Category: technology

NEWSLETTER EDITION

January 2, 2026

2025 Year‑End Reflections: A Season of Healing, Growth, and Community Power

As we close out 2025, I want to take a moment to speak directly to the people who made this year unforgettable, you.

This year was one of the most transformative seasons of my life. Season 3 of America in Black and White and the continued growth of Changing Trends and Times were not just professional milestones. They were lifelines. They were reminders that community is not something we talk about, it’s something we build together.

And I want you to know how deeply grateful I am.

To My Guests: You Carried Me This Year

Every guest who joined me on the show brought something powerful, truth, vulnerability, humor, brilliance, and heart. You didn’t just show up for an interview. You showed up for me.

Many of you may not know this, but 2024 was the year I lost my mother. Her passing left a space in my life that felt impossible to fill. But every conversation, every story, every moment of connection on the show helped me breathe again. You helped me heal in ways I didn’t expect.

Your presence reminded me that even in grief, there is purpose.
Even in loss, there is community.
Even in pain, there is possibility.

Thank you for being part of my healing.

Season 3: A Testament to Our Collective Power

This season wasn’t just successful, it was meaningful.

We tackled real issues.
We uplifted real voices.
We created real impact.

And none of it would have happened without you, the guests, the viewers, the supporters, the people who believe in the mission of telling our stories with honesty and dignity.

You are the engine behind this machine.
You are the heartbeat of this platform.
Together, we are making a difference.

Looking Ahead to 2026

I’m excited for what’s coming next.

More conversations.
More community.
More truth.
More growth.

And yes, I’m working toward taking the show on the road. I want to meet you where you are. I want to bring these conversations into your cities, your communities, your spaces. Because this platform belongs to all of us.

Let’s Build Together: SYTM Accounting & Consulting Inc.

As we move into a new year, I also want to extend a personal invitation.

Many of you know me as a host and storyteller, but I am also the founder of SYTM Accounting & Consulting Inc., where we support individuals and businesses with:

  • Personal tax preparation
  • Business tax services
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Entrepreneur consulting
  • Financial strategy and planning

If you need support in 2026, I would be honored to serve you.
Let’s build your financial future with clarity, confidence, and care.

Reach out anytime, let’s make it happen.

Stay Connected With Me

You can reach me through any of my platforms:

Whether you’re a guest, a supporter, a listener, or a future client, you are part of this family. And together, we will continue to uplift our communities, tell our stories, and build something that lasts.

Thank You

Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for your stories.
Thank you for your love.
Thank you for helping me turn a difficult year into a meaningful one.

Here’s to 2026, a year of expansion, healing, and community power.

“Loving a Liar”: When Hiding Becomes a Survival Skill

December 31, 2025

We don’t talk enough about what it means to love someone who is lying, not because they’re malicious, but because they’re terrified.

Terrified of being rejected.
Terrified of losing family, career, community, or safety.
Terrified of being fully seen.

In Dee Carr’s short “Loving a Liar,” we’re invited to look beyond the surface of deception and into the emotional architecture behind it. And when we connect this to the LGBTQ community, the conversation becomes even more urgent.

Because the truth is this:

Some people aren’t lying to deceive you. They’re lying to survive you.

The Code-Switching Closet

For many LGBTQ people, athletes, politicians, entertainers, clergy, business owners, and everyday folks, life becomes a constant performance. A carefully curated version of themselves is presented to the world, while their true identity stays tucked away, waiting for a safer moment that may never come.

This isn’t just “being private.”
This is code-switching as self‑protection.

It’s the athlete who dates publicly but loves privately.
The pastor who preaches authenticity but fears living his own.
The business owner who avoids pronouns in every conversation.
The entertainer who smiles on stage but cries in the dressing room.
The everyday person who edits their life to fit someone else’s comfort.

And the people who love them?
They often end up loving a version of someone that isn’t fully real, not because that person is dishonest, but because the world has taught them that honesty is dangerous.

The Emotional Cost

Loving someone who is hiding can feel like loving a ghost, present, but not fully here.

