Principles of Benevolence: Build, Lead, Invest with Purpose

Ebony Brown

You don't have to choose between making money and making a difference. Principles of Benevolence is a podcast for anyone building wealth with purpose—whether you're managing $100K or $100M. Host Ebony Brown, a venture capitalist with over a decade of experience, sits down with entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who prove that purpose and profit aren't enemies—they're partners. What you'll learn: - How to align your investments and business with your core values—without sacrificing returns - Strategic frameworks for deploying capital across the full spectrum: from venture capital to patient capital to strategic philanthropy - Real stories from leaders who've raised millions, managed billion-dollar portfolios, IPO'd companies, and achieved billion-dollar exits—all while solving problems that matter - Practical pathways for building businesses and careers that serve a purpose beyond yourself Who this is for: Aspiring and experienced investors, founders building purpose-driven companies, family office allocators, foundation leaders, and anyone who wants to steward resources responsibly while generating strong returns. Each episode features candid conversations with people who've figured out how to marry purpose with profit—and actionable insights you can apply whether you're just starting out or managing institutional capital. Hosted by Ebony Brown, a venture capitalist who's deployed millions into companies solving the world's biggest challenges—from workforce development to healthcare to education access. Ebony shares her own journey from Detroit to Silicon Valley, and the principles she's learned about building wealth while staying true to your values. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe now to join a community of purpose-driven builders, investors, and leaders who believe that benevolence isn't what you do after you've made it—it's how you make it.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    From Salesforce CFO To Humanitarian CEO - Amy Weaver

    What does it take to walk away from one of the most powerful roles in corporate America — not because something went wrong, but because something more important was calling? Amy Weaver spent nearly twelve years at Salesforce, helping guide the company through a period of extraordinary growth as its market cap surpassed $300 billion. She made history as the first person in Fortune 500 history to go directly from Chief Legal Officer to Chief Financial Officer. Then she did something almost no one saw coming — she left to become CEO of Direct Relief, a humanitarian organization delivering over $2 billion in medical aid annually across 92 countries and all 50 states. She accepted that offer the same week USAID was defunded. This episode is about what it actually takes to pivot without starting over — to change lanes at the highest level of your career without losing the ground you've built. Amy talks about the conversation that changed everything, the philosophy that has guided every leap she's ever taken, and why kindness is one of the most underrated leadership weapons in any industry. If you've ever been told you don't fit the traditional mold — this one is for you. Key Topics Covered: Growing up in a family of lawyers and how a heightened sense of fairness shaped everything that followed The Hong Kong chapter — how a fellowship took her halfway around the world and taught her she could do anything The Cravath years — going on her knees every morning to pray she wouldn't commit malpractice, and what two years of that gave her The FaceTime call from Mark Benioff — and why "she's not on my list" became the beginning of an unprecedented career move Bret Taylor's reframe — "you're not qualified to be the traditional CFO, but that's not what I'm looking for" Why she almost said no — and what finally made her say yes Kindness is not weakness — the parking lot phone call that changed how she thinks about leadership forever Salesforce's 1-1-1 model — what it teaches every founder about building purpose into a company before you have anything to give Accepting the Direct Relief offer the same week USAID was defunded — and why chaos was the reason to lean in, not pull back What a 78-year-old organization that has never taken a dime of government funding can teach every leader about sustainability The AI gap in humanitarian work — why she's worried and what she's doing about it Year one at Direct Relief — what listening taught her that no spreadsheet ever could Why "you can't be what you can't see" is her least favorite saying — and what she believes instead Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to purpose and benevolence in leadership 00:36 - Amy Weaver's childhood ambitions and family influence 01:10 - Early career at Salesforce and leadership during rapid growth  02:07 - Transition from law to Silicon Valley and risk-taking mindset 04:48 - Lessons from Cravath and international experiences in Hong Kong 06:37 - Embracing risk and the power of leaps of faith 10:48 - Moving from legal to CFO at Salesforce - an unprecedented shift 11:09 - The story behind Amy's surprise CFO nomination 13:04 - Overcoming self-doubt with strategic mentorship and thinking creatively 16:38 - Leadership through kindness vs. loud or aggressive styles 18:18 - Breaking stereotypes: kindness as strength in leadership 24:15 - Embedding benevolence in corporate culture with Salesforce's 1:1:1 program 27:15 - Amy's decision to lead Direct Relief during upheaval in global aid 28:17 - The impact of recent U.S. government funding cuts on nonprofits 30:57 - Scaling strategies: from Silicon Valley to humanitarian aid 32:44 - The importance of cross-sector mobility and skill transfer 34:56 - Integrating cutting-edge technology and AI into humanitarian work 37:10 - Lessons from one year at Direct Relief about listening and impact-driven leadership 42:34 - The significance of representation and role models for future leaders 44:35 - Final words on seizing opportunities and leaping in faith Resources & Links: Direct Relief Direct Relief Hope Ahead Newsletter Salesforce 1-1-1 Model Principles of Benevolence Connect with Amy Weaver: LinkedIn

