
Morgan DeBaun has built companies and communities for the past decade. As the CEO and founder of Blavity, AfroTech (the largest multicultural tech gathering in the United States), non-profit Blavity.org, WorkSmart, and her newest venture Home and Texture, she embodies the dedication of successful entrepreneurs of the past while remaining relatable like Millennials and Gen Z’s of the present with her day-in-the-life TikToks, transparency with her followers, and advice she shares online. In celebration of Women’s History Month and Black Love’s C-Suite Elite Campaign celebrating Black women changing the game in their respective industries, we spoke with Morgan on her entrepreneur journey, confidence, self-care, and living a life filled with love.
In your hardest days as a CEO, what’s kept you motivated?
How do you prepare to walk into spaces where you’re the only minority?
When preparing to walk into a space where I am the only minority, I practice self-love and stay confident in my abilities. This helps me to remain focused on my goals and shows others that representation matters. It takes courage and determination to break through the status quo, but it can be done.
It can be tough to break through the status quo, but I believe it’s worth it. I try to gather as much information as I can before I go into a new situation, so I’m prepared and have all the facts and context I need to make informed decisions.
Another thing that helps me is to find allies within the space. It’s always good to have people who will support and encourage you, and who will work with you to create a more inclusive environment. After all, we all deserve equal opportunities and a chance to succeed. It’s something that’s important not just for ourselves, but for our communities and future generations too.
BlackLove.com Related Articles:
C-Suite Elite! These Black Women Bosses Are Dominating the Media Industry
Goldman Sachs is Building an Inclusive Community for Black Entrepreneurs
These Mamas Mean Business
Take us through your self-care regimen; how does Morgan take care and love on her before she starts her day?
My self-care regimen starts with making sure I get enough rest. I try to get 8 hours of sleep each night and sometimes make time for naps in the afternoon if possible. I’m usually up early in the morning to meditate, stretch and journal before heading off to work. Throughout the day, I take breaks from work — even if it’s just 10 minutes here or there — and find ways to practice mindfulness, like taking a walk outside or listening to music. Before bed, I’ll unwind by reading a book or doing some breathing exercises to help me relax so that when my head hits the pillow, I can quickly drift off into a deep sleep. And above all else, maintaining personal relationships is really important — I reach out regularly (at least once per week) to family & friends who positively impact my life. Taking care of myself in these ways helps me start my day feeling well-rested, productive, and connected!
Beyond mentorship, what words of encouragement or advice can you provide anyone looking to climb the leadership ranks?
I advise anyone looking to climb the leadership ranks to stay focused on your goals and have faith in yourself. Taking calculated risks, remaining resilient in the face of adversity, and having a clear vision will help you reach your targets. At each level you reach you have to be deeply self aware Developing strong relationships with people who can provide support during difficult times and help open doors for you will be invaluable throughout your journey. Above all else, believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams!
You’ve been sharing more of your life on TikTok lately, and we love getting to know you more! In this post, you encouraged ladies to remember you can still be a boss and be open to love. What advice would you give to women in leadership desiring a love-filled life?
My first piece of advice would be to take time to get to know yourself, be in tune with your emotions and to ensure that you know what you want next. As leaders ,we can be running around, moving from conference to meeting to business strategy and on and on. Before you bring another partner into your world, ensure you are prioritizing yourself. After all, you’re the only person you’re guaranteed to spend your whole life with, so you might as well make it a great relationship. Once you do that, you will be able to more clearly identify the type of relationship and partner you want in your life and will be able to clearly set boundaries around how much of your time and energy you want to dedicate to building those relationships.
Additionally, put yourself out there and take the time to invest in relationships that bring you joy. Don’t get too caught up in labels, especially when it comes to traditional concepts of a relationship. Find someone who supports your goals and dreams while respecting your independence — they will be your best partner. As a leader, set boundaries around how much of your time and energy you want to dedicate to building relationships outside of work so that your personal life doesn’t become overwhelmed or neglected by new commitments. With all these tips in mind, I always remind myself (and others) that it’s okay to make mistakes as we navigate love – use those lessons learned for growth with each step forward!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION