Diverse Tech Founders Media

Donovan Wright is a founder of Guilde.

After growing up a stones throw away from Hampton University, Donovan found a way to merge his lifelong dream of becoming an artist with his fathers pragmatism in becoming a business person. Donovan strove to be Langston Hughes and eventually traded a pen for a calculator to become one of Detroit's rising tech entrepreneurs.

If you think real estate is a path to financial freedom, not only will you appreciate Donovan's renovation insights, but also his marketing abilities.

Guilde is live in metro-Detroit, with plans to expand throughout Michigan, and beyond.

Pull up a chair for a special conversation with another dynamic person of faith, Donovan Wright, including a local spin on some of our favorite questions.

Learn more and please subscribe today. As always, your leaving a rating helps to ensure episodes like these reach more people like you.

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Questions Answered Inside:
1. What are you most excited about in Detroit´s startup ecosystem?
2. What´s the most valuable thing you do for your customers?
3. What is the most profitable piece of advice you have received since building Guilde?

Connect with Donovan Wright and Guilde using the links below:

Donovan Wright
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgw757/

Guilde
Website: https://tryguilde.com/
Facebook:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tryguilde/

Remember to leave a review on Apple and Spotify to show love.

JR Robinson is a co-founder of JustMy.

After growing up in Orange Mound (a historically black neighborhood in Memphis), JR became a serial entrepreneur with a penchant for helping others find their identity and live in their life purpose.

If you grew up with a mixed identity, you don't want to miss JR's discussion on how he leveraged his unique circumstances into his greatest triumphs, and why he is so committed to helping others like you raise their voices in networking, at lunch counters and even on stages (including among your cities top business leaders and politicians).

JustMy has finally launching their must-see product, MyCard, a digital business card which allows any user (yes "you") to pull in all of your most valuable press coverage, unique content and fun videos in one place for networking...for free.

You can upgrade to MyCard to access more aesthetic features, and you might even take JustMy up on its motto to "Grab MyCard." 

Pull up a chair for a special conversation with a seasoned Dadpreneur, JR Robinson, including his comedic take on so many topics.

Learn more and please subscribe today. As always, your leaving a rating helps to ensure episodes like these reach more people like you.

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Questions Answered Inside:
1. Why do we need a digital business card anyway?
2. Given JustMy is in 180+ markets, which startup ecosystem would you move to (other than Silicon Valley)?
3. What are you most excited about in Memphis's burgeoning startup ecosystem?

Connect with JR Robinson and JustMy using the links below:

JR Robinson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justmymemphis/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolutionofJR

JustMy
Website: https://justmy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getJustMy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/justmy/

Remember to leave a review on Apple and Spotify to show love.

Dr. Jalaal Hayes is the founder of Elyte Energy.

After graduating high school at age 15 and obtaining two bachelors at age 18, Dr. Jah (the "whiz kid") is on a mission to clean up your atmosphere using a controversial energy source: hydrogen.

Dr. Jah is laser focused on building clean tech products using applied chemistry ⚛️ principles for a more sustainable energy grid, including hydrogen storage and batteries. Dr. Jah knew something had to change nearly ten years ago and decided to study under some of the top OGs at the most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States to grow Elyte Energy into a clean tech juggernaut.

Elyte Energy is still early in its development, yet Dr. Jah's research is crystal clear, hydrogen IS a “safe” and reliable force to be reckoned with in the battle for a more sustainable energy grid around the world. 

Pull up a chair for a rare lesson with Dr. Jah and his characteristically fly Philly accent to discover more about Dr. Jalaal Hayes and Elyte Energy.

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Questions Answered Inside:
1. What the heck is applied chemistry?
2. Is hydrogen storage safe?
3. What do customers get from Elyte Energy you can't get anywhere else?