But imagine the cost on the other side:

  • Carrying two identities
  • Monitoring every word
  • Performing every day
  • Living in fear of exposure
  • Feeling unworthy of real love

This isn’t lying for manipulation.
This is lying for survival.

And survival shouldn’t have to look like this.

What Does Love Look Like Here?

Love, in this context, becomes a bridge, not a demand.

It asks:

  • How can I make space for your truth?
  • How can I be a safe place for your becoming?
  • How can we build a relationship where honesty isn’t a risk?

Love doesn’t force someone out of hiding.
Love creates a world where hiding is no longer necessary.

Let’s Talk About It

This is where you come in.

Have you ever loved someone who was afraid to be themselves?
Have you ever BEEN that person?
What does safety look like for you?
What does honesty cost in your world?

Drop your thoughts in the comments, your voice might be the one someone else needs to hear.

And if conversations like this matter to you, hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next post in this series inspired by Dee Carr’s powerful shorts.

Financial literacy for entrepreneurs: From hustle to legacy

December 30, 2025

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. But the skill that keeps that lifeblood flowing, through good seasons, dry spells, and unexpected shocks, is financial literacy.

For entrepreneurs, especially Black entrepreneurs who are building in the shadow of systemic gaps, financial literacy is not just about knowing your numbers. It’s about protecting your dream, paying yourself, and positioning your family and community for long-term stability and wealth.

Key takeaway: Financial literacy is not just about profit, it’s about sustainability and legacy.

Why financial literacy matters more than ever

Entrepreneurship promises freedom, flexibility, and ownership, but it also comes with risk. Without strong financial literacy, even a business with great demand, loyal customers, and visionary leadership can crumble under:

  • Poor cash flow management
  • Unhealthy debt
  • Thin or misunderstood profit margins
  • No emergency reserves

Financial literacy gives entrepreneurs the tools to:

  • Make informed decisions instead of reacting in crisis
  • Negotiate confidently with lenders, investors, and partners
  • Plan for growth instead of just surviving month to month
  • Build wealth intentionally, not accidentally

For Black entrepreneurs, this knowledge is also an act of economic resistance, closing information gaps, rewriting financial narratives, and creating pathways that weren’t designed for us to walk easily.

Understanding your numbers: Profit, cash flow, and margins

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Three core concepts every entrepreneur must master are cash flow, profit, and profit margins.

Cash flow: The rhythm of your business

Cash flow is the movement of money in and out of your business. Revenue may look strong on paper, but if your cash is tied up in unpaid invoices or delayed contracts, you may still struggle to pay bills, staff, or yourself.

To strengthen cash flow:

  • Monitor it weekly:
    • Label: What’s coming in (sales, contracts, grants)
    • Label: What’s going out (rent, payroll, software, debt payments)
  • Shorten the time to get paid:
    • Label: Use clear payment terms (e.g., Net 15 instead of Net 30–45 when possible)
    • Label: Offer small discounts for early payment if it makes sense
  • Delay non-essential spending:
    • Label: Ask: “Does this help generate or protect cash flow right now?”

Cash flow tells you if your business can breathe today. Profit tells you if it will stay alive tomorrow.

Profit and profit margins: Are you really making money?

Profit is what’s left after you subtract all expenses from your revenue.
Profit margin is the percentage of each dollar of revenue that is profit.

  • Gross profit margin: After direct costs (materials, production, contractors tied to specific projects)
  • Net profit margin: After all costs (rent, salaries, subscriptions, marketing, taxes, debt, etc.)

To improve margins:

  • Raise prices strategically: Especially if your value has increased or your costs have gone up
  • Reduce waste: Cancel unused subscriptions, negotiate contracts, streamline operations
  • Focus on high-margin offers: Put more energy into services/products that bring in more profit, not just more sales

A financially literate entrepreneur doesn’t just ask, “Did I make money?” but “How much did I actually keep, and why?”

Debt vs. equity: Choosing the right kind of capital

Growth requires capital, but not all capital is created equal. Understanding debt vs. equity is a core financial literacy skill.

