Experience

Solvent

• United States
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CEO & Founder

  • Jan 2022 - Present

  Solvent is a next-generation mobile-first AIO (All-In-One) 'super neobank' and financial empowerment platform in the palm of your hand, built for the System Impacted to optimize their financial lives. Solvent builds and provides affordable tech-empowered personal financial and banking tools, products and services for the financially excluded and disadvantaged, underserved, and overlooked; including financial literacy and entrepreneurship education content and curriculum for financial… Show more Solvent is a next-generation mobile-first AIO (All-In-One) 'super neobank' and financial empowerment platform in the palm of your hand, built for the System Impacted to optimize their financial lives. Solvent builds and provides affordable tech-empowered personal financial and banking tools, products and services for the financially excluded and disadvantaged, underserved, and overlooked; including financial literacy and entrepreneurship education content and curriculum for financial empowerment. Solvent redefines the meaning of System Impacted breaking it up into four segments to include the following: 1. Socioeconomically Disadvantaged 2. Formerly Incarcerated 3. Family, friends, and loved ones of the formerly incarcerated and/or incarcerated 4. Incarcerated Looking at the formerly incarcerated segment data, there are over 5M formerly incarcerated individuals living in the U.S. (including their family it becomes well over 15M). Every year over 650k individuals are released from incarceration, returning to and reentering society. The System Impacted face multiple problems that keep them from and locked out of financial empowerment, including: • Poverty • Wealth & Wage Gap • Systemic Barriers • Mass Incarceration • Positive & Successful ReEntry + Recidivism • Financial Exclusion Show less Solvent is a next-generation mobile-first AIO (All-In-One) 'super neobank' and financial empowerment platform in the palm of your hand, built for the System Impacted to optimize their financial lives. Solvent builds and provides affordable tech-empowered personal financial and banking tools, products and services for the financially excluded and disadvantaged, underserved, and overlooked; including financial literacy and entrepreneurship education content and curriculum for financial… Show more Solvent is a next-generation mobile-first AIO (All-In-One) 'super neobank' and financial empowerment platform in the palm of your hand, built for the System Impacted to optimize their financial lives. Solvent builds and provides affordable tech-empowered personal financial and banking tools, products and services for the financially excluded and disadvantaged, underserved, and overlooked; including financial literacy and entrepreneurship education content and curriculum for financial empowerment. Solvent redefines the meaning of System Impacted breaking it up into four segments to include the following: 1. Socioeconomically Disadvantaged 2. Formerly Incarcerated 3. Family, friends, and loved ones of the formerly incarcerated and/or incarcerated 4. Incarcerated Looking at the formerly incarcerated segment data, there are over 5M formerly incarcerated individuals living in the U.S. (including their family it becomes well over 15M). Every year over 650k individuals are released from incarceration, returning to and reentering society. The System Impacted face multiple problems that keep them from and locked out of financial empowerment, including: • Poverty • Wealth & Wage Gap • Systemic Barriers • Mass Incarceration • Positive & Successful ReEntry + Recidivism • Financial Exclusion Show less



