Celebrating 10 Years of Inclusive Entrepreneurship

“Entrepreneurs of color are literally drawn to Camelback because it’s such a need in the social enterprise space. To any social entrepreneur who’s a POC or a woman…you won’t find something like what Camelback can do anywhere else.” 

Jerelyn’s #MyFirst Funder Story

As one of our first Fellows, Jerelyn Rodriguez is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her organization in parallel with Camelback. Rodriguez is the Co-founder & CEO of The Knowledge House (TKH), a non-profit that is bringing web literacy and tech-entrepreneurship classes to students in New York. One of TKH’s goals is to create a tech pipeline from low-income communities to not only create more diversity in the Silicon Valleys of the world but also provide sustainable career opportunities for young people. 

Among Rodriguez’s many accolades in the past decade: being named a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, launching 3 fellowships for adults and youth to develop data and technology skills, and growing TKH’s served community from 15 to 2,250 people. Since reaching a new budget milestone of over $5 million, Rodriguez and her team have been focused on expanding fellowships to more cities in the US, as well as launching digital literacy programs to address digital inequities.

Rodriguez is one of our first, but certainly not last, Fellowship success stories. We are honored to have been the first funder of The Knowledge House, back in 2015, with an unrestricted sum of $40,000 for the organization. On the grant, Rodriguez reflects, “it truly…made us a legitimate non-profit. It opened doors for other foundations to…consider [us] for funding.”

Her vision for the future is something we wholeheartedly support here at Camelback: that more and more entrepreneurs of color can enter the ecosystem, and that all of their ventures may sustain and serve more people.

As for her own vision into the next decade, Rodriguez looks to growing The Knowledge House, and to eventually leave it in a strong and sustainable position to be passed down to the next generation.

“The initial investment from Camelback was transformative to the trajectory of America on Tech. For a founder like me who didn’t have the friends or family…investment, it felt like the necessary capital we needed to be able to grow and scale.”

Jessica’s #MyFirst Funder Story

Jessica Santana is an inaugural Fellow whose story never fails to inspire us. 

She grew up as a child of immigrants from Puerto Rico to New York City. Like many others, Santana’s parents saw the move as an investment in their future, and hers as well. But without access to resources for economic mobility for low-income communities, her parents found themselves working primarily as a seamstress and mover. 

Santana became the first in her family to attend college, on full scholarship, and soon after secured a job in technology that paid her six-figures–more than her parents’ incomes combined. After realizing that she wanted to give back to her community and provide the kind of accessible professional development and mentorship she had craved as a kid, Santana started America on Tech (AOT), a non-profit on a mission to prepare the next generation of technology leaders emerging from NYC by creating pathways for underinvested students.  

Since then, Santana has been named a 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30, interviewed by CNN Money, and featured in Huffington Post. Among the programs spearheaded by Santana are a summer tech intensive training program, a 12-month immersive training program teaching students web development, and an internship program boasting $1.5M+ in wages paid to interns across 139 partner employers. 

Her work reminds us just how important it is for those with lived experiences to lead the way in investing in their communities. Santana’s vision for AOT in their next decade is to, “reach as many students as possible across the country…and hold people accountable to…know this is still a problem that exists in our world that we need to be solving.” Eventually the dream for this founder is that AOT alumni will “become thought leaders, activists and inclusion champions at their companies and continue to pay it forward to generations that come after them.” 

“Before Camelback, essentially I was a teacher. I had a dream for a school that I wanted to build, but I didn’t know what it means to raise money. I didn’t know what it meant to hire and manage a team. And I still think back to the very first Camelback Ventures Summit that I participated in as a fellow and the lessons that I learned there around how to tell stories to different audiences. It was one of the best professional development experiences that I’ve ever had to this day. The financial investment was radical at that time for an unproven entrepreneur.”

Reuben’s #MyFirst Funder Story

2020 was a year of tumultuous change, to say the least. During the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, Camelback Ventures pivoted to a virtual Fellowship for the first time. Our 2020 Fellow cohort wowed us with their agility, resilience, and resourcefulness.

Among this cohort was Reuben Ogbonna, who has made incredible headways with his organization, the Marcy Lab School. Founded for young adult students seeking an alternative higher education path from college, the Brooklyn-based school promises learners the chance to “unlock the skills, the habits, and the network you need to launch a financially rewarding, purpose-driven career in tech” within one year. Of particular excellence is their Software Engineering program, which equips students through rigorous programming and web development courses, while also developing their professional and interpersonal skills through cohort events. 

In connecting students with tech industry jobs, many that pay 6-figures, Marcy Lab School is empowering them toward financial freedom, socioeconomic mobility, and generational wealth. 

Ogbonna hails from a background in teaching and directing school programs, and had a long-time dream of building an innovative school for adult learners. Today, the school partners with some of the biggest employers in the industry, including Bloomberg, Spotify, The New York Times, and J.P. Morgan.

In celebrating his 6th year of operation, Ogbonna shares his vision for Marcy Lab School’s future: “Radical community change by putting money in the hands of the Black and brown families that we serve every single day… We want our [students] to step into jobs that allow them to build wealth immediately… to invest it into their communities… to start their own businesses and hire other people who look like them.

“My journey at Camelback is so incredible because it mirrors the journey I want students to have with Uprooted. I’m building my social capital as a founder in an environment that feels safe and supportive. I’m becoming more and more confident daily to lead this venture because I know I have the skills it takes to support my passion.”

Tiffany’s #MyFirst Funder Story

Tiffany Green is the founder of Uprooted Academy, a comprehensive college access program that uniquely combines technology and mental health resources to empower student success. A 2022 Fellow, Tiffany draws upon her myriad experiences: a licensed therapist, college counselor with 15 years of experience, adjunct faculty member in psychology, and a Black, first-generation graduate. Her journey as a founder began in the wake of the global pandemic, when she realized the need for an EdTech platform for students to learn on-the-go.

Uprooted Academy’s flagship program, “College Apps: 12 Steps to Finding Your Match,” reflects Green’s commitment to addressing educational anxiety through a college readiness program that integrates mental well-being and social-emotional learning while affirming students’ diverse identities. By providing essential insights often hidden from low-income, first-generation applicants, Uprooted Academy aims to reduce gaps in social capital, opportunity, and wealth. By integrating these elements, Uprooted Academy provides an innovative approach to college access that addresses both educational and mental health needs, meeting students wherever they are on their journey.

Green made sure to have the diversity of her students’ backgrounds reflected in her team, which is made up entirely of women, who have experience as either a first-generation college student, low-income, or a student of color.

In all that she does, Green aims to “serve the student [she] once was”. She reflects on her favorite part about being a founder: “the sense of joy of creating something that was your vision and seeing it complete… it’s a childlike energy that comes over me when I see the thing I’ve created reaching the group I want to impact.”

“I’m extremely grateful for the continued belief and support behind this school. I am excited to continue to grow and spread the idea that will be transformational for our home community.”

Philip’s #MyFirst Funder Story

Another pandemic era Fellow, Philip Hon is the founder of Unbound Stockton Community School, a school that takes a unique approach to educating elementary students. Unbound focuses on providing diversity of students and community-based projects for them to gain an understanding of and deep connection to their local community.  

On a given day, students may find themselves providing free produce to Stockton community members, participating in a STEAM workshop with their families, or learning how to make ice cream in a fun extracurricular activity. 

With the help of local nonprofits, Unbound brings students on field trips that connect them with the community and expose them to the importance of entrepreneurship, literacy and grassroots action. Students learn how to create their own small business at The Well, a coffee shop and creative space run by the nonprofit Restore Stockton, and visit local businesses in the Miracle Mile District as part of the ad-VENTURE camp. At independent publishing house Tuleburg Press, students learn the importance of literacy and writing.

In founding Unbound, Philip drew upon his experience as a former Stockton public school student turned first-generation college student, teacher, and administrator across grades K-12. Before Stockton, Philip was born in Hawai’i, which he credits for providing the inspiration behind the community-based learning of Unbound. He is guided by a vision to advance equity in the classroom and beyond. 

