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Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The tech industry has long had an obsession with youth. This is seen in how the industry conducts itself, who investors look to invest in, how people look at hiring in the world of startups, as well as which programs are being targeted by DOGE, and which ones aren’t, as they look to make the government more efficient. Over the last few months, the Department of Government Efficiency has aggressively looked for waste and fraud within the federal government. It started with organizations that do not come to mind for the average American, like the United States Agency For International Development, or USAID, which focuses on deploying aid to foreign countries for a variety of efforts centered around health, disaster aid, and economic development. DOGE came in like a wrecking ball to the organization, and as reported by ABC News in February, 4,080 employees worldwide were placed on leave and an...
Founder Erica Plybeah responded to an inconvenience with an innovative solution that improves the quality of life for patients needing medical transport. Established in 2017, she launched MedHaul to provide safe and reliable non-emergency medical transportation to individuals, regardless of their needs, per her LinkedIn. The company was inspired by her personal challenges in finding dependable transportation for her grandmother’s medical appointments in Memphis, TN, according to its website. Her grandmother has type-2 diabetes with a double-leg amputation. Living in an underserved area also limited access to transportation, and Plybeah wanted to lower this barrier for others, which motivated her to establish MedHaul, a company that works alongside healthcare facilities, research facilities, and community organizations to ensure people have access to medical transportation. Its technology is also helpful for healthcare providers to book medical transportation appointments that can...
Google is using artificial intelligence (AI) to save lives, successfully implementing Loss of Pulse Detection in the Pixel Watch 3. Initially announced in 2024 for the Pixel Watch 3 in the European Union, Google shared on Feb. 26, 2025, that it received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement the “first-of-its-kind feature” and begin its rollout in the United States at the end of March. In a previous blog post, Google explained that a loss of pulse happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. The condition can affect people at any age and may be caused by various issues, including primary cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, circulatory failure, overdose, or poisoning. When such a situation occurs, the watch automatically prompts a call to emergency services, potentially providing life-saving assistance. “For three years, Pixel Watch has given people peace of mind with safety and health features like Car Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Irregular...
CircNova, a Michigan-based biotech startup, has completed a $3.3 million seed round to advance its technology, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to target “circular RNA.” Crystal Brown co-founded CircNova in May 2023 with scientist Joe Deangelo. Brown told TechCrunch that it has since developed a “proprietary AI engine that allows us to identify, design, and then produce novel, non-coding, circular RNAs.” RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is present in all cells and is a key molecule that carries the instructions to convert genetic information into proteins. F irst discovered in 1976, circular RNA — a class of structures that forms a circle rather than a strand — regulates critical biological processes, per TechCrunch. The aim is to “treat diseases we haven’t treated so far, things like ovarian cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, rare genetic diseases,” Brown said. CircNova’s website states that its AI NovaEngine is the first in the world capable of...
Erin Harkless Moore believes artificial intelligence (AI) can improve the Care Economy. Since 2020, Moore has served as vice president and managing director of investments at Pivotal Ventures, a company launched by billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates to advance social progress and accelerate women’s influence globally, per its website. Gates has even committed $2 billion towards the mission. Furthermore, alongside partners, Pivotal Ventures prioritizes an expansive list of pillars within the $648 billion Care Economy, including mental health, paid medical and family leave, and women and tech innovation. Moore is tasked with leading a team responsible for selecting, investing in, and managing a diverse portfolio that adheres to Pivotal Ventures’ mission, her LinkedIn states. “We really start with our investment thesis and our direct investments in care looking at you know tech solutions that reduce burdens of care, lower cost of care, and improve access to care, and...
A Black-owned pharmacy has opened in Toledo, OH. After seeing health disparities within communities during his residency with Kroger, pharmacist Anthony Pattin was driven to provide better access to underserved citizens. At the time, Pattin had already completed an undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences and a PharmD from the University of Toledo, Toledo Blade reports. “One of my first projects was looking at African-Americans’ perceptions of vaccines,” he told the outlet. “I learned a lot. One thing is, not everyone feels the same way. I had a group of people who wanted vaccines but said ‘As a matter of fact, when I go to the pharmacy, they don’t offer it,’ and that’s how I found out that there are some pharmacies, even in their community, that didn’t offer that service. So that was a disparity — that you were saying that maybe they don’t want the service, but they don’t have it available.” While Pattin took note, the idea for a pharmacy was catalyzed by an elderly neighbor...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. “Health is wealth” is a phrase that people have been using for years, and to me, it does not only refer to the health of one’s body but also to the opportunities that I see in health. The category has historically been geared towards products for men and women as a whole — and not focused on the issues that women specifically face. However, in the first half of 2024, digital health startups looking to improve women’s health outcomes saw a 3% increase in capital invested when compared to the first 6 months of 2023, showing a total of $679 million for 2024, according to PitchBook . This increased investment interest, I believe, will not only l ead to better health outcomes for women but present a set of opportunities for people to build their tech careers in this growing sector. The areas within women’s health that tech companies are targeting and show the most promise are companies focused on...
An observation Amber Hill made as a medical researcher jumpstarted her founder journey. In conversation with TechCrunch, Hill notes that she found manual administrative tasks tedious and felt that the time could have been put to better use. “I was spending so much time doing manual tasks that didn’t require any medical expertise. It’s a process that’s completely broken, and I knew it could be fixed,” she told the outlet. In 2020, Hill launched London, England-based Research Grid. The artificial intelligence (AI)-driven platform is intended to increase efficiency in clinical trials by automating manual processes, its website mentions. It currently offers two products: Inclusive and Trial Engine. Inclusive is described as a “community engagement sourcing and management platform” to support early trials through smart automations and patient engagement. This feature has grown a network of over 300 million patients across at least 90,000 communities. Its second product is Trial Engine, a...
Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne is gaining traction in the investment world for her medical device known as the “Band-Aid for nosebleeds.” As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Dr. Clayborne is the founder of NasaClip, which was inspired by her time in residency in Washington, DC. Various patients were coming into the emergency room for an issue professionals in the medical field described as a “lower acuity issue.” “Nosebleeds are most common in kids age 2 to 10, older adults 55 to 80, who might be on blood thinners, it’s really the least likely population to manage it well. So when they can’t get that bleeding to stop, they show up to me in the ER, and they want me to treat them right away. They’re bleeding all over the waiting room demanding to be seen. But for us as ER docs, this is a lower acuity issue, but it happens to be really kind of time-consuming and cumbersome to deal with,” she said over a Zoom webinar held on Oct. 31, 2024. She continued, “I was frustrated as a resident. Often...
The first patient to receive gene therapy for sickle cell disease since its approval is finally home. The New York Times reported that staff members were overjoyed as 12-year-old Kendric Cromer left Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, in a wheelchair on Oct. 16, 2024. Kendric is one of approximately 20,000 people with the most severe form of sickle cell disease. This condition results from a mutation in the hemoglobin genes, causing red blood cells to take on a crescent shape. These misshaped cells can block blood vessels, leading to severe pain, stroke, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy. “I thought I would have sickle cell for the rest of my life,” Kendric said, according to The Times. Throughout his childhood, the disease had prevented him from enjoying playing basketball or riding a bike. Such activities would trigger pain and require frequent trips to the hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , about 100,000 people in the U.S....
Southern University’s College of Nursing and Allied Health is breaking barriers and making history in remarkable ways. According to WBRZ-2 News, the Baton Rouge, LA-based Historically Black College and University has achieved a significant milestone by welcoming the largest cohort of Black male nursing students in its history — 33 individuals. “The diversity of males in healthcare is very important for us,” said nursing student James Rodgers. “So to be a part of something like this is legendary for us.” Student Ray Washington added, “I think now other males, younger black males, older males having the opportunity to see what we’re doing here is only going to ignite a fire in them and say we have the opportunity to decide our own story and not allow the world to make that decision for us.” The students are determined to transform the face of healthcare while challenging stereotypes . Their commitment goes beyond caring for their peers; they aspire to make a lasting impact on their...
Bright mind Heman Bekele has been named TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Bekele, who was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, developed the idea to create a Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS), which resulted in a “compound based bar of soap charged with different types of cancer-fighting chemicals.” According to TIME, the soap incorporates imiquimod, which is a drug used in treating one form of skin cancer as well as other skin-related issues. “It’s supposed to help heal the skin internally, which will then show results externally because the skin cancer will slowly start to fade away,” Bekele explained in 2023. This led to him being recognized that year as “America’s Top Young Scientist” in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science competition created by 3M and Discovery Education. Bekele became the first Black scientist to receive the honor at 14 years old. “It’s incredible, and it’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime type of...
This Black doctor just made history at Johns Hopkins University! In June 2024, Nancy Abu-Bonsrah achieved a historic feat, becoming the first Black woman to graduate from Johns Hopkins University’s neurosurgery program. She took to social media to announce the news, however, it was a close friend who noted that Dr. Abu-Bonsrah had quite literally also made history, Because Of Them We Can reports. “Congratulations to my dear friend, and the first Black woman to graduate from the neurosurgery program at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Nancy Abu-Bonsrah!,” wrote the woman called Anna, whose username is @itsafronomics. Congratulations to my dear friend, and the first Black woman to graduate from the neurosurgery program at John’s Hopkins, Dr. Nancy Abu-Bonsrah ( @BonsrahNancy )! #medtwitter pic.twitter.com/gdu6x7pF9i — Anna (@itsafronomics) June 28, 2024 According to Dr. Abu-Bonsrah, becoming a neurosurgery doctor was a 12-year journey. She also noted that it felt “surreal” that she’d completed the...
Howard University women’s basketball has landed a sweet deal with Black Girl Vitamins. According to a press release, Howard University Bison Women’s Basketball team has cemented a multi-year deal with Black Girl Vitamins as its official sponsor. The vitamin company aims to empower Black women in their health journeys with high-quality products, health expertise, and education resources. Through the partnership, the team’s players and coaches will receive vitamins, and the team will also be provided with direct monetary sponsorship. “Thank you, @blackgirlvitamins !! Thank you for seeing us!! Thank you for seeing all Black Women and making our health a priority,” the team wrote in a caption shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HU Womens Basketball Team (@howard_wbb) Black Girl Vitamins commented in a separate Instagram post: “Holding this secret in for this long was not easy for us at all, legit wanted to explode. But yes we are THE OFFICIAL, yes THE...
A Black-owned pharmacy is opening in St. Louis, MO. According to a news release, GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness has opened in St. Louis to serve 45,000 residents who had been without a pharmacy in their area. St. Louis native Dr. Marcus Howard founded GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness, the first Black-owned pharmacy in Missouri. He had left the St. Louis area to pursue a degree in higher learning, obtaining a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. “I went to North Carolina to pursue my undergrad degree and my Ph.D., and I returned home to really take all the things that I learned out in the community in other places and bring them back home because I know St. Louis is a great place. It’s my home. I just wanted to just bring something back and make a difference,” he said in an interview with Nine PBS. Dr. Howard wanted to become a doctor because he recognized the disparities in the local area, especially in healthcare. He aimed to eliminate those disparities. “Growing up in North City, you...