Greenwood Ave. Magazine No. 3

No. 3

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© 2023 Greenwood Ave. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and specific other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editor, addressed “Attention: Greenwood Ave. Permissions,” at the address below. info@greenwoodave.com greenwoodave.com For advertising rates and information, please email advertising@greenwoodave.com Printed in the United States Publication Design by Goldmill Co. Cover Photograph by Mani Olaniyan

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holbertontulsa.com

The school dedicated to growing Tulsa’s tech community.

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The Greenwood Avenue Gift Shop 19AND21.COM 7

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Tech is the Wild West.

I believe it was the artist formerly known as Kanye who coined the phrase: a beautiful, dark, twisted fantasy. A few clicks or scrolls on any screen quickly remind me that there is no shortage of ways to use technology to create, connect or build wealth.

The possibilities are truly endless.

Each edition of Greenwood Ave. celebrates Black entrepreneurs in various industries.

This issue highlights tech founders and a few of the cutting-edge organizations that support them. From groundbreaking start-ups to revolutionary innovations, discover how the leaders of tomorrow are using tech to reshape industries and create new opportunities for themselves and the next generation.

You might ask yourself, “What does Trey know about tech?” The answer: not much.

However, I hope this issue serves as a reminder to remain curious, stay inspired, and keep dreaming.

No matter the industry, your ideas can change the world.

Unlimit yourself.

Trey Thaxton

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BLACK TECH STREET 15

DOLLARIDE 75

CLLCTVE GWDAVE.3.0 LOOKBOOK 23 85 SHEARSHARE BUILD IN TULSA 33 97 ARBIT 43

URBAN CODERS GUILD 103

ACT HOUSE BODDLE 51 111 ENCOUNTER AI 57

KINKOFA 121

SQUADTRIP BLACK AMBITION 65 131

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor in Chief & Creative Director Photography TREY THAXTON RACHELLE CHAMPLAIN

DEVIN CHAVANNE Art & Design Director TYLER HENRY ETHAN SCHAFFER CLARENCE JOSEY

HENRY NINDE Designer & Digital Manager MANI OLANIYAN SAMANTHA MOISA ETHAN SCHAFFER

MAXWELL SHAVERS Project Manager RACHELLE CHAMPLAIN

Writers

Editor TAYLOR BRISEBOIS TAYLOR BRISEBOIS ALANAH NICHOLE DAVIS

MELODY DUNLAP Production Assistant SAMANTHA MOISA KAYVON STUBBS ETHAN SCHAFFER

Digital Assistant TREY THAXTON JAZLYNN WARREN ABIGAIL WELLS

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Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

Greenwood Ave. is endless possibilities...

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BLACK

WORDS BY MELODY DUNLAP PHOTOS BY RACHELLE CHAMPLAIN

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TECH STREET 17

What if I told you that today, we had the opportunity to create an alternate future? A future where Black people are known by name for their contributions to a computerized society just as often as they are recognized for running fast or throwing a ball.

A future where our newborn grandchildren’s college educations are paid for because of the investments we made. A future where the intellect and ideation of Black people is valued in theory and also with an appropriate salary, and we have a seat at the table with the world’s largest entities.

An up-and-coming initiative called Black Tech Street, under the direction of profound entrepreneur educator Tyrance Billingsley, is on target to make that vision a reality by implementing programs that will create jobs, illuminate opportunities, and provide education to transform communities, families, and industries.

The horrific, hate-filled events that devastated Black Wall Street in 1921 robbed generations of people, from all ethnicities, of the creative contributions and innovative genius of hundreds of Black Americans,

but Black Tech Street and other similar organizations are aiming to restore resources to the Black community—with interest. This unique effort sees the anticipated lack of skilled tech industry professionals as a massive opportunity that must be seized with sincere conviction.

For nearly 100 years, the Greenwood community showed little to no signs of recovering or recuperating from the attack they suffered at the hands of angry White people looking for an excuse to burn their homes and businesses to the ground. Economic studies show that median Black wealth is trending toward hitting zero by the year 2053, as many Black Americans are only earning poverty-level pay, and the top ten occupations African Americans typically hold fall below the median salary for other U.S. employees.

Despite all of the destruction and death that Tulsa endured due to the Race Massacre, Tyrancebelieves there was one thing that couldn’t be taken away—the story. With his brilliance and advocacy partnering with other innovators of color, they are ready to write a brand new chapter.

“Stop seeing Black people as just an oppressed demographic in need of charity, and start seeing us as the untapped energy source that will power technological innovation.”

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“TECH IS 20

THE NEW OIL.” 21

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“ The story of Black Wall Street proved Black potential to be limitless...”

“Technology is the core medium through which all global innovation and the creation of new wealthgenerating markets takes place consistently,” Billingsley says, “and by the year 2030 there will be as many as 4.3 million vacant, high-paying tech jobs due to a tech talent shortage.”

Upon discovering these statistics, Billingsley sought to create a link between the wealth gap and this area of previously uncharted territory in tech. While it thrives as a multi-billion-dollar industry, there is still a growing chasm of unsolved problems desperately needing advancements in technology to develop solutions.

In other words, there are countless opportunities for Black brilliance to be put on display for the world.

There are job opportunities in programming, coding, configuring, training, analyzing, engineering, developing, testing, and managing special projects; initiating a monumental transfer of wealth that will prove to be far more significant than any pending reparations check. “Tech is the new oil,” Tyrance says.

Some jobs may go to robots, but manpower will still be needed in order to program, troubleshoot, and maintain them.

Powered by the unique and unparalleled legacy of Greenwood, Black Tech Street’s endgame is to serve as a model for utilizing Black Innovation Economies to generate wealth and socioeconomic power for Black people. As Tyrance put it in his 2022 TEDx Talk, this will put pressure on our country to “stop seeing

Black people as just an oppressed demographic in need of charity, and start seeing us as the untapped energy source that will power technological innovation and catalyze economic growth in America for the next century.”

