Shelly Omílàdé Bell (known as Omi Bell) is an American entrepreneur and startup ecosystem builder. She is the founder and CEO of the social enterprise "Black Girl Ventures".[1][2]
Omi Bell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bell speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2018 at Moscone Center, San Francisco, California. | |
| Born | Shelly Omílàdé Bell |
| Other names | Omi |
| Education | B.S. in Computer Science |
| Alma mater | North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University |
| Years active | c.2014—present |
Early life edit
Bell was born in Durham, North Carolina. After receiving a B.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Bell began her career as a K-12 teacher.[3]
Career edit
Bell founded MsPrint USA[when?], a women-run custom apparel and merchandise print shop, who served clients like Amazon and Google.
She also hosted poetry performances and led a community-based arts organization called Seven City Art Society, which evolved into Made By a Black Woman, a marketplace offering clothing, accessories, and home decor created and curated by women of color.[3]
In 2016, Bell founded Black Girl Vision, which started as a meetup group of 30 women before Bell rebranded the organization as Black Girl Ventures. Bell aimed to connect women founders of color to peers, investors, advisors, and mentors, while garnering support and resources from corporations and local government. She has cited the lack of visibility and opportunities for Black women founders as one of her primary motivations for launching Black Girl Ventures.[4] The organization runs an annual pitch competition.[5] Its funding sources include crowdfunding, the Knight Foundation, the Kauffman Foundation, and Google.[5]
Personal life edit
Bell is based in Washington, D.C.
She identifies as bisexual.[6] As an advocate for the LGBTQIA community, she is committed to creating inclusive spaces for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Get to Know the Female Entrepreneurs Who Are Reshaping the Business World". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Meet the 24 Rising Brand Stars Bringing a New Wave of Energy to Washington, D.C." Adweek. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ a b "Shelly Bell is a One-Stop Entrepreneurial Force of Nature". AFRO. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "For Shelly Bell, Funding Black and Brown Women Entrepreneurs Is Personal". Afrotech. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ a b Lopez, Yadira (2020-07-16). "Black Girl Ventures brings support to female entrepreneurs of color to Miami". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "Shelly Bell, Founder Of Black Girl Ventures, Helps Women Of Color Gain Access To Capital". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ "Entrepreneur Helps Black Women Get Access To Venture Capital". NewsOne. Retrieved 2020-07-27.