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Educator Yaa Yaa Catherine Whaley-Williams has built an education hub in her community. Whaley-Williams, the director of student equity in the Monticello Central School District in Monticello, NY, is the founder of Sadie’s Books and Beverages. The business opened in 2022 and made history in the process. News-12 reports it is the first Black-owned bookstore in Orange County, NY. Sadie’s Books and Beverages offers a diverse selection of books, which includes hundreds of Black authors across 23 genres, according to the Times Herald-Record reports. Accessibility is also important to Whaley-Williams, so she launched a program that slashes the prices of new books for children to $3 and $7. “When I was a kid getting a free or discounted book, it was usually dog-eared or had writing in it, or some pages missing,” she explained to the outlet. “But getting a discounted book shouldn’t mean that it’s anything less than brand new.” Locals can also expect special activations from the local shop...
Publisher Seko Varner is making connecting with Black-owned businesses in the Hampton Roads area easier than ever. Varner, a multifaceted leader who serves as president and financial consultant for the entertainment and consulting company Positive Vibes Inc., has introduced The Hampton Roads Greenbook, a directory that spotlights and supports Black-owned businesses in the region. The Hampton Roads Greenbook was inspired by Victor Hugo Green’s Negro Travelers’ Green Book. Green, a postal carrier in Harlem, originally created the guide to help Black travelers navigate safely during segregation. Green’s original guide served as a crucial resource for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era, listing businesses, restaurants , gas stations, and lodging where individuals could safely stop without facing discrimination, the National Park Service reports. It remained widely used until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed “discrimination on the basis of race, color,...
Business self-help books are essential to those who are looking to succeed in their chosen career paths. Learning from others who have already paved the way might open up new trains of thought and ways of thinking that could shake the foundation of how you run your business. Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power is a must-read for entrepreneurs looking to master strategy, influence, and leadership. If you found it insightful, here are other books—including works by Black authors—that explore power, persuasion, and success in business. The Art Of War By Sun Tzu Goodreads Rating: 4.0/5 It might seem an odd recommendation for books like The 48 Laws of Power, especially for business purposes, but The Art of War offers surprising insights that can be useful in business and entrepreneurship. A classic on strategy and competition, The Art of War offers lessons on preparation, adaptability, and psychological advantage. Entrepreneurs can apply its teachings to negotiations, business...
Vince Carter says he leaned on fellow NBA player Grant Hill when he was pursuing team ownership. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Hill is the owner of several teams. He has a minority stake in the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Orlando City (Soccer Club), Orlando Pride ( National Women’s Soccer League) , and Baltimore Orioles ( MLB) . Therefore, when it came time for Carter to act on his desire for team ownership, Hill was top of mind. “Grant’s been in a situation where he’s a good friend for a long time and right there in Atlanta (GA). So, my neighbor, ” Carter told Front Office Sports. “He was, in that entire process, somebody that I leaned on, that we talked to because he’s good friends with T-Mac (Tracy McGrady) as well. So we talked to him from the beginning of this process on what we were looking for, what they were looking for, how to go about it and just kind of just listening. He’s like that big brother that I’ve been through a lot with. What better guy than him to ask?” In December...
Tish Archie-Oliver, Tamesha Hoppie-Henry For decades, Gap Inc.’s iconic American brands—Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta—haven’t just reflected culture; they’ve shaped it. From inspiring authentic self-expression through fashion to marketing that celebrates humanity and its diverse stories, the company has consistently sought to bridge divides. Gap Inc.’s approach to inclusion and belonging is proving that its purpose—“bridging gaps to create a better world”—extends far beyond fashion. At the heart of this movement is Tish Archie-Oliver, Gap Inc.’s Chief Inclusion & Belonging Officer, who describes the company’s commitment to inclusion not as a surface-level initiative, but as the fabric of Gap Inc.’s business, legacy and culture today. Tish joined Gap Inc. in August, wanting to approach her work from a global, more holistic perspective at an organization that has been committed to this journey since its inception. During the hiring process, conversations with senior...