He is calling for governmental officials to recognize the benefits of implementing more intentional efforts to welcome the Black community into careers in the tech field, as He believes Black people fully embracing tech is key to keeping America’s economy competitive with other nations around the world.

Approximately 10% of all Fortune 500 companies are in the tech industry and two of the top five on the list are big tech organizations that produce hundreds of billions of dollars in annual commerce. Since the ominous summer of 2020 that took our nation by storm and brought to light many extreme issues of racial divide that have quietly existed in the dark corners for years, many of those organizations have made efforts to better address the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in their corporate cultures. While imperfect, these efforts are an invitation for Black innovators to participate.

“The story of Black Wall Street proved Black potential to be limitless – even in a country that had enslaved us and made racism the very cornerstone of its identity,” Tyrance says. He truly believes this same spirit resides in Black Tulsans and Black Americans today, and it’s time for a rebirth of the tenacity that created such a level of nationally-recognized affluence.

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CLLCTVE Founder & CEO

KELSEY DAVIS

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Where do fashion designers go to find a local photographer for their latest collection? How does Land Rover connect with a talented yet unknown director that can drive their campaign into the future? Collaboration is the lifeblood of the creator economy, and Kelsey Davis, the visionary behind CLLCTVE, is on a mission to build a bridge—uniting innovative brands with the untapped potential of creators.

The inspiration for CLLCTVE arose from Davis’ own journey as a director. While traveling the world producing content for artists and global brands like Coca-Cola and Puma, Davis got firsthand experience of the communication gap between creators and the brands they desire to collaborate with. She saw that the problem was not just a connection issue but a tech issue. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” says Davis. “So we created CLLCTVE to enable fast and easy connections for paid work opportunities.”

“ TALENT IS EVERYWHERE, BUT OPPORTUNITY IS NOT.” Kelsey’s journey into tech began with a minor in Innovation Design and Start-ups at Syracuse University, where she studied how to lead product and engineering teams.

Coming from a creative background, she had to familiarize herself with the language of technology development.

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Concepts like “agile” and “scrum methodology” quickly became part of her vocabulary as she determined the best approach to build her platform.

Additionally, navigating the world of venture capital and fundraising presented another challenge. But Davis’ commitment to continual learning and participation in accelerator programs, like Techstars and Google for Start-ups, propelled her forward. “You can’t be afraid of challenges in start-ups,” Davis said. “You have to go after them and solve for it before it becomes a problem.”

Davis and her team used research from real-life experience and an unsuspecting place where users are familiar with the idea of uploading content about themselves for the purpose of them being scanned, reviewed, and “chosen” as a match: dating platforms.

“We like to say that if Linkedin and Tinder had a baby for the creator economy, it would be us,” Davis jokes.

CLLCTVE now catalyzes collaboration, by empowering users to create a portfolio to connect with brands for paid opportunities.

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Kelsey has always been driven by the belief that technology, combined with a strong sense of community, can transform lives. She recognizes that every community has its unique challenges and opportunities and maintains that it is crucial to integrate technology tailored to the community’s needs.

In the case of Tulsa, although it may lack the infrastructure commonly associated with tech hubs, Kelsey believes it possesses a pool of talented individuals. “In reality, most creators who are freelancers in America are living in a market like Tulsa and they maybe don’t want to move to New York or in LA in order to be a photographer,” shared Davis.

This is where she believes that tech can play a transformative role, enabling the community to leverage its existing talent and create an environment where tech-driven solutions can thrive. Davis hopes Tulsa can become a reference point for addressing the average American’s pain points within the creator economy.

“I think Black people generally can solve problems for 99% of the world, just because we are forced socially to empathize with the world around us everyday,” Kelsey stated. “We’re having to see from a different perspective all the time. So when you take that type of logic, but you bring it into technology, we can build products that ideally not only service our own ecosystem, but other parallel ecosystems all around the world.”

“ I THINK BLACK PEOPLE GENERALLY CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR 99% OF THE WORLD...”

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SHEAR SHARE Co-Founder & CEO

DR. TYE CALDWELL

Co-Founder & COO

COURTNEY CALDWELL

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Barbershops and beauty salons aren’t just small businesses; they are a refuge. These establishments have played pivotal roles in civil rights, economic and cultural movements. When husband and wife duo Dr. Tye and Courtney Caldwell noticed that chairs in these sanctuaries were left empty, they stepped in to give the industry a new look.

Nicknamed ‘HairBnb,’ their platform, ShearShare, is the bridge that connects salon and barbershop owners to talented stylists, providing a tool that benefits both sides of the marketplace and optimizes their earning potential. “Shop owners love ShearShare because they get to monetize their empty chairs, suites, and stations,” says Courtney. “And hairstylists, barbers, estheticians, makeup artists, massage therapists, and braiders get access to flexible, affordable space to work when and where they need it.

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Dr. Tye has three decades of experience in the industry. “I did my first haircut when I was 10 with a pair of paper scissors,” he reminisces. As the seventh of eight kids, his family couldn’t afford to go to the barber every week.

In 2020, Dr. Tye became the first African-American male member-elect of the Professional Beauty Association. He believes that stylists are more than just employees; they are essential businesses. “This is more than just a hobby,” says Dr. Tye. “ShearShare is breaking into the wealth gap and giving people the ability to control their own destiny.”

The couple credits pioneers like Madam C.J. Walker in many ways.

“Back in 1916, she created this whole concept of commissionbased sales and booth rental for salons,” Courtney shares. “We’re just standing on her shoulders and putting a tech layer over it.”

While working in corporate America for 25 years, Courtney noticed that tech was taking over the world and wondered why no one was thinking about their industry. “Beauty and barbering is the second largest industry in the world for freelancers and independent contractors,” she says. So, with no tech background, the Caldwells created their own definition of SaaS: space as a service.

The idea for ShearShare came when Dr. Tye was approached by

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a stylist struggling to find a space to work and asked to rent a chair in his Plano-based barbershop for a day. When her clients gave a glowing review, she asked Dr. Tye to help her do the same thing in other cities across Texas.

