The Enterprise of BIPOC Excellence: Building Community & Legacy
Hey Amplifiers! Welcome back to “The Four Percent Amplified.” I’m your host, Sunni! We just dropped the second episode, which is a must-listen for every underrepresented minority creative and entrepreneur out there. In this powerful discussion, I sat down with two incredible community builders, Natesha Mortimer, Founder of Data Swale, and Doneil Chapman, a fantastic freelance frontend software engineer.
If you've ever felt like you're navigating your creative or entrepreneurial journey in a world not quite built for you, this episode is your affirmation and your guide. With insights from Natesha and Doneil, we unpacked a truly vital concept, “The immense power of community and the absolute necessity of creating our own spaces to thrive.”
Listen Here
〰️
Listen Here 〰️
It Takes a Village: Especially When the System Isn't Designed for You
The saying "it takes a village" rings especially true for us. As I highlighted, when the systemic landscape wasn't always designed with your success in mind, building intentional spaces of connection and support isn't just nice-to-have; it's crucial.
With the brilliant perspectives of Natesha and Doneil, we explored how networking, mentorship within our own circles, and freely sharing resources can help us not just survive but truly flourish and overcome systemic hurdles. Imagine the exponential growth when we shift from a mindset of individual competition to one of collective strength. What becomes possible when we prioritize lifting each other up, sharing knowledge freely, and building together, for all of us?
The Narrative of Community: From Scarcity to Abundance
Natesha and Doneil painted such a vivid picture of what these vital communities look like in practice, drawing from their own experiences:
Spaces of Belonging: Picture walking into a physical co-working hub, a vibrant online forum, or even a tight-knit group chat where you instantly feel seen, understood, and supported. It's a place where asking for help is an opportunity for collective problem-solving, not a sign of weakness.
Shared Resources & Leveling the Playing Field: Think about the efficiency of openly exchanging knowledge about funding opportunities, legal advice, or reliable vendors. This isn't just about saving time; it's about democratizing access to vital information that might otherwise be gatekept, effectively leveling the playing field for everyone.
Collaboration Over Competition: Perhaps most powerfully, we discussed the shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance. When we view another creative or entrepreneur not as competition, but as a potential collaborator, we unlock immense potential. Championing each other's successes, offering genuine mentorship, and actively seeking out opportunities to connect – these actions don't just strengthen individuals; they fortify our entire ecosystem. As Natesha and Doneil emphasized, we're literally building our own table, where everyone has a seat and a voice.
Build and Amplify!
As we heard so powerfully from Natesha and Doneil, living through 2025, actively building community is more vital than ever. I wrapped up the episode with some fantastic, tangible next steps for all of us:
Actively seek out and participate in online forums where you find genuine connection and shared understanding.
Show up at local meetups, ready to share your experiences and learn from others.
Reach out to someone whose work you admire and offer mentorship, or proactively seek a mentor who can guide you.
Make a conscious effort to share each other's work and amplify successes.
Create collaborative opportunities that lift everyone.
Openly discuss new trends and ideas in your field to expand collective knowledge.
Joining me for this powerful conversation are two dynamic guest speakers
natesha Mortimer
Natesha Mortimer is the Founder of Data Swale, an analytics startup where she leverages her extensive background in Data Science, Analytics, and Finance to transform complex data into clear, actionable insights. Currently, she is also advancing her expertise as a Master's student at Georgia Tech. In addition to her professional endeavors, Natesha is the creator of "What's Your Mission?, a community project that promotes sharing, learning, and growing for the betterment of personal lives, society, and the planet by highlighting the unique missions of socially-minded community members and businesses. Follow Natesha on Instagram, Data Swale, & What’s Your Mission, & LinkedIn.
doneil chapman
Doneil Chapman is a talented software engineer specializing in frontend development. He is currently expanding his expertise by actively developing his web3 skillsets, with a focus on building applications directly on various blockchains. He is deeply passionate about researching the broader web3 space and engaging in discussions about the future evolution of the internet. His areas of interest and expertise include cryptocurrency, web3, decentralized finance (DeFi), frontend development, and the intricate landscape of DeFi regulations. You can learn more about his work and connect with him via his website, & LinkedIn.
conclusion: supporting your community
This week, I'm asking all of us to take a tangible step towards building our community. Will you commit to supporting a Black or minority-owned small business? Maybe discover a new favorite coffee shop, purchase a unique piece of art, or simply share their work online.
Or perhaps, consider how you can create community yourself. Could you reach out to a fellow creative and suggest a virtual coffee chat to discuss a new trend you've noticed? Maybe explore starting a small online group focused on a shared skill or interest?
Small actions lead to collective power.
Thank you for tuning in to The 4 Percent Amplified and for listening to the valuable perspectives of Natesha Mortimer and Doneil Chapman.
join the conversation
This discussion doesn't end here. We believe that true amplification happens when we share, discuss, and build together. What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop a comment below and let me know how you plan to build or support your community this week!
If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a friend, colleague, or anyone in your network who could benefit from this message. And, of course, continue to connect with our growing community on all social platforms @The4PercentAmped. Your engagement fuels our collective journey.
Until next time, keep amplifying!
