HBCU Investor Marlon Evans: ‘Where I’m From, Failure Is a Badge of Honor’ — HBCU Futurist Episode 2

HBCU Futurist is back with brand new episodes. This inspiring series spotlights exceptional innovators from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) — connecting industry leaders with young trailblazers for important conversations about how they are uplifting their communities.

In Episode 2, rising futurist Caleb Davis and HBCU investor Marlon Evans talk about letting go of the fear of failure as tech entrepreneurs.

‘Where I’m from, failure is a badge of honor’

Davis, a graduate of Howard University and Huston-Tillotson University, founded Sow Give Inc., an organization helping students secure degrees debt-free. The HBCU alum describes some of the struggles of being a founder in the tech world. “Technology is moving at such a fast pace that we are always catching up,” he says. “You have to figure it out as you go. That takes away from being able to fail.”

Evans, who founded Nex Cubed’s HBCU Founders Initiative, agrees that many entrepreneurs struggle with “this fear of failure … But where I’m from in Silicon Valley, failure is a badge of honor,” he says. “You tried something, you crashed, and you got back up and tried again.”

Helping diverse entrepreneurs grow their startups

Evans’ company, Nex Cubed, provides that safety net for underrepresented founders to develop their startup companies with the freedom to grow through trial and error. “At Nex Cubed, we’re trying to mitigate some of that risk and say that while you’re in school, let’s provide that scaffolding and support that you need to take those risks,” he explains. “The more you can step out there and try new things, the better.”

As tech founders, it’s important to stay curious, says the Nex Cubed CEO. “We all need to be lifelong learners. Things are evolving so quickly and innovation is happening at such a rapid rate. If you’re not constantly considering yourself a student of life, you’re gonna get left behind,” Evans says.

Learn more about the HBCU Founders Initiative here .

Keep up with future episodes of HBCU Futurist right here on CassiusLife.com .

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