In the midst of the pandemic, Dazayah Walker stumbled upon an opportunity she had never considered: becoming a venture capitalist. This discovery led her to teach herself about the industry, which soon became a way not only to build wealth but also to break into a career that was previously out of reach for someone like her — a young Black woman.
“The wealth in this industry has been quietly building for years, and we haven’t been part of it,” Walker shared. Despite the historically homogeneous makeup of venture capital, a noticeable shift is underway, with more Black venture capitalists (VCs) emerging, eager to support overlooked founders and change the industry’s dynamics.After studying economics at Spelman College and working at a record label, Walker pitched the idea of creating a VC fund at her company and today, at 24, she runs the entire investment portfolio. She sees this not just as a career, but as a way to impact the world by fostering diversity and inclusion in innovation.
For Walker, the journey into venture capital was fueled by the realization that fresh perspectives from underrepresented groups could unlock new opportunities. “It’s about empowering others to see that this path is available and to inspire future generations,” she explained.
Despite not having a traditional VC background, Walker leveraged her network, which includes artists from the label she worked at, to open doors and build relationships in the investment community. In her first year, she helped execute several deals, with a focus on consumer applications and fintech, sectors she believes hold immense potential for social change.
In Los Angeles, Jonathan Moore, 25, left his Wall Street job to become an analyst at TCG Capital Management. He launched a crypto fund aimed at bridging the worlds of Web3 and the creator economy, attracting the attention of communities and investors alike.
Since its launch in 2021, Moore has closed over 20 deals and sees immense opportunities to empower underrepresented individuals in the tech space.
Despite facing challenges as a Black man in a predominantly white industry, Moore remains steadfast in his belief that unconventional paths can lead to success. He now emphasizes the importance of being true to one’s unique experiences, no matter how non-traditional they may be.Another emerging voice in the VC space is 22-year-old Jadyn Bryden. A Detroit native, Bryden discovered venture capital while studying at Harvard University, where she began exploring the field through a student agency job.
Two years later, she became Vice President at Xfund, where she has already made five investments. Recognizing the lack of financial literacy and exposure to VC in communities like hers, she is committed to changing that narrative by sharing what she has learned.Bryden, Walker, and others are also creating platforms to spread their knowledge and educate future generations about venture capital. Through social media, they aim to reach those who have never considered VC as a career option or pathway to economic empowerment.
This trend is not limited to the U.S. In the U.K., Nigerian-born Esther Akpovi, 22, is creating a global network of Black VCs and founders. Starting as a scout at Ada Ventures, Akpovi is now preparing to launch her own fund. She sees the potential for cross-cultural collaboration to bring fresh perspectives to the VC ecosystem. Her online community is growing rapidly, and her ambition is to make economic opportunities more accessible to the global Black diaspora.
While these young Black investors are pushing boundaries, they are also calling for greater recognition and support from the industry. Akpovi and Walker both agree that the success of this new wave of VCs depends on broader acceptance and belief in their potential. The industry must evolve, embracing diversity and inclusion not just as buzzwords but as essential components for future success.“I want older generations to believe in our potential,” Akpovi said, a sentiment echoed by Walker, who emphasized that being a young Black woman in the venture capital space remains a significant challenge — but one that she and her peers are determined to overcome.
