Charles Barkley is fulfilling his commitment to a school that has ties to a historic math discovery. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, who attended St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans, LA, at the time, found an alternative way to solve the Pythagorean Theorem during their senior year. Without using circular reasoning, they were still able to use trigonometry, which had puzzled mathematicians for over 2,000 years. “Calcea and Ne’Kiya explained it to me like this: Basically, trigonometry is based on Pythagoras’ Theorem (A^2 + B^2 = C^2, sound familiar?), so using trigonometry to prove Pythagoras’ Theorem is what’s known as circular logic,” mentioned WWL-TV 4 reporter Sam Winstrom. The young prodigies had come to this conclusion following a math contest held at their school, which was attached to a $500 incentive. “There was a bonus question that was to create a new proof of the Pythagorean Theorem,” Johnson told PEOPLE. “Ne’Kiya and I were the only...

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...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been a staple in Black American culture. With touted alums like Vice President Kamala Harris, Chadwick Boseman, Shannon Sharpe, Taraji P. Henson, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., HBCU graduates have positively influenced and impacted several industries. Despite the challenges, HBCUs have shown remarkable resilience. Their deep cultural histories and the long list of influential alums stand as a testament to their enduring importance in the Black academic experience. Why Are Black Males Enrolling Less? However, recent data shows a decline in enrollment among Black males. According to the American Institute for Boys and Men, HBCUs have seen a general enrollment decline of 11% since 2010, a trend that mirrors what’s happening across higher education. However, the drop in enrollment among Black male students is more significant, with a 25% decrease at HBCUs compared to a 22% decline at all institutions. Although the percentage...

Through their foundation, Stephen and Ayesha Curry plan to invest $25 million in Oakland, CA, over the next five years. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the couple are founders of the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which is intended to improve the lives of children through increased literacy rates, healthy meals, and opportunities for active lifestyles. Their work is being carried out in their “adopted hometown” of Oakland. In 2022, the foundation committed to building 150 libraries across Oakland and bringing 30,000 books into the hands of the youth. Additional efforts over the years have included $5 million in grants to support tutoring across more than 20 elementary schools, $2.5 million in grants allocated to libraries and teachers, and the remodeling of two elementary school libraries, according to a press release shared with AFROTECH™ . Photo Credit: Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation $25M Commitment Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation continues to scale its commitment in light of a $25...

HBCUs, an acronym for Historically Black Colleges and Universities , are a transformative educational experience. Getting to be surrounded by peers who look like you within walls that foster black excellence is a priceless gift. HBCUs exist to give Black Americans access to the education and opportunities they were once excluded from. Historical figures from Kamala Harris and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Oprah Winfrey and Langston Hughes have each attended HBCUs. This lends to them making a major impact in culture and society. While states all over the country are home to over 100 HBCUs, Texas is home to nine of them . Whether you’re scouting for yourself or someone else, here’s what to know about each option. Prairie View A&M University Prairie View A&M University is the top-ranked HBCU in Texas for its academics, sporting impressive graduates like U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and former NFL player Gene Upshaw. It offers study-abroad opportunities in places like...

When most people think of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), southern schools like Morehouse, Spelman, and of course Howard immediately come to mind. This is understandable, given the history of when most HBCUs began to pop up around this country. Before the Great Migration sent many Black people north in search of prosperity, the bulk of Black Americans lived in the South. So, when white colleges and universities barred Black students from attending, the community answered the call and began to create institutions of higher learning , and eventually also fraternities and sororities. However, the first HBCU was actually Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837. Overwhelmingly, most HBCUs are located in the South, with a sprinkling of schools in a few northern states. But, there is an HBCU on the West Coast, and it’s located in California. The Only HBCU in California Even though there’s just one HBCU in California, it’s an integral one. Charles R. Drew...

Well-known for her career in entertainment, Malinda Williams is now dedicating time to uplifting women in technology. The Pivot Many may recognize Malinda Williams for her work as an actress, which includes credits in shows such as “The Cosby Show,” “Sister, Sister,” “Moesha,” and films like “Soul Food” and “The Wood.” She had been booking gigs for more than 30 years, yet she encountered a period of stagnation during which work became scarce. Money management had always been easy for her, which was helpful when it was time to stretch her earnings, Williams shared in an interview with AFROTECH™ . Eventually, she had to move to New Jersey and ventured into a “difficult” period, which also reignited a new area of interest. “I set out on a continuation of my spirit spiritual journey, but I also went to the bookstore, and that’s where I find a lot of my spiritual material, and a book called ‘HTML For Dummies’ fell off the shelves,” she told AFROTECH™. “I had tinkered around a little bit...