    45 min
  2. The 120 Year Wealth Blueprint wth Ryan L. Smith

    May 27

    The 120 Year Wealth Blueprint wth Ryan L. Smith

    What if the most powerful wealth-building tool in the Black community has been hiding in plain sight for 120 years? Ryan L. Smith grew up on the South Side of Chicago where he felt safe inside his home but couldn't walk a block in any direction without encountering disinvestment, lack of opportunity, and gun violence. He watched friends whose lives took a very different path and made a decision early: the most scalable way to change things is through business. That conviction took him from Howard University to Morgan Stanley, through private equity and venture capital in Silicon Valley, to becoming Director of Investments at Magic Johnson Enterprises — where he helped execute one of the most storied acquisition strategies in Black business history. That journey led him somewhere he never anticipated: insurance. Today Ryan serves as Executive Vice President and Board Director of Atlanta Life Insurance Company, founded in 1905 by Alonzo Herndon — a man born into slavery who became the first Black millionaire in the South — and one of the oldest and most consequential Black-owned institutions in America. This episode is about a 120-year blueprint that never went out of style. The wealth-building tools the wealthy have always used. And why the Black community has been sleeping on all of it. Key Topics Covered: Growing up on the South Side of Chicago and deciding business was the most scalable solution to systemic disinvestment How Carla Harris changed everything with one breakfast and one piece of advice about earrings How Ryan created an opportunity at Magic Johnson Enterprises that had no job posting — and why recommending against the first deal was the move that built trust The story of Alonzo Herndon: from slavery to three barber shops he couldn't walk through the front door of, to the first Black millionaire in the South, to founding Atlanta Life in 1905 Why the Friday fish fry became GoFundMe — and why 119 years later we're still having the same conversation Life insurance as a wealth-building Swiss army knife: how Disney, McDonald's, and Stanford were all funded by life insurance in their early days The Rockefeller family's secret weapon for dynastic wealth preservation — and why everyone can access the same tool What it actually takes to evaluate a business for acquisition — and which industries AI is making more valuable, not less Why 97% of Black-owned businesses are sole proprietorships and what's actually blocking the scale-up Timestamps: [00:45] Growing up on the South Side — safety inside, perils outside [03:17] Why philanthropy felt good but not scalable — and the decision to go through business [06:15] The career arc: Howard, Morgan Stanley, IMB Partners, Bronze Investments, Stanford [07:09] Meeting Carla Harris in an elevator and what she told him that changed everything [12:11] How Ryan created an opportunity at Magic Johnson Enterprises with no job posting [17:04] The Magic Johnson investing thesis — inner cities as overlooked markets with unmet demand [19:16] How insurance became the unexpected vehicle for everything he'd been trying to do [21:21] The Alonzo Herndon story — from slavery to the first Black millionaire in the South [26:16] Why this story isn't taught at Howard — and why that's a disservice [28:10] Insurance as a social good — how Atlanta Life thinks about the wellness tripod [31:42] The Friday fish fry to GoFundMe problem — and why the Black community is sleeping on life insurance [35:37] How to make money as a life insurance agent — the $25 billion opportunity most people overlook [36:08] Entrepreneurship through acquisition — how to evaluate a business and what questions to ask [39:50] What's actually blocking Black-owned businesses from scaling [45:37] What keeps him going — and what winning actually looks like Resources & Links: Atlanta Life Insurance Company Atlanta Life Insurance Company: Guardian of Black Economic Dignity — the book Ryan referenced, by Alexa Benson Henderson Magic Johnson Enterprises Bronze Investments Kapor Capital IMB Development Corporation Restoring Our Character — Ryan's nonprofit co-founded at Howard Herndon Home Museum — Alonzo Herndon's historic Atlanta home Principles of Benevolence Connect with Ryan L. Smith: LinkedIn Atlanta Life Insurance on LinkedIn