A Morehouse School of Medicine graduate has opened a bookstore to uplift her surrounding community. According to a news release, Dr. Viola Lanier, who boasts a Master of Science in biomedical research and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, has launched Better Today Books & Boutique, located at 2300 Shallowford Rd., Ste. 8, Marietta, GA 30066. In a video shared on the bookstore’s Instagram page, Lanier recounts her journey to owning the storefront. It began after a spa visit, when she noticed a “For Lease” sign on the door of the location while heading home. Intrigued, she reached out to the landlord to arrange a tour. “Wasn’t too impressed about the condition, but I said, ‘You know what? This is a place.’ But I figured I could make it work, even though I was skeptical about a lot. I got it. Anyway, so we’re putting a check mark on these dreams. Y’all stick with me as you renovate,” she explained in the video. Seeing the potential, Lanier’s interest put her on the path to establishing...
Queen Latifah is helping a Black woman-owned soul food restaurant receive a well-deserved blessing. During a taping of “Street You Grew Up On,” hosted by actress Kerry Washington, it was revealed that Latifah selected Newark, NJ-based Vonda’s Kitchen to receive a $10,000 financial award. The investment is made possible through a partnership between fintech platform Intuit QuickBooks and Washington, aimed at fostering discussions around entrepreneurship, community, and mentorship. As part of the initiative, featured guests are given the opportunity to select a small business to receive funding, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. As a Newark native, the selection was full circle and Latifah emphasized its importance, believing the funds would be well-used under the leadership of owner Vonda McPherson. According to the company website, McPherson transitioned into entrepreneurship after a corporate career with Fortune 500 companies, opening her first restaurant in 1988....
When Lawrence Phillips set out to create Green Book Global, he wanted a platform that would increase confidence and reduce anxiety for Black travelers. After working with Accenture for eight years, Phillips shared how he felt burned out and needed a mental health break filled with traveling. During the 2023 AFROTECH™ Conference, the founder and CEO recalled his experience of traveling to over 30 countries across all seven continents, sparking his drive to create his travel review site. Haven’t gotten your ticket for AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 in Houston, TX? Click here. “It was really that in-depth travel experience as a Black traveler,” Phillips said during a panel titled “ Black and Well-Traveled: Centering Black Travelers Through Technology, Presented By Expedia Group.” “ I was going to certain places like, ‘Oh shoot, should I go here? I don’t really know.’ You ask that question, ‘Is it good for us ?’ I would go to blog here or there, and you might have one person say [something],...
Booker Washington is making homeownership more accessible for urban communities. He is the founder of Techie Homes, a real estate company that designs “smart micro-communities” in Atlanta, GA, priced below current market rates, according to its company website. “Accessible homeownership is an issue in Atlanta,” he told Business Insider. “Our goal is to provide homes at a price point where mortgages are equal to or less than the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment.” While Washington subscribes to accessible homeownership, he makes it clear he does not want to label Techie Homes’ efforts as an affordable housing project. “We change the way we view environments, and if we change the way we view environments, we’ll change the actual person and how they grow,” Washington explained in a video clip . “That’s the reason why I don’t adopt to affordable housing projects, because if you put people of all the same incomes in the same place, they will only see what that other person’s low...
T-Pain makes a lot of money in a sector outside of music. Looking at the larger picture has worked out greatly for T-Pain , who has, at times, received the short end in his career. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, his first deal landed him a $40 million advance; however, the label had the benefit of a 15/85 split. At one point, the artist even faced financial troubles that were so bleak he went broke. “Now I know what the high end is and what the low end is,” he said, according to Business Insider. “I’ve been mega-rich, I’ve been super broke, right in the middle of thinking I was mega-rich, and then got rich again, and you know, learned how to really give a sh-t about money.” Over the years, T-Pain has appeared to be in better financial standing, partly due to his foray into the gaming industry. As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, the “Buy U a Drank” artist developed an interest in streaming. He combined gaming and music , which landed him a partnership with the interactive...
