For years, Black women have been told that education, adaptability, and professionalism would create economic stability. But new labor data suggests that even being highly educated and deeply embedded in the workforce is not enough to shield them from economic instability when systems shift. According to analysis published by the Feminist Majority Foundation, Black women’s unemployment had climbed to 6.4% in April 2025, well above the national unemployment rate reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, white women’s unemployment remained significantly lower at 3.8%. Now in 2026 those numbers have reached 7.3% and 3.7%, respectively. How AI And DEI Rollbacks Are Impacting The Workforce The numbers arrive at a moment when companies are aggressively integrating AI into workplace operations while simultaneously scaling back Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Together, those shifts are creating a labor market where Black women...
The launch of BET’s Creator Studio is being positioned as a new chapter for digital storytelling. But the decision to center Jason Lee as its marquee voice signals something deeper about where power in media is moving. According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, “The Jason Lee Show” will debut as the flagship series for the new platform, offering a mix of behind-the-scenes access and high-profile conversations designed to unpack the people and forces shaping culture. The weekly show, launching across BET’s digital platforms, is intended to give audiences “direct access to the pace, pressure, and strategy behind building influence,” per the press release. Building Hollywood Unlocked Without Gatekeepers Long before the BET partnership, Lee built Hollywood Unlocked into what he describes as a sustainable, multi-million-dollar media business. But his framing of that success is less about content and more about infrastructure. “The content is the merchandise, but the storefront...
The Zelle Network is expanding its Minority Depository Institution (MDI) access program into its second year, adding a new partnership with Jack Henry while continuing its collaboration with Velera, according to a March 30 press release. The initiative, first launched in 2025 with Velera, a national credit union service organization and integrated financial technology solutions provider, aims to reduce barriers for community-based financial institutions that provide a critical service in local economic development and wealth-building, the release noted. Zelle Expands Access To Digital Payments Through its renewed partnership with Velera, Zelle will continue to enable MDI credit unions to offer real-time digital payment capabilities. The new collaboration with Jack Henry, a financial technology company, extends that access to additional MDI banks and credit unions, broadening the program’s reach, per the press release. “For many minority communities, MDIs play an essential role in...
Meta has begun testing a new premium subscription model on Instagram, signaling a potential expansion of its revenue strategy beyond advertising. According to a report confirmed to TechCrunch, the subscription, called “Instagram Plus,” is currently being tested in select international markets. New Meta Features Aim To Expand User Control And Engagement Per TechCrunch, Instagram Plus introduces a range of exclusive features designed to deepen user interaction. One of the most notable additions is the ability to view Stories anonymously, allowing users to watch disappearing posts without notifying the creator. Subscribers can also see how many times their own Stories have been rewatched, offering more insight into audience behavior. The subscription also expands customization options. Users can create unlimited audience lists for Stories, moving beyond the current “Close Friends” limitation. This allows for more tailored content sharing across different groups. Additional features...
The collapse of the Biden-era SAVE student loan repayment plan marks a major shift in how millions of Americans will manage their debt. Once positioned as the most affordable income-driven repayment option, SAVE has been eliminated, leaving borrowers to navigate a more expensive and uncertain system. According to PBS News, a federal judge officially vacated the SAVE plan after legal challenges from Republican-led states, which were later upheld through a settlement under the Trump administration. A Policy Built On Affordability, Now Reversed SAVE was designed to lower monthly payments and expand access to loan forgiveness. According to Forbes, it offered reduced payments tied to income and long-term relief for borrowers struggling with rising costs. Now, that plan is gone. Borrowers enrolled in SAVE will be required to transition to a new repayment plan, with just 90 days to choose one, reports Forbes. If they fail to act, they may be automatically placed in a standard repayment...
Keith Lee is looking to change the festival game by introducing FamiLee Day. The viral food critic and cultural tastemaker has announced the full lineup for his inaugural FamiLee Day festival, set to take place May 16 at UNO Lakefront in New Orleans. The one-day event will bring together a curated food village, live music, and family-centered experiences designed to celebrate community while uplifting local businesses, according to an official press release. FamiLee Day Is All About Food, Culture, And Community At its core, FamiLee Day is designed to center the very elements that built Keith Lee’s platform: food, people, and trust. The event will feature a food village curated by Lee himself, highlighting independently owned restaurants such as Thistle & Rye, Velvet Grain, Salt + Sage, Iron Kettle, and Copper Root, with additional vendors expected to participate. According to the press release, the experience will be hosted by NAACP Image Award–winning comedian Kevin “KevOnStage”...
For viewers across YouTube and TikTok, “Pop the Balloon or Find Love” has become one of the internet’s most recognizable dating shows. The viral series places singles face-to-face with potential matches who signal interest or rejection by popping a balloon. Comments on their YouTube videos display reactions that are often hilarious, sometimes awkward, and occasionally heartwarming. What began as a social media experiment quickly grew into a cultural moment in online dating conversations. Now the creators behind the show are seeking to bring that same energy into the tech world. Husband-and-wife duo Arlette Amuli and Bolia Matundu are launching Luv or Pop, and they describe it as a dating app designed to turn the show’s decision-driven format into a digital matchmaking experience. Instead of endless swiping, the couple wants users to focus on building intentional connections and making transparent choices. From Social Media Experiment To Viral Hit Amuli and Matundu told AFROTECH™...
