As we celebrate Blavity Inc.’s 10th anniversary, let’s reflect on the incredible journey we’ve undertaken. From humble beginnings as a college project to becoming the largest global digital publisher for Black Millennials and Gen Z, Blavity Inc. has made significant strides in amplifying Black voices and fostering community. Today, our diversified corporation builds platforms, experiences, and products to inform, entertain, and truly engage communities of color.
We recognize this milestone as an opportunity to look back at the top 10 achievements that have defined our path and set the stage for an even more impactful future.
1. 2014: Blavity is Founded Blavity Inc. was founded by college friends Morgan DeBaun, Aaron Samuels, Jeff Nelson, and Jonathan Jackson. This moment marked the beginning of an impactful journey inspired by their passion for Black culture and community.
2. 2015: Blavity News Reaches 1 Million Unique Users Just a year after its inception, Blavity News achieved a significant milestone by reaching 1 million unique users. Further demonstrating the strong demand for Black-focused news and content.
3. 2016: Inaugural AfroTech Conference Blavity hosted the first AfroTech conference, bringing together 500 attendees in Silicon Valley. Since, this event has evolved to the largest Black tech conference in the world. It continues to foster innovation, economic advancement, and unparalleled networking.
4. 2017: Acquisitions of Shadow & Act and Travel Noire Blavity Inc. expanded its media reach by acquiring Shadow & Act, a trusted source for Black Hollywood news, and Travel Noire, the leading Black travel brand. Above all, these acquisitions enriched our content offerings and community engagement.
5. 2018: Series A Funding and Rebrand In 2018, Blavity Inc. underwent a significant rebrand and secured Series A funding. Resulting in fueled growth and allowing us to launch Blavity Politics, further diversifying our content.
6. 2019: Summit21 and AfroTech Growth Summit21, which focused on empowering Black women, brought together 2,000 attendees in Atlanta and 300 in Los Angeles. In addition, AfroTech Conference continued its rapid growth, attracting 10,000 attendees.
7. 2020: Launch of Blavity University To cater to the growing and influential Gen Z audience, Blavity University was launched, providing valuable content and resources for college students.
8. 2021: AfroTech World In 2021, our second annual virtual AfroTech conference attracted 15,000 attendees, showcasing our team’s innovation in delivering a valuable and enjoyable experience that resonated deeply with our audience.
9. 2022: Blavity Originals and AfroTech Conference Growth Blavity Originals series launched, offering unique video content. AfroTech 2022 saw 25,000 participants in Austin, TX, with speakers including Mark Cuban, Aurora James, Ruben Harris, and Arlan Hamilton.
10. 2023: Major Initiatives and Expansions Blavity Inc. acquired RNB House Party and rebranded to Blavity House Party. Home & Texture launched, broadening our lifestyle content and offering a home decor and lifestyle destination for young Black audiences.
AfroTech 2023 attracted 30,000 city-wide participants and was acknowledged by the President and Vice President of the United States.
Our efforts to expand our reach and increase happiness among Black people continue through 2024. This year, Blavity House Party hosted a series of major events, and we launched the AfroTech Founder Circle, Creator Collective, and AfroTech Advisory Board, highlighting our commitment to supporting Black founders and creators.
Blavity Inc. has consistently broken new ground, driving significant contributions to the community and creating valuable partnerships. As we look forward to the next decade, we remain dedicated to driving greater impact, innovation, and inclusivity.
We invite your company to join us on this journey, leveraging our platforms to engage with a vibrant and influential audience. We will continue to create meaningful experiences and drive positive change for the Black community and beyond.