She’s not waiting for permission.

Flavilla Fongang went from the ghettos of Paris to building Black Rise—one of the UK’s boldest tech tribes. She’s mixing identity, data, and storytelling to scale Black power through business.

In this episode:

-Why storytelling beats pitching in tech
-How she turned oil & gas into a launchpad
-Her strategy for building community-first platforms
-Why AI is non-negotiable for Black excellence
-The real ROI of diverse ecosystems

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro — Paris to Power
01:42 Childhood in the Paris ghettos
03:55 Moving to London & early struggles
06:18 From oil & gas to fashion to tech
09:44 Founding 3 Colours Rule
12:30 How storytelling became her weapon
15:02 Why she built GTA Black Women in Tech
17:50 Launching Black Rise — the AI-powered tribe
21:33 Scaling community and credibility
25:01 Diversity with data, not feelings
28:40 What leadership looks like in 2025
31:09 Her advice to future founders
34:00 Closing thoughts + how to connect

About Flavilla Fongang:
Multi-award-winning entrepreneur. Founder of 3 Colours Rule, GTA Black Women in Tech, and now Black Rise. Former oil & gas exec turned tech community builder. UN Brand Partner. Named UK’s Most Influential Woman in Tech (Computer Weekly), Global Top 100 MIPAD Innovator, and Entrepreneur of the Year (BTA 2023). She also serves as an entrepreneurship expert at Oxford University Saïd Business School.

Watch this if you lead with identity and build with vision.

—

Follow Flavilla Fongang:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flavillafongang
Twitter (X): https://x.com/FlavillaFongang
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flavillafongang
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flavillaf
Website: https://www.flavillafongang.com
Black Rise: https://www.theblackrise.com
GTA Black Women in Tech: https://theblackwomenintech.com
3 Colours Rule: https://www.3coloursrule.com

#blackfounder #techstorytelling #communitytech

Disruption Now: Disrupting the status quo, making emerging tech human-centric and Accessible to all.

Website https://disruptionnow.com/
Apply to get on the Podcast https://form.typeform.com/to/Ir6Agmzr?typeform-source=disruptionnow.com

Music: Powerful Beat - Oleksandr Stepanov

She was told she wasn't tall enough, thin enough, pretty enough.
Now she’s rewriting the rules of beauty for everyone else.

In this episode 183 of the Disruption Now Podcast, Sian Bitner-Kearney, founder of Rock Your Beauty, reveals how perfectionism, filters, and social media lies damage self-worth—and what it takes to break free. Her nonprofit is helping women embrace their authentic selves, one fashion show and workshop at a time.

🎙 Learn how Rock Your Beauty evolved from a charity event into a bold movement helping women and girls reclaim confidence, self-love, and sanity in the algorithm age.

💬 If you've ever doubted your worth, this conversation is for you.

🔗 Follow Sian & Rock Your Beauty:

Website: https://www.rockyourbeauty.org
Instagram (Sian): https://www.instagram.com/sianbk
Instagram (Rock Your Beauty): https://www.instagram.com/rockyourbeauty_cincinnati
Podcast: https://www.rockyourbeauty.org (see "Podcast" tab)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rock-Your-Beauty/61559182740239
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sianbitner
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/sianbk

👁️‍🗨️ If you're building confidence, battling self-doubt, or raising strong girls, watch this.
#realbeauty #womensconfidence #mentalhealth

Disruption Now: Disrupting the status quo, making emerging tech human-centric and Accessible to all.

Website https://disruptionnow.com/
Apply to get on the Podcast https://form.typeform.com/to/Ir6Agmzr?typeform-source=disruptionnow.com

Laid off or lost in the noise? You’re not alone.