After making these connections manually for three years, the couple recognized the potential to solve this problem on a larger scale. “We realized that 40% of chairs in local salons, spas, and barbershops sit idle,” says Courtney. The couple emptied their savings account and 401K to build something for the future.

Today, ShearShare is used in over 900 cities across the country.

The Caldwells believe that access to entrepreneurship benefits everybody; creating that access is their ultimate goal.

“My husband and I come from a long line of inventors.” Courtney shared. She is a descendant of Garrett Morgan, who invented the stoplight and the gas mask.

“All it takes is one person to create a ripple effect. Many of our ancestors jumped to their death in the Atlantic Ocean and we are that living ripple, working to create change for others.”

“ ALL IT TAKES IS ONE PERSON TO CREATE A RIPPLE EFFECT.”

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ARBIT

Founder & CEO

VENITA COOPER

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Once “banned” by the NBA, the Air Jordan 1 OG Bred 1985 to igniting a global phenomenon and became a staple of sneaker culture and history. But how much are they actually worth? Ask Venita Cooper, Founder and CEO of Arbit.

Gone are the days of people lining up at Foot Locker to buy shoes just to wear. Sneakers are now a cultural asset buyers invest in and hold on to as they appreciate. “The $10 Billion sneaker resale industry is estimated to be at $30 billion by 2030,” says Venita, affectionately known to her community as Coop.

“There are times when technological innovation shifts opportunities, and it’s the forward-thinking companies who can take advantage of those opportunities,” she says. For her, the emerging secondary market is that opportunity. Arbit is a data and analytics platform that uses artificial intelligence to identify arbitrage opportunities in the sneaker resell market, making everyone smarter as buyers, sellers, and investors.

“It’s lawless,” says Coop. “When sneakers are made available on the secondary market, it’s hard to know what the value of a pair is.”

Arbit sets out to tackle the pricing ambiguity prevalent in reseller markets. The idea stemmed from trying to keep up with market price changes at her own sneaker shop in Tulsa. “Around the height of the pandemic, the price fluctuations were way more volatile,” she adds.

“Our sneakers would change in value from $50 to $75 dollars in a day, and my customers and I were frustrated that my prices weren’t always reflecting the market.” By gathering pricing and trend data from various sources like major online marketplaces and using an

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algorithm to determine current and future values of sneakers, Arbit empowers better decisions.

As a former educator, Venita is no stranger to learning on the fly.

“I don’t have a tech background and that was a hesitation that I had,” she shared. “I realized there are a lot of people who start tech companies without a tech background. What they need to be skilled at is team formation.”

Building a formidable team of leaders with expertise from industry mainstays like Nike and BlackRock and acquiring The Sneaker Database, with 11 years of data, were crucial steps in developing Arbit’s platform.

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“ I REALIZED THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO START TECH COMPANIES WITHOUT A TECH BACKGROUND.” Coop’s widely-recognized sneaker shop, Silhouette Sneakers & Art, was purposefully built on Historic Black Wall Street in Tulsa.

Walking the hallowed neighborhood daily to open her doors, she draws inspiration from the resilience of the Greenwood community. “Even though I’m not personally motivated by money, I think amassing wealth for the Black community is important,” says Coop. “There’s a game being played in this country, and the only way to stand a chance in shifting things quickly is to have a lot of cards in your hands.”

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Coop’s plan is clear. “This is not just a play on the sneaker industry.

It is a play on the entire secondary market.” Arbit plans to expand its reach to other industries, including streetwear, handbags and collectibles. The platform’s core philosophy revolves around providing users with accurate and comprehensive data, enabling them to make informed decisions and seize opportunities.

“Greater access to understanding of pricing is helpful for us and people who look like us, especially when it comes to sneakers. That is our culture,” Coop proclaims.

“Having access to the pricing intelligence that Arbit is going to deliver will help us make more profitable decisions on these kinds of cultural assets. Let’s be leaders in investing in this marketplace. Let it not just be something that we wear, but something that we’re also able to monetize.”

“THIS IS NOT JUST A PLAY ON THE SNEAKER INDUSTRY. IT IS A PLAY ON THE ENTIRE SECONDARY MARKET.” 51

WORDS BY MELODY DUNLAP PHOTOS BY MANI OLANIYAN

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ACT HOUSE 53

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While technological advancements continue to soar, teams are still needed to manage them properly.

Dominick Ard’is is the mastermind behind ACT House, a unique venture working to advance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in a way that benefits people of color. Ard’is believes that many companies don’t focus enough on the human aspect of business and suffer the consequences of highlevel demand with lowlevel collaboration.

Ard’is desires to help fellow entrepreneurs draw the line connecting purpose and profit so that they will “not just understand how to make money,” he says, “But create a model where their gifts and their talents are aligned to the God-given vision that they have for their life.” This way, the vision can be sustained as it is continuously funded by the systems they put into place.

While ACT House has reach in multiple industries, the primary segment they tend to focus on is tech. Ard’is admits, “I think the tech is cool, but more than the tech itself, I’m a lover of people.

I’m intrigued and compelled by how tech enables humans to do more and be greater.

Defining the category of circulation and team formation is the goal of this “people analytics company.”

Dominick’s research led him to discover that the top 3 reasons

start-up founders fail are lack of capital, lack of product market fit, and lack of a well-built team.

Fueled by lessons from a previously failed venture, ACT House proudly professes its mission to “help innovators craft the best version of themselves, build their ideal team, and execute their dream, by leveraging innovation with crosscultural collaboration.”

One of the main things that set ACT House apart from other similar organizations is its ability to identify with visionary leaders and help them connect talent to develop passionate teams that will champion their missions.

There are so many gifted creators who are struggling with their identities, unaware of their potential to innovate. Ard’is calls this “innovation debt,” and has a personal conviction for pushing others to resolve it.

