Venture Noire looks for high integrity, intellectually curious owners and operators with a hacking mindset for reshaping the future.
The Walton Family Foundation is rooted in several generations of family, where no voice is louder than the next and different opinions are valued.
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF) exists to relentlessly pursue economic, educational, social, ethnic, and racial equity for all Arkansas.
Entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) experience many of the same challenges faced by Kansas City’s diverse small business community that stifle their effectiveness.
Experienced Executive with demonstrated success working globally (NY, LA and Hong Kong) in finance, sports, media and technology industries. Strong leadership, skilled in Management, Capital Raise, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Business Development, and Entrepreneurship.
Brandon Andrews is co-founder of Gauge; an AI-driven mobile market research platform connecting brands to consumers and influencers to identify opportunities and avoid mistakes. As Senior Consultant at Values Partnerships he leads the company’s work on technology and entrepreneurship, including leading a nationwide casting tour focused on bringing more diverse ideas and voices to ABC’s, Shark Tank and building inclusive ecosystems. Named a Global Innovation Fellow by the U.S. Department of State, he has traveled the world speaking on entrepreneurship and innovation.
Michael has over 15 years of experience in operationalizing Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) strategies and programs across multiple industries, to include Financial Services, Pharma, Tech, Retail, Energy, and Transportation. Michael has worked in Big 4 consulting within the cyber, IT risk, and the supply chain risk space for over a decade. He has built a reputation as a knowledgeable practitioner in his craft and as a leader that cares who consistently delivers optimal outcomes. Prior to starting his career in the civilian sector, Michael served in the US Army as a commissioned officer where he gained extensive experience in both large and small group leadership and problem solving, tempered with emotional intelligence. Aside from his professional career, Michael is extremely passionate about diversity & inclusion and has continued to be involved in initiatives to support increasing awareness and opportunities for minorities, veterans, and women throughout his career.
Mr. Usmani has over 25 years of solutions delivery experience in the public and private sectors. He is a seasoned professional who has worked with Fortune 100 corporations and leading government organizations including the United States and Allied Governments, as well as varied international military organizations.
Michael has over 15 years of experience in operationalizing Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) strategies and programs across multiple industries, to include Financial Services, Pharma, Tech, Retail, Energy, and Transportation. Michael has worked in Big 4 consulting within the cyber, IT risk, and the supply chain risk space for over a decade. He has built a reputation as a knowledgeable practitioner in his craft and as a leader that cares who consistently delivers optimal outcomes. Prior to starting his career in the civilian sector, Michael served in the US Army as a commissioned officer where he gained extensive experience in both large and small group leadership and problem solving, tempered with emotional intelligence. Aside from his professional career, Michael is extremely passionate about diversity & inclusion and has continued to be involved in initiatives to support increasing awareness and opportunities for minorities, veterans, and women throughout his career.
Experienced business executive, marketer, brand builder, and organizational, commercial and operational leader with over 15 years of experience building growth in corporate, startup, and non-profit environments. At the largest consumer products in the world, P&G, I was responsible for leading strategic business growth and marketing for some of P&G's most iconic and billion dollar brands, including Febreze/Ambi Pur, Charmin, Always, Puffs, and Pringles. I've served as a former brand and business-building consultant for major international brands and corporations. I founded Honest Label, an online store dedicated to supporting natural and organic lifestyles with high quality personal care, health, baby, pet, household, and food products. Currently, I am an executive within the hospitality, tourism, and groundbreaking work and travel industry.
Founding Partner of Liberty Fairs, Sharifa Murdock, is a veteran fashion industry professional with a concentration on cultivating relationships and elevating new brands in the men’s and women’s fashion space through showcase. With a strong grasp of industry trends and emerging brands, with 20 years of experience, Sharifa’s extensive experience rooted in retail and fashion. Inspired by fashion when starting her career at her first job at Soho retailer, Atrium, owned by her mentor and now business partner Sam Ben-Avraham.
Rodney Williams is the President and Co-founder of SoLo Funds, the largest community fintech platform for everyday Americans, providing the opportunity to access and grow capital and establish financial independence. Rodney grew up witnessing his loved ones struggling to survive paycheck to paycheck, and has dedicated his career to bringing quality financial services to underserved communities. Prior to co-funding SoLo Funds, Rodney founded LISNR (Visa Backed Fintech) and led the company to over $40M in funding, numerous awards, and partnerships across retail and financial services, and currently serves as the company’s Chairman.
Prior to her retirement in January 2022, Ms. Roberts had since 2014 served as the Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association [“NBPA”]. In that role she was tasked with working on behalf of NBA players to ensure their rights are protected and they were fairly compensated for the value they bring to the sport and their impact on the community. Prior to joining the NBPA, she was an esteemed trial lawyer with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Her practice focused on complex civil and white-collar criminal litigation before state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. Ms. Roberts has tried more than 150 cases to jury verdicts, representing clients in a wide variety of areas, including products liability, white collar, racketeering, securities regulation violations, Title VII issues and premises liability. She is a top-ranked attorney who has received numerous accolades from Chambers Global, Chambers USA and Benchmark Litigation, among other notable publications. Ms. Roberts is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. She worked for eight years in the office of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where she was named Chief of the Trial Division. Ms. Roberts is a frequent lecturer and presenter to both the bench and bar on a variety of topics related to litigation and trial practice. She taught trial advocacy as an adjunct member of the faculty at Harvard Law School and as an instructor with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Ms. Roberts currently serves on the boards of Cresco Labs, The Marshall Project, The Bronx Defenders and Wesleyan University, her alma mater.
.svg){kind=small}