Episode 182: Nicole Dunbar—Cornell-trained strategist and viral LinkedIn voice—joins Disruption Now to dissect the “white collar recession.” From AI displacement to hiring freezes, she breaks down how even top-tier pros are invisible in today’s job market. Learn:

6 proven job search strategies (only 1 involves job boards)

-Why resumes alone fail—and what recruiters actually trust
-The mindset shift every mid-career pro must make now
-How to “network” without small talk or selling out
-The emotional trap that sabotages high performers
-The hiring game changed. Here’s how to stay in it.

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and rewire your search.

#jobsearchstrategy #futureofwork #whitecollarrecession

Disruption Now: Disrupting the status quo, making emerging tech human-centric and Accessible to all.

Website https://disruptionnow.com/
Apply to get on the Podcast https://form.typeform.com/to/Ir6Agmzr?typeform-source=disruptionnow.com

In this episode of the Disruption Now Podcast, host Rob Richardson sits down with Jacob D. Frankel (Kobi), the visionary Founder and CEO of Beyond Alpha Ventures. Jacob shares his journey from managing over $355 million in assets on Wall Street to leading a multi-strategy family office and hedge fund that invests in transformative technologies like AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. He discusses the importance of investing with purpose, the future of venture capital, and how Beyond Alpha Ventures is shaping the infrastructure of an AI-driven future. Tune in for an insightful conversation on strategic investing, innovation, and building a legacy.

Top 3 Things You’ll Learn from This Episode:

Investing with Purpose – Jacob emphasizes the significance of deploying capital in ways that make a tangible difference, focusing on ventures that combine financial opportunity with real-world impact.

Navigating Market Volatility – Learn how Beyond Alpha Ventures capitalizes on market dislocations and geopolitical shifts to identify high-conviction investment opportunities.

The Future of Venture Capital – Discover Jacob's insights on the evolving landscape of venture capital, including the rise of AI, quantum computing, and the importance of ethical foresight in investment strategies.

Jacob's Social Media Pages:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobfrankelprivateequity
Website: https://www.beyondalphaventures.com/

Disruption Now: Building a Fair Share for Culture and Media. Join us and disrupt.

Website https://bit.ly/2VUO9sf
Apply to get on the Podcast https://form.typeform.com/to/Ir6Agmzr?typeform-source=disruptionnow.com
Facebook https://bit.ly/303IU8j
Instagram https://bit.ly/2YOLl26
Twitter https://bit.ly/2KfLaTf
Website https://bit.ly/2VUO9sf

Eric Brown Jr. is the founder of ELVTE Coaching and Consulting and a Generative AI innovation lead at Microsoft. In this powerful conversation with Rob Richardson, he unpacks how early adversity became fuel for legacy. From mentoring underserved youth to helping enterprise teams align tech with purpose, Eric proves that impact isn’t just about innovation — it’s about elevation.

Disruption Now Episode 180

Inside This Episode:

-Life Hacker Mindset: How reframing pain unlocks potential
-AI with Empathy: Why tech that doesn’t center people fails
-The Power of Context: Making technology relatable and actionable for all

Connect with Eric Brown Jr.:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ericbrownjr
Forbes Council: councils.forbes.com/profile/Eric-Brown-Jr-Founder-%7C-Chief-Transformation-Officer-ELVTE-Coaching-and-Consulting/440ec31a-0e0d-4650-ae7c-a2b401148572
Thought Leadership: linkedin.com/pulse/empowering-dreams-lessons-learned-from-any-fellow-eric-brown-jr

Disruption Now
Apply to be a guest: form.typeform.com/to/Ir6Agmzr
Watch more episodes: podcast.disruptionnow.com

Disruption Now: Building a fair share for the Culture and Media. Join us and disrupt.

Apply to get on the Podcast: https://form.typeform.com/to/Ir6Agmzr?typeform-source=disruptionnow.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robrichardsonjr/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robforohio/
Website: https://podcast.disruptionnow.com/

"I went from door-to-door sales to closing million-dollar tech deals — but the real secret? Asking boldly. Watch [12:33] to hear how Jarrett Albritton turned Clubhouse conversations into 80,000 followers and landed 40+ recruiters on stage. Spoiler: His AI platform is changing how careers are built!"

