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The Walt Disney Company and its ABC television network have joined the list of media companies the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating for their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. On Thursday, March 27, 2025, FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced concerns that Disney and ABC might be “promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination” and said the agency’s Enforcement Bureau would examine whether any of their past or current policies violated any equal employment opportunity regulations, according to NPR. “Numerous reports indicate that Disney’s leadership went all in on invidious forms of DEI discrimination a few years ago and apparently did so in a manner that infected many aspects of your company’s decisions,” Carr wrote in a letter to Disney CEO Robert Iger. The inquiry follows Disney’s reduction of diversity efforts , including the termination of some initiatives and changes in the language used to describe DEI. “We are reviewing the Federal...
Chipotle Mexican Grill is putting an end to rumors speculating that it has filed for bankruptcy and plans to close restaurants. On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, as speculation circulated about a potential bankruptcy filing, a Chipotle spokesperson confirmed via email to AFROTECH™ that the “false information” started with an inaccurate online article. Chipotle Bankruptcy “The claims that Chipotle is filing for bankruptcy and closing restaurants are false,” the spokesperson said. “The false information stemmed from an inaccurate online article confusing Chipotle with a venture it tested in 2023. The story has since been corrected.” Chipotle, headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, currently operates over 3,700 restaurants worldwide. The spokesperson added, “We anticipate opening between 315 to 345 new restaurants this year, with at least 80% including a Chipotlane.” The Chipotlane is a dedicated drive-thru lane at Chipotle restaurants where customers can pick up their food after placing an...
Performance review season is underway for U.S. staff at TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance , with low-scoring employees being forced into a performance-improvement plan (PIP) or offered severance. TikTok conducts employee reviews twice a year, and last year, the company instructed managers to assign more low scores during the review cycles, according to Business Insider. Three current employees told the outlet that accepting a PIP instead of severance is uncommon because it is tough to succeed under a PIP. “They’ll PIP people, and then they’ll hire new people, and then they’ll continue this meat grinder of performance reviews,” one staffer said. The employees reported that the value of the offers varied, with one including a month of “garden leave,” where the employee remains on payroll without needing to work, and an additional one-month severance payout as part of a mutual separation agreement. A TikTok spokesperson confirmed that the company is implementing PIPs but...
Historically, Black communities have moved in pursuit of economic opportunity, from the Great Migration during the 1900s to today’s evolving workforce. Generations before sought dignity through factory jobs, public sector roles, and emerging industries, carving out spaces in a labor market that was never designed for them. In 2025, the landscape remains precarious, demanding strategic maneuvering in a system that continues to shift beneath workers’ feet. The latest employment figures reveal a market struggling under the weight of governmental shifts, corporate hesitancy, and economic uncertainty. According to The Wall Street Journal, February’s 151,000 new jobs were an improvement from January’s 125,000, but still fell short of the projected 170,000. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate inched up to 4.1%, signaling that more people are looking for work but not necessarily finding it. A Workforce Shaped By Policy, Not Just Performance Beneath the surface of job reports lies a deeper...
The thing about economic policies is that they don’t operate in a vacuum. Every decision — every tax, every regulation, every tariff — sends ripples through the system. Some people surf the waves. Others get drowned by them. Tariffs have long been used as a tool of economic warfare, a way for nations to protect their industries or punish their rivals. But under President Donald Trump, tariffs have become something else entirely: a high-stakes bargaining chip in a trade war that seems to have no end. According to CNN, his latest round of 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, along with another 10% levy on Chinese goods, has thrown American businesses, workers, and consumers into a state of economic uncertainty. The White House insists tariffs will protect American industries, but history tells a different story. Prices are rising, businesses are struggling, and working-class families — many already battling inflation — will be forced to make tough choices. Tariffs In Context:...