    48 min
  3. The Great Ownership Transfer with Shelley Stewart III

    May 20

    The Great Ownership Transfer with Shelley Stewart III

    What does it actually take to close the wealth gap? Shelley Stewart III didn't set out to become one of the most important thinkers on economic mobility in America. He almost went to law school. Then an SEO internship landed him on a trading floor at JP Morgan, and everything changed. Today he's a Senior Partner at McKinsey, a member of the firm's global leadership team, and the founder and chair of the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility — a think tank built on a simple but radical premise: expanding economic opportunity isn't charity, it's strategy. In this conversation we get into all of it — the Great Ownership Transfer, affordable housing, rural America, AI and the workforce, and why Shelley believes the people most responsible for closing these gaps aren't waiting to be told. Key Topics Covered: From Wall Street to McKinsey — and the career philosophy of building option value without a fixed destination How a side research project became the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility The Great Ownership Transfer: what happens to $5 trillion in small business value as baby boomers retire — and who gets left out Why only 28% of that value would flow to women, Black, and Latino individuals under current patterns — and what closing that gap could unlock Affordable housing: the $3 private capital multiplier and what it means for family offices and impact investors Rural America and Latino economic mobility — the data most investors aren't looking at AI adoption inside enterprises: what leaders are actually doing versus what the headlines say Why Shelley believes McKinsey's highest and best use is staying out of principal investing — and what that means for the firms doing impact investing instead Advice for early-career professionals who want to build something meaningful from inside a large institution Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction to Principles of Benevolence and Shelly Stewart III  00:45 - Shelley's career path from Wall Street to McKinsey  01:12 - The founding of the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility  02:21 - Impact of economic mobility research on policy and industry  03:31 - Shelley's transition to leadership in social impact initiatives  05:07 - Career strategies: navigating without a fixed endpoint  07:16 - The role of research and thought leadership in broad impact  08:50 - Addressing disparities in rural America and Latino communities  10:42 - The importance of collaborative approaches to systemic issues  12:31 - Impact of research on influence and global forums  15:36 - The significance of entrepreneurial ownership transfer  16:31 - Unlocking wealth through family-owned business succession  17:48 - The model of employee ownership and its challenges  20:36 - Closing disparities in health care, housing, and opportunity  23:03 - Fostering the market for business transfers and ownership  24:19 - Trends in wealth transfer, search funds, and next-generation buying  25:51 - The impact of AI and technology on business and workforce  27:29 - Addressing technological displacement and shared ownership models  28:16 - The deployment of AI in enterprise and change management  32:36 - Corporate experimentation and leadership in AI adoption  36:26 - Internal innovations at McKinsey leveraging AI tools  39:32 - Outcomes-based pricing and client engagement models  41:06 - Advice for aspiring intrapreneurs and impact-driven careers  42:26 - Legacy and lasting contributions in social impact  43:26 - Final thoughts and closing remarks Resources & Links: McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility The Great Ownership Transfer | McKinsey Institute For Economic Mobility Shelly Stewart III - LinkedIn McKinsey & Company Connect with Shelly Stewart III: LinkedIn

    44 min
  4. From Incarceration to Liberation with Jonathan Alvarez

    May 13

    From Incarceration to Liberation with Jonathan Alvarez

    3:27 PM       div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> From Incarceration to Liberation: Jonathan Alvarez & the Business of Transformation Jonathan Alvarez went into prison at 17 with a 10th grade education. He came home at 30 with a bachelor's degree from Bard College — earned behind bars through the Bard Prison Initiative — and a vision for something he couldn't yet name. Eight years later, he leads 914 United, a nonprofit serving over 8,000 people across Westchester County with an 8% recidivism rate, against a national average of 44 to 66%. But this episode isn't just about redemption. It's about what it takes to build something real — with integrity, intentionality, and the discipline to say no to a $250,000 grant because the infrastructure wasn't ready. Jonathan runs 914 United like a founder, not a charity. And that distinction is everything. In this conversation, we go deep on the internal work that has to happen before anyone walks out of a facility, the real cost of leading a mission-driven organization, and why the most qualified person to solve a problem is usually the one who lived it. Key Topics Covered: What it felt like to be reborn at 30 after 13 years incarcerated — mentally ready, emotionally still 17 The 14th Street breakdown: what hitting rock bottom taught him about vulnerability and purpose Why he chose to own his incarceration as currency rather than hide it How 914 United grew from a male support group in a park to a million-dollar movement The funding trap: why letting money drive your mission is the fastest way to lose your identity What "ceiling time" means — and why reentry starts long before release day The real cost of this work: outgrown friendships, emotional taxation, and learning to retreat 8% recidivism — what the data says and what it actually looks like on the ground Timestamps: [00:36] Purpose of the podcast [01:04] Jonathan's journey from incarceration to nonprofit founder [02:21] Mindset and emotional state at reentry [04:40] The 2019 mental health breakdown and what it taught him [05:02] Embracing vulnerability and asking for help [06:07] Owning incarceration as identity and currency [07:10] The Bard Prison Initiative and the power of education behind bars [09:11] Vulnerability as a leadership strength [10:17] Overview of 914 United's mission and programs [11:07] The moment the movement became bigger than him [13:38] Turning down a $250K grant — and why intentionality beats opportunity [15:50] Ethical considerations in prison tech and exploitative practices [16:45] The broken business model of nonprofits — and how to play by your own rules [20:52] Ceiling time: the internal work that has to happen before release day [23:10] The personal cost of mission-driven leadership [26:28] Behavior change, confidence, and what transformation actually looks like [27:28] The 8% recidivism rate and what it means [29:03] Final reflections Relevant Links: 914 United Bard Prison Initiative Principles of Benevolence Jonathan Alvarez on LinkedIn 914 United on Instagram

    30 min
  5. Impact Doesn't Sell. Excellence Does.