Village Capital Innovations In Justice Tech Fellowship

• Cohort Participant

  • Sep 2022 - Dec 2022

  Innovations in Justice Tech is a fellowship program that will support entrepreneurs building innovations that improve the lives of individuals and communities impacted by the justice system and reduce the footprint of the criminal justice system. This robust fellowship program will expand upon the groundwork Village Capital and AmFam Institute started in 2020 including building and mapping the Justice Tech ecosystem in the US and launching an Investing Framework to help inform investors… Show more Innovations in Justice Tech is a fellowship program that will support entrepreneurs building innovations that improve the lives of individuals and communities impacted by the justice system and reduce the footprint of the criminal justice system. This robust fellowship program will expand upon the groundwork Village Capital and AmFam Institute started in 2020 including building and mapping the Justice Tech ecosystem in the US and launching an Investing Framework to help inform investors in this nascent space on how to approach making ethical Justice Tech investments. The partnership with Dream.org is a complement to their work to end the disrupt the justice system and create more pathways to opportunity in the tech industry for people of color. Show less Innovations in Justice Tech is a fellowship program that will support entrepreneurs building innovations that improve the lives of individuals and communities impacted by the justice system and reduce the footprint of the criminal justice system. This robust fellowship program will expand upon the groundwork Village Capital and AmFam Institute started in 2020 including building and mapping the Justice Tech ecosystem in the US and launching an Investing Framework to help inform investors… Show more Innovations in Justice Tech is a fellowship program that will support entrepreneurs building innovations that improve the lives of individuals and communities impacted by the justice system and reduce the footprint of the criminal justice system. This robust fellowship program will expand upon the groundwork Village Capital and AmFam Institute started in 2020 including building and mapping the Justice Tech ecosystem in the US and launching an Investing Framework to help inform investors in this nascent space on how to approach making ethical Justice Tech investments. The partnership with Dream.org is a complement to their work to end the disrupt the justice system and create more pathways to opportunity in the tech industry for people of color. Show less


AWS Impact Accelerator: Black Founders
• Inaugural Cohort Participant

  • Jun 2022 - Jul 2022


Plaza 7 Talent Agency

• Talent

  • Jul 2017 - May 2022

  • Officially represented by Plaza 7 Talent Agency for film, television, literary and voiceover talent opportunities • Cast in Ben Stiller Showtime miniseries, "Escape At Dannemora" set for a Fall 2018 release • Currently working on first book, "Tweet Out Into The Ether: From Crack, To Rap, To Tech" • Officially represented by Plaza 7 Talent Agency for film, television, literary and voiceover talent opportunities • Cast in Ben Stiller Showtime miniseries, "Escape At Dannemora" set for a Fall 2018 release • Currently working on first book, "Tweet Out Into The Ether: From Crack, To Rap, To Tech"



Black Enterprise Magazine

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Contributor

  • Feb 2017 - May 2022

  • Contributing to editorial content and various BE initiatives

• 2017 BE TechConneXt Summit Steering Committee Member

  • Feb 2017 - Oct 2017

  • Selected to be a member of BE's 2017 TechConnect Summit Steering Committee • Responsible for seeking out and suggesting speakers and other participants • Participated in a panel around the power of technology to change lives of the formerly incarcerated



BLAK Group

• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder

  • Jan 2015 - May 2022

  • Founded BLAK Group to focus on building a 21st Century Black Wall Street to financially and economically empower Blacks via financial literacy and entrepreneurship education • Founded BLAK Group to focus on building a 21st Century Black Wall Street to financially and economically empower Blacks via financial literacy and entrepreneurship education



a16z

• Technology, Information and Internet

• Official Rapper

  • May 2014 - May 2022

  • Wrote and performed lyrics for a16z podcast intro rap • Received recognition as "Official a16z Rapper" from a16z co-founder and partner Ben Horowitz • Wrote and performed lyrics for a16z podcast intro rap • Received recognition as "Official a16z Rapper" from a16z co-founder and partner Ben Horowitz



4th Letter Media

• Inspirational Speaker | Narrator | Voiceover | Recording Artist | Songwriter | Performer

  • May 2014 - May 2022

  • Officially started doing inspirational speaking in 2015 via The Phat Startup's Tech 808 Oakland event • Officially started doing narration in 2014 when I narrated a couple of Ben Horowitz's posts from his Ben's Blog • Officially started doing inspirational speaking in 2015 via The Phat Startup's Tech 808 Oakland event • Officially started doing narration in 2014 when I narrated a couple of Ben Horowitz's posts from his Ben's Blog



Supreme Music Group | Supreme Records

• CEO

  • Jun 1998 - May 2022

  • Founded parent independent urban music recording company Supreme Music Group • Founded independent urban music record label and publishing company Supreme Records and Supreme Music Publishing • Possess over 15 years in the independent urban music industry from operations, audio recording and music production to branding, packaging, marketing, and distribution as an executive and artist • Founded parent independent urban music recording company Supreme Music Group • Founded independent urban music record label and publishing company Supreme Records and Supreme Music Publishing • Possess over 15 years in the independent urban music industry from operations, audio recording and music production to branding, packaging, marketing, and distribution as an executive and artist


