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D’Angelo’s estate has launched the D’Angelo Pancreatic Cancer Fund, a global philanthropic initiative honoring the late soul musician, who passed away on Oct. 14, 2025, at age 51 after a private battle with pancreatic cancer. According to PEOPLE, the fund was created in partnership with the Black Boy Joy Foundation (BBJF) and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to support research, early detection studies, awareness campaigns, family support programs, and advocacy initiatives, with a particular focus on Black men and boys, addressing a disease with a survival rate of just 13%. In a statement, the estate said, “As a visionary artist, cultural pioneer, and devoted father, D’Angelo’s influence transcended music and defined a generation. Today with the Black Boy Joy Foundation x Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, we formally launched this initiative to honor his life and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.” PEOPLE also reports that the D’Angelo Pancreatic Cancer Fund will be led...
Medicare Part B premiums are set to rise in 2026, affecting monthly costs for millions of beneficiaries. According to a press release, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated premiums, deductions, and coinsurance for Part A, Part B, and Part D of Medicare. In the announcement, the standard monthly Part B premium was shown to increase to $202.90 for 2026, up $17.90 from 2025. The 9.7% adjustment marks the program’s second-largest increase on record, as Newsweek reports. The highest jump came in 2022, when it went up to $21.60. CMS said the latest change reflects anticipated shifts in medical costs and expected growth in service use, consistent with historical trends. According to the press release, Part B covers services such as doctor’s visits, outpatient hospital care, preventive care, lab tests, durable medical equipment, and certain home health services. Enrollment is optional, but most Medicare-eligible individuals participate to fill coverage gaps not...
Dr. RoDina L. Williams has made history as the first Black person in Illinois to earn a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS). A mother, advocate, and scholar, Williams recently received her DCLS from the University of Texas Medical Branch but says it was her time at Illinois State University (ISU) that set her on the path to success. She first stepped into higher education at ISU, earning two bachelor’s degrees — in kinesiology and recreation and medical laboratory science, according to Illinois State University News. She currently serves as director of health sciences–medical laboratory programs at City Colleges of Chicago . “To stand as the first Black person in Illinois to have a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science is a testament to every door our ancestors pushed open and every barrier we continue to dismantle,” Williams shared in an email to AFROTECH™. “This honor reminds me that representation isn’t just symbolic; it is a beacon. If my journey lights the path...
Michael Jordan is giving back to his hometown with a generous and meaningful donation. According to a press release, the basketball legend and entrepreneur announced a $10 million contribution to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC, honoring his mother, Deloris Jordan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Novant Health (@novanthealth) With this gift, the medical center’s neuroscience institute will be renamed the Novant Health Deloris Jordan Neuroscience Institute and will focus on advancing research, expanding access to cutting-edge neurological care, and supporting patients with conditions such as stroke, spine disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and other complex neurological challenges. In a press statement, he said, “My mother taught me the importance of compassion and community, and I can’t think of a better way to honor her than by helping to ensure those in need can obtain the most advanced neurological care available. I’m...
A hub has opened in Houston’s historic Third Ward to combat health and housing disparities. Urban Public Health and Housing On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2025, Texas Southern University unveiled a new Institute, Urban Public Health and Housing, which resides in the W.R. Banks Child Development Center, according to a news release . The 6,000-square-foot hub will address public health, affordable housing, and community wellness. It was also a focus area for the late Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who secured a $2 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for the initiative, the Houston Chronicle reports. She wanted Third Ward to be the “example to impoverished communities around the nation.” “It’s a reinvestment in the future of urban public health, housing, and community empowerment,” said Michelle John, Texas Southern’s vice president for research and innovation, according to the outlet. The hub will offer conference and workforce training rooms,...
Amazon Pharmacy is working to improve health outcomes by streamlining the path from clinic to medication with new in-office Pharmacy Kiosks that allow patients to pick up prescriptions immediately after medical visits. Announced on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, the kiosks will roll out at One Medical locations across greater Los Angeles starting in December 2025 and expand to additional offices and sites in the near future. Each kiosk is powered by Amazon’s logistics and technology — which could significantly expand medication access across various care settings — and stocked with medications tailored to each office’s specific prescribing patterns. “We know that when patients have to make an extra trip to the pharmacy after seeing their doctor, many prescriptions never get filled,” Hannah McClellan, Amazon Pharmacy’s vice president of operations, said a statement. “By bringing the pharmacy directly to the point of care, we’re removing a critical barrier and helping patients start their...
Many Americans are asking, “Is the government still shut down?” As the standoff enters its sixth day, senators have returned to the Capitol seeking a deal to restore funding and reopen federal operations, CNN reports. Is The Government Still Shut Down? Yes, and the government shutdown, which began on Wednesday, Oct. 1, as AFROTECH™ previously reported, has already disrupted services nationwide. In Dayton, OH, residents encountered closed national parks and museums. According to another CNN report, Howard Patterson, a DHL worker, said he had planned a family visit to the Wright Cycle Company, part of the national park on aviation, but found it locked with a sign reading, “Due to the current lapse in federal government appropriations this site is closed to the public.” The political standoff centers on disagreements between Republicans — who fully control the federal government but lack the 60 votes needed in the Senate — and Democrats, who are demanding extensions of tax credits to...
