We Are The Wisdom Generation

You are the Shining Stars of the Future of this Country.” - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (as spoken over us at the Black Fund Manager Summit)

From my red eye to NY on Monday to my flight from Washington, D.C. today, the underlying theme of my week was rooted in “Utilizing Everything We Have” and our ability to “Help and Heal” each other. I have said it time and time again, no one leaves this world unscarred. We are all healing wounds, trauma and something we may have buried that subconsciously creeps up through our reactions and responses when faced with certain situations. It is how we carry through, how we evolve and how we leverage our community and resources to help guide us to a place beyond that trauma.?

Community is the fastest way to help and heal.? This week, I was able to not only utilize all the tools in my toolkit but also help others and heal areas that will enable me to progress my future forward.

An Inspired Evening:

I arrived in NY for a series of meetings with old friends/colleagues and new associates. I ended the day with an inspired evening in celebration of the launch of NancyTwine.com hosted by Nancy Twine (Founder and CEO of Briogeo Hair Care ) and Jessica Cruel (Editor in Chief of Allure Magazine ). The dinner was buzzing with incredible women where in a safe private space of community, we shared our achievements, asked for help and leaned into new relationships.?

When I think about some of the women in the room who have sold their businesses - Briogeo Hair Care Bellami or those creating the new companies of the future like Topicals Hyper Skin EADEM Mary Louise Cosmetics , etc it affirmed what someone also said this week that we truly are the "Wisdom Generation!"

A Summit to Remember:

From there, I flew over to Alexandria, VA where the notion of “Creating Something From Nothing” was ever present. Starting with the Black Fund Managers Summit hosted by Black Tech Nation Ventures (BTN Ventures) and Motley Fool Ventures , I sat in the comfort of like-minded colleagues on a similar journey of raising a fund. This was an invite only gathering of Black fund managers who collectively manage over a billion in assets.? From a special fireside chat with U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey to remarks by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri to discussions with fellow managers about the 2023 market dynamics for emerging managers, deal flow sharing, syndication opportunities and ultimately raising a venture fund while Black, we went deep.?

Shoutout to Maria Lopez Rosas Himalaya Rao-Potlapally Katelyn P. Naima Warsame Ayana Parsons Grace Sanders Kelauni Jasmyn La Keisha Landrum Pierre Ansley Carlisle !!

Did you know? Black entrepreneurs typically receive less than 2% of all VC dollars each year while companies led by Black women receive less than 1%, according to data from Crunchbase. And according to CNBC, Venture capital for Black entrepreneurs plummeted 45% in 2022.

Senator Cory Booker reminded us to, “Stay Faithful.”? also proclaiming, “We can help and heal each other.”

Behind the Doors of HQ:

From the Black Fund Managers Summit, I traveled over to Washington, D.C. to HQ DC, a Black owned members-only social club, to co-host cocktails and dinner with my co-founder Lisa Stone, founder and CEO, Full Circle Strategies, Jotaka Eaddy and Managing Partner, 1863 Ventures Melissa Bradley to showcase our BrainTrust Fund.?

Oh what a night to remember. I pinched myself looking around the room at the esteemed group of colleagues, visionaries and leaders gathered together in community to celebrate Black Beauty Leadership.? Against the backdrop of a delicious meal and a luxuriously welcoming space, we enjoyed an enchanting conversation with one of our BrainTrust Founders Studio members, inventor and engineer Shawna Stepp-Jones , who is the Founder and CEO of Spundle.

Another special highlight of the night was toasting to Lisa M. Price for her birthday and 30th anniversary of Carol's Daughter . It is because of Lisa we can all stand here, continue her beautiful legacy and run through the doors she opened and continue to open for us ALL. I am grateful for her leadership.?

Equitable Treatment to the Beauty Industry:

I held onto last night as long as I could before sleep took over. It was a Happy Friday indeed as I headed into my first meeting with a policy advisor at the Senate Building to discuss the benefits and need to pass the 45B Fica Tax Tip Credit in Congress this year.?

I am proud to support this initiative being led by the Professional Beauty Association, the national trade association that exists to serve the entire professional beauty industry, and Kati Rapoza to combat the unfair disparities in the tax code for Employment-based salons. As service sector small businesses commonly owned by women and minorities, the beauty industry is deserving of equitable access to the existing 45 (b) tax tip credit which will create tax parity allowing salons to thrive. In 1993 Congress passed the 45B FICA tax tip credit allowing restaurants to claim a dollar-for-dollar tax tip credit on the employer portion of FICA taxes that businesses pay on tips that employees receive directly from their customers.

As the second-highest tipped industry, salons should receive parity with the restaurant industry in the tax code, but presently they do not. Including the salon and spa industry in this legislation could positively impact our industry today and? for generations to come.?

Bipartisan, bicameral legislation, sponsored by Congressman Darin Lahood (R-Il), Suzan Delbene (D-Wa), Ben Cardin (D-Md) And Tim Scott (R-Sc), would allow the credit to be extended to salons.?

Information above provided by the Professional Beauty Organization. Learn more and support the 45B FICA Tax Tip Credit.?

After a successful week of community, travel and divine connections, I am heading back to LA for wifey/mommy duties and a swim meet early on Saturday morning!?

I’ll leave you with this from the Black Fund Manager Summit … “Keep grinding, you are one step away. Victory is right there - you never know who is watching, just keep on it.”