Debt financing: Borrowing with responsibility

With debt financing, you borrow money (from banks, credit unions, online lenders, even friends and family) and agree to pay it back with interest.

Pros:

  • Maintain ownership: You don’t give up equity or decision-making power
  • Predictable payments: You know what you owe and when

Risks:

  • Cash flow pressure: Payments are due even when your revenue is slow
  • Over-leverage: Too much debt makes your business fragile and stressful to run

Financial literacy means knowing your debt-to-income ratio, reading terms carefully, and understanding the true cost of borrowed money over time.

Equity financing: Sharing ownership for growth

With equity financing, you give up a portion of ownership in exchange for capital. This may come from angel investors, venture capital, or strategic partners.

Pros:

  • No monthly repayments: Investors are paid from profits or an eventual exit
  • Potential relationships and support: Strategic investors can open doors

Risks:

  • Less control: You now share decision-making power
  • Misaligned values: Not every investor understands or respects your mission

Black entrepreneurs are often underfunded and over-scrutinized. Financial literacy empowers you to evaluate opportunities, avoid predatory deals, and negotiate from an informed, confident position.

Building financial resilience: Emergency reserves and budgeting

A resilient business is prepared for surprises: a lost contract, a delayed payment, an economic downturn, or a health crisis.

Emergency reserves: Your business “safety net”

Aim to build an emergency reserve that can cover at least 3–6 months of essential business expenses, including:

  • Rent or mortgage for office/space
  • Core software and tools
  • Minimum debt payments
  • Critical contractors or staff

You don’t build this overnight. You build it by habit:

  • Set a percentage: Commit to reserving a percentage of every payment (even 3–5% to start)
  • Treat it as non-negotiable: Like a bill you pay to your future self
  • Keep it separate: Put it in a separate business savings account to avoid “accidental” spending

Budgeting strategies that actually work

A budget is not a prison, it’s a plan.

Consider a simple approach:

  • Operating budget:
    • Label: Fixed costs (rent, insurance, software, utilities)
    • Label: Variable costs (marketing, travel, contractors)
  • Revenue plan:
    • Label: How much you need to bring in monthly to cover expenses, reserves, taxes, and your pay
  • Review rhythm:
    • Label: Monthly review: What did we plan vs. what actually happened?
    • Label: Adjust instead of ignoring reality

Financial literacy is built through repetition: looking at your numbers regularly, asking questions, making adjustments, and learning over time.

Investment basics for entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs often pour everything back into the business, but that can be dangerous if the business is your only asset. Financial literacy means thinking beyond today’s grind and building wealth in multiple ways.

Investing beyond your business

Even as you grow your company, consider long-term wealth-building vehicles such as:

  • Retirement accounts:
    • Label: SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), or other plans designed for self-employed individuals
  • Diversified investments:
    • Label: Broad-based stock or index funds (for long-term growth)
  • Real estate (where appropriate):
    • Label: Both for business use and long-term asset building

The goal is not quick flips, but steady, long-term growth that works while you sleep.

Reinvesting wisely into your business

When you do reinvest in your business, do it intentionally:

  • Prioritize revenue-generating investments: Marketing systems, sales training, automation, customer experience
  • Avoid vanity spending: High-cost branding or tools that don’t increase reach, efficiency, or income
  • Track ROI: Ask, “If I invest this dollar here, how and when will it come back?”

Financial literacy shifts your mindset from “spend to look successful” to “invest to stay successful.”

Wealth transfer and legacy planning

A truly financially literate entrepreneur thinks beyond their lifetime. Wealth transfer is about making sure what you’re building doesn’t disappear when you step away, or when life takes an unexpected turn.

Protecting what you’ve built

At a basic level, legacy planning should include:

  • A will: Clearly states what happens to your assets and business interests
  • Beneficiaries: Up-to-date on bank accounts, retirement accounts, and insurance
  • Life insurance: To provide for dependents and cover debts or taxes

For your business, consider:

  • Operating agreements: That define who owns what and what happens if someone leaves or passes away
  • Successor planning: Training someone who can carry the work forward if you step back

These conversations may be uncomfortable, but they are an act of love and responsibility.

