Success in the tech world goes beyond making groundbreaking discoveries. True impact means reshaping the narrative, creating space for new voices, and ensuring the next generation doesn’t have to fight so hard to find their place. I didn’t get into tech simply to occupy space. I wanted to pave the way for others to follow.
When people hear about the millions of dollars I’ve raised or the tech platforms I’ve built, they often assume I came into the field with a perfect blueprint. They don’t see the obstacles I overcame, the late nights spent refining my ideas, and the grit I needed to apply to forge a path in an industry where my presence as a Black woman was constantly questioned. The journey was not easy, but it taught me invaluable lessons about resilience.
Cultural Foundations
Growing up as the youngest of eight kids, my upbringing straddled the diverse and rich cultures of Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Nigeria. I was raised in a home shaped by these varied cultural traditions and quickly learned that the “Black experience” is not monolithic. It is multifaceted, unique, and deeply rooted in a shared history of resilience. In my family, there was always an understanding that our differences were our greatest strengths, and I carried this perspective into my entrepreneurial journey.
My parents emphasized education as a critical means to achieve stability and opportunity, but they didn’t stop there. They nurtured my curiosity, encouraging me to explore beyond the confines of traditional schooling. In those moments of exploration, I discovered my voice, my creativity, and an unrelenting drive to innovate. These qualities would eventually become the cornerstone of my work, fueling the creation of tech platforms that would challenge and reshape the status quo.
Tech for Change
I never viewed technology only as a tool for innovation. I believe that it is a powerful instrument in creating change. When I launched my first venture, I did so with a clear vision: tech needed to reflect the diverse communities it serves. It had to be more than just functional. It needed to be inclusive, accessible, and representative of people from all walks of life. I realized that tech platforms often ignored the needs of marginalized communities, and it became clear that the key to effective tech solutions was not in mimicking the mainstream but in amplifying the voices and needs of those on the fringes.
Thus, my journey has been about leading a movement. I have built platforms that not only meet the basic needs but also empower individuals who have been historically excluded from the conversation. I want to show the world that tech can, and should, serve as a bridge to opportunities.
Overcoming Bias With Purpose
Being a Black woman in a predominantly white, male-dominated field, I faced constant bias when breaking into tech. My ideas were often dismissed as “niche” or “too radical.” Rather than being discouraged, I leaned into my identity and the experiences that came with it, turning my perceived disadvantages into advantages. I leaned into authenticity and integrated elements of my culture, like AAVE (African American Vernacular English), into AI systems. This allowed me to build products that represented the realities of life for marginalized communities.
When it came time to pitch for funding, I didn’t approach funders hoping they’d believe in me. I walked in knowing I had evidence that couldn’t be ignored. I made sure the impact spoke louder than the pitch. I presented receipts; proof that the work was real, that lives were changing, that our tools were as much innovative as they were necessary. Trust isn’t built through flashy presentations. It’s built when you can show up and say, “Here’s what we’ve already done without you. Imagine what we’ll do together.” This approach ultimately led to raising over $5 million in funding and securing the future of my tech ventures.
Educating The Next Gen
As I grew in my journey, something became clear: not only was I changing the face of tech, but my work was changing the face of education. Spark Plug, which evolved from EDUlytics, represented this curve. While EDUlytics focused on traditional methods, it was built for where we were then. Spark Plug, however, was built for where we want to be. It was designed with the future in mind.
When I realized we had something that could meet Gen Z right where they are—speaking their language and tapping into their rhythm—I knew it was time to evolve. I didn’t abandon the old brand. I honoured and elevated it—a prophetic shift.
The integration of AI into our platforms has created systems that truly support the diverse ways students learn. Spark Plug has now become a platform that amplifies the voices of young Black students and their communities. Its learning tools are designed to reflect who these students are, where they come from, and the culture they bring with them.
Empowerment Through Mentorship
A crucial part of my success lies in mentorship. I understand the importance of guiding those who follow behind, particularly young Black women who may not see many role models who look like them in tech. I’ve always tried to create opportunities for others so that they see the potential within themselves and feel empowered to act on it. As a mentor, my focus is on providing the wings to fly without limitations, reach beyond the conventional, and to dare to create something that changes the world.
One of my proudest moments is watching young Black women in tech gain the confidence to challenge traditional narratives and embrace their unique perspectives. I remind them that they don’t have to fit into a mould. They can shatter it altogether because they are the architects of the future.
Standing Out & Gaining Trust
When I think about innovation, I think about culture. True innovation happens when technology is grounded in the cultural experiences of the people it is designed to serve. Throughout my career, I leaned all the way into culture. I’ve never been interested in fitting into the tech industry. I came to reshape it. I chose culture over convention, purpose over popularity. From integrating AAVE into AI, to designing learning tools that mirror our students’ realities, I didn’t try to look different. I built different. And that difference is what made the industry pay attention.
Building a brand people can recognize and trust starts with the alignment between your values and your voice. If what you’re saying in public doesn’t match what you’re building behind the scenes, people will feel that. For me, community is non-negotiable. Representation is non-negotiable. Equity is non-negotiable. I build with the people in mind, always. When your brand reflects the soul of the people it serves, trust follows naturally.
Strategies to Grow Your Brand
1. Building Loyal Communities
I created spaces where people felt seen before they were sold to. My strategy wasn’t built in a boardroom; it came from listening, from watching who’s being left out, and building from that place. When you lead with impact, the community will follow. Not because you marketed to them, but because you make them feel like they already belong.
2. Share the Real Story
Your story has to come from the scars, not just the stats. We spend so much time polishing our narrative when what people need is our truth. If your journey doesn’t make your voice shake a little when you share it, it’s not deep enough yet. I’ve sat in rooms where my story wasn’t understood, and I still told it anyway because somebody outside the room needed to hear it. That’s how you move people.
3. Stay Aligned, Not Trendy
I stay rooted in purpose. Trends may shift, platforms may change, but my foundation doesn’t move. I’ve learned how to innovate without erasing myself. The goal is to stay in alignment. When your decisions are driven by calling, not clout, the market ends up catching up to you.
4. Make It a Dialogue
I treat digital like a dialogue, not a monologue. I don’t just post to be seen. Rather, I post to serve. That’s what creates a connection. People don’t invest because you’re trending, they get converted when they feel tethered to your mission. My digital presence reflects the same energy as my boardroom presence: clarity, conviction, and impact.
5. Pivot With Purpose
If your pivot is rooted in purpose, your people will pivot with you. The key is transparency. Let people in on the why. When I transition, I take my community with me. I speak directly to the change. I invite them to grow with me. That’s how you keep momentum, not by hiding the shift, but by letting it be a moment of trust and transformation.
The Decision That Changed Everything
Choosing to infuse Spark Plug with the voice of my daughter changed everything. When I chose her voice, my focus was on building a home for every kid who’s never felt heard. Spark Plug is proof that they matter. That decision is why we’re here today.
I’ve encountered doubt, bias, and fatigue. But in moments where I questioned whether I could continue, I thought about my daughter. I thought about the students watching, the mothers hoping, and the founders forging their own paths. And I kept going.
Because I believe in building with intention. When your brand mirrors the heart of the people it serves, trust follows. So does legacy.
This isn’t my story. It’s our future.
