Daversa Partners’ Post

Launching BLK+TECH+KULTURE In the summer of 2022, I set off for a road trip down US 101, traveling from Southern Oregon to Big Sur, California. The trip was marked by stunning vistas that often made me pull over to savor the West Coast's scenic splendor practically every five minutes. This prompted a quick adjustment in my plans, as it became clear I wouldn't reach Big Sur within my original timeframe. So I learned to fully immerse myself in the present and cherish the awe-inspiring beauty surrounding me without the frequent stops. As I traveled towards Big Sur, I reflected deeply on my life’s purpose and the broader impact I wished to make beyond my routine professional engagements. This trip provided a valuable opportunity for introspection regarding my career, relationships, and fundamental goals as an individual. Over the subsequent two years, I engaged in meaningful discussions with friends and colleagues about their aspirations to shape their futures. Whether it involved choosing their business ventures, defining their work schedules, traveling for passion, or developing new health routines aligned with their values, they all shared a commitment to facilitating success for others. Their talents, convictions, and enthusiasm inspired me, and by December 2023, I was motivated to contribute more significantly to helping individuals and organizations excel and reach their fullest potential. This led to the founding of Black Impact Consulting Group (BICG) and BLK+TECH+KULTURE. BICG is dedicated to assembling a dynamic team of professionals focused on strengthening communities for our current and future generations. BLK+TECH+KULTURE aims to enhance individual potential for the greatest communal benefit. Our mission is to empower individuals, inspire organizations, and transform cultures for positive change, structured around three core pillars of practice. BLK transcends merely being a name or an indicator of race. It serves as an invitation to comprehend oneself within the context of one’s environment, necessitating self-awareness and a reflective evaluation of one's own journey and history, thus influencing one's future actions. TECH goes beyond digital tools. It affirms a mindset shift in which unlearning and relearning are embraced to fundamentally transform the approach to solve problems of practice. KULTURE involves enhancing the organization’s capacity to create deliberate and intentional impact through an ongoing cycle of improvement, leading to sustainable outcomes. As the Founder and Principal Consultant, I am committed to empowering change and inspiring impact! I am looking forward to this next adventure. There is much more to come, so stay tuned!

New Comienzos Community Service! 🤩The Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for African American and Hispanic founders nationwide to access growth capital, coaching, and a curated community of innovators and mentors. Eligible applicants consist of African American and Hispanic innovators building early-stage ventures across five distinct categories: -Consumer Products and Services -Healthcare -Media and Entertainment -Technology -Artificial Intelligence WHY APPLY? ✨️ Because it's time to level the playing field. There's not just space for more African American and Hispanic leaders in these industries. There's an overwhelming necessity. Your ideas and innovation, combined with the right support, will tip the scales in a way that permanently changes the landscape in these arenas. We know that building bold ideas and innovative companies requires collaboration and support. 🤯Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $15,000 USD and $1,000,000 USD The deadline to submit your application is May 6, 2024. Visit the official website: Apply Now: https://1l.ink/DWF8QB3 Don't miss the opportunity to present your bold idea and be part of this exciting competition. Good luck! 🚀✨ #NewComienzosCommunityService #WeAreCommunity #LeadershipExcellence

As we celebrate 10 years of thought leadership, community, and collaboration, we asked Alliance Founder, President & CEO, Manar Morales to share some of the workplace highlights since 2012 and her vision for the future. Read our 10 Questions for Manar & our 10 Year Anniversary Report for more on the 10 year trends in diversity, flexibility and engagement! https://loom.ly/xatN6-U

New Comienzos Community Service! 🤩The Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for African American and Hispanic founders nationwide to access growth capital, coaching, and a curated community of innovators and mentors. Eligible applicants consist of African American and Hispanic innovators building early-stage ventures across five distinct categories: -Consumer Products and Services -Healthcare -Media and Entertainment -Technology -Artificial Intelligence WHY APPLY? ✨️ Because it's time to level the playing field. There's not just space for more African American and Hispanic leaders in these industries. There's an overwhelming necessity. Your ideas and innovation, combined with the right support, will tip the scales in a way that permanently changes the landscape in these arenas. We know that building bold ideas and innovative companies requires collaboration and support. 🤯Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $15,000 USD and $1,000,000 USD The deadline to submit your application is May 6, 2024. Visit the official website: Apply Now: https://1l.ink/DWF8QB3 Don't miss the opportunity to present your bold idea and be part of this exciting competition. Good luck! 🚀✨ #NewComienzosCommunityService #WeAreCommunity #LeadershipExcellence

e.l.f. stands for every eye, lip, and face, even in America’s corporate boardrooms. E.L.F. BEAUTY is only one of four companies who have a board of directors that is two-thirds women and one-third diverse. We think it’s about e.l.f.ing time to “Change the Board Game.” A diverse board not only ensures companies reflect the diverse communities they serve, but it’s also a proven metric to increase the bottom line. And what company doesn’t want more profit? We are taking action to “Change the Board Game,” and helping women and diverse candidates take a rightful seat at the table. We’re kicking things off teaming up with the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and sponsoring 20 brilliantly talented and diverse candidates to enter their “Accelerate Program,” designed to give board-ready candidates the connections, networks, know-how and opportunity they need to join corporate boards across the country. And we’re not stopping there. Stay tuned for big things to come. Tag someone you think is board-ready in the comments (tag yourself if that “someone” is you!), and let’s change the board game together.

