Diary of a Founder: From NY to LA...Community in Action

The word “community” is one of the most important words I find myself using at least 10 times a day in all of its iterations - community organizers, community builders, community leaders. Community is the core pillar of everything I stand for and drives the work we are doing at BrainTrust across the entire company from the agency to the studio to the fund.??

This past week, I witnessed community in action over and over again…kicking off with the Fifteen Percent Pledge Annual Gala in New York. There was pure magic in the air all night—the uniting of community created a tangible energetic vibration throughout the New York Public Library. The Gala was Black Excellence at its finest from the red carpet to the beautiful beings that floated throughout the hallways all set in a historic venue that is symbolic of community gatherings and Black history.

Fun Black History Month Fact: According to a survey of public libraries in 1922 conducted by the Negroes Roundtable of the American Libraries Association, the New York Public Library did provide open access to African Americans, including opening branches in predominantly African American neighborhoods.

L to R: At 15% Pledge Gala, Ron Robinson ,Founder of BeautyStat; Nancy Twine , Founder of Briogeo; Chris Collins , Founder of The World of Chris Collins; Nyakio Grieco , Founder of thirteen lune

I was invited to attend the Gala by a phenomenal team— Lydia Smith, MBA Chief Diversity Officer and Dionne Ransom , DEI Programs & Events Manager at Victoria’s Secret & Co. . They have been such amazing supporters of our work as they continue to drive conversions around the importance of community and create diverse opportunities for diverse suppliers and organizations. Victoria Secrets was one of our first partners when we launched Founders House, our community pop-up experience that brings together founders, influencers, innovative leaders and cultural amplifiers.?

L to R: At the 15% Pledge, Lydia Smith, MBA , Dionne Ransom , and Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

Throughout the night, we cheered, we laughed, we toasted and we were truly all one coming together to celebrate each other and our collective accomplishments creating pathways for greatness. What we know is that one organization, one person can not drive change alone—it is how we show up for each other, how we cheer one another on, and how we give back to the community together. This commitment of support will be the defining mark of our generation.?

L to R: At 15% Pledge Gala, Ron Robinson , Founder of BeautyStat; Diarrha Ndiaye , founder of Ami Colé; Nyakio Grieco , Founder of thirteen lune; Christina Funke Tegbe, MBA, MHA , Founder of 54 Thrones

Black Americans represent nearly 15% of the population. The 15% pledge works with retailers to contractually commit 15% of their annual spend to Black businesses. The work is paying off and I am excited to see all that happens between now and next year’s gala. Congratulations to the 15 percent pledge team and its fearless leader Aurora James on all the success the work has brought to Black-owned businesses.?

L to R: Nyakio Grieco , Nicole Chapoteau , Gabriella Karefa-Johnson , Tiffany Reid , Hannah Bronfman , Aurora James , Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, Chris Collins

From NY, I flew back to LA just in time to catch Jessica Nabango and Albert Sanders' event—A Black Thing: Rebuilding Community in LA Event at the Four Seasons. What a night of old friends, new friends and a wave of Blacknicity coming together over cocktails and dopeness.??

I met Jessica through one of my closest friends last year, and it was a true gift. Jessica was a special guest during our Victoria’s Secrets dinner at Founders House during Essence Festival last year.

L to R: Lydia Smith, MBA , Dionne Ransom , Keesha Salters, SHRM-SCP , and Jessica Nabongo ,Victoria Secrets Dinner at Founders House during Essence Festival

So this was a complete full circle moment: to be in community with both VS&Co. and Jessica, all in the same week, on different coasts. Jessica is uniting community all over the world as the 1st Black woman to visit every country—she is the author of The Catch Me If You Can, the #1 bestselling travel book in the U.S. published by National Geographic.??

During this eventful community gathering, I was reminded of how good it feels to be out and about, to hug your friends, to meet new people and to convene in a safe space of friendship.??

L to R: Adrienne S. Alexander, Esq. , Nzinga Christine Blake , Kendra Bracken-Ferguson at Jessica Nabango and Albert Sanders' event: A Black Thing: Rebuilding Community in LA Event

Let’s keep showing up for our community and creating spaces to come together!

I hope you’ll join us at Founders House, our first physical BrainTrust Founders Studio community gathering of 2023 during SXSW, March 10th - 13th in partnership with @Forbes the Culture. RSVP HERE!