Sisters with Ventures

As women of color, we havent had numerous privileges to become rich, but there are opportunities that we can leverage to build generational wealth and a better future for ourselves. Being an investor allows you to be yourself and give other people access and an opportunity to be their authentic selves. Small businesses are the root and pathway to a strong future; empowering and supporting them is contributing to the future. Its noble to desire a better future for yourself, your children, and the community, and investing makes it a reality. In this episode, Alexis Jeffries and La Keisha Landrum Pierre share how they became Angle investors, their experiences and how you can leverage such opportunities to invest alongside like-minded people to grow and impact the world.

Alexis is a multi-hyphenate black woman based in Los Angeles who teaches entrepreneurship, works by day in high-tech, and is pursuing her true passion: investing in entrepreneurs and start-up founders who look just like her. La Keisha is a chairwoman, investor, disruptor, and black woman changing the world by investing in women. As female founders, they are building game-changing companies that impact women. She's also a mother of three, which informs everything about why she is here and doing what she is doing.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests; Alexis and La Keisha

[03:38] Alexis and La Keisha's career backgrounds

[08:15] Why Alexis and La Keisha became angle investors

[12:36] The beauty of being an investor

[16:24] About Emmeline Ventures and how it came to be

[19:17] Women in asset management and how hard its to get there

[23:06] Alexis experience as an investor in Los Angela

[27:58] Alexis and La Keishas message to their younger selves

[30:34] Wrap-up and end of the show

Alexis And La Keisha

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lnlpierre/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisjeffries/

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Black women have encountered challenges over the past years, especially in startups. Though equality has been championed, black women still have to experience additional challenges in raising capital, being marginalized, and being denied opportunities, even if they are qualified. However, some women have risen above these storms and succeeded in the startup economy. Cheryl Contee is one of those black women who join us today to share her story, lessons, and tips on how black women founders can find their space in the economy.

Cheryl Contee is the award-winning CEO of the digital agency Do Big Things, a diverse team that is using a new narrative and new tech to create global change in a new era. Previously, Cheryl was Fission Strategy's CEO, bringing Silicon Valley startup culture to the worlds leading causes and campaigns. Shes the co-founder of Attentive.ly, the first tech startup with a black female founder to be acquired by a NASDAQ company; the national board chair for Netroots Nation, an affiliate of Harvards Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society; and a proud cofounder of #YesWeCode.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Cheryl Contee

[03:55] A bit about Cheryl's entrepreneurship journey

[06:35] Cheryls experience of raising a company as a black woman

[12:47] How she overcame rejection despite being qualified for tech projects

[14:42] Black women have additional hurdles in startups

[17:55] A bit about Cheryls angel investing story

[20:56] One of Cheryls angel investments

[27:11] Cheryls message to her younger self

[29:10] How to reach out, connect and learn more about Cheryl Contee

[30:55] Episode wrap-up and calls to action

? Non-profits command over $800 billion yearly, yet only a few people have tapped into this space.

? Black women are currently founding companies at a higher rate than any other demographic in America.

? It takes time to trust your inner truth and inner self.

? Startups are difficult no matter who you are or where you come from. However, black women must know that additional hurdles must be overcome.

?  Where theres a crisis, there is an opportunity.

? If you trust yourself and follow your instincts, its hard to fail.

Cheryl Contee

Website: https://impactseat.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylcontee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ch3ryl

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Cheryl Contee is the award-winning CEO of the digital agency Do Big Things, a diverse team that is using a new narrative and new tech to create global change in a new era. Previously, Cheryl was Fission Strategy's CEO, bringing Silicon Valley startup culture to the worlds leading causes and campaigns. Shes the co-founder of Attentive.ly, the first tech startup with a black female founder to be acquired by a NASDAQ company; the national board chair for Netroots Nation, an affiliate of Harvards Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society; and a proud cofounder of #YesWeCode.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Cheryl Contee

[03:55] A bit about Cheryl's entrepreneurship journey

[06:35] Cheryls experience of raising a company as a black woman

[12:47] How she overcame rejection despite being qualified for tech projects

[14:42] Black women have additional hurdles in startups

[17:55] A bit about Cheryls angel investing story

[20:56] One of Cheryls angel investments

[27:11] Cheryls message to her younger self

[29:10] How to reach out, connect and learn more about Cheryl Contee

[30:55] Episode wrap-up and calls to action

? Non-profits command over $800 billion yearly, yet only a few people have tapped into this space.

