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PS: How do you feel about the current coverage of Black founders in the media? What can journalists and media companies do to improve it?
RM: There's a long way to go, and I don't think any of us will be satisfied until we are fully represented in every sector. So, in a nutshell, there is currently not enough support of Black founders in the media. Black youth deserve to see more inspirational figures who look just like them. Otherwise, how are they to have hope and think "that could be me?" If you can't see it, you can't be it. You have to grow up knowing that anything and everything is possible and there are definitely sectors of industry that are not inclusive in terms of recruitment.
For journalists and media companies, it's simple. Show us more examples of excellence within our ethnic group. News about Black people should be focused on more positive issues rather than the current negativity that exists. It's this negativity that continues many myths about Black people and allows us to be misjudged and written off. In that spirit, I have to add a thank you to PopSugar for approaching me in the first place. It's a start.
PS: What does a world that truly practices "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" look like to you?
RM: It's a world where every community has a voice and representation at the top level. Not only are there fantastic people with amazing ideas from every walk of life, but we've all certainly seen some of the nightmare scenarios for major companies when the decision makers are homogenous and there's no authentic voice from a specific community, so it benefits everyone. I would like to think that everyone would prefer a world where we are all on an even playing field, as well as a world where what you look like has no bearing on your professional ability. That is my hopeful outcome and one which I intend to keep striving for. Black excellence is very real.
