At Twilio we start with the why. In our current social climate, now is the time to come together as a community and celebrate Black excellence and achievement. With our partners, we will recognize the amazing work being done by individuals in our communities. Hosted by Armand Carr, Hidden Figures will feature celebrity guest Baron Davis, Lisa Gelobter, and Marcus Bullock, amazing music, networking and more.
Over a thirteen-year career, Baron Davis played for the Charlotte Hornets, the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks. Known for his electrifying style on the court, Davis was a powerful point guard, who won national acclaim for executing in crucial, high-pressure moments, when his team needed him the most. As a businessman, Baron was one of the original investors for Vitaminwater and helped launch Thrive Market.
Baron is also the founder of several companies, including Sports and Lifestyle in Culture (SLIC), The Black Santa Company, Business Inside the Game (BIG) and No Label—each with the objective of combining creative talent with original publication and production to develop and provide educational and empowering stories that appeal to global audiences of all ages.
With 25 years in the industry and products that have been used by billions of people, Lisa has a deep and proven track record in software. She has worked on several pioneering Internet technologies, including Shockwave, Hulu, and the ascent of online video.
Lisa’s experience ranges from small, entrepreneurial startups to large, established organizations. Most recently, she worked at the White House, in the U.S. Digital Service, serving as the Chief Digital Service Officer for the Department of Education. Previously, Lisa acted as the Chief Digital Officer for BET Networks and was a member of the senior management team for the launch of Hulu. She has an expansive background in strategy development, business operations, user-centered design, product management, and engineering.
Lisa brings consumer focus and transformative practice to bear in technology, media, and the social sector.
She is also proud to be a Black Woman with a degree in Computer Science. Go STEM!
Following his 2004 release from prison, Bullock launched a mobile app called Flikshop. It's a free app that enables incarcerated people the ability to receive postcards in the mail from friends and support organizations. Flikshop ships postcards to over 2,200 correctional facilities around the country, connecting thousands of families to their incarcerated loved ones.
Flikshop has become a leader in their industry, and led Bullock to co-found Washington, DC non-profit Flikshop School of Business, a program that teaches persons returning to their community from prison life skills, entrepreneurship, and mobile application development.
He is a member of the Justice Policy Institute’s board of directors, has been appointed by Washington, DC’s mayor as a Commissioner for Reentry and Returning Citizens Affairs, and Aspen Institute Scholar.
Top Hat Catering is a boutique Catering Business and specializes in making memorable events. Top Hat Catering has 20 plus years of full service catering and event planning, which allow them to handle every aspect of an event. Whether it is a corporate seated dinner, a five-course wedding or a casual cocktail party, their quality and commitment to excellence never changes. Each menu is customized to suit your taste and style.
Armand has over 17 years of experience in radio as an on-air personality and producer. He is currently the host of The Quiet Storm on KBLX. Armand’s goal is to leave a legacy in his local community that transcends entertainment. As an Oakland native and a father, he has a vested interest in the welfare of our young people. From his passion to impart knowledge, affect change and impact his community, he founded All Tied Up, a non-profit organization dedicated to historically marginalized young men.
"We’re hiring in people that espouse our values. We’re making sure that people come in with the understanding that we don’t want shenanigans here. We want you to be humble here, we want you to ‘Draw the Owl,’ we want you to really acquire knowledge and thirst after it. If you keep hiring people like that, that already lend to your values, then you're going to continue to have that culture"