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Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. President-elect Donald Trump is starting to fill out the list of people who will be closest to him during his second term in office. It was announced that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will head an organization called the Department of Government Efficiency , which aims to ensure that tax dollars are being allocated properly and to reduce bureaucracy. DOGE, as it is being called around the internet, will not be a formal body within the government but will instead operate outside of it in an advisory capacity. As Trump and Musk continue to build a closer relationship with one another, we may see Musk’s views pushed through the Trump administration’s actions, and perhaps DOGE is the first iteration of that. While many know who Musk is, Ramaswamy is a lesser-known public figure. Ramaswamy is the founder of Roivant Sciences, a life science and drug development company, and he also ran for the...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Decisive — that’s the word that best captures what the world witnessed on Election Day 2024. Not only did Donald Trump secure a win to become president-elect but the Republicans also took control of the Senate. With this level of unified power, the Trump administration is poised to pursue its agenda unimpeded. Previously, I discussed the contrasting relationships that Vice President Kamala Harris and President-Elect Trump have with the tech industry. Now, with Trump positioned to shape federal policy toward tech, it’s time to explore what this shift means for those working in or aspiring to join the industry. I’ll dive into the new opportunities Trump’s administration may create, those it could curtail, and how these changes impact you. “Make America Great Again” has been the rallying cry for the Trump campaign and administration since he stepped on the scene. With him back in the Oval Office, one...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Before Vice President Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic ticket’s front-runner, support for the party was low among the tech industry. In fact, many who now back Harris had previously withheld support from Biden, even favoring Trump over the Democratic candidate. Ben Horowitz, the co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, is one of those people who recently shifted their support in favor of Harris. After Harris took over the ticket in July, the energy across the tech industry shifted significantly, leading to the formation of new groups representing tech professionals — groups that hadn’t emerged during Biden’s campaign. These groups are VCs for Kamala and Founders for Kamala. They have raised money for her campaign and increased awareness of her positions on key issues impacting the tech industry. I will cover the tech industry’s sentiment under Biden, the current shift with Kamala as...
Lyft is continuing its decade-long mission of eliminating barriers that hinder people from getting to the polls on Election Day . On Nov. 5, the rideshare service will offer 50% off ride codes (up to $10) nationwide for all transportation options — including bike or scooter — using the code VOTE24. The promotion is valid from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. in every time zone, making it easier for voters to reach polling places despite logistical challenges. “Lyft has always believed in removing barriers to transportation, and voting access is no exception,” Heather Foster, Lyft’s senior director and head of global public policy, told AFROTECH™. “This election is further heightened due to the ongoing challenges many communities face in getting to the polls and is more important than ever as new barriers to voting have emerged.” According to Lyft , there are currently 100,000 fewer polling places available than in the 2020 election, representing a 50% decrease since 2018. As a result of...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. “In the Club, we are all family” — does that ring a bell? TikTok has taken the world by storm since its transition from Musical.ly to TikTok following its acquisition by China-based Bytedance in 2017. Whether for dances, skits, or news, TikTok has become the destination for people worldwide to discover content that resonates with them. Although it serves as a platform for entertainment, learning, and creativity, TikTok has also been regarded as a national security risk by governments around the world, including those in India, Europe, and the United States. In India, TikTok and other Chinese-owned companies were banned in 2020. I was working as a team lead on TikTok’s global product operations team during its rise and subsequent ban in India. The ban restricted new downloads of the app, but employees in our India office were free to work on other projects with colleagues who needed extra support...
Election season can be one of the most exciting and anxiety-inducing times in America. Every four years, two major party candidates campaign to become the next leader of the free world, along with lesser known independent candidates. This election’s major candidates are current Vice President Kamala Harris as a Democrat and former President Donald Trump as a Republican. Regardless of candidate choice, one critical component of the democratic process is access to voting. Throughout U.S. history, voting has not always been a right for everyone, particularly for women and people of color. Slowly but surely, change began to take hold. The journey toward voting rights for Black Americans began with the 14th Amendment in 1868, granting citizenship to formerly enslaved people. This was followed by the 15th Amendment in 1870, which prohibited racial restrictions on voting. However, barriers like poll taxes and literacy tests persisted, limiting true access. The 1965 Voting Rights Act,...
Kamala Harris is being supported by longtime friend and billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs. Per Forbes, Jobs has a fortune of $15.3 billion, with the vast majority stemming from the Walt Disney and Apple shares she inherited from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who passed away in 2011 after battling pancreatic cancer. Jobs is passionate about education, immigration, health, and environmental justice. She established Emerson Collective in 2004 to support entrepreneurs disrupting these sectors. Later in 2021, the Waverley Street Foundation was launched with a $3 billion pledge focused on climate change. Her pursuits also extend to becoming a co-owner of The Atlantic in 2017, and she holds stake in sports teams including the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), and Washington Mystics (WNBA) through Monumental Sports. Jobs, who is reportedly “Silicon Valley’s wealthiest woman,” has additionally invested in the candidacy of Kamala Harris, who is seeking to become the next...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Often, in the political process, whether at the local, state, or federal level, Black men feel as though they are not considered when it comes to policy. Vice President Kamala Harris changed that when she released her nine-page economic agenda proposal called the Opportunity Agenda for Black Men. This document outlined how she specifically wanted to improve Black men’s lives holistically. Harris plans to take five steps to increase the prosperity of Black men. (1) Provide 1 million forgivable loans of $20,000 for Black men to create businesses; (2) Provide education, mentorship, and apprenticeship programs aimed at getting Black men into higher demand industries, as well as create pathways to bring more Black men into the world of teaching; (3) Support regulations for cryptocurrency, which Black men are materially represented in as holders of these assets; (4) Launch a National Health Equity...
