Valence is a scientific term that is defined as the combining of power. The name is the perfect moniker for the fresh startup that supports Black professionals through the power of social networking.
Venture capitalist Kobie Fuller witnessed the widening gap wealth in the Black community as more and more companies found it challenging to hire employees from a diverse pipeline. Oftentimes, companies would complain that they did not have access to enough Black professionals.
“For years, companies and venture capitalists have asked me for advice about where they can find amazing Black talent and I had my standard answers — which were basically limited to people in my network and a few niche associations,” said Fuller in a statement. “As a Black VC, I also wanted better visibility into my own community and couldn’t believe that a centralized network of Black professionals didn’t exist yet.”
On a mission to solve this problem, Fuller’s Upfront Ventures, along with other investors, helped launch Valence with a $2.5 million investment.
Fuller and Valence co-founders La Mer Walker and Emily Slade celebrated the launch of what’s being deemed the “Black Linkedin” at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
The exciting day kicked off with the spotlight of 45 high-level executives and entrepreneurs. Among the 45 were Peggy Alford, SVP of Core Markets at PayPal, Modi Oyewole, Director of Marketing at Epic Records, and Hamet Watt, founder at Share Ventures, to name a few.
All Valence members, each person had an opportunity to take a infamous Kwaku Alston portrait. Photos were followed by one-on-one interviews where each member had a chance to describe their experience in Valence and expectations for the future.
The spotlight brunch and festivities transitioned into a dazzling late day social gathering equipped with a full buffet catered by 2 The T Catering, open bar, Valence photo booth and jamming cover band.
Several people of all ages attended the shindig wearing their all-black attire. Networking ensued and so did the excitement when guest panelist and actor Boris Kodjoe (Station 19, House of Cards) graced the elevated stage for a sit-down discussion with Fuller.
Homage and Brown Bag TV founder Kevin Clark, in partnership with the MouthSoap’s Gloria Altonnia and Betty Bema, had the opportunity to speak with the Valence founders and Kodjoe.
When asked about closing the wealth gap, Walker said that Valence is taking the issue head on.
“It’s a really passionate topic for us — Our take on it is to put the capital avenues out there so people will know and recognize them and can access them and the team members that will actually show up to activate them — that’s what were actually building out as a membership base. You have talent, you have capital coming together. That’s the future that’s going to unlock Black wealth and we’re seeing it already with people finding their way to funding through the site for their ventures.”
Kodjoe has been a dynamic asset to the startup, spearheading the essential tools of Valence as an ambassador of awareness, mentorship and networking.
“I’m in grand support of Valence,” Kodjoe said in the interview with The MouthSoap. “I think it’s an essential tool for us to be able to find each other, source each other, support each other and create a network of individuals in a position to empower each other. We can increase the number of like-minded people in power positions and positions of influence, positions of decision-making to change the entire ecosystem, to change the culture.”
The night was an amazing testament of the wealth of black talent that exists and the desperate need for a company such as Valence. Valence is on a “mission to unlock the global combined power of black professionals to create massive economic and social progress.”
The membership ranges from entry-level to industry moguls with specializations in tech, media, finance and entertainment.
So, what are the benefits of joining Valence? For one, members have exclusive access to events similar to the one held at the California African American Museum.
Other advantages consist of capital and startup advice, job opportunities, mentorship and networking visibility with some of the top Black leaders globally.
“We establish meaningful connections with companies and capital that create career opportunities and spawn new ventures. We help demystify professional advancement pathways through inspirational storytelling and structured community driven mentorship.”
To learn more about Valence, visit the website by clicking HERE.
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