Black Tech Green Money

One of my favorite quotes is by the late, great Steve Jobs who said 'You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.' This quote is a summation of my life experience.On this episode, I discuss how intentionally putting yourself in a position to be successful can open up doors of opportunity that you couldn't have prescribed in advance, and how putting in generous, thoughtful, and disciplined work creates an environment ripe for your success.Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard is Co-Founder and General Partner at Equal Ventures. Prior to co-founding Equal Ventures, Richard was an investor at Venrock, where he led seed-stage and Series A stage investments in 6Sense, Amino Apps, Beckon, Burner, Luxe Valet, and Salsify.On this episode, AfroTech's Will Lucas sits down with Richard Kerby to talk about the things that are at the core of Venture Capital: investing early stage entrepreneurs and startups, and how to know if a startup is a good fit for your investment profile.Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jewel Burks Solomon is the Head of Google for Startups in the US. She works to level the playing field for underrepresented startup founders and communities by connecting them with the best of Google’s products, people and platforms. Joey Womack is the mind behind Goodie Nation which exists to eliminate the relationship gap that stands in the way of success for too many promising entrepreneurs, especially those who are people of color, women, or aren't located in coastal financial centers.On this episode, Jewel and Joey talk with Will Lucas about Google's investment into Black startup founders and investing in socially focused startups that may not be billion-dollar businesses.Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins is a social justice advocate and CEO at Promise, which helps people avoid utility shutoffs, license revocations, sky-high interest fees, and even incarceration with flexible, interest-free payment plan, a range of payment options, and 24/7 client support. She was also a union organizer and previously served as Princes manager.On this episode, Phaedra talks with Will Lucas about how tech can amplify social justice work, how one experience prepares you for the next, and how to pivot gracefully.Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ita Ekpoudom is partner at Gingerbread Capital, and her mission is to engage, educate, and elevate the next generation of successful women business leaders and investors. She holds an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a certificate in Finance, from Princeton University.On Term Sheets, a 3 episode video series, which is available to watch in full on YouTube, I travelled to NYC to meet Ita to discuss venture capital in New York City, and what it takes to be a successful venture capitalist. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al Harrington and Wilson Chandler are both former NBA players turned businessmen. John Monopoly is Kanye West’s manager. The partners joined forces to work together on expanding the current 3% market share of the cannabis industry that is owned by black people. On this episode, the entrepreneurs and investors talk with Will Lucas about Village, the largest, national conglomerate for black-owned cannabis brands and Nobody’s Home, a free music festival featuring top Rap and R&B Acts. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clarence Bethea is founder and CEO of Upsie, a technology company offering consumers an alternative when purchasing extended warranties for electronics like mobile devices and home appliances.He recently closed an $18 million Series A funding round.On this episode, Clarence speaks with Will Lucas about raising large startup financing rounds, capital intensive launch strategies, and how to make warranties sexy.Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

J. Carter is co-founder and chief marketing officer of the One Music Fest, one of the ONLY existing Black owned live music events in the country. He’s found a ton of success with his event expertise finding partnerships with some of the biggest global brands like Adidas, MillerCoors, BMW, Heineken and more.On this episode, J. Carter speaks with Will Lucas about venture capital for entertainment, AR & VR for live events, and how to keep going and believing when the losses seem to mount.Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A. Donahue Baker, co-founder and CEO at Money Avenue teaches Entrepreneurship at Morehouse College and is also a Certified Public Accountant that specializes in helping clients create generational wealth through real estate acquisitions and entrepreneurial investment opportunities.On this episode, A. Donahue speaks with Will Lucas about how to leverage the tax code for personal benefit, the importance of life insurance at all ages, and how to get started investing with as little as $500.Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiffany Aliche, founder of “The Budgetnista”, is an award-winning teacher of financial education, and America's favorite personal financial educator. She is the author of Get Good with Money (a New York Times Bestseller), The One Week Budget, and the Live Richer Challenge series.On this episode, Tiffany talks with Will Lucas about how to develop a content strategy that gets attention, LLC Twitter and the Tax Code, and bootstrapping a million-dollar business.Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucasLearn more about other Black tech disruptors and innovators at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.