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Kevin Hart has taken over as CEO of his production company, HARTBEAT, marking the third leadership change in less than two years. According to Bloomberg, Hart stepped in just before Thanksgiving 2024 following a series of layoffs that impacted around 20 employees, nearly one-quarter of the company’s workforce. Shortly after the layoffs, CEO Jay Levine, Chief Financial Officer DJ Jacobs, and Chief Content Officer Brandon Smiley departed amicably due to disagreements about the company’s direction. HARTBEAT is a global, multi-platform media company dedicated to creating entertainment that blends comedy and culture. The company produces films, TV shows, audio series, and branded content. Founded in 2009, Hart merged his two high-growth, profitable companies, Laugh Out Loud and HartBeat Productions, to form the current entity in 2022, per a press release. HARTBEAT was launched with a $100 million investment from the private equity firm Abry Partners, which took a minority stake in the...
Fashion is a way of making a statement in the world. When considering how clothing can be incorporated into other industries, including the tech space, certain strategies are needed to be effective in leadership long-term. During AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 on Nov. 15, Gap Inc.’s Tamesha Hoppie-Henry, vice president of technology operations, and Blaine Beshah, director of product management, conducted a lab called “Tailoring Tech Leadership.” Hoppie-Henry and Beshah discussed the intersection of effective tech leadership and essential wardrobe pieces. The lab showcased how the essence of a clothing item can inspire company leaders looking to navigate strategically and increase the best return on investment. Hoppie-Henry and Beshah, both successful in their careers, emphasized the importance of representation in the tech field and the benefits of leveraging technological advancements. Metaphorically, both leaders talked through how a shirt or a pair of pants can align with a type of...
As the Chief Marketing Officer for Mars Wrigley North America, Gabrielle Wesley leads a multi-billion-dollar portfolio, exemplifying how Black women can thrive in the C-suite. Originally born on the south side of Chicago, Wesley expressed during the AFROTECH 2024 conference panel discussion, “Fueling Ambition For Women On The Rise,” that her desire to join marketing started after watching the 1992 film “Boomerang,” starring Eddie Murphy and Robin Givens. “When I saw people who looked like me doing marketing, doing advertising, leading big brands, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Wesley’s first job was as an intern in financial services at Northern Trust. While there, she met a woman named Jackie, who became her mentor for her confidence, leadership, and her way to command a room. After the internship, Wesley held roles in brand management at both food and beverage corporations, General Mills and ConAgra. With 20 years of experience, Wesley has managed a variety of brands,...
As the 2024 AfroTech conference approaches, anticipation builds for the impactful discussions that will celebrate Black excellence in technology. This year, Capital One, a tech leader committed to fostering diversity and innovation, is taking center stage with an exciting workshop on technology and product management. At the helm of this dynamic session will be two visionary leaders, Alexandra “Alex” Wood, Vice President of Product, and Jared Jordan, Managing Vice President, both of whom are driving the future of tech at Capital One. Their leadership exemplifies the company’s commitment to nurturing Black talent and pushing boundaries in the tech landscape. Meet the Leaders: Alex Wood and Jared Jordan Alex Wood and Jared Jordan bring diverse experiences and unique perspectives to their roles at Capital One. For Wood, the journey to Capital One wasn’t a linear path but rather a discovery of passion. “Like every good daughter of an immigrant, I wanted to be a doctor or scientist, but...
Bobby Wagner is planning for life after the league. Sportico reports that the Washington Commanders linebacker is currently signed to a one-year deal with the team reportedly worth $8.5 million. He negotiated the contract without an agent, winning the praise of Magic Johnson, who is a limited partner of the Washington Commanders. The 34-year-old joined the league in 2012 and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks. He remained with the team for his first 10 seasons and went to eight straight Pro Bowls, ESPN reports. He then played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and returned to the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 before landing with the Washington Commanders in 2024. Throughout his time in the league, Wagner has taken full advantage of opportunities off the court. Inspired by his mother who worked in the finance industry, he majored in business entrepreneurship and is working on his MBA at Howard University, per Sportico. He has made calculated investing moves, such as purchasing stakes in...
In any sports competition, coaches go into each game with a specific strategy. From determining who will be a part of the starting lineup to tricking plays to throw the opponent off, every game is built with tools to ensure the team’s success. But what happens when the tried-and-true approach to the game no longer works? For the more traditional and antiquated coaches, they will more than likely stick to the routine, hoping everything will work itself out. However, for those who desire to see change on the fields or courts, the coach will implement a new strategy and approach aimed at getting the results they’ve planned for. The same can be paralleled in the world of tech. Although the industry is experiencing challenging times due to the current job climate, the field still suffers from diversity. According to a 2023 McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility report, Black people represent 12% of the United States workforce, while only 8% hold tech jobs. The people at...
