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Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. “Health is wealth” is a phrase that people have been using for years, and to me, it does not only refer to the health of one’s body but also to the opportunities that I see in health. The category has historically been geared towards products for men and women as a whole — and not focused on the issues that women specifically face. However, in the first half of 2024, digital health startups looking to improve women’s health outcomes saw a 3% increase in capital invested when compared to the first 6 months of 2023, showing a total of $679 million for 2024, according to PitchBook . This increased investment interest, I believe, will not only l ead to better health outcomes for women but present a set of opportunities for people to build their tech careers in this growing sector. The areas within women’s health that tech companies are targeting and show the most promise are companies focused on...
Erika Allen is on a mission to create sustainable communities. Heart Posture For Serving Others Growing up, she had an epiphany that ignited her desire to serve the broader community. And it was her interest in the creative arts that eventually guided her toward a multi-faceted passion project in Chicago, IL. Between 1987 and 1992, Allen transitioned from her family farm to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. During this time, she encountered structural racism and social demarcation that shaped her perspective and mission. “Was literally told during my orientation to not go south of Van Buren, which of course triggered a lot of questions as to why, and that was just sort of something that was shared with me and was indoctrinating me as a new student,” she told AFROTECH™. “And to come to find that south of Van Buren was the south side, primarily black community that I’m part of. That really fired me up, my heart posture around wanting to extend what was a privilege to...
The first patient to receive gene therapy for sickle cell disease since its approval is finally home. The New York Times reported that staff members were overjoyed as 12-year-old Kendric Cromer left Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, in a wheelchair on Oct. 16, 2024. Kendric is one of approximately 20,000 people with the most severe form of sickle cell disease. This condition results from a mutation in the hemoglobin genes, causing red blood cells to take on a crescent shape. These misshaped cells can block blood vessels, leading to severe pain, stroke, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy. “I thought I would have sickle cell for the rest of my life,” Kendric said, according to The Times. Throughout his childhood, the disease had prevented him from enjoying playing basketball or riding a bike. Such activities would trigger pain and require frequent trips to the hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , about 100,000 people in the U.S....
Mike Tyson has invested in the plant-based food sector. According to a press release, Carma HoldCo , the parent company of cannabis brand Tyson 2.0, has made an investment in Mr. Charlie’s Told Me So (TMS), a quick-service plant-based restaurant. Co-founded by Aaron Haxton and Taylor McKinnon, the restaurant offers “Not a Hamburger” patties, Tindle-based nuggets, and “Frowny Fries,” among other menu items. Thanks to the investment, Mr. Charlie’s TMS, which already has locations in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Sydney, Australia, is set to reach even more customers globally as part of the plant-based movement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr.Charlie’s Told Me So (@mrcharlies) Furthermore, Tyson views the investment as a prime opportunity to promote healthy alternatives, aligning perfectly with his personal values. As a longtime follower of a vegan lifestyle, he is especially excited about this venture. “Mr. Charlie’s is a natural choice for Carma Holdco, as...
Amaya Woodley is the proud owner of an indoor cycling studio. Woodley recalled falling in love with cycling after a former coworker invited her to a class in 2017. When the pandemic hit, she purchased a bike for her home but missed being surrounded by the community. That feeling drove her to open Adrenaline+ in her hometown. It is one of the few Black-owned cycling studios in Charlotte, NC, Woodley told AFROTECH™. She opened the studio in 2023 with her co-founders: her uncle Darrell Harding, aunt Heather Harding, and her husband Theo. Together, they self-funded the boutique studio. “It was a dream that I had, but I didn’t think it would happen as quickly as it did,” Woodley, Adrenaline+, co-founder and CEO, told AFROTECH™. “There was such a need for a space like that in Charlotte, especially for Black people, people of color, who were seeking a safe space to show up as their authentic self and still get a workout and be seen and have a good time.” View this post on Instagram A post...
Equinox has reportedly launched the world’s most expensive gym membership. According to NBC News, the exclusive fitness chain has kickstarted a $40,000 annual program geared toward helping people improve their overall health and longevity. In partnership with lab-test startup Function Health, Optimize by Equinox, is a personalized health program curated by the company to equip participants with a variety of services, including personal training, nutrition plans, sleep coaching, and massage therapy. “It’s really a paradigm shift in how we’re able to live with vitality and avoid suffering,” Jonathan Swerdlin, co-founder of Function Health, said. “It deals with what’s above the surface, your abs and glutes, which you can see in the mirror, that are great. But it also deals with what’s below the surface and what you can’t see in the mirror. And that’s revolutionary.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Equinox (@equinox) Kicking off with a range of tests, t he program is...
Allow her to reintroduce herself! As a self-proclaimed “queen of career pivots,” Necole Kane is the epitome of persistence personified. Her initial claim to becoming widely recognized on the worldwide web began during her late 20s. Before today’s blogs like The Shade Room took over our timelines, Kane was behind the popular celebrity news and gossip blog Necole Bitchie. While the former blogger had great success with the platform — raking in 20 million visitors every month — a shift began of what she wanted for herself. There was an apparent sense of emptiness in both her personal life and in the media. Therefore, after a seven-year run, she shut down the site. The end of that chapter cleared the way for Kane’s ultimate rebrand. “I’m learning that as I create companies to always have them represent my personal growth and where I am in life,” she told AfroTech. “When I crossed over into my thirties, that’s when I started looking for more purpose and intention. I started looking...