Innovation in technology is the missing link to drive businesses forward, and when entrepreneurs learn to leverage tech resources to bridge the gap and extend the capabilities of their services and products, their corporate value is bound to exponentially increase.

Intersectionality has a huge effect on the ratio, leaving a myriad of Black and Brown business owners who have been systematically undereducated on the boundless opportunities of technology application at a great disadvantage.

“I’m intrigued and compelled by how tech enables humans to do more and be greater.”

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Ard’is relocated ACT House from Florida to Tulsa in 2021. “I’m blinded by the brilliance, the capabilities, and the excitement of what’s happening and what is to come.”

Dominick was able to procure a building built in 1920 in the historic Greenwood district, one year prior to the horrendous attack on Black Wall Street. He believes that this acquisition holds great significance in alignment with the values his company stands for and fuels his overall passion for helping Black entrepreneurs succeed. He calls it his own personal “inspiration capital” that doesn’t remind him of the hardship his ancestors faced, but of the possibilities and ownership status they dreamed he could achieve.

ACT House is built on the model of identification, acceleration, and collaboration. Each professional who seeks out their services begins the process by completing an assessment to help them uncover hidden skills and define their collaboration profile. There are three main archetypes

“ My friends and I live by the notion to get 2% better each day.” based off of the ACT Model: Architect, Creative, and Techie. The Architect is a pragmatic visionary with a business mindset. The Creative is a prolific artist who manifests visions into life. And Techies are the meticulous builders who transform ideas into steps.

It’s clear that they place significant emphasis on the development of a growth mindset in order to propel their clients forward into their respective arenas. They specialize in tactical programs and curated cohorts and even offer a way for business owners to qualify for equityfree investments. ACT Accelerator Cohorts funded 35 start-ups, created 114 jobs, and generated more than $2 million in revenue and over $10 million in follow-on capital in 2022 alone.

Dominick Ard’is and the amazing team at ACT House have tapped into a superpower realized when innovation meets teamwork, and they continue to unlock this potential for potency in founders and creators all over the world. He insists that it’s vitally important to learn from and respect history, while still acting on the audacity to innovate in spite of it. “My friends and I live by this notion to get 2% better each day,” Ard’is explains.

In a society where everyone seems to be aiming to be recognized as the ‘greatest of all time,’ Ard’is has a refreshing perspective. “I don’t want to be a G.O.A.T.,” he explains, “I just want to be the grass that feeds them.”

This mentality helps him to maintain a more continual state of optimism for the expansion of economic ecosystems within the Black community.

Ard’is vehemently believes every human has their own thumbprint for a reason and none of us are made to copy and paste the same exact blueprint for our lives. Hence, the company slogan: ACT Different. Acting differently means considering the proposed goal from all angles and having enough respect for human ideals to never sleep on your brilliance.

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ENCOUNTER AI Founder

DERRICK JOHNSON 59

The Jetsons originally aired in 1962. They are a cartoon family residing in Orbit City set in 2062. George Jetson lives with his family in the Skypad Apartments and works one hour per day, two days a week, while his automated home is kept by a robot maid named Rosie. In the ’60s, a robotassisted, voice-activated existence was science fiction, but that future is now. Founded by Derrick Johnson, Encounter AI aims to bring cutting-edge tech to America’s main streets.

Johnson’s passion for technology was ignited when his mother bought him a Tandy computer at a young age. “I didn’t cut grass as a kid,” laughed Johnson. “I installed America Online CDs for people.” This early exposure to software led him to pursue a career in management information systems and later specialize in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

While working for a consulting firm implementing tech for companies like Disney and Marriott, Johnson was exposed to a need in the food industry.

Artificial intelligence is changing how our food is prepared, processed, and packaged. “I saw that those high-tech solutions were not making it to main streets where folks are just trying to keep the lights on,” Derrick said.

Correcting this disparity became the driving force behind the creation of Encounter AI.

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“AI SHOULD EXTEND HUMAN CREATIVITY, NOT REMOVE THE HUMAN ELEMENT.” Derrick and his team created “MAI.” An artificially intelligent assistant, like Siri or Alexa, for fast food restaurants’ drive-thru ordering systems. “When we look at the restaurant industry, there was a shortage of three million people post covid,” he says.

The voice-enabled assistant can collect and process orders made at the drive-thru, freeing fast food employees to work on more “high value” tasks. “MAI adds another

level of efficiency and consistency,” says Johnson. “If we can help owners with automation and ensure brand consistency from a customer service experience, everybody can scale while putting their best foot forward.”

With the proliferation of AI in our everyday lives, there is a growing fear that this type of technology will eliminate jobs that could benefit humans. Encounter AI believes that its tech can not only improve

efficiency but also improve people’s lives. “It’s really about human connection,” said Johnson. “AI should extend human creativity, not remove the human element.” said Johnson.

“George Jetson worked one hour a day, right?,” Derrick jokes. “If someone can bring in AI and make the same amount of money in half the time;. I think that’s a world most folks would actually want to be in.”

Welcome to the future.

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Co-Founder

STEVON JUDD

Co-Founder & CEO

DARRIEN WATSON

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PICTURED: DARRIEN WATSON

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The crew. Your girls. Your village.

Your friend group can go by many monikers. Whenever you travel together, you create memories that last a lifetime. However, figuring out how to split the tab can be anything but memorable. SquadTrip is using tech to make traveling with your squad seamless.

“Simply put, SquadTrip is software for group trips,” says Co-founder and CEO Darrien Watson. The company was founded by college best friends Darrien Watson and Stevon Judd. After graduating from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, the native New Yorkers felt disconnected from their friends and decided to organize an event. Darrien found himself coordinating flight and hotel reservations for 50 people and multiple vendors.

“We spent over $100,000 and stayed at a small, Black-owned boutique hotel,” said Darrien.

“We even used Black-owned transportation companies in Antigua, so it left me feeling great about what I was doing.” Watson used spreadsheets and payment platforms like Cash App and Venmo to collect money.

