Is Chipotle Closing? Company Confirms Expansion Plans Amid Bankruptcy Rumors

Ice-T has officially opened a cannabis dispensary in his home state. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approved his adult-use cannabis dispensary application in partnership with The Medicine Woman —  owned by married couple Charis Burrett and her husband, Luke Burrett — in 2022. “We want everyone to have access to safe cannabis. You are the first application who have said something about the price point. I commend you on that,” CCB member Stacey Flanagan stated . Fast-forward to 2025, and the dispensary has officially touched down in Jersey City, NJ. The Medicine Woman Jersey City held its official soft opening on Thursday, March 27. It will host its grand opening on Saturday, April 19th, and Sunday, April 20th, 2025, according to a press release shared with AFROTECH™. This also marks its first location outside of California. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ICEMFT (@icet) “We’re thrilled to be officially opening the doors of...

Black Economic Alliance Entrepreneurs Fund has reached the halfway point of its funding goal. The fund was launched by the Black Economic Alliance Foundation, which is led by Executive Vice President Alaina Beverly, to create generational wealth for the Black community, working alongside public, private, and social sectors to accomplish this goal, its website notes. Samantha Tweedy is CEO of the coalition behind this effort, Black Economic Alliance, which is made up of “business leaders and aligned advocates.” In 2021, the Washington, DC-based foundation established the Black Economic Alliance Entrepreneurs Fund LP to further its mission and has since onboarded venture capitalist Melissa Bradley, to lead its investment strategy, according to The Business Journals. Bradley was previously recognized as a AFROTECH™ Future 50 Dynamic Investor and founded 1863 Ventures, which provided business development programs, coaching, mentorship, and access to capital primarily for new...

The 18th annual Disney Dreamer’s Academy is underway. It will bring together a diverse group of high school students from across the country for a transformational mentoring program at Walt Disney World Resort. On Thursday, March 27, 2025, “Abbott Elementary” star Tyler James Williams — joining the fun as this year’s “DREAMbassador” — helped welcome 100 high school students who are shaping the future in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to Orlando, FL. The day featured a parade at Magic Kingdom, where Williams served as the honorary grand marshal. After the parade, Williams shared that he was particularly excited to attend storytelling sessions, noting that he’s a storyteller “first and foremost.” When asked by AFROTECH™ about the impact of AI-generated content and streaming platforms on the future of storytelling, Williams said he believes technology will always play a significant role. “I think technology will always play a role,” Williams told...

President Trump is back on his trade war wave — and this time, it’s rolling straight through the auto industry. With a fresh round of 25% tariffs on cars and auto parts set to take effect on April 3, people from the auto industry, from C-suites to dealership floors, are bracing for the impact. The administration says it’s about protecting national security and strengthening the U.S. manufacturing base. But if you’re thinking about buying a car this year, or if your job has anything to do with auto production, here’s the truth: You may be paying more, waiting longer, and dealing with fewer options. And that’s just the beginning. Why The White House Is Saying This Is Necessary According to an official statement from the White House, these tariffs on cars are aimed at keeping America safe. The administration is emphasizing that too many imports are “undermining” the “domestic industrial base” and weakening the U.S. supply chain. The idea is to hit foreign-made cars and parts with a 25%...

Marvin Sapp has long been a pillar of gospel music — but his story isn’t just about hits and accolades. It’s a calling from the divine, a testament to personal resilience, and an unwavering commitment to one’s purpose. With a voice that rings with power and conviction, Sapp has built a legacy that spans faith, music, and community leadership. Marvin Sapp Is More Than A Singer According to Sapp’s church website, the 58-year-old is often quick to clarify his identity: “Not a singer that happens to preach, but a preacher called by God who is gifted to sing.” That dual calling has shaped every step of his journey. From his start singing at the age of 4 to joining the legendary gospel group Commissioned in 1990, and eventually launching his solo career in 1996, Sapp’s artistry has always been an extension of his ministry. As a solo artist, he released influential projects, including “Grace and Mercy,” “Thirsty,” and “Here I Am.” His 2007 hit, “Never Would Have Made It,” became a cultural...

Leave it to Steph Curry and Michelle Obama to remind us that health and flavor don’t have to be enemies. The NBA legend and the forever First Lady have teamed up to launch PLEZi Hydration, a new sports drink aiming to do what health gurus allege Gatorade and Powerade never quite pulled off — offer hydration without compromising on health. Born out of Obama’s public benefit company, PLEZi Nutrition, the drink is marketed as a “healthier” option for individuals who want to stay active without consuming excessive sugar and sodium. According to its website, each 16.9-ounce bottle packs only 12 grams of sugar — less than half of what you’d find in traditional sports drinks — plus 500 mg of potassium, 120 mg of sodium (vs. 210 mg), and the full daily dose of vitamin C. And this isn’t a slap-your-name-on-it celebrity endorsement. Both Curry and Obama were deeply involved in creating the drink from the ground up. Based on a CNBC report, Curry helped with everything from the packaging to the...

Michael Jordan’s sports memorabilia remains highly sought after. AFROTECH™ has covered multiple auction sales featuring memorabilia from Jordan’s legendary NBA career. This includes a jersey worn during his 45-point game during the 1996-1997 season with the Chicago Bulls, which sold for $4.7 million at Sotheby’s auction house in November 2024. “One of the finest Michael Jordan jerseys ever to come to auction, MJ wore this road-red jersey for 5 months and 17 games during the Chicago Bulls legendary 1996-1997 championship season,” Sotheby’s detailed on their Instagram. “In the 1990s, the jersey’s image landed on trading cards, magazines, newspapers, and collectable posters like these from Starline or Costacos Brothers that decorated the walls of kids’ rooms around the world.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sotheby's (@sothebys) In February 2024, a set of six individual sneakers sported by Jordan during his victorious championship season sold for $8 million, which was the...

A directory listing Black doctors has been sued. The Black Doctors Directory offers a comprehensive list of Black doctors in southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Its website mentions that the directory covers specialties such as family medicine, allergy and immunology, neurology, gynecology, and hematology, and highlights doctors who provide high-quality and culturally competent care . “Racial health disparities contribute to poorer outcomes for Black residents, regardless of their education, income, or insurance. Research shows that racial congruence in healthcare—when patients are treated by doctors who share their race—improves outcomes for African American patients,” a statement on the directory’s webpage reads. The directory was launched by Pennsylvania’s only Black talk radio station, WURD Radio, and is presented through a partnership between Penn Medicine and the Consortium of DEI Health Educators. However, the directory is now facing legal scrutiny due to a...