Outside of Unbound, Philip is also an advocate for California-wide policy working groups emphasizing teacher leadership/retention, and diversity and inclusion.

We are incredibly proud of Philip and excited to follow the growth of Unbound!

“The initial investment from Camelback…is the reason doors stayed open [during Covid].”

Charon’s #MyFirst Funder Story 

Charon Flowers-Maple, Co-founder of Bypass Lines, joined us as a Camelback Fellow in 2020. Bypass Lines was founded to revolutionize how people experience queues and waits in public places, whether at airports, restaurants, amusement parks, or retail stores. The company’s core offering was an app that allowed users to reserve a spot in line or schedule appointments in advance, much like making a reservation at a restaurant. But Maple’s vision extended far beyond that. She envisioned a world where waiting in line would be the exception rather than the rule, where businesses could better manage their resources, and where consumers could regain control of their time.

Maple’s entrepreneurial journey began in the most unlikely of places: an overcrowded airport terminal. After missing a flight due to long security lines, she couldn’t help but wonder why there wasn’t a more efficient way to manage the flow of people. 

Maple’s leadership style is as innovative as her business model. She champions a culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Under her guidance, Bypass Lines has grown from a small startup to a major player in the customer experience industry, partnering with leading brands across various sectors.

Maple is also a strong advocate for diversity in the tech industry. Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the top 50 women in tech by a leading industry publication.

Looking ahead, Maple sees endless possibilities for Bypass Lines. The company is expanding into new markets and exploring partnerships with businesses that can benefit from its technology. Maple is particularly excited about the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning to further refine the platform’s predictive capabilities. She envisions a future where Bypass Lines becomes a standard tool for businesses worldwide, fundamentally changing how people think about and experience waiting.

But beyond the business success, what drives Maple is the desire to give people back their time. “Time is the one thing you can’t get more of,” she often says. “If we can help people reclaim even a few minutes of their day, that’s a win in my book.”

“I feel that it’s our job to create technology that is scalable, dynamic, and truly helpful to empower these hard-working organizations with great software to make sure communities and causes get the support they need.”

Damola’s #MyFirst Funder Story 

Damola Ogundipe is the founder and CEO of Plural, formerly known as Civic Eagle. Ogundipe is a trailblazer who has harnessed the power of technology to transform how policy advocacy and legislative tracking are conducted, in order to make democracy work better for everyone. 

Born in Nigeria and raised in Minnesota, Ogundipe saw firsthand the disparities in civic engagement and the challenges that marginalized communities face in influencing policy. Ogundipe previously worked in the healthcare industry, where he witnessed the often opaque and complex processes that governed policy decisions. These experiences fueled his determination to create a platform that could bridge the gap between policymakers and the people they serve. 

Under Ogundipe’s leadership, Civic Eagle quickly gained traction. The platform’s user-friendly interface, combined with its powerful data analytics capabilities, made it an invaluable tool for advocacy groups, nonprofits, and even government agencies. Plural now offers more advanced tools for policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building. 

Ogundipe’s leadership style is characterized by a deep sense of purpose and a relentless focus on innovation. Ogundipe’s vision is to create a world where everyone has the tools and resources they need to participate fully in the democratic process.

Beyond his work with Plural, Ogundipe is an active voice in the tech and social justice communities. He has been recognized as a rising star in civic technology, earning accolades such as being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2020. He is also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, frequently speaking on the importance of creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in technology and entrepreneurship.

“It’s so impactful to have people who get what you’re doing, and understand the struggles of being a leader of color.”

Janine’s #MyFirst Funder Story

Janine Gomez, the visionary founder of I Dream Public Charter School and 2018 Camelback Fellow, is redefining what it means to provide an equitable and empowering education for children. Located in Washington, D.C., I Dream PCS is not just another school; it is a transformative learning environment built on the principles of student agency, community engagement, and personalized learning.

