Blavity's Morgan DeBaun on Finding People Who Get It at TechCrunch Disrupt

Transcript

Well, I hope that was exciting for you guys as it was for me. I've had a crush on Megan Smith forever, but please don't tell her. I'm sure she can't hear me now. We're going to keep it moving along because that one went a bit over. So, uh, please welcome to the stage Morgan Debon from Blavity and Megan Rose Dicki. Hey Morgan, thanks for joining me ... Read More

Summary

In this video, Morgan Devon and Megan Rose Dickie discuss the challenges and successes of being a black female startup founder. They cover topics such as fundraising, visibility, community criticism, content creation, and future plans for the company. A key takeaway is the importance of representation and creating a platform that allows marginalized voices to be heard.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was Morgan Devon's experience trying to come to TechCrunch Disrupt two years ago?

Two years ago, Morgan applied for a scholarship to attend TechCrunch Disrupt but was declined. She felt excited to finally be on stage at the event.

Q: How important is visibility for Morgan as a black female startup founder?

Morgan believes that visibility is crucial for any startup, but it's especially significant for Glavine II, as education and representation are important aspects of their media company. Many people find inspiration in seeing an all-black startup team and a black female CEO.

Q: What was Morgan's experience raising funding for Glavine II?

When Morgan initially raised a pre-seed round for Glavine II, she realized that she wasn't emotionally ready for the intense process of fundraising. After taking a step back and ensuring that Glavine II's metrics were strong, she found partners and investors who align with their mission. They are now entering a seed round and looking for strategic partners.

Q: What does Morgan look for in investors, especially in terms of remaining authentic to the black community?

Morgan seeks investors who understand and agree with the premise of Glavine II, which is that black people influence culture and are underrepresented in tech. She can usually tell within the first few minutes of a conversation if an investor gets it or not.

Q: Does Glavine II have any black investors?

Yes, Glavine II has black investors, including Louie Charles King from Macro Ventures. The team is intentional about having diverse representation among their investors and advisors.

Q: Does Glavine II receive criticism, even from the black community?

Yes, Glavine II receives criticism from both their user-generated content and their own editorial decisions. As a media company, they aim to create content that represents a wide range of perspectives and not everything will align with every individual's beliefs.

Q: How does Glavine II handle criticism from the community?

Glavine II engages in conversations with the writer of the criticized article, and if necessary, they will take it down and explain their editorial process. They also consider establishing community guidelines to maintain a strong editorial team and reduce surprises.

Q: How does Glavine II determine what's relevant to black Millennials?

Glavine II listens to what people are saying and enables them to speak for themselves. They have a diverse team of writers from all over the country whose content reflects a range of topics, from thought pieces to serious issues like police shootings of unarmed black people.

Q: What is Glavine II's editorial strategy around particularly difficult events?

Glavine II aims to give individuals on the ground in affected cities a platform to tell their stories. They work closely with activists and support their efforts to distribute messages and raise awareness. They used to run videos of shootings, but they have stopped because they believe the community no longer needs to see those images repeatedly.

Q: Can people who are not black still engage with Glavine II's content?

Yes, Glavine II welcomes people of all backgrounds to engage with their platform. They hope that white readers, in particular, will change their perceptions about black culture and interests. They receive emails from white individuals who want to understand and support the community.

Q: What is special about the new version of Glavine II's platform?

Glavine II has launched a new version of their platform to improve user engagement. They found that their audience likes comments and shares significantly more than average users online. They wanted to build a platform that facilitates better discussions and allows users to create their own content, with a focus on mobile accessibility.

Q: Why did Glavine II start as a media platform before building their own tech platform?

Morgan believed that Glavine II had to be exceptional and demonstrate a large and engaged audience before attracting investment to build their own platform. Being a non-technical CEO, she wanted to prove that they could create compelling content and community building strategies.

Q: What can one expect from the Afro Tech conference organized by Glavine II?

The Afro Tech conference focuses on the growing technology and startup space within the black community. It brings together startup CEOs, venture capitalists, and other influential figures. The conference will feature discussions, fireside chats, and tips for success.

Q: How much funding does Glavine II aim to raise in their seed round?

Glavine II intends to raise over a million dollars in their seed round. This funding will be used to build out the platform and create more video content.

Q: What is the future vision for Glavine II?

As Glavine II grows, they expect to learn more about how black Millennials engage online, which will provide valuable insights into the culture and interests they represent. They plan to leverage this data to create compelling marketing and content strategies across their platform, events, and mobile presence, aligning with their mission of empowering marginalized communities.

Takeaways

The video highlights the importance of representation and creating a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. Glavine II's mission centers around empowering black Millennials and portraying the diversity of the black diaspora. They value engagement, community building, and enabling users to speak for themselves. The company faces challenges such as dealing with criticism, emotional resilience, and strategic fundraising. With a focus on authenticity and relevance, Glavine II aims to change perceptions and shape mainstream culture through content creation and events.