Navigating the Challenges and Achieving Startup Success as a Black Woman with Cheryl Contee

Black women have encountered challenges over the past years, especially in startups. Though equality has been championed, black women still have to experience additional challenges in raising capital, being marginalized, and being denied opportunities, even if they are qualified. However, some women have risen above these storms and succeeded in the startup economy. Cheryl Contee is one of those black women who join us today to share her story, lessons, and tips on how black women founders can find their space in the economy.
Cheryl Contee is the award-winning CEO of the digital agency Do Big Things, a diverse team that is using a new narrative and new tech to create global change in a new era. Previously, Cheryl was Fission Strategy's CEO, bringing Silicon Valley startup culture to the world’s leading causes and campaigns. She’s the co-founder of Attentive.ly, the first tech startup with a black female founder to be acquired by a NASDAQ company; the national board chair for Netroots Nation, an affiliate of Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society; and a proud cofounder of #YesWeCode.
Tune in!
Key Highlights from the Show
[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Cheryl Contee
[03:55] A bit about Cheryl's entrepreneurship journey
[06:35] Cheryl’s experience of raising a company as a black woman
[12:47] How she overcame rejection despite being qualified for tech projects
[14:42] Black women have additional hurdles in startups
[17:55] A bit about Cheryl’s angel investing story
[20:56] One of Cheryl’s angel investments
[27:11] Cheryl’s message to her younger self
[29:10] How to reach out, connect and learn more about Cheryl Contee
[30:55] Episode wrap-up and calls to action
Notable Quotes
● Non-profits command over $800 billion yearly, yet only a few people have tapped into this space.
● Black women are currently founding companies at a higher rate than any other demographic in America.
● It takes time to trust your inner truth and inner self.
● Startups are difficult no matter who you are or where you come from. However, black women must know that additional hurdles must be overcome.
● Where there’s a crisis, there is an opportunity.
● If you trust yourself and follow your instincts, it’s hard to fail.
Resources Mentioned

1. Mechanical Bull: How You Can Achieve Startup Success by Cheryl Contee:www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Bul...

Let’s Connect
Cheryl Contee
Website: impactseat.org/
LinkedIn: / cherylcontee
Twitter: / ch3ryl
Lisha Bell
Website: www.lishabell.com/
Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com (www.blxvc.com/)
Twitter: / belllism
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