Tamar Blue, is a Y Combinator alum and founder and CEO of MentalHappy– a mental health platform helping individuals overcome challenging life events via professionally-led peer support groups. On this episode, Tamar speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about how tech can both positively and negatively impact mental health, the metaverse and it's potential impact on mental health, and the struggle to embrace being a tech startup. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.co...
May 24, 2022•38 min•Season 3Ep. 64
Sevetri Wilson is a serial entrepreneur and founder at Resilia, a New Orleans based technology startup that helps nonprofit organizations increase capacity and enable enterprises that deploy billions of dollars scale their impact. On this episode, I talk with Sevetri about what the all-to-present bottlenecks and issues that keep non-profits from maximizing their impact, and how leveraging technology can help them grow, fundraise, and help more people. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas...
May 17, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 63
We can’t have a conversation about wealth in the Black community without highlighting how Black women build it, as, there’s nuance. It’s different for Black people to build wealth than it is for white people, and it’s different for Black women that it often is for Black men. On this episode, which is a conversation held at AfroTech Executive Brooklyn 2022, Morgan DeBaun, CEO at Blavity, hosts a conversation between Samantha Tweedy of the Black Economic Alliance Foundation, coalition of business ...
May 10, 2022•42 min•Season 3Ep. 62
Ursula Burns was CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016, the first among black women to be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, and the first woman to succeed another as head of a Fortune 500 company. Most pertinent to todays conversation is her board roles. Ms. Burns sat on the Boards of Directors for more than 15 companies, including Boston Scientific, the University of Rochester, the MIT Corporation, American Express, Exxon Mobile, Uber, Waystar and more. During this conversation, which was held at AfroTe...
May 03, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 61
Jeff Staple is a creative visionary with work encompassing graphic design, fashion design, footwear design, and brand marketing. He is the founder of the REED ART DEPARTMENT (f.k.a. Staple Design) and has worked on creative projects ranging from startup brands to Fortune 100 companies. Jeff founded STAPLE in 1997, the NY-based pioneering streetwear brand with the now infamous “Pigeon” logo. On this episode, Jeff talks his take on NFTs and Web 3, why he never made his own sneaker label, and findi...
Apr 26, 2022•38 min•Season 3Ep. 60
Metaverse, metaverse, metaverse. We hear this term almost daily now. But, what is it, especially when it comes to gaming? On this episode from AfroTech World 2022, tap in to this conversation with 3 gaming, VR, and metaverse experts: Mary Spio, CEO & Founder at Ceek VR Metaverse, Erin Ashley Simon, Gaming and Entertainment Host, Co-Owner of Xset, and Chris Barbour, Director fo AR Content Business Dev & Partnerships at Meta Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTe...
Apr 19, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 59
You keep hearing people say 'DAO', but what exactly is it? Who can start one? Is there any money in it? Can I engage with my community better by using DAO technology? On this episode, Will Lucas, Brand Manager at AfroTech, speaks with Derrick 'DT' Thomas, Founder and CEO at DAO Labs and co-creator of MiamiTechRuns and LATechRuns about how to start a DAO and how to create community in Web3. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Lea...
Apr 12, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 58
Building a large business in the beauty, barber, and wellness industries is no easy feat. These sectors are ripe for competition, and historically, don't scale. On todays episode, Will Lucas, Brand Manager at AfroTech talks with entrepreneurs who've built million dollar enterprises in an industry that is known for being a hodge-podge of hustlers with no actual business operations to see how they did it, and you can too. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com http...
Apr 05, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 57
Have you ever wanted to pick the brain of present day media mogul to get their hot takes on how you can find your way into brand deals, TV castings and paid influencer/celebrity status? On this episode, we tap in with Ahmed Islam, CEO at Ten35, a full-service advertising company that leans into culture, Michelle Ghee, CEO at Ebony / Jet, Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsey, CEO at MediaCo, and Detavio Samuels, CEO at REVOLT. This conversation was recorded at the first AfroTech Executive, held in Los Angeles, ...