Having a Black woman in your corner is a sure shot for success. Although they make up only a small percentage in the business of sports, the underrepresented group is often a saving grace behind the scenes within the space. During AfroTech Executive Los Angeles in September 2022, a few powerhouses who make up the underrepresented group gathered for a panel titled The Changing Face Of Sports And Fitness Leadership. During the conversation — moderated by the CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Nichol Whiteman — the women not only touched on making it into the industry but also on surviving as Black women. Photo Credit: AfroTech “You can’t come into this industry with thin skin. Whether you’re a male or female, you have to be thick skin. You’re going to have to go through a lot. You’re going to have to work harder,” Kiesha Nix said during AfroTech Executive Los Angeles. “At this point in our careers, people joke with us sometimes that we should be working smarter and not harder....
Greenwood continues its mission toward economic empowerment for the Black and Latino community. The digital banking platform just acquired Valence to provide communities with support for professional development and job recruiting. The news comes on the heels of Greenwood’s acquisition of The Gathering Spot and solidifies the brand’s stance as a place where our people can not only learn skills for a better financial future but also get equipped with resources to survive and thrive. Valence was established in 2019 by Kobie Fuller, who is also the General Partner at Upfront Ventures. He, alongside Emily Slade and LaMer Walker, wanted to create a network specifically designed to help Black professionals connect with companies and vice versa. Now, Greenwood will leverage the company’s pipeline recruiting database to help companies diversify workforces of all levels from early career to the C-suite. This is a legendary move set to equip Greenwood’s community of roughly one million Black...
A venture capital firm has put together a dream team, and its new additions only add to its high-profile status. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Nascar driver Bubba Wallace are the newest additions to join the long list of athletes a part of a fund by the firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Similar to fellow musicians, Pharrell Williams isn’t happy with the current state of the music industry. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the music veteran was outspoken about how there are not enough leaders who look like him in the space calling the shots nor are there many who have ownership. “There’s not enough Black leadership. There’s not enough leadership from people of color,” he firmly stated. “There’s also not enough ownership — there just isn’t. As much as the music industry has given me, when you really love something or love someone you can be honest about the things that could be better. I gotta say that the ownership with people of color it’s just not been the same. And that’s something we’re working on now.” "There's not enough Black leadership. There's not enough leadership from people of color." Pharrell Williams on increasing Black ownership in the music industry https://t.co/ZhIDZ0kUMB pic.twitter.com/zCbIxZ3Mc1 — Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) March 22, 2022 The...
Cantu Beauty is on a mission to provide women of color around the globe with career readiness to thrive and survive. The award-winning multicultural hair care brand will partner with Women Empowering Nations (WEN), a non-profit organization designed to provide young girls of color in underserved neighborhoods with the exposure, development, and mentorship resources they need to accelerate their journey to positions in executive leadership. “Cantu Beauty has always been committed to supporting the next generation of female leaders by equipping them with the skills and resources to make a difference in their personal and professional lives,” said Dametria Kinsley, Cantu Beauty’s Global Vice President of Marketing, in an official press release shared with AfroTech. “Through our partnership with WEN, we’re able to take our commitment to the next level at a larger scale to reach women of color all over the world.”
The Propel Center, a global HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) hub, has announced $2 million in Propel Impact Grants to help establish institutions as repositories of research for global scholars, startup founders, policy leaders, culture creators and the world’s most influential business and entrepreneurial minds. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that the grants are launching with support from Apple, which is working alongside Propel to help develop curricula and provide ongoing mentorship and learning experiences, along with internship opportunities. Support from Apple — through the company’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative — will give HBCUs tools and resources to pursue new research and learning opportunities. “We envision a world where all people have access to the tools and resources they need to advance justice,” said Dr. Cortney Harris, vice president of impact and engagement for Propel, in the press release announcement. “This investment...
Clark Atlanta University is receiving a generous gift to help groom its next generation of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) leaders. This week, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) — an organization created to build a more inclusive, just and healthy future for all — announced its first round of Racial Equity Grants to be distributed to Clark Atlanta University’s Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), a press release reports. The $1 million gift will help support Clark Atlanta’s mission to lead the way in advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion for Black and communities of color in America. Additionally, the donation will poise the university to continue preparing its students to become world leaders. “The Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University is at the forefront of addressing issues of diversity and inclusion. Gifts like this help to sustain the future of HBCUs which depend on the quality and training of those who will lead them,”...
Creating access to careers in technology is key for advancing equity and creating a more equal world for all. For leaders like Kimberly Lowe-Williams, creating opportunities for others through technology is a passion that drives her work. “I am a technologist with a passion to bring the gift of coding and technology to underrepresented communities. I truly believe technology will serve as the catalyst for people in poverty to change their lifestyles, both individually and as a community. If I could contribute to that progress in any way, I know I will have made a difference in the world,” Lowe-Williams explains. As the first Black woman to lead as a senior engineering manager at Salesforce’s Heroku division, Lowe-Williams has emerged as a force within the company. Drawing on her own experience as a nonprofit founder, since joining the team she’s worked hard to cultivate new relationships and build bridges at Salesforce; as a result, Lowe-Williams has broken down walls while opening...