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But, after returning home, he soon realized the limitations and difficulties in tracking payments and expenses accurately.

“I ended up losing a couple thousand dollars on a trip I was supposed to make money from,” he said. Using his product management and software development background, Darrien decided to solve his problem and eventually scale up to a milliondollar travel brand.

“I’ve always been interested in bringing people together through experiences,” he says. “I know people that have met on trips and gotten hired for a job or even married.” Watson previously founded an app to curate experiences called Events on a Whim. “I wanted to create a way to find events in different cities for people of color.”

He pitched his company to numerous accelerators but was rejected. While that venture was a failure, it was a stepping stone for Watson to get a job in technology, having proven he could do it on his own.

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“ WHAT GIVES ME CONFIDENCE IS SEEING THAT OTHER PEOPLE DID IT BEFORE ME.” To date, the duo has generated $7 million in travel sales and 6,000 bookings. SquadTrip has also raised nearly $2 million in captial and is marching toward their goal to help 50,000 group travel organizers boost their sales and streamline operations.

Now based in the home of Black Wall Street, pioneers like O.W. Gurley inspires the legacy that Darrien is working to leave. “What gives me confidence is seeing that other people did it before me,” he says. “I want to build something so big that it inspires others into entrepreneurship and technology.” Part of what drew Watson and his co-founder to Tulsa, was to help in the city’s resurgence. Darrien adds, “We want to be part of what it can and will become.”

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“ I WANT TO BUILD SOMETHING SO BIG THAT IT INSPIRES OTHERS INTO ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY.”

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PICTURED: CHRIS COLES

DOLLARIDE Co-Founder & CEO

SU SANNI

Co-Founder & CTO

CHRIS COLES

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The alarm rings at 6 a.m. in East New York, Brooklyn. Eight-year-old Su Sanni prepares for his 45-minute walk to the subway for school alone.

For some kids living in a transit desert, this is everyday life.

Through their revolutionary company, Dollaride, co-founders Su Sanni and Chris Coles are bringing clean transportation to underserved communities. Even at a young age, Sanni realized during his dangerous trek to school that transportation equity was anything but equal. His lived experience became the seed for Dollaride. “We want to make urban transit accessible for everyone, regardless of your socioeconomic status,” says Coles.

“ WE WANT TO MAKE URBAN TRANSIT ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.” Su and Chris met six years ago through a virtual networking group called Stealth Mode, an email list of Black New York colleagues in the tech space. Sanni emailed this group about an app idea for dollar vans, and he needed engineers to help build a minimum viable product. Chris responded and eventually became one of the three engineers that Sanni hired. “I gravitated towards Chris,” said Su. “I could see that he was more entrepreneurial than the average engineer. He was asking difficult questions and even challenging me on the idea. I thought those were signs of a strong business partner, not just a contractor.” Six months later, Coles became the Technical Co-founder of Dollaride.

Chris and Su worked other full-time jobs for the first three years of their venture. Making positive progress and raising capital was a constant challenge. Being in transportation, their initial revenue source came from people taking rides. “Because of the pandemic, we went the majority of 2020 without being able to operate in full,” says Sanni. It forced them to pivot and think of other creative ideas to build their company.

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Dollaride pivoted to making urban transit more energy efficient by introducing electric vehicles, software, and financing to those ecosystems. “Energy efficiency saves a lot of money that can be reinvested,” shared Su. Su and Chris applied the cultural and economic principles of jitneys and matatus, shared taxis in Kenya.

“Saving money on dispensable transportation expenses will allow them to invest back into their communities.” In 2022, Dollaride was awarded $10 million by New York Governor Kathy Hochul to build the state’s first all-electric dollar van network.

“If you are building, keep going and don’t stop,” Chris said. “Investors are looking at the founders, not just the idea, to see if they are going to keep going through hard times.”

Before he became a developer, Chris dropped out of college, but it wasn’t by choice. In his junior year, he was arrested for selling cannabis on campus.

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PICTURED: SU SANNI

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“TECH IS THE ULTIMATE LEVERAGE SO IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR BLACK PEOPLE TO BE TECHNICAL.”

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At 21, his freedom was removed for 18 months. “Through that experience, I learned mental stability and resilience.

I had a chip on my shoulder and something to prove,” said Chris.

Su believes that Black people in America generally have a DNA of resourcefulness because of the history of slavery and what we’ve overcome to get where we are today. “The folks who are the most oppressed throughout society literally have the built in grit that is required for entrepreneurship,” he shares. “That can be magnified when you use technology. Tech is the ultimate leverage so it’s really important for Black people to be technical.”

Chris adds, “Tech culture is really American culture and American culture is Black culture. If we can influence America, then we have an ability to control the narrative that defines us.”

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GwdAve.3.0 23Q3 Lookbook (pp. 87-96)

Greenwood Ave. merch is created to inpsire and designed to be timeless.

Perfect across different seasons and new eras. Endless possibilities.

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WORDS BY SAMANTHA MOISA PHOTOS BY RACHELLE CHAMPLAIN MANI OLANIYAN

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PICTURED: ASHLI SIMS

Build in Tulsa is on a mission to create an inclusive and thriving start-up ecosystem in the center of the universe. By harnessing the power of technology, they aim to bridge the racial wealth gap and position Tulsa as a prominent hub for Black wealth and entrepreneurship.

The organization strongly emphasizes community and partnership, drawing inspiration from the historic legacy of Black Wall Street. Under the fearless leadership of Managing Director Ashli Sims, the Build in Tulsa team is committed to showcasing the transformative potential of economic empowerment.

“What was so special about the Greenwood of the ’20s was that that community worked together, they relied on one another, they hired from one another. It was interconnected and interdependent.

When one person succeeded, everybody succeeded. That’s the kind of ecosystem that I hope we’re building,” says Sims.

During that time, Tulsa was home to the most Black millionaires in the country. Greenwood was the epicenter of Black wealth, and Ashli and her team believe it can become that again.

