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This healthcare company is one funding round closer to fulfilling its goal of making mental health care more accessible. Backpack Healthcare shares in a press release that it has officially completed a $14 million Series A funding round led by Healthcare Capital. Also participating were ECMC, Techstars, Collab Capital, Bridge Builders Collaborative, Portland Seed Fund, Hopelab, Rethink Education, Genius Guild, and Unlikely Collaborators. Additional angel investors included Maya Ghosn Bichara and Jeffrey Walker. Founded in 2018 by Hafeezah Muhammad, the company uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to combat the current youth mental health crisis through its app and teletherapy services, specifically honing in on those with Medicaid insurance coverage. “The funding we have raised underscores the U.S. healthcare system’s need for more inclusive, tech-enabled solutions to tackle the growing pediatric mental health crisis,” said Muhammad, who also serves as the company’s CEO....
Fanbase is on a mission to get creators paid, and the company’s latest news is proof. According to information shared with AFROTECH™, the social media platform has officially reached its $10 million equity crowdfunding goal. It’s a historic feat as Fanbase Founder Isaac Hayes III is now reportedly the first Black man in history to raise this amount of money in a seed funding round on StartEngine in a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign. “We have a plan, and we’re going to be able to scale and build the business in real-time without having to stop and start and stop and start,” Hayes told Will Lucas on “Black Tech Green Money” podcast. “This is a scale-up opportunity because there are so many things that people want out of Fanbase, and I myself do not like to not be able to deliver on what I want to give to the community.” He added, “This raise is definitely putting us in a position to not only catch up to the current apps that are out there but surpass them because of my understanding...
The University of Pennsylvania will soon become the first Ivy League where students can work toward a master’s degree in artificial intelligence (AI). According to a news release shared by the educational institution, The University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science has introduced The Raj and Neera Singh Program in Artificial Intelligence: Master of Science in Engineering in AI online degree. It is the first of its kind among Ivy League universities. “The online Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree at Penn Engineering will empower students with both the practical skills and the ethical foundations to lead AI into the future,” the school news release explained. “Building on the expertise of the School’s world-class faculty, the program will equip students with the mathematical and algorithmic foundation to develop groundbreaking AI systems along with the broad perspective to deploy new technologies in an ethical and...
With more than 100 patents under his belt, Lanny Smoot has never been afraid to take his imagination to the next level. As a Disney Research Fellow, Smoot is in a position where he has access to a different type of freedom — one that helps him explore different concepts and bring them to life. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Smoot was inducted into the 2024 National Inventors Hall of Fame. He’s also the first Disney Imagineer to receive the honor and the second in the company, aside from Walt Disney himself. “To be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame means that you’ve made inventions that have changed the world in some sense, right? And it’s a great honor,” he told AFROTECH™ from his Walt Disney office in Los Angeles during an event to unveil the latest Disney Imagineer contributions, including the all-new Princess Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Animatronics. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Disney Parks (@disneyparks) “I didn’t know when the induction...
For years, Victoria Monét has been behind the scenes penning some of the culture’s biggest hits for artists such as T.I., Chloe x Halle, and a host of others. Now, she is racking up her wins as an independent artist, showing no signs of letting up anytime soon. During the 2024 Grammy Awards, Monét was a force to be reckoned with, attaining seven nominations and walking away with three awards, including making history as the first Black woman to win Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical), according to The Hollywood Reporter. This feat hits close to home for the “How Does It Make You Feel” crooner whose entry into engineering emerged following frustrations from studio sessions she was having in the past. “The story of why I even know how to engineer is because I was working in a studio and wanting to record, and the people I was working with were getting sick of recording me,” she told Blavity in an interview earlier this year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria...
In the digital age, the term “popcorn brain” has emerged as a metaphor for how our attention shifts from one thing to another, like the popping kernels in a bag of popcorn. Coined by researcher David Levy in 2011 , it explains the overstimulation caused by technology , leading to constant distraction and difficulty in focusing. Popcorn brain describes how our attention rapidly shifts from one thought to another. Similar to our day-to-day lives, the metaphor mirrors the fast-paced environment created by the digital world. Our minds become overwhelmed by the constant influx of information from various sources, resulting in stress and restlessness. What Is The Average Attention Span? According to CNN , Dr. Gloria Mark, a leading expert in informatics at the University of California, Irvine, states that our ability to concentrate is declining. In her book, “ Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness, and Productivity,” Dr. Mark emphasizes decades of research in...
Artificial intelligence is now a major part of our daily lives, shaping how we interact with technology personally and professionally. Businesses, in particular, are beginning to use AI tools to streamline operations and enhance efficiency on daily tasks. With platforms like ChatGPT on the rise, AI is not just about optimizing existing workflows; it can also open doors to new business opportunities. As organizations and professionals continue to explore the capabilities of AI, we’re witnessing a shift in how businesses operate and compete in the global marketplace . As these changes continue, embracing these advancements and the tools available to make your skills sharper in the workplace is important. The Increase Of AI In The Workforce With most companies already utilizing AI in some capacity, its adoption continues to expand in our day-to-day roles. Businesses across industries, from small startups to corporations, are beginning to use AI tools and shortcuts to reach their goals....
Verizon Communications Inc. met with customer service employees last summer, signaling imminent “restructuring” and “streamlining” measures expected to result in substantial layoffs, as reported by The Verge. With over 6,000 employees present during the call, the impact of these consolidation measures may extend beyond initial estimates. Verizon was slated to reveal details about the restructuring plan last summer, as conveyed in a prerecorded message to employees. However, no public updates have since been released. Workforce Reductions Across Companies The reported layoffs at Verizon align with a broader trend of U.S. companies, including Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc., implementing workforce reductions due to a demand downturn attributed to elevated inflation and rising interest rates. In April, Verizon fell short of its first-quarter revenue and free cash flow estimates, citing wireless subscriber losses as inflation-weary Americans postponed device upgrades, and the...
In the gaming world, there are a lot of upcoming talents who work tirelessly to get eyes on their work. Add into the equation being a designer from a marginalized community, and your chances become even slimmer. In light of this, Xbox has announced a partnership providing a platform for young Black developers.
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the writer’s own and not those of AFROTECH. Inflation is up, so your salary should be going up too. And there’s no better place to get a higher salary than in the Information Technology field. With the ever-growing demand for skilled IT professionals, the IT industry has many high-salary opportunities to offer. Whether you are an experienced IT professional looking to level up or someone considering a career transition into the IT sector, it is possible to land a six-figure job offer in IT with some research and preparation. 1. Identify a high-paying in-demand niche The IT industry is pretty wide, so start by identifying in-demand niches with high salaries. This crucial first step will help you narrow down your focus so you can create a strategic plan on how to get into that specific field. Most people cast a wide net and find themselves going around in circles because they get confused by the different options they are pursuing. In order to...