Robotic in vitro fertilization (IVF) systems are being used to fertilize eggs in clinical trials, producing at least 20 children so far, according to The Washington Post. In June 2025, Alin Quintana walked into a fertility clinic in Mexico City carrying years of medical complications, including a lost pregnancy and emergency surgery after a burst fallopian tube. That day, she joined an experimental trial where a robot would help create her baby. Infertility affects about 1 in 6 adults worldwide, yet access to treatment is limited, according to the World Health Organization. In many countries, patients pay out of pocket, often facing financial hardship. In the poorest nations, fertility care can push families into medical poverty traps. Since the late 1970s, IVF — fertilizing an egg outside the body — has produced 10 million to 13 million babies, per Fertility and Sterility. The process traditionally requires skilled embryologists to select sperm, retrieve eggs, and perform...
The U.S. government officially shut down on Oct. 1, 2025, after lawmakers failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund federal operations before the fiscal year deadline. The question many are asking this week is simple: Is the government shut down? The answer is yes — agencies without approved funding have halted or reduced operations, marking the 21st time since the 1977 fiscal year, as ABC News reports. Is The Government Shut Down Right Now? According to the outlet, essential services — such as air traffic control, certain military, the U.S. Postal Service, and border security — continue to function, but many other public-facing offices and programs are closed or delayed. This shutdown began after Congress was unable to reach a deal on funding, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Republicans proposed a short-term measure to keep the government running for a few more weeks, while Democrats sought additional provisions, including extensions for health care benefits like the...
Democratic and Republican leaders are heading to the White House on Monday, Sept. 29, for a final attempt to prevent a government shutdown, AP News reports. The deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 30, and without a funding agreement, many federal offices could close temporarily, and nonessential federal employees could face furloughs. The potential shutdown has raised concerns about disruptions to government services and the financial impact on workers and the economy. White House officials have said the administration is not planning major compromises. “The president wants to keep the government open, he wants to keep it funded,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House, according to AP News. She added that Trump is “giving Democrats one last chance to be reasonable today.” Republicans are backing a bill that would largely maintain current funding levels, challenging Democrats to oppose it. Democrats, however, are standing firm, using the looming shutdown to press...
Jasmine Lee’s path into technology has been anything but conventional — and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. After earning her accounting degree in 2022 from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, she joined Accenture as an analyst, according to her LinkedIn. She has since been promoted to management consulting senior analyst. In an interview with AFROTECH™, she shared that she hopes to make healthcare systems more accessible through innovations, including generative AI. Her work aims to enhance pricing transparency, improve claims processing and maintain the human element in healthcare, ensuring technology serves people, not just processes. Her career journey is only part of the story. At the same time, Lee has built a leadership presence in Black Wings, a program within Rewriting the Code (RTC) that connects and uplifts more than 2,500 Black women pursuing STEM careers. After receiving a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in 2023, Lee has leaned even further into her...
A Black-owned pharmacy has opened in west Louisville, KY. Good Brothers Pharmacy was founded by longtime friends DeShawn King (CEO) and Isaiah Jones (chief operating officer), who share a passion for health equity, according to the pharmacy’s website. The pair initially saw a need for personalized care for college students near Northern Kentucky University and the University of Cincinnati. Their vision expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and after planning and a few challenges, Good Brothers Pharmacy has officially opened in the Russell neighborhood on West Main Street. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Indigo Abell (@indigoabell) “Good Brothers Pharmacy is more than a business; it’s a promise,” said King, according to WLKY Channel 32 . “ It’s a promise that we are going to stay here forever and we’re going to make an impact on the west Louisville community.” Several pillars will guide the pharmacy, including “trusted relationships with patients; accessible,...
Morgan State University, located in Baltimore, MD, is moving forward with plans to launch its own medical school after receiving a $1.75 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the HBCU announced in a news release. “This investment represents a pivotal moment for Morgan and for the communities we serve,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University, per the release. “For more than a decade, we have been committed to the idea that a medical school on our campus can be transformative — not only for our students but for the state of Maryland and the nation. With the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s support, we are charting a new course toward a public, nonprofit M.D. program that will train physicians where they are most needed, close gaps in care and reflect the diversity of the populations served.” Endia DeCordova, vice president for Institutional Advancement at the university, said the grant highlights “the importance of strategic philanthropy in...
With more people turning to popular weight-loss medications, questions about potential side effects are increasing — and some consumers are exploring an Ozempic lawsuit. Recent research, as Fox News Digital reports, has looked at how drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound may affect eye health in people with type 2 diabetes. These medications, according to Cleveland Clinic, are part of a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help manage diabetes and support weight loss by improving blood sugar control and reducing appetite. While they offer clear benefits, studies suggest there is a small risk of rare eye problems, making regular monitoring important. Understanding The Risk According to Fox News Digital, two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) followed more than 159,000 Americans with type 2 diabetes for two years. The studies found a slight increase in cases of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare...
Romy Antoine has raised funding to promote health and wellness in the workplace. Born in Haiti, the founder moved to America before he was one year old. He says his mother often cooked healthy meals throughout his upbringing, and he played sports. When he was age 13, his father purchased a weight set, and Antoine began working out in the living room. He was also infatuated with various magazines that discussed health and wellness. This is something he developed into a lifestyle and carried over into high school and college. While pursuing higher education, he became a personal trainer, studied biology as a major, and minored in exercise science. “There’s so many myths out there, so I wanted to make sure I had all the right information, and it’s all backed by science,” he told AFROTECH™ in an interview. One Stop Wellness For nearly six years, he focused on an online personal training business, working with clients from across the globe on meal plans and workout programs. In 2018,...