Good morning!
Sharing an interesting and entertaining interview I just did with D-Tech.Fund about why I started the ParentPreneur Foundation.
Enjoy!
Grinding
Celebrate Black Achievers Today, Not 50 Years From Now
Black folks, we love to celebrate the accomplishments of Black people from the past. Yesterday’s Google doodle is a perfect example of this.
I get it, it’s important to give our people props, especially when we weren’t getting them at the time. And some people need to look to the past for inspiration to reach a little higher with their aspirations.
Not all of us need to look to the past though to be the bosses the creator built us to be. Many of us are embracing the challenge of growing into the crown God placed above our heads and are doing our best to fulfill our calling.
But I don’t always see us keen to celebrate today’s Black achievers. Those of us who, despite incredible odds accomplish so much, all while being mothers, fathers, wives, and husbands. Taking incredible risks to be what we are supposed to be and contribute to humanity.
So please, let’s celebrate today’s Black achievers now. Patronize their businesses, share their accomplishments on social media, give them a kind word of support.
If you don’t know any people like this, you can start with these 10 amazing Black ParentPreneurs who received grants from my ParentPreneur Foundation.
Read this article. Take in their brilliance. Patronize their businesses. Share and tag your friends.
Let’s celebrate these great Black people today, not 50 years from now.
NPR Atlanta Features The ParentPreneur Foundation
Enjoy this NPR Atlanta interview by Rose Scott on her show, Closer Look. Rose interview Pamela Booker, CEO of Koils By Nature, and me.
Leggo.
NPR Atlanta Features The ParentPreneur Foundation, which empowers Black ParentPreneurs. #SupportBlackBusiness Click To Tweet
I Sat Down With Brad Feld To Talk About His New Best-Selling Book
I am honored to call Brad Feld a friend. Brad is an influential venture capitalist and co-founder of one of the world’s best startup accelerators, Techstars. Brad’s foundation gave a $50,000 grant to the ParentPreneur Foundation to get it started.
Yesterday Brad released his latest book, The Startup Community Way, and it’s already an Amazon best seller across multiple categories. So when Brad asked me to talk with him about his book, I was excited to do so and share his words of wisdom with the ParentPreneur Foundation community.
Let’s get right to the interview!
The ParentPreneur Foundation Gives $10,000 To Ten Black ParentPreneurs
Six years ago I had a dream to start a foundation to inspire ParentPreneurs to be the best parent and entrepreneur possible, but I thought it would happen after I sold my business.
Then four months ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to do it now! And with a $50,000 founding grant from Brad Feld, renowned VC, co-founder of Techstars, and remarkable human, my dream is a reality! And I am in awe of what I have co-created with God’s help.
Today I am thrilled to announce the first ten Black ParentPreneurs to receive a grant from the ParentPreneur Foundation.
(more…)
How I Went From Idea, To Raising $50,000, To Starting A Foundation In 3 Months
Recently I’ve been writing about a new foundation I am starting to empower ParentPreneurs. The foundation mission has evolved from something that would help all ParentPreneurs to being exclusively for Black ParentPreneurs.
When I started talking about this it was purely aspirational and based on faith, but not anymore.
This.
Is.
Happening.
Why My Foundation To Help ParentPreneurs Is For Black People Only
A few months ago I announced I’m starting a foundation to give cash grants and other resources to parents who are entrepreneurs. I know lots of ParentPreneurs: Black, white, and Asian who are experiencing the unique challenges of starting a business while raising kids.
It’s a different experience than the stereotypical-young-twenty-something, hoodie-wearing-white-kid in Silicon Valley with no kids.
But after the last few months, I decided the foundation will be for Black ParentPreneurs only.
Karens Gone Wild, AGAIN. Next Time She Will Be In Bracelets.
A few hours after learning of the senseless murder of another Black man at the hands of the police two nights ago, right here in Atlanta, I was sitting in my backyard doing what I like to do: drinking a glass of wine, smoking a cigar, and listening to music.
It’s what I do-this time my girlfriend was with me though. The music wasn’t loud, it never is. Then we hear someone yelling at us.
Karen was back.
God damn.
3 Tips For Black Parents To Manage Racism At Home, By Dr. Nekeshia Hammond
Like many of you parents out there, since COVID-19 hit I’ve been trying to get and keep my mind right. I decided I would look for opportunities within the COVID crisis to shoot my shot and interview people like Mark Cuban and Seth Godin.
But then George Floyd happened and I’ve been crying a lot lately and I know a lot of you out there aren’t doing ok.
I reached out to renowned psychologist, Dr. Nekeshia Hammond to get some tips about what Black parents can do to manage racism for themselves and their children.
Black People Are Not Even Safe From Karen In Their Own Homes
Black people are not even safe from the harassment of the Karens and Amy Coopers of the world while minding our business in our own homes.
Sunday evening I dropped my kids back at their mom’s house and hit the patio for a glass of wine, a cigar, and to listen to music, as I regularly do, and do so conscientiously so as to not disturb the neighbors in my townhome community. I’ve been doing this without incident for years.
My relaxing moment was abruptly interrupted though when my girlfriend came outside freaked out to tell me that someone was banging on the door. Not ringing the doorbell, but banging on the door.
I went to the door, then this happened: