Akon's Tech Utopia
Black Enterprise|September/October 2018

Innovator of the year Akon shares his plan for disrupting the African diaspora with his own cryptocurrency and blockchain platform. Plus, meet all of our inaugural black tech awards winners

Samara Lynn
Akon's Tech Utopia

In his breakout hit single “Locked Up,” hip-hop star, producer, and songwriter Akon Thiam sings “Freedom ain’t gettin’ no closer.” Yet, Akon’s philanthropic work and vision for an empowered African diaspora are all about freeing others from economic barriers and creating opportunities.

The Grammy-nominated artist, born in St. Louis, and reared for most of his childhood in Senegal, emerged as a hip-hop star circa the early 2000s. A platinum album and collaborations with megastars, including Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Gwen Stefani solidified Akon’s place as a music celebrity.

Akon is a force that expands beyond the music industry. He is on a mission to better the world. In fact, he wants to create a real-life Wakanda, using the latest technologies of blockchain and cryptocurrency.

He believes the two emerging technologies could be saviors for the African continent. “When this crypto thing came to light,” he says, “it became something that I felt would be the solution for Africa.”

Technology Battling Corruption

The artist is so enthused about crypto and blockchain that he developed his own digital currency, the Akon. What makes this tech so important in Akon’s view is the transparency it offers, which can be used to offset the government corruption that runs rampant in many African countries.

Akon bluntly asserts, “I think the cause of Africa’s underdevelopment is corruption.”

Indeed, the Council of Foreign Relations finds that of the 10 most corrupt countries in the world, six are in sub-Saharan Africa. That corruption robs the continent of $150 billion a year.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September/October 2018-Ausgabe von Black Enterprise.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September/October 2018-Ausgabe von Black Enterprise.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS BLACK ENTERPRISEAlle anzeigen
Great Leaders Aren't Born, They're Made
Black Enterprise

Great Leaders Aren't Born, They're Made

Former Aetna CEO Ron Williams shares his decades of leadership lessons in his new book

time-read
6 Minuten  |
Fall 2019
How Fifth Third's Kala Gibson Drives Impactful Urban Entrepreneurship
Black Enterprise

How Fifth Third's Kala Gibson Drives Impactful Urban Entrepreneurship

As executive vice president and head of business Banking for Fifth Third Bank, Kala Gibson focuses on helping small businesses gain the resources necessary for them to continue to drive employment, innovation, and impact.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
Fall 2019
I Want to Be a Triple Threat
Black Enterprise

I Want to Be a Triple Threat

I always loved Papa John's. I was introduced to it in ’89 in Baton Rouge Louisiana when I didn’t have a lot of money but I had enough money for a big ol’ Shaqaroni pizza—sausage, pepperoni, extra cheese.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Fall 2019
This Young, Black Aerodynamics Engineer Is Rebooting Classics At General Motors
Black Enterprise

This Young, Black Aerodynamics Engineer Is Rebooting Classics At General Motors

THE CHEVY BLAZER HAS GOTTEN A MAKEOVER IN 2019.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Fall 2019
This Dell Exec Took A Leap, And Landed At SVP
Black Enterprise

This Dell Exec Took A Leap, And Landed At SVP

NAJUMA ATKINSON HAS BUILT A 20-YEAR CAREER AT DELL TECHNOLOGIES Inc.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Fall 2019
Power In The Boardroom
Black Enterprise

Power In The Boardroom

EXPANDING BLACK REPRESENTATION IN THE BOARDROOM AND THE C-SUITE REQUIRES ADVOCACY, STRATEGY, AND POSSIBLY, LEGISLATION. TO MEMBERS OF OUR B.E. REGISTRY OF CORPORATE DIRECTORS, HOWEVER, THE DETERMINING FACTOR COMES DOWN TO LEADERSHIP.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
Fall 2019
Has History Met Your Badass?
Black Enterprise

Has History Met Your Badass?

If black women don’t assert power and their place in history, everybody loses

time-read
7 Minuten  |
January/March 2019
A Crash Course In Success
Black Enterprise

A Crash Course In Success

Damian Mills’ strategic leadership, talented team, and knack for turning crises into Lucrative Opportunities turned his mega-dealership into an unstoppable force

time-read
8 Minuten  |
Summer 2019
Growing Together
Black Enterprise

Growing Together

How strategic alliances between major corporations and african american businesses and organizations can serve as models for economic and social advancement

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
Summer 2019
The 4H Club
Black Enterprise

The 4H Club

ICV partners has attracted millions in capital, built a portfolio of high-return companies, and diversified private equity by following its core values of staying humble, hard working, honest, and hungry

time-read
10 Minuten  |
Summer 2019