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Black residents in Chicago, IL, will be able to invest their dollars in its first casino. The TRiiBE reports locals gathered for an information session hosted by City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and members of the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus to buy shares in Bally’s Casino, a $1.6 billion project in the 21st Ward that will also feature a hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, and a Riverwalk extension to Chicago Ave. A requirement for the casino is that at least 25% of the investment must come from minorities and women. “Tonight is about a new opportunity on how to participate, about not just being a consumer but to be an owner,” Ald. Ronnie Mosley (21st Ward) said at the pulpit of Third Baptist Church, according to the outlet. Conyears-Ervin added: “Remember when they legalized marijuana a few years ago? We knew that we were the community that was affected the most by it, but we felt that we did not have access to being owners. Well, this, ladies and gentlemen, is quite different.”...
The legacy of the late Bob Marley remains prevalent. Bob’s musical influence extends globally, with Rolling Stone recognizing “Exodus,” his ninth studio album with the Wailers, as No. 48 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” in December 2023. What’s more, his story is currently being told in a biopic across movie theaters. “Bob Marley: One Love” has earned $71.1 million domestically and $120.5 globally, according to Entertainment Weekly and Comscore (at the time of this writing). Though his life was cut short at 36, following a battle with malignant melanoma, t he Marley family continues to carry the torch of their father while also carving their own paths. At the time of his death, Bob did not have a will, and his inheritance was given to his wife, Rita, and 11 children. As AFROTECH previously told you, with that financial investment in each of his children, many have built on that foundation with net worths now reportedly set in the multi-millions. This includes...
Ahead of Beyoncé’s hour-long performance in Dubai — taking place at Atlantis The Royal — on Jan 21, videos have been circulating online of what looks to be her sound check. Captured by Dubai residents, the superstar was heard practicing her hits like “Crazy in Love,” “Halo,” “Drunk in Love,” and “Naughty Girl.”
These two college roommates just became business partners. Davonne Reaves and Jessica Myers first met in the early 2000s when the two became roommates at Georgia State University. Now, they are making history as business partners who just closed on a historic $8.3 million hotel deal. Back in college, the journalism and hospitality majors probably couldn’t have fathomed that by age 33 they’d be hotel owners. According to Black Business, the deal is said to have made them the youngest Black women to ever co-own a property in a major hotel chain. Reaves and Myers created their own hotel ownership group of mostly Millennials and partnered with Nassau Investments to acquire Home2Suites by Hilton located in El Reno, Oklahoma just about 30 miles from Oklahoma City. “I never thought by the time I was 33 that I’d be a hotel owner, but I admit that it feels great to have accomplished that at this point in my life,” Reaves said, according to Black Business. “Making history in the process, well...
For the past 15 years, Choice Hotels has devoted itself to its long-standing commitment to make small business ownership a reality for minority entrepreneurs. Now, the hotel group has announced the creation of a first-of-its-kind collective exclusively for Black hoteliers called the Choice Hotels Owners African American Alliance (CHOAAA) — the hotel industry’s only franchisee-focused group dedicated to Black hotel owners, a press release shares. As stated in the announcement, CHOAAA was designed to provide ongoing representation, support and advocacy for these underrepresented entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry. “The racial and social inequality challenges facing our nation and industry have moved us as a company to do more, building on the work we’ve been committed to for decades,” said Patrick Pacious, President/CEO Choice Hotels, in a statement. “As part of our pledge to cultivate a culture of diversity, equity and belonging, we have taken steps to decisively move us...
Some facts about Black History Month have been well-established: Carter G. Woodson was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. His frat created Negro History and Literature Week in 1924. Woodson sent out a press release to announce the first Negro History Week. He chose February to honor another historical legend, a formerly-enslaved-man-turned-activist Frederick Douglass, who had chosen February 14 as his birthday without knowing his real birthdate. Negro History Week was also chosen to honor former President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12. And on its 50th anniversary, in 1976, younger members of the Association for the Study of African American History extended Negro History Week to Black History Month. While all of these facts are inarguable, there’s one point that remains vague: What exactly are you supposed to do during Black History Month? Like Juneteenth , there were never any established rules. For employees who want to honor this month, are there tips for how to...
UI and web designer Dacia Petrie is behind an app that makes it easier for shoppers to buy from Black-owned businesses. Black shoppers are looking for more ways to support some of their favorite brands beyond major retail. This comes after several companies, including Walmart and Target, announced plans to roll back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. In fact, entrepreneur and graphic designer Danielle Coke Balfour pulled her products from Target shelves and directed buyers to her online storefront, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. “All products pictured are retired at this time except the Good Work Journal. My licensing agreement was with a vendor, not Target directly. Target has described their changes as ‘concluding’ specific DEI initiatives, which I’ve expressed my personal disappointment with. I stand by my message about the importance of supporting Black-owned brands and businesses,” Balfour wrote on Instagram. In a follow-up video, Balfour reveals that...