    May 6

    Impact Doesn't Sell. Excellence Does.

    In this episode, Ebony Brown sits down with Brittany Bentley, co-founder and creative director of Parker Clay — Ethiopia's largest exporter of finished leather goods and a company whose mission is to end prostitution in Ethiopia. Brittany's story different from every other impact brand you've heard because she'll tell you straight that impact alone doesn't sell. Excellence does. The mission gets people to stay. The product has to get them in the door first. Key Topics Covered: Why trade gives women something charity never could The real driver of sales: quality and price first, mission second — and why that sequence matters What it actually takes to build a complex business in Ethiopia as an outsider How Parker Clay respects employee dignity by telling stories of growth, not hardship Timestamps: [0:11] Brittany's personal journey from Ethiopia adoption to building Parker Clay [0:46] The origin story: how a transformational trip to Ethiopia sparked the mission [6:10] The decision to build a sustainable, impact-driven for-profit enterprise [8:06] The significance of creating jobs versus relying on aid and charity [17:36] The importance of telling stories of growth rather than hardship to respect employee dignity [19:11] How Parker Clay supports its workforce: free meals, daycare, financial literacy, and legal services [27:46] Challenges in navigating logistics and business setup in Ethiopia as an outsider [32:58] The impact of owning manufacturing in Ethiopia for quality and impact control [34:04] Channels for growth: word of mouth, B2B partnerships, and impact measurement [36:39] The secret to enduring success: quality products, impact focus, and strong brand identity [38:09] Recognition: the U.S. Department of State's Corporate Excellence Award [39:55] Building a business and a marriage as husband-and-wife co-founders and parents of five [42:56] The future vision: ending prostitution through skill-building, community, and systemic change Resources & Links: Parker Clay Website Parker Clay Instagram B Corporation Ellilta International Leather Institute of Ethiopia Warby Parker Connect with Brittany Bentley: LinkedIn Instagram

    46 min
  6. Your Work Is Your Worship

    Apr 29

    Your Work Is Your Worship

    Explore how spiritual principles can shape impactful investments and business practices. Jenna Nicholas, president of Light Post Capital, shares her journey of integrating faith, purpose, and systemic change into the world of impact investing. This episode offers practical insights on shifting capital towards overlooked communities, creating systemic change, and leading with benevolence. Key Topics: The influence of Jenna's Baha'i faith and cultural background on her approach to impact investing The HEAL framework: Hope, Empathy, Abundance, Legacy in business and investing Lessons from Wayne Silbey on embedding social responsibility into organizations The power of storytelling and community engagement in creating systemic change Strategies for moving institutional capital from fossil fuels to impact funds How to embed purpose and spiritual principles into early-stage investment decisions The importance of proximity and experiential learning in overcoming systemic biases Practical steps for integrating ethical frameworks into AI, healthcare, and climate tech Building lasting accountability through ongoing exposure and community dialogue The significance of legacy, intergenerational thinking, and personal purpose in decision-making Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Principles of Benevolence and Jenna's impact journey 02:11 - Reflecting on the influence of Jenna's grandmother and personal inspirations 04:37 - How Jenna's multicultural background and faith shape her worldview 06:43 - Deep connection to Bahá'í principles: unity, diversity, and social justice 08:45 - Lessons from impact pioneer Wayne Silbey on transformational leadership 11:36 - The impact experience: fostering racial and economic equity through immersive learning 13:56 - Outcomes of community-engaged investment approaches in real-world settings 17:21 - From guilt to accountability: sustaining systemic change through repetition 18:51 - Coordinating impact capital: lessons from uniting 170 foundations and $50B 21:26 - Addressing misaligned incentives in institutional investing and ideological shifts 23:00 - Integrating values in early-stage company evaluation and entrepreneurial support 24:50 - Introducing the HEAL framework: Hope, Empathy, Abundance, Legacy 26:14 - Cultivating hope and joy as daily practices for resilience 27:16 - Empathy in healthcare: the power of imagining loved ones in care interactions 28:38 - The concept of Enough and long-term intergenerational legacy 29:38 - Exploring a future where spiritual principles are normalized in businesses 30:11 - Personal journeys through loss and resilience shaping impactful leadership 32:29 - Addressing skepticism around empathy in high-stakes leadership 33:32 - How to incorporate purpose into new ventures and everyday business practices 35:45 - Reflective questions for embodying purpose and legacy in daily decisions 36:44 - The impact of rapid AI development, ethical frameworks, and impact of AI in healthcare 40:20 - Influences: books, podcasts, and spiritual sources shaping Jenna's journey 41:41 - Envisioning a future where spirituality and business merge for societal good 42:34 - Closing thoughts on deepening conversations and collective impact Resources & Links: The Enlightened Bottom Line by Jenna Nicholas Light Post Capital The Impact Experience Wayne Silbey and Calvert Impact Funds Connect with Jenna Nicholas: LinkedIn Jenna's personal website