Mar 29, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 56
'A life worth living is worth recording'. These are words to live by, from a great entrepreneur and speaker. On this episode, Will Lucas, Brand Manager for AfroTech and Black Tech Green Money discusses why you should put in the work to document your journey via a personal journal, blog, podcast, or YouTube channel, and how your story has value to both your audience and future-you. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more a...
Mar 22, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 55
Venture capital, especially these days - when technology is shifting so quickly - has to follow the convictions of passionate and studied investors. In the days of many Black founders building venture-worthy business, Web 3 and the Blockchain, we need investors who think differently. The team at Slauson & Co are working to do just that. On this episode from AfroTech World 2020, the founders speak with Blavity COO Aaron Samuels about doing venture in Los Angeles, opportunities for Black Found...
Mar 15, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 54
Solo Ceesay is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Calaxy, an open social marketplace for creators, by creators, that aims to reimagine the entertainment industry and the fundamental ways with which we all interact digitally. I met Solo, in person, at AfroTech Exec, where he spent a lot of time talking about how the met averse will change the game for influencers and marketers On this episode, we talk about determining the value of NFTs, what the metaverse will look like in 5 years, an...
Mar 08, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 53
On this episode, Will Lucas, AfroTech Brand Manager and host/producer of Black Tech Green Money discusses the differences between various crypto wallet types, and which you should go with if you prefer simplicity over security. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 01, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 52
Ashley Caines is a self taught crypto trader and Web 3.0 enthusiast, and she uses her passion for educating and mentoring Black women about crypto, blockchain technology and the value of DAOs to lead Blavity's presence and projects in the crypto space. On this episode, Ashley speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about how DAOs work, governance structures and token rewards, and what's in store at AfroTech Executive 2022 in Miami. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.co...
Feb 22, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 51
Will Lucas is the Brand Manager at AfroTech, the largest Black tech digital platform and conference globally, and Black Tech Green Money. On this episode, Will talks about critical ideas of NFT ownership, like storage and decentralization. You may think you really own your NFT, but if its not properly stored, it could be gone tomorrow. Learn how to steer clear of "rug pulls" and scams by listening in. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/a...
Feb 15, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 50
Tanya Sam is a tech savvy businesswoman. and Director of Partnerships at TechSquare Labs, an Atlanta based technology startup hub and venture capital fund. She also starred on the show The Real Housewives of Atlanta. On this episode, Tanya talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about building a team to help you on your wealth creation journey, the real effort it takes to win, and moonlighting until your side hustle becomes your main hustle. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at Af...
Feb 08, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 50
Will Lucas is the Brand Manager at AfroTech, the largest Black tech digital platform and conference globally, and Black Tech Green Money. On this episode, Will talks about some of the most important terms anyone should know when getting into NFTs, either as a producer of NFT assets, or as an investor. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/l...
Feb 01, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 49
There are plenty of features and ways of engaging in the world of NFTs that - if you’re waiting for things to get simpler, you’re really just going to miss some great opportunities. And, this message isn’t to be hyperbolic, or to exaggerate the moment we’re in. But, the truth is, we’re in a moment. On this episode, Will Lucas, Brand Manager at AfroTech and Black Tech Green Money, talks about the complexities of engaging in the world of NFTs, and why you shouldn't let that dissuade you from getti...
Jan 25, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 48
Ruben Harris CEO and Co-Founder at Career Karma, which gives you the information, tools, and support you need to quickly get into a tech career. They recently announced a $40 million series B to bolster their efforts to reimagine education. On the episode, Ruben talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about the future of education, what colleges and universities need to do to compete, and his $40 million series B. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram...
Jan 18, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 47
Nasir Qadree is the Founder and Managing Partner of Zeal Capital Partners, a Washington, DC-based inclusive investment vehicle focused on partnering with exceptional management teams with diverse backgrounds and skillsets narrowing America’s Wealth and Skills gap. He entered the world of venture capital six years ago, and announced last year that that he’d closed an oversubscribed first fund with $62.1 million, making it one of the largest funds to be raised by a solo general partner to date. It...
