Access and Opportunity

On this episode, we delve into the world of NFTs, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology. We hear from artist Lauren Washington, a senior at Northwestern University, who is using non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, to help connect with a new and thriving community of collectors and artists of color. Then, host Carla Harris sits down with Erikan Obotetukudo, founder of the Audacity Fund and founding member of Crypto for Black Economic Empowerment. Erikan shares her insights on the inequities of traditional financial systems and the potential for cryptocurrency to change the narrative for entrepreneurs of color and others left behind around the world.

https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

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The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

On this episode, we learn about alternatives to traditional investments that provides access to new groups of investors. We hear from Gerome Sapp, a former NFL player who conceived of Rares, a platform that makes investment more accessible by allowing his fellow sneakerheads to buy and sell shares in particularly notable and rare sneakers. Host Carla Harris then sits down with Glenn Gonzales, a former Air Force pilot who turned his love for aviation into a business opportunity by founding Jet It, a company that is working to open the private aviation industry to a broader demographic. Jet It makes luxury more affordable by allowing clients to own a fraction of a jet. Come on and join us for the ride.

https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

On this episode, we’re continuing the conversation about the wealth gap through the lens of the Black financial experience. We hear from Eddie Slaughter, a legacy farmer based in Buena Vista, Georgia, who spent thirty plus years fighting the USDA to keep ownership of property that had been in his family for generations. Then, host Carla Harris sits down with Shelley Stewart III, a McKinsey partner who leads the firm’s research on Black economic mobility. We discuss the racial inequities that have kept Black Americans from building wealth and how those affected can prosper in spite of it. Come on and join us for the ride.

https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

On this episode, we’re talking about the importance of reaching back to help others on their business journey and how alternative sources of investment can help women of color take their companies to the next level. We hear from Maya Penn, founder and CEO of Maya’s Ideas, a slow fashion brand she started at just eight years old. She shares what she's learned about raising funds as a young, black, female entrepreneur, and the help she’s received along the way. Then, host Carla Harris sits down with Maya’s mentor, Phyllis Newhouse, to hear about her role as the first Black female CEO of a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, alongside fintech founder and venture capitalist Isabelle Freidheim. We talk about how alternative investment can help bolster women of color owned companies. Come on and join us for the ride.

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

Rita Soledad Fernandez Paulino and Beatriz Acevedo on how they work to inspire others in the Latinx community to improve their financial literacy. On this episode, we’re tackling the wealth gap from the perspective of two Latina founders who are flipping the script around finance in their communities. We hear from Rita Soledad Fernandez Paulino, the financial literacy influencer behind Wealth Para Todos, an online community that was born of Soledad’s own journey to become debt free. Then, host Carla Harris sits down with media entrepreneur Beatriz Acevedo, a former television host who found her voice in advocating for financial literacy in diverse communities after her own money troubles. She now leads SUMA Wealth, an online platform she co-founded to create financial education content that speaks to Latinx youth. Come on and join us for the ride.

https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

Dhani Jones is currently the Chairman and Co-Founder of Qey Capital Partners, a strategic consultancy firm that helps companies find investments. After an eleven year career in the NFL and starting several ventures of his own, Dhani helped launch the Hillman Accelerator, which focuses on investing in tech companies with women and people of color in leadership roles. In this episode, he explains how his career as an NFL linebacker taught him to be intentional about his entrepreneurial ambitions and to build a community to support that shared vision. Come on and join us for the ride.

https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

Edith Dorsen is the founder and Managing Director of the Womens VC Fund, which focuses on investing in companies with diverse leadership. Joining her is Reggie Van Lee, an early believer and advisor to the Fund, as well as the Chief Transformation Officer of the Carlyle Group. Together they work towards fostering equity in the venture capital industry. In this episode, they discuss the inspiration behind the Fund, the challenges they faced early on to persuade skeptics of the value in diversity and the Fund’s plans for the future. Come on and join us for the ride.

Check out the HBR article "Institutional Investors Must Help Close the Race and Gender Gaps in Venture Capital" co-authored by Reggie Van Lee and Ilene H. Lang.

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https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

Carla speaks with investor and three-time NBA champion Andre Iguodala about becoming a venture partner at the Catalyst Fund, which focuses on investing in companies founded by African American, Hispanic and women entrepreneurs.

Andre Iguodala, best known as a three-time NBA champion, is now a venture partner at the Catalyst Fund. Iguodala has leveraged his success in the league to build a prominent career investing in the technology sector, and his work with the Catalyst Fund focuses on supporting startups with founders from diverse, underfunded backgrounds. In this episode, Iguodala takes us back to how he got started in investing, the importance of surrounding yourself with smart, experienced people and how his work with the Catalyst Fund is helping African American, Hispanic and women entrepreneurs secure funding they need for growth and more innovation.

https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

Carla speaks with investor Chris Lyons, head of the Cultural Leadership Fund at Andreesen Horowitz, a fund that connects Black cultural leaders as Limited Partners to new technology companies, and benefiting organizations working for a greater African Americans presence in tech. 

Chris Lyons is the head of the Cultural Leadership Fund at Andreessen Horowitz, a D.C.-based fund created to connect Black cultural leaders with tech companies while elevating African American creators in the tech industry. Chris began his career as an audio engineer, but found himself catching the startup bug when he started PictureMenu in 2010. He eventually moved to Silicon Valley through the NewMe accelerator. Since then, he has been all-in on the startup world, eventually taking on the role of investor. In this episode, Chris takes us through his journey in the technology industry and how he continues to advocate for increased African-American and diverse representation in tech. Come on and join us for the ride.

https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.

Carla speaks with entrepreneur and former NFL cornerback Shawn Springs, founder and CEO of Windpact, a company focusing on impact protection across industries, including sports, automotive, and the military applications.

Shawn Springs is the founder and CEO of technology company Windpact, a startup focused on something near and dear to him: impact protection. Their technology has applications in industries ranging from sports, to automotive, to the military. In this episode, Shawn tells us how events in his own life inspired him to create technology that can change the lives of others, how he leveraged the relationships and lessons from his 13-year NFL career and how his vision for Windpact has changed as the company has grown. Come on and join us for the ride.

https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/inclusive-innovation-and-opportunity

Disclaimer text

The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. (“Morgan Stanley”). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and figures contained herein has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information or data contained in this podcast.

This podcast does not provide individually tailored investment advice and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley is acting as financial advisor to General Motors Company (“GM”) in connection with the formation of a strategic relationship between Cruise LLC (“Cruise”) and Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”), and Microsoft’s investment into Cruise, as announced on January 19, 2021. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. General Motors has agreed pay fees to Morgan Stanley for its financial services. Please refer to the notes at the end of this report.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Members SIPC.