Artist Trevor Jackson is getting real about money. The Indianapolis native’s foray in the entertainment industry was inspired by Gregory Hines, an actor, singer, and dancer, he acknowledged on the “Can We Talk RNB” podcast . Jackson began tap dancing at age 3, and by the time he was 8 years old, he was touring as Young Simba in Broadway’s “The Lion King.” He continued in the role until he was 11 years old, performing in various cities across the country, he shared on the podcast. Then he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to pursue acting, music, and dance. He auditioned for commercials and met with various music labels, including Epic Records, Interscope Records, and Motown Records. Today, he is currently signed with UnitedMasters, he shared on the podcast. Still taking inspiration from Hines’s career, Jackson incorporates dance into his music, with his most recent album being “I Love You, Goodbye.” He has also continued to pursue acting, earning roles in “Let It Shine,”...

Actor Mike Colter, known for portraying Luke Cage in Marvel shows like “Luke Cage” and “Jessica Jones,” has launched a haircare venture inspired by his children. While traveling in Europe with his wife, Iva, they were scouring the area for products for their daughters who have mixed-textured hair. After running into the issue time and again with no luck, one of their daughters suggested they create their own products. For Colter, the idea didn’t feel far-fetched, especially considering the expertise of his wife, whom he describes as having “business acumen” in a conversation with Forbes’ senior writer Jabari Young. Iva previously served as Netflix’s vice president of talent acquisition and is now chief people officer for the Wonder Project, according to information on her LinkedIn. “She thought, ‘Let’s try it. Let’s see first can we engineer and find the right products that we can actually stand behind that are sustainable, that are paraben-free, that are vegan , that don’t have any...

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. has turned down Paramount’s $108 billion bid. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Netflix agreed to acquire Warner Bros in a deal with a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion (equity value of $72.0 billion). The boards of directors for both Warner Bros and Netflix are in favor of the deal. Netflix states the agreement would position it to define the “ next century of storytelling.” “For more than a century, Warner Bros. has thrilled audiences, captured the world’s attention, and shaped our culture. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come,” President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., David Zaslav, commented in a Dec. 5 press release. Days later, Paramount entered the race for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., making a rival bid of $30.00 per share, for an overall enterprise value of $108.4 billion, per a separate AFROTECH™ article....

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., the world’s largest movie theater chain, reported a net loss of $298.2 million for the third quarter of 2025, while generating $1.3 billion in revenue for the period ending Sept. 30, according to Variety. The outlet reports that the company’s revenue slightly exceeded analysts’ expectations of $1.23 billion for the quarter. However, the net loss widened significantly compared to the $20.7 million loss reported during the same period last year. AMC attributed the steeper loss to non-cash charges tied to a debt refinancing completed in July 2025, Variety notes. On an adjusted basis, the company reported a loss of $110 million, or 21 cents per share, compared to 4 cents per share in the third quarter of 2024. Admissions revenue for the quarter was reported at $715.1 million, a drop from $744.2 million in the prior year, according to Variety. Food and beverage sales also declined, reaching $451.8 million compared to $490.4 million in 2024. These numbers...

DeVon Franklin began building a relationship with Babyface a decade ago, and it has blossomed with the release of his latest movie. Success Of “Ruth & Boaz” The former Sony executive has added a new project to his portfolio: “Ruth & Boaz,” a modern twist on a Biblical story that premiered on Netflix Sept. 26 and features Serayah McNeill, Tyler Lepley, Phylicia Rashad, and others. Boardroom reports that it became the platform’s most-streamed movie during its release week, garnering 434.4 million minutes of watch time. Franklin also tag-teamed with Tyler Perry as a producer on the film. Together, they “proceeded to negotiate the best film deal” he’s done in his career, he said in a Facebook post. Reflecting On Hollywood Tenure Franklin now has nearly 20 years of experience creating inspirational projects and has been in Hollywood for nearly 10 years more, he reflected on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas. This experience is part of what...

Spike Lee is applauding the “Sinners” deal. “Sinners” is a film that Ryan Coogler released in April 2025 , joined by his wife, Zinzi, as a producer, People reports. It tells the story of twin brothers, both played by Michael B. Jordan, who face a dilemma with vampires at a juke joint in 1930s Clarksdale, MS, according to USA Today. The film earned $366.7 million worldwide from a $90 million production budget, per Box Office Mojo and a previous AFROTECH™ article. “Eternal gratitude. My heart is bursting with it,” Ryan Coogler wrote in a letter to supporters, Deadline reports. “I want to thank each and every one of you who bought a ticket to see ‘Sinners.’ Who decided to drive to see the film in different formats. Who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a sitter and carpooled, and stood in the lobby afterward and talked and made a friend. Who changed their work schedules. Who saw the film in groups.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sinners Movie (@sinnersmovie) The film’s...

Marsai Martin has no intention of touching her Coogan Account anytime soon. According to the City National Bank, a Coogan Account is a protected savings account created by a legal parent or guardian for child performers. Martin’s parents, Joshua and Carol, were adamant about creating an account for the actress, Martin told AFROTECH™. Martin’s Career Growth Martin, now 21, had an early start in the industry. She secured her first national commercial appearance at age 5, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. She was 10 when she landed her breakout role in ABC’s “Black-ish,” produced by Kenya Barris, notes Forbes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marsai (@marsaimartin) Additionally, Martin made history as the youngest executive producer at 14 with the film “Little,” landing herself in the Guinness Book of World Records. She pitched the film at age 9 to Universal Pictures, and it made $48 million at the box office, according to Variety. She created it through her production...

Eddie Murphy built an empire on the big screen without ever auditioning, but even he said no to this now-iconic role. The comedian and actor from Brooklyn, NY, set a goal to become famous at 18 years old when he was 15. His humorous personality, which has made him millions today, was instilled in him as a child. He says he was always funny, despite experiencing the death of his father, who divorced his mother when he was a toddler and was killed five years later in a crime of passion. His mother then became ill, leading him to spend time in foster care for a year alongside his brother, Charles, Parade reports. Murphy credits his humor to being raised around people who were also funny. He first put his skills to the test at 8 years old while riding a bus. “Every time the bus stopped, whoever got off the bus, I would start talking, like, doing what that person was saying and where they’re going, and like a voice for that person,” he told the outlet. “I was doing it loud enough and the...