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Reebok is making a comeback in the world of basketball. On Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, Reebok and the WNBA announced a multi-year agreement designating the global sports culture brand as an authorized footwear supplier for the league. “The WNBA continues to grow with iconic brands, and we look forward to Reebok joining us in driving women’s basketball to new heights and inspiring the next generation,” WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison said in a statement. “As we continue to capitalize on increased brand awareness, our work with Reebok is another step in bringing more fans to the game.” Reebok has been producing basketball shoes for women since the 1980s. Throughout the 1990s, the brand sponsored some of the best women’s collegiate basketball teams in the country and, in 1997, launched a signature shoe for WNBA player Rebecca Lobo. It’s no secret that Nike is the leading shoe brand among NBA and WNBA players, but other brands have a presence. As of October 2024, six active WNBA...
Equity-focused work may be a point of contention in today’s political environment, but it has not stopped the commitment of those dedicated to ensuring justice. Recently, Operation HOPE Inc. hosted its Hope Global Forums Annual Meeting. This convening brought together community stakeholders and influencers to discuss how to move into the future through economic, technological, and cultural advancements. During the meeting in Atlanta, GA, Hope Global Forum leader and CEO of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant, announced one of his goals to raise $100 million to fund the organization’s work of providing financial literacy and economic growth tools for individuals and small businesses. While providing his final remarks, Bryant confirmed that he is well on his way to receiving that fundraising amount through partners and corporations including Delta, Shopify, Truist, and Bishop T.D. Jakes. “Shopify, they’re ready for $60 million,” Bryant said. “Why did they do this? They are good people,...
Stephen Curry stands by his decision to choose Under Armour over Nike. In 2013, in what was arguably the fumble of that decade for Nike, the shoe brand conducted a pitch meeting with the Golden State Warriors point guard. He had been signed to the company since being drafted to the NBA in 2009, according to Basketball Network. Sports Illustrated notes Curry began setting up meetings with leading shoe companies, and the new Under Armour ultimately came out on top. Under Armour offered a $4 million annual contract that included the promise of a signature shoe and the chance for him to become a key figure for the brand. Nike’s offer was $2.5 million without the additional perks, and the meeting reportedly didn’t go so well. A representative was said to have mispronounced Curry’s first name, calling him “Steph-on” instead of “Steph-en,” and a slide presentation allegedly had Kevin Durant’s name on it and not Curry’s. With Curry choosing Under Armour, the deal kicked into gear in 2013....
Ray Allen turned down a lucrative offer as a rookie to sign with Nike. The California-born athlete was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1996 during the first round as the fifth pick, according to ESPN. He was traded that same day to the Milwaukee Bucks with a three-year rookie contract valued at $6.2 million, per Spotrac. Allen’s earnings helped him remain level-headed when he was receiving offers from FILA and Nike. He already had his mind set on Nike and was not even swayed by a six-figure offer from FILA, despite having a prior sponsorship deal with the company. “ I almost ended up wearing FILA. My agent at the time tried to make me accept a check for a $100,000 but they were telling me they were going to give me a signature shoe,” he told Sports Illustrated in a 2017 interview. “It was either FILA or Nike at the time, and (FILA) told me (I’d get) the signature shoe for five years years but the first two I had to lead the team in scoring, rebounding, steals or assists....
Sometimes, the perfect collaboration starts with genuine interest and collaboration. As founder and CEO of the award-winning ad agency Walton Isaacson, Aaron Walton’s career exemplifies the mastery of leveraging celebrity and influencer partnerships to elevate brands to new heights. Walton’s impressive portfolio spans iconic collaborations, from the Spice Girls’ November 1997 campaign with Polaroid to Michael Jackson’s enduring partnership with Pepsi. Most recently, he helmed Beyoncè’s partnership with Lexus during her “Renaissance World Tour.” Walton’s work on some of the most creative advertising campaigns has made him an expert in the field. He shared his keys to success with attendees during the AFROTECH™ 2024 Conference. “Something as a brand that is important, when you’re looking at connecting with a celebrity, you have to make sure that you do your homework and make sure your cultural values are aligned,” Walton told AFROTECH™ following his session “The Art of Brand...
For the first time, an undergraduate HBCU will be making its way to California. The Austin American-Statesman reports, Huston-Tillotson University has been approved to provide remote coursework to California students starting in January 2025. The Austin, TX-based Historically Black College and University (HBCU) also plans to open a physical campus by August 2025 — pending approval from several California agencies — in partnership with San Diego Unified School District and National College Resources Foundation. Huston-Tillotson University President Melva Wallace states that the school was approached by the foundation and the objective is to create more inclusive career pipelines. “If it’s working for the corporate and workforce, why don’t we take the lead on building the pipeline for workforce by training more California students to enter into the workforce here?” Wallace told the outlet. “Being the first undergraduate HBCU in California, it’s just an amazing thing.” Wallace also...
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...
Levi’s is capitalizing on its feature on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter.” The clothing company recognized for its denim jeans was a listed track on her country album, which was released on March 29, 2024, by Parkwood Entertainment and Colombia Records and featured artists like Post Malone and Miley Cyrus. While the iron was hot, Levi’s took the opportunity to change its Instagram handle by inserting an additional I, aligned with the spelling of the song on the album, “Levii’s Jeans.” However, Kenny Mitchell, chief marketing officer at Levi Strauss & Co., believed the company could push the brand even further if they partnered with the Houston, TX-born artist. “Once that album came out, it was obviously a moment where we said, ‘Hey, maybe we can start to have some conversations about whether a deeper partnership makes sense,’” Mitchell told The New York Times. Having already planted a seed of familiarity with Beyoncé in the past, as she sported the jeans as a Destiny’s Child member and has...