-Why are tech sales misunderstood (and why are they not what you think)?
-The biggest misconception about tech sales that’s costing you $$$.
-3 secrets to breaking into tech sales and dominating AI-driven careers.

⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 – "Why Tech Sales Isn’t Just for Geeks (Misconceptions)"
12:33 – "How Jarrett Albritton Leveraged Clubhouse to Empower 80K People"
25:47 – "The AI Tool Helping You Land a Job Faster (Why Right C is Different)"
38:55 – "Mastering Interviews with AI: The Future of Job Search"
45:00 – "3 P’s to Succeed in Tech Sales (Persistence, Patience, Pivot)"

✅ Try Job Search Genius FREE for 7 days: jobsearchgenius.ai
💬 Comment below: What's your biggest struggle in breaking into tech?

Disruption Now: building a fair share for the Culture and Media. Join us and disrupt.

In this episode of the Disruption Now podcast, host Rob Richardson engages in a dynamic conversation with Seema Alexander, a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist. They delve into Seema's rich background, from her upbringing in an entrepreneurial immigrant family to her current roles as co-founder of Virgent AI and DC Startup & Tech Week. The discussion traverses the evolution of entrepreneurship, the pivotal role of emerging technologies like AI, and the significance of community collaboration in fostering innovation.​

Three Key Takeaways for Disruptors:

1. Embrace Emerging Technologies: Seema emphasizes entrepreneurs' need to stay abreast of technological advancements, particularly AI. She notes that the rapid pace of AI development means businesses must adapt swiftly or risk obsolescence.​
2. Focus on Strategic Positioning: Drawing from her experience with the UNIQUE Method™, Seema highlights the importance of businesses identifying their unique value propositions to stand out in competitive markets.​
3. Foster Community Engagement: Through her work with DC Startup & Tech Week, Seema illustrates how building and participating in entrepreneurial communities can lead to shared knowledge, resources, and opportunities for collaboration, driving collective growth and innovation.​

This episode offers valuable insights into navigating the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and the critical role of adaptability and community in achieving sustained success.

Seema Alexander:
Co-Chair, DC Startup & Tech Week

Co-Founder & President, Virgent AI

Creator, U.N.I.Q.U.E. Method™

Business Podcast Host

From Spaghetti to Growth

Connect

Linkedin

Book a 15-Min Founder/CEO Meeting

In this episode of the Disruption Now Podcast, host Rob Richardson sits down with Rachel Desrochers, the founder of Gratitude Collective and a passionate advocate for gratitude, entrepreneurship, and community building. Rachel shares her journey of turning a simple idea into a thriving business while fostering a culture of kindness and connection. She discusses the power of gratitude in both personal and professional life, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how she supports other business owners through her work with the Incubator Kitchen Collective. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on purpose-driven business, resilience, and the impact of gratitude on success.

Top 3 Things You’ll Learn from This Episode:

1. The Power of Gratitude in Business & Life – Practicing gratitude can fuel success, strengthen leadership, and build meaningful connections.

2. Entrepreneurship with Purpose – Rachel Desrochers shares insights on growing a values-driven business while creating opportunities for others.

3. Building a Community-Driven Brand – Lessons from Rachel’s journey in launching Gratitude Collective and supporting entrepreneurs through the Incubator Kitchen Collective.

Rachel's Social Media Pages:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-desrochers-b2356760/
Websites:
https://www.thegratitudecollective.org/ (Company)
https://www.powertopursue.org/ (Company)
https://www.incubatorkitchencollective.org/ (Company)

Disruption Now: building a fair share for the Culture and Media. Join us and disrupt.

Apply to get on the Podcast https://form.typeform.com/to/Ir6Agmzr?typeform-source=disruptionnow.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robrichardsonjr/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robforohio/
Website: https://podcast.disruptionnow.com/