? Black women are currently founding companies at a higher rate than any other demographic in America.

? It takes time to trust your inner truth and inner self.

? Startups are difficult no matter who you are or where you come from. However, black women must know that additional hurdles must be overcome.

?  Where theres a crisis, there is an opportunity.

? If you trust yourself and follow your instincts, its hard to fail.

Cheryl Contee

Website: https://impactseat.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylcontee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ch3ryl

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

There is no secret formula to investing. Its all about believing in yourself. There are many profitable options but making a sacrifice and going for it makes all the difference. We all know what we are doing, and when we believe and focus, we achieve. There is no failure in life but learning or winning. Each of us knows who we are, what matters to us, and what we want deep inside. Dont waste so much energy doubting yourself, looking for input from others, or deliberating other people's opinions. Invest and build your economic power on your own terms. Believe in yourself and do what you think is right.

Join the conversation with Dr. Roshawnna Novellus as we talk about investing, raising capital, and building your own economic power. Dr. Roshawnna is an Angel investor and the founder and CEO of EnrichHER, a financial technology platform with regulatory approval to help women secure funding to grow their ventures.

Tune in!

During this episode, you will learn about;

[02:44] A bit about our todays guest,

[04:06] A bit about Dr. Roshawnna's entrepreneurship journey

[04:00] Dr. Roshawnnas skillsets and her educational background

[05:01] Dr. Roshawnna's first angel investment in 2016

[06:42] Dr. Roshawnna's money journey and how she built her own economic power

[09:37] The significance of black and brown women writing checks for investments

[12:47] What to consider when raising capital in this economic environment

[15:55] There is no right formula for investing; believe in yourself

[18:15] Dr. Roshawnna's message to her younger self

[19:11] How to reach out, connect and learn more about Dr. Roshawnna

? Life is different for everyone, but we all have to build our own economic power.

? Success is all about knowing what you want, making those sacrifices, and letting it grow.

? Investing in black and brown women is not charity or wasting money.

? When raising capital, dont take it personally; this is a game that is not designed for us to always win.

?  Investing is all about having the right perspective, the right mindset, and understanding that youre human and youre doing the best you can.

Dr. Roshawnna Novellus

Websites: https://enrichher.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roshawnna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drroshawnna

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Angel investing is investing in early-stage startups with the potential for high growth that is not yet publicly traded. The investing may be in the form of funding, advice, and resources to new businesses that cannot attract other forms of venture capital. It is a way for investors to help entrepreneurs refine their ideas and turn them into tangible products. Becoming an angel investor can be as easy as finding a startup you believe in, testing it out by providing funding, then waiting to see how it performs before deciding if you want to invest in it.

Join this conversation with Kimberly L. Strong and learn what angel investing is, how to become one, and why you would consider becoming one. We will also discuss why the most marginalized women find it very tough at the top of the investing spectrum. Kimberly is a people connector passionate about transforming organizations and empowering people. She is excited to help your organization build an effective talent strategy and enhance employee engagement.

After 20+ years of human resource experience in large organizations, including Target Corporation, Kimberly founded Strong Connexion to advise companies on championing diversity in the workplace, aligning people and business strategy, and approaching difficult placements. With her network of experts and deep understanding of talent acquisition, employee engagement, and diversity, Kimberly serves her client's human resource needs.