A movement that was birthed out of the COVID-19 quarantine has raised millions of dollars to support Kamala Harris’ quest as the first Black woman president of the United States. “Win With Black Women” (WWBW) is a mantra and group conceptualized by Jotaka Eaddy, a social impact consultant in politics and technology who founded Full Circle Strategies. She understood the importance of community early on as a high school student looking to attend a conference geared towards those seeking law careers, Fortune reports. Raised in a humble environment in South Carolina, the $3,000 cost for the conference was out of reach for her parents. However, through the support of Black women church-goers she was able to attend. “Black women in my church and in my community sold chicken dinners and held bake sales to raise money to send me to that conference and to put me on an airplane that many of them have still never been on,” Eaddy said, according to Fortune. She went on to make history as the...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. When one thinks about interest rates, the first thing that comes to mind could be credit cards, car loans, and mortgages, but did you know that they also have materially shaped the tech industry over the past 20 years? That’s because the federal interest rate that the Federal Reserve Board sets also informs the industry on whether money will be cheap or expensive, and that changes the way the industry seeks to operate. Below, we will touch on all of the players impacted by the increases and decreases in the federal interest rates. The startup ecosystem players that are affected in different ways by lower or higher interest rates are limited partners, venture capital firms, founders, and employees. The first one is limited partners, or LPs as they are called in the industry. LPs are the institutions or people that invest in venture capital firms. Examples of institutional LPs can be pension funds...
One of the most anticipated decisions of the 2024 election was made when Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate. Political pundits and supporters have applauded the choice, seeing it as a unifying move for the Democratic Party. Harris’ choice also speaks to the type of policies Walz would champion. Before Harris made her official choice, Forbes reports that she had a short list of other political standouts, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Despite the accomplished list of potential running mates, Walz rose to the top based on his consistent record of accomplishments and relatability. According to Politico, Walz is a former high school geography teacher, football coach, and veteran who turned a Republican-leaning district blue in 2006. Harris believes this resume will not only speak to the American people...
The 2024 election cycle is upon us, which means a slew of campaign ads, varied media coverage, and policy positions that could influence voters on who to support and how. Aside from the historic positioning of Kamala Harris as the nation’s first woman Democratic nominee for president, Michigan has its own historic slant with Hill Harper submitting his candidacy for U.S. Senate. Harper, most known for his acting roles on shows like “CSI: NY” and “The Good Doctor,” has a resume beyond his acting credits. He’s a Harvard Law School alum, author, and small business owner. These on- and off-screen accomplishments have led him to receive many accolades and have also given him leverage as a potential senator. He is committed to advocating for the rights of Michigan residents, with priorities including creating a robust economic community, supporting union jobs, ensuring affordable and universal health care, protecting reproductive rights, reducing student debt, addressing the climate...
Since 1908, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and its members have made their marks across several industries and impacted communities and spaces. Some influential members include Phylicia Rashad, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Vice President Kamala Harris, according to ESSENCE. Harris was officially sworn in as vice president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, making her the first woman, Black person, and South Asian American to be elected to the office. While this historical marker is noteworthy, it was not the beginning of her story. Kamala Harris’ Road To Howard University A native of Oakland, CA, Harris’ roots in education and public service start with the influence of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan. According to a profile from the White House, Gopalan earned her doctorate in 1964, the same year Harris was born, and worked as a breast cancer scientist. Harris’ father, Donald J. Harris, came to the United States from Jamaica to study...
Over 100 Silicon Valley investors have vowed to support Kamala Harris. The current vice president of the United States is actively campaigning to win over voters and secure the Democratic nomination in the upcoming 2024 presidential race, where she will face off against Donald Trump. She recently had her first rally in Atlanta, GA, and is preparing for a second one in Philadelphia, PA, on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. “Donald, I do hope you’ll reconsider meeting me on the debate stage. Because, as the saying goes, if you’ve got something to say, say it to my face,” she said in front of an energized crowd in Atlanta. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamala Harris (@kamalaharris) Support From Interested Voters Harris has received an influx of support since she announced her quest for presidency. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Harris raised $200 million in just seven days. What’s more, 66% of the donations were provided by first-time contributors. Harris also raised the most...
Amid the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump is singing a different tune regarding a certain technology. On July 27, 2024, the former president stated during the Bitcoin Conference hosted in Nashville, TN, that he is set on transforming the U.S. into a “Bitcoin superpower,” The New York Times reports. “I’m laying out my plan to ensure that the United States will be the crypto capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the world,” Trump said, per the outlet. He continued, “…America will once again be a nation that protects property rights, privacy, freedom of transaction, freedom of association, and freedom of speech.” At the conference, Trump also claimed that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are part of “an anti-crypto crusade.” Moreover, he promised the conference’s attendees that he would end the “persecution” of cryptocurrencies. “Sadly, we see the attacks on crypto,” he said. “It’s a part of a much larger pattern that’s being carried out by the...