Blavity Inc. ’s Post

Growing up in #SiliconValley before it became the tech powerhouse it is today, I saw firsthand how systems are built—not just to create #innovation but to protect the status quo... When I started my #tech career in 2010, the industry’s glaring inequities weren’t just obvious; they were baked into every policy, room, and opportunity... Being #BlackInTech felt like walking into a game where the rules were never designed for you to win... And yet, here I am, not just playing the game but "rewriting the rules".... For years, #Diversity, #Equity, and #Inclusion (#DEI) was treated as a checkbox, a buzzword to pacify rather than empower... But let’s be real: "Performative DEI never dismantled power; it dressed it up in new clothes"... That’s why I’m on a mission to change the narrative—not just for myself but for anyone who has ever felt unseen, underestimated, or disposable. This isn’t about filling quotas or creating comfortable spaces for #inequity to thrive; it’s about building systems where talent, regardless of background, rises and thrives! Today, my mission goes beyond just carving out my space in tech... It’s about creating a #GlobalBrand and presence that reflects the richness and #resilience of being Black in this industry. This isn’t the end of DEI; it’s a beginning—a louder, bolder, unapologetic push for real change... The movement doesn’t stop just because it’s not trending... It’s alive in every room we enter, every script we rewrite, and every system we challenge. This is about power, and we’re just getting started... 🎯 Post inspired by this article by DeLisha Tapscott, Ed.D "DEI Ain't Dead—It Was Never Alive" https://lnkd.in/giD-EBJY Website: https://lnkd.in/gzeRNX5v #BlackUnicorn #EmpoweringGrowth #UnicornsUnite #Storyteller

I'm honored to be attending the 10th Anniversary of the Silicon Valley Culture Shifting Summit, an event designed to integrate social and financial returns in ways that drive both business success and societal improvement. Each summit has its own unique focus, and the Silicon Valley edition is the largest gathering of Black leaders in tech, innovation, and social impact. Its goal is to narrow the glaring inequality gap that persists in entrepreneurship, corporate boards, the tech industry, and the C-suite. I’ll be joining a powerful cohort of diverse tech executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and social impact leaders, while also delivering a three-minute lightning pitch highlighting our mission-driven products and their social impact. If you're attending this invitation-only event, please let me know so I can say hello in person. To those who suggest that diversity, equity, and inclusion undermine merit-based systems or create moral hazards, it's important to consider the data. Despite the historic commitments to capital aimed at reducing the equity gap, disparities persist—and in many cases, they're widening. For instance, in the third quarter of 2022, Black founders raised only 0.12% of all venture funding. In 2023, that number was about 1%, marking a decline from prior years. These figures starkly reveal the systemic barriers that still exist. Research consistently shows that diversity isn’t just good for underrepresented groups—it enhances society as a whole. Studies have found that more diverse teams outperform their peers by 35%, and companies with diverse leadership are 70% more likely to capture new markets. To address the global SDG 10 goal of reducing inequality, we must continue to dismantle systemic barriers and promote social and economic inclusion. It’s only through strategic partnerships and collaboration that we can ensure everyone, regardless of their background, has equal access to opportunities and resources. I'm truly honored to be a part of this impactful gathering, and I look forward to the critical conversations that will unfold. https://lnkd.in/gfeF-cvi #sdg10 #equity #blackfounders #reducedinequalities #justice #diversity #inclusion

AFROTECH wasn’t just a tech conference to me - it was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when innovation and culture come together! Thank you Dr Naveed Haider and the JHJ School of Business of Texas Southern University for sponsoring Grad students 🫶🏾🫶🏾. To be surrounded be so many brilliant, talented, innovative, respected and beautiful black professionals is necessary, and most definately, good for the soul. Here are my top three takeaways: ⚡️Creating opportunities, not just taking them - the importance of Black entrepreneurship‼️ It’s not just about getting a seat at the table - it’s about building the table and creating opportunities for ourselves and our communities. This message inspired me to think bigger about my own impact. ⚡️ A Celebration of “US” - a celebration of black excellence‼️ From the incredible performances to real, unfiltered conversations, it reminded me that we can, and SHOULD, show up as our authentic selves in any space. Culture, tech, and business can coexist beautifully. Thank you Morgan DeBaun for creating space for this. ❤️ ⚡️ Owning our future in AI - A very smart man once said (see past posts 😉) “it’s a tool - learn to use it!” Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, took it further and spoke about the intersection of AI and civil rights. His words were a wake-up call - we must take part in ownership of these tools to ensure they work for our communities, not against them, as they will affect us most. It’s a challenge, but also an incredible opportunity! AfroTech was inspiring, energizing, and deeply affirming! It reminded me that we’re not just here to exist in these spaces - we’re here to lead, innovate, and create lasting change. Finally, I am convinced no one parties like us 😊! We learned, we linked, we laughed and then we line-danced but we took no l’s 💃🏽💃🏽. I can’t wait for next year! #AfroTech2024 #BlackExcellence #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Tech #Finance #AfroTech #HTX

AfroTech is more than just a tech conference, it's a celebration of Black innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the technology space. Bringing together over 20,000 industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts from all around the world, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. I'm looking forward to four days packed with insights from over 50 renowned speakers from companies like Riot Games, American Express, Capital One, and Deloitte, as well as panel discussions on critical topics like Data Engineering, AI, and Cybersecurity. Being part of this gathering is a powerful reminder of the incredible contributions that Black professionals bring to tech, and I can’t wait to gain knowledge, meet inspiring people, and deepen my commitment to diversity and innovation in this field. #AfroTech2024 #BlackTech #Innovation #Networking #DiversityInTech #AmericanExpress #CapitalOne #Deloitte

