Author: Case Foundation

41 Reporters Covering Women in Entrepreneurship You Should Follow on Twitter

Posted on by Case Foundation

At the Case Foundation, we work hard to level the playing field for all entrepreneurs—particularly women and people of color. While the gaps in funding are stark and the movement has a long way to go, we have seen some positive signs. For example, 2018 featured gains in venture capital funding for women-led startups and digitalundivided’s Project Diane reported the doubling of black female lead startups in America.  Already in 2019, we’ve seen an uptick in the headlines focusing on the challenges and opportunities women face in business and an increased focus on the importance of supporting entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and places. Most recently, we’ve seen the launch of CNote’s Wisdom Fund, focused on delivering capital access and lending to low- to moderate-income female business owners.

The coverage female entrepreneurs receive is integral to expanding their impact and getting notice. Therefore, as we wrap up Women’s History Month, we thought it fitting to highlight some of the journalists who are changing the way we view entrepreneurship and who are bringing these fearless women’s stories to light.

These journalists are sharing the stories of women entrepreneurs and paving the way for the future, and we think they are worth a follow on Twitter for that alone:

  • Kristen Bellstrom – @kayelbee – Fortune – @FortuneMagazine deputy digital editor, mistress of The Broadsheet, and purveyor/consumer of baked goods.
  • Ellen McGirt – @ellmcgirt – Fortune – I cover race and culture @fortunemagazine.
  • Diana Ransom – @dianaransom – Inc. – Features editor at Inc.com
  • Jenna Wortham – @jennydeluxe – New York Times – Black Bill Gates in the making. Staff writer @NYTMag & co-host of Still Processing
  • Emily Chang – @emilychangtv – Bloomberg – Mom. Wife. Host of Bloomberg Technology & Studio 1.0. Author of new book Brotopia on women in tech.
  • Nina Zipkin – @NinaZipkin – Entrepreneur – Staff Writer at @Entrepreneur. Covering leadership, culture, business & tech.
  • Funto Omojola – @funtomojola – Moneyish – reporter @dowjones’ @moneyish
  • Amy Guttman – @AmyGuttman1 – Forbes – Journalist & speaker/moderator. Forbes, BBC, PBS Newshour & others. Current affairs, entrepreneurs & ecosystems
  • Claire Zillman – @clairezillman – Fortune – Editing (news), reporting (workplace, women in biz) and newsletter writing (The Broadsheet) @fortunemagazine. London, by way of NYC, @NewhouseSU and Chicago.
  • Lydia Belanger – @LydiaBelanger – Fortune – Production Editor @FortuneMagazine. Previously @WIRED and @Entrepreneur. Searching for through lines.
  • Anna Meyer – @annavmeyer – Fast Company – Editorial Assistant at @FastCompany // @KUJournalism alum.
  • Maria Aspan – @mariaaspan – Inc. – Finance, tech, gender, pop culture. Editor at large @Inc. Author of Lady Business newsletter.
  • Guadalupe Gonzalez – @mariainnyc – Inc. – Staff reporter @Inc covering Amazon, immigration, trade, Europe and NY startups.
  • Zoe Henry – @ZoeLaHenry – Inc. – Journalist and PhD candidate studying 20th C women writers. Words in @Inc, @Slate, @HuffPost, etc. Proud cat mama and Brown alumna.
  • Yasmin Gagne – @YasminGagne – Fast Company – Currently @FastCompany (formerly @inc @VanityFair @SKDKnick @qz@nytimes and @columbiaspec). Fast talker, slow dancer.
  • Eilene Zimmerman – @eilenez – New York Times – Mother, journalist and social work grad student. Living the questions. Looking for answers. Writing a book.
  • Connie Loizos – @Cookie – TechCrunch – silicon valley editor @techcrunch, founder @strictlyvc, sometimes cohost of the “equity” podcast, panini press enthusiast always.
  • Megan Rose Dickey – @meganrosedickey – TechCrunch – Senior reporter @TechCrunch Co-host of TC Mixtape
  • Selena Hill – @MsSelenaHill – Black Enterprise – Digital Editor at @BlackEnterprise | Journalist | Founder of @BeHeard_Radio| Contributing TV Reporter for @WhatsEatingHarl
  • Kate Clark – @KateClarkTweets – TechCrunch – Writing about startups & VC for @TechCrunch | Co-host of Equity | Author of a weekly newsletter on startups
  • Julia Horowitz – @juliakhorowitz – CNN Money – @CNNBusiness reporter covering banking and China-US business issues.
  • Lisa Lockwood – @LisaLockwood1 – WWD – I am the News Director of WWD and report on fashion, designers and the sportswear business.
  • Ruchika Tulshyan – @rtulshyan – Forbes and Harvard Business Journal – Equitable workplaces @ http://CandourGlobal.com · @seattleu in-Residence · @Seawomenscomm · @thinkers50 Radar 2019 · @harvardbiz @Forbes @seattletimes · Hungry
  • Breanna Edwards – @Edwards_Bre – Essence – Editor for News, Politics and Issues @Essence. @TheRoot and @AU_SOCalum. RYT. Animation nerd. Voracious reader. Soca does gi’ me meh powers.
  • Susan Price – @SPCharis – Forbes – I write about women making a difference.
  • Jillian Kramer – @jilliankramer – Glamour – Award-winning journalist. Read my work in @foodandwine, @TravelLeisure, @SELFmagazine, @EatingWell, etc.
  • Susan Adams – @susanadamsnyc – Forbes – Old media hand swimming with the new tides
  • Lisa Rabasca Roepe – @lisarab – Fast Company – Former newspaper reporter turned freelance writer #Binder #ASJA @ForbesContributor @FastCompany@TheCoveyClub @Ozy @TheAVClub@TheWeek @ReadOctober
  • Kimberly Weisul – @weisul – Inc. – Professional explainer. Editor-at-Large, @inc. Optimist, amateur naturalist, darn good cook. Addicted to fresh air and natural light
  • Yuliya Chernova – @ychernova – Wall Street Journal – Reporter @WSJ & @WSJVC. Startups, VC, tech beat. Living it up in Brooklyn, the immigrant parts.
  • Beth Kowitt – @bethkowitt – Fortune – Senior Editor at @FortuneMagazine
  • Julia Boorstin – @JBoorstin – CNBC – Media Reporter. Journalist
  • Leah Fessler – @LeahFessler – Quartz – reporter @qz covering gender, work, relationships | side-eye enthusiast | formerly @ bridgewater | lfessler@qz.com | how we’ll win creator
  • Kayden Field – @haydenfield – Entrepreneur – Journalist covering tech, business & investigative features @Entrepreneur. Also into high-fives, hiking and HP.
  • Sequoia Blodgett – @SequoiaB – Black Enterprise – At the intersection of #Entrepreneurship, #Tech and #Media | Founder of @commastheseries | Producer, Editor, Host @BlackEnterprise | Contributor, Fortune
  • Veronica Dagher – @VeronicaDagher – Wall Street Journal – Author: @WSJ’s Resilience: How 20 Ambitious Women Used Obstacles To Fuel Their Success; Secrets of Wealthy Women #podcast host; personal fi reporter; guest
  • Emma Hinchliffe – @_emmahinchliffe – Fortune Magazine – Associate editor, @FortuneMagazine, @FortuneMPW. Before: @mashable, @HoustonChron, @georgetown
  • Stephanie Mehta – @stephaniemehta – Fast Company – Editor-in-chief at Fast Company
  • Colleen L. McKeegan – @cmleahey – Marie Claire – Senior Editor, @MarieClaire. Previously @BloombergLIVE @FortuneMPW@FortuneMagazine. #HoyaSaxa

Interested in more stories of female founders? Take a look at the Case Foundation’s #FacesofFounders campaign, which seeks to change the narrative of who is and can be an entrepreneur. By showcasing women-led businesses, as the journalists in this list have, we can inspire others to follow in their footsteps and create startups of their own, as well as breakdown the stereotypes that hold under-represented entrepreneurs back.