Passing on financial literacy, not just money

Generational wealth is fragile if the next generation doesn’t understand how to manage it. Consider how you can:

  • Teach your children or younger relatives: About budgeting, saving, investing, and ownership
  • Document your systems: So your business doesn’t live only in your head
  • Model transparency: Talk openly (age-appropriately) about money, choices, risks, and values

Legacy is not only what you leave behind, it’s what you build into people while you’re here.

For Black entrepreneurs: Closing systemic gaps through literacy and power

Black entrepreneurs operate in an economic landscape shaped by redlining, employment discrimination, underfunding, and underrepresentation in traditional financial spaces. That reality is not an excuse; it’s a context, one that demands strategy.

Financial literacy becomes a tool for:

  • Closing information gaps: Understanding credit, contracts, interest rates, and terms that others were taught at their dinner tables
  • Leveraging community: Tapping into Black professional networks, mentors, and advisors who understand both culture and commerce
  • Protecting your vision: Recognizing predatory lending, exploitative partnerships, and “opportunities” that come with strings attached

Building wealth as Black entrepreneurs isn’t just personal, it’s collective. Every business that survives, scales, and sustains jobs chips away at systemic inequity and creates new models of what’s possible.

Moving from concept to action

Here are practical next steps you can start this week:

  • Review your numbers:
    • Label: Look at last month’s revenue, expenses, and cash flow
  • Calculate your margins:
    • Label: What percentage of your revenue is actually profit?
  • Set a small reserve goal:
    • Label: Decide on a percentage of every payment to move into an emergency reserve
  • Audit your debt and contracts:
    • Label: List all debts, interest rates, and key terms; identify anything that needs renegotiation or payoff priority
  • Schedule a “money meeting” with yourself:
    • Label: A recurring monthly time to review, reflect, and adjust

Over time, these small, consistent actions build financial literacy, confidence, and power.

Final thought

Financial literacy is not about perfection, advanced math, or never making mistakes. It’s about awareness, intentional decisions, and learning as you go. For entrepreneurs, and especially Black entrepreneurs, it is a core leadership skill, a shield against crisis, and a bridge from hustle to legacy.

Profit keeps your doors open. Financial literacy helps ensure your impact outlives you.

Dr. Keyimani Alford: Reclaiming Narratives, Empowering Voices

December 6, 2025

Dr. Keyimani Alford is more than a leader; he is a storyteller, healer, and advocate whose life’s work bridges the worlds of education, authorship, and empowerment. Born in Oakland, California, and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Alford grew up navigating instability, poverty, and family absence. Those early challenges shaped his belief that education is not only a pathway to freedom but also a tool for rewriting one’s story.

As a first-generation college graduate who went on to earn his Ph.D. in Education, Dr. Alford understands the barriers faced by students from marginalized backgrounds. His research focuses on retention and persistence for first-generation and minority male students at predominantly White institutions, emphasizing that relationships and belonging are critical to success. Today, as Associate Vice President of Student Access & Success at Madison College, he leads initiatives that help students overcome financial, systemic, and personal obstacles so they can thrive. His leadership is rooted in empathy, accountability, and the conviction that systems should serve students, not the other way around.

Championing Underserved Communities

Dr. Alford’s commitment extends far beyond campus walls. Through his involvement in organizations such as WASFAA, College Goal Wisconsin, and MASFAA (where he serves as President-Elect), he advocates for policies that expand access and equity in higher education. His work ensures that underserved students, veterans, first-generation learners, and minority communities, have the support they need to persist and graduate.

He also founded Keywords Unlocked, LLC, a publishing and coaching company designed to amplify everyday voices, particularly Black and underrepresented authors. By equipping writers with tools and strategies to move from manuscript to marketplace, Dr. Alford is dismantling barriers in the publishing industry and ensuring that marginalized stories are not only told but celebrated.

