Aniyia Williams: Tech Changemaker

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Aniyia Williams is the Founder and CEO of TINSEL, a groundbreaking tech jewelry company, where she combines her passion for technology and design to create innovative products that merge fashion and function.
  • As the Executive Director of Black & Brown Founders, Aniyia is committed to supporting minority entrepreneurs and fostering diversity in the tech industry. 
  • Her talks explore topics such as entrepreneurship, innovation, and diversity, challenging audiences to rethink traditional narratives and embrace change.

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Reviews: (2 reviews)
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  • Travels from: San Francisco Bay Area, California
  • **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000

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Keynote Topics:

Capitalism is a hell of a drug. When used responsibly, it can create freedom, innovation and efficiency. But unchecked, hoarding, exploitation and careless behavior can run rampant. The tech world has created a great example of this with venture capital and “unicorns”.

It’s not greed and growth at all costs… it’s just business. Right? Wrong. We’re entering a new age, one where entrepreneurs want to create solutions to improve the human experience and quality of life without playing a zero sum game. The age of the zebra.

In this talk, Aniyia will explain why purpose and profit do not have to be mutually exclusive, why creating alternatives to the venture capital status quo is a moral and economic imperative, and how innovation in business financing can help us solve the world’s big challenges.

If you’re an underdog who wants to take your shot at building a tech business, a different approach is needed. For many people of color, women, LGBTQ, baby boomers, and the “others” – the game is harder to play IF we’re using the same playbook as Musk, Gates, Jobs and Zuck.

In this presentation, Aniyia will share her recipe for finding strength, flushing out your idea, launching, and making your first dollars against all odds.

Today’s expectations of a happy life are at best, unrealistic, and at worst, oppressive.

  • Are you hurtling toward burnout on a crusade to build the perfect life?
  • Been there. Are you stressed about money, even when you’re making a decent bit of it?
  • Done that. Are you seeing communication with your significant other get rockier by the day?

Yeah, sounds about right. Know that you are not alone, and while you probably can’t “have it all”, you’d be surprised to find how much joy can come from letting go of what you don’t need.

Aniyia will share some hard lessons she’s learned about finding happiness, how to think differently about what we want, and how to get it.

Some days it feels like we are doomed. Maybe we are. Either way, we should make the most of our lives while we’re here. The key is to NOT make it about winning or losing, but deftly playing an infinite game. That’s only possible when you are able to lead with the reason why you do what you do. 

In this talk, Aniyia will share ways to search within to discover your WHY, distinguish what is necessary and real for YOU, and how to use this as a compass to navigate the world…. as long as it keeps turning.

Spoiler alert: you already are! You just need some help with bringing the most interesting pieces to the surface. When we want to be seen as interesting or valuable, it actually links to our fundamental human desire to feel connection and belonging.

During this presentation, Aniyia will explain why we want people to like us. She’ll then provide a framework to uncover the most unique and fascinating parts of yourself, expand your repertoire, and apply it to your interactions.

Aniyia Williams is a trailblazing entrepreneur, thought leader, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

She is a systempreneur, creator, inventor, tech changemaker, and investor. She is a principal on the Responsible Technology team at Omidyar Network, and works to help the tech world live up to its promise of changing lives for the better.

With a passion for empowering underrepresented communities, Aniyia brings a unique perspective to her work as a professional speaker. As the Founder and CEO of TINSEL, a tech jewelry company, and the Executive Director of Black & Brown Founders, a non-profit organization supporting minority entrepreneurs, Aniyia’s journey is as inspiring as it is impactful. With her dynamic presence and compelling storytelling, she captivates audiences worldwide, leaving a lasting impression of possibility and empowerment.

Prior to joining Omidyar Network, Aniyia founded Black & Brown Founders, a nonprofit which helps Black and Latinx entrepreneurs launch tech businesses. She continues to serve as the organization’s board chair.

Aniyia is also co-founder of Zebras Unite, an entrepreneur-led movement focused on creating a more ethical and sustainable startup ecosystem through capital, culture, and community; convener of the Black Innovation Alliance, an ecosystem of organizations that support, fund, and sustain Black innovators; and co-founder of the Firefly Alliance, a community that equips women with collaborative leadership skills to move beyond racism and sexism.

Previously, Aniyia founded the fashion tech company, Tinsel, which invented the world’s first audio necklace, designed in response to a lack of electronics developed for women.

Aniyia Williams

Aniyia Williams is a seasoned speaker with expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation, and diversity in tech. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Aniyia’s insights are deeply rooted in her own journey as a founder and advocate. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship from Hult International Business School. Her diverse background enables her to connect with audiences across various sectors and demographics.

Aniyia’s speaking influence extends beyond the stage, as she actively champions for change within the tech community. As the creator of the #BlackTechTwitter movement, she has brought together thousands of Black professionals in tech to network, share resources, and advocate for greater representation. Her TEDx talk, “Breaking the Mold: Redefining Success in Tech,” has garnered widespread acclaim for its candid exploration of identity and ambition in the digital age.

At events, Aniyia Williams combines personal anecdotes with data-driven insights to illustrate the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation. Her engaging style and relatable storytelling resonate with audiences of all backgrounds, sparking meaningful conversations and inspiring action. Whether discussing the future of wearable technology or the power of community-driven entrepreneurship, Aniyia’s message is clear: diversity is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage in the tech industry.

In summary, Aniyia Williams is a dynamic speaker whose passion for innovation and inclusion has made her a sought-after voice in the tech community. With her compelling storytelling and thought-provoking insights, she challenges audiences to think differently about the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Event planners seeking to inspire their audience and drive meaningful change should look no further than Aniyia Williams.

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