Like most Fridays, I'm excited to highlight some amazing changemakers and organizations dedicated to making a real impact for #impactfriday LinkedIn We definitely need so much more change in the world 🌐 Zach Stein Stein & Carbon Collective: Revolutionizing how we invest in the planet's future with sustainable investment strategies 🌳. Zulfiqar A. Laghari Breaking barriers to education and opening doors for underrepresented communities 📚. Lili Gangas Kapor Center Pushing for diversity in tech, ensuring it serves as a bridge rather than a barrier 💻. Comfort Ero Leading global efforts to prevent conflict and shape policies for a peaceful world 🕊️. Jason Curry Comigo Merging technology with humanity to 👥. Ethan Mollick on All Things AI: Shaping the conversation around ethical AI for a future where technology serves all 🤖. Pocket Sun SoGal Ventures: Championing female entrepreneurs and disrupting the venture capital norm 🚀. Search for Common Ground Transforming how the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches to cooperative solutions 🌍. Gershon Baskin decades of peacemaking and innovation in Israel and Palestine and has incredible insights into the current conflict 🌱. Sasha Dichter 60 Decibels Decibels: Rethinking how we measure impact, with a focus on real, audible change 🔊. Felecia Hatcher at Black Ambition: Fostering a new generation of Black entrepreneurs, empowering them to dream big and achieve big 🌟. Nina Oduro at Dine Diaspora: Celebrating and elevating African cuisine, connecting cultures through the power of food 🍽️. Bernard Amadei at Engineers Without Borders: Building hope and engineering solutions for communities around the globe 🛠️. Durreen Shahnaz IIX Creating a more inclusive world by transforming finance into a force for good 💸. Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, MBE International Civil Society Action Network: Amplifying women's roles in peace and security, inspiring change through action and advocacy 🗣️. Who's inspiring you to work for impact? Share and amplify the work of others. playing around with images that reflect my real life cat

Explore Melissa Bradley's journey and insights in the enlightening video series "Black in Tech 2024," spotlighting the trials and triumphs of Black tech professionals. #DiversityInTech #BlackInTech2024

Of the 89 publicly-shared companies in the Summer 2024 cohort on Y Combinator, just 5 have Black founders. Here are three things YC can do to lead the way in supporting Black founders: Y Combinator is the Harvard of accelerators for startup founders. But not for all of them. 1. Give clear explanations to rejected applicants. Nothing drives a founder forward like clear, actionable feedback. It helps them identify their company’s weaknesses and, thus, what to work on to improve. This type of transparency would build trust with Black founders and ultimately encourage more to apply. 2. Partner with other organizations that already do an excellent job of supporting Black founders. There are many out there (my favorite being @goodienation),). Not only can these organizations offer diverse and innovative ideas, but collaborating with them would widen the pool of Black applicants. 3. Leverage the (albeit relatively small) network of YC-backed Black founders. Mentorship is a critical part of YC’s model, and I’d argue that the value of that mentorship increases when the mentor understands the additional challenges associated with being Black in that space. Black YC alumni can support new Black applicants on their journeys, and their referrals can help build a steady stream of Black applicants for future cohorts. I believe Y Combinator can more broadly uplift Black and underrepresented founders, but these three steps are a good start. Any other ideas? Let me know in the comments. Also, shout out to the five companies representing this year’s cohort! Rastro (YC S24) Zimi (YC S24) &AI Conductor Quantum AnswerGrid

Meet Morgan DeBaun: the tech-savvy powerhouse who redefined what it means to scale with purpose. She’s the mastermind behind Blavity, AfroTech, and more—platforms that amplify Black voices and create spaces where culture meets innovation. Recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30, America’s Top 50 Women in Tech, and The Root’s 100 Most Influential African Americans, Morgan knows exactly how to build with intention and impact. At ROI: The Millionaire Summit, she’s teaching Step Change Growth: Scaling Your Business Without Sacrificing Yourself. Morgan will break down how to embrace growth, delegate with confidence, and build a business that works for you—not the other way around. If scaling with serenity, purpose, and profit is on your 2025 goals list, you need to be in this room. Ready to learn from one of the best? Get your ticket here: https://hubs.li/Q02ZgZ7j0

Meet Morgan DeBaun: the tech-savvy powerhouse who redefined what it means to scale with purpose. She’s the mastermind behind Blavity, AfroTech, and more—platforms that amplify Black voices and create spaces where culture meets innovation. Recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30, America’s Top 50 Women in Tech, and The Root’s 100 Most Influential African Americans, Morgan knows exactly how to build with intention and impact. At ROI: The Millionaire Summit, she’s teaching Step Change Growth: Scaling Your Business Without Sacrificing Yourself. Morgan will break down how to embrace growth, delegate with confidence, and build a business that works for you—not the other way around. If scaling with serenity, purpose, and profit is on your 2025 goals list, you need to be in this room. Ready to learn from one of the best? Get your ticket here: https://hubs.li/Q02ZgZtB0

Anytime anyone asks me how did I learn so much about VCs and the tech industry, I tell them to watch Silicon Valley. The tech industry is full of opportunities, but it’s also a space where, as a Black woman, I’ve had to consistently remind others—and myself—of my value. Recently, I’ve been approached with acquisition and investment offers, and while I appreciate the interest in what I’ve built, I’ve learned to stand firm on this principle: ✨ I will not sell for anything less than what I know I am worth. ✨ HERide is more than just a rideshare platform; it’s a vision for safer, more inclusive transportation. It’s a movement that empowers women and communities. That kind of value cannot be undervalued or rushed. To all the women, especially Black women in tech: know your worth and stand on all ten on it. Don’t let anyone convince you to settle for less than what your hard work, vision, and innovation deserve. We are redefining industries, and that’s worth fighting for.