Here at The Cap Table, our mission is to help more people get (and stay) on the capitalization table. 

Historically, equity upside in startups and VC has been reserved predominantly for already-wealthy white males. This has helped create and perpetuate a cycle of inequity in this country.

We stand in solidarity with those protesting for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, and the countless other black and brown people killed by senseless police violence.

Unequal access to capital and resources is a result of systemic racism that permeates every aspect of our society.

The future will be built by black & brown founders and investors.

Period.

This week, we’re highlighting founders, investors, operators, and sharing resources for people of color and allies to the community.

For non-people-of-color in startups and VC, the time for talk is over. We’re encouraged by some of the efforts this last week to raise awareness and funds, but we’re barely scratching the surface.

We cannot allow this moment to be a flash in the pan; we need systemic change. We promise to listen to and amplify black voices in our community. We promise to continually advocate for change and to hold leaders accountable. 

Bookmark this.

Take time to learn.

-TCT Team

A mural of George Floyd in Minneapolis by Xena Goldman, Cadex Herrera, Greta McLain, Niko Alexander, and Pablo Hernandez (via: Grace Ebert / Colossal)

Hire the person or wire the investment.

Economics does not come close to solving everything but it solves more than carefully crafted comms or tweet threads.

Hire or wire.

— Web Smith (@web) May 31, 2020

Diversity is not a one size fits all approach.

— Minda Harts (@MindaHarts) June 4, 2020

Spoke with @CNBC today about how corporations' needing to step up in the fight for justice with the Black community. https://t.co/95P96ZBiG2

— tristan walker (@tristanwalker) June 4, 2020

Tweet Not Available

Surviving America as a person of color gives you the attributes to be the perfect entrepreneur ... grit, perseverance, scrappy, dream big, work hard, refuse to quit even when it feels like the world is against you. https://t.co/hy5coKPVUz

— Paul Judge, Ph.D. (@pauljudge) June 3, 2020

I am incredibly proud of my wife @NatashaHoliday for her bravery in telling her story and creating a space at @RBC to have a discussion about Anti-Racism and Allyship. https://t.co/iuQkN7SyOL

— Aaron Holiday (@AHolidayiii) June 3, 2020

Here’s my statement about who I was referring to in last night’s tweet... (just published my latest episode of Your First Million podcast found across many platforms) 🗣 https://t.co/UfBjZY9rEI

— Arlan 👊🏾 (@ArlanWasHere) June 4, 2020

Powerful words from and insights from @tcburning @MoniqueWoodard @TheValuesVC and others. Worth the watch. https://t.co/lxyx0LxldB

— Earnest Sweat (@EarnestSweat) June 5, 2020

which black / latinx founders have raised over $10M? Is there a comprehensive list somewhere? would be grateful if people could tag or mention them below

— Megan Maloney (@meganbytes94) June 4, 2020

This is my @BLCKVC story:
(details)

🇨🇦 Lived in dt Toronto for 4 years, never talked to police ONCE

🇺🇸 This happened to me the SECOND night I moved back to the US. In Palo Alto. Across from Stanford. My wife is a GSB alum...

Love❤️ Blessings🙏🏽 & Strength💪🏽 to the Floyd Family pic.twitter.com/RWoAn3m4sw

— Elliott Robinson (@TheValuesVC) June 4, 2020

Tweet Not Available

A trend I’m seeing. “Pained” SV folks putting out a “What can I do to help” tweet then not responding to a single comment on the thread. Whew. Why do people who care about justice work in Silicon Valley? It’s beyond me. At least in NYC they don’t pretend to care if they don’t. 😂

— Brian Brackeen (@BrianBrackeen) June 1, 2020

If policing in America doesn’t change after this - I have no idea what will make it change.

— Michael Seibel (@mwseibel) June 5, 2020

As a VC, the obvious answer is to back more black and brown founders and encourage your portfolio companies to hire more black talent.

As a founder or hiring manager, hire more black people.

This is just the beginning. We hope this serves as a spark for future change in the startup and VC community.