Connect with Dr. Jah and Elyte Energy using the links below:

Dr. Jalaal Hayes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjah/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjahayes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjahayes/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjahayes92
Personal website: https://www.drjalaalhayes.com/

Elyte Energy
Website: https://www.elyteenergy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elyteenergy/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elite-energy-llc1/about/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elyteenergy/

Remember to Subscribe and Leave a Review on Apple and Spotify to show love.

Abbey Wemimo is cofounder of Esusu.

Taking out a loan with 400% interest after immigrating to the United States, Minnesota specifically, is a heralding experience.

Abbey and his hyper-focused co-founder, Samir Goel, decided to build a company around their experiences accessing credit as America’s newest immigrants. They knew something had to change and persevered from a 1.6M Series A in November 2019 to a 130M Series B, valuing Esusu at $1B.

Esusu’s success is genuinely inspiring that we can all celebrate, after 300 investors said “no” Abbey remained resolute in their mission and they aren’t stopping at $1B.

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Take a peek to discover more about Abbey Wemimo and Esusu.

Questions Answered Inside:
1. Would childhood you be friends with you today?
2. What lessons do you have for others aspiring to reach unicorn status?

Connect with Abbey and Esusu using the links below:
Abbey's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbey-wemimo-62382a2a?trk=public_profile_browsemap

Esusu
Website: http://esusurent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myesusu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10778599/admin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myesusu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/getesusu?lang=en

Remember to Subscribe and Leave a Review

Leigh-Ann is a writer, strategist, and sought after advisor on strategies for building REDI (racially equitable, diverse and inclusive) tech and innovation ecosystems and organizational culture. 

Fortune 500 Experience
She has supported innovation and technology leaders at Fortune 500 companies including Google, Facebook, Delta, P&G Ventures, AirBnB, HSBC and UBS.

Founder Experience
As a founder, she has launched ventures from concept to scale, raised seven figure philanthropic investments and designed partnerships and platforms to connect innovators, young leaders and communities with the capital and opportunities necessary to take their impact to the next level.

Venture Café Miami

Most notably, as the founding Executive Director of Venture Café Miami.  She led the organization to exponential growth and impact to serve 55,000 innovators and establish 1000+ content partnerships with national and global organizations over a 5 year period.

Nyah Project
Leigh-Ann is also the founder of the Nyah Project, which bridges systemic opportunity gaps through transformative leadership fellowships abroad and tech enabled college access coaching for disadvantaged youth of colour.  Under her leadership 100 % of Nyah Fellows attend college and over 90% win scholarships — accumulating over $10 million in scholarships since 2014.

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Take a peek to discover more about Leigh-Ann, Aīre Ventures and Nyah Project.

Questions Answered Inside:
1. Would childhood Leigh-Ann be friends with Leigh-Ann today?
2. What is a Venture Studio and how is Aīre Ventures different?
3. What are you most excited about in Miami's venture and startup ecosystem?

Connect with Leigh-Ann, Aīre Ventures and Nyah Project using the links below:

Aīre Ventures: https://www.aireventures.org/
Leigh-Ann: https://www.leighannbuchanan.com/about-2
Leigh-Ann's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighannbuchanan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aire_ventures
Medium: https://leighannbuchanan.medium.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighann.buchanan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aireventures/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxbUbepbwTSOdZwGJadbfIQ

Remember to Subscribe and Leave a Review

Nassir Criss is an Associate at Sixty8 Capital and Venture for America Fellow.

Underrepresented founders (including black founders) of all types are top of mind with "Nas".

After watching a company accept it's first large check, Nassir wen from being an observer to a doer.

Nas is now one of VCs rising personal brands and work horses, uniquely positioned to talk about the reality of bootstrapping as a startup founder and so much more.

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside!  

Questions Answered Inside:
1. Would childhood Nas be friends with Nas today?
2. Is bootstrapping in VC still cool?
3. Do customers and clients want education (or just the answer)?

