Mellody Hobson is exiting her board role at Starbucks. Hobson is well regarded for her efforts at Ariel Investments, a global value-based asset management firm, where she is responsible for management, strategic planning, and growth beyond research and portfolio management as co-CEO and president, her LinkedIn mentions . In 2021, Hobson launched Ariel Alternatives, LLC, leading to a $1.45 billion raise for its private equity fund, Project Black. This initiative aims to support both non-minority-owned middle-market companies and those currently owned by Black and Latino entrepreneurs that generate $100 million to $1 billion in revenue, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. With funding, these companies would then be expected to transform into certified minority business enterprises of scale to serve as Tier 1 suppliers to the Fortune 500. Hobson has also been tied to various corporate boardrooms. She was a board member of the Estée Lauder Companies and chairman of the board of DreamWorks...

Financial changes can be stressful, especially when you’re nervous about a pay cut or job loss. You know you need to do something to make yourself happier, but execution isn’t always there. You might want a career change altogether with your current employer. Or, maybe you want to start your own business and are feeling confined in your current industry . New Year’s resolutions are a common time when people reflect on both. No one wants to start the year with an employer that they don’t like or at a job where they feel unfulfilled. Could asking motivational interviewing questions be what you need to figure out your career long-term? What Are The 6 A’s Of Motivational Interviewing? Motivational interviewing questions started off with a connection in the health care industry. In the clinical trial report Do the five A’s work when physicians counsel about weight loss? from 2011, physicians would often participate in the Ask and the Advise but rarely continue on with the Assess, Assist...

The workforce is shifting in ways we’ve never seen before, and 2025 is the year to be strategic. From AI jobs changing the future to frontline roles making a major comeback, the opportunities are out there — but thriving in this market requires more than just showing up. “It’s a fresh year, and I know the pressure’s on to hit the ground running,” says Andrew McCaskill. “The job market feels tough right now. Competition is fierce. Black professionals and people of color are facing some unique challenges, from systemic racism to limited access to mentors and sponsors. Despite the challenges, opportunity is still out there, and we always persevere. The key is to work smarter, not harder.” As we explored in a recent AFROTECH™ breakdown of workforce trends, industries like AI, travel, and healthcare are booming, offering new opportunities for professionals ready to pivot or grow. LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2025 report takes it a step further by spotlighting 25 of the fastest-growing...

If the workforce were a playlist, 2025 would give “Renaissance” by Beyoncé — a vibe shift, a reset, and a clear signal that the world of work is hitting some new high notes. The game is changing, and whether it’s artificial intelligence (AI) running point, the return of curated travel experiences, or frontline roles making a comeback, one thing is clear: opportunities are out here, but they won’t fall into your lap. For Black professionals, the stakes are high. Job competition is fierce, with 2.5 applicants per role compared to 1.5 in 2022. Confidence is shaky, and hiring managers ghost candidates like they forgot the assignment. However, according to LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2025 report , nearly 60% of these roles are fresh on the scene, signaling change and opportunity. “Fields like AI, experiential industries, and frontline jobs are booming, offering fresh opportunities to break into spaces where we’ve historically been underrepresented,” says Andrew McCaskill. AI: The...

Having a game plan always pays off. Anderson Douglas, a Houston, TX-based professional with a background in engineering, has spent nearly a decade working as a sales consultant. At one point in his career, he transitioned into the tech industry but stepped away for some time until November 2024. “I felt like the position that I was in, it was great pay. I just wasn’t maximizing my potential in regards to having an engineering background,” he told AFROTECH™. Douglas applied to countless tech roles and was receiving rejection emails. However, his fate would change during his attendance at AFROTECH™ Conference held in November 2024 in Houston, TX. Douglas purchased a corporate ticket, and his approach for the conference was to build authentic connections rather than focus solely on leaving with an offer. By engaging on the expo floor and having less formal follow-up conversations at events, he strengthened his connections with recruiters. He also leveraged a 15-second elevator pitch,...

In today’s competitive job market , having additional licenses, certifications, education , and training can give you a significant edge, enhance your resume, and make you more marketable to employers. The best part? Some of these credentials are easy to obtain and don’t require years of study or experience. Here’s a guide to some simple yet impactful licenses and certifications that can help you advance your career. Google Analytics Certification Google Analytics certification is a must-have for professionals in marketing, e-commerce, and web development. This free certification, offered by Google, provides a solid foundation in analyzing web traffic, understanding customer behavior, and optimizing online performance. According to DashThis , the certification helps professionals improve their data interpretation skills, a critical aspect of any business reliant on digital channels. The program is beginner-friendly and can be completed in under 10 hours. It also sets candidates...

Employers’ liability insurance is a crucial type of business insurance designed to protect employers from financial loss if an employee sues for a work-related injury or illness. While workers’ compensation insurance typically covers medical expenses and lost wages for injured employees, employers’ liability insurance provides coverage when an employee alleges that negligence or unsafe practices by the employer directly contributed to their injury or illness. This insurance safeguards businesses against potentially devastating lawsuits, ensuring that employers can manage legal and financial risks effectively. How Employers’ Liability Insurance Works Employers ’ liability insurance comes into play when an employee believes their injury or illness resulted from the employer’s negligence and chooses to file a lawsuit rather than rely solely on workers’ compensation benefits. For example, an employee might claim the employer failed to provide adequate safety training, leading to an...