Author and Storyteller

Dr. Alford’s own catalog of books reflects the power of storytelling as a tool for healing and leadership:

Oakland Hills, Milwaukee Rivers: A Memoir of Survival, Identity, and Purpose

In Oakland Hills, Milwaukee Rivers, I invite readers into the quiet rooms, crowded churches, and complicated family moments that shaped me as a Black boy learning to survive, belong, and believe in his own worth. This memoir walks through childhood trauma, father loss, religious shame, identity questions, and the hidden weight of silence, while tracing how grace kept showing up in unexpected people and places. It reads like sitting across from a friend who is finally telling the whole story, not the edited version.

Readers will see their own questions on these pages. The book helps them name what hurt, grieve what was taken, and begin to reclaim their voice with honesty and dignity. They walk away with language for things they have carried for years, a deeper understanding of how identity and faith can coexist with pain, and a renewed belief that their story is not over. This memoir becomes a mirror and a map for anyone who has ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or afraid to be fully themselves.

Unshaken Leadership: A Practical Blueprint for Overcoming Challenges, Learning from Mistakes, and Growing in Confidence

Unshaken Leadership pulls back the curtain on what leadership really feels like when the title sounds good, but the pressure is heavy. Drawing from more than two decades in higher education, community, and faith-based spaces, I walk readers through the unspoken realities of leading people, managing politics, navigating conflict, and making hard decisions when you still feel like you are figuring it out yourself. Each chapter blends story, reflection, and practical strategy so readers see the lessons in real situations, not just theory on a page.

This book is written for new and growing leaders who are tired of pretending they have it all together and are ready to lead with honesty, courage, and emotional intelligence. Readers gain language for the challenges they are facing, tools for balancing vision and boundaries, and frameworks they can immediately apply with their teams. The goal is simple: to help leaders stand firm when things shake around them, learn from their missteps without shame, and grow into a version of leadership that feels both effective and authentic.

Self-Publishing from Scratch: A Practical Guide for Authors to Publish Successfully with Insights for Black Voices

Self-Publishing from Scratch is a step-by-step roadmap for everyday people who feel called to write a book and have no idea where to start. I walk readers through the full journey from idea to published book in plain language, breaking down what to write, how to edit, how to find a cover, how ISBNs work, what platforms to choose, and how to price and promote their work. Along the way, I share real stories, checklists, and behind-the-scenes lessons from my own publishing journey so readers avoid costly mistakes and gain the confidence to hit “publish” with clarity.

This book especially centers Black and underrepresented voices who have been told their stories are “too much,” “too specific,” or “too risky” for traditional publishing. Readers come away with practical tools, a realistic plan, and the encouragement that they do not have to wait for permission to become an author. By the end, they understand the business and the heart of self-publishing, and they know exactly what to do next to turn a manuscript, a journal, or even a set of notes on their phone into a book in readers’ hands.

Mile Markers of Life: A 100-Day Christian Devotional for Direction and Strength

Mile Markers of Life is a 100-day devotional born from years of driving Wisconsin highways and noticing how the mile markers along the road mirrored the seasons of my own life. Each entry starts with a real-life scene and then connects it to Scripture, reflection, and a short prayer, helping readers see that God has been present in both the ordinary and painful parts of their journey. The readings are honest and accessible, designed for people who are carrying a lot and need encouragement that fits into real schedules and real emotions.

Readers will experience a devotional that speaks to fatigue, grief, uncertainty, hope, and new beginnings with gentle clarity. Every day offers direction for the heart and a small step they can take to move forward, whether that is letting something go, forgiving themselves, or daring to dream again. By the time they reach Day 100, they have traced their own “mile markers,” recognized how far they have come, and rediscovered that even in detours and delays, God has been guiding them toward healing and purpose.

A Voice of Hope and Action

Whether speaking in lecture halls, boardrooms, sanctuaries, or behind a microphone, Dr. Alford blends truth-telling with practical tools. His keynote themes, leadership with integrity, healing from trauma, equity in higher education, and empowering everyday voices, resonate because they are lived experiences, not abstract theories. Audiences leave not only inspired but equipped with frameworks and next steps to move forward.

Across every platform, Dr. Alford reminds people that their story still has chapters left and that hope is always within reach. His work as an author and advocate continues to light the way for underserved communities, proving that beginnings do not define destinies.