Tyler Perry opened the world’s largest Black-owned studio, not just to build his own legacy but to empower others to create theirs. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, he self-funded Tyler Perry Studios to launch in Atlanta, GA, in 2008. I t’s now reportedly worth $280 million and serves as both a hub for his creative projects and a welcoming space for other filmmakers seeking to rent its stages and spaces. His ambition to succeed and help others is driven by his great-grandfather, who was enslaved, NBC News reports. “I’m on the wave that they set in motion,” he told the outlet. “So I feel like I’m supposed to live well. I feel like I’m supposed to have everything that I want. Not just for me, but for everyone who didn’t get it. …It’s not just about what I’m doing,” Perry told NBC News. “It’s also about all the people that’s affected.” Perry’s vision has manifested in several ways. His workforce is 99% Black and also includes a population of those who were formerly incarcerated and...

Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine are opening a school in Inglewood, CA. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the duo partnered to open a South Central Los Angeles public school in 2022 to provide opportunities for students from underserved communities. “This is for kids who want to go out and start their own company or go work at a place… like Marvel, or Apple or companies like that,” Iovine expressed at the time. Now, they have scaled their commitment to education, announcing the Iovine and Young Center, a high school that will be coming to the community in partnership with the Inglewood Unified School District, the Los Angeles Times reports. “We wanted to start in the inner city because Dre and especially me, I owe a lot to the inner city of Los Angeles, and we intend to pay it back,” Iovine said, per the outlet. The school is projected to open in the summer of 2025, beginning with a ninth-grade class and adding a class each year until it serves freshmen through seniors. It will take the...

Requesting for a letter of recommendation can feel daunting sometimes, but you have to be objective about it. Asking for a recommendation means you are asking someone to promote your competencies while simultaneously trying to sell yourself to them. We have a guide that will help reduce your toil and present the request in a way that it demands minimal time and inconveniences from the recommender. This guide is applicable in contexts of job applications, college admissions, and scholarships alike. Choose the Right Person First, identify who to ask. Pick someone who knows you well and can speak positively about your abilities, character, and achievements. Ideally, this person should be relevant to the context of your application. For example: Academic purposes: Choose a teacher, professor, or academic advisor. Professional purposes: Consider a current or former supervisor, mentor, or colleague. Personal character reference: A community leader, coach, or family friend who knows you...

Shakea Miller is looking to transform education in Alabama and make history in the process. Black News reports Miller opened 1 on 1 Technical & Theological College on June 24, 2024, in Phenix City, AL. In doing so, she became the first Black woman to open a degree-granting technical college in Alabama, and the sixth Black woman nationwide. “I am deeply honored to open the doors of this institution, which stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the resilience and determination of countless individuals who have fought for equal rights in education,” Miller reflected, according to the outlet. “This College is more than an academic institution as it is a platform for transformation while providing the tools and knowledge necessary to uplift our communities.” Carla Barnett, assistant dean of 1 on 1 Technical & Theological College, commented: “Shakea Miller’s accomplishment is not just a personal triumph but a monumental victory for the African American community and all those in...

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...

Gabby Thomas is a force to be reckoned with. Olympic Champion The track star and Harvard University alum just won her first gold medal at the 2024 Olympics for the 200-meter sprint on Aug. 6, 2024. She finished with an impressive time of 21.83 seconds, NBC News mentions. “You prepare for this moment and train so hard for this moment, but when it actually comes, it’s indescribable,” Thomas, 27, told the outlet. “I never would have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would become an Olympic gold medalist, and I am one. I’m still wrapping my head around that.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gabby Thomas (@gabbythomas) Making History As A Harvard Alum This isn’t Thomas’ first medal on the global stage. She has also earned a silver medal in Budapest, Hungary, at the 2023 World Championships and ahead of the Paris Olympics she won the 2024 London Diamond League, running a time of 21.82 seconds. In 2021, she earned a Bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, making history as the...

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...

Since 1908, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and its members have made their marks across several industries and impacted communities and spaces. Some influential members include Phylicia Rashad, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Vice President Kamala Harris, according to ESSENCE. Harris was officially sworn in as vice president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, making her the first woman, Black person, and South Asian American to be elected to the office. While this historical marker is noteworthy, it was not the beginning of her story. Kamala Harris’ Road To Howard University A native of Oakland, CA, Harris’ roots in education and public service start with the influence of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan. According to a profile from the White House, Gopalan earned her doctorate in 1964, the same year Harris was born, and worked as a breast cancer scientist. Harris’ father, Donald J. Harris, came to the United States from Jamaica to study...