Yes We Code chat 24: Do Minority Led Startups Always Have To Save The World?

Yes We Code chat 24: Do Minority Led Startups Always Have To Save The World?

by | Jul 23, 2015 | Blog

Yes We Code chat 24: Do Minority Led Startups Always Have To Save The World?
Sunday July 26th 2015
6pmPST/8pmCT/9pmEST
Connect with me on Twitter @uchechi_writes

More and more companies are creating products and services for social good. From well known shoe companies like TOMS to local businesses promoting giving back to the  community, the idea is a good one that can only continue to better the world we live in.

But what happens when creating a social good business is assumed, especially for minority entrepreneurs?   I recently attended a dinner for minority entrepreneurs where got to talking about the assumption that minority founders are supposed to create startups focused on “social good.” During the conversation, we agreed that this expectation is not only a problem, but creates mixed messages for minority led startups.  On the one hand, we’re supposed to be focused on making money and have an investment worthy business model. On the other hand, we’re supposed to do “social good” and create something that gives back to the community.

I have no problem with creating businesses for social good. I’d love to see more companies working to improve the world. The challenge I find with this notion is that this seems to be the companies that not only get funded, but this message is encouraged over and over again.

Funding sites like Kapor Capital focus on social good and that’s a positive, necessary thing, but how can we create companies that are profitable and may – or may not be – focused on social good? We’ll discuss this and more during the next yes we code chat.

Some questions to think about:

  1. What does “social good” startups mean to you?
  2. Do you feel a responsibility to “give back” via your company?
  3. Have you run up against funding obstacles because you’re not a “social good” startup?
  4. What do you think of startups like Tom’s shoes, who position themselves as social good?
  5. Do minority led startups always have to save the world?

Joining the chat for the first time? Check out the guidelines to help you make the most of it.

YesWeCode chat 23: How To Be Yourself On Social Media

YesWeCode chat 23: How To Be Yourself On Social Media

by | Jul 9, 2015 | Blog

Yes We Code chat 23: How To Be Yourself Online
Sunday 7/12/15 at 6pmPT/8pmCT
Follow me @uchechi_writes

 

Last month was quite a month in history.  It was definitely an emotional roller coaster. We went from the sadness and despair of the Charleston shooting to the joy of celebrating the right of all people to be legally married in the United States.

With all of the events happening, I’ve started talking to people I know about how we express/don’t express ourselves on social media when a major event happens and affects us all.

Did you have certain reactions to Charleston, but said nothing on Twitter because you weren’t sure if it was okay to express yourself? Did you feel like even though the world was changing in devastating ways, you’d be judged if you voiced what you really wanted to say? And that it might come back to haunt you?

During the next #yeswecode chat we’ll discuss what it means to have a voice, how to share it with others and how to balance sharing great content that is both public and private.

Questions to think about:

  1. Do you feel your social media presence should be different from our real life?
  2. How so?
  3. How do we be “real” in our social media presence in light of events like Charleston.
  4. What does being “real” in your social media presence meant to you?
  5. Do we have a responsibility to share our views/perspective?

See you on Sunday! Is this your first #yeswecode chat? Check out the guidelines to help you make the most of it.