Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the most recognizable figures in modern science, known for making complex astrophysical concepts accessible to the public. With a career spanning decades in academia, television, and publishing, Tyson has built a brand that extends beyond traditional science communication. His earnings come from multiple sources, including books, speaking engagements, television appearances, and his role as director of the Hayden Planetarium. But just how much has this made him? Let’s break down his financial journey before revealing his net worth . How Neil deGrasse Tyson Became a Science Icon Tyson’s passion for astrophysics began at an early age. After earning degrees from Harvard, the University of Texas at Austin, and Columbia University, he became a leading voice in the field. He gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s as the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. His ability to explain complex scientific theories in...

Technology is enabling fans to immerse themselves in the music of legendary artists like Janet Jackson. The “Anytime, Anyplace” songstress is currently headlining a residency at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, NV, running through May 31, 2025. Fans can relive 42 of her timeless hits, including “I Get Lonely” and “When I Think of You.” The latter, released in 1986 as the third single from her “Control” album, became her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as Billboard notes. Jackson’s Vegas residency carries deep significance. Her career began when she was seven years old at MGM Las Vegas. She performed alongside sisters Rebbie and La Toya, as noted in Las Vegas Magazine. “I will always have a very, very special place in my heart for Las Vegas. I started my career here 51 years ago. I love you so much,” Jackson said during her performance on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Photo Credit: Resorts World Theatre L-Acoustics With a career spanning five decades, Jackson’s passion for performing...

Da Brat has been a powerhouse in the hip-hop industry for decades, making history as the first female rapper to go platinum. Over the years, she has expanded her career beyond music, diving into business ventures, television, and radio. With multiple streams of income and a legacy that continues to influence hip-hop, Da Brat’s net worth in 2025 reflects her longevity in the industry and her smart financial moves. Da Brat’s Rise To Fame Born Shawntae Harris, Da Brat burst onto the hip-hop scene in the early 1990s after winning a rap contest that caught the attention of producer Jermaine Dupri. Under his guidance, she signed with So So Def Recordings and released her debut album, Funkdafied , in 1994. The album was a massive success, selling over a million copies and making Da Brat the first solo female rapper to achieve platinum status. Her distinctive flow, energetic delivery, and ability to blend street rap with mainstream appeal helped her carve out a unique space in the industry....

Despite President Donald Trump’s orders, Comcast is one of several media companies the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating for allegedly promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. According to Reuters, FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced the opening of the investigation into NBC News and its parent company, Comcast, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2025, citing “substantial evidence” that the companies continue to promote DEI. Carr noted that Comcast operates across multiple FCC-regulated sectors, including cable, high-speed internet, broadcast television stations, and wireless services. “The FCC will be taking fresh action to ensure that every entity the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act… including by shutting down any programs that promote invidious forms of DEI discrimination,” the letter to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts read, per Reuters. The FCC is also reviewing whether a “60 Minutes” interview with...

Over 123 million people worldwide tuned into Super Bowl LIX this year to see the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles . Whether you watched from a sports bar, from your couch or from the seats at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, you likely encountered a number of highlights from the game itself, the electrifying halftime performance and the hilarious array of eye-popping ads. It’s long been known that the big game is the premiere advertising event of the year, as brands across the nation have a chance to place their product or service in front of millions of viewers from all over the globe. Many major companies utilize their Super Bowl ad space to launch brand new products, high-ticket expansions or comedic pop culture zingers designed to be dissected by the water cooler the following week. But how much are these companies really paying out to get their ads out there? It seems as though each Super Bowl carries an exponential price tag for air time, even...

In a move that has sparked considerable debate, PBS announced the closure of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, citing compliance with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. According to Deadline, the decision was confirmed through a memo from PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger, marking a significant rollback of the organization’s DEI efforts — a trend increasingly observed across public and private sectors as political pressures increase. A Sudden Shift In Strategy As reported by The New York Times reporter Ben Mullin via X (formerly Twitter), the memo revealed that PBS’s DEI office would be shuttered and that key leaders Cecilia Loving, senior vice president of DEI, and Gina Leow, director of DEI, would be departing the organization. Kerger noted, “To ensure that we are complying with the president’s executive order, we have closed our DEI office, and Cecilia Loving and Gina Leow are leaving PBS.” Adding to the dissonance is the fact that this...

The Grammy Awards marked a major moment for Beyoncé — and her Spotify streams. After taking home the Album of the Year award for the first time on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 — following four previous nominations without a win — the singer’s eighth studio album “Cowboy Carter” saw a 795% increase in streaming on Spotify compared to the previous day, according to Variety. Tracks such as “My Rose” and “Oh Louisiana” experienced a 175% increase, while “Ameriican Requiem” rose by 170%. “Protector” increased by 150%, “Alligator Tears” by 140%, and “II Most Wanted” by 135%. “I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said during her Grammy acceptance speech. “I just want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, for all of the hard work.” Beyoncé’s Album of the Year win made her the first Black woman to win since Lauryn Hill for “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in 1999. The Houston, TX, native also won the Best Country Album...

Lil Yachty always knew he would be able to get rich with rap. The artist took a blast to the past on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast. Before betting fully on his music dreams and dropping out of college in the process, he worked several job. His mother, a businesswoman , instilled in him the importance of education and working. “My mother’s from a different time period than me as to where, like you know, her parents worked in steel mills, you know, and they instilled college in her. She’s from Gary, IN, so all she knew was a degree career,” he said on the podcast. “So, I’m like ‘I’m going to be rich off rap,’ and I’m from a little suburban area outside Atlanta (GA), where no one was famous, right. It was low to middle income. It was just regular, right. So, she’s like, ‘You got like a one-in-a-million chance.'” At 15, Lil Yachty worked at McDonald’s as a cook, and a year later he spent a month working at Six Flags amusement park during its Fright Fest. He also altered...