SXSW 2019: The Must Attend Sessions and Events

Posted on by Case Foundation

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! That’s right, it’s SXSW season. The annual pilgrimage to Austin starts soon with more than 430,000 people from across the globe coming for content, concerts, community and good food. This year, SXSW Conference programming is organized into 25 tracks divided among Interactive, Film, Music and Convergence, presented in a variety of session formats.

This year’s keynote speakers are not to be missed and include Michael Pollan and Tim Ferriss,  Emmy Award-winning journalist Maria Shriver, storyteller Brené Brown, investor Arlan Hamilton, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, philanthropist Priscilla Chan, politico Alexandria Ocasio Cortez with Briahna Gray, Vox Media’s Jim Bankoff and Soledad O’Brien, Kara Swisher of Recode, WIRED Editor in Chief Nicholas Thompson, actress and producer Olivia Wilde, Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger in a conversation with Kevin Systrom and Josh Constine, musician and creative A$AP Rocky and many more.

Each year, SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people expand their knowledge and foster the opportunity to meet fellow innovators on a mission to change the world. It is THE essential destination for social impact leaders, startup founders, investors, philanthropists and innovators. The Case Foundation team is excited to announce that we will join thousands of movers and shakers to take the stage for four sessions this year:

Our CEO Jean Case will take the stage for a Be Fearless book talk and signing, moderated by journalist Soledad O’Brien. Hear her share a mix of storytelling and strategy, practical tips and inspiration to teach you how to put these five principles to work so to spark the sorts of remarkable breakthroughs that can change the world. Copies if the book will be available at the SXSW bookstore. Pick up your copy of Be Fearless and bring it with you!

Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and our CEO, Jean Case, for a discussion on all things Be Fearless. Jean Case will bring to life the principles at the center of Be Fearless, which aims to break the myths surrounding the road to success and changing the world. Following Jean’s talk, we’ll hear from an impressive group of women about their fearless endeavors along their professional and personal journeys.

Jade Floyd (that’s me!) will moderate a session on How to Tell Your Startup Story featuring Veronica Dagher of the Wall Street Journal, Jean Ellen Cowgill from Bloomberg’s TicToc and Catherine Clifford from CNBC. Attendees will learn their tips for founders seeking to break their next big story, what makes an effective and compelling pitch, how to build relationships with reporters and how to make your company stand out. At the session’s conclusion, we will invite attendees to share their pitches with the journalists for feedback in real time (one-minute pitch each).

My colleague Jessica Zetzman will moderate a conversation exploring programs supporting Latinx entrepreneurs, what tips they have for recruiting investment and how together we can foster more inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems. Speakers include Dyan Gibbens of Trumbull Unmanned, Marcos Gonzalez from Vamos Ventures and C’Pher Gresham from Seed Spot.

In addition to sessions, attendees can experience an endless number of houses and activations like the #WeDC House (led by the D.C. Economic Partnership), the Jane Club House, the Bumble House, the Google Lab, Capital Factory’s VIP Lounge, the Global Innovation Zone hosted by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Girls Lounge (The Female Quotient), Startup of the Year House, Fast Company Grill and Create & Cultivate. Also, Generation Titans, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Google, Envolve Entrepreneurship, and the Soze Agency will launch the inaugural Titan Generator at Google Austin offices.

And per usual, when in Austin, one must eat–and eat well. In addition to the hundreds of SXSW sessions and parties, you’ll find top-notch Texas restaurants and food trucks to keep you busy. Our team of former Texans here at the Case Foundation recommends a new set of restaurants to check out this year: Darcy’s Donkey, Carpenters Hall, Dean’s One Trick Pony, Domo Alley-Gato and old timers like Holy Roller, Franklin Barbecue, Kerlin BBQ, El Naranjo, Tamale House East, Launderette, La Barbeque, Le Politque, Emmer & Rye, Tiger Fork and Hula Hut. For those looking for a memorable sunset and a scenic drive, try the Oasis on Lake Travis.

But when it does come to sessions, we at the Case Foundation have done our homework so you don’t have to. We researched every single session at SXSW this year and have detailed over 30 that should be on your radar:

March 8th

Join speakers Jennifer Abramson of Rethink Impact, Shelly Bell of Black Girl Ventures, Vanessa Dawson of The Vinetta Project and Brian Kenner from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for a conversation on why Washington, D.C. is the capital of inclusive innovation.

Start your SXSW right by joining this exclusive session filled with highlights from the all new ninth edition of the WSJ bestselling book Non-Obvious, where non-boring trend curator Rohit Bhargava will offer an inside look at some of the latest trends from his popular annual report.

Join industry experts from Barney’s, Etsy, Demestik and Poshmark for an inside look at how online marketplaces have allowed entrepreneurs to find success on their own terms, regardless of gender, age or education.

Explore how we can tackle the funding gap and ensure that future minority and women entrepreneurs don’t face the same funding challenges.

This presentation by a veteran change agent who brought meaningful change to CIA will give you the practical skills to not just overcome organizational obstacles, but to prosper and succeed as a change agent.

Code 2040 and Capital One team up for a conversation with organizational leaders and change agents about empowering diversity champions across the tech industry and increasing representation of Black and Latinx technologists.

Building on the success of her instant No. 1 NY Times-bestselling book, I’ve Been Thinking…: Reflections, Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life, Maria Shriver continues to explore the life topics, issues and ideas that we’re all thinking about.

Grab a cocktail at PitchTexas, the startup pitch competition for university graduate students, with a total of $50,000 in prize money. Immediately following the contest, UT president Gregory L. Fenves invites you to celebrate UT at SXSW with the contestants.

March 10th

This talk explores what a disrupter looks like. Hear stories from female changemakers of finance, healthcare, communications and entertainment to unpack the essential ingredients, challenges, and exhilaration of innovation and learn how gender plays into being a disruptor. Panel includes representatives from Vanguard Innovation Studio, Comcast, Jefferson Health and Chariot Solutions.

Gender bias and business has been intertwined in a problematic way. Through real life accounts of gender bias (magnified for mothers and women of color), this innovating panel paints womanhood and motherhood not as a hindrance to entrepreneurship, but as essential to creating a healthier, wealthier and more equitable world. This panel includes individuals from Happy Woman Foundation, Marigold Capital and Gell.

This session will explore how Puerto Rico’s business environment is a combination of tax incentives, public policy, support organizations, human capital and infrastructure with a modern Caribbean lifestyle. With the support of local entrepreneurship programs, an international startup accelerator, and a non-profit created to promote innovation in the island, Puerto Rico is becoming a startup city with hundreds of ideas advancing to become globally focused companies. The island’s entrepreneurial spirit has attracted international startups, investors and service providers to view Puerto Rico as an innovation hub. Marie Custodio from Parallel 18 will present.   

This meet up will connect black tech founders, entrepreneurs, investors, professionals and those interested in breaking into the tech space. This event aims to connect companies with diverse talent and start-ups with investors. Avant-Garde Network and Heartspace NYC host.

March 11

The panelists will discuss how they have moved beyond the statistics, and propose practical solutions, debating how to leverage women’s unique traits as founders, funders and customers to create a parallel investment ecosystem. Panelists include Daina Trout of Health-Ade Kombucha, Tosca Musk of Passionflix Inc, Maxine Kozler Koven of LDR Ventures and Sarah Chambliss of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLC.

