Stories

“I think Santa Clara is a place that can help me become a better leader.” 

“I’m originally from Baltimore, but most recently Greenville, S.C. I’ve been obsessed with California since I was in the sixth grade, a lot because of the weather, and career-wise, I wanted to be in Silicon Valley.  People start companies here, and I want to be a venture capitalist—especially to diversify funding for underrepresented founders of companies—and this is the best place to be for that. I’m majoring in economics and philosophy. I love thinking and learning about logic; it’s something I used in high school for speech and debate. But I don’t know alot about economics and how money works. I want to learn as much as possible while I’m here, and enjoy the experience as well. I try to do a little bit of everything—dancing, cooking, listening to music, video games. I skateboard, but I’m not Tony Hawk. I’m interested in a ton of clubs. I’d like to join the martial arts club, IGWE, and get involved in yoga, meditation and mindfulness. What did I make sure to bring with me? My book, “Zero to One,” about tech start-ups, and the wall art in my room with Black icons is essential to my personality, like James Baldwin, who was a famous civil rights leader and played a vital role with MLK; and Black Panther, who is one of the few Black superheroes; there’s also Erykah Badu, and Kanye. I’m excited to make friends here. I think Santa Clara is a place that can help me become a better leader, leading the best generation of tomorrow.”