A grocery store considering its community first has opened in Baltimore, MD. The Baltimore community will now be able to shop at the Pratt Free Market, which will operate as a full-service grocery store following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the city’s Enoch Pratt Free Library. The market is inside the library’s Southeast Anchor location in the Highlandtown neighborhood. M’Balu “Lu” Bangura, chief of equity and fair practices at the Enoch Pratt Library, shared on Instagram that no income verification or ID will be required at the grocery store, and all items will be available for free to those living in a state where one-third of the population experiences food insecurity. Per WBAL-11 TV, customers will be able to stock one library-supplied bag each day. “Just come as you are and fill a bag with groceries at NO COST,” Bangura wrote on Instagram. “This market is for the City. All are welcome…I dreamt of this almost 2 years ago, I’m so proud to cut the ribbon on the first 100%...
The founders of Eastside Golf continue to build on their momentum in the golf apparel space while staying true to their roots. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Morehouse College graduates Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper founded the brand without a fashion background in 2019 after working full-time in corporate America. The company boasts products such as polo shirts, sweatshirts, pants, shoes, and accessories including bags, all tailored towards men and women. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eastside Golf (@eastsidegolf) Beyond the product offerings, the founders have continued to pave their own way through their mission that centers moving the sport forward among the youth and non-golfers while increasing diversity in a predominantly white sport. Their vision has led to an increase in support as they scaled their annual revenue from $100,000 in their first year to $4 million in 2023. They kicked off 2024 with a $3.4 million raise led by EP Golf Ventures, and the...
Kordell Beckham spoke his dream partnership into existence. Beckham, a Houston, TX, native and brother of NFL player Odell Beckham Jr., was among the Season Six cast of “Love Island USA” and ultimately won the coveted $100,000 cash prize with fellow contestant and love interest, Serena Page, US Weekly reports, with the two still a couple today, according to Forbes. Beckham plans to invest his portion of his “Love Island USA” earnings, per Access Hollywood. Beckham’s knack for business was highlighted during the season in a chat with Page, with whom he explained his career as a model and an aircraft fueler. Blavity reported he has even worked for Odell Beckham Brands, which offers men’s grooming products. Beckham also mentioned that he would like to be a homeowner in the future and is interested in securing a sponsorship with snack brand Cheez-It. “I can’t get enough of Cheez-It,” he told Page. Upon exiting the villa, Beckham and Page conducted a series of interviews, including one...
Howard University women’s basketball has landed a sweet deal with Black Girl Vitamins. According to a press release, Howard University Bison Women’s Basketball team has cemented a multi-year deal with Black Girl Vitamins as its official sponsor. The vitamin company aims to empower Black women in their health journeys with high-quality products, health expertise, and education resources. Through the partnership, the team’s players and coaches will receive vitamins, and the team will also be provided with direct monetary sponsorship. “Thank you, @blackgirlvitamins !! Thank you for seeing us!! Thank you for seeing all Black Women and making our health a priority,” the team wrote in a caption shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HU Womens Basketball Team (@howard_wbb) Black Girl Vitamins commented in a separate Instagram post: “Holding this secret in for this long was not easy for us at all, legit wanted to explode. But yes we are THE OFFICIAL, yes THE...
For the second year, actor Michael B. Jordan and flavored bottled water company Propel aim to bridge the gap between resources and access for people striving to regain control of their health. Last year in partnership with Propel, Jordan used his influence and Propel’s funds to equip the WalkGood LA studio — a space for yoga enthusiasts of all levels — with the resources needed to establish its presence in the health and wellness industry. “We were looking for different organizations in LA, wanted to kick it off in Los Angeles, and open up their first physical space, The WalkGood Yard. This space enabled [WalkGood LA] to expand their programs and classes in a central location, providing the facility and location to grow their brand and reach the community at large,” Jordan said in an interview with AFROTECH™. “This year, we’re creating spaces for other organizations. Instead of going to them, we’re opening under one roof, creating a rotating space for up to 16 organizations to come...
As Pinky Cole continues to reach the pinnacles of success as an entrepreneur, she also lifts others as she climbs. The Slutty Vegan founder and CEO has never been afraid of taking risks and betting on herself, even when the odds are stacked against her. Her Atlanta, GA-based restaurant has been wildly successful, even though she created the concept as a passion project, initially launching the company as a food truck without focusing solely on profit. “I pinch myself every day,” she told AFROTECH™ in a recent interview. “Sometimes we’re so immersed in our work that we don’t realize the blessings happening around us. I think about how Slutty Vegan opened the door for me to partner with PepsiCo on the Pepsi Dig In Campaign to support Black-owned restaurateurs. As a leader in this space, I can help provide the support they need.” Cole added, “It’s all been a passion project for me because I get to help people reimagine food in a way they never have before. Every single day, I’m humbled...
Usher’s nonprofit organization, Usher’s New Look, is working to make tech career paths more accessible for underserved youth. Essence reports that Usher’s New Look teamed up with IBM’s SkillsBuild program to provide young people who are supported by the nonprofit with free tech training including in AI. IBM’s free global platform provides educational pathways and content, particularly focused on career prep resources. “We serve more than 1,500 youth per year, and all the students we serve will have access to SkillsBuild,” said Usher’s New Look CEO and President Careshia Moore, according to Essence. “AI is being infused into every part of our lives, particularly the workforce. We want to make sure that our young people are prepared for what’s coming.” IBM Vice President and Chief Impact Officer Justina Nixon-Saintil chimed in, “In the United States, we very much focus on partnerships like Usher’s New Look, where we can to bring the free training, the expertise from IBM, even job...