Blavity Founder Secures A $6.5 Million Dollar Bag To Improve Blavity For The Culture
From selling Kool-Aid candy concoctions in school to having investing competitions with her dad at a young age, co-founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., Morgan DeBaun has always been a hustler. Recently, the St. Louis native took hustling to the next level by raising $6.5 million dollars in funding. And with the completion of this Series A funding round, DeBaun is breaking records of her own. The 28-year-old has officially secured the most funding of any black female founder in 2018!
According to the press release, Blavity will use the $6.5 million "to accelerate its mission to become the global media and tech company for a new generation of Black Americans, powering inspirational stories, smart news, events across lifestyle categories and developing new platforms." The media powerhouse is doing it for the culture and will be backed by GV (formerly Google Ventures) with participation from new investors Comcast Ventures, Plexo Capital, and Baron Davis Enterprises.
Morgan DeBaun
DeBaun, a graduate of Washington University, says she coined the term "Blavity" while in college. If you've attended a PWI, then you already know how it goes down in the cafeteria. DeBaun says that she came up with the name by melding together the words "Black" and "gravity" to signify the convergence of black students to the same table every day where they ate together and discussed everything from the day's hot topics to more serious matters that affected the black community as a whole. From there, alongside co-founders Aaron Samuels, Jonathan Jackson, and Jeff Nelson, Blavity aims to be the "digital voice of black millenials."
While it's only taken the Blavity team roughly four years since its launch to achieve this major milestone, DeBaun's entrepreneurial mission is the perfect example of filling a void in the market to the tune of major success. She told Forbes that she is committed to "creating, developing and challenging new ideas that will truly drive the culture forward." In addition to feeding the culture with relevant and thought-provoking content, the media mogul was able to capitalize on the demands of an underserved market. She says:
"Digital media is at turning point. Niche communities are becoming the majority and multi-billion dollar media brands built in collaboration with creators will evolve into market leaders seemingly overnight. Blavity's success was accelerated by empowering a young and growing underserved market of consumers often overlooked by Silicon Valley and traditional media outlets."
In today's media landscape, it's almost impossible to avoid the random ridiculousness that sometimes overloads our timelines. While every once in a while it's fun to consume, it doesn't exactly feed your soul or teach you anything new. DeBaun doesn't consider these types of sites as being the real definition of "entrepreneurial." Instead of resorting to clickbait, Blavity focuses on the needs and of its audience and provides content that will resonate with them. She believes that one of the major keys to being an entrepreneur is the ability to improve other people's lives. She tells The BIZZ Plan that a true entrepreneur isn't in the business of twerk videos:
"If I really wanted to make money, I would make a website that has the best twerk videos...easy. We would have millions of hits every single day. That's not what I wanted to do, and I don't think that that's the mission behind entrepreneurship and innovation. It's to improve people's lives, it's to make things more seamless, and it's to push the boundaries of what already exists today."
When you think of the tech industry, you might immediately think of the Steve Jobs's and the Jeff Bezos's: white men, for lack of better terms. DeBaun is on a mission to not only change the existing old-boys club of Silicon Valley, but to enhance it by proving that our stories and our technology is just as valid as the rest. Representation is so vital in all fields, especially in those where the glass ceiling seems to very high. DeBaun uses her platform to uplift her community, and at the same time, she is showing other black women and girls that there is a place for them at the table, too. She recognizes this opportunity to be the first, and is ready to make a difference. She says:
"As a black woman in the technology industry and in Silicon Valley...I'm a double minority. There's not a lot of women, and there not a lot of black people. It's been interesting, it's also been kind of fun because I have a chance to make a difference, and I have a chance to be one of the first."
In a letter to her staff revealing the Series A funding, DeBaun make the mission clear. As we step further into this technological age, more and more founders should take a cue from DeBaun and recognize the opportunity to engage the community with empowering content while, at the same time, remaining humble and working with the utmost integrity.
"Keep building the Black media and tech company of the future, one built powered by community, culture and real stories. Keep working hard. Keep surprising yourself and being curious. Stay humble and continue to work with integrity as we innovate for our community."
DeBaun is yet another success story that can use to motivate you toward the pursuit of your own dreams. When another black woman wins, we all do!
Featured image by Leon Bennett/Getty Images
Michelle Schmitz is a writer and editor based in Washington, DC originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL. A self-described ambivert, you can find her figuring out ways to read more than her monthly limit of The New York Times, attending concerts, and being a badass, multi-tasking supermom. She also runs her own blog MichelleSasha.com. Keep up with her latest moves on IG: @michellesashawrites and Twitter: @michellesashas
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
How To Tell If You're Disciplining Your Child Or Seeking Revenge
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images