Josh Rodgers

AFROTECH STAFF

Josh Rodgers

Lover of Culture. Curator of Motivation. Advocate for Equity. Josh Rodgers is a writer and content creator originally from Memphis, TN. Along with AfroTech, Josh's work can be seen on Blavity News, Travel Noire, Shadow & Act, and Buzzfeed. When he isn't writing, he can be found on the mic as the co-host and founder of The Jigsaw Podcast - a platform dedicated to helping Black millennials attempt to navigate the craziest puzzle piece ever created, life.

Want to read more?

Articles591

AI Without Guesswork: How to Create Prompts That Deliver

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we create, problem-solve, and engage with technology. But success with AI doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by design. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can be powerful creative partners, but only if you know how to guide them. The key lies in crafting prompts that provide direction, clarity, and context. Whether you’re drafting marketing copy, generating ideas, or solving complex problems, understanding how to talk to AI is essential. Let’s explore the strategies that can turn your prompts into powerful tools for smarter, sharper results. Understanding The Art Of AI Prompting AI thrives on clarity and specificity. Great prompts act like roadmaps — clear directions lead to clear destinations. Yet, crafting those directions requires more than guesswork; it demands strategy. Blavity COO Jeff Nelson developed a six-part engineering framework that turns vague requests into actionable responses. Persona: Anchor the AI’s...

Feb 14, 2025

How Autumn Lockwood’s College Education Led To Her Making History As The First Black Woman On A Super Bowl-Winning Coaching Staff

Maya Angelou once said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” Autumn Lockwood’s collegiate and professional journey embodies this spirit of resilience and perseverance. Her story isn’t just about accolades—it’s about the power of persistence to overcome barriers often encountered in a male-dominated industry. From the classroom to the sidelines of football’s grandest stage, Lockwood’s path proves that Black History still happens daily. Lockwood’s Educational Foundation And Academic Journey Autumn Lockwood’s educational journey paved the way for her career in sports performance. According to the Philadelphia Eagles’ official website, she earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Arizona, where she built a strong foundation in athlete development and sports science. She furthered her expertise by completing a master’s degree in sports management at East Tennessee State University, gaining valuable experience and insights that...

Feb 13, 2025

Kendrick Lamar Gave the Most-Watched Halftime Show Ever, But How Much Did He Make?

Some claim they saw it coming, and others would say that nobody could’ve called it, but Kendrick Lamar turned the 2025 Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show into his moment — a masterclass in artistry, storytelling, and cultural dominance. The Numbers Don’t Lie How’d he do it? He dominated the moment and has the numbers to back it up. According to Yahoo! Entertainment, the 2025 Super Bowl set a new standard in viewership, with Nielsen fast national figures and Tubi/NFL first-party analytics reporting record-breaking numbers. The Philadelphia Eagles secured a decisive victory over the Kansas City Chiefs as an estimated 126 million viewers tuned in. The broadcast reached its highest point, with 137.7 million viewers, just before the halftime show featuring Lamar. According to Roc Nation and Fox Sports, it stands as the most-watched halftime show in history with 133.5 million views during the performance. The NFL highlighted this achievement by sharing the announcement on its official X...

Feb 13, 2025

What's Disney’s Stance On DEI?

What wasn’t clear before is crystal clear now: Disney has made its move. For years, the “House of Mouse” danced around the edges of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations — sometimes boldly stepping in, other times retreating into the shadows when the heat got too intense. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, Disney maintained an ambiguous stance on DEI, especially as other corporate giants began rolling back their diversity commitments. But that fog has lifted. Now, people know exactly where Disney stands in the thick of America’s ongoing cultural tug-of-war. Disney’s Shift Toward Business-Driven DEI Initiatives In a memo obtained by Axios, Chief H uman Resources Officer Sonia Coleman shared Disney’s new game plan with employees : DEI efforts will no longer be treated as stand-alone social good projects. Instead, they’re being rebranded to focus squarely on driving business outcomes. Translation? Diversity isn’t just about optics anymore — it’s about the bottom...

Feb 12, 2025

Where Did Jalen Hurts Attend College? The Decision That Changed His Football Career

The iconic words from Big Sean, “Last night took an L, but tonight I bounce back,” could easily be the anthem for Jalen Hurts’ collegiate journey. His story isn’t just about wins and stats; it’s about resilience, growth, and the kind of determination that doesn’t flinch in the face of adversity. From being benched on the biggest stage in college football to becoming one of the NFL’s brightest stars, Hurts’ path proves that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. Jalen Hurts’Hometown Roots Born and raised in Houston, TX, Hurts grew up with football in his DNA. According to ABC 13, at Channelview High School, he played under the watchful eye of his father, Averion Hurts, who was also the team’s head coach. It was there that Hurts started turning heads with his dual-threat capabilities, proving he could hurt defenses both through the air and on the ground. His high school career was impressive enough to attract offers from top college programs nationwide. Alabama: Early Glory, Tough...

Feb 11, 2025

PBS Closes Diversity Office Days After Airing DEI Segment — Here’s Why It Matters

In a move that has sparked considerable debate, PBS announced the closure of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, citing compliance with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. According to Deadline, the decision was confirmed through a memo from PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger, marking a significant rollback of the organization’s DEI efforts — a trend increasingly observed across public and private sectors as political pressures increase. A Sudden Shift In Strategy As reported by The New York Times reporter Ben Mullin via X (formerly Twitter), the memo revealed that PBS’s DEI office would be shuttered and that key leaders Cecilia Loving, senior vice president of DEI, and Gina Leow, director of DEI, would be departing the organization. Kerger noted, “To ensure that we are complying with the president’s executive order, we have closed our DEI office, and Cecilia Loving and Gina Leow are leaving PBS.” Adding to the dissonance is the fact that this...

Feb 11, 2025

From His Diverse, All-Women-Led Management Team To Becoming Super Bowl LIX MVP — Here's How Jalen Hurts Just Made Black History

Jalen Hurts’ triumph in Super Bowl LIX isn’t just another notch in the NFL record books — it’s a cultural moment that hits differently. According to Biography, Hurts has become the fourth Black quarterback to secure the coveted title, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with legends like Doug Williams, Russell Wilson, and Patrick Mahomes. This isn’t just about touchdowns and trophies; it’s about breaking barriers, shifting narratives, and showing up unapologetically Black and excellent. Jalen Hurts Takes It Beyond The End Zone Only eight Black quarterbacks have started in a Super Bowl, which speaks volumes about the systemic hurdles not just baked into the game but ingrained in the very making of the league. Hurts’ victory isn’t random; it results from years of grind, grit, and grace. His performance, crowned with the Super Bowl LIX MVP title, wasn’t just about athletic skill — it was a masterclass in leadership, strategy, and keeping cool under pressure. Now, here’s where the 26-year-old...

Feb 10, 2025

Is Misinformation The Real Enemy Of DEI? What The Don Lemon Interview With Elon Musk Reveals

A March 2024 interview between journalist Don Lemon and Tesla CEO Elon Musk is spinning the block and finding new life, resurfacing across social media feeds and news cycles amid the growing backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Although the conversation is nearly a year old, it has gained fresh traction with the recent policy rollbacks under the Trump administration and corporations scaling back DEI initiatives. The interview, which touched on topics ranging from hate speech to the controversial “great replacement theory,” has become a focal point for examining common misconceptions about DEI, particularly in professional environments. In the interview, Lemon directly challenged Musk’s assertions that DEI initiatives are detrimental, particularly in fields like medicine. Musk claimed, “If the standards for passing medical exams and becoming a doctor, or especially something like a surgeon, are lowered, then the probability that the surgeon will make a...

Feb 7, 2025

Google Becomes The Latest Company To End Its DEI Commitments

In a decision reflecting a broader trend in the corporate world, Google has eliminated its diversity-based hiring targets and quietly erased language relating to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from its annual report. This decision isn’t just a corporate policy update. This move aligns with a growing trend of companies scaling back public commitments to DEI in response to evolving legal and political pressures. The ripple effect of this change reaches far beyond Silicon Valley, raising urgent questions about the future of workplace diversity, corporate responsibility, and the very fabric of inclusive leadership in America. Google Shifts Away From DEI Metrics According to Reuters, Google’s move came after the company abandoned its diversity hiring goals, which were initially designed to foster a more inclusive workforce. The company cited the impact of recent court decisions and executive orders from the Trump administration as pivotal factors influencing this change. These...

Feb 6, 2025

As The White House Orders Federal DEI Removal From All Agency Websites, Aldi Follows Suit

In the latest chapter of corporate America’s shifting stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Aldi has made a quiet but telling move. While major retailers like Target and Walmart have faced public scrutiny for scaling back their DEI commitments, Aldi took a different route—silently scrubbing all DEI-related language from its U.S. careers page. No press release. No statement. Just gone. This move raises serious questions: Is Aldi trying to fly under the radar to avoid backlash? And more importantly, does this signal a broader corporate strategy of rolling back DEI without the headlines? A Quiet Move That Speaks Volumes As first reported by HR Brew, Aldi’s U.S. website no longer mentions DEI in its careers section, despite previously highlighting diversity and inclusion as part of its corporate values. While some companies have taken a more public approach—either defending their DEI commitments or backtracking in response to conservative pushback—Aldi’s decision to remove...