This week for Black History Month, we are celebrating one of our own Philadelphia Afro-Latina trailblazers in tech and entrepreneurship: Shannon Morales! She turned her dreams into reality with Tribaja.co. From envisioning herself as a business leader to becoming one, Morales's journey is a beacon of inspiration and resilience. 🌟 Shannon's story begins with a young girl's imagination, dreaming of luxury business suits and corporate success. This vision stayed with her through the challenges of being a single mother in college, steering her towards a career in finance to secure a future for her family. Despite not feeling passionate about finance, it was a stepping stone towards her true calling: entrepreneurship. 🚀 Founding Tribaja wasn't just about creating a business; it was about addressing a gap in the tech industry for Black and Latinx professionals. Tribaja, an AI-powered platform, is a testament to Shannon's dedication to uplifting underrepresented communities, offering customized work experiences that champion diversity and inclusion. 💡 Morales faced the universal uncertainties of entrepreneurship, learning through "fire" and pivoting with the market's tides. Yet, her resolve only strengthened, proving that there's never a perfect time to start—only the right time, which is now. Tribaja's focus on working-class professionals, particularly those affected by layoffs and automation, showcases Shannon's commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change. 🌐 Shannon's participation in digitalundivided’s Breakthrough program highlights the importance of community and shared knowledge. Her business motto, unwavering in the face of market saturation, is a powerful reminder to persevere, innovate, and stay true to one's vision. 🌱 Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Be resilient. Embrace the journey, knowing your business will evolve with your users' needs. Shannon Morales isn't just building a business; she's crafting a movement towards a more inclusive, equitable tech industry. 🌈 As we honor Shannon Morales this month, let her story motivate us to break barriers, forge our paths, and create spaces where diversity thrives. Her impact through Tribaja is a testament to what Afro-Latinas can achieve in tech and beyond. #BlackHistoryMonth #AfroLatinaExcellence #Innovation #TechDiversity #Tribaja 🎉 #diversitech

Celebrating Tope Awotona, recognized as one of Forbes' Black tech billionaires in the United States! As the founder and CEO of Calendly Tope's innovation and leadership have left a mark on the tech world. Let's celebrate his incredible achievements and continue to uplift Black excellence in technology! 💼👏🏾✨ #BlackInTech #TechHistory #BLKMeninTech #blackintech #blackmenintech #blacktech #blackistech #tech #bhm #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory

What business, organization, or individual will you be nominating for their innovation, dedication, or outstanding contributions? Charisse is here to explain the nomination process. Let’s celebrate together!

As we celebrate Black History Month, I find myself reflecting on my own journey – a journey marked by resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of community. Recently, I faced an unexpected twist in my path on Wednesday. My entire position was terminated as Director of Operations, effective immediately, at a company with a powerful mission and a community full of underrepresented yet powerful women prioritizing their wellness. While there was a mix of emotions — fear because bills don’t stop, anger for the lack of notice, joy for feeling my work there had been done and I could move forward - for a moment, I choose to see endless opportunities. Today, I'm thrilled to announce that I'm shifting gears and diving headfirst into my own business while continuing to keep my options open because the limit does not exist. This journey isn't just about building a brand, landing a dream job (I do not dream of labor), or making a living – it's about embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship, forging my own path, and creating opportunities for myself and others who may have faced similar setbacks. I've always believed in the power of community, and I'm grateful to have a network of supporters, mentors, and friends who have rallied behind me during this transition. Your encouragement and belief in my potential have been a guiding light, and I'm deeply thankful for each and every one of you. As I embark on this new chapter, I'm committed to giving back to the community that has given me so much. I'm passionate about supporting fellow entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, and creating opportunities for growth and success. So here's to new beginnings, to embracing challenges as opportunities, and to building a future filled with purpose and passion. I invite you to join me on this journey, no matter what chapter you’re in – after all, it’s the Year of Audacity in the Name of Good. Let’s lift each other up, celebrate our successes, and create a brighter, more inclusive future together. Thank you for being a part of my story and I can’t wait to see what’s next! #opentoopportunities #opentoconnect

SPARKlers, #WIG parties, Spark Tank – IYKYK. Our annual SPARK Retreat is my favorite thing we do at Rent Responsibly. STR alliance leaders work the 25th hour of the day, as Dana Lubner likes to say, and SPARK is our chance to thank them for that, treat them to some RR-style R&R, and make sure every second of their effort and time goes 10x as far. But one thing the STR industry doesn't talk enough about when it comes to advocacy is *it. can. be. FUN!* Nominate someone (including yourself!) to have all the best kinds of fun at SPARK by THIS Friday >> https://lnkd.in/eV63rVdb