ProjectDiane 2018, a report by Case Foundation grantee digitalundivided, revealed that Black women raised only .0006% of the total $424.7 billion of tech venture funding since 2009. The amount for Latinx women is even smaller. Join this panel of Black & Latinx startup founders as they have a candid conversation about the journey through entrepreneurship, from incubators, to pivots, setbacks and first rounds of funding. Panelists include digitalundivided graduates from The Labz, Vamos Ladies, Quirktastic Media and Sola Travelers.

A recent study stated that 95% of Fortune 500 CEOs are white males. By supporting youth innovation, we can change that statistic. Hear from Gen Z entrepreneurs on why a breeding ground for youth entrepreneurial involvement is critical to shifting the narrative for minorities in corporate culture. These youth will discuss innovative instruments which can be used to challenge inequalities perpetuated by institutionalized forms of bias. Panelists are students at University of Pennsylvania and have created their own companies, including ToxSafe, Threading Twine, ELEVATE Senior and SOAR (Students for Oncological Aid and Relief).  

According to Boston Consulting Group, 95% of startups wish to develop long-term corporate partnerships. Panelists will discuss how Austin-area companies are approaching innovation differently, what startup-corporate partnerships mean today and how both startups and corporations can find the right fit. Speakers are from Dell, Kilroy Blockchain, Oracle and Bunker Labs.

Session leaders will speak to the learnings, opportunities, and challenges of becoming location independent. Exploring such topics as what it’s like to run a fully distributed team, how life on the road increase productivity, efficiency and communication, as well as all the different ways remote entrepreneurship is changing the way we live and work. Panelists include speakers from Maverick Investor Group, Gallaher Edge, TJR Films & To The Nines Menswear, and Vitaly Design Ltd.

This is a networking session to introduce influencers to digital communicators, strategists, and managers who can potentially collaborate to work on social good issues, causes, and projects. This meet up with Women in Digital and Black Bloggers Connect will discuss the best practices when working on joint projects.

Austin is well known for its burgeoning technopreneur scene which got its start with Dell Technologies, built out of a UT dorm room back in the 80s. But local entrepreneurs are going a step further building businesses with a core focus on transforming lives with technology. Come hear from Austin’s own DivInc, along with Dell Technologies, Tiffs Treats and Cuvee Coffee to see how they weave a social mission into the fabric of their business.

Google is know for creating various opportunities for startups to partner and work with- beyond typical funding. Opportunities range from support/assistance on core products to custom partnerships. This session will uncover how Silicon Valley tech companies assess and review the trends driving these partnerships. Panelists include representatives from Google, Anchor and Overtime.

Dailey is one example of a company that went through an administrative shift that changed how employees looked at their deeply-rooted company culture. From the nuts-and-bolts of pay equity audits to socially conscious creative projects, join Dailey’s leadership for a panel discussion about how diverse leadership can create a space in which all kinds of people thrive.

Are you an angel investor or considering becoming one? Join representatives from Angel Capital Association (ACA) and Alliance of Texas Angel Networks (ATAN) for a conversation about the topics impacting angel investing today. If you’re newer to angel investing, angel groups are a great avenue to build your understanding and confidence as an investor. Join your peers to discuss these topics, make connections, and exchange ideas about the future of angel investing.

In this interview-style session, Ikechi Nwabuisi, an entrepreneur and son of Nigerian immigrants, will interview Jason Ford, a founder who sold his business in 2014 to Bazaarvoice. Ikechi and Jason bring an insider perspective to the crossroads of entrepreneurship and diversity, highlighting different levels of access and resources that shape their experiences.  

March 12th

As new tools and technologies enable startup ecosystems around the world, entrepreneurs in these communities are starting to plug themselves into global markets. This panel will draw from their experiences in fostering new ecosystems in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Latin America to illuminate promising solutions to these challenges. Join this session which including Affinis Labs, Pomona Impact, Samasource and Invest2innovate.

This panel of professionals in their 30s, 40s, and 60s will take a generational approach to questions around women in the workplace as they explore the value of gender diversity, why empowering women matters, and how each generation is uniquely suited to effect change. Panelists include women from T3, Women Rising, Facebook and Spredfast.

The field of philanthropy is undergoing a transformation, as new models of giving are empowering more women and communities of color to lead through giving. Case in point: in #GivingTuesday 2017, 65% of all donations came from women. This panel will explore who these new philanthropists are, what motivates them and how they are new models for helping to democratize philanthropy. Join experts from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Facebook and the YWCA as they share new research, digital data and real-world insights.

Is AI everything? This panel will discuss the types of AI startups VCs look to fund, showing investment dollars are shifting away from unproven futuristic ideas and toward more pragmatic, foundational AI infrastructure. Panelists from Blumberg Capital, Venture Capital Journal, New Enterprise Associates Inc and Verizon Ventures will also discuss the specifics they look for when assessing an AI company in the pitch room.

March 13th

For 132 years, HearstLab has survived within the media sphere, but modern challenges are pressing old companies to evolve rapidly. This presentation will share an insider’s look at Hearst’s blueprint on how they successfully select and integrate startups into their diverse organization. HearstLab goes well beyond the typical accelerator model and puts clear emphasis on the positive impact it has on all constituents including startup founders, Hearst executive leaders and all Hearst employees, and how the Lab has helped identify rising talent, encourage collaboration and create new businesses.

This session convenes some of the country’s most forward-thinking scholars to discuss how the lack of diversity throughout the tech ecosystem will impact social equality, employment, prosperity and the future of Black communities. Panelists include individuals from the Inclusion Clearinghouse, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Kapor Center for Social Impact and Quality Education for Minorities Network

What other sessions are on your radar? Share them with us on on social media @CaseFoundation. We hope to see you at SXSW!

 

Madam CJ Walker, Inspiring All to Be Fearless

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In America, we often think of an innovator as that lone genius tinkering in a garage who has an “Aha!” moment. And while that might make for good storytelling, the truth is that it’s very seldom how breakthroughs come to be. Time and time again, they come from people and organizations living with real frustrations, who get to a point where they realize, “There has to be a better way.” So they set out to create one.

In observance of Black History Month, I wanted to spotlight a story of an incredible African-American innovator that exemplifies this idea perfectly—Madam C.J. Walker. Hers is one of my favorite stories of fearlessness from my new book Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose. Walker was an entrepreneur who lived over 100 years ago, and her entrepreneurial career started with the simple process of identifying a problem and making the “big bet” to find a solution.

When Walker’s hair started falling out because of a scalp ailment, she tried to look for products on the market to address her condition, however, she couldn’t find any that helped. She began experimenting with her own homemade concoctions to find the solution to her personal problem. When seeing that her hair grew back using her newly created formula, she began thinking about how her unique formula could help other Black women suffering from her same problem.  She took her new product, “Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower,” and hair treatment system, the “Walker System,” and began going door to door to teach women about hair treatment and the use of her products. Her products were a huge success and her business continued to grow, making her one of the very first American women to become a self-made millionaire.

While Walker was growing the market for her hair-care business, she was also doing something truly remarkable: she was training and recruiting large numbers of young Black women across the country as a salesforce. By teaching other young Black women about business and providing them with educational opportunities, she was empowering women with few opportunities to generate income for themselves. She continued to create opportunities for others through her philanthropic work and always inspired young entrepreneurs to get up and make their own opportunities. Her famous saying was, “I got my start by giving myself a start.”