Feb 3, 2025

President Donald Trump Rejected Project 2025 During Campaign, But Do Recent Executive Orders Align With Its Framework?

Freedom can be reshaped, restricted, or even redefined in the pursuit of power. This is antithetical to what Toni Morrison meant when she said, “The function of freedom is to free someone else.” Nowhere is this clearer than in Project 2025, a sweeping conservative policy agenda already influencing the federal workforce. Despite attempts during his campaign to distance himself from the plan, Donald Trump’s administration has wasted no time implementing key aspects of Project 2025 through a flurry of executive orders. Among the most drastic actions is a significant push to reduce federal staff, particularly those working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles. According to the New York Times, federal agencies are offering buyouts to employees, allowing them to collect payments rather than remain in their positions. While this might seem like a simple restructuring effort, the implications run deeper. These reductions threaten to halt progress, slow essential government...

Jan 31, 2025

What's Disney's Stance On DEI? Breaking Down How The Company's Handling The Politics And Public Perception

The Walt Disney Co. has long positioned itself as a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with a strong emphasis on representation in its storytelling and hiring initiatives. However, amid increasing political and social scrutiny, Disney’s stance on DEI has become more nuanced. While the company has not made any official statements about its current DEI direction, publicly available information suggests both continued commitment and strategic scaling back in certain areas. Disney’s Public Commitments And Ongoing Initiatives Disney has historically been a vocal advocate for diversity, integrating themes of inclusion across its programming and corporate policies. The company remains a supporter of diverse gender and sexual identities in its content, as highlighted in recent branded content initiatives with EqualPride. Additionally, its official website continues to prominently feature its DEI commitments, signaling an ongoing prioritization of these values. According to...

Jan 31, 2025

Trump's Removal Of Key FAA Safety Officials Preceded The Tragic DC Plane Crash — Now He Blames DEI

In the wake of the catastrophic midair collision between an American Airlines plane and a U.S. military helicopter near Washington, DC — one of the deadliest in more than two decades — President Donald Trump has falsely pointed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies as a possible contributor to the crash. Though there are urgent questions surrounding aviation safety and regulatory oversight, Trump has suggested that DEI initiatives “could have been” to blame despite no factual connection between diversity efforts and the circumstances of the crash. Yet, just days before this devastating collision, Trump made a decision that leaves questions about his judgement. Based on a report from the New Republic, he eliminated the full membership of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aviation Security Advisory Committee, a move that effectively removed key leadership that has overseen regulatory compliance and risk mitigation within the industry since 1988. He also fired...

Jan 31, 2025

What Happens Next? Federal Judge Blocks President Donald Trump’s Proposed Loan Freeze

U.S. District Judge Linda Taylor has halted the Trump administration’s proposal to freeze federal loans and grants. In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, January 28, Judge Taylor condemned the policy as “arbitrary and capricious,” pointing to language from the administration’s memo that failed to sufficiently justify the freeze or address its potential impact on millions of Americans. This decision is a significant development in a case closely watched by students, homeowners, and small business owners nationwide. According to the Associated Press, the White House memo, dated earlier this month, proposed suspending federal loan and grant disbursements to “mitigate fiscal risk” and “streamline budgetary concerns.” Judge Taylor, however, pointed to specific language in the memo that acknowledged the policy would lead to “temporary disruptions” in funding for programs supporting vulnerable populations. In her decision, she highlighted that the administration’s justification failed to...

Jan 29, 2025

Who Is Jensen Huang And How Did He Lose Over $20B From His Net Worth?

Life is full of highs and lows, and the tech industry is no exception. One day, you’re riding the wave of record-breaking stock gains; the next, you’re watching billions evaporate as markets correct themselves. For NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, that reality hit hard in January 2025, as his net worth dropped by a staggering 20%. According to Business Insider, it went down from $121 billion to $100 billion, primarily driven by a downturn in NVIDIA’s stock amid broader market shifts. For Huang, whose wealth is heavily tied to the U.S. company he co-founded, this decline is a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the technology sector. But it’s not just about one man’s fortune — it’s a snapshot of the challenges facing tech giants as they navigate investor skepticism, geopolitical tensions, and the ever-changing landscape of artificial intelligence. NVIDIA’s Stock Struggles In A Shifting Market NVIDIA has become synonymous with the AI boom, providing the advanced hardware that powers...

Jan 28, 2025