Black Lives Matter RI
• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Director of Operations | Communications & Strategy

  • Jan 2020 - Jul 2020

Flockjay
• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Tech Fellow

  • Aug 2019 - Oct 2019


FaZe Clan

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Outside Consultant

  • Jun 2019 - Sep 2019

  • Seeking out and screening relative strategic/business partnerships and other deal flow within and without the esports space to present and submit to FaZe Clan executive team for consideration and execution. • Present and submit all potential deal flow directly to FaZe Clan President Greg Selkoe.

• Talent Manager

  • Jan 2019 - Jun 2019

  • Develop professional and personal relationships with talent • Manage and execute deliverables for talent deals and brand campaigns • Develop strategies, proposal materials and deal structures based on business objectives and Talent's interest and goals • Create strategic partnerships to enhance Talent’s resume of work • Coordinate with internal departments to develop proposals and plan elements • Manage day-to-day business relationships with third-party buyers and identify… Show more • Develop professional and personal relationships with talent • Manage and execute deliverables for talent deals and brand campaigns • Develop strategies, proposal materials and deal structures based on business objectives and Talent's interest and goals • Create strategic partnerships to enhance Talent’s resume of work • Coordinate with internal departments to develop proposals and plan elements • Manage day-to-day business relationships with third-party buyers and identify growth opportunities for Talent • Cover relevant brand agencies, entertainment studios and ad buyers • Identify and sign new talent


70 Million Jobs
• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Sales Associate

  • Jul 2019 - Aug 2019


Udacity

• United States
• E-learning
• 700 & Above Employee

• Student Experience Team | Student Support Representative

  • Aug 2018 - Mar 2019

• Careers Team Project Manager | Community Outreach & Brand Ambassador Intern

  • Aug 2018 - Oct 2018

  Responsibilities Content Creation • Ideate, structure and produce branded content that inspires, motivates and encourages students with non-traditional backgrounds to persevere through storytelling across multimedia (video, written, teasers, talks) • Support production of community events both online and offline in-person to ensure a smooth and valuable experience for all • Identify opportunities and make recommendations for compelling content that propels students… Show more Responsibilities Content Creation • Ideate, structure and produce branded content that inspires, motivates and encourages students with non-traditional backgrounds to persevere through storytelling across multimedia (video, written, teasers, talks) • Support production of community events both online and offline in-person to ensure a smooth and valuable experience for all • Identify opportunities and make recommendations for compelling content that propels students and alumni towards their career goals Partnerships • Identify high-profile individuals, influencers, thought leaders and SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) who may contribute their value to the community through initiatives and events • Develop targeted outreach strategies and initiate conversations to build lasting relationships with Udacity and its promise for students Engagement • Generate and implement marketing plans across social channels to ensure successful community initiatives and events • Drive engagement across platforms and geos around careers, both for alumni and the Udacity community at large



Wanderset

• United States
• Manufacturing

• Set Member (Brand Ambassador & Influencer)

  • Jan 2018 - Jan 2019

  • Engaging the public around brand awareness • Engaging the public around brand awareness



BLAK Fintech

• United States
• Financial Services

• CEO & Founder

  • Jan 2015 - Jan 2019

  • Founded BLAK Fintech to assist in solving the financial exclusion problem that exists in the US for the underprivileged and disadvantaged • Offering affordable next-generation tech-driven personal financial and banking products for the financially excluded and disadvantaged Unbanked and Underbanked • Implemented a social impact initiative consisting of financial literacy and entrepreneurship education for wealth building • Founded BLAK Fintech to assist in solving the financial exclusion problem that exists in the US for the underprivileged and disadvantaged • Offering affordable next-generation tech-driven personal financial and banking products for the financially excluded and disadvantaged Unbanked and Underbanked • Implemented a social impact initiative consisting of financial literacy and entrepreneurship education for wealth building



