Articles
Jehron Petty isn’t just talking the talk — he’s leading by example when making the technology space more equitable and diverse. Upon graduating from Cornell University with a degree in computer science in May 2020, Petty prepared to step into a career in corporate America, but life had other plans. Although he received an offer as an associate product manager at Google, his deep desire to build up his community lingered. It was not long before he gave up the Google opportunity to found ColorStack, a startup technology company on a mission to increase the number of Black and Latinx computer science graduates who go on to start rewarding technical careers. “So I studied computer science at Cornell. I also like to help people naturally; my first instinct when in a group or a space is, ‘How can I help?’ And so the combination of those two things led me to be a very involved mentor while I was in school,” Petty shared in an interview with AFROTECH™. “I noticed other computer science...
Beyoncé is taking her talents to the spirits industry! The “Cowboy Carter” songstress continues to defy industry standards while paying homage to her Southern roots. This time, she’s introducing her line of American whisky alongside Moët Hennessy, which falls under the French luxury goods giant LVMH. In a press release shared with AFROTECH™, the brand revealed that SirDavis has been in the making for years, offering an “unexpected take” on whisky through its “ bespoke recipe,” unusual maturation process, and distinct taste profile, influenced by Japanese and Scottish styles. Beyoncé debuted the beverage i n a post shared to Instagram, with the comment “Davis in my bones” alongside emojis of whisky glasses. According to Forbes, the whisky industry is the same one that made her husband, Jay-Z, a billionaire. The Houston, TX, native may very well join the billionaire ranks herself with an estimated net worth of $760 million. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé...
R&B sensation Eric Bellinger isn’t afraid of artificial intelligence (AI) and the role it’s taking within the music industry. Instead, he’s embracing how it can enhance his work as an artist. As one of the first artists to appear on Hooky, a music startup specializing in artist-first solutions in voice AI, Bellinger is allowing creators to experiment with their songs using his AI voice model. “If you aren’t afraid of it, it could be your best friend,” he told AFROTECH™ about AI technology. “But I think if you’re afraid and thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to lose my job,’ it’s different in other fields. But for music, I definitely think it could be beneficial as a tool. I use it in all my sessions in different ways — whether it’s coming up with an idea for artwork, titles, or something else. There are so many different platforms, and I personally take advantage of all of them.” No stranger to using technology like social media to connect with his fans, affectionately known as the...
A historic Black-owned beach in South Carolina is quickly becoming one of the hottest luxury vacation destinations in the states, and it is currently the only incorporated Black beach to sit in the U.S. During the early 1930s, Atlantic Beach was founded by a group of Gullah Geechee as a haven for Black people who were not allowed to occupy the same beaches as white people in South Carolina. Defying Jim Crow laws, the strip of primarily Black-owned coastal properties, dubbed “The Black Pearl,” broadened the enterprises of coastal Gullah Geechee people. A host of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and novelty shops were developed just miles from Myrtle Beach. Now, two trailblazing founders are on a mission to continue honoring the rich history that makes up the area. Although they are business partners, Tiffany Bailey Lash, Ph.D., and Tashni-Ann Dubroy, Ph.D., MBA, have a relationship that is rooted in sisterhood. Together, the HBCU alums and friends are on a mission to revitalize and...
Keturah Orji isn’t your average Olympian. As a force in track and field, Orji is attending the 2024 Olympics through the USA Track and Field team. Her eyes are set on the gold as her retirement plans are underway. Orji is a two-time Olympian and a 10-time U.S. champion in the sport. When she’s not on the track, she is committed to helping to spread financial literacy to others, especially the youth in her community. “When people believe in you, you’re able to accomplish so much more,” Orji told AFROTECH™. With a busy schedule, she said she still wants to find time to use her love for learning to inspire others. Importance Of Financial Literacy As a financial planning major in college, Orji took courses on wealth management, retirement planning, and various money-related topics . “It opened my mind to how much information there is that we’re not exposed to,” she said. “I didn’t grow up knowing any of that; I only knew about saving.” As a full scholarship student at the University of...
Sisters Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen are considered national treasures to the culture, so it’s only right that they come from royalty! The Houston, TX, natives are best known for their contributions to the world of entertainment. Rashad gained notoriety in her role as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” and went on to serve as a guest lecturer, faculty member, and dean in the arts at Howard University. Her sister, Allen, is known for transforming the choreography world in Hollywood as we know it today as well as having a hand in shows like “Fame,” “A Different World,” and more. Recently, their mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, was acknowledged by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for her contributions to the field of space. During a ceremony held in their hometown of Houston on July 19, the organization honored the women who assisted with the Apollo 11 mission, ultimately leading to Neil A. Armstrong’s legendary landing on the moon in 1969, Blavity reports. The...
Google has pulled a recent 2024 Olympics ad after being accused of promoting the use of AI technology in place of creativity. In an ad titled “Dear Sydney,” a father narrates his journey to using the platform to help his daughter write a letter to U.S. hurdler and sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who just so happens to be her favorite athlete and inspiration, CNBC reports. While Google maintains that its AI chatbot Gemini is used solely to enhance or even jumpstart its users’ creativity , many social media users dragged the company following the ad’s airing, citing that it promotes too heavy a reliance on technology. “We believe that AI can be a great tool for enhancing human creativity, but can never replace it,” said a spokesperson for Google in an official statement following the incident, per CNBC. “Our goal was to create an authentic story celebrating Team USA.” Shelly Palmer, a professor of advanced media at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications,...