Jan 11, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Sean Mendy is a co-founding Partner of Concrete Rose which invests financial & social capital into exceptional ventures led by underrepresented founders of color, founders addressing the needs of underrepresented consumers of color, and founders with a demonstrated commitment to creating inclusive cultures and building diverse teams. On this episode, Sean speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about growing up in Silicon Valley and how it shapes his worldview, and how his professional work gets m...
Jan 04, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 45
Marlon Nichols, a VC with Mac Venture Capital is on the main stage helping us understand startup funding rounds, and their impacts on the cap table, a spreadsheet or table that shows the equity capitalization for a company. Cap tables include all the equity in a company, like common and preferred shares, and more. Marlon is THE person to give this talk, he’s a seed-stage venture capitalist that invests in visionary founders building the future that the world wants to see. Some of his current and...
Dec 28, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 44
Delane Parnell is founder and CEO at PlayVS, which makes a Web app used by U.S. schools to create esports teams and participate in state-sanctioned, competitive leagues. The app schedules matches, tracks player statistics and auto-reports wins and losses, which prevent cheating in popular games like League of Legends. His startup has raised $96 million dollars in just 13 months. This talk is a throwback to AfroTech 2019, held in Oakland, CA. Delane joins Blavity’s HNIC Morgan DeBaun on the main ...
Dec 21, 2021•30 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Yelitsa Jean-Charles is the founder and CEO of Healthy Roots Dolls, which makes toys that represent more diverse backgrounds. A Detroit native, her dolls teach natural hair care to young girls of color through the toys. On this episode, Yelitsa chats with AfroTech's Will Lucas about toys and social impact, acquiring or being acquired, and how startups can secure shelf space in major retail outlets. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @ willlucas Learn more about other Black tech disruptors and inn...
Dec 14, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 42
NFT has become Collins Dictionary's word of the year for 2021. The technology, which is game-changing for creators has generated much excitement in the world of tech and art, and soon, will be common in mainstream conversation. On this episode, Will Lucas, Brand Manager at AfroTech, host of the Black Tech Green Money podcast and an NFT enthusiast helps to break down the exact steps to creating and minting your first non-fungible token. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @ willlucas Learn more abo...
Dec 07, 2021•31 min•Season 3Ep. 41
Rosalyn Gold-Onwude is a sports broadcaster and played college basketball at Stanford and the Nigeria women's national basketball team. She’s also a heavy NFT head, an investor and believer in the future of digital collectibles. Ros speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas on the AfroTech World 2021 stage, alongside Morgan DeBaun, CEO and Co-Founder at Blavity, about NFTs, digital collectibles, and investing in art. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more about other Black tech disrupto...
Nov 30, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 40
Lo is the Founding Managing Partner of Plexo Capital, which is an institutional investment firm he incubated and spun out from GV (Google Ventures). On this episode, Lo talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about how VCs raise capital, the myth of Silicon Valley, and how legislation keeps would-be Black founders from large wealth-building opportunities. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-cho...
Nov 23, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Deshuna Spencer is Founder and CEO at Kweli TV, a streaming platform featuring 500+ undiscovered, award-winning indie films, documentaries, web series & kids shows celebrating global black stories. Sean B. is creator of Connect, the Series which now streams on @kweliTV. The platform developer and content creator talk with Will Lucas about the need for our ownership of the Black narrative, and how media constructs our world view, when it may not be what is reality on the ground. Follow Will L...
Nov 16, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Kai bond is an investor, founder and entrepreneur and serves as partner at Courtside VC which focuses on sports, gaming, and fitness verticals. On this episode, Kai speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about the differences between sports of yesteryear, and the sports of today - and why the sports of today, is ripe for innovation in ways it's never been before. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about y...
Nov 09, 2021•32 min•Season 3Ep. 37
Janeen Uzzell is an American global technology executive and CEO of the National Society of Black Engineers. She previously served as Director of Healthcare Programs in Africa and Head of Women in Technology for General Electric and as COO of the Wikimedia Foundation. On this episode, Janeen speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about why engineers need global experiences and how Black engineers can leverage our contributions to culture. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more about ...
Nov 02, 2021•49 min•Season 3Ep. 36