Although Walker’s story shows that making a big bet is the first step to creating transformational breakthroughs, this first step can be difficult if aspiring entrepreneurs are placed at a disadvantage. In 2019, the data on the lack of venture capital for female founders and African-Americans is stark. Although the total funding of female founders is increasing, the percentage of venture capital going to female founders has stalled at a mere 2.2 percent. The statistics are even lower for African-American founders, receiving only 1 percent of venture capital. Recognizing that an unequal playing field may be stifling the creators of the next great innovations, it is important to equalize these odds and make sure that everyone has a seat at the table. To combat these disadvantages, platforms such as Black Girl Ventures, DigitalUndivided, and Camelback Ventures try to help with the entrepreneurial success of Black, Latinx, and/or female startups, however, we still have a long way to go.

Despite the fact that Walker’s innovations were created over 100 years ago, her fearlessness and philanthropic spirit still continue to inspire me. Not only was she a successful businesswoman, but she also recognized the importance of giving back to her community. Rooted in her mission to uplift young Black entrepreneurs in her community, Shea Moisture CEO Riche­lieu Den­nis plans to turn Madam CJ Walker’s historic es­tate into a train­ing cen­ter de­signed to sup­port Black women en­tre­pre­neurs in their ef­forts to turn their ideas into successful en­ter­prises. In my opinion, turning her home into a center for Black female entrepreneurs truly embodies what she would say was her real “big bet,” creating entrepreneurial opportunities for others.

I hope you take Black History Month, and every month, to recognize the African-American entrepreneurs who have been inspired to be fearless and who have helped to create the world in which we live today.

A Fearless Beginning

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Exactly one month ago, my first book, Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose, was published, and what a month it’s been. Thanks to ALL of the support the book has received, Be Fearless was named a national bestseller!

The book picks up on research we undertook at the Case Foundation to examine the core qualities of changemakers, entrepreneurs and innovators. What we found were five simple principles at work anywhere transformational change has taken place. Equally important: through the research, we were able to debunk the myth that breaking through requires a special genius, or connections or attending the right school—good news for anyone who has had an idea for making the world a better place but has been stopped in their tracks with thinking, “This can’t be me.”

The stories in the book bring the principles to life—stories of seemingly ordinary people who have ignited the kind of change that creates real impact by applying the five principles that are present and common among innovators:

Make Big Bets and Make History: Strive for big ideas, not incremental change

Be Bold, Take Risks: Try new things and keep experimenting

Make Failure Matter: Apply lessons learned when you encounter setbacks

Reach Beyond Your Bubble: Forge unlikely partnerships

Let Urgency Conquer Fear: Let the urgency of the moment move you to act

In just the past month, I’ve been privileged to share the principles of fearlessness with television and radio audiences, through print and online interviews and in various podcasts, and I’ve been humbled by the support of friends, colleagues and partners along the way. YOU helped turn Be Fearless into a national bestseller! It’s been incredible to see the welcome reception to the Be Fearless message at the many book signings and events I have attended and the widespread support for the book at both national and independent bookstores. We couldn’t have done it without you!

But more impressive than any of those accolades are the fearless stories I’ve received since launching the book. I’ve received so many personal messages from people who found that the stories featured in the book have helped them take the next step in their journey toward a Big Bet. From a soon-to-graduate college student who is boldly pursuing her passions, to the social impact startup founder who listened to the Audible version of Be Fearless together with her young daughter and are now talking about how bring more purpose to their lives, to the leading executive at a prestigious company in New York City who writes that he’s been holding back his big ideas because of fear of failure and is newly emboldened to take them forward.

Hearing these stories from you means that we’re accomplishing what we set out to do: helping to build a more fearless world. My hope is that you’ll keep them coming! Tweet, tag, or comment to share your stories of fearlessness and pictures of the book! Those who have shared their stories with us and others fuel an optimism about the future. After all, the road to transformational change begins with a first step, which is why the title of Chapter 1 of the book is, “Start right where you are.”

I wrote this book because in the years I’ve been sharing the Be Fearless principles, I’ve had countless men and women who represent companies, nonprofits, social movements and everyday people come back to me and tell me that they’ve been inspired to be bold, take risks, make failure matter, march toward their dreams and make a difference in this world. Maybe one day I’ll hear from you.

Now go, Be Fearless!

2019 Inclusive Entrepreneurship Conferences on Our Radar

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Jet across any part of the country and you’ll come across a host of conferences designed to ignite the inclusive entrepreneurship movement. At the Case Foundation, we’ve crisscrossed the nation to attend and speak at a number of these events—from SXSW to Urban Tech Connect and Fortune Most Powerful Women—to learn new ways to build the social, financial and inspirational capital needed to support diverse entrepreneurs.

As we look towards the new year, the team has assembled a list of the preeminent conferences across the globe that are designed for diverse founders, ecosystem builders and startup champions who are seeking to collaborate and build the relationships needed to drive meaningful change for inclusive entrepreneurship. We are certain that you’ll find something for every stage of your business as you work to accelerate brands.

  1. Blacktech Week, February 5-9, 2019, Miami, Florida: BlackTech Weekend connects entrepreneurs, tech professionals, educators and creatives to the resources they need to be competitive in the innovation economy. Together they explore the ins and outs of life as techies, entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders.
  2. Watermark Conference for Women, February 21, 2019, Silicon Valley: This year’s Watermark Conference will unite more than 100 speakers and 6,500 women from across the globe in search of inspiration, motivation, networking, personal and professional development, and community. Jean Case is slated to take the stage, as well as activist Gloria Steinem, champion and investor Serena Williams, educator Brené Brown, Sequoia Capital’s Jess Lee, and founder and CEO of MM.LaFleur Sarah LaFleur.
  3. Lesbians Who Tech, February 28, 2019-March 2nd, Silicon Valley: This is one of the largest LGBTQ professional events in the world, focusing on increasing the visibility of women, LGBTQ women and LGBTQ women of color in tech, demographics that are underrepresented in the tech sector.
  4. SXSW Interactive, March 8-12, 2019, Austin, Texas: While the Case Foundation is gearing up for a big SXSW announcement, you can check out a few sessions led by our team in the meantime. On March 9th, Jean Case will host a Be Fearless Book Talk. Also be sure to add to your calendar two sessions on March 12th: one moderated by yours truly featuring Veronica Dagher of the Wall Street Journal, Jean Ellen Cowgill from Bloomberg’s TicToc and Catherine Clifford of CNBC on How to Tell Your Startup Story, and a second Case Foundation led session on The Overlooked Future of US Entrepreneurs: Latinx featuring Dyan Gibbens from Trumball Unmanned, Marcos Gonzalez from Vamos Ventures and C’pher Graham from Seed Spot. Stay tuned for our annual SXSW Sessions to Watch Blog coming soon.
  5. HBCU@SXSW, March 8-11, 2019, Austin, Texas: Since 2015, HBCU@SXSW has exposed high-potential technical and non-technical students of color to programming and opportunities within inclusive entrepreneurship. Last year, more than 100 students from 41 colleges and universities attended SXSW. Check out the USAToday feature on the experience that unites students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Apply to attend HBCU@SXSW HERE.
  6. Women in the World, April 10-12, 2019, New York City: Going on its tenth year, the event convenes powerful women leaders, blazing activists and courageous movers and shakers who will move you with their provocative first-person storytelling and change your worldview. Previous speakers have included Nobel Peace Laureate & Liberian Peace Activist Leymah Gbowee, Co-Anchor of CBS This Morning Norah O’Donnell, Award-Winning Actress and Activist Viola Davis, Sally Yates and founder of TaskRabbit, Leah Busque.
  7. Black is Tech Conference, April 12-13, 2019, New York City: This conference creates a platform for Black and minority tech professionals, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts to connect. With an expected attendance of over 1,000, the Black is Tech Conference will provide a platform that creates more inclusion of people of color in startups and the technology sector. Speakers will include executives from Harlem Capital, LISNR, First Round Capital, 500 Startups, Citibank and more.
  8. Women of Silicon Valley, May 2-3, 2019, San Francisco: This conference invites you to join more than 1,500 tech leaders and professionals from the hottest startups to learn from industry pioneers. You’ll experience inspirational keynotes, panel discussions on business strategy, technical classes, and career development workshops. Speakers include executives from Slack, Salesforce, Accenture, PepsiCo, Microsoft, IBM and Coursera.
  9. Urban Tech Connect, May 16, 2019, Los Angeles: Last year, the Case Foundation’s Sarah Koch took the stage at Urban Tech Connect in an interview with Mayor Eric Garcetti. (Watch that interview HERE.) The conference is designed to support and provide networks for startup founders of color. Last year’s speakers included Keith Coleman from the Tesla Foundation, Brian Martinez from Airbnb, Derek Smith from Plug In South LA and Natalie Bruss from Fifth Wall Ventures.
  10. Summit 21, June 7-8, 2019, Atlanta, GA: Summit 21 is a carefully curated gathering that will assemble the most influential black women of this generation from across the country to learn and grow together. This 2-day experience is designed to give women entrepreneurs, creators, and influencers the opportunity to hone their visions and gain valuable insights to achieving their goals. Through engaging masterclasses and fireside chats, Summit 21 provides hands-on experience with the brightest and most inspiring leaders across sectors. Speakers included actress, producer and screenwriter Lena Waithe, Myleik Teele of CurlBox, Lilly Workneh of Blavity, and investor Monique Woodard.
  11. Forbes Women’s Summit, June 17-18, 2019, New York, NY: This conference celebrates the women who are making a change while inspiring,  connecting and empowering women around the world. Featuring keynote conversations, panel discussions, one-on-one interviews and interstitial spotlights, the Summit brings together the voices and insights of a diverse range of female luminaries from the worlds of business, entertainment and politics. Speakers include leaders from Nest, Audi, Pipeline Angels, SAP and more.
  12. Code2040 Summit, July 27-28, 2019, San Francisco, CA: Attendees will experience two days of deep, enlightening programming that will equip you to play an active role in the inclusive entrepreneurship movement. Whether you are a startup founder, a college student breaking into computer science or the head of diversity and inclusion at a major tech company, Code 2040 wants to empower you.
  13. Essence Festival, July 4-7, 2019, New Orleans, Louisiana: Connect with some of the most successful power players in the country for interactive exchanges designed to help you take your career or business to the next level. Essence offers attendees front row seats as CEOs, business owners and flourishing entrepreneurs from across multiple industries share inspiring stories and tips for how you can follow in their footsteps.
  14. BlogHer Summit, 2019 Date TBD, Location TBD: Each year, more than 2,000 social media influencers, bloggers, entrepreneurs, activists and all-around amazing women head to the BlogHer summit. Past speakers have included Uzo Aduba, Gwyneth Paltrow, Arianna Huffington, Chelsea Clinton, Sheryl Sandberg, Serena Williams, Carla Hall, Soledad O’Brien, Ava DuVernay, Kerry Washington and President Barack Obama, so you’re guaranteed an amazing 2019 lineup!
  15. National Urban League, July 24-27, 2019  Indianapolis, Indiana: The National Urban League Conference is the largest annual civil rights conference that kicks off with the State of the Urban League by NUL president Marc Morial. It attracts thousands of the nation’s most influential community leaders, policymakers, startup and small business leaders, and media for four days of dialogue, networking and entertainment. The gathering also features the Small Business Matters Entrepreneurship One-Day Summit and Young Professionals L.E.A.D. (Leaders. Entrepreneurs. Advocates. Dreamers.) Summit.
  16. Female Founders Conference, multiple dates, multiple locations: Last year, three events took place throughout the country featuring combinator partners, alumni, and other female entrepreneurs and investors. Speakers included Christina Cacioppo of Vanta, Jess Lee from Sequoia Capital, Holly Liu of Kabay and Ashley Wong of Gemnote.
  17. Rural Rise Summit, September 16-19, Pine Bluff, AR: The second annual Rural Rise Summit will bring together community leaders and rural ecosystem builders. Over three days, they will work to answer the question, “How do we empower the leaders, doers and innovators in rural communities?” Rural Rise also hosts monthly action session calls to learn more about the successes and learnings from communities across the country.
  18. National Black MBA Association, September 24-28, 2019, Houston, TX: The 40th Annual convening unites their members, corporate and university partners and some of the world’s most sought after thought leaders. More than 10,000 professionals attend each year for sessions on “Big Data: Algorithms vs. Human Analysis”, “The First 90 Days: Making Your Mark as An Executive”, and “Motivating and Retaining Generation Z”. Also check out events like the Scale-Up Pitch Challenge sponsored by FedEx, “Meet the Experts” expo stage featuring representatives from Microsoft, Nationwide, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.  
  19. Black Wall Street Homecoming, September 2019, Location TBD: This is an annual networking conference for early-stage entrepreneurs, focused on the intersection of content, connections and culture. Celebrate and learn from diverse, multicultural entrepreneurs, their investors and the community that supports them. Speakers have included executives like Arlan Hamilton from Backstage Capital, JaNay Queen Nazaire of Living Cities, McKeever Conwell of TEDCO and Torrence Reed from HBCU Wall Street.
  20. Project NorthStar Conference, October 2019, Location TBD: This three-day tech conference provides connections, education and opportunities for current or aspiring entrepreneurs of color. If you are currently building a tech startup or aspiring to build one, this is for you. Organized by Black & Brown Founders (BBF), in partnership with the City of Philadelphia the conference works to establish a framework that helps people with modest resources create a path to economic security.
  21. Grace Hopper Celebration, October 2-4, 2019, Orlando, FL: This is the largest gathering of women technologists in the world. It seeks to inspire and educate women in tech and connect them with companies that view technological innovation as imperative. Last year’s speakers included Sherrell Dorsey of ThePLUG, Shelly Bell of Black Girl Ventures, Stephen Green of WeWork, Brigitte Daniel of Wilco Electronic Systems, Aniyia Williams of Black & Brown Founders and Karla Monterroso of Code2040.
  22. A3C Festival & Conference, October 2019, Location TBD: At this conference, thousands of artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and industry veterans from around the world will hear from more than 200 speakers who focus on topics ranging from civil rights, brand activism, mental health, building a movement, entrepreneurship, health and wellness.
  23. Black Enterprises TechConneXt, October 2019, Location TBD: This is not just another tech conference, it’s an opportunity to engage, empower, and recruit tech talent of color. More than 500 tech professionals gather to hear from speakers like Morgan DeBaun of Blavity, Melinda Briana Epler from Backstage Capital, Nancy Douyon from Uber and Damien Hooper-Campbell of eBay.
  24. Fortune Most Powerful Women, October 21-23, 2019, Washington, D.C.: Fortune Most Powerful Women has evolved into a convening of the best women in business, along with select leaders in government, philanthropy, education and the arts. Speakers and attendees come from companies like Ariel Investments, The Home Depot, The World Bank, Bumble, OpenTable, the New York Stock Exchange, Microsoft, Airbnb and Instagram.
  25. Blavity Afrotech, November 7-10, 2019, Oakland, California: You’ll join more than 3,000 engineers, designers, and business leaders for groundbreaking content that includes a 360-degree look at how culture and tech run the world.
  26. MogulCon, November 2019, Location TBD: MogulCon unites industry influencers, startup founders and female business owners to share their knowledge on how to create more powerful female entrepreneurs. MogulCon 2019 is about providing attendees with the resources that will help them build a sustainable strategy and accelerate the growth of themselves and their business. From master classes to fireside chats, every experience at MogulCon is focused on molding attendees to think, act, and be a MOGUL.
  27. Fortune Most Powerful Women Next Gen, Fall/Winter 2019, Location TBD: The annual Next Gen summit will gather a stellar group of game-changing executives, entrepreneurs and innovators in business, along with leaders in government, philanthropy, education and the arts for a wide-ranging conversation. You’ll join speakers and attendees like Glossier founder and CEO Emily Weiss, Nextdoor Co-founder Sarah Leary, Andreessen Horowitz General Partner Connie Chan, Stitch Fix CMO Deirdre Findlay, FabFitFun Co-founder Katie Rosen Kitchens, Maven Founder and CEO Katherine Ryder, plus standouts from Fortune’s Brainstorm TECH network and 40 Under 40 list and executives at leading global companies such as Airbnb, eBay, Facebook, IBM, Lyft, Mastercard, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, NBCUniversal, Salesforce, Twitter and Visa.
  28. Tech Inclusion, Multiple dates in 2019, Multiple Locations: Created by Change Catalyst, Tech Inclusion events bring the local tech industry together to find solutions for diversity and inclusion. You’ll join executives, hiring managers, human resources personnel, data scientists, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and diversity and inclusion advocates at three events across the year in locations like Melbourne, New York and San Francisco. Learn new solutions for diversity and inclusion, meet underrepresented entrepreneurs and investors, speak with policymakers and educators, interact with inclusive and accessible design, and collaborate and network with other people who care about creating positive change in tech.
  29. Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit, Date TBD, Location TBD: Gain access to the connections, financing, resources and strategic insight you need to launch and grow your dream business. This is the must-attend event for aspiring business owners, startup founders, and established entrepreneurs looking for new money-making and growth opportunities for their ventures.
  30. LULAC’s Latinx Tech Summit, Date TBD, Location TBD: Presented by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in partnership with Capital Factory and Prospanica Texas, the annual Latinx Tech Summit is designed for Latino tech leaders, designers, innovators, corporate and government leaders, and scholars. The one-day program features engaging peer-to-peer discussions, culturally relevant professional development, and exceptional opportunities to interact with Latinx public officials, artists, scientists, authors, business executives, scholars, entrepreneurs and Latino tech leaders from every major industry.

