In this talk, Morgan DeBaun breaks down the behind the scenes of building Blavity and encourages entrepreneurs of all ages to ignore the statistics or the naysayers. If not you… then who? If not now… then Blavity and encourages entrepreneurs of all ages to ignore the statistics or the naysayers. If not you… then who? If not now… then when?
At the age of 25, Morgan DeBaun made history as one of the first 20 Black women to raise over a million dollars in venture funding, defying the odds of a dying publishing industry by Blavity and encourages entrepreneurs of all ages to ignore the statistics or the naysayers. If not you… then who? If not now… then when?
The growth of STEM jobs has outpaced the growth of overall employment in the country. Of the 25% of women in tech roles, only 3% are Black women. While diversity, equity, and inclusion in other Blavity and encourages entrepreneurs of all ages to ignore the statistics or the naysayers. If not you… then who? If not now… then when?
Morgan DeBaun is a pioneering entrepreneur, digital media strategist, and business leader who has transformed the way Black millennials and Gen Z engage with content, culture, and community. As the Founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., she has built a media empire that reaches millions, shaping the conversations around entrepreneurship, technology, and diversity.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Morgan’s passion for business and leadership emerged at a young age. She attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied political science and gained valuable experience in strategy, business operations, and organizational leadership. After graduating, Morgan DeBaun began her career in Silicon Valley, working at Intuit as a product manager. This experience gave her first-hand insight into the world of startups, technology, and product development—knowledge that would later fuel her journey as a founder.
However, Morgan DeBaun recognized a major gap in media representation for Black millennials. While working in the tech industry, she saw the need for a platform that catered specifically to young Black professionals, offering news, career insights, and cultural content that reflected their experiences. In 2014, at just 24 years old, she took a bold step and launched Blavity Inc., a digital media company designed to give a voice to Black creators, innovators, and thought leaders.
Under her leadership, Blavity Inc. has grown into one of the largest Black-owned digital media companies in the world, encompassing multiple brands that serve different aspects of the Black experience. These include AfroTech, one of the premier Black tech conferences, 21Ninety, a lifestyle brand focused on empowering women of color, and Travel Noire, a community-driven platform for Black travelers. Through these brands, Morgan has cultivated an ecosystem that not only informs but also connects and empowers individuals to pursue their dreams.
As an entrepreneur, Morgan has faced and overcome the challenges that come with building and scaling a company, particularly as a Black woman in the tech and media industries. She is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), frequently speaking on the importance of representation in business and technology. Her expertise in launching and scaling businesses has led her to share her knowledge on platforms such as Forbes, Fast Company, and CNBC.
Beyond her work at Blavity Inc., Morgan DeBaun is dedicated to helping other entrepreneurs succeed. She has developed workshops, online courses, and mentorship programs to provide practical insights on business growth, digital marketing, and leadership. She has also launched successful coaching initiatives like WorkSmart, a platform where she shares her expertise in business strategy, team management, and productivity.
Morgan DeBaun’s impact extends beyond the media landscape—she is a recognized leader in the startup and investment ecosystem. She has advised numerous startups and frequently speaks at conferences focused on technology, venture capital, and economic empowerment. Her ability to break down complex business strategies into actionable insights has made her an in-demand speaker at events around the world.
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