Whether creating employee education programs, leading talent initiatives, partnering with senior executives, or creating metrics to track success, Kimberly has been known for bringing the right people together and improving the employee experience. These efforts have been recognized with increasing responsibility and promotions at work and accolades from Black Enterprise, Savoy Magazine, Diversity Women, and Uptown. She is also active in Pipeline Angels, where she is proud to support women and non-binary femmes by investing in and advising start-ups.

Tune in!

During this episode, you will learn about;

[00:00] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Kimberly L. Strong

[02:46] How she got into angel investing

[05:28] Kimberlys money story- the good, bad, and availability

[08:01] Her familys legacy that modeled her financial journey

[09:53] How her husband reacted when she decided to go into angel investing

[12:10] Kimberlys favorite industries in angel investing

[13:32] Board advisors in an organization and their roles

[15:00] Learning to say NO in startups to invest in

[16:19] The superpowers of starting consulting services as an angel investor

[18:19] The role of a diversity investor in an organization & why it is necessary to have one

[21:44] Money advice Kimberly would give to her younger self

[26:07] Episode wrap-up chat and calls to action

Episode coming soon!

This is a very special episode of SWV, featuring my Dad, Billy Bell. The Los Angeles riots were a series of race riots that occurred in the city of Los Angeles in 1992. The riots began on April 29, 1992, and lasted for six days, causing $1 billion in property damage. The riots were triggered by the acquittal of four police officers who had been videotaped beating Rodney King following his arrest on suspicion of drunk driving.

The Los Angeles Riots sparked a racial divide that still exists today. It is still one of the most important events in modern American history and has influenced many other social movements, such as Black Lives Matter.

The LA Riots are often referred to as one of the most destructive civil disturbances in U.S history, which led to over 50 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries. Join me as we recap the aftermath of these riots.

Tune in!

During this episode, you will learn about;

[02:10] Meet our todays guest, Billy Bell

[03:05] A bit about how Bell Shell came to being

[05:37] Recalling the Video footage of the 1992 Los Angeles Race Riots

[07:22] Events and reactions in the weeks of riot

[09:56] Unequal treatment between Asian owned businesses vs. Asian owned businesses

[11:26] Keeping his family safe and secure

[13:11] Aftermath of the riots

[17:00] More nuggets from Lishas father

[17:40] Thank you, dad!

[19:50] Ending the show

Lisha Bell

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

Representation in different sectors is important, particularly for those who are from a minority group. There are indeed people who have never had a teacher or seen in the industries they want to be in people that look like them. This makes them feel like they dont have an avenue to be successful or pursue their dreams. Representation means everything, and it matters what language we use and how we narrate and storytell it around opportunities. We need to change the narrative because everyone has a story, and not every narrative will resonate with them.

Join the conversation with Kristina Francis as we talk about angel investing and how you can support others by investing in venture capital. Kristina is the executive director of JFF Labs, and she has more than 20 years of experience in corporate operations, entrepreneurial ventures, management consulting, and business development. Before JFF labs, she served in a variety of roles with EsteemLogic, Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics, and American Institutes for Research. She has a passion for education, empowerment, and wealth building. Kristina is also the current, former chair of the Black Girl Venture (BGV) organization, co-host of The Get Found Get Funded podcast, and an angel investor.

Tune in!

During this episode, you will learn about;

[02:53] Meet our todays guest, Kristina Francis

[03:58] A bit about her background story

[05:41] How Kristinas upbringing shaped her entrepreneurship journey

[09:58] Kristinas pivot and how she got into venture capital in Angel investing

[12:13] The most surprising aspect of Angel investing

[15:08] Kristina's role at BGB and how it transformed her life

[21:54] Why representation is important in technology

[25:10] Creating more opportunities to support individual job pathways

[27:32] What Kristina is doing with her family to cultivate an investment mindset

[30:45] Kristina's favorite Angel investment and why

[33:18] Kristinas message to her younger self

[34:32] Takeaway from the guest

[36:31] Ending the show and call to action

?  Knowing what skillsets are needed and putting your heart in the ring can be very rewarding.