Have a conference we missed that you would like added to the list? Tweet us or share on Instagram @CaseFoundation.

 

Five Be Fearless Principles for Entrepreneurs

Posted on by Case Foundation

Six years ago, when we started studying the “secret sauce” of those who have created transformational, breakthrough advances in society, we found five surprising common traits. They weren’t wealth, privilege or even genius. It was that they–no matter their time in history, their gender or where they were born–chose to make a “big bet,” take bold risks, learn from their failures, reach beyond their bubbles and let urgency conquer fear. The results became what is now known as the Five Be Fearless Principles and these are the focus of the book Be Fearless: 5 Principles for Breakthroughs and Purpose that will be coming out in January.

I love getting to share the Be Fearless principles with different audiences across the globe comprised of those who are striving to create change or have a big bet they’ve dreamed about but haven’t yet taken the first step. People are often surprised when I share these findings and are excited by the tangible and attainable nature of them—they’re applicable to everyone, no matter their skills, talents or background. While the principles create the framework for the book, they are brought to life around a wide variety of stories of innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers who come from all walks of life who made big bets, learned from failures along the way and took bold risks to make transformational changes.

At the Case Foundation, we recognize that entrepreneurs are often innovative creators, risk takers and problem solvers working to transform industries, products and the world we live in. And yet, entrepreneurs routinely tell us they have found the principles helpful in their own fearless journey, and have been inspired by the stories of others who have overcome fear, moved past failure and turned a really big bet into a breakthrough. Commenting on the role of these principles for entrepreneurs, Tory Burch said: “Starting a business is not easy, but Be Fearless gives entrepreneurs the tools they need to embark—fearlessly—on their own journey.”

And it is clear that we need fearless entrepreneurs now more than ever. So, whether you are just getting started or are farther along on your entrepreneurial journey, I hope you will apply these principles and set your sights high by checking your approaches against the Be Fearless framework:

Make Big Bets and Make History. By nature, almost all entrepreneurs are making bets at some point—including starting a business from scratch or hitting a new ambitious milestone. But to truly breakthrough to something bigger, it requires setting audacious goals. Making big bets and fearlessly going after them is the only way to reshape our world for the better.

Be Bold, Take Risks. Don’t be afraid to experiment or to go first! An entrepreneur who is working hard to build a business can sometimes lose sight of the need for constant risk taking to advance a business to the next level. Whether starting or trying to grow a new business, entrepreneurs would do well to approach risk taking as R&D, applying a proven approach that recognizes the importance of trial and error in bold pursuit of a transformative idea.

Make Failure Matter by using errors or failures along the way to teach you something new by embracing the perspective of Thomas Edison, who famously said, “I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 things that won’t work.” Making failure matter means staring down both the failure and the fears that accompany it, and applying the lessons as you move forward.

Reach Beyond Your Bubble by identifying the skills and perspectives that aren’t represented on your team or among those contributing valuable advice to you as you take forward your big bet. A study by the Boston Consulting Group released earlier this year found that companies with more diverse management teams had revenue streams that were 19% higher than those lacking. Why? Different views can eliminate blind spots and help lead to more and better innovation.

Let Urgency Conquer Fear by using it as a powerful motivator to seize the moment.

No matter where you are on your own fearless entrepreneurial journey, these principles can be applied to help you breakthrough.

And, by the way, if you need a little help along the way, #FacesofFounders is a great place to start. Our Resources for Entrepreneurs page highlights resources and tools that can be used to help you in mentorship, research, business plans, forming your company, funding and finding networks or events. Entrepreneurs don’t have to go it alone.

The Case Foundation believes that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. You’ll find countless examples of this in my upcoming book, Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose. Really big problems require really big solutions, and fearless entrepreneurs can help us pave the way to these big ideas and new approaches. As celebrated entrepreneur and founder of Nike, Phil Knight advises: “Dream audaciously. Have the courage to fail forward. Act with urgency.”

Put simply, it’s time to Be Fearless.

19 Fearless Books to Give the Gift of Inspiration

Posted on by Case Foundation

Perhaps like many of you, books have always played a powerful role in my life. Some books comfort, others inspire and others can at times feel like they are speaking directly to me. Great books can sometimes take on the virtual role of mentor, teacher and friend. I’m always so grateful for the gift of authors and the stories, lessons and inspiration they share.

As 2018 draws to a close and we prepare to ring in 2019, I thought I would share 19 books that provide fearless inspiration. These books range from contemporary to others that are timeless, and include some that I highlight in my own upcoming book, Be Fearless, Five Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose. These books tell the stories of those who have faced daunting challenges and overcome them, have done their part in making the world a better place or have figured out how to start right where they are—no matter the circumstances—and commit to a fearless life of purpose. Each could be a great gift for someone who needs a little inspiration this holiday season, or perhaps even you as you welcome a New Year with your own commitment to Be Fearless.

