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After co-creating the beauty app Beautified, Hannah Bronfman recognized the importance of investing in startups, which are often the last to receive funding or the resources needed to scale. Today, she takes pride in her work as an angel investor, helping to advise and raise venture capital for budding businesses. As a former DJ, content creator, and now trusted angel investor, Bronfman’s desire to help companies achieve their goals by putting investments behind them began when she joined Annie Evans and Peter Hananel as a co-founder of Beautified. This app allows users to book beauty services, including haircuts, manicures, facials, massages, and more, with various salons and spas offered on the platform. Since the inception of Beautifed in 2013, Bronfman has also become an expert in marketing. She’s advised companies on building a strategic online presence well before the rise of today’s influencer-driven marketing landscape. In 2017, she became an investor. “I started actually to...
Khaby Lame is letting the numbers do the talking. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Lame, now one of the most-followed creators , was once a factory worker in Chivasso, Italy. “I was really poor,” he said on a panel during Forbes Creator Upfronts in partnership with Walmart Creator on Oct. 29, 2024. Lame was later fired from his job, returned to live with his family, and decided to not look back. Instead, he chose to bank on what was once merely a hobby — TikTok — during the onset of COVID-19. “When I started making videos, people told me to get a proper job,” he mentioned to Forbes in 2023. “But I continued to make videos because that’s what I like doing, even though no one was watching them.” It would ultimately become a money machine because he stood out for reacting to memes and viral videos without saying a word. “It’s my face and my expressions which make people laugh,” he told The New York Times in 2021. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Khabane Lame (@khaby00)...
Once again, Kai Cenat has broken a Twitch record. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Cenat is in the midst of “Mafiathon 2,” a 24/7 stream running throughout November 2024. So far, the Twitch stream has featured guests such as Lil Uzi Vert, Snoop Dogg, GloRilla, Quavo, and most recently, Serena Williams. Cenat shared several goals for the stream, including allocating 20% of earnings toward the school he is building in Nigeria. He says the project was inspired by singer and streamer Ironmouse, who previously held the title of the most-subscribed creator on Twitch and also raised funds to support the Immune Deficiency Foundation. “Shout out to Ironmouse, because she inspired me to make sure to give a lot of this bread that’s coming in to a good cause,” Cent explained. To no one’s surprise, one of Cenat’s goals was to reclaim his title, which was previously taken by Ironmouse on Sept. 30, 2023, with more than 312,000 subscribers, Rolling Stone notes . Eleven days into “Mafiathon 2,”...
Sony Music had a successful quarter, reportedly driven by the success of popular artists like SZA. The St. Louis, MO-born artist is still basking in the success of her sophomore album “SOS,” which was released on Dec. 9, 2022. Billboard reports the album claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart when it debuted, selling 318,000 equivalent album units and setting a record for the best streaming week for an R&B album. Hit singles on the album included “Kill Bill” and “Snooze.” Speaking to the album’s inspiration, SZA told Rolling Stone, “I think this album was partially inspired by love lost, but mostly inspired by my departure from attempting to be a nice girl. I’ve tried to be a nice girl for so long and it’s just not who I am, inherently. And I think I’ve done nice things and I am a kind person, but I’m not a nice girl. And that’s okay. And I think coming to terms with that and really expanding upon that and exploring that is kind of like this new chapter in my life.” “SOS”...
Quincy Jones will forever be etched in history. It was announced on Nov. 3, 2024, that the famed producer, born Quincy Delight Jones Jr. in Chicago, IL, passed away at the age of 91 in his Bel Air home in Los Angeles, CA. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” Jones’ family said in a statement, according to US Weekly. Fortune And Legacy He is survived by seven children and leaves behind a legacy that led to a reported $500 million fortune, as AFROTECH™ previously told you. Jones is a decorated figure within the music and entertainment industry, with accolades that include 28 Grammy awards and a number of legendary works, including composing “The Wiz” and serving as executive producer of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which starred Will Smith. Reflecting on the loss,...
Druski has the content creation game on lock. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, the Maryland native’s foray into comedy dates back to skits he shared on Instagram under the handle druski2funny. According to Forbes, he was known for his humor as the class clown at an early age, though it wasn’t always to the amusement of his teachers and parents. “I think just being a class clown early on that’s what kind of grooved me in my career,” he told Forbes. “Sometimes when you’re young you really don’t know what your purpose is. But thankfully I have good parenting, so now we figured it out in the midst of all the craziness, but they don’t always support being a c lass clown while in school and being young. I had to figure it all out later in life. I came back to it, and I was like ‘All right this is my purpose.'” Before his big break, Druski faced various challenges, leading him to work different jobs — some he was fired from, others he quit. He considered pursuing higher education and...
Kai Cenat plans to put his latest subathon to good use. Cenat is currently making a significant income as one of the most successful content creators. According to Forbes, he ranks No. 24 among top earners in the creator economy, with earnings totaling $8.5 million so far this year, as of Oct. 28, 2024. His recent accolades include: Setting Twitch’s North American viewership record through a stream with Kevin Hart and Druski First streamer to secure a partnership with Nike Multi-million-dollar deal with Rumble Deals with McDonald’s and T-Mobile View this post on Instagram A post shared by McDonald’s (@mcdonalds) Now, Cenat is fully immersed in Mafiathon 2, a nonstop, 30-day Twitch stream running 24/7 since it kicked off on Nov. 1, 2024. To boost visibility for the subathon, the streamer enlisted Kim Kardashian for promotion. Cenat hopes this event will serve as his redemption arc in reclaiming the title of the most-subscribed Twitch creator of all time — a record currently held by...
DeMarcus Shawn has the formula for building a strong following across social platforms. Shawn is an online creator known for sharing humorous skits on TikTok and Instagram. His sense of humor has always been evident among his family since growing up on the outskirts of Chicago, IL. He also draws inspiration from them still today. “I was able to experience all different facets of life growing up through school, through family and just everyday nuances,” he mentioned on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast. Today, Shawn is a full-time content creator, but his journey began in 2017 with a 9-to-5 role as a Starbucks barista. While there he decided to turn more of his attention towards content creation in 2021. It was then that he was able to sustain himself through earnings via TikTok and his photography business, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. “When I quit Starbucks, I already had money saved up,” he said, per the “Black Tech Green Money podcast.” “It was 2021, so I had money saved...
What a year for Kai Cenat! The New York native who dropped out of college to pursue his dreams has established himself as one of today’s most influential streamers and content creators. On Twitch, he currently boasts 13.5 million followers, and in June 2024, he secured the highest North American viewership record on Twitch, reaching a peak of 712,600 simultaneous viewers, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. The record-breaking stream featured comedians Kevin Hart and Druski with LeBron James appearing on a FaceTime call. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) Most recently, Cenat announced to his fanbase that he will be streaming for 30 days straight, beginning Nov. 1, 2024, in a promotional clip that featured Kim Kardashian. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kai Cenat (@kaicenat) Cenat is a member of AMP (Any Means Possible), a YouTube group that includes Fanum (Roberto Escanio), Duke Dennis (Denzel Dennis), ChrisNxtDoor (Christopher...
Snoop Dogg was advised by longtime friend Dr. Dre to turn down a multi-million-dollar deal. During a sit-down interview with Stephen A. Smith on his eponymous YouTube channel, the pair discussed their history and how they found success in both music and business. The Pair’s Success Dr. Dre is among the wealthiest figures in Hip Hop. Eleven years after co-founding the legendary Hip Hop group N.W.A, he attached himself to the venture Aftermath Records in 1998 and later sold his stake for $35 million to Interscope Records. The “million-dollar man” then nearly became a “billion-dollar man” as a co-founder of Beats Electronics, which was purchased by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. As of 2024, his net worth reportedly sits at $500 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Speaking on the feat, Dr. Dre told Stephen A. Smith, “Let’s just say life is good and I’m very comfortable right now. It’s very comfortable.” As for Snoop Dogg, he has become one of the...
Larenz Tate isn’t looking for a money grab when pursuing acting roles in Hollywood. The “Love Jones” actor took the stage on Oct. 12 during the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) Financial Empowerment Summit held at Chicago, IL’s UIC Forum. The one-day event, free to attend, is designed to promote generational wealth building. “Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow is the largest financial education program of its kind. It brings together experts and leaders from businesses, community organizations, and city, state, and federal agencies to lead workshops and discussions that help Chicagoans build a more financially secure future,” Chicago’s City Treasurer Melissa Conyears Ervin said in a statement shared with AFROTECH™. Taking to the main stage, Tate, Westside Chicago’s very own, was candid about his foray into the entertainment industry, which unfolded after he moved to Los Angeles, CA, with his family to join his father, Larry, who worked in education for a number of years....
Druski is investing in his dreams. Druski, born Drew Desbordes in Columbia, MD, began his journey by posting skits on Instagram under the handle druski2funny. The comedian’s social presence has continued to rise. 2020 served as a pivotal year, with his skits generating 1.5 million views and catching the attention of celebrity figures such as Jack Harlow, Odell Beckham Jr., and Drake, making a cameo in the rapper’s “Laugh Now Cry Later” (2020) video, Complex reports. On Instagram alone, Druski’s following has grown to 8.2 million. Additionally, his comedic footprint has led to a net worth exceeding $1 million as of 2023. As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, the feat is a result of ventures including live shows, tours, and partnerships with companies including teampixel, RGG Studio and SEGA, and PrizePicks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DRUSKI (@druski) Despite his success, being a comedian was not initially a goal post for Druski until he found himself depressed as a...
Serena Page could soon be stepping into the haircare industry. Page is the Season 6 winner of Peacock’s “Love Island USA” alongside her boyfriend, Kordell Beckham. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the pair split a prize pool of $100,000 for their victory. Since leaving the show’s villa, opportunities have been endless with partnerships that include NYX Cosmetics, Dunkin’ Donuts, Spotify, and Cécred. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CÉCRED (@cecred) During the ESSENCE GU Disruptor Summit held in Atlanta, GA, on Oct. 12, 2024, Page revealed that while she is in her influencer bag she hopes to step into her businesswoman era by 2025. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Girls United (@essencegu_) Her desires could materialize into leading her own haircare line, which is already in the works. This wouldn’t be her first step into entrepreneurship as she ran a braiding business for four years when she attended the University of Texas at San Antonio. As a result of her...
North West plans to start her own empire, following in the footsteps of her parents. Her Parents’ Empire Kim Kardashian: North was born into fame as the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Ye, formerly Kanye West, on June 15, 2013, in Los Angeles, CA, though the couple is now divorced. Kardashian shot to stardom following the success of the reality television show, “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” which aired in 2007 and ran for 20 seasons on E!. By 2016, Kardashian was the highest-paid reality television star, ringing in $51 million annually and boasting millions of followers across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at the time, TIME reports. As the show was nearing its end, it was reported by Parade she was earning as much as $4.5 million per season. Kardashian was able to continue her success beyond her time on screen, expanding into business with ventures that included KKW Beauty, which she shut down in 2021 after selling 20% to Coty for $200 million the year prior, according to...
Authenticity has remained Kordell Beckham’s superpower beyond the villa. Beckham and his girlfriend, Serena Page, were crowned the Season 6 champions of Peacock’s “Love Island USA,” which had become the most-watched series on streaming platforms in the U.S. ahead of the season finale in July 2024, per NBC Universal. Beckham and Page also made history as the first Black couple to win on the show, The Hilltop mentions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Jennifer Hudson Show (@jenniferhudsonshow) Investing Cash Prize The couple — who now have 7 million followers combined across their TikTok and Instagram accounts — earned a $100,000 cash prize on the show, which they split evenly, according to US Weekly. Beckham has decided to be wise with a portion of his earnings going toward investments, and this will include the launch of his own clothing brand now in the works with his team. “We’ve been talking with a bunch of businesses to see what we can do to jumpstart a clothing...