The Last Mile

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Consultant

  • Mar 2018 - Jun 2018

  • Executing in areas of digital marketing, business development, media opportunities, and brand ambassadorship

• Brand Ambassador

  • Jun 2017 - Jun 2018

  • Engaging the public around brand awareness

• Digital Marketing Nanodegree Program Student

  • Jun 2017 - Jan 2018

  • Enrolled in Udacity's Digital Marketing Nanodegree program where I gained a 360-degree understanding of digital marketing

• Udacity Digital Marketing Graduate

  • Jun 2017 - Jan 2018

  • Graduate Udacity's Digital Marketing Nanodegree program • Received a 360-degree understanding of digital marketing



MoCaFi

• United States
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• BLAK In Residence & Intrapreneur

  • May 2017 - Jan 2018

  • With BLAK Fintech strategically partnered to provide next-generation financial products and services to disadvantaged and underprivileged individuals and communities • Under the BLAK MoCaFi brand, spearheaded the social impact initiative around returning citizens (incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations) faced with re-entry and recidivism to assist in stabilizing and rebuilding their financial lives • Assisted in digital marketing and business development efforts… Show more • With BLAK Fintech strategically partnered to provide next-generation financial products and services to disadvantaged and underprivileged individuals and communities • Under the BLAK MoCaFi brand, spearheaded the social impact initiative around returning citizens (incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations) faced with re-entry and recidivism to assist in stabilizing and rebuilding their financial lives • Assisted in digital marketing and business development efforts, securing media opportunities and brand building and awareness via brand ambassadorship Show less • With BLAK Fintech strategically partnered to provide next-generation financial products and services to disadvantaged and underprivileged individuals and communities • Under the BLAK MoCaFi brand, spearheaded the social impact initiative around returning citizens (incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations) faced with re-entry and recidivism to assist in stabilizing and rebuilding their financial lives • Assisted in digital marketing and business development efforts… Show more • With BLAK Fintech strategically partnered to provide next-generation financial products and services to disadvantaged and underprivileged individuals and communities • Under the BLAK MoCaFi brand, spearheaded the social impact initiative around returning citizens (incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations) faced with re-entry and recidivism to assist in stabilizing and rebuilding their financial lives • Assisted in digital marketing and business development efforts, securing media opportunities and brand building and awareness via brand ambassadorship Show less



Rhymeo

• United States
• Musicians

• Advisor & Brand Ambassador

  • May 2016 - May 2017

  • Assisting with reaching key demographics to authentically present and drive brand awareness • Targeting those immersed in the culture of Hip-Hop and the art of rap practitioners and enthusiasts, from which the deft skill of freestyle rap and rhyme originated • Assisting with reaching key demographics to authentically present and drive brand awareness • Targeting those immersed in the culture of Hip-Hop and the art of rap practitioners and enthusiasts, from which the deft skill of freestyle rap and rhyme originated



Village Capital

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Village Capital FinTech US 2016 Alum

  • May 2016 - Sep 2016

  • Selected to participate in Village Capital's program for fintech entrepreneurs and startup founders • Completed Village Capital program where I learned entrepreneurship and startup building from ideation to funding • Selected to participate in Village Capital's program for fintech entrepreneurs and startup founders • Completed Village Capital program where I learned entrepreneurship and startup building from ideation to funding



Karmaloop

• United States
• Retail Apparel and Fashion
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR) & Intern To CEO

  • Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

  • Assisted CEO and Founder Greg Selkoe in seeking out funding sources and opportunities • Brokered Print-To-Order (PTO) deals with music recording artists for Karmaloop's PTO Program • Responsible for, as well as finding and assisting in onboarding independent/underground apparel and streetwear/clothing brands • Assisted CEO and Founder Greg Selkoe in seeking out funding sources and opportunities • Brokered Print-To-Order (PTO) deals with music recording artists for Karmaloop's PTO Program • Responsible for, as well as finding and assisting in onboarding independent/underground apparel and streetwear/clothing brands