  1. A History in 50 Objects: Apollo To The Moon, by Teasel E. Muir-Harmony
    Filled with detailed photographs and inspiring stories, this book, published by National Geographic, tells the story of people who made a task that seemed impossible (sending a man to the moon), possible. Throughout Apollo to the Moon, the reader delves into the lives of the heroic astronauts and their supporters including President John F. Kennedy, newsman Walter Cronkite, and NASA scientist Margaret Hamilton. These fearless leaders took a giant leap for mankind in the 1960s and can now inspire us to dream big and make big bets in our own lives. 
  2. We Fed An Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time, by José Andrés
    In the midst of the aftermath of Hurricane Maria that left hundreds of thousands of Americans without access to electricity, clean water or food, Chef José Andrés and his team of chefs acted with urgency to feed the people of Puerto Rico. Focusing on one meal at a time and eventually serving more than 3 million meals for those affected in Puerto Rico, this book tells the story of how Andrés addressed this humanitarian crisis the only way that he knew how: through food. An extraordinary story of hope and an example of how anyone can use their gifts and talents to make a difference in the world. And even more, the proceeds of the book go to support Andrés’s nonprofit World Central Kitchen so that this important work can continue on the front lines of disasters around the world.
  3. Confidence Code for Girls, by Katty Kay and Claire Shipmen
    Based on science, research and proven methods of behavioral change, this important book speaks to the next generation of girls who are achieving in unprecedented ways, but often lack the confidence to be fearless in all aspects of life. Packed with fun and engaging graphics, quizzes and true stories of girls who’ve found the courage to embrace risk, push past failure and find the confidence to take them forward. A perfect gift for the tween to teen in your life. 
  4. Originals, by Adam Grant
    This New York Times #1 Bestseller is timeless, filled with inspirational stories across sectors—from sports to business to politics. Originals is a highly entertaining and engaging book by Adam Grant that draws out stories of fearlessness and extraordinary achievement. Integrating groundbreaking insights and research, these stories speak to nonconformist approaches that embrace risk, overcome failure and ultimately change the world.
  5. Thirst, by Scott Harrison
    In this engaging new book, Scott Harrison tells the story of his journey from nightclub promoter in New York City to founder of a world-changing nonprofit, Charity Water, that brings clean water to villages around the world. Harrison’s highly personal and authentic story of his own life transformation is both poignant and powerful. The valuable lessons in this book not only shine a light on how to successfully build a better business or a better charity, but more importantly, how to use one’s talents and skills to build a fearless life of purpose and true meaning.
  6. Educated, by Tara Westover
    Growing up isolated from mainstream society in a remote Idaho town with parents who mistrusted doctors, schools, the government and outsiders, Tara Westover weaves a fascinating narrative of her early life and the significant challenges she worked to overcome. Lacking formal education throughout her childhood, she fearlessly persevered to build a life of opportunity, eventually earning a PHD from Cambridge University. The highly personal and raw account is a sometimes jolting window into the lives of those in segments of our society that are lesser known or understood, and reminds us of the potential for anyone from anywhere to achieve their dreams.
  7. The Third Wave, by Steve Case
    My husband, Steve Case, knew that the Internet had the power to democratize access to information, ideas and communication, and change the way that we live our daily lives, long before the arrival of laptops, mobile devices and ubiquitous access. In his book, The Third Wave, Steve provides valuable insights for up and coming innovators, business owners and changemakers.  Leveraging his four decades worth of experience spanning business, philanthropy, investing and civic leadership, this book is packed with powerful insights relevant for anyone looking to achieve new breakthroughs.
  8. How We Got To Now, by Steven Johnson
    This book traces six innovations through the centuries that have helped to shape our modern world. Filled with stories of accidental creations, risk-taking, as well as failures and successes, this book weaves stories together to highlight both intended and unintended consequences of breakthroughs across time.
  9. Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver, by Mary Oliver
    Crafted with beauty and careful attention to the physical world around her, Mary Oliver’s poems are a perfect way to start the day—like a beautiful hike through nature. A true celebration of all living things, from trees to rivers to the animal kingdom, Oliver’s poems remind us of the need to stop and to contemplate the blessings of the natural world, and serve as inspiration to help us protect our planet and its rich natural diversity.
  10. Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail, by Ben Montgomery
    In 1955, at the age of 67, Emma Gatewood became the first woman—and only the 7th person in history—to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone—all 2,168 miles—without the benefit of modern gear or technology. “Grandma Gatewood,” as the reporters liked to call her, tells the story of human resilience and determination, and reminds us that at any age or any stage of life, we can take risks, make big bets and find success.
  11. Back In Action: An American Soldier’s Story Of Courage, Faith And Fortitude, by David Rozelle
    Colonel Rozelle was the first U.S. wounded warrior to lose a limb and then go back into battle. Back In Action tells the fearless story of his journey—from telling his pregnant wife that he was going to war, to four years later when a land mine tore off his right foot, to returning back to the battlefield “Fit For Duty” after months of excruciating rehabilitation. This book perfectly exemplifies true courage and what it means to be fearless and overcome extraordinary challenges.
  12. Daily Guideposts: A Spirit-Lifting Devotional
    This spiritual book of daily short stories is a great way to begin the day with a sense of hope and inspiration. Surprisingly honest and often times touching, the stories are a good reminder that no one is perfect and we all struggle to live life with purpose, forgiveness, grace and fearlessness.
  13. Sheltered by the King, by Marta Gabre-Tsadick
    Sheltered by the King is a page-turning account of escape during a harrowing regime change in 1970’s Ethiopia. Marta Gabre-Tsadick was “marked for death” as civil war broke out and Communist forces took over the government. As the first female senator in Ethiopia and a member of Emperor Haile Selassie’s government, Gabre-Tsadick, her husband and their two young children faced imminent threat and had to flee the country she loved. Her faith and her strength shine through each step of their incredible journey. I count this story as a source of great encouragement when I face challenges. Proceeds for the book go to Project Mercy, the organization Gabre-Tsadick founded to continue her work in Africa.
  14. Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman: Conservation Heroes of the American Heartland, by Miriam Horn
    True to its title, this book weaves a compelling tale of non-obvious conservationists, including ranchers, fisherman and farmers. Filled with inspiring stories of innovation brought by these environmental heroes across America’s grasslands, wildlife, rivers and oceans, the book beautifully draws out why they do what they do: for their deep love of our nation’s land and the waters that feed it. Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman introduces the reader to those whose daily lives and livelihood rely on the land and rivers, and in the process paints a new picture of the modern conservation movement.
  15. Whatever You Are, Be a Good One 100: Inspirational Quotations Hand-Lettered, by Lisa Congdon
    This is a fun book that I keep handy to provide “snackable” inspiration. Filled with great images that integrate inspirational quotes of fearlessness, this small but powerful book is perfect for anyone seeking a daily quick dose of encouragement along life’s fearless journey.
  16. Measure What Matters, by John Doerr
    John Doerr, seasoned venture capitalists, reveals how the revolutionary goal-setting system of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) has helped celebrated companies such as Google and Intel reach their organizational goals. Doerr shares a broad range of first-person, behind-the-scenes case studies, with narrators including Bono and Bill Gates, to demonstrate the focus, agility and explosive growth that OKRs have spurred at so many great organizations. This book’s message and lessons highlight the benefits of making big bets and setting goals to continue making an impact and shunning the status quo.
  17. The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
    The harrowing tale of an unlikely, fearless hero, Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker, and her family who fearlessly risked their lives to help hundreds of Jews and resistance workers escape from the Nazis in World War II. The Hiding Place is an often overlooked yet compelling tale of the importance of maintaining hope, faith and perseverance in the face of darkness, and provides vivid proof that urgency can help to conquer fear.
  18. Make Your Bed, by Admiral William R. McRaven
    Based on a celebrated commencement address that resulted in millions of YouTube views, this short and straightforward book by former Navy Seal Admiral McRaven, recounts lessons learned through his own training as a Navy Seal. In this book, Admiral McRaven shares tips and practical advice that can help anyone push past challenges and persevere. This book can serve as a valuable Be Fearless handbook for all those seeking to make a difference in their lives and in the world.
  19. Becoming, by Michelle Obama
    Among the most recently published of books on this list, Michelle Obama’s deeply personal and poignant life story—from her young years in a cramped apartment with a loving family on the South Side of Chicago, to the life that took her to Princeton, Harvard, marriage, motherhood and ultimately to the role of First Lady. In the telling of her story, she recounts an early journal entry she wrote as she faced adulthood: “I feel very confused about where I want my life to go. What kind of person do I want to be?  How do I want to contribute to the world?” The book provides an authentic and inspiring glimpse into her personal journey to find her own voice, her passions and her own fearless place in this world.

