On the heels of our Startup Grind's Black Leaders Month, we're unpacking diversity in a loaded conversation with Forbes 30under30 Alumni + Black & Latinx Leaders, Shavone Charles (Dir. Comms, VSCO) and Orlando Baeza (CMO, Kajabi). We'll be diving into the current climate, cultural shifts in the corporate, business and startup worlds, and how Black & Latinx leadership is continuously evolving.
VSCO
Dir. Communications & Creative Partnerships
Kajabi
CMO
SHAVONE. is a multi-hyphenate creative and force in music, fashion and tech. She’s known across industries as a renaissance woman who continues to disrupt the norm as a classically-trained musician, modeland change-maker in tech, named onForbes’ 30 Under 30 Marketing & Advertising list. SHAVONE. is dedicated to disruptive thinking, supporting women in creative fields and amplifying the stories of underrepresented voices. Whether it’s SHAVONE.’s influence in fashion or her pursuit to break the mold as a millennial who’s trailblazing a new path for future generations of women in tech and entertainment, SHAVONE. is disrupting industries as a champion of creativity and inclusion. Her influence in fashion, tech and music have been profiled in outlets like Billboard, Coveteur, DAZED, Complex UK, Hypebeast, PAPER, ELLE, andEBONY, noting her history-making moves as the first African-American woman and trailblazer to create roles held at both Twitter and Instagram. SHAVONE. also currently heads up Creative Partnerships at VSCO out of Los Angeles. As a tastemaker and founder of her own creative agency Magic In Her Melanin, SHAVONE. has collaborated with top brands across industries, ranging from Nike to Google, Spotify, Dapper Dan, Twitter and Instagram.
Orlando Baeza is the CMO of Kajabi, a high-growth SaaS company powering digital entrepreneurship for motivational speakers, celebrity fitness trainers, and everyday people.
Recognized in both Forbes’ “30 Under 30” and “CMO Next” lists as well as Adweek’s Innovators series, Orlando is obsessed with culture—specifically, how to unlock culture to accelerate business objectives. How can brands authentically elevate subcultures and become trendsetters? Ask Orlando. He’s done it for Nike, Adidas, Paramount Pictures, Activision, and Buzzfeed, where he launched a beauty/style brand with a distinctly diverse and inclusive perspective.
Now at Kajabi, Orlando has his sights on developing a dominant brand in the entrepreneurship space. Kajabi is creating a world where technology is no longer a barrier to building a successful business online.
Bonafide Media Co. | Startup Grind
Founder + CEO | Director, SUG Hollywood
Jameela Jackson is a bustling entrepreneur and media personality building community at the intersection of the tech & entertainment industries. The Los Angeles native grew up in Pasadena and balances life as a single parent and an accomplished PR & Brand strategist, speaker/moderator, and tech community leader.
Jameela has led the Hollywood chapter of Startup Grind for almost 5 years, working to bridge the gap between local entertainment and technology startup communities as well as provide resources for both the industry's aspiring entrepreneurs and creatives. As Director of the Hollywood chapter, she also moderates the chapter's monthly fireside chats, which features the business world’s most prominent thought-leaders, influencers and innovators. Prior to that, Jameela led a successful PR career in the entertainment industry–she has managed high-profile Publicity & Marketing campaigns and events for iconic brands like Disney, FOX, Sony, Toyota and more, as well as private events for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Russell Simmons and more. Earlier on, she worked in the music industry and as a personal assistant for singer/songwriter Robin Thicke and actress Paula Patton.
Startup Grind
Hollywood Chapter Director
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Startup Grind
Hollywood Chapter Co-Director
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