Build in Tulsa recognizes the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers that have hindered Black entrepreneurs’ success and economic advancement.

Throughout history, marginalized communities have faced unequal access to resources, limited opportunities, and systemic discrimination, perpetuating the racial wealth gap and stifling the potential for Black founders to thrive. Build in Tulsa aims to level the playing field.

Born and raised in Tulsa, Sims has always had an unwavering commitment to her community and a relentless passion for social and economic justice. She emerged as a catalyst for change, spearheading Build in Tulsa’s efforts to create an inclusive start-up ecosystem that fosters generational wealth.

“We are building the infrastructure to catalyze, create, and nurture the next generation of Black unicorn companies,” states Sims. Ashli is reshaping the narrative of Tulsa by inspiring a generation of innovators to realize their full potential while creating an environment that can adequately support them.

Ashli and her team recognize that technology is not merely a trend or a fad but the direction in which everything moves. By embracing tech, Build in Tulsa equips Black entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and knowledge to leverage techenabled solutions for their businesses. Through training programs, access to digital resources, and strategic partnerships, they are breaking down traditional barriers and creating pathways for endless possibilities.

Build in Tulsa offers a range of intentional and impactful programs and initiatives that foster founders’ growth and success at every level.

“ We are building the infrastructure to catalyze, create, and nurture the next generation of Black unicorn companies.”

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“ This is what happens when you have human, social, and financial capital on your side.”

Desiree Frieson, Build in Tulsa’s Director of Programming, drives these efforts. Leveraging her wealth of experience and expertise in entrepreneurship, Desiree, alongside a dedicated team, works tirelessly to provide mentorship, accelerator programs, and access to funding.

Their successful programs include Build Up, a series of workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs; Future CEO Camp, a week-long summer camp that empowers youth launch a company of their own; and Launchpad, a 9-week entrepreneur program that prepares Founders for accelerator and investment opportunities—to name a few.

To address the lack of female representation in the start-up community, they launched Female Founders Pitch Night. This wellbeloved event provides a platform for women entrepreneurs in Tulsa to showcase their innovative ideas and pitch their businesses to a supportive audience. It offers a valuable opportunity for female founders to gain visibility, receive real-time feedback, and secure substantial funding for their ventures.

With a complimentary goal to equip and empower Black women

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entrepreneurs, they recently piloted a program called ‘W.E. Build.’ W.E., or Women Entrepreneurs, Build, is a 16-week program for early-stage, tech-enabled start-ups led by Black women. The accelerator addresses the unique challenges faced by Black female founders and takes a comprehensive approach to ensure they have the training, connections, and funding to succeed.

Together, these programs are at the forefront of creating a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures innovation, collaboration, and sustainable progress for the entire community.

“This is what happens when you have human, social, and financial capital on your side,” says Sims.

The team at Build in Tulsa has set a remarkable precedent for cities nationwide, garnering recognition from Forbes and Wall Street Journal. Channeling the spirit of Black Wall Street, Build in Tulsa is working to reposition Tulsa as a vibrant epicenter for Black wealth and entrepreneurship.

The pioneering leadership and unwavering dedication to creating limitless opportunities pave the way for future entrepreneurs and inspire other communities to follow suit and create ecosystems that empower and uplift all.

PICTURED: DESIREE FRIESON

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URBAN CODERS GUILD

Founder & Executive Director

MIKEAL VAUGHN 105

Historically, guilds were prevalent during the medieval and Renaissance periods in Europe and played a crucial role for artisans and craftsmen to control and maintain high standards of their respective trades. While Tulsa is in the middle of its own renaissance, Mikeal Vaughn and the Urban Coders Guild are keeping this ancient tradition of mentorship alive in the digital age.

“We are in the middle of a great re-imagining, repurposing, and revisioning of our city to be America’s next tech hub,” says Vaughn. “It’s important to me that our young Black folks have the skills, resources, and experiences to be successful in the city that we are building.”

Urban Coders Guild is an afterschool program created to provide access to computer science education and opportunities to Black and Brown youth. Through strategic programming, students are exposed to coding technologies and other essential roles within the tech sphere.

As a native of North Tulsa, Vaughn understands the need for access to technology in historically underresourced communities. “Tech has the ability to solve great problems,” Mikeal shares. “But it can also replicate our existing problems into the next generation.”

Vaughn believes that without creating academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pathways in tech, society will recreate a caste system where Black and Brown folks are at the bottom of the economic ladder.

Mikeal learned computer science at 13. He parlayed those skills into a career in IT Management that took him to Tokyo for a decade.

Recognizing the value these tech skills added to his life, in 2017, Vaughn moved back to Tulsa to create this non-profit.

“This is my vehicle to give resources to kids that look like me,” he adds. “Tech is about allowing folks to explore their creativity.” Mikeal aims to help fuel interests that can turn into professional pursuits.

“ THE ROLE THAT WE PLAY...

IS EXPANDING OUR TECH TALENT PIPELINE.”

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“ WE WANT TO CREATE A CLOSED LOOP THAT BUILDS GENERATION ON GENERATION.” 110

“The role that we play in building our ecosystem is expanding our tech talent pipeline,” says Vaughn. Mikeal, his team, and their partner organizations are not only equipping youth with skills and resources but also building their identities as STEAM learners and future computer scientists.

“When students with no coding skills write their first line of code, and they hit that simulate button, and it works, you can look into the kids’ eyes and see amazement,” Mikeal beams. “It’s like magic!”

In the old world artisan guilds, masters of great expertise took on a squire. It was more than mentorship; they taught a craft. Over time, the apprentice became the teacher. “We want to create a closed loop that builds on generation after generation,” says Vaughn. “There is always a teacher and always a student.” That, for Mikeal, is the spirit of Greenwood.”

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BODDLE Co-Founders

EDNA MARTINSON & CLARENCE TAN

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It’s not all fun and games for Edna Martinson and Clarence Tan. Well, mostly.

This husband and wife duo are the founders of Boddle Learning.

