HBCUvc Angel Investing Summit Empowers a New Generation of Investors
On January 10, 2025, HBCUvc hosted its inaugural HBCU Alumni Angel Investing Summit, a virtual event designed to educate and empower HBCU alumni and allies to become angel investors. With a packed agenda featuring keynote speakers, founder spotlights, and expert panels, the summit provided actionable insights into wealth-building, philanthropy, and the importance of community-driven investing. Attendees gained knowledge on how to get started in angel investing, leverage collective networks, and support mission-aligned startups that drive meaningful change in Black communities.
The summit opened with remarks from HBCUvc leaders Hadiyah Mujhid and Chelsea Roberts, who set the stage for the day's discussions by emphasizing the importance of building sustainable Black wealth through investing. Highlights included a session with Lijie Zhou and Chuck Eesley, who shared how they built a family foundation to align their wealth with their values, as well as founder spotlights featuring Dr. Benjamin Harvey, who shared insights into building AI Squared and how angel investors have played a critical role in the company’s growth. A panel discussion featuring seasoned angels, Ayori Selassie, Christina Whatley, and Calvin Butts explored different pathways into angel investing, from direct investments to Donor Advised Funds and co-investing. Megan Holston-Alexander from a16z’s Cultural Leadership Fund delivered a compelling closing keynote, inspiring attendees to take action and make their first angel investments.
5 Key Takeaways from the Summit:
Angel Investing is an Accessible Path to Wealth-Building – Panelists debunked the myth that angel investing is only for the ultra-wealthy, highlighting various entry points, including Donor Advised Funds, syndicates, and direct investments.
Mission-Aligned Investing Can Drive Long-Term Impact – The discussion with Zhou and Eesley underscored how investors can leverage their capital to support startups that reflect their values, proving that philanthropy and investing can go hand in hand.
Community is a Powerful Investing Tool – A session on collective angel communities demonstrated that investing as part of a network not only reduces risk but also increases opportunities to support Black founders and build generational wealth.
Founders Need More Than Just Capital – The founder spotlights emphasized that beyond funding, early-stage entrepreneurs benefit from mentorship, strategic connections, and investor advocacy to navigate challenges and scale their businesses.
Take Action: Start Small and Stay Consistent – The closing challenge from Hadiyah Mujhid encouraged attendees to begin their investing journeys within the next year, reinforcing that consistent, intentional steps—no matter how small—can lead to meaningful change.
The HBCU Alumni Angel Investing Summit successfully laid the foundation for a growing community of impact-driven investors. By equipping attendees with knowledge, connections, and actionable next steps, HBCUvc continues to lead the way in creating opportunities for Black wealth-building through angel investing. Sign up for HBCUvc’s virtual Angel Investing course now.
