A Conversation on Minority Entrepreneurship & Investing
What's Next: Making Sports More Equitable
An ongoing series exploring how to create equity and implement real change in the sports industry.
According to a Crunchbase study in 2020, only 2.3% of funding went to women-led startups, and Black & Latinx founders raise just 2.6% of the $87.3 billion in funding that went to all founders
Predominantly White Institutions, on average, generate significantly more total revenue each year than Historically Black Colleges & Universities
Black people comprise approximately 14.2% of the US population, but Black businesses comprise only 2.2% of the nation's 5.7 million employer businesses
A CONVERSATION ON MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INVESTMENT
Our coalition seeks to change the demographics and dynamics of the sports industry so that it reflects not only the athletes and owners within it, but carries into effect an industry where diversity of body and thought is the norm.
These conversations will explore the inequity within sports entrepreneurship and how each of us can help support one another with one goal in mind; opportunity and access for everyone. We will highlight the importance of sports spaces that are representative of the world around us, learning about the importance of providing resources, connections, and collaborations to diverse peoples within the industry.
These discussions will also explore this idea of “leveling the playing field” when it comes to sport startups and entrepreneurship, and how each of us can create spaces that welcome perspectives different from our own.
SERIES SPEAKERS
Randy Osei
Founder & Executive Director of Athlete Technology Group
Randy Osei has been working in the business of sports as an entrepreneur since 2012. The former athlete turned founder launched Rozaay Management, a creative marketing and branding organization, in 2013.
With loyalty as a focus, Rozaay has been harvesting long-lasting relationships and continually exceeding client expectations for the last nine years. He currently sits as CEO of Rozaay and most recently launched Athlete Technology Group, serving as Founder and Executive Director. Going from management to technology,
Randy started Athlete Technology Group, an events and media company, because he wanted to connect with and build athlete and technology entrepreneurs. Randy’s companies delivers on promises and can be counted on when it matters the most.
Krystal Beachum
Founder of Student-Athletes Unite and Associate at the W Fund
Krystal Beachum, Founder of Student-Athletes Unite and Associate at The W Fund, is an author, speaker, and Entrepreneur. Krystal has been able to work for some of the notable brands and organizations in sports like the NFLPA, LPGA, and the Women’s Final Four. She became a published author of “For The Other 98%,” the Ultimate Guide for Student-Athletes to Go Pro in Entrepreneurship in 2017.
As the Founder of Student-Athletes Unite, Krystal helps student-athletes create business and career opportunities. She teaches an online accelerator that teaches student-athletes how to get paid, stay eligible, and explore entrepreneurship as a career.
Krystal currently sits on the Board of Directors for Higher Purpose Co. Krystal holds a Masters Degree in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Henderson State University.
Alycia M. Powell
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Champions For Philanthropy
Over the past decade, Alycia Powell has built a wealth of practical expertise as a business and legal consultant, and social entrepreneur in the fields of sports and entertainment and nonprofit management. In 2017, Alycia co-founded Champions for Philanthropy, Inc. (CFP), a consulting agency that assists professional athletes, entertainers and influencers develop their charitable brands.
As Co-Founder and CEO, Alycia helps athletes establish their nonprofit foundations, manage existing foundations, design charitable initiatives and programs as well as create other charitable vehicles for giving back. CFP works with both current and former/retired athletes from professional sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL. CFP also maintains a blog, The Sport of Philanthropy, that shines a light on the positive work being done by athletes, teams and leagues. Over the last two years, CFP has hosted numerous events, including their Most Valuable Philanthropist awards that honors the philanthropic work of current and former professional athletes. Alycia built significant expertise in business, law, and sports and entertainment during her time at New York Law School where she held myriad leadership positions, including Vice-Chair of the National Black Law Students Association, Northeast Region. As Vice-Chair, she oversaw the execution of all events, programs, and initiatives of the multi-state, 300-plus member organization. She also founded the New York Law School Sports Law Symposium, serving as President and Chair. Now in its tenth year, the Symposium attracts top sports law speakers from across the country.
Michelle C. Mays
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Champions For Philanthropy
Michelle C. Mays has a passion for business and the community that extends from her professional affiliations to her volunteer work.
As the co-founder and chief operating officer of Champions for Philanthropy, Michelle successfully manages the charitable efforts of professional athletes by helping them build, launch, manage and promote their philanthropic interests. Like the athletes she works with, Michelle is passionate about giving to the community. She volunteers in various capacities at her church, is president of the New England Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, participates in city government, and is a former commissioner for her local fire department. Michelle has over a decade of experience in nonprofit marketing and communications, and previously held positions at Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and Georgia Power Company.
MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESOURCES
Minorities in Sport
MiS is a global multicultural community changing sports business, culture, and content
The Carnegie Initiative
CI works to ensure that hockey is inclusive, supportive and welcoming to all
Athlete Tech Group
ATG's mission is to strengthen athlete readiness for life after sports through a community platform that delivers media, events, and education curated for athletes
The W Fund
The W Fund focuses on investing in founders who personify their product, effortlessly address their target market, and are obsessed with solving the problem
Article
For Black entrepreneurs, inequality starts with the pre-seed round
BY LYNEIR RICHARDSON
Article
To expand the economy, invest in Black businesses
BY ANDRE M. PERRY & CARL ROMER
FULL EPISODES
A CONVERSATION ON MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INVESTMENT WITH RANDY OSEI
A CONVERSATION ON MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INVESTMENT WITH KRYSTAL BEACHUM
A CONVERSATION ON MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INVESTMENT WITH ALYCIA POWELL & MICHELLE MAYS
MAKING SPORTS MORE EQUITABLE COALITION
Our seven organizations have partnered together to bring these conversations to the sports industry. We've made a commitment to provide conversation and resources to inspire action to make our own industry more equitable.