Madou Sylla

This is why I will always recommend black people aspire to become angel investors and/or venture capitalists. This is the type of result we will get when we invest this type of money into each other. If we pooled together $200k under an SPV and invested in Lids, $8 million would be the result. You can write checks as small as $5,000 each (even $1,000 in some cases) when you join an angel investor group. This is how we build generational wealth and change our communities for the better.

35

4 Comments

"Yes, I was in Ghana. And..." Instead of leading, Mayor Karen Bass remained silent about being out of the country when wildfires started in L.A.. Criticism of her leadership began here. Bass has yet to rebound. Leaders are tested in times of crisis. That's why we elect them, follow their guidance, and place our trust in them. They are there - presumedly - because of their capabilities in the good times and when challenged. CEOs, politicians, and executives must be excellent communicators. Stock price drops, mass layoffs, sexual harassment scandals. Leaders pass or fail based on their actions and what they say. Mistake number one: Silence The mayor was in Ghana when the fires started. She hustled back. But, Bass avoided her first question, staying silent, eyes down, waiting for her escape. That silence spoke volumes. Silence is now the narrative attached to her leadership. Mistake number two: Getting Defensive “I was on the phone on the plane almost every hour of the flight. So, although I was not physically here, I was in contact with many of the individuals that are standing here throughout the entire time when my flight landed, immediately went to the fire zone and saw what happened in Pacific Palisades.” Bass is focusing on what she is doing instead of focusing on the thousands who have lost everything. Mistake number three: Lack of Preparation “If you need help, emergency information, resources, and shelter is available. All of this can be found at URL." Being that unprepared only enhances the image you aren't rising to the occasion. These mistakes are correctable by following three crisis communication steps: 1)Accountability. If you run the show, own it. Take the lead and control the narrative. You signed up for this. 2)Be honest & CLEAR. Transparency and clarity build trust. Trust reassures. 3)Be concise. Get your message across quickly. Share accurate, essential information only. President John F. Kennedy followed these steps after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. And his approval rating improved. Because Kennedy took ownership. "Victory has a thousand fathers and defeat is an orphan," he said. "I am the responsible officer of this government." By holding himself accountable, he controlled the narrative and silenced critics. In the L.A. Mayor's case, she should have taken the lead as soon as she stepped off the plane. Take accountability. "Yes, I was in Ghana. And here's where the firefighting resources are. Here's how we are fighting those fires. Here's where people can go for shelter. Here's where people can go for help." Bass could have controlled the narrative using the "yes and" technique. Make a genuine connection. Show you're a part of your community. Lead from the front with your words. Effective communication skills any person, especially leaders, can and should master. She is facing an enormous task, but this is what she signed up for. Communicating clearly is a critical skill during a crisis.

5

3 Comments

Embracing a Transactional Approach: President Trump's Vision for Africa! President Trump's emerging strategy towards Africa signals a shift towards a transactional relationship that prioritizes mutual interests over a one-size-fits-all approach. By engaging with individual nations based on specific needs, this model empowers African leaders to negotiate terms that serve their national interests, potentially reshaping U.S.-Africa relations. For instance, if the U.S. identifies Ghana's cocoa or Nigeria's tech sector as pivotal, the focus will shift accordingly. This allows African nations to secure beneficial trade agreements without being bogged down by excessive external requirements. However, this approach does come with challenges. Countries heavily dependent on American support may need to diversify their partnerships to mitigate risks. Successful transactions will also demand competent leadership committed to national over personal interests. The positives are equally compelling. This model encourages African nations to concentrate on their unique strengths. For example, Kenya could attract targeted American tech investments that bolster its innovation landscape. As an advocate for direct negotiations, I believe this approach can enhance economic independence and empower African nations on the global stage. With careful navigation, President Trump's transactional strategy could lead to a new era of mutually beneficial partnerships, paving the way for sustainable growth and prosperity across the continent. The future is bright—let’s see how it unfolds!

