The Abernathy Tech Spotlight series highlights black professionals working in tech, from freelance developers to non-technical founders. Complete this form to submit your profile.
What is your current role and where do you work?
I am a VP @ Venrock.
How did you get into tech?
I got my first job in VC with IVP off of a cold email to one of the Partners.
What’s your favorite technology to work with and why?
I have recently been spending more and more time in Slack and have found it to be a great way to communicate with groups of folks whether it is work-related or not.
What project are you most proud to have worked on and why?
One of the things I am most proud of is building Stealth Mode with my good friend Charles Hudson. For those who don’t know, Stealth Mode is an online and offline community for blacks in tech.
What do you see as the most interesting technology on the horizon?
I am not sure what will be the most interesting technology that will emerge over the next few years, but I am interested in seeing if voice really takes off as an input for interaction with products beyond the Amazon Alexa.
If you weren’t working in tech, what would you be doing?
Basketball Coach or Real Estate Agent.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your tech career?
Work hard and be helpful to as many people as possible without expecting anything in return.
What can companies do to create more inclusive environments?
I think it’s important for companies to think about being inclusive and diverse from the outset of forming a company. If founders wait to think about being inclusive and building a diverse team until they are over 100 employees, it is then increasingly difficult to do so.
What keeps you busy when you’re not being a technologist?
Spending time with family, watching sports, and reading.
The Abernathy Tech Spotlight series highlights black professionals working in tech, from freelance developers to non-technical founders. Complete this form to submit your profile.
