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Equity-focused work may be a point of contention in today’s political environment, but it has not stopped the commitment of those dedicated to ensuring justice. Recently, Operation HOPE Inc. hosted its Hope Global Forums Annual Meeting. This convening brought together community stakeholders and influencers to discuss how to move into the future through economic, technological, and cultural advancements. During the meeting in Atlanta, GA, Hope Global Forum leader and CEO of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant, announced one of his goals to raise $100 million to fund the organization’s work of providing financial literacy and economic growth tools for individuals and small businesses. While providing his final remarks, Bryant confirmed that he is well on his way to receiving that fundraising amount through partners and corporations including Delta, Shopify, Truist, and Bishop T.D. Jakes. “Shopify, they’re ready for $60 million,” Bryant said. “Why did they do this? They are good people,...
Ed Dwight has officially made history! On May 19, Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-25 launched its first human flight in nearly two years, which Dwight was onboard for — making him the oldest person to go to space at age 90, according to ABC News. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, the former Air Force captain made history in 1961 after being selected by President John F. Kennedy as the first Black astronaut candidate in the U.S. But after completing the Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) and receiving a recommendation from the U.S. Air Force to move forward, he wasn’t selected for the NASA Astronaut Corps — missing out on the opportunity to fly to space. However, now over 60 years later, Dwight has reached the monumental milestone. “You’ve waited a long time for this opportunity and all of us who stand on your shoulders could not be happier,” Charles Bolden, the first Black NASA administrator, told the outlet. As an astronaut, Bolden himself served on four missions to space. “I...
Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress. Barack Obama was the first Black man to serve as President of the United States. Althea Gibson was the first Black woman to win a Grand Slam Tournament. Bayard Rustin organized and strategized alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., more notably leading the efforts to structure the March on Washington. The above facts are just a tiny drop in the bucket of history related to Black people and their contributions to America and the world. From the halls of academia to the entertainment industry, tech and business, and any other sector in between – no space exists without the imprint of Black people. For some, the range of excellence is held tightly in the short month of February. According to the NAACP, the month started as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson. The week would eventually develop into Black History Month and be federally recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. And while the world pauses to...
One of the most prolific figures in American history is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most people are familiar with his work around equity and justice and his incredible mark on earth, particularly through the Civil Rights Movement. Through his equity-focused work, Dr. King championed fair housing. And one of his approaches beyond the need for legislative changes around housing policy was his belief in the Beloved Community. According to The King Center, the Beloved Community “is a global vision, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger, and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it.” This vision of building a community of trust and strength did not end with the work of Dr. King. Throughout history, several leaders have risen to advocate for equitable access to resources and the reclamation of communities from which larger entities have divested. Among those leaders...
Technology has a way of bringing the world a piece of history in ways that would otherwise be unimaginable. This time, people may be able to get their hands on authentic paperwork from the late great Martin Luther King, Jr. As previously reported by AfroTech, the internet is allowing users and fans alike to gain access to historic materials from back in the day. In a prior story, we brought you the news that a handwritten poem by Tupac was recovered and being sold online for the price of $95,000 via Moments In Time.
Just ahead of the holiday, The Obsidian Collection has announced that its consumer-facing digital photo portal will offer rare images of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a non-fungible token (NFT) collection. According to PR Newswire, the images — captured by renowned photographer John Tweedle — feature Dr. King during his historic visit to the city of Chicago in 1966. Tweedle, who became the first African American to be hired by a major newspaper, captured Dr. King in his element as he visited the windy city to challenge slumlords, fight against institutional racism and step to Mayor Richard J. Daley, who served the city at the time. The photos also include a visit where Dr. King spoke to a crowd at Soldier Field and his time attending a fundraiser in support of the Civil Rights Movement during the 60s that was held at the iconic Chicago international Amphitheatre. The fundraiser was attended by big names including the late Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Mahalia Jackson....
For the past year, media mogul Byron Allen has been leading the charge for Black-owned media companies through a campaign that aimed to address the inequities in the ad business. According to an exclusive from AdAge, Allen’s efforts have proven to be successful after advertising giant IPG Mediabrands committed to invest a minimum of five percent in Black-owned media across all of its clients by the year 2023. “The time is past due to embrace the opportunities to connect with influential audiences through Black-owned media,” Daryl Lee — global CEO at Mediabrands — shared in a statement. “Innovation and growth are flourishing across Black-owned media outlets, providing brands with deeply authentic ways to reach diverse audiences in a supportive, meaningful manner. We are excited to be adding our voice to a growing industry conversation in support of greater diversity and equity in media spend.” The outlet also reports ad giant GroupM has pledged to ask its clients to commit two...
It’s no secret that “ Star Trek ” is a cinematic force in pop culture, and among its long-running franchise is actress Nichelle Nichols. She was the first Black woman to play a high-powered non-stereotypical role on primetime American television, according to The Washington Post. However, not only was she a pioneer in television, but she also trailblazed the final frontier. Theater and TV Darling Born in Illinois, Nichols gained her career in acting through her love of theater. She performed in local productions in Chicago and in small film roles. Fast forward—she toured with Duke Ellington at the age of 16—Nichols landed the groundbreaking role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. Famously, she admits that Martin Luther King, Jr. convinced her not to quit after the first season of the series. However, her on-screen influence, which ran from 1966 to 1991, reached far beyond the fictional alternate universe. Nichelle Nichols as Uhura in the STAR TREK episode, “Spock’s Brain.” Original airdate,...