5

Why the Gig Economy Matters for African Americans In this video, we explore the growing trend of African Americans in the gig economy, discussing how service-based jobs drive this shift and the need for supplemental income. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on this vital issue! #GigEconomy #AfricanAmericans #ServiceJobs #EconomicTrends #UberDrivers #Grubhub #SupplementalIncome #CommunityVoices #EconomicDiscussions #WorkforceTrends

2

A couple of weeks ago, as we commemorated Juneteenth, we were reminded of the power of community, the importance of resilience, & the transformative potential of diversity, equity, & inclusion in venture capital. Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans & serves as a powerful symbol of freedom & resilience. It also stands as a poignant reminder of our ongoing journey towards equality & justice—a journey that continues today. At BLCK VC, our mission has always been driven by the collective progress we aim to achieve towards a more inclusive & equitable venture capital landscape. Since our inception in 2017, we have been dedicated to connecting, engaging, empowering, & advancing Black venture investors. Our journey has been fueled by a vision to drive systemic change, reduce the Black wealth gap, encourage entrepreneurship within the Black community, & stimulate economic growth & innovation. Our community is the heart & soul of BLCK VC. It's more than a network; it's a family that uplifts & empowers. The support, mentorship, & opportunities within our community have enabled many to excel in the venture capital industry. I am proud of your dedication & resilience. Your efforts show that investing diversely is investing in the future. Our achievements, including continued investment in high-potential, under-resourced founders despite current challenges, underscore the importance of our collective effort. Shout to: WAV; Zeal Capital Partners; Capitalize VC; Collab Capital; Collide Capital The ongoing challenges we face highlight the critical need for our work. Recent legal decisions & growing opposition to DEI initiatives underscore the persistent systemic barriers in society. These challenges emphasize the urgent need for organizations like us & others to champion equitable access to capital for historically excluded groups. These setbacks are not isolated incidents, but broader challenges to inclusion & fairness. They are a call to action for us to intensify our efforts, counter regressive forces, & continue advocating for equity in venture. Our work is guided by the belief that DEI is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage - & by promoting diversity within venture capital, we're creating opportunities for Black investors & driving better outcomes for the entire industry. To the BLCK VC community—our members, mentors, partners (Salesforce Ventures, GV, AWS for Startups, SVB, Cooley, NEA, Norwest) & supporters—thank you for your relentless pursuit of excellence & equity. In the spirit of John Lewis's powerful words, "Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." Let's continue to rise together; lift as we climb; & create a legacy of opportunity, empowerment, and success for future generations. -rob

60

7 Comments

AFROTECH ROLL CALL 🗣️ FOUNDERS going to AFROTECH like this FOUNDERS Comment “Cashflow” if you want access to a private event for founders and investors. AFROTECH is less than three week away! A movie awaits. 🎥 #founders #investors #rollcall #conference

28

33 Comments

This 5-year old clip from MSNBC speaks to the long-standing perpetuation of racism in American politics and society, deeply rooted in colonization, slavery and religious/racial supremacy and normalized endlessly. "What else?" So much truth-telling from Eddie Glaude, (chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University) is met with MSNBC moderator Nicolle Wallace's shut-down, robotic reply and refusal to acknowledge - let alone engage - the content of his sharp, potent and poignant analysis. SMH. For me, Oladele Dosunmu's post speaking from an African perspective accurately reflects the ongoing global mood towards the US. All masks are off and there are no saviours. While a Harris White House may dismantle some discriminatory barriers, if the administration operates with the same oppressive approach to global politics as its predecessors, nothing will change. All the more reason we need to keep unlearning, dismantling, resisting and rebuilding in our own communities, workplaces, cities and countries as well as support social justice, anti-racism, anti-supremacy (racial and religious) and freedom movements everywhere. In strength and solidarity, friends.

38

2 Comments

This is a masterclass on how Barack Hussein Obama used Critical Race Theory to usher in a new era of what I have coined as "Jerome Crow" (Jim Crow in blackface).

