Hey, Afropolitan fam! Buckle up because this week's newsletter includes inspiration, innovation, and fascinating announcements. Here's what's cooking:

Trailblazer Alert: We're diving into fintech with Atsu Davoh, the mastermind behind Bitsika. From college dropout to tech titan, Atsu's story is a masterclass in following your passion. Learn how he's revolutionizing cross-border payments and why Davido is part of the Bitsika squad.

Spotlight on Excellence: Meet Jennie Nwokoye, our Afropolitan member who is making waves in healthcare and entrepreneurship. With her company Clafiya raising a $610,000 pre-seed, Jennie's mission is transforming healthcare access in Nigeria. Plus, she's just been named a Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Milestone Maker!

Love is in the Air: We're unveiling the new Legacy website, your gateway to our exclusive social dating club for high-achieving singles in the African diaspora. Whether you're looking to join, refer a friend, or stay updated on exclusive events, Legacy's got you covered. Find your power match at https://legacy.rsvp/

From fintech innovation to the healthcare revolution and entrepreneurial milestones to finding love, we're covering all bases this week. Dive into the full stories below and prepare to be inspired, motivated, and maybe even find your perfect match!

Stay awesome, stay ambitious, and keep making waves, Afropolitan fam!

Trailblazer Talks

Hey Afropolitan fam! This week's Trailblazer is giving us significant fintech fever! Eche sat down with Atsu Davoh, the mastermind behind Bitsika, and trust me, his story is wilder than a rollercoaster ride through Silicon Valley!

Picture this: Atsu's chilling in college in the US, but instead of hitting the books, he's hitting the keyboard and building websites while his classmates are building beer-pong skills. School? Not for him. He dropped out faster than you can say "entrepreneur" and dove headfirst into the startup world. Fast forward to Bitsika, Atsu's brainchild, helping folks send money across borders like a game of international hot potato.

The real kicker? In 2020, they snagged Davido as their brand ambassador. Yes, THAT Davido! Suddenly, Bitsika wasn't just a fintech company; it was the coolest kid on the block. Atsu spilled the tea on scaling ideas, tackling Nigerian crypto regulations, and the headaches of hiring in Africa. He got honest about crypto, decentralization, and what being Afropolitan means to him – it's more exciting than binge-watching your favorite series.

For all you bookworms, Atsu's recommending "Antifragile" by Nicholas Taleb, "The Bitcoin Standard" by Saifedean Ammous, and "Inventing Bitcoin" by Yan Pritzker. Hungry for more? Tune into the full episode for all the juicy details, including Atsu's first dance with failure (spoiler: he didn't let it stop his groove).

Remember, fam: sometimes the road less traveled is where the real magic happens. Atsu's journey from college dropout to fintech wizard proves that you can change the game with a little hustle, a lot of heart, and a killer idea. Now, who's ready to build the next big thing?

Afropolitan Spotlight

Fam, get ready to be inspired! This week, we're shining our spotlight on the fantastic Jennie Nwokoye, and trust me, her story is hotter than jollof rice at a Lagos party!

First, let's talk about Jennie's superpower: she's a Systems Engineering wizard with 7+ years of slaying in technical consulting and project management. But wait, there's more! This queen isn't just about the tech life – she's got a heart of gold and a passion for social impact that's changing the game.

Hold onto your hats because Jennie's just dropped some major news: her company, Clafiya, just raised a whopping $610,000 pre-seed! Talk about making it rain! But the story behind Clafiya will hit you right in the feels.

It goes like this: In 2000, Jennie's family relocated to Nigeria for a few years. During that time, she witnessed the challenges facing the healthcare sector firsthand. On one occasion, a relative almost died due to a lack of access to timely care. Fast forward to 2021, and Jennie's back in Nigeria on a mission to fix what's broken. That's how Clafiya was born, folks!

Clafiya isn't just another startup—it's a lifeline. They've already connected thousands of Nigerians with quality, on-demand healthcare. How? By partnering with rockstar healthcare companies and unleashing an army of nurses and Community Health Officers (aka the Heartbeat of Clafiya).

