Hey Afropolitans!

Get ready for an exciting edition of the Afropolitan newsletter! This week, we've got an inspiring Trailblazer Talk with Mercedes Bent of Lightspeed Ventures, a spotlight on Abdul-Aziz Garuba, the dynamic leader building the Africa of the future, and a thought-provoking Instagram video from our co-founder Chika on navigating the world of dating and relationships. Plus, don't miss out on the summer event of the season – the Afropolitan Summer Pent Rooftop Party happening this Sunday, July 7th, with only 24 last-minute tickets available. Get ready to celebrate African culture, connect with like-minded individuals, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Oakland skyline. Dive in and enjoy this week's edition of the Afropolitan newsletter!

Trailblazer Talks

In this week's Trailblazer Talks, we have the incredible Mercedes Bent, Partner at Lightspeed Ventures, dropping some serious wisdom bombs. As she so profoundly puts it, "one of the biggest, most profound realization I've had is there is no life path that can be planned or followed."

Mercedes is living proof that embracing the unknown can lead to amazing things. Born in North Carolina and raised in California, she grew up with a love for web development and a family that encouraged her to think outside the box. Fast forward to today, and Mercedes is crushing it in the world of venture capital, focusing on consumer investments in crypto at Lightspeed.

But her path to success was anything but straightforward. From working as a Product Manager and General Manager at startups to managing P&Ls and growing revenue from $2 to $100M, Mercedes has worn many hats. And through it all, she's never lost sight of her ultimate goal: empowering the communities she cares about.

In this episode, Mercedes shares her working formulas, the hard facts about leaving familiar terrain, and how to stay relevant in an ever-changing industry. It's a must-listen for any Afropolitan looking to harness their full potential and contribute to the development of a bold and progressive black community.

So grab your headphones, sit back, and get ready to be inspired by the one and only Mercedes Bent. Trust us, you won't want to miss this!

Watch the interview below

Afropolitan Spotlight

It's time to put the spotlight on an incredible member of our Afropolitan community: Abdul-Aziz Garuba! This powerhouse is not only the Chief Commercial Officer at MortgageMarket and Co-founder of BlackTies, but he's also on a mission to build the Africa of the future and help Black professionals level up in their careers.

With over 12 years of experience in finance and management consulting, Aziz is known for his ability to drive change and deliver improvements to business performance. He's not afraid to challenge the status quo and take productivity to new heights. As a confident leader and mentor, Aziz has an exceptional focus on finding gaps and developing action steps to achieve desired results.

But Aziz's impact goes beyond the boardroom. His professional and community work earned him a well-deserved 2019 CPA Ontario Emerging Leaders Award. And if that wasn't enough, he's also the producer and host of the podcast "Made to Lead," a show that highlights Black excellence and leadership through thought-provoking success stories of amazing professionals and entrepreneurs of African descent who are leading in various industries.

With a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa and an MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen's University, Aziz is a force to be reckoned with. He's also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

We're thrilled to have Aziz as part of our Afropolitan community, and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes next. Keep shining bright, Aziz!

Join Our WhatsApp Channel: Your Direct Line to Afropolitan

At Afropolitan, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of staying informed. That's why we're excited to invite you to join our exclusive WhatsApp channel, designed to keep you in the loop with all our latest announcements and updates.

By joining our WhatsApp community, you'll gain direct access to a global network of like-minded individuals who share your passion for celebrating and elevating the African diaspora. From upcoming events and initiatives to thought-provoking discussions and opportunities for collaboration, our WhatsApp channel is your gateway to staying connected with the pulse of the Afropolitan movement.

Don't miss out on the chance to be part of the conversation and contribute to the growth of our vibrant community. To join, simply click on the link below and follow the prompts to become a member of our WhatsApp channel. We can't wait to welcome you and keep you informed every step of the way.

Together, we'll continue to shape the narrative and drive positive change for Afropolitans worldwide.

Lem-Fi -Changing The Way You Send Money Home

We know you're always on the lookout for the best ways to support your loved ones back home, but let's be real – sending money to Africa can be a real headache. Between the sky-high fees and the stress of finding a trustworthy service, it's enough to make you want to throw your hands up and say, "Forget it!"

But wait, we've got the inside scoop on a game-changing app that's about to make your life a whole lot easier. Introducing LemFi! – your new best friend for sending money to Africa!

With LemFi, you can kiss those crazy fees goodbye and send cash to your people in Lagos and nine other African countries with just a few taps on your phone. It's like having a money-sending genie at your fingertips!

But here's the real kicker – when you sign up using the referral code AFROPOLITAN, verify your account, and send over $100, LemFi will hook you up with a sweet $30 bonus. That's right, you'll basically get paid to make your life easier!

Trust us, this is one app you won't want to sleep on. Click here to download LemFi and start sending money like a boss today!

If you haven't seen it yet, our very own co-founder Chika is breaking the internet with her latest Instagram video! With over 1 million views, Chika is serving up some serious wisdom about navigating the world of dating and relationships.

In the video, Chika drops some truth bombs about not worrying about a man who gives you no contact and how to move accordingly. It's the kind of advice that will have you nodding your head and saying, "Yass, queen!" But more than that, it points to a bigger conversation about where single people can go to find a safe space to talk about what they're facing as they navigate the ups and downs of dating.

That's where Legacy comes in. We created Legacy as a social club for singles to connect, mingle, and have conversations about love, life, and everything in between. It's a space where men and women can come together and share their experiences, their hopes, and their dreams.

So if you're looking for a community of like-minded individuals who are all about living their best single lives, Legacy is the place for you. And if you want to be part of this amazing social club, now's your chance!

Head over to our website to learn more about how you can join the Legacy family. And while you're at it, make sure to check out Chika's video and join the conversation. Because when it comes to matters of the heart, we're all in this together.

The Afropolitan Pulse: Your Global African News