Gloria Li

As we transition from Black History Month, I’m honored to share this new article in EIX | Entrepreneur & Innovation Exchange with Casey Frid where we draw on the insights of scholars, practitioners, and ecosystem leaders surrounding the early-stage experiences of Black entrepreneurs. ✅ In traditional startup narratives, founders are encouraged to experiment, iterate, and pivot, delaying irreversible choices. But that advice assumes access to time, capital, and safety nets that many Black founders simply don’t have. ✅ The insights from our contributors collectively highlight how limited runway, family and financial obligations, and uneven ecosystem support push Black founders to make high-stakes decisions at the very start—often prioritizing cash flow, stability, and risk management over experimentation. These aren’t necessarily bad choices. They’re rational responses to real constraints. 📢 If we want stronger ventures and more equitable outcomes, accelerators, investors, and support organizations must rethink how their programs are designed—so they reduce pressure instead of adding to it. Special shot-out to Maurice J. Murphy, PhD, Susana Correia Santos, Alexander Lewis, & Billy Mzenga, MA for their insights and contributions to this article! 👉 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eTJtmNup  #Entrepreneurship #BlackFounders #StartupEcosystems 

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Venture needs new voices. These investors are bringing them. They’re backing bold ideas. Building breakout funds. Creating real access. Black investors are still underrepresented, but these 10 are changing that—fast: ✅ Brentt Baltimore – Principal at Greycroft; investor in AI + ML startups like Groundlight and Sailplan; co-leads BLCK VC LA ✅ Brian Brackeen – GP at Lightship; backing underrepresented founders across AI, health-tech, and CPG ✅ Lisa Coca – Partner at Toyota Ventures; leading climate-focused investments for carbon neutrality ✅ Erica Duignan Minnihan – Founder of Reign Ventures; 15+ years backing women & minority-led startups ✅ Tessa Flippin – Founder of Capitalize VC; investing in pre-seed diverse founders at the intersection of commerce and fintech ✅ Dan Gebremedhin MD, MBA – Partner at Flare Capital Partners; former Harvard physician now investing in healthcare tech ✅ Frederik Groce – Deal Lead at Wellington; co-founder of BLCK VC, the largest Black VC network in the U.S. ✅ Uriridiakoghene (Ulili) Onovakpuri – Managing Partner at Kapor Capital; co-leads $126M fund backing transformative, inclusive startups ✅ Sydney Sykes – Partner at Lightspeed; consumer investor and co-founder of BLCK VC ✅ Samer Yousif – Senior Associate at Insight Partners; co-leads 20/20 Vision Fund backing diverse emerging managers This isn’t just about representation. It’s about returns. 🔗 Full article here: https://lnkd.in/gtJdtx-E #VC #innovation #capital #startups #finance

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I found this resource and wanted to share it. This Higher Education Guide brings together research and real-world insight to help students, educators, and leaders create healthier, more supportive environments. Especially for those affected by changing immigration policies. It’s thoughtful, evidence-based work that reminds us how closely mental health and belonging are connected in higher education. You can read it here: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d4RRQEQH #HigherEducation #MentalHealth #Inclusion #Leadership #Wellbeing

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🚨 New Program Launch 🚨 Black Women Investors (BWI) is excited to announce the launch of the Future of Capital Fellowship: Bankers to Investors Track. This selective fellowship is designed for women currently in Investment Banking who are looking to transition into investing roles across Private Equity, Venture Capital, Growth Equity, and beyond. Through the fellowship, participants will gain: • Investor-focused technical training • Exposure to deal evaluation and investment decision-making • Career positioning and recruiting support • Access to investors, founders, and the BWI network • A values-driven community shaping the future of capital If you’re a banker ready to build a long-term career as an investor—and want to do so in community—this program was built for you. 📌 Applications are now open 🕒 Deadline March 31, 2026 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/e-XXdT72 Please share with someone who should be in the room. — Black Women Investors (BWI) For any questions please reach out to leadership@bwinetwork.org #BlackWomenInvestors #FutureOfCapital #WomenInFinance #InvestingCareers #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #FinanceCareers #BWI

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This Black History Month, we’re highlighting initiatives that strengthen Black entrepreneurship in New York City. Black New Yorkers represent 22% of the city’s population — yet just 3.5% of NYC businesses are Black-owned. BE NYC (Black Entrepreneurs NYC) works to close that gap through startup support, legal services, and business resources. Explore the program and upcoming opportunities: https://lnkd.in/evfpFsR4

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During their time in Small Business Corps (SBC), Fellows receive training, mentorship, and strategic guidance from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) consultants and faculty at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. From navigating client relationships to structuring solutions to complex challenges, SBC Spring 2025 Fellow, Saloni Jain, shares how BCG's guidance prepared her to approach problem-solving like a true consultant, equipping her with the tools to support small businesses with clarity, empathy, and impact. Learn more about SBC 🔗 https://lnkd.in/exWntfjD #SmallBusinessCorps #SBC2025 #Consulting #StudentImpact

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I enjoyed participating in this On Demand panel discussion organized by Innovations for Poverty Action, on an emerging research area--the intersection of financial services and climate resilience, focusing on the "micro" (e.g., payments, savings, credit, insurance). I think this topic raises a lot of interesting questions about preferences and behaviour and how people trade-offs between investing in current priorities versus climate-related risks they might face in the future. It raises interesting opportunities for creative product and policy design for practitioners and researchers.

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Universities have a responsibility not only to educate but to diversify and enable clear, supported pathways into a wide range of professional and non‑traditional careers. Brown's support in this area is excellent and points to what more institutions should be doing. Universities can’t keep training students for yesterday’s careers. We need systems that help undergraduates and graduates move into tech and finance, yes, but also social impact, startups, community work, the arts, and other non‑traditional paths. That is why Brown’s investment in the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Center for Career Exploration is so important. It backs personalized advising, mentoring, and hands‑on experiences that help students try things, pivot, and find work that is both sustainable and meaningful. More institutions should follow this lead: 1. Treat career exploration as core, not optional. 2. Make room for a broad spectrum of career goals. 3. Build networks that open doors for students who may not already have access to powerful professional connections. Students deserve universities that prepare them not just to get jobs, but to build lives of purpose in many different fields. #HigherEd #CareerExploration #CareerPathways #StudentSuccess #LiberalArts #FutureOfWork #UniversityLeadership #ExperientialLearning #CareersInTheCommonGood

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I had a great time serving as a panelist for this workshop and sharing my personal journey with financial literacy. It was meaningful to reflect on how my understanding of money has evolved and to hopefully provide practical insights for students who are just beginning to think about their financial futures. A big thank you to my great friend Tamara Frith for the invitation and for doing an excellent job moderating the conversation. I also appreciate the opportunity to share the panel with Phuong Tran and Youssef Hasweh, whose perspectives made for a thoughtful and engaging discussion. Lastly, thank you to the entire Scholarship Plus AB team for continuing to create spaces where scholars can openly learn, ask questions, and build confidence in navigating their financial journeys. Truly grateful to be part of conversations like this!💡📈 #FinancialLiteracy #FirstGen

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