Kevin Durant is one of the latest public figures to lend a helping hand to the cannabis space. However, instead of cashing in like other celebrities, he’s more focused on a plan to destigmatize the industry. Earlier this month, the Brooklyn Nets player and his investment firm, Thirty Five Ventures, in addition to its sports media network, Boardroom, inked a multi-year deal with cannabis e-commerce company Weedmaps — dubbed the “Yelp for pot.” The inclusive collaboration will reportedly combat the many misconceptions around cannabis and advocate for its legalization. Moreover, the new partnership includes a sponsorship deal with Boardroom that will help advance the conversation around athletes’ use of cannabis and its wellness properties that can be beneficial for recovery. In addition to that, Boardroom will also work with Weedmaps to produce an original content series, which is tentatively slated to debut in 2022. “Now more than ever, there is so much opportunity for growth in the...
Will Smith ’s fitness journey on Instagram has been inspirational to watch as he puts health first. Now, fans can join in and get in shape with him and his trainers. The actor , rapper and producer recently became the newest ambassador for Fitbit — a fitness and activity tracker. According to a blog post, Fitbit Premium members will have access to exclusive content of Smith’s video series for not only focusing on physical wellness but also fitting mental wellness into one’s daily routine. The first session will be available on Sept. 27. Smith has been sporting the Fitbit Charge 4 and an upgrade of the Charge 5, Fitbit’s latest device, is on its way. Along with the news of Smith’s partnership, the fitness company revealed the new Charge 5 in its press release and it’s set to take health and fitness tracking to the next level. Fitbit describes its wellness benefits as “helping you keep a pulse on your stress, exercise readiness, heart health and overall well-being all in a thinner...
This Juneteenth, it’s not only important to commemorate the value of Black liberation, but health and wellness as well — according to this New York city-based fitness club. Blaque — known as the first luxury fitness experience designed by Black people, for Black people — understands that our community has specific needs for wellness services because of the disproportionate rate at which preventable diseases affect us. This is what prompted the platform to launch The BLAQUE Movement App — the first all-in-one fitness app that caters to Black people. “Our mission [at BLAQUE] is to help Black people live their best lives through optimal fitness and wellness,” the company shares. “Our app-driven coaching program is built by fitness and wellness professionals and provides a customized, interactive and focused approach on cultivating members’ optimal well-being.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by BLAQUE.INC (@blaque.inc) According to BLAQUE, the new app’s features include...
When franchisor Hakika Wise — founder of Kika Stretch Studios — set out to establish her many stretching studios across the country, she had a mindset of being a boss who also helps build others up to achieve boss status too. As one of the first Black women franchisors in the world, Wise knew she had stumbled across something historic in growing her business. However, she knew the work didn’t stop there. With very few Black and brown franchisors, Wise took it upon herself to use her business as a vessel to encourage others to join her on the path to becoming self-made business-owners. As AfroTech previously reported, Wise’s idea to start her own franchise of stretch studios was fueled by her desire to stand out in the business world with a concept not many others were invested in. Through her unique stretching technique and chain of studios, Wise has been able to prove just how lucrative the fitness and wellness industry is. Not only has she helped thousands of people improve their...
Medical physicians have been overworked more than ever this past year, and Dr. Margaret Towolawi took matters into her own hands when the burnout became too real. Dr. Towolawi is a board certified family physician who has been practicing for over a decade in the Seattle area. She cares for children and adults through a variety of services including women’s health , gender affirming care and chronic disease management. Dr. Towolawi previously worked for a large medical group but she left to launch Nurture Wellness Center, her own direct primary care practice which officially opened for business last month. “After close to eight years, I found myself burned out with over 2,000 patients assigned to my patient panel,” Dr. Towolawi told AfroTech in an interview. “Opening a direct primary care practice, with a focus on lifestyle medicine, has been my personal solution to addressing many of the problems within the traditional healthcare setting for physicians and patients alike.” While it...
PepsiCo is partnering with NBA player and philanthropist LeBron James to launch a new kind of energy drink, according to a press release. MTN DEW RISE ENERGY has no sugar but it’s packed with nutrients to provide a mental boost and some immune support. The new drink was created to help people kickstart their mornings and conquer the day, a press release states. The launch of MTN DEW RISE ENERGY is the first installment in PepsiCo’s multiyear partnership with James as the company plans to expand on the icon’s wide range of work. “It’s important to me that I believe in the brands and products where I invest my time. When I first learned about the message behind the drink – the fact that every day is a chance to rise for all of us – that really resonated with me,” James said in a statement. “The ability to rise and find motivation to do more and be more every single morning is powerful. I’m excited about the opportunity to bring that to life through this partnership with PepsiCo.”...
By now, you’re probably scrambling to find the perfect holiday gift for several people in your life—your tech-obsessed bestie, your book-loving bae, and your neighbor who helped you stay sane during the pandemic. Either way, here’s a list of last-minute gifts from Black-owned businesses that you can shop right now (except Telfar, of course!). View this post on Instagram A post shared by kimberly not kim (@museummammy) Black Futures, $40 Authors Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham have curated a collection of Black works—from compelling essays to dazzling art to provocative memes—to present what it means to be a Black creator today. Get one for you and your fav book lover. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yo Soy AfroLatina (@yosoyafrolatina) Yo Soy Afro Latina Negrita Mug, $20 Coffee, tea, or eggnog, this ceramic mug is the best way to drink your beverages. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Moonlight Roller (@moonlightroller) Moonlight Roller Skates,...