Those who have been following along with corporate news in recent weeks may already be aware of president Donald Trump’s ongoing initiative to bring massive financial changes to the tech industry. The head of state and 34-time convicted felon previously announced multi-billion dollar deals with fintech giants including OpenAI, SoftBank and more. The collaboration, which has been titled Stargate , has drawn eyes from a number of tech industry heads, including Apple’s Tim Cook . Now, according to recent reports, Cook himself has announced an effort to invest $500 billion back into the United States economy, with specific plans to hire 20,000 new U.S. based employees over the next five years. Though Apple has always been at the forefront of American engineering and design, this announcement has come as quite a shock to some investors, considering Tim Cook’s outspoken stance on upholding DEI initiatives , in stark contrast to Trump’s demands. Clearly, Cook is able to compartmentalize...
Tracy McGrady has long aspired to team ownership, and now that he’s secured a stake in the NFL, he’s dedicated to increasing representation in the league. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the basketball icon was announced as a minority owner of the Buffalo Bills in December 2024. He joins his former Toronto Raptors teammate and fellow Florida native, Vince Carter, as part of a group of 10 limited partners, which also includes soccer star Jozy Altidore. This marks the first time the Bills, owned by Terry and Kim Pegula, have expanded their ownership group. “I’ve always wanted to be an owner of a franchise and really didn’t care whether it’s the NBA, a soccer league, whether it’s in the NFL,” McGrady explained in an exclusive interview with AFROTECH™ held at a private reception that was hosted by Diverse Representation and William Morris Endeavor (WME) on Saturday, Dec. 8 to honor Black professionals in sports. Kevell Byrd McGrady also reveals the backstory behind becoming a minority...
Allow your money to work for you. Financial experts Carter Cofield and George Acheampong are bridging the gap in financial literacy among Black entrepreneurs and professionals. Through their platform, Melanin Money, they aim to close the $100 billion wealth gap and help their users achieve their first seven-figure net worth, its website notes. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the platform launched as an e-commerce brand but scaled into a financial social network in 2017. It offers courses on personal finance, wealth building, and entrepreneurship led by educators. In 2024, these workshops reached 20,000 people. “We decided to create this hybrid educational model where every other month we’re basically doing a virtual conference where people who may be not in a position to hire an advisor or are curious if an advisor is right for them, they get to learn our top strategies over the course of five days,” Acheampong said on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, which AFROTECH™ Brand...
The rhythm of ambition often starts quietly—a hum of potential that builds into a bold symphony. For IntusCare, the journey began in the halls of Brown University, where co-founders Evan Jackson and Robbie Felton turned their vision for eldercare into reality, with Stevie Wonder’s song “Sir Duke,” setting the tone for their path forward. Much like a timeless Stevie Wonder groove that lingers long after the music fades, IntusCare’s journey from pitch competitions to industry innovation has been driven by harmony, persistence, and an unwavering belief in its mission. Rooted In Mission: A Personal Commitment To Equitable Care Founded five years ago, IntusCare set out to disrupt the healthcare status quo and deliver high-quality care to low-income older adults — a population often left behind by systemic inequities. Their mission is deeply anchored in serving diverse, marginalized communities, including Black, Latino, and Asian American populations, who have historically faced...
Joanna Brooks has been creating a safe wellness studio for people of color for the past 10 years. She developed an interest in yoga as a teenager and, over time, explored different areas of fitness, she wrote in her LinkedIn bio. This exploration influenced her practices, which include Bikram Yoga, Hot Vinyasa Flow, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, and Yin Yoga, ultimately leading to the establishment of Embody YOGA studio in Milwaukee, WI. “These styles contribute significantly to my teaching style. I am experienced in leading both group and private classes and enjoy working with people of all ages. My intention is for my students to leave class with a quiet sense of strength and peace,” she wrote in her bio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Embody Yoga (@embodyyogamke) In an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Feb. 18, Brooks honored the instructors who came before her, giving them their flowers for paving the way — including ZenZen Yoga Arts Founder Therese Bailey. “I’ve said it...
Issa Rae refers to Sienna Naturals’ expansion with Sephora as a “dream come true.” Rae co-founded the award-winning hair care brand Sienna Naturals, which was first envisioned by Hannah Diop in 2012. Diop, reflecting on her own challenges in finding hair products that met her needs, recalls how clarifying shampoos fell short in restoring her hair’s health during her time on the swim team. This firsthand experience played a pivotal role in shaping Sienna Naturals, a brand founded on a proprietary clean chemistry approach that prioritizes scalp health , according t o the brand’s website. The haircare line is powered by hydrating, abiotic, pH-balanced ingredients (H.A.P.I.). “The first impression I want people to have when they use Sienna Naturals is how beautiful their hair is. So that wet-feel design is very intentional,” Diop told AFROTECH™. Photo Credit: Sienna Naturals When Rae discovered Sienna Naturals, she was in the process of learning how to best care for her natural hair...
Dave’s Hot Chicken is considering a sale that would bring the company’s valuation to nearly $1 billion. The popular fast-food chain, founded by Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan, has locations in states such as Arizona, Massachusetts, California, Missouri, and Texas. In total, the chain has over 250 locations worldwide, per Reuters. It all started in 2017 with a $900 investment that led to the restaurant’s grand opening as a pop-up in an East Hollywood, CA, parking lot, its website mentions. Its menu features chicken tenders and sliders with spice levels ranging from Lite Mild to Reaper. Sides include fries, mac and cheese, and kale slaw. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DavesHotChicken (@daveshotchicken) The company’s business model appears to be a success with each franchise earning on average $2.19 million in revenue (AUV) per year, according to Sharp Sheets. In total, its locations generate an estimated $1 billion in total annual...
Several Philadelphia, PA , businesses have been passed down through generations, including Paul Beale’s Florist. According to our sister site, Travel Noire, the florist shop, founded by Paul and Altermese Beale in 1971, has spent nearly five decades cultivating a loyal customer base. For Paulette Beale Harris, the second-generation owner, carrying on the family’s legacy isn’t a responsibility she takes lightly. She emphasized that she doesn’t want her parents’ hard work and sacrifices to be “in vain.” In honor of Black History Month , Visit Philadelphia has launched a four-part video series titled “Legacy & Love.” The series highlights Black-owned businesses that span generations and the families behind them, as well as businesses launched to honor loved ones, Travel Noire highlighted. The videos, available on visitphilly.com , feature the stories of the Beale family, Lori Thomson and her mother, Vera Doyle from Vera Doyle Boutique, Yvonne Blake and her granddaughter Alana Rambera...
Megan Thee Stallion has stepped into the spirits industry following advice from Beyoncé. The “Savage” rapper, born Megan Pete, has long admired the fellow Houston artist and credits their first interaction in 2020 with a major career milestone. “My favorite moment was definitely meeting Beyoncé. I met her first in 2020, I think. Every time I see her, I act like a little kid. And I really need to stop that at this point. Like I’m always fanned out,” Megan Thee Stallion told Forbes. Beyoncé’s support for Megan goes beyond music. In addition to their collaboration on the hit record “Savage Remix,” which they performed during the “Renaissance World Tour” in Houston, TX, Beyoncé has also shared valuable business advice — encouraging Megan to launch her own spirits brand. Leading by example, in 2024, Beyoncé made her official debut in the spirits industry with the launch of SirDavis in partnership with Moët Hennessy. The brand offers an American rye whiskey that pays homage to her...
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown remains committed to supporting Black-owned businesses, empowering communities of color, and fostering generational wealth along the way. On Feb. 14, 2024, Brown announced the launch of OaklandXChange, a sister project to his nonprofit, BostonXChange (BXC). Jaylen Brown announces a new business district and incubator program as part of his Xchange fund in a speech at a community luncheon at Oakstop in Oakland pic.twitter.com/kZwpd0HYEM — Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) February 14, 2025 Founded in 2024, BXC aims to create $5 billion in generational wealth within Boston, MA’s communities of color, AFROTECH™ previously reported. The organization provides funding, resources, workplaces, and mentoring from seasoned individuals to Black and minority entrepreneurs, helping them launch businesses that contribute to sustainable economic growth . According to Sports Illustrated, OaklandXChange, which launched in partnership with Jrue and Lauren Holiday’s JLH...