How did Genius Guild quickly raise millions to invest in diversity founders?  Kathryn shares her journey to get to that point, including all the work she had done over the last 20 years to build the relationships she needed to create Genius Guild.

“I started Genius Guild after years of trying to figure out how to create a space where everyone wins.”

How can you build a company that reflects your values? Kathryn wanted to create a space where everyone, especially Black people, could win. And she tried to defy the zero-sum dichotomy that says if one group of people wins, it means other people lose. 

“One ask turned into more asks, and one donation became many donations.”

The Covid pandemic inspired Kathryn to start the Doonie Fund, a micro-grant platform that gave $160,000 to 15,000 black women-led entrepreneurs within six weeks. 

“I knew I could build Genius Guild because I had spent a lifetime building stuff.” 

Your experience and everything you’ve learned from successes and failures are the fuel that can power your latest venture. 

Guests
Mia Henry: https://www.freedomlifted.com/miahenry
Saidah Nash Carter: https://saidahnashcarter.com/
Brian Laung Aoaeh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/industrialtransformationandsupplychaintechnology/

 

To hear more, visit kathrynfinney.substack.com