The 2026 tax season is officially underway, and if you already filed your 2025 return, you are probably checking your account and asking the same question everyone else is: Where’s my refund? Here is what we know right now about refund timelines, possible delays, and the latest on a potential stimulus check. Tax Season Is Open, And Returns Are Moving The IRS began accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on Jan. 26. According to the Austin American-Statesman, the agency processes more than 150 million individual returns each year, and more than 90% of taxpayers are expected to file electronically. That volume alone explains why timing varies, adding in nuances of staffing shifts and broader government funding concerns, and patience becomes part of the process. A previous AFROTECH™ report also noted that the recent partial government shutdown raised questions about processing timelines, especially for returns requiring manual review. Where’s My Refund? How To Check Your Status If...
For the first time, Alphabet, the parent company of YouTube, has released its full financial performance numbers, showing how it compares with other streaming and media platforms. According to Variety, in 2025, YouTube generated more than $60 billion in revenue from advertising and subscriptions, surpassing Netflix’s $45.18 billion and trailing only slightly behind The Walt Disney Company’s $95.7 billion. The disclosure arrives during a period of rapid consolidation across the streaming industry. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Netflix is pushing an aggressive expansion through its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal structured as an all-cash offer at $27.75 per share. If the deal is approved, it would add major film and television studios, including HBO and HBO Max, to Netflix’s portfolio. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Boardroom (@boardroom) While the move signals Netflix’s ambition to deepen its content pipeline, YouTube’s latest numbers highlight a...
The 2026 tax season officially opened on Jan. 26, just days before a partial government shutdown raised new concerns for millions of Americans waiting on their tax refund. With approximately 164 million taxpayers expected to file this year, according to The Economic Times, questions around processing timelines, staffing, and payment delays have quickly taken center stage. How The Shutdown Could Affect Your Tax Refund Timeline Historically, shutdowns have impacted the disbursement of tax refunds, according to The Economic Times. Some refunds continue flowing through automated systems, while others stall due to staffing limits or manual review requirements. Per The Economic Times, the IRS typically issues most refunds within 21 days when returns are accurate and filed electronically. However, funding lapses can restrict certain services and slow processing if the shutdown extends. The IRS has previously scaled back operations during shutdown periods, limiting phone support and...
When Screen Skinz Co-founders RaShaun Brown and Clay Canning stepped into the “Shark Tank,” they were pitching more than a screen protector. They were introducing a new way to think about personalization, privacy, and the device people interact with hundreds of times a day. That pitch paid off, according to an interview with AFROTECH™. The Houston-based company secured a deal on the ABC show’s Season 17 Episode 10, which aired Jan. 21, and landed a combined $300,000 investment from Kevin O’Leary and guest shark Alexis Ohanian, per ABC. The agreement includes 15% equity and a $1 royalty on each unit sold until $900,000 is recouped, positioning Screen Skinz for accelerated growth following its primetime debut, the founders shared with AFROTECH™. From A Laundry Room To A Scalable Business Screen Skinz began in 2022 as a side project Canning started in his parents’ laundry room in Florida, where he experimented with etching designs into glass as a high school student. What was first a...
As housing affordability continues to strain workers across income levels, a growing number of employers are being pushed to rethink what meaningful benefits look like. A new funding announcement signals that housing support may be moving from the margins to the center of employee wellness strategies. According to the press release, Oro, a social fintech company focused on housing and homeownership as employee benefits, has raised $3 million and officially launched its housing wellness platform for employers. A New Category In Employee Benefits The funding round was led by Slauson & Co., with participation from Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures and Bronze Valley, the press release confirms. The investment comes as companies face increased pressure around employee retention and engagement, while workers struggle with rising rents, higher interest rates, and elevated home prices, according to the release. “We believe housing is the next frontier in employee benefits,” said Austin...
The American Library Association (ALA) is backing new federal legislation to expand access to education, literacy, and workforce preparation in U.S. prisons. According to a press release issued Tuesday, Jan. 27, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO), Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH), and Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) reintroduced the Prison Libraries Act to Congress. The ALA endorsed the legislation, which would support the creation and expansion of state prison libraries nationwide though $60 million in grant funding over six years. Per the release, the program is designed to advance reintegration, reduce recidivism, and expand educational opportunities for incarcerated people through sustained federal investment in library services. What The Prison Libraries Act Would Do According to Tuesday’s release, the Prison Libraries Act would deliver grantees with the funds to update library materials, hire qualified librarians, and expand programming that includes digital literacy, career readiness, civic...
Keith Lee, the content creator and food critic whose TikTok food reviews have driven national attention to local restaurants and small businesses, is preparing to take that influence offline with the launch of a new food festival set to debut this spring. The festival, Keith Lee’s Familee Day, will kick off on May 16 in New Orleans and is positioned as a multi-day experience centered on food, music, and family-friendly programming, according to a video Lee shared on TikTok. At its core, the event aims to create sustained visibility and economic opportunity for small and underrepresented restaurants that often struggle to break through traditional marketing channels, he said. A Festival More Than A Year In The Making In the video announcing Familee Day, Lee shared that the event has been in development for more than a year and was intentionally designed to go beyond a standard food festival model. “At first I was gonna say, ‘hey, we got a food festival coming out, and it’s food,...
Entrepreneur Steven Bartlett says one of the most important lessons he has learned as a leader came not from a resume filled with credentials but from a moment many employers may overlook entirely. According to a recent Fortune article, Bartlett, founder and host of “The Diary of a CEO” podcast, hired a candidate whose CV was just two lines long and listed virtually no formal experience. What ultimately set the applicant apart was not her background but her character and awareness during the interview process. “Much of the reason why I gave her the job was because: She thanked the security guard by name on the way into the building,” Bartlett explained. For him, that small interaction signaled humility, respect, and cultural awareness, traits he believes are far more complex to teach than technical skills. A Hiring Decision Based On Character, Not Credentials Bartlett said the candidate continued to demonstrate those values throughout the interview. When she did not know the answer...