Tag: leadership

Tap Into These 10 Black Tech Titans: Innovation, Legacy & Lessons for the Future

September 22, 2025

The U.S. tech industry has a diversity problem. Despite being the engine of global innovation, it remains staggeringly homogeneous. Black professionals make up just 7–9% of the workforce, and less than 5% of leadership roles at giants like Google, Microsoft, and Meta. But beyond the boardrooms and algorithms, a powerful movement is reshaping the narrative—Black tech entrepreneurs who are building billion-dollar companies, transforming industries, and mentoring the next generation.

These ten trailblazers didn’t wait for permission. They built platforms, raised capital, and created space for others. If you’re serious about learning from the best, these are the minds to follow, study, and connect with.

Robert F. Smith — Vista Equity Partners

  • Title: Founder, Chairman & CEO
  • Company: Vista Equity Partners
  • Contact: rsmith@vistaequitypartners.com | admin@robertfredericksmith.com
  • Why Learn From Him: Smith has overseen over 600 transactions totaling $330B. His investment philosophy centers on operational excellence and long-term value creation. He’s also a philanthropic force, eliminating student debt for Morehouse grads and launching the Student Freedom Initiative.
  • Legacy Lesson: Learn how to scale with precision and give back with purpose.

David Steward — World Wide Technology

  • Title: Founder & Chairman
  • Company: World Wide Technology
  • Contact: d***@wwt.com | (314) 569-7000
  • Why Learn From Him: Steward built the largest Black-owned tech company in the U.S., valued at $11.4B. His leadership blends faith, strategy, and community uplift.
  • Legacy Lesson: Steward proves that values-driven leadership can scale globally.

Tope Awotona — Calendly

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Calendly
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Him: Awotona bootstrapped Calendly into a $3B unicorn. His story is one of grit, vision, and refusing to settle for mediocrity.
  • Legacy Lesson: Simplicity and user obsession can disrupt entire industries.

Dr. Iman Abuzeid — Incredible Health

  • Title: Co-founder & CEO
  • Company: Incredible Health
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Her: A Sudanese-American physician turned tech CEO, Abuzeid built a $1.65B platform that’s revolutionizing healthcare hiring.
  • Legacy Lesson: Expertise + empathy = scalable impact.

Freddie Figgers — Figgers Wireless

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Figgers Wireless
  • Contact: f***@figgers.com | (800) 223-5435
  • Why Learn From Him: Figgers is the youngest American to hold an FCC license and the only Black-owned telecom provider. His inventions are rooted in personal care and community need.
  • Legacy Lesson: Innovation starts with solving problems close to home.

Iddris Sandu — Spatial Labs

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Spatial Labs
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Him: Sandu blends culture, fashion, and blockchain to create “phygital” experiences. Backed by Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners, he’s redefining tech’s cultural interface.
  • Legacy Lesson: Tech isn’t just code, it’s culture.

Tristan Walker — Walker & Company Brands

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Walker & Company
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Him: Walker built Bevel to solve real grooming issues for Black men, then sold it to Procter & Gamble. He’s now a board member at Foot Locker and Shake Shack.
  • Legacy Lesson: Build for your community, and the world will follow.

Jessica O. Matthews — Uncharted Power

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Uncharted Power
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Her: Matthews turned a soccer ball into a power source and now builds smart infrastructure. Her Harlem-based company is redefining energy access.
  • Legacy Lesson: Play can power progress.

Chris Bennett — Wonderschool

  • Title: Founder & CEO
  • Company: Wonderschool
  • Contact: chris@wonderschool.com | +1.855.554.7843
  • Why Learn From Him: Bennett’s platform helps educators launch childcare programs, solving a national crisis while empowering entrepreneurs.
  • Legacy Lesson: Childhood education is a tech frontier.

Kimberly Bryant — Black Girls Code & Black Innovation Lab

  • Title: Founder
  • Company: Black Innovation Lab
  • Contact: Not publicly listed; connect via LinkedIn
  • Why Learn From Her: Bryant introduced over 100,000 girls to coding and now builds tech ecosystems in the South. Her upcoming book Ascending will be a must-read.
  • Legacy Lesson: Inclusion isn’t optional, it’s revolutionary.

Why These Titans Matter

These leaders aren’t just building companies, they’re building legacies. They’ve faced systemic barriers, yet created platforms that uplift communities, challenge norms, and redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, investor, educator, or storyteller, these are the minds to learn from.

  • They’ve built billion-dollar companies with limited access to capital.
  • They’ve scaled ideas rooted in personal pain and community need.
  • They’ve created ecosystems that center Black excellence and innovation.

Final Word

In a world that often overlooks Black brilliance, these tech titans are impossible to ignore. They are the architects of a new future, one where innovation is inclusive, legacy is intentional, and impact is non-negotiable.

Want to build something that lasts? Start by studying those who already have.

Nick of Time: The Heart and Vision of Nate Paxton Jr.

August 13, 2025

In a world that often celebrates noise over substance, Nate Paxton Jr. stands out as a man of quiet strength and unwavering purpose. Rooted in faith, family, and a deep sense of responsibility, Nate doesn’t just show up—he shows up with intention. Whether mentoring young leaders, supporting community initiatives, or simply offering a listening ear, he brings compassion and clarity to every space he enters.

Nate is known not just for what he does, but for how he makes people feel—heard, valued, and inspired. His leadership is grounded in resilience and a commitment to growth, always striving to be better for himself, his loved ones, and the legacy he’s building. At his core, he’s a connector—someone who sees the potential in others and helps them rise.