An educational gaming platform that harnesses the power of play and machine learning to help kids identify and overcome learning gaps in a fun and interactive way.

“I’ve always been passionate about education.” shared Edna. At 15, she desired to move to the US from her home in Ghana. She learned that she could go straight to college if she passed the SAT and IGCSE, an equivalent to a high school diploma in the US. Spending countless hours outside the classroom studying and working with tutors earned Martinson her F1 student visa, leading to her first internship and, eventually, her first full-time job. “I’ve seen the doors that education opened for me,” she says.

Then, she decided that every child deserves access to high-quality education, and it should be fun. “When you’re younger,” Martinson adds, “if you enjoy learning, then you’re not just going to endure it, but actually enjoy the process.”

Edna’s husband, Clarence, has a zeal for gaming and has been a designer and developer for decades. For most of his career, he’s worked as a contractor, building games for companies whose primary focus was education. Martinson and Tan saw the opportunity to combine their passions into a business that could benefit the next generation.

“ I’VE SEEN THE DOORS THAT EDUCATION OPENED FOR ME.”

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The unlikely tech entrepreneurs didn’t meet at a coding conference looking for co-founders but at church, where Clarence plays electric guitar and Edna mixes live sound. One Sunday’s sermon about ‘pouring out your gifts’ gave Martinson and Tan the inspiration they needed to visualize their company’s values.

“We specifically made the characters transparent to send kids the message to value what’s inside,” says Edna.

Boddle’s name derives from its iconic characters. As kids venture through the game and begin to learn, their character’s bottle-shaped heads fill up with knowledge.

Once their heads are full, they can use their knowledge points to plant trees, and grow their virtual environments. “The ultimate message,” Martinson adds, “is to fill up on knowledge and pour back out to help others.”

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“ WE WANT TO BUILD TOOLS THAT SERVE ALL CHILDREN, BUT ESPECIALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.”

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Research shows that learning gaps begin to develop between kindergarten and 6th grade. “If it’s not addressed early on, students can feel like they are falling behind and get discouraged.” shared Martinson.

Edna and Clarence piloted Boddle at an after-school program in Kansas City. They met a 4th-grade student who was a few grades behind before using their platform.

The program director started to see a stark difference in that student’s excitement for learning math and love for reading in a short amount of time. “That showed us that we could really change the perspective of learning for kids,” Edna says.

“ WE ARE SETTING OUR FUTURE UP FOR SUCCESS.” “We want to build tools that serve all children, but especially underserved communities.” Martinson shares. “If you look at those areas, it’s Black and Latinx students that are disproportionately affected and we want to make sure that they benefit from Boddle as well.”

Edna and Clarence believe that confidence leads to comprehension. “If we get our young generation confident and proficient in those foundational skills, then we are setting our future up for success,” says Martinson, “And that’s really important for everyone.”

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KIN- KOFA

Co-Founders

JOURDAN BRUNSON & TAMESHIA RUDD-RIDGE 123

Picture this: It’s 2020 in Dallas, Texas. You’re stuck inside, and the lines between work and home life have all but disappeared. You hop into a room on Clubhouse, looking for any form of human connection. You’re now in a group with others who share your interest in genealogy. Not only do you meet someone in Chicago researching the same surnames and small towns, but you discover that this person is, in fact, your long-lost cousin. Marvel couldn’t script a better origin story.

While that sounds like the beginning of the latest Netflix dramedy, this was the real-life genesis of kinkofa, a digital family history tools specifically for Black folks. Co-founders Jourdan Brunson and Tameshia Rudd-Ridge used their online group to pilot a genetic database for several months. Those findings led them to create a secret Google document called ‘Operation Wakanda’. This master plan housed a robust list of blindspots, critiques, and potential changes for everything wrong with genealogy.

This new ‘Wakanda’ for genealogy was built to literally go get yo’ kin’. “There is a Ghanaian language system called Adinkra,” Rudd-Ridge explains. “Sankofa is one of the proverbs in that system.” Tameshia affectionately describes it as the “look back at it” proverb, meaning it is ok to learn from the past to move forward. Kinkofa is a mix of Ko- meaning “go,” Fa- meaning “get” and Kinfrom the term “kinfolx.”

Jourdan started his tech career early on with rideshare giant, Lyft, but has always had a passion for family history. However, Tameshia’s tech journey began accidentally. “I actually wanted to be Secretary of State of the U.S.,” says Rudd-Ridge.

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“ BEFORE 1870, MANY BLACK PEOPLE IN THE U.S. WERE NOT LISTED ON THE CENSUS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT CONSIDERED PEOPLE IN THE EYES OF THE LAW.”

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While working for the First Lady of Rwanda’s Office and Foundation, she noticed the energy around young entrepreneurs starting tech businesses and generating massive impact quickly. She helped found a start-up to help millennial Black travelers connect authentically with Africa. Their combined experience and shared desire to connect others to their roots became the seeds for their own venture.

For the co-founders, the existing tech issues range from the outdated nature of tools like Ancestry and 23andMe to the complexity of history itself.

“Besides being outdated, it’s not prescriptive to any group of people.

Seeking out your roots as a Black person is a different experience than other groups,” shares Brunson. In the United States, most people can trace their history back

to 1790 via the census. “Before 1790, many Black people in the U.S. were not listed on the census because they were not considered people in the eyes of the law.”

“Living in a place like Rwanda and Tulsa; places that have undergone mass tragedy,” says Rudd-Ridge, “Just knowing who you are and having a sense of self is tied up into that. I think every human deserves to know who they are in full.” Brunson and Rudd-Ridge believe that family history is intergenerational. Until now, the genealogy space has been primarily marketed to retired or older people. By creating an engaging, collaborative, and design-minded tool, they aim to inspire a younger audience.

“Now that teaching of African American History is considered

controversial, there is a possibility that Black History could be erased,” Tameshia warns. Brunson and Rudge-Ridge recognize that while their tool can have a significant impact, they are standing on the shoulders of giants.