Gomez’s path to founding the charter school was shaped by her experiences as a teacher, educational leader, and advocate for underrepresented communities, catalyzed in the wake of back-to-back tragedies of police brutality: Mike Brown, Eric Gardner, Philando Castille, Tamir Rice, and Sandra Bland. She reflects: “I thought, what if children could have a space to be their best, safely and without judgment, and to tap into their potential? It wouldn’t change police brutality against African Americans, but at least it gives young people a space to…be on a path to thrive.” 

Gomez envisioned creating a different kind of school—one that centers on the dreams, interests, and identities of its students. She opened the school in 2020 to help students develop a strong sense of self and purpose. Students are encouraged to explore their passions, co-create their learning paths with teachers, and participate in community service and internships.

Gomez’s leadership is deeply rooted in her commitment to equity and social justice. She believes that education is a powerful tool for dismantling systemic barriers and creating opportunities for all children, regardless of their background. Under her guidance, I Dream Public Charter School has become a model for inclusive education, and garnered attention from educators, policymakers, and activists who see it as a blueprint for the future of public education.

Looking ahead, Gomez envisions expanding the reach of I Dream’s model to influence broader educational practices. She hopes to inspire other educators to adopt student-centered approaches that prioritize equity, creativity, and community engagement.

“The past Camelback fellows and teammates I have had the pleasure of meeting speak so highly of the family bond created.”

Lisa’s #MyFirst Funder Story

Lisa Marie Rhodes, the founder of ALAS (Access, Leadership, Advocacy, and Success) and 2021 Camelback Fellow, stands at the forefront of disability advocacy, championing a more inclusive and equitable world for individuals with disabilities. ALAS, established in 2018, embodies Rhodes’ commitment to transforming how society supports and empowers people with disabilities through advocacy, leadership development, and community engagement.

Born with a disability herself and with experience as a teacher and social worker, Rhodes experienced firsthand the barriers and challenges that individuals with disabilities often face. She reflects on her early experiences: “As a high school teacher, I called students and parents every class they were absent, and quickly witnessed how, living in the mass incarceration capital of the world, our Black boys are constantly subject to profiling and deprived of their rights in court. This motivated me to go back to school for social work and work with Orleans Public Defenders to understand how educators could interrupt this system of injustice.” 

ALAS is dedicated to improving physical accessibility in public spaces and workplaces, ensuring that every individual can fully participate in society. Through its programs, ALAS helps individuals with disabilities develop the skills and confidence needed to take on leadership roles and advocate for themselves and others. Its programs have not only improved accessibility and inclusion but also inspired broader conversations about disability rights and representation. Rhodes’ leadership style is marked by her unwavering dedication to equity, her strategic vision, and her ability to mobilize community support.

Looking to the future, Rhodes envisions expanding ALAS’s reach and impact, advocating for more inclusive policies and practices, and continuing to empower individuals with disabilities. Through ALAS, Rhodes is not just addressing immediate needs but also fostering a long-term cultural shift towards greater inclusivity and respect for people with disabilities.

“The initial investment was our first, and we found ourselves just elated with feeling like we were actually in business… It gave me the confidence to move forward. That alone was more than anything outside of the money.”

Spencer’s #MyFirst Funder Story

Spencer Davis, Co-founder of Bypass Lines, joined us as a Camelback Fellow in 2020. Bypass Lines was founded to revolutionize how people experience queues and waits in public places, whether at airports, restaurants, amusement parks, or retail stores. The company’s core offering was an app that allowed users to reserve a spot in line or schedule appointments in advance, much like making a reservation at a restaurant. But Davis’ vision extended far beyond that. He and Co-founder Charon Flowers Maples (also a 2020 Camelback Fellow!) envisioned a world where waiting in line would be the exception rather than the rule, where businesses could better manage their resources, and where consumers could regain control of their time.

Davis comes from a family of entrepreneurs in New Orleans and he has helped Bypass Lines grow from a small startup to a major player in the customer service industry, partnering with leading brands across various sectors. In true entrepreneurial spirit, David is excited to amplify the impact of the work he is so passionate about: “Household name, all day! We want to be known throughout the financial fundraising ecosystem as the go to tool for organizations and businesses to make that unified connection!”