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Popular streamer and creator IShowSpeed made his first $1 million at 16. Also known as Darren Watkins Jr., he currently boasts an impressive 33.5 million subscribers on one of his YouTube channels alone, as well as an additional 26.9 million followers on Instagram. His early motivation to keep creating content as a freshman in high school also stayed with him, he explained on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast with Shannon Sharpe. “My sophomore year, I kind of gave up on school. I kind of gave up on everything that I had in my old life and just put everything on my stream. I streamed every day. I didn’t care about nothing else except Youtube streaming,” IShowSpeed said on the podcast. His mother initially had hesitations about streaming, even after his first viral clip garnered 30,000 views. She gave him an ultimatum: quit streaming or leave her home. With 2,000 subscribers at the time, he chose the latter and moved in with his father in Detroit, MI. “Once I start something, I’m not...
Keke Palmer has no regrets about being the breadwinner for her family. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Palmer earned her first $1 million at just 12 years old as a child actress . At that time, her parents, Sharon and Larry, also hired a business manager to help oversee her finances. “They wanted me to know that they weren’t the ones controlling my money. They had heard these stories, and my mom said ‘I don’t want money to come in between me and my child,'” Palmer said on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast. Her parents would remain her backbone as she found her footing in Hollywood. Her early acting footprint included roles in “Barbershop 2: Back in Business”, “Akeelah and the Bee,” and “Jump In!” In 2008, she landed her own show on Nickelodeon with “True Jackson, VP” and her “life was changed after that,” she told People. “I was happy my family, we came to California for me to pursue my dreams I got my own show, right. H oney, my parents at their best made $40,000 a year growing...
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....
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...
Alicia Scott made history with her appearance on on “Shark Tank.” Scott, a former account executive, is the founder of the cosmetic brand Range Beauty, which was supported through a personal investment of $150, she revealed on the Foundr podcast. The company, marketed as a “clean beauty brand for the forgotten shades” and geared towards acne & eczema-prone skin, officially launched in August 2018, according to its LinkedIn. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Range Beauty (@rangebeauty) Within two months of its launch, she was contacted by a Target buyer interested in potentially shelving the product. At the time, Scott wasn’t quite ready to take that business leap, but felt validated by their interest “T hat’s where I felt like ‘Okay if a major retailer is reaching out that means I have something,'” she explained on the podcast. The company’s potential shone once more when a surge of orders followed an influencer ‘s social media post praising its inclusive shade range. At...
Lady London chose to pursue rap after being accepted into medical school. While speaking on Revolt’s podcast, “The Blackprint,” the rapper born Zaire Miylaun Stewart reflected on the pivotal moments that led to her transition into music. She boasts two degrees, starting with a bachelor’s from Howard University, where she double-majored in sports medicine and chemistry. Lady London holds her time at the Historically Black College and University in high regard. “I was a rambunctious teenager. I went away to school because I was always told I had to go to school..and if I was going to be a part of community it had to be the Black community. So I went to a HBCU. I wanted educational goals but I didn’t think I would come out with so much experience of life. I know there’s like this whole thing where they say like ‘PWIs are the real reality of school because 72% of the world is white. The reality is if you learn how to make it in these communities and at Howard, if you can make it at...
A Morehouse School of Medicine graduate has opened a bookstore to uplift her surrounding community. According to a news release, Dr. Viola Lanier, who boasts a Master of Science in biomedical research and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, has launched Better Today Books & Boutique, located at 2300 Shallowford Rd., Ste. 8, Marietta, GA 30066. In a video shared on the bookstore’s Instagram page, Lanier recounts her journey to owning the storefront. It began after a spa visit, when she noticed a “For Lease” sign on the door of the location while heading home. Intrigued, she reached out to the landlord to arrange a tour. “Wasn’t too impressed about the condition, but I said, ‘You know what? This is a place.’ But I figured I could make it work, even though I was skeptical about a lot. I got it. Anyway, so we’re putting a check mark on these dreams. Y’all stick with me as you renovate,” she explained in the video. Seeing the potential, Lanier’s interest put her on the path to establishing...
A startup dedicated to preserving African languages has secured new funding. Founded in 2022 and backed by Techstars, Lingawa was established by siblings Frank Akinwande Williams (CEO) and Yvonne Williams (COO), along with third co-founder Uche Azinge (CTO). Previously operating under the name TopSet, its inception was driven by Frank’s and Yvonne’s difficulties in learning their native language, Yoruba. “As Nigerians growing up in the UK, my sister Yvonne W and I always felt a deep connection to our heritage—but also an uncomfortable distance. We struggled to speak our native tongue, Yoruba, fluently, and with that came a sense of loss and even shame,” Williams said on LinkedIn. “There’s an unspoken belief that understanding your language is tied to understanding yourself, your culture, and your place in the world. It was a feeling we carried with us for years.” He continued, “As we grew older, we realized that this experience wasn’t unique to us. Millions of Africans, Asians, and...
Rumors surrounding Cynthia Erivo’s and Ariana Grande’s compensation have been addressed. T he two actresses star in “ Wicked ,” directed by Jon M. Chu. The film impressed with a stellar opening weekend, earning $162.5 million globally, according to Deadline. Based on the Broadway adaptation, it was produced on a budget ranging from $145 million to $150 million, per Screen Rant. Grande plays Glinda the Good Witch while Erivo plays Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West. Speaking on their roles, Grande commented to Blavity’s Shadow and Act, “I think it’s such an incredible honor and privilege to be trusted with the responsibility of playing Glinda, a role that I’ve loved since I was 10. And it does in a way, feel like a reintroduction. I feel like for both of us [Cynthia and I], this baby of ours has been a secret for such a long time. And I know it’s coming fast, and it’s loud, and it’s everywhere, but it’s been such an intimate part of our lives for the past three and a half years...
Melissa Bradley is turning a new leaf! Since 2016, Bradley, who was featured as an AFROTECH™ Future 50 Dynamic Investor, has been the proud founder of Washington, DC-based 1863 Ventures, which provides business development programs, coaching, mentorship, and access to capital primarily for new entrepreneurs, as noted on her LinkedIn profile. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the venture aims to create $100 billion in wealth for the “New Majority,” Black and brown entrepreneurs. This goal is reflected in its portfolio, which comprises 90% Black-owned businesses, including the following: Nubian Heumann Eu’Genia Shea Harlem Candle Co. The Black Girl Doctor Now, eight years into 1863 Ventures’ inception, the Washington Business Journal has reported that the organization’s board voted to close down 1863’s nonprofit arm, which focused on early-stage companies. Currently, Bradley is on the hunt for a partner who can take on ownership of its portfolio companies, which have benefited from an...
Playing the long game paid off for Lady London. While speaking with Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels on “The Blackprint” podcast, the Bronx, NY-born artist spoke candidly about her journey into securing revenue through brand partnerships. It all began by considering the brands she often used and researching what she needed to build relationships and land opportunities. “I started YouTubing things like how are people reaching out to brands and figuring out like who’s their key point? Who handles talent? Who handles like brand partnerships within this thing? Reaching out to them with emails, forming a deck. Get your one-sheet or your EPK (Electronic Press Kit),” she explained on the podcast. Key metrics she flagged that help individuals determine their brand value included follower count, the number of females and males interacting with content, and the top five target areas. Lady London added, “Show all the things that make you a person on one thing, and send it off to brands and say,...
Mielle Organics will be providing scholarships and more to Hampton University’s female athletes. According to a news release, Mielle Organics, led by Monique Rodriguez (founder and CEO), and Hampton Athletics have cemented a multi-year partnership with the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) for its women’s basketball team. “We are honored to partner with Mielle,” Tamisha Augustin, Hampton women’s basketball head coach, expressed in a news release . “Mielle is an innovator in textured hair products and care. We value our relationship and appreciate their efforts in proudly contributing to the success of our program.” What’s more, the partnership will include an initial $200,000 donation, with another $100,000 being allocated to scholarships for the student-athletes through Rodriguez’s philanthropic initiative, Mielle Cares, which she co-founded with her husband, Melvin Rodriguez. Already serving as the WNBA’s first textured hair care partner, Mielle’s business...
Russell Westbrook is returning to familiar ground with his latest investment. The NBA player, currently with the Denver Nuggets, began his journey into the league as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, reports StatMuse. He spent 11 seasons with the team, becoming its all-time leading scorer with 18,859 points, according to separate data from StatMuse. “I spent a significant amount of time in Oklahoma City, so to me, that place is very special and is like a second home,” Westbrook told Bloomberg. Driven by his love for the city, Westbrook has reinvested in the community through sports and entertainment, partnering Russell Westbrook Enterprises with Christian Kanady’s firm, Echo. His contribution is estimated to be around $10 million. “My time with the OKC Thunder shaped so much of who I am, so becoming Christian’s partner and investing in the city’s continued growth is not only exciting personally, but Echo’s Sports and Entertainment...
Somtochukwu “Somie” Agunwah wants to empower the next generation of dental students. QCity Metro reports that Agunwah, who moved from Lagos, Nigeria, to Charlotte, NC, in 2003, initially pursued a career in nursing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte and worked as a critical care nurse in Washington, DC, at Howard University Hospital. However, she soon realized that nursing was not the career path she wanted to continue. “I didn’t like the lifestyle of the medical doctors that I was interacting with,” Agunwah told the outlet, referencing the lack of work-life balance and long hours. Agunwah discovered her true calling while working under a Maryland dentist. She pivoted to attend Howard University College of Dentistry, later completing a pediatric residency in Brooklyn, NY. Reflecting on her mission, she decided to focus her efforts on prioritizing children. “They are still teachable,” Agunwah explained, according to QCity...
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is making significant moves in the real estate sector. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, the boxing world champion has invested $402 million in an affordable housing project in New York, which includes over 60 buildings with more than 1,000 units “Growing up, I used to dream about owning just one home by myself, when you work hard you can achieve anything,” Mayweather told TMZ. Mayweather’s investments in real estate also include ownership of nine skyscrapers in New York through a partnership with SL Green. “‘You see that building right there? Yeah, we own that. You see this building? We own it.’ So we was walking and walking . Then he said, ‘You know, a boxer makes money when he’s boxing. A football player makes money when he’s playing football. A basketball player makes money when he’s playing basketball.’ He said, ‘But New York real estate, you make money when you sleep.’” On Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, Mayweather also invested in a $10 billion office portfolio...