    44 min
  7. Your Investment Thesis Is Not Your Sector

    Apr 1

    Your Investment Thesis Is Not Your Sector

    Are you interested in aligning your investment strategy with your values while driving societal impact? In this episode, Ebony Brown shares her decade of experience in venture capital, emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven investment theses that adapt with market shifts.Key topics: The fundamentals of an investment thesis beyond sector focus, including the "how" and "why" Strategies for developing a strong, evolving thesis, such as stakeholder roundtables and market research How to identify gaps in the market and validate hypotheses with deep dives and AI tools Lessons from real-life examples of thesis evolution, especially during market shifts like COVID-19 The critical importance of staying nimble and curious to prevent thesis stagnation and irrelevance Building resilient funds through market awareness, diversification, and transparent communication with investors Practical insights into forging broad relationships with founders, investors, and industry stakeholders The consequences of inflexibility: market data and fund performance in a shifting landscape Ebony's current focus on deploying capital with purpose for community impact Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Principles of Benevolence and purpose-driven investing 00:36 - What is an investment thesis and why its development matters 01:09 - Creating actionable, research-grounded theses that reflect your beliefs 01:43 - Personal strategies for thesis development over 10 years 02:03 - Moving from passive to active thesis creation aligned with values 02:38 - How to identify gaps and opportunities with broad sector research 03:10 - Using AI and deep diving into market segments like healthcare and aging populations 04:04 - The role of convening stakeholder roundtables in thesis validation 04:29 - Practical examples of stakeholder engagement during COVID 05:26 - Gathering insights through conferences, investor relationships, and industry cycles 06:46 - Recognizing market hype vs. genuine signal 07:55 - Maintaining curiosity, learning, and evolving your thesis over time 08:41 - Pitfalls of forcing investments based on rigid hypotheses 09:18 - Real-world example of pivoting from education to broader life skills 10:07 - The importance of market readiness and team execution over hype 11:01 - Pattern recognition from reviewing deals and industry shifts since 2020 12:19 - Evolving fund scope to match societal needs and maintaining investor alignment 13:37 - Communicating thesis evolution effectively to stakeholders 15:02 - The risks of stagnation and market data showing the need for agility 16:15 - Ebony's current focus on intentional capital deployment and purpose-driven outcomes 16:26 - Closing remarks and how to connect with Ebony BrownResources & Links: Principles of Benevolence Podcast Ebony Brown on LinkedIn AI Market Analysis Tools (various providers; explore for sector insights) Connect with Ebony Brown: Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

    17 min
  8. Harvard Professor On How to Find Meaningful Work

    Mar 18

    Harvard Professor On How to Find Meaningful Work

    Key topics: Brian's journey from nonprofit work to impact investing and academia How purpose and profit can coexist in business models The decision framework between starting a nonprofit or a for-profit social enterprise Principles of impact investing and market readiness Leadership and ethics principles from Harvard Business School The ALI program for late-career leaders seeking purpose Navigating philanthropy, impact investing, and entrepreneurial persistence Strategies for incorporating purpose into existing careers and boards Systems thinking approach to solving societal problems Tips for testing ideas, engaging with communities, and building meaningful relationships Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Principles of Benevolence and guest Brian Trelstad 00:45 - Brian's background and interest in purpose-driven business 01:12 - Impact of social entrepreneurship on societal change 02:10 - How Brian and Ebony know each other through impact capital organizations 03:03 - The case study of Meaningful Gigs in Harvard Business School 04:44 - Challenging the notion that profit and purpose are mutually exclusive 05:19 - Transition from nonprofit sector to impact investing 06:13 - The evolution of impact investing and purpose using profit 07:36 - Brian's work in impact investing in different countries 08:01 - Moving to Harvard and teaching social entrepreneurship 09:29 - Roles of Brian at Harvard and impact beyond venture capital 12:51 - Leadership and corporate accountability course themes 14:57 - Ethical decision-making in emerging sectors like AI and unregulated markets 16:44 - The significance of the ALI program for late-career leaders 18:32 - Defining purpose in the third chapter of life and work 19:48 - Framework: Person, Problem, Pathway for purpose exploration 22:18 - How to research societal problems beyond Harvard 24:55 - Narrowing focus: Education, environment, health, etc. 26:49 - Validating ideas through user interviews and field research 28:39 - Deciding whether to launch a nonprofit or for-profit social enterprise 30:23 - Market readiness, economic viability, capital environment as decision factors 33:27 - Access to privileged resources through organizational form 35:19 - Making decisions under uncertainty and the importance of conviction 36:48 - Persistence fueled by deep commitment to the problem 37:35 - Incorporating purpose into current roles via volunteering, boards, and community engagement 40:33 - Final words on taking action to make a difference 41:06 - How to discover your cause through personal stories or experimentation Resources & Links: HarvardX Social Entrepreneurship Course Harvard Business School Case on Meaningful Gigs HBR Article | Should Your Start-up Be Non-Profit or For-Profit Sarah Lawrence Lightfoot's "The Third Chapter" Julie Battilana and the Person, Problem, Pathway framework Impact Capital Managers Connect with Brian Trelstad: [LinkedIn]