Connect with Dr. Keyimani Alford

Name: Dr. Keyimani Alford

Email: drkeyspeaks@gmail.com

Speaking & Books: www.drkeyspeaks.com

Publishing Company: www.keywordsunlocked.com

Social Media:

  • YouTube: @drkeyspeaks
  • Instagram: @drkeyspeaks
  • TikTok: @drkeyspeaks
  • Facebook: @drkeyspeaks
  • LinkedIn: Dr. Keyimani Alford (search on LinkedIn by name)

Seventh HIV Remission Sparks Hope, and Raises Questions About U.S. LeadershipOriginal reporting by Michelle Starr, Nature

December 2, 2025

A German man known as “Berlin 2 (B2)” has remained in remission from HIV for six years after a stem cell transplant to treat leukemia. This marks the seventh known case of long-term HIV remission worldwide. Unlike earlier cases, B2’s donor carried only one copy of the CCR5 Δ32 mutation, previously thought insufficient for durable resistance. His remission challenges assumptions and opens new pathways for understanding how HIV reservoirs can be eliminated.

Globally, 40.8 million people were living with HIV in 2024, with 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 AIDS-related deaths. In the U.S., 39,201 new diagnoses were reported in 2023, disproportionately impacting Black and Latino communities, especially in the South.

These breakthroughs abroad raise urgent questions:

  • Why are Germany and Switzerland leading in remission cases, while the U.S. lags behind?
  • Why does America, supposedly the global leader in R&D, appear to be playing second fiddle in HIV cure research?
  • Is the lack of universal healthcare in the U.S. a factor in limiting access to experimental treatments?
  • Why does Big Pharma continue to prioritize lifelong drug regimens over potential cures?

For those living with HIV/AIDS, these questions are not abstract, they are about survival. If you are reading this and living with HIV, ask your doctor about the current status of cure research. Demand transparency.

Stem cell transplants are not scalable cures, but they prove that reservoir reduction, graft-versus-reservoir responses, and partial CCR5 protection can lead to remission. The challenge now is whether America will invest in replicating these mechanisms through gene editing and pharmaceutical innovation or continue to let others lead while its citizens wait.

World AIDS Day is more than a commemoration, it is a call to action, reflection, and hope. Observed every year on December 1, it reminds us of the lives lost, the progress made, and the work still ahead in ending HIV/AIDS.

December 1, 2025

The Meaning of World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day was first established in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS, making it the first-ever global health day Wikipedia Britannica. Its purpose is to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, show solidarity with people living with HIV, and honor the millions who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. The red ribbon, adopted in 1991, remains the universal symbol of support and remembrance Britannica.

Each year, the day carries a theme. In 2025, the theme is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response”, a reminder that funding cuts, stigma, and inequality threaten decades of progress Moneycontrol.

Historical Context and Data

  • In the 1980s and 1990s, HIV/AIDS was a rapidly escalating crisis. By 1997, new infections peaked at 3.3 million annually, and AIDS-related deaths peaked in 2004 at 2.1 million per year Britannica.
  • Since then, antiretroviral therapy (ART) transformed HIV from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition, reducing deaths by more than 64% since 2004 Wikipedia.
  • As of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people worldwide were living with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 AIDS-related deaths that year Business Standard Moneycontrol.
  • In the U.S., about 1.2 million people live with HIV, with ongoing disparities in testing and treatment Las Vegas Sun.

Strides in Treatment and Prevention

The fight against HIV/AIDS has seen remarkable progress:

  • ART advancements: From early AZT in 1987 to today’s single-pill regimens and long-acting injectables, treatment now allows near-normal lifespans Las Vegas Sun.
  • Prevention tools: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) have proven highly effective in preventing infection Business Standard.
  • U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable): People on effective ART who maintain undetectable viral loads cannot sexually transmit HIV Business Standard.
  • Mother-to-child transmission: Once a major concern, it has been drastically reduced through targeted interventions Las Vegas Sun.

