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Crowdaa aims to remind the middle-class creator economy that power can be in their hands. The French-American startup, founded by musician and psychologist Vigile Hoareau and American composer and producer Jimmy Thomas, understands the potential of technology to level the playing field for creators. The company aims to empower users to take greater control of their creative freedoms and challenge the status quo often perpetuated on social media platforms like TikTok—which faces a potential ban on January 19 unless sold to a U.S.-based company—and Instagram, as well as on music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. This includes moving away from traditional revenue models on these platforms, which often benefit the platforms more than the creators, especially regarding compensation. Even Snoop Dogg has voiced concerns about the low payouts from Spotify, despite achieving 1 billion streams. He reportedly received less than $45,000, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. “When you look at...
Black Girls Code (BGC) is living true to its name. The organization exists to ensure at least 1 million girls of color will establish a presence in the tech industry by 2040 by partnering with schools, individuals who share its mission, and other organizations, a press release mentions. Among its efforts to bolster career paths in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) is providing computer programming education. In October 2023, the organization hired former Salesforce executive Cristina Jones as its CEO. Jones’ experience also includes having worked at Twentieth Century Fox, where she was able to gain further experience within the entertainment sector and technology. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Black Girls Code (@blackgirlscode) Now, in her latest role, the focus is on workforce development and fostering industry partnerships that will help to build the skills of its students and forge career pathways, as previously reported by...
Black Girls Code is back with another initiative to educate young Black girls about coding. According to an April 2024 press release, nonprofit Black Girls Code teamed up with GoldieBlox, a STEM-focused children’s multimedia company, for Code Along Jr. The free video-based coding academy is based on Code Along — a Black Girls Code coding program — and is for girls who are ages 7 to 10. Launched live in Los Angeles, CA , Kalani Jewel, a child actress, hosted the coding academy’s live event, the press release details. “Together, we can change the face of technology,” Black Girls Code CEO Cristina Jones shared in a statement. “Kalani, as a vibrant and energetic 12-year-old, is the perfect host for Code Along Jr. She shows girls that tech is fun, not scary. She reaches them at their level and shows them that they can do anything they want. This is so important because tech is at the center of everything we do, and Black girls absolutely have a lot to offer as entrepreneurs, executives,...
Code just got a lot easier. Social media influencer and Memphis, TN-based artist Eso Tolson talks about a very particular group of millennials he calls “The Bridge.” What’s so peculiar about this group, he describes, is their relationship with technology. From the evolution of the internet to the progressive introduction of new technology resources that’s changed the way humans live and interact, most millennials have an experience with innovative tech that is unique and nuanced. But behind all the technological advancements the world has seen are engineers and gurus that build out formulas and codes that make the science operational and user-friendly. Regardless of Millennials’ relationship with technology and its progress, the magic behind most of it is the code. In this instance, it’s not like an iPhone pin or the secure password for a smart door lock. According to Grasshopper, coding is how people translate human language and ideas to computers. A code informs a computer on what...
It seems like not even video games are safe when it comes to hackers looking to cash in for the sake of other people’s pockets. According to Game Rant, a hacker reportedly stole a Rockstar source code for Grand Theft Auto 6 and “denies that they sold Grand Theft Auto 5’s source code.” What this means is that this person could have potentially run off with $100,000 — here’s how.
As Kimberly Bryant prepares for life after Black Girls Code (BGC), the founder of the STEM program that champions young Black and brown girls sat down with AfroTech to discuss her side of the story. “I think it’s important for us to own our own stories as Black people and how we build,” said Bryant in an exclusive interview. “It’s not lost on me the fact that the organization that I founded and the organizational leadership that dismissed me from the organization that I created is utilizing a fully white PR firm, white law firm to take down, if you will, another Black woman as a founder.” She further explained how this has caused her a different type of pain as Bryant initially launched BGC out of love for her daughter and other Black and brown girls in early 2011. “This really was a project built from love and my desire to make a better pathway for all Black girls to be innovators and creators because I knew how difficult the path was for me as a Black woman in a STEM field that...
Last Friday, the Black Girls Code (BGC) board announced that founder and CEO Kimberly Bryant has officially been removed from her position as a leader and board member of the organization, according to Insider. In addition, the outlet reports that she has taken legal action against the nonprofit and three board members. As previously reported by AfroTech, last December, Bryant was accused of possessing a leadership style that was threatening and borderline abusive. An investigation into the matter was launched after allegations were brought forth by former employees and volunteers. Bryant has repeatedly denied the claims made against her and has used social media to keep those following her journey in the loop. According to a spokesperson for BGC, “The Board believes the decision to remove Ms. Bryant as CEO and as a board member is in the best interests of the organization, the girls it serves, its employees, and its donors. BGC has been focusing its efforts on moving forward and...
There are a plethora of opportunities for Black students aspiring to venture into STEM, and CodeHouse — a tech-focused nonprofit — is one of them. According to a press release, CodeHouse recently commenced the second year of the CodeHouse Scholars Initiative (CHSI). After receiving a $1 million grant from Google.org for the four-year program, CHSI is now back with a new round of incoming HBCU freshmen heading into the field. The selected students will be awarded $20,000 in academic scholarships, professional development, and one-on-one mentorship, per the outlet. Thanks to the grant, CHSI was expanded from including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College to also Howard University and North Carolina A&T State University. “We’re proud of the strides we made during the CodeHouse Scholars Initiative’s inaugural year, and today marks another important step in our journey to improve diverse representation in the tech industry,” said Ernest Holmes, CodeHouse’s...
SNIPES is ready to “Crack the Code,” and tons of more people will have access to digital resources and education. A part of a new initiative to help close the digital divide, Crack the Code is a nationwide initiative that will promote digital equity and build the next generation of STEM leaders. The new campaign will include state-of-the-art computer labs in targeted markets throughout the United States, where SNIPES has a retail presence.