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Spotify Wrapped has returned, and this year, the company has partnered with Google’s NotebookLM to launch the Spotify Wrapped AI podcast . While Wrapped curates customized end-of-the-year lists for users to reflect on their musical favorites, the AI podcast takes it a step further by providing an engaging audio recap, according to Google Labs. In the podcast, two AI hosts from NotebookLM explore users’ favorite tracks and artists, highlighting how one’s music taste has evolved throughout 2024. Each podcast is a unique conversation tailored to the specific user, created using the technology behind NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews. Molly Holder, senior director of personalization, spoke with Spotify on Wednesday, Dec. 4, about the magic behind Wrapped. “The beauty of Wrapped is how much it reflects each individual user,” Holder said, according to For The Record. “Whether it’s your top song, total minutes listened, or favorite artist, 2024 Wrapped celebrates how you listened this year.”...
People miss 100 percent of the shots they don’t take. And Kyrie Irving made it explicitly clear in a tweet that missing out on this shot will not count against his shooting average. The Brooklyn Nets guard obviously received the news about Naomi Osaka launching her own sports agency, Evolve, and he wants in on the deal. @naomiosaka yall got room over at your agency for hoopers. Just inquiring 🥂 — A11Even (@KyrieIrving) May 11, 2022
It’s one thing to stay in your lane, but it’s an entirely different flex to create your own. And that’s the case for decorated tennis champion Naomi Osaka, who has reportedly left IMG to launch her own sports agency — EVOLVE. EXCLUSIVE: @naomiosaka has left IMG to launch her own sports agency, Evolve, which will be stylized as EVOLVE. pic.twitter.com/HxJlbblqII — Sportico (@Sportico) May 11, 2022 “I’ve spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn’t what was expected or traditional,” Osaka said in regards to the move, according to Bleacher Report. “Evolve is the natural next step in my journey as both an athlete and businesswoman, as well as a way to continue being myself and doing things my way.”
Education was an important discussion in the household of Andres Martin, the founder of nonprofit HBCU Night. As a first-generation college student, Martin had the opportunity to be someone great. He was determined to make his mother, who had encouraged the pursuit of college within their household, proud. During the HBCU Night founder’s senior year of high school, one of the most pivotal years for a student prior to beginning college, he received a discouraging message from his guidance counselor. “With grades like these, you won’t even get into community college,” said the counselor. The words would resonate with the Connecticut-native but they would not shake his spirit. Developing a plan with his mother and aunt, they were able to strategize a game plan for Andres Martin to attend college. It was this decision that would lead Martin to Dallas, TX upon graduation where he would visit Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) such as Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M and...
Most people probably want to ask Courtne Smith about her time spent as Drake’s personal assistant and member of his management team. Working closely with one of the biggest pop stars and successful businessmen as his friend and right hand probably yields some inspiring, lifelong knowledge (and we get to that). But the more interesting thing about Courtne Smith, the co-founder and CEO of the polling app NewNew, is her ability to evolve her businesses and fearlessly meet new challenges along the way. It should be noted, this isn’t Smith’s first rodeo in business or tech. A serial entrepreneur, Smith previously launched the prize giveaway app Suprize in 2018. Users were given chances to win cool items, including concert tickets, Kylie cosmetics, and Nike sneakers. Then, Smith and her business partner Filip Diarra decided brands wouldn’t give away free goods forever, so they evolved Suprize into NewNew, which allows users to personalize polls around various topics using videos, popular...
Ross Dress for Less has long been a dominant player in the low-price retail space. It offers a broad selection of products at compelling discounts. Its value proposition, driven by significant cost savings, has made it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers, particularly within Black communities. Over time, Ross has solidified its position as a go-to destination for those seeking both variety and affordability. However, as the retail landscape evolves, questions are emerging regarding the company’s stance on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) , particularly in light of recent regulatory changes. The new Trump administration’s ban on DEI initiatives has triggered a wave of corporate reassessments . Many businesses are either willfully or forcefully publicly stating their position on DEI policies. As a result, consumers are increasingly scrutinizing the values of the brands they support. This shift in consumer behavior signals that buying decisions are no longer solely...
JPMorgan Chase has begun removing any mention of its DEI efforts from its website, according to The Wall Street Journal. As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, the bank’s CEO, Jamie Dimon, had vowed to maintain its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as well as environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) policies, despite pushback from the conservative National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC). The center had also suggested that JPMorgan Chase, which employs 300,000 people globally, reexamine executive compensation tied to DEI goals — an initiative it introduced in 2020 through its “accountability framework.” That same year, the company had launched a $30 billion program to promote racial equity in personal finance as well. In response to the recent pushback, Dimon said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last month, “Bring them on. We are going to continue to reach out to the Black community, the Hispanic community, the LGBT community, the...
Da Brat has been a powerhouse in the hip-hop industry for decades, making history as the first female rapper to go platinum. Over the years, she has expanded her career beyond music, diving into business ventures, television, and radio. With multiple streams of income and a legacy that continues to influence hip-hop, Da Brat’s net worth in 2025 reflects her longevity in the industry and her smart financial moves. Da Brat’s Rise To Fame Born Shawntae Harris, Da Brat burst onto the hip-hop scene in the early 1990s after winning a rap contest that caught the attention of producer Jermaine Dupri. Under his guidance, she signed with So So Def Recordings and released her debut album, Funkdafied , in 1994. The album was a massive success, selling over a million copies and making Da Brat the first solo female rapper to achieve platinum status. Her distinctive flow, energetic delivery, and ability to blend street rap with mainstream appeal helped her carve out a unique space in the industry....
If you’ve been tapped in to the world of business news in recent months, you’re likely well aware that DEI measures are firmly on the chopping block, thanks to the Trump administration . The DEI framework, which seeks to support diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace, has been an invaluable tool in the national marketplace to ensure that those in marginalized communities are given a fair shot at employment and upward mobility. Much like other social programs, such as affirmative action, DEI has been integral to the success of disabled individuals, underprivileged youths and those who identify as part of the LGBTQ community . Unfortunately, a powerful minority of fringe right-wing lawmakers have taken issue with DEI initiatives and have quixotically maligned the entire practice as discriminatory. Since the newly established White House cabinet has become so dead-set on eliminating DEI measures across the board, legal requirements for fair hiring practices have already...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. “Oligarchy” is the word that has been spread across the internet and used to describe what has been observed during Donald Trump’s inauguration. “Oligarchy” is defined as “a country, institution, or organization led by a small group of people.” Observers saw the leaders of the most powerful tech companies in the world not just in attendance but sitting where friends and family sit. They had better seats than Trump’s cabinet. It’s not uncommon for business leaders to convene in Washington D.C. to usher in the exchange of power, but the previous relationship that Trump had with these tech CEOs, and its change to what is seen now, is something to take note of. Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta; Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet; Tim Cook, CEO of Apple; and, of course Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, were all close to the president during his swearing in. Each one of...
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is like the studio album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — critically acclaimed by some, misunderstood by others, and a constant source of debate. Whether celebrated or criticized, DEI has become one of the most polarizing issues in corporate America. And let’s be honest: When companies start scaling back on DEI, it’s not just a boardroom shuffle — it’s a move that disproportionately impacts the Black community. This polarizing environment extends beyond corporate America. According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump made waves with executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI programs within the federal government. Among these was the rescission of Executive Order 11246, which mandated affirmative action for federal contractors, a policy originally designed to level the playing field for underrepresented groups, as well as nondiscrimination. In addition, DEI offices were defunded, DEI employees were laid off, diversity training...
There is still optimism surrounding the future of creators amid the looming TikTok ban. This sentiment is felt by Eddie Rizzo, who serves as the VP of marketing at WORTHI, a full-service cultural connections agency on a mission to grow brands and build IP all while amplifying people of color. In 2024, Rizzo managed nearly $1 million in creator partnerships primarily on TikTok for BIPOC creators and clients such as Paramount+, Max, Google, GoFundMe, Amazon, and more. “My mission as the VP of Marketing at WORTHI is to grow and develop the best of the best team of predominantly BIPOC and LGBTQ+ strategists and creatives to deliver impactful work for our clients that’s intrinsically culture-forward from the inside out because we live and breathe culture,” he told AFROTECH™ in an interview. “This aligns with our company’s overall vision of unlocking the business value and cultural impact of historically underestimated communities.” Looking to the current landscape, Rizzo acknowledges the...
LeBron James’ business partner and Klutch Sports Group Founder Maverick Carter is looking to own an international league. Since 2006, Carter has been working alongside James within the business world. The pair had been playing basketball together in high school, and Carter was a trusted figure in James’ life. For that reason he was tapped by the NBA superstar to assist him on the business side as his sports career was taking off. “He betted on me at a time I didn’t know what I was doing,” Carter recalled during an interview on the “ UNINTERRUPTED” podcast . “And, you know, I’m still learning every day. But he really gave me a shot and was like, ‘I’m gonna empower you.'” Since that time, Carter has been a pivotal player in James’ journey to becoming a billion-dollar athlete today. Carter has served as his manager , and they have launched several business together, including SpringHill Entertainment, which merged with British television, film, and music production company Fulwell 73...
Pryce Yebesi has raised new funding in his next era as a founder. Yebesi co-founded Utopia Labs at the age of 21 alongside Kaito Cunningham (CEO), Jason Chong, and Alexander Wu. The venture offered crypto payments and crypto treasury management, and was “trusted by leading DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) and crypto companies to streamline operations, manage payroll, and consolidate financial reporting,” as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Yebesi also dropped out of college to focus on Utopia Labs, which had been supported by a $1.5 million raise in 2021 and was later acquired by Coinbase in November 2024. According to information shared with AFROTECH™, Yebesi then began working as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and through his observations he recognized small business owners were challenged by accounting software. This prompted the launch of a new brainchild in the fintech space, Open Ledger, which was established with the help of...