Antonio Brown worked at six barbershops and decided to open his own storefront. ABC Action News reports he is the founder of Central Station Barbershop and Grooming in St. Petersburg, FL. The decision to open his own shop was driven by a desire to have ownership and forge a legacy. “Seeing the things that were impacting our community, I understood the importance of ownership and entrepreneurship and different things like that,” he reflected, according to ABC Action News. “So, I wanted to step out on my own and build my own reputation and my own barbershop my way.” For nine years Central Station Barbershop and Grooming has been making its mark in the community through services that include haircuts, beard trims, hot shaves, and facials for men and women. “We have a safe space here,” Brown told the outlet. “This is a place where a barber and a client have an opportunity to have one-on-one time.” The business is also attached to a higher calling. Per the business’ website, children can...
Jeannine A. Cook has found a permanent home for a bookstore backed by the Philadelphia, PA, community. Cook owns Harriett’s Bookshop, named in honor of abolitionist and emancipator Harriet Tubman, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Cook initially envisioned pursuing a consulting business but later pivoted to selling books and ultimately opened the storefront in 2020. She decided to try to buy the bookshop in 2022 and raised $75,000 in one weekend through a GoFundMe campaign, which later rose to $200,000 to support a down payment, the outlet notes. Cook was hoping to secure ownership of the building after witnessing nearby business owners closing their doors due to the cost of rent. However, the building’s owner, Sang Casenta, did not have an interest in making the sale at the time. “I couldn’t get this idea that I felt like a sharecropper out of my head,” Cook told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I had a vision for something different, but I had no idea about how I was going to pull...
Few Black-owned bookstores exist in Chicago, IL, yet Danielle Moore now owns two. ABC7 reported that Moore is the founder of the Semicolon Bookstore. Her vision for the store was to create a space that reflected her likes and interests: books and the arts. “Semicolon’s creation was a complete accident,” she told The Newsette. “I wanted a space where I would want to hang out all day, and my favorite things are books and art, so it just made sense. I wanted the space to feel like home, and I believe that it does.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery (@semicolonchi) Per the company’s website, Semicolon Bookstore’s mission is to increase literacy rates in the city by creating access to and generating interest in books. “We were created with one thing in mind — community . We are committed to having a direct impact in raising literacy rates in Chicago and beyond,” the website mentioned. Semicolon Bookstore hosts monthly events for Chicago Public...
Marcus Williams is behind the only Black-owned bookstore in Clayton County, GA, per a report. According to The Atlanta Voice, Williams is the founder of Nubian Books, which had previously been located near a Barnes & Noble until the franchise closed its doors in May 2024. As a result, more locals made their way to Nubian Books. “Business-wise it’s been good for me,” Williams told the outlet. “It kind of helped me corner the market.” What’s more, the increase in foot traffic has also led to more sales. “I’ve had a lot of customers who are trying to find that Barnes and Noble on Mount Zion Road, so they’ve been coming to me and ordering books from me. So I’ve seen a spike in sales,” he mentioned to Atlanta News First. Nubian Books has been a fixture in the community for at least 25 years, opening first inside Southlake Mall in Morrow, GA, and later relocating to Southlake Parkway in 2013. For Williams, owning a bookstore became a dream of his after securing a job at Medu Bookstore,...
A beloved bookstore is banking on the support of its community to remain open. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Nikki High, who had dedicated more than a decade to managing communications at Trader Joe’s, made history for opening the first Black-owned bookstore in Pasadena, CA, in 2023. High received over $22,000 in donations through GoFundMe to launch the store honoring author Octavia Butler after she shared her intentions for the business on X, formerly Twitter. The post went viral with nearly 5.1 million views and 10,000 retweets at the time, according to The Guardian. “I wanted [my bookstore] to be completely independent so that I would not have to compromise my values,” High said, per the outlet. Now, the beloved bookstore is in need of funding to stay in business. High reveals on Instagram that she has reopened the GoFundMe for the bookstore and cites lower resources as well as the complexities of the book selling industry as the reasoning. “We need a lifeline,” she wrote on...