Is TikTok Getting Banned Tomorrow In The US?

Florida A&M University (FAMU) has lost a significant grant that helped produced 60% of the nation’s Ph.D. graduates in pharmaceutical sciences. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the Historically Black College and University’s (HBCU) pharmacy school and its Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program will not receive planned funding because a $16.3 million grant supporting them was terminated on March 21. The grant, awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and renewed in 2024, was originally scheduled to run through March 2029. “The funding was awarded to support new faculty hires and enhanced research in key areas such as artificial intelligence, bioinformatics and cancer biology,” FAMU Interim President Timothy Beard said in a statement, according to the outlet. “For nearly 40 years, faculty and graduate students have relied on this center to conduct biomedical and health research.” He also mentioned, “The program is a critical contributor to the...

Friday, April 4, 2025, marked the second consecutive day major U.S. stock indexes fell sharply, a downtrend that follows President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs announcement and China’s Friday morning declaration to impose a 34% duty on U.S. goods in retaliation. According to NBC News, significant market losses included Tesla , Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company, which fell by approximately 10%; agricultural equipment leader Caterpillar, down about 6%; and top AI chip manufacturer Nvidia, which declined by approximately 7%. The S&P 500 index, which tracks 500 leading U.S. companies, dropped more than 4%, down more than 16% from its peak. The Russell 2000 index, which follows stocks of smaller U.S. companies, plummeted by 5.3%. Global markets also experienced significant sell-offs, with European stocks declining 10% from recent highs and Asian markets facing sharp drops. After the market had closed on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Trump announced from the White House’s Rose Garden that...

The global economy is not just shaped by technology or innovation — it’s governed by decisions made behind closed doors, often under the guise of economic strategy. One such decision, the imposition of tariffs, is anything but neutral. It is an instrument of pressure, a marker of priority, and increasingly, a reflection of geopolitical posture. Tariffs have reemerged as a centerpiece of American economic policy, not as quiet fiscal levers but as loud, disruptive statements. The Trump administration’s recent directive — a flat 10% base tariff on all imports and a sweeping set of reciprocal tariffs targeting nearly 90 countries — represents a radical reorientation of U.S. trade policy. In an interconnected world already strained by inflation, global supply chain challenges, and diplomatic fragility, these decisions matter deeply — and immediately. What Are Tariffs? At their core, tariffs are taxes on imported goods, imposed by governments to influence the cost and flow of trade. By...

The future of tech is being shaped by innovative minds, and at ServiceNow, the spotlight is on the brilliant individuals who are driving change. At the forefront of this narrative is Kendra Bailey, a Generative AI (GenAI) solutions architect at ServiceNow. Her testimony is one of perseverance, growth, and the power of embracing one’s unique perspective. Building skills to provide solutions Kendra’s journey began seven years ago as a tester and intern with a ServiceNow partner. In less than a year, she transitioned into a full-time developer role, taking the reins on her first project. Her trajectory within the ServiceNow ecosystem exemplifies what’s possible when skill meets opportunity. Now, as a GenAI solutions architect, she is committed to advancing generative AI solutions, ensuring customers have seamless experiences and successful outcomes with ServiceNow’s technology. Getting out of her own head For many Black professionals in tech, imposter syndrome and self-doubt can be...

Tariffs on imported goods imposed by President Donald Trump will impact small business owners. AP News reports that the Trump administration has announced new tariff policies, including a 34% tax on imports from China, a 20% tax on imports from the European Union, and a 10% baseline tax on most imports. According to a press release from the White House, the 10% baseline will take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 5, 2025, while the countries with higher tariff rates will have to comply by at 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 9, 2025. Trump hopes to restore balance to global trade and believes imposing these tariffs will lead to billions in revenue for the U.S., AP News notes. “I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal, that means they do it to us and we do it to them… This is one of the most important days in my opinion in American history,” Trump said during a “Make America Wealthy Again” event on April 2, according to...

Target’s foot traffic has taken another decline amid a 40-day boycott. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the retailer reversed its three-year diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments, dismantling a program that helped Black and minority-owned businesses secure shelf space. Additionally, the company is no longer required to submit reports to external diversity-focused groups. “Many years of data, insights, listening, and learning have been shaping this next chapter in our strategy,” said Kiera Fernandez, chief community impact and equity officer at Target, according to NBC News. “And as a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future — all in service of driving Target’s growth and winning together.” This comes as other major companies , like Walmart , have removed race and gender as factors for granting supplier contracts. McDonald’s also discontinued its...

Success comes with its moments, and Pinky Cole Hayes knows this firsthand. Cole Hayes is the mastermind behind Slutty Vegan restaurant, with seven locations, primarily in Georgia. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the company’s market value was estimated at nearly $100 million by 2022, which included $25 million from a Series A funding round. Over the years, the company’s triumphs included expanding to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Spelman College, although the location at the HBCU has since closed. Cole Hayes has experienced roadblocks with the venture in 2024, and those challenges led to her losing the business, she told People. “Right now, in this moment, I’ve really been in a place of peace, but I had a really rocky 2024. Our corporate overhead was about $10 million,” Cole Hayes mentioned to People. “I was chasing something that I couldn’t catch for so many reasons.” Cole Hayes also acknowledged that she had not been “the operational person,” which has led...

Tesla’s delivery numbers are in. Elon Musk, founder of the electric vehicle and clean energy company, has faced significant setbacks, partly due to his decision to align with President Donald Trump. Musk is working at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), therefore he has access to the sensitive information of American citizens, CBS News reports. Additionally, staffers involved with DOGE — along with employees from Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX — are part of an effort to shut down federal agencies with the goal of decreasing government spending, NPR notes. So far, DOGE has also ended 109 contracts, including those the Department of Energy and Department of Commerce had, with a “ceiling value” exceeding $1 billion, which led to $420 million in savings, Newsweek mentions. DOGE’s efforts have been met with great opposition, which has also impacted Tesla. A survey conducted by NBC news states that while 46% of voters say creating DOGE was a good idea, 47% have a negative...