During a recent panel discussion at the Embrace Ideas festival, Morgan DeBaun, co-founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., addressed the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs of color amid a rapidly changing economic landscape.
DeBaun’s remarks came during a conversation with The Boston Globe’s Jeneé Osterheldt, where they explored themes from DeBaun’s self-help book, “Rewrite Your Rules,” released in April.
The festival, part of Embrace Boston’s Juneteenth celebrations, was held on the campus of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, with a focus on anti-racism and the empowerment of Black voices.
DeBaun, originally hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, began her career at financial software giant Intuit, but she quickly realized that the products being developed did not cater to the needs of marginalized communities.
Reflecting on her experiences, she stated, “No one was building products with us in mind. We will never be their primary customer, their target user. I wanna solve a problem for a Black girl living in Boston.”
Motivated by this drive, she co-founded Blavity in 2014, a media company aimed at Black millennial consumers, and has since raised millions in venture capital funding.
However, the road to success was not without its hurdles. DeBaun recounted her struggle to secure funding, noting the disparities she faced compared to her white male peers.
“How do I reconcile doing what I love while still trying to do the right thing?” she mused, highlighting the difficult crossroads many entrepreneurs encounter.
To navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship without succumbing to burnout, DeBaun emphasizes a mindset shift regarding finances.
“I try to think of money as a tool,” she explained. “What are the things I can do with the cash I have that allow me to still live a life of freedom?”
DeBaun defined freedom in her life with humor, sharing that her priorities extend to the “high joy, low cost area” where she finds fulfillment.
When asked about coping with the uncertainty in running a media business today, DeBaun reflected on the motivation behind her work: “Why are you in it if you think it’s dying?”
She reaffirmed her commitment to being a platform for overlooked voices, emphasizing the importance of empowering creatives through her endeavors.
The conversation also turned to the dynamic of working with friends. DeBaun advised that successful collaborations hinge on open communication, asking each team member what they need to thrive in their roles.
When a co-founder decided to depart from Blavity, DeBaun described the decision as straightforward to support.
Recognizing the challenges of building wealth as a founder, she acknowledged the difficult balance between ambition and practical realities.
As a founder who is currently six months pregnant, DeBaun acknowledged the significance of self-care and work-life balance.
“It’s very important to honor the season that you’re in,” she noted, stressing that her health now directly impacts her family and the new life she is nurturing.
DeBaun introduced what she terms the “purpose principle,” which encourages individuals to reflect on their “why.”
For DeBaun, her purpose courses through her work: to create systems and platforms that uplift Black individuals, enabling them to find joy while also generating income.
Despite the steadfast purpose guiding her work, she recognizes the necessity of regularly assessing whether her actions align with that purpose.
Osterheldt, reflecting on the broader societal context, asked DeBaun what makes her feel empowered in the current environment hostile to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
DeBaun noted that Blavity’s content has provided a safe space for creativity and dreaming, particularly when she was working in predominantly white newsrooms.
She vividly recalled the impact of the 2014 murder of teenager Mike Brown, an event that profoundly influenced her decision to depart from corporate environments lacking representation.
“I was sitting in a cubicle in San Francisco after Mike Brown, and the people around me were asking ‘what’s for lunch,’” she said. “They just were not seeing what I was seeing.”
Following the panel, audience members expressed their appreciation for the insights shared during the event, reflecting on both personal and professional inspiration.
Lynn Thibault, a community relations staffer at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and a participant in the discussion, emphasized how the conversation reinvigorated her professional commitments.
In her spare time, Thibault runs a group for BIPOC cultural organizers called “Unabridged,” and she expressed excitement about collaborating with community centers to foster creativity.
“I feel reinvigorated again, not only in my own personal artistry, but also to be part of initiatives to create programs within our community,” Thibault shared.
Osterheldt echoed this sentiment, appreciating the space provided by the event for vulnerability and dreaming.
She emphasizes that, while the festival celebrates Black futures and history, it is not exclusively for Black individuals but is meant to foster cross-community dialogue.
“It’s for everybody,” she said, highlighting the importance of communicating across communities to foster collective cultural change.
The Embrace Ideas festival served as a reminder of the ongoing need for supportive platforms that empower individuals to pursue their dreams and challenge societal norms.
image source from：thescopeboston