    43 min
  9. Jewel Burks Solomon Sold Her Startup to Amazon. Then Raised $125M to Invest in Everyone Else.

    Mar 11

    Jewel Burks Solomon Sold Her Startup to Amazon. Then Raised $125M to Invest in Everyone Else.

    In this inspiring episode, Jewel Burks Solomon shares her remarkable journey from founding PartPic, an AI company, to creating million-dollar funds that empower entrepreneurs who create shared prosperity in communities. Discover how her unwavering commitment to shared prosperity and benevolence guides her influential work in tech and venture capital. Key Topics Jewel's early career at Google and her innovative internship, including her role in implementing Google across Howard University. The genesis of PartPic: identifying a technology gap in industrial parts procurement and building a company from idea to exit. Lessons from selling PartPic to Amazon and the insights gained from scaling a tech startup. Founding Collab Capital: investing intentionally in economic mobility, healthcare, and community infrastructure. The philosophy of shared prosperity and its importance in modern investing. Navigating fund structures, transparency, and experimentation in venture capital. The significance of mentorship, building authentic relationships, and maintaining networks over time. Supporting family businesses and building community through entrepreneurship. Practical advice for founders on exits, fundraising, and staying in control of their journeys. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Principles of Benevolence and Jewel's purpose-driven work 02:23 - Jewel's background: from Howard to Google, and modeling in fashion shows 04:10 - Early influences: family, faith, and humble beginnings in the South 05:35 - Transition from Google to McMaster-Carr: solving problems with technology 07:11 - Idea behind PartPic: leveraging computer vision for industrial parts 08:42 - Customer discovery and testing the product during her time at McMaster-Carr 10:22 - Exiting to Amazon in 2016: lessons from building and selling a tech company 11:37 - Inside Amazon: integrating PartPic into their platform and reflect on the experience 12:48 - The勇y of entrepreneurship at a young age and overcoming industry barriers 14:00 - Balancing multiple jobs: staying at Google while building PartPic 15:43 - The importance of relationships, mentorship, and community support in her journey 16:19 - How family and support systems fueled her entrepreneurial pursuits 18:23 - Advice on maintaining long-term relationships and the power of being a connector 19:20 - About mentorship: enabling future leaders and staying connected to mentors from early days 24:49 - Formalizing her investing: launching Collab Capital and lessons learned 28:02 - Launching Google for Startups Black and Latino Founders Funds alongside Collab 29:04 - Collab's investment thesis: shared prosperity in tech, healthcare, and community infrastructure 31:31 - The problem with individual wealth obsession versus collective economic mobility 32:36 - Unique VC fund structures and transparency in investments 35:04 - How the fundraising landscape has evolved since 2012 and opportunities for founders 38:53 - Launching the Joyful Exit newsletter: empowering founders with exit strategies and control 41:15 - Preparing for company wind downs: conversations around how to exit with dignity 42:23 - Supporting family businesses and community entrepreneurship as a legacy-building strategy 44:56 - Jewel's dream: building generational wealth and empowering marginalized communities 46:42 - Final reflections: humility, benevolence, and being a role model 47:49 - Closing remarks and gratitude for sharing this impactful journey Resources & Links Collab Capital Principles of Benevolence Podcast Google for Startups & Black Founders Fund Jewel Burks Solomon - LinkedIn PartPic Exits & Amazon Acquisition The Joyful Exit | Jewel Burks Solomon Substack   Connect with Jewel LinkedIn Twitter This episode celebrates purpose-driven entrepreneurship and shared prosperity. Tune in to learn how innovative leadership can uplift entire communities while building impactful businesses.