One could not speak of preserving Black family history and genealogy and not mention Eddie Faye Gates, an oral historian and author who worked tirelessly to chronicle the stories of survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

“We honor the diligence of those who’ve kept the history alive,” said Brunson. “They challenge us to think about how we can not just focus on preserving the past, but also preserving the stories of today so that we don’t have those gaps in 50, 100 or even just 10 years from now.”

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BLACK

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AMBITION

WORDS BY ALANAH NICOLE DAVIS PHOTOS BY MANI OLANIYAN

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Derived from the Swahili word “Kujichagulia,” which means selfdetermination, we reach forward for Black ambition, which is deeply ingrained, much like the language mentioned above that has evolved over the past 300 years. The African-American community has always been familiar with achieving greatness while overcoming obstacles during challenging times.

For Felicia Hatcher, the CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition, an opportunity fund that provides capital, mentorship, and access to resources and opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs, a clear distinction exists between “ambition” and “Black ambition.”

Black Ambition was founded in 2020 by Pharrell Williams, known widely for his music and music production, to close the wealth gap through entrepreneurship.

“We are creating pathways to entrepreneurship and provide uninterrupted support for Black, Hispanic, and HBCU students on their journey to success,” said Hatcher with confidence and zeal.

Felicia emphasized that to establish uninterrupted pathways to entrepreneurship, we must first examine the factors that have interrupted these aspiring entrepreneurs. Guided by Pharrell’s mission, the CEO, a former White House Champion of Change in 2014, acknowledged that she

wishes to say the interruptions have ceased. “Some of these interruptions include generational racism, redlining, sexism, funding issues, and limited equity access,” Hatcher states. “Recently, we have faced additional challenges that have hindered our ability to conduct financial operations and build wealth in our communities.”

The mission at Black Ambition is to provide entrepreneurs with the permission to dream and a successive pathway to pursue those dreams. Black Ambition strives to become a magnetic resource, offering entrepreneurs all the necessary support and opportunities to bring their visions to life.

In this journey towards building Black wealth and fostering Black ambition, we find inspiration from our ancestors who emerged from a painful history. They serve as guiding lights on our path. One notable figure is Araminta Ross, widely known as Harriet Tubman.

Hatcher points out Tubman’s profound influence, stating, “When we think of someone like Harriet Tubman, her ambition was Black ambition. It’s a different kind of ambition to keep pushing forward every single day and to fight for the freedom of others.”

The legacy of our ancestors and their ambitious pursuits has paved

the way for our progress. We honor their resilience and tenacity, recognizing that their struggles and achievements have shaped our reality. Black Ambition aims to continue its legacy by empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to dream big, providing the necessary resources, and nurturing their ambitions as they forge their paths to success.

Coming-of-age stories shape many of us and, subsequently, our organizations. There’s a reason that Black Ambition was born, and it has a birthplace just like any other living, breathing thing Hatcher alluded to, and that is “the Hood.”

Hatcher talks about Pharell’s Virginia Beach upbringing, in the hood.

He often shares his story about his family and their success in certain areas, but he also recognizes the power of entrepreneurship.

Williams has witnessed firsthand what it has afforded himself, his family, and his team. He wants to take that knowledge, including the good, the bad, and the ugly of those lessons, and create new opportunities. “The goal is to help others shorten the learning curve and navigate the entrepreneurial journey more effectively,” adds Hatcher.

For those who have attended YouTube or TikTok University,

“A persistent issue exists where

too many people have been wasting the time of Black entrepreneurs for years, and I’m tired of it.”

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discovering the “why” is often discussed in entrepreneurship. However, the real challenge lies in understanding the “how.” We know the origins of Black ambition and recognize key figures like Hatcher and Williams, who are instrumental in our journey. But the question remains: How do we gain momentum to close the wealth gap and achieve Black wealth with ambition?

Hatcher claims, “A persistent issue exists where too many people have been wasting the time of Black entrepreneurs for years, and I’m tired of it! They’re not making direct connections when they have the connections and resources. On the other hand, entrepreneurs are often over-mentored and underfunded, which is another problem. It’s crucial to recognize how the other side [White people] have generated significant wealth and built a financial fortress around it to ensure it stays within their own communities. Black people need to look to technology in that regard.”

Felicia stated that the most significant transfer of Black wealth happened in 2008 during the economic downturn when many families lost their homes. Real estate was supposed to be a path to wealth, but that turned out differently. “So, when we talk about making up for that loss, which industry or space can generate that kind of wealth?” she asks. “It’s the tech industry.”

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“WHEN WE THINK OF SOMEONE LIKE HARRIET TUBMAN,

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HER AMBITION WAS BLACK AMBITION.” 137

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“ That is the charge; to ensure that we learn from the past and create a different future.”

Realistically, not all of us are in tech or tech-adjacent industries.

However, Hatcher believes that more Black innovators should consider high-growth industries that generate wealth rapidly.

To achieve growth, Hatcher emphasizes the need for the world, specifically entrepreneur support ventures, to adopt a holistic approach to entrepreneurs.

dynamics and raising capital in environments where founders may not see people who look like them can take a toll on their well-being.

We have wellness professionals and therapists as part of our programming. Companies that invest in us recognize the importance of mental well-being and support. Shifting the mindset of Black entrepreneurs is crucial.”

She states, “At Black Ambition, we look at entrepreneurship holistically. It’s not just about providing mentors, curricula, or introductions Navigating power

Hatcher highlights the difference in approach between Black Ambition and other accelerators and incubators that may lack a wraparound focus. She believes

it is essential to ensure that entrepreneurs are prepared to face numerous rejections and persevere despite setbacks.

“Tulsa in Oklahoma and Overtown in Miami are not the only examples of Black Wall Streets across the United States. There is an opportunity to prevent history from repeating itself. That is the charge; to ensure that we learn from the past and create a different future,” Hatcher implores. “It is important to make sure that technology benefits our communities and doesn’t simply consume them.”

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