The Future Outlook

While progress is undeniable, challenges remain:

  • Funding cuts and inequality threaten to reverse gains, especially in vulnerable communities Moneycontrol.
  • Late diagnoses continue to hinder progress, with over half of new cases in Europe detected too late for optimal treatment News-Medical.Net.
  • Research breakthroughs offer hope: trials with engineered antibodies, CRISPR gene editing, and long-acting injectables like lenacapavir suggest that a functional cure may be within reach Smithsonian Magazine AIDS.ORG.
  • The global goal remains clear: end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, a target set by UNAIDS and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Britannica UNAIDS.

Closing Reflection

World AIDS Day is not just about remembrance, it is about renewed commitment. We have turned HIV from a death sentence into a chronic condition, but stigma, inequity, and funding gaps still stand in the way of ending the epidemic. The future depends on global solidarity, scientific innovation, and community-led action.

Ending AIDS is possible but only if we choose compassion, equity, and sustained investment.

Sources: Wikipedia Britannica Business Standard Las Vegas Sun Smithsonian Magazine AIDS.ORG UNAIDS Moneycontrol

Tap Into These 10 Black Tech Titans: Innovation, Legacy & Lessons for the Future

September 22, 2025

The U.S. tech industry has a diversity problem. Despite being the engine of global innovation, it remains staggeringly homogeneous. Black professionals make up just 7–9% of the workforce, and less than 5% of leadership roles at giants like Google, Microsoft, and Meta. But beyond the boardrooms and algorithms, a powerful movement is reshaping the narrative—Black tech entrepreneurs who are building billion-dollar companies, transforming industries, and mentoring the next generation.

These ten trailblazers didn’t wait for permission. They built platforms, raised capital, and created space for others. If you’re serious about learning from the best, these are the minds to follow, study, and connect with.

Robert F. Smith — Vista Equity Partners

  • Title: Founder, Chairman & CEO
  • Company: Vista Equity Partners
  • Contact: rsmith@vistaequitypartners.com | admin@robertfredericksmith.com
  • Why Learn From Him: Smith has overseen over 600 transactions totaling $330B. His investment philosophy centers on operational excellence and long-term value creation. He’s also a philanthropic force, eliminating student debt for Morehouse grads and launching the Student Freedom Initiative.
  • Legacy Lesson: Learn how to scale with precision and give back with purpose.

David Steward — World Wide Technology

  • Title: Founder & Chairman
  • Company: World Wide Technology
  • Contact: d***@wwt.com | (314) 569-7000
  • Why Learn From Him: Steward built the largest Black-owned tech company in the U.S., valued at $11.4B. His leadership blends faith, strategy, and community uplift.
  • Legacy Lesson: Steward proves that values-driven leadership can scale globally.

Tope Awotona — Calendly

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Calendly
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Him: Awotona bootstrapped Calendly into a $3B unicorn. His story is one of grit, vision, and refusing to settle for mediocrity.
  • Legacy Lesson: Simplicity and user obsession can disrupt entire industries.

Dr. Iman Abuzeid — Incredible Health

  • Title: Co-founder & CEO
  • Company: Incredible Health
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Her: A Sudanese-American physician turned tech CEO, Abuzeid built a $1.65B platform that’s revolutionizing healthcare hiring.
  • Legacy Lesson: Expertise + empathy = scalable impact.

Freddie Figgers — Figgers Wireless

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Figgers Wireless
  • Contact: f***@figgers.com | (800) 223-5435
  • Why Learn From Him: Figgers is the youngest American to hold an FCC license and the only Black-owned telecom provider. His inventions are rooted in personal care and community need.
  • Legacy Lesson: Innovation starts with solving problems close to home.

Iddris Sandu — Spatial Labs

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Spatial Labs
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Him: Sandu blends culture, fashion, and blockchain to create “phygital” experiences. Backed by Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners, he’s redefining tech’s cultural interface.
  • Legacy Lesson: Tech isn’t just code, it’s culture.

Tristan Walker — Walker & Company Brands

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Walker & Company
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Him: Walker built Bevel to solve real grooming issues for Black men, then sold it to Procter & Gamble. He’s now a board member at Foot Locker and Shake Shack.
  • Legacy Lesson: Build for your community, and the world will follow.