    49 min
  10. He Raised $100M To Fix Community College: Tade Oyerinde, Founder of Campus

    Mar 4

    He Raised $100M To Fix Community College: Tade Oyerinde, Founder of Campus

    Reimagining Higher Education: The Vision and Innovation of Tade Oyerende In this episode, Ebony Brown sits down with Tade Oyerinde, founder and chancellor of Campus, to explore how innovative approaches to online community college are transforming access, affordability, and quality in higher education. Discover how Tade's mission-driven strategy leverages technology, capital, and policy to create scalable solutions for millions of learners. Key Topics: The inspiration behind Tade's focus on democratizing education rooted in his Nigerian family legacy How Campus bought and transformed an accredited two-year college to deliver high-quality, cost-effective education The model's unique funding strategy: combining support services, top professors, and technology for student success The virtuous cycle of increased investment in student support leading to higher retention and revenue Partnerships with four-year universities to facilitate transfer pathways, reducing student debt and increasing degrees The critical role of human-centered coaching and community in motivating students beyond digital tools Policy insights: boosting Pell Grants, easing transfer credit processes, and supporting working students The long-term vision: training the workforce of tomorrow and retraining existing labor markets with AI integration Investment landscape: long-term ambitions, attracting mission-aligned capital, and the importance of ambitious scaling Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Principles of Benevolence mission 02:16 - Tade's background and early entrepreneurial ventures 05:29 - Building Uni Roulette and lessons learned 08:45 - From software sales to acquiring a college: the pivot 11:59 - Addressing dropout rates in community colleges 12:51 - Problems with high adjunct wages and how Campus's model helps 16:23 - How Campus makes quality education affordable & scalable 18:18 - Partnership with existing colleges and transfer pathways 21:24 - The impact of AI and future retraining strategies 26:21 - The role of human coaches vs AI in student success 30:08 - Policy and funding insights for accessible education 35:41 - The importance of ambition and long-term vision in edtech 40:03 - Future fundraising plans & investor perspectives 43:38 - Closing thoughts & call to action Resources & Links: Campus Sam Altman Dylan Field Peter Thiel Blackboard CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) Google Classroom OpenAI Discord Connect with Tade: LinkedIn Twitter This episode reveals how bold entrepreneurship, aligned with societal needs and supported by mission-driven investors, can redefine higher education for future generations.

    44 min
  11. Stop Treating Impact Investing as a Side Hustle with Investor & Philanthropist Dr. Freada Kapor Klein

    Feb 25

    Stop Treating Impact Investing as a Side Hustle with Investor & Philanthropist Dr. Freada Kapor Klein

    In this episode, Ebony Brown sits down with Dr. Freada Kapor Klein to explore how foundations and investors can align their capital strategies with social justice and equity goals without compromising returns. Freada shares insights from her decades of activism, pioneering impact investing, and her recent article challenging myths about sacrificing financial gains for social good. Key Topics Covered: The evolution of impact investing and how top-performing portfolios like Kapor Capital demonstrate that impact can lead to top quartile returns Breaking down the "glass wall" between foundation leadership and investment teams to align mission and capital deployment The importance of rigorous impact criteria tailored to specific sectors and metrics Strategies for funders to transition from siloed philanthropy to integrated, mission-aligned investment approaches The historical intersection of racism, sexism, and power in early sexual harassment cases and leadership lessons for social change How to shift cultural and organizational mindsets around impact, risk, and profitability in pursuit of societal transformation Timestamps: 00:00 - Principles of Benevolence: Building Companies that Matter 00:36 - Introducing Freada Kapor Klein: Impact Investing Pioneer 01:20 - Freada's activist roots and early moments shaping her mission 03:24 - The role of activism in understanding economic and wealth disparities 04:46 - Sexual harassment movement's roots and its impact on leadership 05:36 - How early activism informs current social impact strategies 08:02 - Inside the "glass wall" between foundations and investment teams 08:54 - Why most foundation endowments are misaligned with their mission 09:53 - The self-interest of impact and financial return alignment for CIOs 12:13 - Challenging the myth that impact investments sacrifice returns 13:38 - Constructing portfolios that achieve top quartile impact and financial results 15:56 - Overcoming fear and myths around impact investing in uncertain times 16:33 - The importance of rigorous impact criteria and sector-specific metrics 18:17 - Practical impact measurement: learning from portfolio companies 19:07 - Transitioning from siloed philanthropy to integrated capital strategies 20:03 - Building board consensus and innovative approaches at foundations 22:39 - Evidence from leading organizations showing impact can outperform expectations 23:34 - How Kapor Capital aligns investing with closing racial and economic gaps 26:22 - The role of lived experience in driving resilient entrepreneurs and investors 27:15 - Generational shifts and the future of mission-driven capital 28:10 - Moving forward together to advance impact and benevolence Resources & Links: Closing the Equity Gap by Mitch Kapor and Freada Klein Kapor Capital Summer Math and Science Honors (SMASH) Chronicles of Philanthropy | Stop Treating Impact Investing As A Side Hustle Fortune | Fund managers from diverse backgrounds are delivering standout returns and the smart money is slowly starting to pay attention Forbes | 50 over 50: Investment Principles of Benevolence on YouTube Principles of Benevolence on LinkedIn Connect with Freada Kapor Klein: LinkedIn Twitter Additional Notes: Freada emphasizes the necessity of aligning impact with organizational metrics, rigorous impact measurement, and the importance of courageous leadership to transform capital into social change. Her work highlights that impact investing is not only compatible with top-tier financial performance but is essential for creating systemic societal progress.