The evolution of business-to-business (B2B) advertising has changed over the decades. Previously, businesses would spread the word about their services by sharing business cards, postcards, mail brochures, newspaper classified ads, online classifieds, full-color magazine ads and pay for booths at in-person company conventions. But with the founding of Twitter by Jack Dorsey , Noah Glass, Biz Stone and Evan Williams came the introduction of a new way for companies to network via digital marketing . It’s largely credited to a product designer named Chris Messina in Silicon Valley. His idea? Hashtags. Why Were Hashtags First Used? Messina observed how Internet chat rooms were using the pound (#) symbol and thought it would be useful for a “group organizing framework.” Although his 2007 idea was originally dismissed as “nerdy” and others were convinced it wouldn’t catch on, clearly Messina was right in the long run. By 2009, Twitter was using hashtags. In 2012, hashtags became popularly...

Writing a letter of recommendation for a friend can feel like an honor and a responsibility. It’s an opportunity to support someone you care about while helping them advance in their career , education , or personal endeavors. A well-crafted recommendation letter can make a strong impression on potential employers, admissions committees, or other evaluators. Here’s a guide to help you write a thoughtful and effective letter of recommendation for a friend. Understand The Purpose Of The Letter Before you start writing a letter of recommendation for a friend, clarify the purpose of the letter itself. Is it for a job, graduate school, a volunteer position, or something else? Understanding the context will help you tailor the letter to meet the specific requirements. Ask your friend for details about the opportunity, such as the job description or program guidelines, so you can align your tone and content with what the recipient expects. Much like creating a resume, tailoring the letter...

Economic challenges often force companies to make tough decisions about their workforce, with “furlough” and “layoff” being two terms frequently mentioned. While both terms involve disruptions to employment, they carry different implications for employees and businesses. Understanding these differences is crucial for navigating uncertain times and planning the next steps effectively. What Is A Furlough? A furlough is a temporary, unpaid leave of absence initiated by an employer. Unlike a layoff, a furlough allows employees to remain on the company’s payroll, maintaining their employment status even though they are not actively working or receiving pay. The key feature of a furlough is its temporary nature, as it is typically used when a company expects to bring employees back once conditions improve. Employees on furlough often retain access to certain benefits, such as health insurance, depending on company policies and the length of the furlough. Employers use furloughs to manage...

When you’re in a job interview, one common question you may face is, “What was your biggest non-technical challenge?” This question is often asked to gauge your problem-solving abilities, resilience, and interpersonal skills. Since it’s not focused on your technical expertise, the answer gives employers insight into how you handle difficult situations, work with others, and grow from adversity. Here’s how to effectively approach this question and craft a strong, thoughtful response. Understand The Question The “biggest non-technical challenge” question is meant to assess how you handle situations that don’t necessarily involve technical skills but still affect your ability to succeed in a workplace. This can involve anything from communication issues, managing conflicts, handling stress, or overcoming personal obstacles that impacted your work. It’s essential to understand that the goal is to demonstrate your emotional intelligence, adaptability, and capacity for self-improvement....

After a job interview , it can be difficult to gauge how well you performed and whether you’ll receive an offer. However, there are certain signs to look for that may indicate the employer is leaning toward offering you the position. While no sign is guaranteed, recognizing these signals can help ease your mind and give you a better idea of where you stand. Positive Body Language From The Interviewer One of the most noticeable signs that you may get the job is positive body language from the interviewer. If they maintain eye contact, smile frequently, and lean in during the conversation, it could suggest genuine interest in you as a candidate. Furthermore, if the interviewer mirrors your movements or gestures, it can be a subconscious sign of rapport and connection. Subtle body language cues, such as nodding in agreement or uncrossing their arms, can also signal that the interviewer feels comfortable and open to what you’re saying. Studies show that interviewers who are engaged...

All too often, job seekers will notice a job that they’re fully qualified to do, but their resumes may not reflect this. There could be gaps in employment, job titles that don’t match well with a different job description or lack of experience as a recent graduate. Using a functional resume, instead of a chronological resume, can be a useful way to get past the artificial intelligence resume barriers and into a busy hiring manager’s inbox. What Is A Functional Resume? The traditional resume starts from your current (relevant) job to your first job, breaking down job titles, time of employment and job descriptions. In chronological order, this allows a hiring manager to see how you may have moved up the ladder to where you are now. The problem with this resume is there may be stagnant moments or jobs that have nothing to do with what the employer is looking for. This is when a functional resume comes into play, especially if you’re pursuing a career change. You have the chance to be...

AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 was in Houston, TX, from Nov. 13 to 17 — and on Day 3, LinkedIn hosted an Executive Stage session titled “The Path Forward: Adapting Amidst Rapid Tech.” Career expert Drew McCaskill and technology leader Bef Ayenew led the panel to discuss artificial intelligence’s transformative impact on jobs, teams, and companies. With 1.1 billion members leveraging LinkedIn for career growth, knowledge sharing, skill development, and community building, many have already enhanced their profiles with AI skills . “We’ve seen 140x in times in LinkedIn members globally adding AI skills to their LinkedIn profiles. That’s 140x increase in people adding those skills,” McCaskill said. “70% of companies are reporting that they’re using AI already at work. If you think about it like this, 25% of the skills needed for the jobs that all of us do and have been doing for the past eight years have changed.” “So even if you’re not changing jobs, your jobs are changing on you,” he...

The concept of work/life balance has been a significant sticking point in the social consciousness for years now, especially highlighted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and beyond. For some working individuals, going above and beyond seems to be the only way to feel valued at work, while others argue that they’re only willing to offer minimum performance for minimum payment . The value of hard work has long been a topic of debate, sparking discussions among young professionals and seasoned industry leaders alike—from boardrooms to online forums and beyond. Most recently, American tech mogul Marc Andreessen weighed in, introducing his argument for keeping the so-called “full self” out of the office. To understand the breadth of Andreessen’s comments, we’ll have to briefly unpack what it means to present your full self, dive into the collective opinion on American workplace values, and study industry trends in both social and professional spaces. It’s unlikely that we’ll...