That spirit of connection and purpose is the foundation of his nonprofit, Nick of Time.

The Mission Behind Nick of Time

Nick of Time was born out of a simple but powerful truth: too many student athletes in under-resourced communities are overlooked—not just in sports, but in life. Nate saw the gap and decided to build a bridge.

The organization’s mission is clear:

To mentor, guide, and advance the academic and athletic careers of underprivileged young student athletes. Through personalized mentorship programs, comprehensive educational support, and first-class marketing systems, Nick of Time creates scholarship opportunities and prepares youth for life beyond the game.

This isn’t just about getting recruited. It’s about being equipped—for college, for careers, for adulthood.

Vision for a Greater Future

Nick of Time envisions a world where student athletes aren’t defined solely by their performance on the field or court. Instead, they’re empowered to become professionals in whatever trade or endeavor they choose once their playing career ends.

By providing tools, resources, and mentorship, the organization helps young people transition from athletic identity to professional purpose. It’s about creating leaders—educated, equipped, and ready to succeed.

Who Nick of Time Serves

  • Male and female student athletes in low-resource environments
  • Youth from 8th to 12th grade
  • College athletes seeking career guidance beyond sports

These are young people who often lack exposure, guidance, and access. Nick of Time steps in to fill that gap—with heart, strategy, and consistency.

The Problem They’re Solving

Too many student athletes in underserved communities fall through the cracks. They have talent, drive, and dreams—but not the resources to turn those dreams into reality. Nick of Time is changing that.

By compiling academic and athletic resumes, gathering film, and distributing it to hundreds of coaches and universities weekly, the organization ensures each student finds the right fit. But it doesn’t stop there.

Weekly mentorship through Zoom calls, in-person meetups, seminars, and trips keeps students grounded and growing. Live events throughout the year bring speakers, career opportunities, and internships directly to them—building not just athletes, but professionals.

What Nick of Time Offers

  • Academic and athletic resume building
  • Film distribution to coaches and universities
  • Weekly mentorship (Zoom, in-person, seminars, trips)
  • Live events with speakers and career/internship opportunities
  • Guidance for life after sports

This holistic approach ensures that every student is seen, supported, and set up for success.

Final Thoughts

Nate Paxton Jr. is building more than a nonprofit—he’s building a movement. One that says to every overlooked student athlete: You matter. Your future matters. And we’re here to help you claim it.

Nick of Time is proof that when purpose meets preparation, lives change. Communities transform. And legacies are born.

If you’re looking for a model of mentorship, leadership, and impact, look no further than Nate Paxton Jr. and the work he’s doing—right on time.

Please click on the link below and become a part of our family and growth:

http://nickoftimementor.com/

Keandre Jones and Everyday a Episode are saving lives in underserved communities

January 30, 2024

Keandre Jones is a former star Linebacker for Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He was an upcoming star that followed his determination to be great. He was able to stay in the league but never gave up when injured or feeling down after a loss. He always bounced back and never swayed nor changed his attitude. He displayed his natural leadership, and his teammates had his back when it was needed. After a while this Champion came to a crossroad where he had to make a decision on his career. He had to decide if he was going to continue to play or work to build up the communities in the local Cincinnati area. We are talking about Millions of Dollars are serve your community. Per the interview he did with Charles King on his podcast “America in Black and White” he decided that the community needed him more. He turned down a deal and decided that he would start his organization “Everyday a Episode”. He was determined to make a difference in the lives of the kids in underserved communities and boy did he hit a Home Run.

Everyday a Episode was started with the kids in mind. It was started with the intention that no kid really would not be left behind. It has the intention of giving the kids in the surrounding communities things they really never had, leadership, mentorship, life skills and love. Keandre planned and came to the point of knowing what it was going to take to build this program and he did it. When it was time to launch this organization, his main focus was on Mentorship. Mentorship is what he felt would help the kids the most because to take away abandonment issues meant trust. Trust is exactly what he got from the kids in the surrounding communities. This contributed to the growth of the kids and the communities. To know this organization and its programs are the reasons you want to be a part of it.

The Mentorship Program is done in sessions. All of the sessions give the kids the opportunity to build confidence in themselves and help them to cope with difficult situations. There are six sessions to complete the program: Session 1 Personal Development & Self-Awareness, Session 2 Effective Communication & Team Building, Session 3 Financial Literacy (Guest Speakers), Session 4 Digital Literacy & Online Saftey (Guest Speakers), Session 5 Career Exploration & Planning (Guest Speakers) Session 6 Leadership & Teamwork. In the process of doing this program its main purpose is to develop your Mental Health Awareness as well as develop your life skills. This program is one that prepares you for life and Everyday a Episode will be there in case you need them. This builds confidence and makes you feel really self-assured about what you are doing. They offer several other programs that keep the kids busy and on their toes. They offer Positive Influence, Life Skills, Mentorship, Leadership, Fitness, Mental Health and Empowerment. This will help to build the kids mentally and physically. This is definitely a longterm program for all kids that live in underserve areas.

As you can see Keandre Jones has started a program that is second to none. This program is everything for kids that are short on resources and examples in life. The things they need to build them are here with proven leadership in all phases of the organization. This organization has reached out the local communities and is proving to put their money where their mouths are. Kenadre and his staff deserve a hand for all the hard work they have done. I am sure there are some kids that have missed this opportunity. If you are one of these kids please reach out to “Everyday a Episode by contacting them on Social Media or email: keandresepisode@gmail.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/keandre-jones-5567a1149/ , https://www.instagram.com/_keandrejones_. Everyday a Episode has just what you need to keep you going. Please give it a try

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