Thank you to my allies
It has been almost a year since I last “put my heart on digital paper” here, and today I write to share the end of something great, and the beginning of something new.
Let’s start with the something great.
$10,000
Since I wrote my first post, Racism won’t die in 2020, and sent out an invitation for those looking to be allies to Feed the wave with me in June of 2020 - $10,000 has been given by my readers to promote change. I honestly had no idea if anyone would respond to that invitation, and back then debated deeply whether to even put it out there.
But, I’m so glad I did.
I’m so proud of my friends.
I’m so thankful for my allies.
And it’s with a warm heart I say THANK YOU everyone who has given, while I also share that I will be ending the subscription that “feeds the wave” through RIRTs.
🙏🏾
I will continue to write occasionally about “really (or rarely) important random thoughts” (RIRTs) as I feel called to, but the subscription service will be shut down shortly. For those of you still interested in giving, I strongly encourage you to consider setting up a recurring or one time donation to any of the initiatives I’ve listed below, or other local causes in your personal ecosystem.
BLCK VC - BLCK VC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that equips Black investors with the access, education, and community they need to accelerate their careers in venture capital.
Equal Justice Initiative - EJI is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons.
PicDiversity - PicDiversity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing diversity to the visuals and videos that surround children in their classrooms.
ColorStack - ColorStack is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that runs community building, academic support, and career development programs for Black and Latinx college CS students across the country.
HBCUvc - HBCUvc’s mission is to direct how capital is formed and distributed to increase opportunities for Black and Latinx innovators. We accomplish this by developing, connecting and mobilizing the next generation of venture capital leaders in communities where entrepreneurs face barriers in accessing capital, and by empowering institutions to employ race-conscious investing practices.
Thank you.
And now for something new…
While I pulled back this year on trying to drive change via my writing, I’ve been working on another creative pursuit that I plan to launch next week.
I promise it’s fun.
I promise it will surprise you.
And best of all, it will support diversity and inclusion in VC and tech in a light-hearted, unique way.
Hint = unicorns are involved (but not the way you think)
Sorry, I guess this is more of a teaser, but if you’d like to be the first to know when this thing goes live - please just take a second and add your name to the list the link below.
Let’s do something fun!
Thanks again to all my amazing supporters, and specifically those who have helped me financially drive change through my writing. Again, I’m not done writing, and my content will always be free, but for those looking to keep giving to great causes like the above - what better time than the giving season to start going direct (and join the VIP List for my next thing)!
Be well!
Mike