We are living in the age of technology. Tremendous innovations are sprouting up faster than ever before, circumventing what we thought was possible not even a mere 20 years ago. It's a great feeling to know that our human brain capacity can come up with such thing from disruptive apps to the supercomputer.

So it's only right to highlight the fascinating advancements coming out of our communities around the world. From Africa to Harlem, the diaspora has always been a part of innovative streams throughout history. Once again, the mold is being broken by introducing bleeding-edge innovation and technology. For example, 3D printing is gaining traction in Africa. In 2013, WoeLabs tech hub in Togo made the first "Made in Africa" 3D printer from e-waste. Now, they want to use the 3D printer to revolutionize Africa. They're starting by putting a machine in every school within 1kilometers of the workshop. Buni Hub is another tech center, based in Tanzania, that is building 3D printers.

'Made in Africa' cars are on the rise. Mobius Motors is a Kenyan based car company that is releasing the second model of their stripped-down, cost-effective but luxury SUV built for rough terrains. They aim to sell the car to the African mass market, and anywhere else in the world with poor quality roads. African countries are also developing groundbreaking technology for space exploration. Look no further than the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) in South Africa which, once completed is set to be the world's largest telescope. It will allow scientists to look that many times deeper into space.

Since first being introduced in a collection of essays, The Theater and its Double, in 1958, virtual reality – an interactive computer-generated experience taking place within a simulated environment, (that incorporates auditory, visual, haptic, and other types of sensory feedback) has been on a popular fast track ever since. Sievent, is minority-owned business that enables event organizers who do events for businesses, non-profits, civic organizations, universities, and other local organizations the power to make their event go viral thus making it easier for communities to stay connected, informed, & entertained. VR has the potential to change many industries. One example is mining, a profession which has its dangers and risks. In an effort to create a safe yet accurate training environment, a team at the University of Pretoria, South Africa have a created the continent's first VR Mine.

In the States, venture capital firms and incubators are propagating with lighting fast speed. One such firm is Harlem Capital Partners, a New York-based minority-owned venture capital firm on a mission to change the face of entrepreneurship by investing in 1,000 diverse founders over the next 20 years. One of HCP's partners, John Henry, co-founded a non-profit incubator (Cofound Harlem ) with a mission to incubate over 100 companies north of 96th street in New York City. OnceLogix, a company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, founded by Trinity Manning, Rod Brown, and Tyrone McLaughlin, provides software solutions for the healthcare industry. Their breakout product, Sharenote, provides Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant security to simplify client care at behavioral health organizations. Sharenote is used in more than 200 practices by clinicians who need to keep an audit trail of electronic health records.

Support is paramount in this day and age when it comes to black-owned companies. Official Black Wall Street which pays homage to the iconic “Black Wall Street” of Tulsa, Oklahoma is a digital platform and database created to give black-owned businesses, black entrepreneurs, and aspiring entrepreneurs a place to shine. Platforms like these are vital to continuing the amazing service that the African Diaspora has been giving since the beginning.

Trent B. Franklin

Writing since January 2018 · 2 stories contributed