    29 min
  12. Benevolence Isn't What You Do After You've Made It - It's How You Make It

    Feb 11

    Benevolence Isn't What You Do After You've Made It - It's How You Make It

    Episode Description Explore how purpose, benevolence, and strategic investing intersect to create impactful wealth. In this episode, Ebony Brown shares her journey from philanthropy to venture capital, emphasizing that benevolence isn't an afterthought but a core component of wealth-building and responsible investing. Key Topics Ebony Brown's transition from philanthropy to venture capital and why purpose-driven investing matters The definition of benevolence: kindness, generosity, and legacy beyond money Principle #1: How to start with why and identify what you're willing to give Principle #2: Matching your tools and resources to the right problems for maximum impact and return Principle #3: The importance of proximity: solving problems you deeply understand and have lived Principle #4: Moving with conviction: acting boldly on your beliefs despite challenges The full spectrum of capital: from grants to venture capital and how each plays a role Examples of founders and funders transforming communities through purpose-driven work Practical frameworks for integrating benevolence into your career, investments, and leadership Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to Principles of Benevolence and the show's purpose 01:03 - Ebony Brown's journey: from planned philanthropy to venture capital 02:24 - Why impact investing can surpass traditional grants in scale and sustainability 03:08 - The broader scope of capital: venture, private equity, and concessionary returns 04:11 - The importance of weaving benevolence into your identity from the start 04:54 - Defining benevolence: kindness, generosity, and legacy 05:26 - Starting with why: values and lived experiences as guiding principles 06:27 - Examples of family influence shaping a benevolent mindset 07:24 - Ebony's experience with education inequality and returning to Detroit 08:08 - Making benevolence a long-term muscle, not just an afterthought 08:56 - How to integrate giving into your career and daily life 09:20 - The story of Ebony's brother leveraging early relationships for growth 10:24 - Tactical takeaway: find your why, identify resources you can share, and align actions with values 11:03 - Matching tools (grants, concessionary capital, venture) to the right problems 12:01 - The scale and market opportunities in education and underserved markets 13:08 - How to deploy the appropriate capital based on problem complexity and market needs 14:16 - The significance of proximity and lived experience in investments 15:30 - Examples of founders solving problems they intimately know 16:24 - Building programs with community insight and local leadership to create impact 17:16 - Moving with conviction: stay committed despite political or social headwinds 18:48 - Highlighting leaders who demonstrate that benevolence scales and is strategic 19:23 - Next episode preview with Dr. Freida Kapor Klein on aligning investments with values Resources & Links Principles of Benevolence Website Ebony Brown LinkedIn Chronicles of Philanthropy | Stop Treating Impact Investing As A Side Hustle Fortune | Fund Managers From Diverse Backgrounds Are Delivering Standout Returns Care Academy Campus (Tade Oyerinde's company) Rockefeller Foundation Melissa Bradley (Investor & Expert) Howard University Google Careers Giving Pledge Connect with Ebony Brown: Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Remember: Building wealth with purpose and benevolence isn't an afterthought—it's a strategic foundation. This podcast shows that responsible capital deployment amplifies impact at scale.

    20 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

You don't have to choose between making money and making a difference. Principles of Benevolence is a podcast for anyone building wealth with purpose—whether you're managing $100K or $100M. Host Ebony Brown, a venture capitalist with over a decade of experience, sits down with entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who prove that purpose and profit aren't enemies—they're partners. What you'll learn: - How to align your investments and business with your core values—without sacrificing returns - Strategic frameworks for deploying capital across the full spectrum: from venture capital to patient capital to strategic philanthropy - Real stories from leaders who've raised millions, managed billion-dollar portfolios, IPO'd companies, and achieved billion-dollar exits—all while solving problems that matter - Practical pathways for building businesses and careers that serve a purpose beyond yourself Who this is for: Aspiring and experienced investors, founders building purpose-driven companies, family office allocators, foundation leaders, and anyone who wants to steward resources responsibly while generating strong returns. Each episode features candid conversations with people who've figured out how to marry purpose with profit—and actionable insights you can apply whether you're just starting out or managing institutional capital. Hosted by Ebony Brown, a venture capitalist who's deployed millions into companies solving the world's biggest challenges—from workforce development to healthcare to education access. Ebony shares her own journey from Detroit to Silicon Valley, and the principles she's learned about building wealth while staying true to your values. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe now to join a community of purpose-driven builders, investors, and leaders who believe that benevolence isn't what you do after you've made it—it's how you make it.