Whether as a gift for those who inspire you, someone who is looking for inspiration or for yourself, I hope that this list of fearless books connects with you and inspires action that makes an impact.

#FacesofFounders is Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship One Story at a Time

Posted on by Case Foundation

At the Case Foundation, we’ve set out on a mission to create an inclusive entrepreneurial space in which any entrepreneur, regardless of their gender, race or geographic location, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. Too often we hear the same outdated myths and stereotypes of who can be an entrepreneur. Over time, these narratives have been reinforced and have left women and entrepreneurs of color on the sidelines. #FacesofFounders seeks to provide a wealth of inspiration capital by recognizing America’s diversity of talent and experiences that doesn’t always get equal coverage in the entrepreneurship space. By telling their stories of triumph and recognizing the changes they have inspired within their respective industries, we hope to change the way we view entrepreneurship and the importance of supporting diverse entrepreneurs.

Originally launched in 2016, the Case Foundation created this campaign to be the centerpiece of the Foundation’s inclusive entrepreneurship movement by highlighting a diverse array of entrepreneurs, focusing on women, entrepreneurs of color and entrepreneurs between the coasts. Nearly 750 founders took the time to submit stories of their own entrepreneurship journeys. Five of those stories were featured in Fast Company and we launched the Medium publication to continue telling the stories of incredible founders building businesses right now. Last month, we launched a new video featuring entrepreneurs from across the country and expanded the content on FacesofFounders.org so we can keep the drumbeat going and dig even deeper into the rich stories and lessons these powerful entrepreneurs can offer us.

What’s New?

  • Resources for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs, you don’t have to build your business alone. We compiled a list of useful guides and tools on numerous topics to help you succeed.
  • Resources for ecosystem builders. The Kauffman Foundation gathered resources to help the ecosystem builders who are on the ground working to build a better future and to grow a more inclusive economy.
  • Resources for investors. InclusionVentures shared their key learnings from research and their experience supporting investment firms on building an inclusion strategy, in an effort to inspire and support investors’ interests in making inclusive entrepreneurship the norm.
  • Data on the state of inclusive entrepreneurship. We dove into three types of data that show major disparities: the number of entrepreneurs and businesses; investments in entrepreneurship, mainly in the form of venture capital; and revenue these businesses are producing. We will update consistently as new data becomes available.
  • Videos. In addition to the written stories we’ve been publishing on #FacesofFounders for the past year and a half, we have now added a suite of videos that allow you to hear directly from entrepreneurs how they’re getting to work, what barriers they’ve encountered and what successes they’ve had.

As we work to make the entrepreneurial space more inclusive, we recognize that this campaign goes beyond just the entrepreneur herself, and as Jean Case says, is an economic imperative for our nation. Entrepreneurs from all places and backgrounds can have the ability to lift up their communities, bring job growth and new innovations to our economy. Get ready to take the journey with us as we explore inclusivity and redefine the face of entrepreneurship.

National Authors Day: Inspirational Authors To Follow On Twitter

Posted on by Case Foundation

As I complete the final draft of Be Fearless in advance of its early January launch, I am getting more and more excited about being able to share the book and its stories of fearless innovators and everyday people around the world. At the same time, I continue to be inspired by many authors who have come before me and have brought fearless inspiration in their own right.

This National Authors Day, I want to highlight some of the authors whose books have inspired, informed and entertained me. I encourage you to review this list of authors and consider their works. I hope they will inspire your own fearless journey. To preorder your copy of Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Purpose, check out readbefearless.com.

Author Name
Twitter Handle
Bio
José Andrés
@chefjoseandres
We all are Citizens of the World. What’s good for you, must be good for all. If you are lost, share a plate of food with a stranger…you will find who you are.
Steve Case
@SteveCase
Author of The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future. Chairman of Revolution. Chairman of Case Foundation. Co-founder of AOL.
Willa Cather
@WillaCatherFdn
A non-profit organization that promotes the legacy of renowned author Willa Cather through education, historic preservation, and the arts.
Clay Christensen
@claychristensen
Professor at HarvardHBS. Author of Competing vs Luck. Cofounder of Christensen Institute, Innosight & Rose Park Advisors. Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Husband & father.
James Collins and Jerry Porras
@level5leaders
Jim Collins is a student and teacher of what make great companies tick and author or co-author of six books, including Good to Great and Built to Last.
Beth Comstock
@bethcomstock
Changemaker & Author discovering what’s next. Love science, art & books. Former CMO & GE Vice Chair. My book, Imagine It Forward, comes out 9.18.18
John Doerr
@johndoerr
Passionate about helping missionary entrepreneurs create the Next Big Thing. General partner at KPCB.
Tony Dungy
@TonyDungy
Husband to Lauren Dungy, father of ten, author, retired NFL coach, National Spokesman for All Pro Dad. Live by Mark 8:36
Brad Feld
@bfeld
I’m a VC at Foundry Group. I live in Boulder, Colorado, invest in software and Internet companies around the US, run marathons, and love to read.
Derrick Feldmann
@derrickfeldmann
Researcher | Advisor | Author of Social Movements for Good | Founder @causeinfluence
Tim Ferriss
@tferriss
Author of 5 #1 NYT/WSJ bestsellers, investor (FB, Uber, Twitter, 50+ more: http://angel.co/tim ), host of The Tim Ferriss Show podcast (300M+ downloads)
Tom Friedman
@tomfriedman
NY Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning author of Lexus and the Olive Tree and From Beirut to Jerusalem.
Adam Grant
@adamMGrant
Organizational psychologist at Wharton. Books: GIVE AND TAKE, ORIGINALS, OPTION B. Podcast: WorkLife at TEDTalks. Diver. Success is helping others succeed.
Scott Harrison
@scottharrison
Author of New York Times Bestsller, THIRST – A story of Redemption, Compasssion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World. Founder, CEO of Charity Water.
Alex Honnold
@AlexHonnold
Climbing!!
Miriam Horn
@miriamhorn
Author of RANCHER, FARMER, FISHERMAN: Conservation Heroes of the American Heartland (Norton, 9/6/16)
Walter Isaacson
@WalterIsaacson
Professor at Tulane. Former CEO of Aspen Institute, editor of TIME, CEO of CNN. Author of The Innovators, Leonardo da Vinci, Franklin, Einstein, Steve Jobs
Daymond John
@TheSharkDaymond
Order your copy of my new book Rise And Grind
Steven Johnson
@stevenbjohnson
Author. (Eleven books.) TV/podcast host. (How We Got To Now, American Innovations.) Dad. (Three boys.) Husband. (One wife.)
Max Lucado
@MaxLucado
Pastor and NYT bestselling author. New book, Unshakable Hope, available now wherever books are sold!
Ann Mei Chang
@annmei
Author of Lean Impact, former USAID Chief Innovation Officer & Exec Director at the Global Development Lab. Innovation to accelerate impact & scale for socialgood and globalgoals.
Joyce Meyer
@JoyceMeyer
Sharing Christ – Loving People *All responses are moderated by Joyce Meyer Ministries. Tweets from Joyce will be signed accordingly.
Steven Pinker
@sapinker
Cognitive scientist at Harvard.
Eric Reis
@ericries
Trying to change how startups are built.
JD Vance
@JDVance1
Author of Hillbilly Elegy and investor at Rise of the Rest

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