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Rémy Martin has unveiled a limited-editions cognac collection honoring the legacy and influence of Hip-Hop culture. According to a press release, the V.S.O.P. “This is My City” limited-editions collection features four unique bottle designs, each paying homage to iconic cities and their distinctive influence on contemporary culture: Atlanta, pushing boundaries; Chicago, home of lyrical legends; Detroit, the birthplace of Motown and resilient beats; and New York City, the birthplace of Hip-Hop. Courtesy of Rémy Martin Along with launching the collection, Rémy Martin introduced its inaugural “This is My City” microgrant initiative to support emerging creatives contributing to their local culture and communities through entrepreneurship. Emphasis will be placed on recipients whose work shapes conversations within their industry and community, pushes boundaries, and displays originality and authenticity. The regional microgrant initiative will award $20,000 grants and one-on-one...
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 right circle can change your circumstances in the blink of an eye! Calling all early-stage, pre-seed, and seed founders — join the AFROTECH™ Insider Founders Circle to build for the future alongside a network that could lead to your next investor or co-founder. This membership aligns with our mission to empower Black entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed and drive innovation across industries, including fintech, medtech, and consumer tech. “At AFROTECH™, we strive to help make a difference and change the narrative regarding raising capital, starting and scaling a startup, and networking with the right people to help grow your business,” Blavity Chief Revenue Officer Michael Hadgis said on LinkedIn. “We created the AFROTECH™ Insider Founders Circle to help founders navigate the path and their business pitch become investor-ready!” Perks The sky’s the limit! Your direct participation in the AFROTECH™ Insider Founders Circle gives you access to exclusive perks, including office...
Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., is a multi-talented artist who has made a significant impact not only in the music and film industries but also in business and philanthropy. With a career spanning over three decades, Common has transcended the typical rapper persona to become an influential figure in Hollywood and the entrepreneurial world. In 2025, his net worth continues to grow due to his diverse ventures and his commitment to social change. So, how much is Common worth in 2025? Let’s explore the trajectory of his career, his business ventures, and his philanthropic efforts, which are integral to his financial success. The Early Years And Breakthrough In Hip-Hop Born and raised in Chicago , Common began his music career in the early ’90s, initially releasing Can I Borrow a Dollar? in 1992. However, it was his critically acclaimed album Resurrection (1994) that introduced his poetic and socially conscious style to the world. Tracks like “I Used to Love H.E.R.” cemented his...
The Black-owned water bottle brand SUPLMNT welcomes NBA player Gary Payton II as its latest investor. The brand was founded in 2020 by South Philadelphia, PA, native Jairus Morris, who aims to improve hydration in Black and brown communities. His journey as a founder was inspired by his mother, who took on multiple jobs to support the household of five children. “I grew up in a South Philly single-mother household with four siblings. My mother was my first inspiration and motivation to want to be an entrepreneur,” he said in an interview shared on Medium. “She always tried side hustles to bring in extra income for my family; whether it was selling Mary Kay or braiding hair, she did it. Moving us out of the ghetto in South Philly to a suburb in New Jersey was the best thing she could have done. It exposed me to see that there was so much more to life outside of the hood.” As an adult, he also mentioned recognizing disparities around health and wellness, which further inspired his...
Breakr continues to find new ways to improve the creator economy. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the platform was created by Historically Black College and University (HBCU) alums and brothers Anthony and Ameer Brown to ensure artists can connect with brands and agencies and establish creative campaigns they are compensated for. With an early focus on music, Breakr partnered with BMG and Sony Music and built a roster of clients that included Ye (formerly Kanye West), Young Thug, Megan Thee Stallion, Rick Ross, Future, and Gunna. Additionally, Nas is involved not only as an artist on the platform but also as an investor. He participated in a $4.2 million seed round led by Slow Ventures in 2021. Breakr has expanded its scope beyond the music industry, adding partners such as Hershey, Billboard, Celsius, Samsung, and UMG, information shared with AFROTECH™ notes. In 2022, 30,000 creators had onboarded onto its platform. In 2025, that number has more than doubled, reaching a community...
Venture firm Ulu Ventures has raised $208 million to support diverse founders. WSJ Pro reports that the VC firm founded by Miriam Rivera and her husband, Clint Korver, has invested in companies where 80% have a white co-founder. However, an equal 80% share also has at least one founder who is an immigrant, a woman, or from a minority group. Since its inception in 2008, this initiative has supported 250 startups , leveraging a data-driven approach to minimize cognitive bias and foster inclusive investment across all demographics. “Venture capital has so many decision-making problems when it comes to bias, diversity, disdain for data and analytics, hubris, misapplication of pattern-matching, and so on, that we feel like the one-eyed VCs in the land of the blind,” Korver told the outlet. The couple acknowledges a shift due to the changing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) landscape. Major companies are throwing in the towel and dismantling DEI commitments, with some erasing...
Fintech platform Raenest has raised new funding to support African businesses. The company, founded in 2022 by Victor Alade, Sodruldeen Mustapha, and Richard Oyome, offers a range of services, including virtual and physical dollar cards, international transfers, invoicing for global payments, the ability to create USD, GBP, and EUR bank accounts, and currency conversion, among other features listed on its website. Raenest’s original platform was structured as an Employer of Record (EOR), helping foreign companies pay employees on the continent while remaining compliant, TechCrunch reports. The founders recognized a deeper-rooted issue, leading them to update Raenest to assist the continent’s gig economy and businesses directly. “A U.S. company might not care if a payment is delayed by five days, but for someone in Nigeria or Kenya, that’s a big deal — especially when converting to local currency becomes another hurdle,” Alade told TechCrunch. Looking ahead, Raenest intends to secure...
As Kendrick Lamar prepares to take center stage at Super Bowl LIX, alongside SZA, keep a close eye on the production. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apple Music (@applemusic) It will all be spearheaded by Lamar’s agency pgLang, which embraces creators from authors, film and television directors, producers, musicians , and more who are aligned in the vision to produce “quality” and “unconventional concepts,” its website mentions. Currently, 30 individuals and five executives are on board the pglang team, and they will have a hand in Super Bowl LIX — held Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans, LA — working on edits, production, stage design, sound tech, and more. During a press conference with Apple Music, the Super Bowl’s main sponsor since 2022, Lamar highlighted the importance of pgLang’s team, giving them their flowers and acknowledging that their collective efforts are what made it all possible for the show to reach its finish line. “Shout out to pgLang…That’s my...
Ohio’s only Black-owned bank — and the first established and approved in the U.S. since 2000 — has tripled its assets since inception. Columbus Business Journal reports Adelphi Bank was founded in January 2023 and is led by Chairman and CEO Jordan Miller, who had spent over three decades in business and initially retired in 2019 as Central Ohio president for Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Bank. He returned to the industry to get Adelphi up and running with a mission of dismantling financial inequities and helping customers create streams of income without bias. He is joined by Kevin Boyce, co-founder and vice chairman. Upon its launch, Adelphi received local support from large corporations in central Ohio. “It feels like family,” Miller expressed, according to the outlet. “Banks can be intimidating places.” Columbus-based Adelphi Bank currently offers certificates of deposit, checking and savings accounts, and loans for personal use. It plans to provide home mortgages in 2025. For...
Black inventors and entrepreneurs have played a crucial role in shaping industries, improving daily life, and driving technological advancements, often overcoming systemic barriers to bring their ideas to life. Despite facing discrimination and a lack of recognition, many Black inventors revolutionized everything from agriculture and medicine to transportation and communication. Their innovations continue to impact the world today, proving that ingenuity and perseverance can break through any obstacle. Garrett Morgan: Innovator Of Public Safety Garrett Morgan was a prolific inventor whose creations have saved countless lives. Born in 1877, he is best known for developing the modern three-position traffic signal, which introduced a warning light between “stop” and “go,” significantly reducing accidents. This invention was later patented and sold to General Electric. Morgan also invented the gas mask, which he originally designed to protect firefighters from smoke inhalation. His...
Jim Reynolds is leading a vegan beverage brand that generates millions and is backed by notable athletes. Reynolds’ journey as a founder began in 1997. He had already spent several years on Wall Street before deciding to launch Loop Capital, a full-service investment bank, brokerage, and advisory firm that assists corporate, governmental, and institutional clients, according to its LinkedIn page. Inc. magazine reports that it is the largest Black-owned investment bank globally. Various deals have landed on the bank’s table, including one surrounding Coco5, a hydration beverage company. Its products are made with balanced sugars and no artificial dyes or flavors. They are also vegan, gluten-free, caffeine-free, and non-GMO. Inc. reports that as a health-conscious person Reynolds had already developed a taste for coconut water by the ’90, and heard about the company in 2011. He would go on to invest in Coco5 in 2015 and join its board. Over the next decade, Reynolds attracted the...
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...
Balancing a personal startup with a full-time job can seem like a bold but rewarding endeavor. Many entrepreneurs launch their ventures while still working at another company, using the stability of a paycheck to fund their ideas. However, this approach requires careful consideration of legal, ethical, and practical factors to ensure success without jeopardizing your current employment. Understanding Legal And Contractual Obligations Before diving in, it’s crucial to review your employment contract. Many companies include clauses that restrict employees from working on side projects, especially those that could compete with their business. Non-compete agreements may prevent you from starting a business in the same industry, while intellectual property clauses could mean your employer owns anything you create during your employment. If any of these terms are unclear, consulting a legal professional can help you avoid potential complications. Balancing Work And Entrepreneurship...
Moove, marketed as an “African-born, global mobility fintech,” has announced an acquisition. The company, founded in Nigeria by Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, enables delivery drivers to finance vehicles and start driving with partners like Uber in three simple steps: apply, get verified, and drive. TechCrunch notes that Moove launched with 76 cars in Lagos in 2020 and has expanded to 36,000 cars. Per the company’s website, over 52,787,109 trips have been completed. Additionally, it is available in 19 cities across six continents. Over the years, Moove has secured significant funding. In 2023, $8 million had been by Absa Corporate and Investment Banking to reach Ghana, bringing its total investment from the bank to $28 million, Fintech Global reports. In March 2024, $100 million had been raised in a Series B round led by Uber to further its expansion, TechCrunch mentioned. The company has also attached a sustainability mission to its business model, seeking to create “the largest and...