? Being able to jump in at the time when youre need is everything

? Representation matters when it comes to creating opportunities

? Not every narrative that resonates needs to resonate with people; everyone has a story

? Failure is part of learning

Kristina Francis

Websites: https://www.jff.org/about/staff/kristina-francis/

Podcast: https://getfoundgetfunded.com/episodes/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jobs-for-the-future/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jobsforthefuture/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jfftweets

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/jobsforthefuture/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Black and Latinx women make up about 20.3% of the US population as of 2019, accounting for about 47% of all women-owned businesses. However, these minority founders receive less funding than their white counterparts, despite findings that they are more likely to believe in the American dream. So, what can be done to encourage more angel investing in businesses founded by minorities?

Join the conversation with Jill Johnson as we talk about powering black angels. Jill Johnson is the co-founder and CEO of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL), an independent, not-for-profit organization that supports economic development through entrepreneurship. She is a champion of slight business inclusion within the economic development landscape. She is working on innovative solutions to address the challenge of access to capital and other barriers women of Color entrepreneurs face. She is committed to helping Women of Color entrepreneurs get connected and helping influencers and decision-makers connect with them. Jill is inquisitive by nature and not afraid to challenge the status quo. This attribute makes her a strong conversationalist and an expert moderator.

Tune in!

During this episode, you will learn about;

[02:45] Meet our todays guest, Jill Johnson

[04:06] A bit about her background

[05:41] How Jills upbringing shaped her entrepreneurship mindset

[07:25] The two wealth classes in our communities

[08:47] How easy is it for investors to sustain their level of networth

[11:33] Her motivation not to leave corporate even when situations required

[13:22] What we do as angel investors

[16:29] About Jills Making of Black Angels movement

[18:36] The psychology of writing angel investing cheques

[21:09] About the WOCCON movement

[24:00] What would Jill tell her younger self

[24:36] How you can reach out and connect with Jill

[25:00] Ending the show

? Anything is possible if you have a mindset of finding solutions.

? Be fearless because fear just holds you back. Theres no way you can step into your greatness with fear.

? Be fearless and unapologetic, and do what works for you.

Jill Johnson

Websites: https://www.weareifel.org/and https://www.woccon.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareifel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareifel/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/weareifel

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/weareifel/

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

There are many ways to invest your money. However, when it comes to investments that align with your values and contribute to the growth of society, there are fewer options that you can consider, such as angel investing. Angel investors take a risk on new startups that may not be able to achieve success on their own because they require additional funding. Investing in a startup allows you to invest in companies that align with your core values, regardless of whether you are an individual or a group.

Join the conversation with Asia Roberts as we talk about her investing journey and the lessons she has learned as an angel investor. Asia Roberts is a  Business Executive, Entrepreneur, Financial Strategist, Angel Investor, Real Estate Investor, Hotel Investor, and the President of Bounce U. She is a highly organized and a results-driven MBA combining a 20+-year track record of delivering solid contributions in financial management, analysis and corporate profit enhancements with dual degrees in Accounting and Marketing. Asia is also a strong communicator and team player, demonstrating exceptional commitment to the company, team, and personal success. Lets hear her angel investment journey.

Tune in!

During this episode, you will learn about;

[02:43] Meet our todays guest, Asia Roberts

[04:04] A bit about her background

[05:07] How her entrepreneurial inspiration came about

[06:11] Asias first investment experience

[07:53] Her first angel Investment and why she did it

[10:34] Why she has never turned back from being an angel investor

[13:09] Her most exciting experience with angel Investing so far

[15:36] What would Asia tell her younger self?

[17:02] Tips of her sustenance as an investor

[18:44] Takeaways from the guest

[19:18] Ending the show

Asia Roberts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asia-roberts-6769464/

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism