2025. To start, the program will benefit students at Lincoln University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia State University, offering a financial curriculum structured around real-world applications. “We are excited to see our partnership with the Shawn Carter Foundation evolve to include this innovative initiative,” said Monica Womack, general manager of diversity & inclusion and community engagement at Toyota, per the release. “One that not only provides resources to HBCU students but also reaches the heart of the community, through advocacy for financial literacy.” The curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Coalition for Equity and...
A donation has been made to the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation to benefit the youth. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Clark County commissioners in Las Vegas, Nevada, have approved a vote to donate a 4.81-acre parcel of vacant land to the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation to build a new Boys & Girls Club. The Clark County location is projected to cost $16 million and will “provide youth with academic and personal development resources,” according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Additionally, it aims to support college and career readiness opportunities. At the time of this writing, it is unclear when the foundation will break ground on the project. However, once the new Boys & Girls Club is complete, the foundation’s obligations will include providing Clark County with annual reports on what programs are available, insights on fundraising efforts, and logistics regarding how many clients it has serviced, The Blast reports. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation was created in 2019 to...
Jackie Aina has inked the first co-branded collaboration for her lifestyle company, Forvr Mood. Aina’s Forvr Mood and Canadian whisky brand Crown Royal have created a limited-edition Crown Royal Blackberry x Forvr Mood candle, which will be available for purchase online and at the Crown Royal Blackberry Stand (a lemonade stand, but make it adult ), per a press release. Throughout her career as an influencer, Aina has amassed more than 3.5 million YouTube subscribers. She has also worked with major beauty brands, from Anastasia Beverly Hills and Sephora to Fenty Beauty. Aina’s made a name for herself as a Black woman within an extremely competitive industry. However, she will rarely turn down the opportunity to use her platform to amplify and support other Black women, and this recent partnership is no different. While attendees sip Crown Royal Blackberry and shop the Forvr Mood candle, Crown Royal is also collaborating the nonprofit Black Girl Ventures Foundation by providing a...