But wait, there's more tea to spill! Jennie's not just crushing it in healthcare – she's also a total boss in the entrepreneurship world. She's the go-to guru in Washington, DC, for capacity building and youth development. Young and minority entrepreneurs? She's got their backs with everything from business plans to pitch competitions.

And as if all that wasn't enough to make us mere mortals feel lazy, Jennie's just been selected as a Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Milestone Maker for this summer's cohort! Talk about leveling up!

Jennie's journey reminds us that sometimes, life's most challenging moments can inspire incredible innovations. So next time life throws you lemons, don't just make lemonade – build a whole lemonade empire like our girl Jennie!

Keep slaying, Jennie! The Afropolitan family is cheering you on!

@claaaarke

bringing more of my IG story questions to tiktok 👀 i love answering these

Afropolitan fam, we're diving into some spicy territory this week! Our social media radar picked up on a TikTok video that's got everyone talking. The star of the show? Clarke Peoples, a 23-year-old Atlanta native who's been dubbed "Gen-Z's Black Carrie Bradshaw." And trust us, she's living up to the title!

In her video, Clarke drops some truth bombs about dating within her socioeconomic class or higher. She's not shy about it either—our girl has been through the wringer and has made a conscious decision to be selective about her dating pool. Her take? It's not fair for women who've worked hard to have to "date down."

Before you start arguing about "but what about 50/50?" Let's take a step back. This conversation is more nuanced than a simple split of the bill. It's about recognizing each person's value to a relationship—and that value isn't just about who picks up the check.

Clarke's video opens up a can of worms many of us have been tiptoeing around. How do we balance our ambitions and hard-earned success with our dating lives? Is it wrong to want a partner who matches or exceeds our socioeconomic status? And how do we have these conversations without sounding elitist or materialistic?

These are tough questions, fam, and there are no easy answers. But that's precisely why we must discuss this more openly and without judgment. Whether you agree with Clarke or not, we can all learn from her boldness in addressing this topic head-on.

So, Afropolitan family, we're throwing this one out to you. What are your thoughts on dating economics? Have you ever felt pressured to "date down" or "date up"? How do you balance financial considerations with other factors in your relationships?

Let's get this conversation flowing! Drop your thoughts in the comments, share your experiences, and let's create a space to discuss these real-life issues without fear or judgment. After all, love might be blind, but in today's world, is it blind to bank accounts? Let's talk about it!

Legacy: Where High Achievers Find Love

Listen up, Afropolitan fam! We've got some hot news for all you successful singles out there. If you're a high-flying professional in the diaspora looking to connect with equally ambitious individuals, we have just the thing for you. Say hello to Legacy, our exclusive social dating club for successful singles in the African Diaspora!

We're thrilled to unveil the brand new Legacy website. This isn't just any dating site—it's the ultimate platform for elite singles who are serious about finding meaningful connections. Trust us; this is where the magic happens!

So, what's the buzz all about? Our sleek new site is packed with features that'll make your journey to finding love smooth as butter:

1. Discover: Dive into all the juicy details about our curated community of high achievers. Learn why Legacy is the place to be for ambitious singles like you.

2. Apply: Ready to join the club? Our streamlined application process makes it a breeze. No more jumping through hoops – we've made it easy for you to showcase why you're the catch of the century.

3. Refer: Know other successful singles who deserve to find their perfect match? Spread the love! Our new referral system lets you easily invite your accomplished friends to expand our network. After all, the more, the merrier!

4. Stay Updated: Our events calendar never misses a beat. From exclusive mixers to power networking sessions, we've got it all. Keep your finger on the pulse of upcoming events and opportunities that could lead to your happily ever after.

Curious to see what all the fuss is about? Head over to prepare to be wowed.

Remember, Afropolitan fam, success is attractive, but finding someone who matches your drive and ambition? That's the actual jackpot. So why wait? Your perfect match could be just a click away. Let's make some power couples, shall we?

The Afropolitan Pulse: Your Global African News