Connect with Nassir and Sixty8 Capital using the links below:
Website: https://www.sixty8.capital/
Nassir's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nassir-criss-b048a4120/
Nassir's Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nassircriss/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sixty8capital
Venture for America Fellowship: https://ventureforamerica.org/

Remember to Subscribe and Leave a Review

Madison Long and Simon May are the founders of Clutch, a fast-growing college tech company connecting you to the best services students have to offer. Students come first with Clutch and brands are able to find side hustlers more easily.

Madison and Simone have been friends since their days at Purdue University, and are uniquely positioned to talk about the reality of success after two prior businesses, including the impact of being zealously customer-focused, and the immense opportunities in one of the hottest venture capital markets in the south: Houston, TX. Having lived in other startup ecosystems, the Clutch team covers several cities and why they ultimately may have found a home in the largest port city in the Lone Star State.

Pick up more invaluable lessons from a dynamic duo that will leave you re-thinking your approach to both business and culture. 

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Questions Answered Inside:
1. As a CTO, did you have to have a "prove them wrong mentality" to succedd?
2. If you were building a co-founder from scratch, what's the perfect recipe?
3. With hundreds of options of vinyl album covers to choose from, which artist most inspires the work that you do?

Connect with Simone and Madison using the links below:
Website: https://www.thatsclutch.com/
Madison's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madisonlong5/
Simone's Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsclutch_com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thatsclutch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatsclutchcom
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thatsclutch_com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatsclutch_com?

Remember to Subscribe and Leave a Review because this helps our rankings more than you know!

Mark Fleming is one of the founders of Creator Nova, a venture-backable beauty tech company empowering beauty influencers to launch brands simply and swiftly, deploying unique insights from his and his co-founder's global supply chain and business development experiences.

Mark is also uniquely positioned to talk about the impact of Diverse Tech Founders (including our pre-pandemic app launch parties) as one of a handful of guests having attended EVERY D-Tech.Fund app launch party in Harlem from 2019-2020.

I would write down some of Mark's learned in learned and why Creator Nova will be a tech company to watch in 2022. 

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Questions Answered Inside
1. Which startup community would you move to (other than Silicon Valley)?
2. What's the most valuable thing Creator Nova does for its customers?
3. Which artist most inspires the work that you do (the answer might surprise you)?

Connect with Mark Fleming using the link below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markobonna/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markofleming/
Website: https://www.creatornova.com/

Remember to Subscribe and Leave a Review because this helps our rankings more than you know!

Paul Owusu is one of the founders of Phreshly Brands, a venture-backable direct to consumer cocktails brand, working with proprietary formulations that fall outside the normal notes and texture you'd expect from a canned drink.

Paul and his other founders, Tai and Ama are aligned, purpose-driven entrepreneurs with unique takes on what makes a brand pop.

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Questions Answered Inside
1. Would younger Paul be friends with Paul today? (learn what our fathers have in common)
2. What do casual drinkers get from Phreshly you cannot get elsewhere?
3. Which artist most inspires the work that you do?

Connect with Paul Owusu using the link below:
Website: https://phreshly.co/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Phreshlyco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phreshly.co/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@phreshly?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Phreshly.co

Remember to Subscribe and Leave a Review because this helps our rankings more than you know!

Jo Marini is one of the founders of Mother Superior, a venture and impact foundry, working with founders who fall outside the margins of venture capital opportunities and align purpose-driven entrepreneurs with unique and exponential impact models.

Jo's affable spirit and precision execution are expanding access to excellence across the country.

Mother Superior's goal? Real opportunity. Real wealth. Real diversity.

Help us get to 50 ratings on iTunes and Spotify!

Start you own podcast here (we may receive a small commission if you sign up).

See you inside! 

Example Questions
1. Would younger Jo be friends with Jo today?
2. What's the most profitable piece of advice you've ever received?
3. Which artist most inspires the work that you do?

Connect with Jo Marini using the link below:
Website: https://www.mothersuperior.co/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jomarini
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mothersuperior/

Article: https://www.mothersuperior.co/motherlode-jo-marini

Remember to Subscribe and Leave a Review because this helps our rankings more than you know!