Ep. 184 Udonis Haslem is a three-time NBA Champion, Miami HEAT legend, and NBA TV Analyst. He's now teaming up with Wells Fargo and the Rebuilding Together organization to make a lasting impact in the community by providing critical home repairs and safety modifications for families in need. Udonis is a businessman, philanthropist, and advocate for underserved communities, and this partnership furthers his efforts to uplift and inspire the next generation in his hometown of Miami, Florida. Plus a look back to my chat with Derrick Faulcon of Cloudy Donut. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marketing Strategist Mahdi Woodard is an innovative thinker with broad business acumen and in-depth marketing and branding experience. He serves as a marketing Consultant and Chief Marketing Officer, and was previously a Marketing Brand Analyst and Associate Brand Manager at Mars Petcare which is home to Iams, Pedigree and more, and he was Brand Manager at Newell Brands, home to Rubbermaid, Graco, and Paper Mate. His social media profiles teach others how to grow online and monetize their content. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheena Allen is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, investor, and creative architect. Her fintech startup, CapWay, focuses on creating economic access and opportunities for all through inclusive financial products and services, including banking, content, payments, and more. With Capway, she became the youngest female in America to own and operate a digital bank. Today she’s working on AI tools and other technology to help non-technical or early coders create mobile applications. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reign Ventures is an early stage investment firm that focuses on women and minority-led startups, investing at the Seed and Series A Stage in promising technology and tech-enabled startups with high-potential founders. Monique Idlett is the Founder and Managing Partner, Erica Duignan Minnihan is Founder and General Partner. Monique is a globally recognized entertainment pioneer. Prior to founding Reign Venture Capital she served as CEO to Mosley Brands and Mosley Music Group, home to a multi-platinum roster of artists, including iconic producer Timbaland, One Republic, Nelly Furtado, and others. She brings over two decades of unprecedented success as a CEO working in entertainment, marketing, press, and entrepreneurship. Erica has been an active investor in and advisor to early-stage companies for over 15 years. Before launching Reign, she was Founding Partner of 1000 Angels, Managing Director at DreamIt Ventures and Executive Director at both STAR Angel Network and Golden Seeds. Prior to beginning a career in venture, she practiced Investment Banking at Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Cantor Fitzgerald. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telva McGruder is the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at General Motors, and has spent more than 28 years at the company - starting as an engineer. Today, she’s focused on weaving DEI into the fabric of the company, working in partnership with internal and external leaders to champion the broad and diverse workforce. On this episode recorded at the 2022 AfroTech Conference in Austin Texas, Telva speaks with Blavity Co-founder and COO Jeff Nelson about corporate commitments to DEI, electric vehicles, and why Black people should care about the future of EV. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 179 Randall Yarborough is a multidisciplinary designer with professional experience in sporting equipment, apparel, and footwear. He was Senior Footwear Designer at YEEZY, working under Ye (Kanye West), and recently launched his own company, Joyshed, an athletic shorts brand.  On this episode, Randall speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about the technical aspects of design and how to balance moving fashion design forward artistically while still driving market demand. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Nelson is known as “the Relatable CTO” for his ability to take very complex technology solutions and help others understand how and why to implement them to benefit themselves and their businesses. Jeff is driving innovation in technology, business, culture, and public policy. Along with being known as “the Relatable CTO”, Jeff is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Blavity Inc, the leading company for Black culture and millennials, and the Founder and CEO of Cinchapi Inc., a real-time software platform for data discovery, analytics, and automation. His companies have combined to raise over $13 million in venture funding, generated millions in recurring revenue and created dozens of jobs for women and underrepresented people. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rodney Williams is Co-Founder and President at Solo Funds, one of the leading financial technology companies for underserved communities. On this episode, Rodney speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about how to launch a fintech startup MVP with no venture capital, how challenging disruption can be in a highly regulated industry, and finding success when facing existential threats. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chaucer Barnes is Chief Marketing Officer of Translation + United Masters, the parent company of award-winning creative agency Translation, and artist services platform UnitedMasters. In creating a new normal for the way brands and creators alike mint and trade cultural capital, Chaucer applies tools and lessons from every chapter of his life – as a media planner, brand strategist, creative director, partnership architect, and independent musician. In this episode, Chaucer speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about how advertising has embraced culture, the challenges marketers and advertisers face with trying to break through the noise, and strategic content creation. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mckeever 'Mac' Conwell is Founder & Managing Partner of RareBreed Ventures, a pre-seed fund that invests in exceptional founders primarily outside of large tech ecosystems, typically first money in, or, at least earlier than most investors.  He’s one of the most prominent voices in tech on X (formerly Twitter), and his funds success is largely founded on his public persona. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 174 In this episode of Black Tech Green Money, I dive into the essential gear you need to start a highly rated podcast. Whether you're a beginner or looking to upgrade your setup, I’ve got you covered with recommendations for every budget. I’ll walk you through the best recording software, hardware recorders, microphones, audio interfaces, storage solutions, hosting services, and communication tools to ensure your podcast sounds professional and runs smoothly. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com Links to the items I mentioned in the episode: Apple Logic Pro X [LINK] Adobe Audition [LINK] Audacity [LINK] Zoom H6 Six-Track Portable Recorder [LINK]RODECaster Pro [LINK] Tascam DR-05 [LINK] Shure SM7B [LINK] Rode NT1 [LINK] Sennheiser e 835 [LINK] Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 [LINK] LaCie Rugged USB-C, 4TB [LINK] Libsyn [LINK] Riverside.fm [LINK] Zoom [LINK] Google Meet [LINK] Podbean [LINK] Soundcloud [LINK] Dropbox [LINK] Google Drive [LINK] SanDisk SD Memory Card [LINK] Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD [LINK] Blue Yeti USB Microphone [LINK]See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 173 In this episode of Black Tech Green Money, Ceci Kurzman talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about her impressive background as a private investor, entrepreneur, and independent board member. With a history as a former music executive and talent manager, Ceci has guided the careers and business strategies of some of the biggest artists in the world and has held board positions with prominent companies like Revlon, Cirque du Soleil, Warner Music Group, and United Talent Agency. Ceci shares her insights on the current media landscape, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with innovation in the media sector. They discuss the pitfalls of the venture model, the impact of overvaluation, and the importance of sustainable business practices. Ceci also explores the future of media, emphasizing the role of individual content creators and the democratization of social media platforms. As the leader of Nexus Management Group, Ceci explains why she focuses on growth stage companies and how she leverages her brand-building expertise to add value to these businesses. She delves into her transition from the music industry to private investment, her operational involvement with portfolio companies, and her dedication to expanding diversity on corporate boards. This episode offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in media innovation, investment strategies, and the importance of representation in boardrooms. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 172 Brandon Butler is Partner + Chief Culture & Innovation Officer @ Majority // CEO @ Butter.ATL, an Atlanta-based media company covering all things Atlanta, from sports and news to food and music. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 171 Damali Peterman is a highly regarded and sought-after lawyer, mediator, negotiator, educator, and speaker with nearly 20 years of experience in the alternative dispute resolution field. She is the founder and CEO of two  companies—Breakthrough ADR, and Damali Law. On this episode of Black Tech Green Money, Damali talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about the high stakes negotiations, getting compensated at the level you deserve, and the evolution of mediation. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 170 John Hope Bryant is an entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, best known for his work in economic empowerment and financial literacy. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing financial literacy and economic education to underserved communities. Bryant has been a vocal advocate for financial inclusion and has worked tirelessly to uplift communities through initiatives aimed at improving credit scores, increasing homeownership, and fostering entrepreneurship. In this episode of Black Tech Green Money, Bryant talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about the nature of money, describing it as a "coward" that seeks safety and high returns. He emphasizes the importance of building relationship capital and the value of strategic partnerships. Bryant also discusses the misconceptions around debt, explaining the difference between good and bad debt, and highlights the importance of financial literacy as a new civil rights issue. He encourages listeners to think beyond making money to building wealth through investments in education, relationships, and smart financial strategies. The conversation underscores the need for a comprehensive business plan and the significance of creating scalable businesses to foster long-term economic growth in the Black community. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 169 Fonz Morris is Lead Product Designer, Global Conversion at Netflix. He’s an entrepreneur and self-taught designer, leading one of the most impactful teams inside one of the biggest tech and media companies on the planet. He’s travelled all around the world on his self-driven educational adventures, and prior to joining Netflix, he led a design team at Coursera. On this episode, Fonz speaks with AfroTech’s Will Lucas about unlocking success as a product designer and the tools you’ll need, how impactful travel has been to his design worldview, and how to design for conversion. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 168 Lanny Smith is founder and CEO at Actively Black and Active Faith, both wildly successful athleisure brands doing numbers. An unlikely fashion mogul, Lanny is a former college star basketball player and pro athlete, but this wasn’t the road he chose, but, he’s found his path. On this episode, Lanny speaks with AfroTech’s Will Lucas about the fresh lane of athleisure, how he’s creating a movement, and building a table versus asking for a seat. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 167 Dr. Nashlie Sephus is the Applied Science Manager for the Amazon AI team focusing on fairness in AI. Based in Atlanta, she formally led the Amazon (A9) Visual Search and AR teams, which launched Part Finder, the visual search tool for replacement parts) on the Amazon Shopping App in 2018. The team for Part Finder came from from Atlanta-based startup Partpic in 2016, where she was the CTO. Dr. Sephus received her Ph.D. from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2014 On this episode, Dr. Sephus speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about fairness in AI, her work in Jackson, Mississippi, and how tech is not Black, white, but instead, GREEN. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 166 Kobie Fuller is General Partner at Upfront Ventures. He’s got deep expertise in enterprise SAAS and frontier technologies including AR/VR. Previously, he was Chief Marketing Officer at REVOLVE, one of the largest global fashion e-­commerce players based in Los Angeles. He’s got deep interest in artificial intelligence, and he’s placing bets on startups building in the space - even building some projects of his own. On this episode, Kobie speaks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about frontier technologies, investing in AI, and what kind of startups are interesting to VCs like him. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 165 Ryan Leslie is a Grammy nominated musician and producer, and founder at SuperPhone which helps creatives and businesses increase engagement, drive revenue, and build better relationships with SMS / MMS marketing. On this episode, Ryan talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about the economics of the music industry, why artists are selling their catalogs, and how creatives get wealthy. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast Learn more at AfroTech.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.