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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...
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...
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...
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...
Victoria Monét is the latest star to bring her talents to the video game industry. The “Jaguar II” crooner took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the news that her dance moves have made it to “Fortnite.” The popular online video game and platform, developed by Epic Games, was first released in 2017. For one of its games, “Fortnite Battle Royale,” the main objective is to be the last one standing on Battle Royale Island. Playable characters can “loot, build, explore, and fight” against 99 other players in the match to be declared the winner. Now, Monét is bringing the moves and choreography for her hit single “On My Mama” to the video game. “Fornite said lemme show ya’ll why they’re called V bucks,” she said in a post shared via X. “The ‘Lookin Good’ emote inspired by ‘On My Mama’ by Victoria Monét is now available.” The “On My Mama” music video, which now has amassed 62 million views on YouTube, is directed by Los Angeles, CA-based Grammy-nominated creator, child, per BET. It was...
In November 2023, Brick City Vegan became Montclair, New Jersey’s only 100% plant-based vegan restaurant. Today, its culinary commitment is rooted in changing the culture’s mindset about eating plant-based foods. Brick City Vegan founders Adenah Bayoh and chef Emeka Onugha provide an array of dishes, such as made-from-scratch biscuits and plant-based burgers, that are not only better for its diners but for the planet overall, KGET.com reports. “I made the choice to become a vegan due to some health issues that I found myself dealing with,” Bayoh recalled in an interview with Blavity. “The food I loved growing up suddenly started making me sick, so I knew I had to listen to my body. It hasn’t always been easy because I’m a big foodie! I absolutely love good-tasting, satisfying food, and for a long time, people believed that being vegan meant we only eat lettuce, fruits, and veggies. Brick City Vegan is here to show the world that a plant-based diet can be just as tasty and fulfilling...
The music catalog company holding the hits of artists like 50 Cent, Eric Bellinger, John Coltrane, and a host of others has officially been sold. Hipgnosis, which is described as having “a collection of proven hit Songs of cultural importance by some of the most talented and important Songwriters globally,” per its website, has sold its assets to Blackstone for $1.6 billion. Additionally, its leader, Merck Mercuriadis, who was once responsible for managing Beyoncé, has also stepped down from the company, The New York Times reports. The Hipgnosis Songs Fund is an “investment trust” currently listed on the London Stock Exchange in the U.K. and owns the rights of “tens of thousands of songs,” per the outlet. During a meeting on Monday, July 8, 2024, a board for the company voted to accept an offer from Blackstone, worth $1.6 billion, to purchase its assets. Already, Blackstone had taken majority control of the company’s “investment adviser” side of the business through a $1 billion...
What was supposed to be a big moment in one photographer’s life has turned into a tale of survivor’s remorse after he claims that Nike tricked him out of credit for a photo he captured of Michael Jordan that would go on to become the logo for the company’s Jordan Brand. In a new short documentary, “Jumpman,” Jacobus “Co” Rentmeester accuses the leading athletic company of copying his work to create the Jordan Brand logo that has graced a plethora of sneakers and clothing products for decades. Originally shot during a photo shoot commissioned by Life magazine for the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, Jordan was instructed to perform a grand jeté, which is “a classical ballet move where a dancer jumps and spreads their legs wide,” Fortune magazine reports. Today, the Jordan Brand is worth $6 billion. However, Rentmeester’s disdain comes from what he believes was negligence on Nike’s part to properly credit and compensate him for the role his photo may have played in inspiring the logo. View...
A love for pizza has leveled up the lives of these Black business owners. Black-owned Bird Pizzeria was featured in the New York Times’ list of best pizza shops nationwide. The roundup, which included 22 restaurants, highlighted businesses across the U.S. The pizzeria, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been in business since December 2021, Black Enterprise reports. Husband-and-wife duo Kerrel and Nkem Thompson launched Bird Pizzeria as a pop-up restaurant before entering the takeout space. The pizzeria combines the couple’s love for pizza, which they recalled was the meal they enjoyed on their first date. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BIRD (@birdpizzeria) Bird Pizzeria has plans to expand its space to allow dine-in seating for customers to enjoy their cuisine after the tattoo shop next door closed and the space became available. “We prayed about this space,” Nkem said, per The Charlotte Observer. “We’re just like, ‘Man, this would be amazing to be able to...
A new Black-owned restaurant has opened in Los Angeles. MTV “Ridiculousness” co-host Sterling “Steelo” Brim, Alahna Jade, and business partners Vincent Bryant and Scott Williams are the masterminds behind Linden. Located on the historic Sunset Boulevard, Linden is on a mission to bring delicious dishes from the Big Apple to Hollywood. “I’ve always had a passion for hosting and creating memorable experiences for others and found a lot of joy in curating vibes and bringing people together,” Jade told Blavity when asked about the inspiration behind the restaurant. “When Sterling and I came together as a couple, we realized that our shared love for hospitality was something we could turn into a fulfilling venture.” Brim’s introduction to the restaurant business started in New York with Las’ Lap, alongside Bryant and Williams, who are part of the team behind Linden. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LINDEN (@lindenlosangeles) “The L.A. crowd was waiting on something like...
Everyone wants to know what “Black jobs” are after Donald Trump suggested that they’re on the decline during the first 2024 presidential debate. As the countdown to the 2024 presidential election is underway, Trump and current President Joe Biden are ramping up their approach to gain support from Black voters. During the debate, one key issue that Biden and Trump honed in on was the current state of the economy, particularly the job market, The Hill reports. “The fact is that his big kill on the Black people is the millions of people that he’s allowed to come in through the border,” Trump said during the debate on June 27. “They’re taking Black jobs now – and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people. They’re taking Black jobs, and they’re taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re gonna see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.” Originally, CNN anchor and debate moderator Dana Bash had asked Biden what he has done for Black...
Ernst & Young LLP (EY) aims to equip Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to scale and grow their businesses through the official opening of applications for its 2025 cohort of EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN). Since EAN’s inception in 2019, EY has supported Black and Hispanic/Latino-owned businesses for their impact on their communities and the overall American economy, according to the EY website. Already Black and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs have shown a proven track record of success, producing more than $183 billion and $800 billion, respectively. However, some roadblocks stand in the way of them reaching their full potential. Thus, EY wants to bridge the gap to access and resources for minorities throughout their entrepreneurial journeys. The 2025 EAN installment is another step toward helping them scale their businesses. “Black and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs are among the unsung heroes of our economy,” Nit Reeder, EY EAN program director, said...
Detroit, MI, has done it again, and it’s only right that one of the Blackest cities in America becomes the home to the first all-Black-led sports radio station in the nation! Sports Rap Radio on AM 1270 made its debut on the airwaves in Motor City on June 4, and not only does it feature all Black hosts, but the radio station is also Black-owned, Blavity reports. “[This is] history-making,” said former Detroit sports anchor Rob Parker, per CBS News. “[It’s] groundbreaking, [and] we just believe that the time has come.” In addition to Parker, who is responsible for helping to bring this vision to life, the history-making team of co-owners includes Parker’s longtime friend Dave Kenney as well as athletes, former NBA player BJ Armstrong and University of Michigan wide receiver Maurice “Moe” Ways. “Moe was the missing piece. I needed somebody young, smart, from the city,” Parker told the outlet. The two have kept in touch since they first met, when Ways was a football star at Detroit...