22-year-old Angel Reese has fulfilled her wish to retire her mother. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the WNBA player for the Chicago Sky is vocal about how her mother, Angel Webb Reese, has influenced her journey. Beginning at 4 years old, Reese was courtside at her mother’s games. “I used to go to my mom’s games when I was younger. She used to play in a little league, and I used to always go watch her games on Sundays. That was something that was always inspiring to me,” Reese explained to Just Women’s Sports. “She’s always been independent and she molded that into me. I am who I am because of her.” Angel Webb Reese, who played basketball for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), was inducted into its Athletics Hall of Fame, notes Today. She also went on to have a professional career in Luxembourg. Her daughter is carrying the basketball torch while also making strides beyond the sport in business, guided by her agents, Jeanine Ogbonnaya and Gina Paradiso. As a...

Success in business is as much about strategy as it is about skill. Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power has long been a guide for those looking to navigate the complexities of leadership , negotiation, and influence. While the book is often seen as controversial, its insights can be powerful tools when applied with intention and ethics. Below are key quotes from The 48 Laws of Power that can provide valuable lessons for business professionals striving to master their industry. “Never Outshine The Master.” In business, understanding hierarchy is crucial. Whether you’re working for a company or building your own, making superiors feel secure in their position ensures smoother professional relationships. Many careers have been derailed because an employee unintentionally threatened their boss’s authority. The key takeaway? Demonstrate competence, but allow those above you to take credit when necessary. Influence is built strategically, not by brute force. “So Much Depends On...

Actor Djimon Hounsou believes he has not been given his just dues. The actor, who has remained in the industry for at least 30 years, pursued a career in acting in the U.S. after moving from Cotonou, Benin, at 23 years old, MarketWatch reports . Prior to his time in the U.S., he had experienced financial troubles, which led to homelessness for an 18-month period, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. However, his fate would take a turn in 1992 when he appeared in the film “Unlawful Entry.” In 1997, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama for his performance in Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad,” and an even bigger break came three years later with the Oscar-winning film “Gladiator.” However, despite what seems like a solid career, Hounsou feels overlooked and underpaid. “I am still struggling trying to make a living,” Hounsou said, according to Variety. “After 30 years…Maybe the first 10 years was trying to acclimate myself to the industry, to establish myself. But I’ve...

South African billionaire Elon Musk is known for his desire to swallow up companies and rebrand them with his own trendy vision. The Tesla CEO previously used his familial wealth to purchase stakes in such businesses as PayPal, SpaceX and of course, X (formerly Twitter). Now, according to official statements made by the Trump administration cabinet pick, the emerald mine profiteer is considering buying the rights to Vine, a defunct app which predates TikTok . This would be a major development in the world of social media, since the latter is still potentially facing a long-term ban within the United States, unless the app’s parent company ByteDance can agree to divest to American financial interests. When prompted by a fellow X user about bringing Vine back into the fray to fill in the power vacuum left by TikTok, Musk simply responded, “We’re looking into it.” So, now seems like as good a time as any to examine what Vine is (or was), how Elon could bring it back to compete with...

If you’ve been plugged into the stand-up comedy scene at all in the last decade or so, you’re likely well acquainted with the name Roy Wood Jr. The hilarious comedian, best known for his work as a long-time correspondent and occasional guest host on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” can most recently be seen cracking up the panel on CNN’s “Have I Got News For You.” Wood may not have invented the comedy news genre, though he’s certainly put his own entertaining spin on it, having gone on to head such significant events as the White House Correspondents Dinner . His latest stand-up comedy special, “Lonely Flowers,” premiered on Hulu today, Jan. 17. Since Roy Wood Jr has become such a hot commodity in the world of comedy lately, it only makes sense that fans are wondering just how much cash he’s taken in with his numerous hosting and writing gigs. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide to Wood’s life, career and overall net worth. Wood’s Early Life And Career...

Rashida Jones is stepping down as president of MSNBC, marking a significant transition just days before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House . USA Today reports that she will remain in an advisory role until March. Rebecca Kutler, a Jones recruit from CNN and MSNBC’s senior vice president of content strategy, will serve as the interim president. “I came to this decision over the holidays while reflecting on our remarkable journey and the many successes we’ve achieved together as a team,” Jones shared in an internal memo to staff, per USA Today. “This has been the most rewarding chapter of my professional career and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished, which has been made possible only by you.” Jones was the first Black woman to head a major television news network when appointed in December 2020, AFROTECH™ previously reported. She succeeded Phil Griffin, officially stepping into the role in Feb. 1, 2021. Jones previously served as senior vice...

Dawn Staley continues to offer a guiding hand to basketball star Aliyah Boston. The pair first teamed up at The University of South Carolina. Staley serves as the school’s head coach of women’s basketball and is currently signed to a historic seven-year contract that has made her the highest-paid head coach in NCAA Women’s Basketball, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Boston played under Staley’s leadership from 2019 to 2023. Together, they won one national titles against the University of Connecticut in 2022, notes NBC-10 Philadelphia. Boston’s collegiate career would position her as the school’s all-time leader in overall rebounds, offensive and defensive rebounds, blocked shots in SEC games, double-doubles, and triple-doubles, among others, according to the WNBA. She is also a four-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time National Player of the Year, and two-time SEC Player of the Year. Throughout it all, Staley has remained front and center as a fan even as Boston...