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has taken the creative industry by storm, but a new bill has been introduced to protect creators’ rights. U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) introduced the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2024, or the NO FAKES Act, on July 31. According to a press release shared by Coons, the bill was created “to protect the voice and visual likenesses of creators and individuals from the proliferation of digital replicas created without their consent.” “The NO FAKES Act would hold individuals or companies liable for damages for producing, hosting, or sharing a digital replica of an individual performing in an audiovisual work, image, or sound recording that the individual never actually appeared in or otherwise approved – including digital replicas created by generative artificial intelligence (AI),” per the release. “Everyone...
As the internet continues to evolve, so do the ways that shared information can wind up in the wrong hands. Cortney Worthy is a passionate enterprise data leader with over 15 years of experience in the technology, government, and consulting sectors . Her skills equip her to lead cross-functional teams on their respective paths to optimizing business processes and solving enterprise challenges. As a data governance leader at file-hosting platform Dropbox, she spearheads and oversees intricate programs across public and private divisions, ensuring the implementation of robust solutions on a broad scale. “Data privacy and security are fundamental rights in today’s interconnected world,” Worthy told AFROTECH™. “Helping individuals and organizations navigate these challenges while fostering a career in this dynamic field is both a personal mission and a professional commitment.” As she prepares to take the stage during the 2024 AFROTECH™ Conference in November, Worthy looks forward to...
Our relationship with artificial intelligence (AI) technology has the power to transform human interaction and this professional wants us to use it to our advantage. Tanneasha Gordon has had a first-hand look at how AI has come in to change our relationship with technology as well as how markets and businesses operate at scale. With more than 17 years of advising on privacy, she leads the charge at Deloitte US Data & Digital Trust by building durable ad privacy and compliance solutions along with advising content compliance, data governance, and security. As a go-to leader in times of crisis, Gordon has no issue with the ever-evolving landscape of technology. She helps to direct companies with developing remediation strategies, interpreting requirements, assessing readiness, and a host of other qualities needed to push the needle forward in the space. “As we move from simple AI systems to complex foundational models and usher in AGI – understanding how this technology can benefit...
Artificial intelligence (AI) can sometimes seem unpredictable and even scary, but Cliff Worley wants to help business owners understand how it can help them take their companies to the next level. Worley stresses the importance of taking the time to learn AI tools rather than immediately running away from the ever-evolving technology without ever attempting to understand it . As an accomplished marketing leader and growth advisor to startups, he has an affinity for helping entrepreneurs elevate their businesses. Worley is on a mission to do so by teaching them how to use AI to the advantage of the business they’re looking to grow and scale. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) Currently, Worley is the head of portfolio growth marketing at Kapor Capital. He provides strategic coaching to venture capital-backed companies on how to effectively go to market and scale customer acquisition. He also curates a newsletter called “Cliff...
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology contains so many different levels and nuances, and licensed attorney Jarell Oshodi implores people to consider how it affects us daily. Generative AI impacts many people, but its effects on the Black community in recent years have sparked concerns. In January 2024, as AFROTECH™ previously reported, “a complaint was filed against Rite Aid for using artificial intelligence-based software in hundreds of its stores to identify people that they believed were ‘deemed likely to engage in shoplifting or other criminal behavior.'” At the time, it was said that the chain had “unfairly targeted people of color.” “I want to ensure that advancements in AI don’t perpetuate biases or create new forms of discrimination,” Oshodi told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. “It’s important to have inclusive policies that safeguard the privacy rights of all individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups.” Buy your AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 ticket now. As a...
Nicole Dove stresses the importance of adapting to the times in a world where technology is ever-evolving. As the director of security engineering at video game company Riot Games, Dove has always been passionate about cybersecurity. While many people fear what may come due to AI technology, she embraces what’s next by perfecting her craft and encouraging others to explore the available career options within the field. “So many people are interested in working in cybersecurity but have no idea what the opportunities entail,” Dove told AFROTECH™. For her, it was all about finding her way into the field because cybersecurity was not her initial interest. “I love helping people WIN. Winners never quit, and quitters never win,” she wrote. “Seeing the light bulb go off when someone is inspired by my journey and can see himself in my shoes is really where the heart work is for me.” Dove has 20 years of experience in audit, operations, and cybersecurity. At Riot Games, she leads a team of...
This New Orleans, LA, entrepreneur has his sights set on a hospitality takeover! When serial hospitality entrepreneur Larry Morrow and his mother, Lenora Chong, opened the doors to Morrows in 2018, it was all a part of the bigger vision to bring more Black-owned restaurants to the vibrant, history-rich city of New Orleans. Fast-forward to 2024, nearly six years later, Morrow and company have opened the doors to Morrow Steak, a second steakhouse located in the Crescent City, Blavity reports. The restaurant, which seats about 125 people, and is geared toward celebrating any type of special occasion, features a menu that is yet another nod to Morrow’s Korean background on his mom’s side with a blend of classic steakhouse fare and Asian-inspired dishes. From a tomahawk ribeye and wagyu steak to broiled snapper, marinated pork chops, and side dishes like lobster mac and cheese, Morrow’s Steak has a little something for everyone. Its vegan dishes like kung pao cauliflower allow Morrow to...
A resurfaced clip concerning a teacher who downplayed Beyoncé’s future in music is making its rounds on the internet. The 2023 clip came from an episode of “The Mindvalley Podcast with Vishen Lakhiani,” in which Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, recalled an incident prompting him to come to his daughter’s defense. The incident in question involved an elementary school teacher who made comments about Beyoncé’s commitment to music overshadowing her focus on core school subjects, Atlanta Black Star reports. “This was a Montessori school, and I was on the board there,” said Knowles, recounting his daughter’s time as a student at the school, St. Mary of The Purification, located in Houston, TX’s Third Ward neighborhood. “And this teacher walks up to me and says, ‘Well, you know Beyoncé made a C+ in math, and she could do better, and she’s spending too much time with music.’” He also noted that the teacher shared that Beyoncé was “always talking about music and singing,” and that she was...