10

1 Comment

While the original comment touches on deeply rooted issues of racism and inequality in America, it's important to approach this conversation with nuance and a focus on unity rather than divisiveness. First, acknowledging America's flaws is indeed essential for progress, but to imply that a broad swath of people are unwilling to confront history paints with too broad a brush. Many Americans, of all backgrounds, are dedicated to addressing historical and present injustices, advocating for equality, and promoting inclusion. Suggesting that entire groups remain ignorant or complicit risks alienating people who could be allies in the fight for justice. Secondly, using political movements like the Tea Party as an example of racial backlash overlooks the complexity of such movements. While there may be elements driven by racial anxieties, many participants were genuinely motivated by concerns about economic policy, government overreach, and individual liberty. Reducing the entire movement to racism not only disregards these legitimate concerns but also undermines the potential for finding common ground. The suggestion that America’s racial issues are inherent to its identity also oversimplifies the struggle. Many white Americans are working to dismantle systemic racism and have contributed to civil rights movements throughout history. Dividing people along racial lines and focusing on the country's worst aspects without acknowledging its capacity for growth and change only fuels resentment on both sides. Instead of leaning into divisive rhetoric, we should focus on shared values. We need to emphasize empathy, education, and constructive dialogue. By fostering conversations that bring people together rather than polarizing them, we can collectively acknowledge and confront America's sins while working toward a future that includes everyone. This is the path to meaningful, long-lasting change, where we confront injustice without dehumanizing one another.

1

So you fully understand the roles The Catholic and Protestant Churches played in the transatlantic slave trade, if you didn’t previously know. They benefited greatly in its financial well being!

2

1 Comment

I always do experiments to try to solve problems. Here is one of them. I quit drinking for 10 months to try and solve the fact that receiving VC funding is hard, here’s what I found: A preface. I, like many other Black founders, face racism in the venture capital arena. I’ve been successful in securing over $1.3M in angel investments throughout my career. But when it comes to one specific group — venture capitalists — I’ve never been successful. As such, I wanted to really solve the problem and I thought maybe I’m not sharp when I’m in those meetings on a Monday morning or early in the week after a weekend of drinking. I thought perhaps I was defaulting to some mode that was not getting the message across to the funds and VCs I was meeting. So I quit drinking to have a “clear” mind when I’m in those meetings, respond fast, and just be more agile. The findings. After 10 months of not drinking, I was still not successful. This is what I learned: 1️⃣ Don’t try to change yourself to fit in a box: While I was successful at receiving angel investments, they were inconsistent and spread out throughout months, sometimes years. So I put my foot down to focus on venture capitalists for a larger raise in a set amount of time, so I can truly get back to building. Bad move. 2️⃣ You become less resourceful while not paying attention to the things and people next to you: Focusing on VCs dampened my ingenuity. I wasn’t building new relationships that were phenomenal (sorry if we met during this period and you’re reading this! We’ll commensurate soon.). Relationships matter. 3️⃣ What Black founders are experiencing is racism, not a lack of business knowledge: Black founders tend to want to work 10x harder. Doing this leads to unintended, oftentimes, negative, consequences, like warped views about people. Just chill. I hope this helps you avoid some of the pitfalls I experienced while pursuing venture capital. If this resonates with you, share it with other fellow Black founders.

26

2 Comments

The working poor! ‘Episode 54-it’s out now!🎥 Leave a comment about what you think 👇🏾👇🏾 Catch the thrilling episode on YouTube - find the link in our bio. 🚀 Subscribe and join us on our social media adventure. #mindinyabiz #youtube #business #LLC #CEO #drblackwealth #wealth #mrsfabfinancial #mindingyabiz #business #investment #stocks#capital #realestateinvestor #BOI #politics #red #blue #inflation

1

Four Shifts Every Christian CEO Must Make Shift #4: Theory to Action God has called you to this role. He has empowered you with skills and gifts to lead this organization and represent him in the world. God cares about your work. Invite him into your day-to-day. Develop a strategy plan for what it looks like to do ministry in your setting. Intentionality takes us from theory into action. #action #justdoit #beintentional #leadership #smb

3