Addressing the talent gap is essential to mitigating cybersecurity risks effectively. The United States has seen a wave of cybersecurity attacks over the years. In 2024, The Guardian reported that Volt Typhoon, a Chinese hacking group, infiltrated the networks of critical infrastructure organizations, including aviation, rail, mass transit, highways, maritime, pipelines, water, and sewage systems. U.S. intelligence revealed that the group had maintained access to some victim IT environments for over five years. Among the high-profile incidents, MGM Resorts faced a staggering $100 million loss. They were hit with cybersecurity attacks, leading them to shut down their systems in September 2023 “to mitigate risk to customer information,” according to NBC News. This meant workers could not access company emails, slot machines were inaccessible, and some customers could no longer enter their hotel rooms. Despite these measures, the hackers were still able to retrieve sensitive...
A Black-owned plaza is making its way to Quincy, FL, in Gadsden County. According to WCTV, a variety of Black-owned businesses will be joining Seaboard Plaza. The plaza’s purpose is to increase the economic activity locally and create more jobs. Seaboard Plaza will feature the following types of businesses: Food court Barber shop Hair salon Dry cleaners Construction and real estate offices Full-scale restaurant with a private bar room Event venue “This helps to employ local people. This helps keep local money local and not take it out of town. This also provides convenience to people,” Gadsden County Economic Development Director T.J. Lewis told the outlet. General contractor Latasha Murray, a Gadsden County native, commented: “We considered what other people in Gadsden County wanted. The restaurants was one of the main ones and the cleaners ’cause we don’t have a cleaners here in Quincy as of now.” Furthermore, Seaboard Plaza is being built on the same land as the former Seaboard...
Pharrell Williams is in his restaurant bag. According to World Red Eye News, the award-winning producer and creative has partnered with Launchpad Hospitality Group to debut Nami Nori and Matsuyoi, two Japanese restaurants he collaborated on, in Miami’s Design District. Nami Nori blends effortlessly with its Miami setting, showcasing beachy vibes, airy interiors, and a menu of standout temaki rolls like X.O. scallops and spicy crab dynamite. Matsuyoi, on the other hand, offers a more intimate and moody dining experience. It features a seasonal multi-course menu focusing on temaki. The restaurants will eventually make their way to Williams’ hometown of Virginia Beach, VA, WRE News reported. In addition to Nami Nori and Matsuyoi, Williams has Swan, an indoor and outdoor restaurant and lounge he opened with David Grutman in 2018, also located in Miami’s Design District . The menu features seafood-centric small plates and locally sourced produce. “Designed around market-driven...
Robert L. Johnson ’s journey from a young man with a vision to a media magnate and philanthropist is a story of perseverance, strategy, and relentless pursuit of success. As the founder of BET (Black Entertainment Television), Johnson became the first African American billionaire, cementing his place as one of the most influential figures in the media industry. His journey, however, was not without its challenges. Here’s a closer look at how Johnson built his empire and made a lasting impact as a businessman and philanthropist. Early Life And Education Born on April 8, 1946, in Hickory, Mississippi , Johnson grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. His parents were both educators, and their influence instilled in him a desire to succeed academically and professionally. Johnson attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Afterward, he went on to obtain a Master of Public Affairs degree from Princeton University. His time...
Google has convened at one of the yearly hot spots for art and thoughtful conversations. To celebrate Art Basel/Miami Art Week 2024, Dec. 2 – 8, many are gathering in Miami, FL, to view the works of artists from all over the world. Kicking it off on Monday, Dec. 2, ELLE Magazine Editor-At-Large Hassan Pierre; Senior Director, Global Consumer Marketing, Commerce at Google, Stephanie Horton; and journalist Lola Ogunnaike hosted an intimate conversation with multidisciplinary artist Derrick Adams, in celebration of the week, and his partnership with Google Shopping at the Matador Room inside The Miami Beach EDITION hotel. Photo Credit: Matteo Prandoni / BFA.com | Editor Credit: Brendon Cook / BFA.com | L-R: Hassan Pierre, Stephanie Horton, Lola Ogunnaike, Derrick Adams Also in attendance were artist Mickalene Thomas; interior designer Sasha Bikoff; Carmen Busquets (founder of Net a Porter); Jasmine Wahi (founder of Project for Empty Space); and broadcast journalist Cari Champion, among...