Jessica O. Matthews — Uncharted Power

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Uncharted Power
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Her: Matthews turned a soccer ball into a power source and now builds smart infrastructure. Her Harlem-based company is redefining energy access.
  • Legacy Lesson: Play can power progress.

Chris Bennett — Wonderschool

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Wonderschool
  • Contact: chris@wonderschool.com | +1.855.554.7843
  • Why Learn From Him: Bennett’s platform helps educators launch childcare programs, solving a national crisis while empowering entrepreneurs.
  • Legacy Lesson: Childhood education is a tech frontier.

Kimberly Bryant — Black Girls Code & Black Innovation Lab

  • Title: Founder
  • Company: Black Innovation Lab
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Her: Bryant introduced over 100,000 girls to coding and now builds tech ecosystems in the South. Her upcoming book Ascending will be a must-read.
  • Legacy Lesson: Inclusion isn’t optional, it’s revolutionary.

Why These Titans Matter

These leaders aren’t just building companies, they’re building legacies. They’ve faced systemic barriers, yet created platforms that uplift communities, challenge norms, and redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, investor, educator, or storyteller, these are the minds to learn from.

  • They’ve built billion-dollar companies with limited access to capital.
  • They’ve scaled ideas rooted in personal pain and community need.
  • They’ve created ecosystems that center Black excellence and innovation.

Final Word

In a world that often overlooks Black brilliance, these tech titans are impossible to ignore. They are the architects of a new future, one where innovation is inclusive, legacy is intentional, and impact is non-negotiable.

Want to build something that lasts? Start by studying those who already have.

Bill Gates Says Goodbye to Smartphones—Hello to Electronic Tattoos?

August 15, 2025

In a tech twist that feels straight out of science fiction, Bill Gates has declared the smartphone era is on its way out. The replacement? Not foldable screens or augmented reality glasses—but electronic tattoos.

Yes, tattoos. Not the inked kind that express your personality, but smart, skin-integrated tech that could revolutionize how we communicate, monitor health, and interact with the digital world.

The End of an Era

Smartphones have been our digital lifelines for over a decade. They’ve shaped our routines, relationships, and even our identities. But Gates believes their reign is nearing its end. According to reports, he’s betting on electronic tattoos, developed by Chaotic Moon and acquired by Accenture, as the next leap in personal tech.

These tattoos aren’t just wearable—they’re embeddable. Imagine a device that lives on your skin, powered by nanocapacitors, requiring no bulky batteries or screens. You could send messages, browse the web, unlock doors, or monitor your heart rate—all with a gesture.

How Do They Work?

Electronic tattoos use smart ink filled with nanocapacitors. They’re temporary, invisible, and interactive. Think of them as ultra-thin, skin-level sensors that communicate with nearby devices. They can track vital signs, detect health anomalies, and even serve as biometric keys.

In theory, they could eliminate the need for:

  • Passwords
  • Credit cards
  • Physical keys
  • Fitness trackers

It’s seamless, sleek, and deeply integrated. But is it too much integration?

The Ethical Dilemma

Here’s where things get murky. These tattoos would collect intimate data—location, health metrics, biometric identifiers. Who owns that data? How is it protected? Could it be hacked?

The idea of biometric tech embedded in your skin raises serious questions:

  • Could someone clone your identity through your tattoo?
  • What happens if the tech malfunctions?
  • Will governments or corporations use it for surveillance?

The promise of convenience comes with a potential cost to privacy and autonomy.

A Wellness Revolution—or a Digital Divide?

On the upside, these tattoos could transform wellness. Real-time health tracking could catch issues before they escalate. And without screens, we might finally break free from digital addiction.

But there’s a catch: accessibility. Will this tech be affordable? Or will it deepen the digital divide, giving only the privileged access to next-gen health and security?

Final Thoughts

Bill Gates’s vision is bold, and it’s already stirring debate. Are electronic tattoos the future of tech—or a dystopian detour? Will they empower us or expose us?

One thing’s clear: the conversation is just beginning.