#BFF Labs Launch Party & Graduation

Please join Black Female Founders for the inaugural launch of #BFF Labs and the graduation of the cohorts from our pilot program!

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bff-labs-launch-party-graduation-tickets-36575139226

Featuring:
Sequoia Blodgett
Sequoia Blodgett - Tech Editor, Black Enterprise
Jotaka Eaddy
Jotaka Eaddy - Head of Governement Affairs, LendUp

ABOUT #BFF LABS
#BFF Labs is an 8-week period pre-accelerator program for aspiring early-stage tech entrepreneurs. All early-stage businesses are welcome, whether you are at concept stage or your startup needs a boost to launch.
Applications for our Fall/Winter Cohort (October) are now open.
You can learn more about the program and apply here.
Stay for the graduation of the cohorts from the #BFF Labs Spring/Summer Session!
#BFFFempire
Many thanks to our sponsors:

Clearly Innovative Logo

In3 Logo

Many thanks to our event partner:
Arlington Economic Development

ABOUT SEQUOIA BLODGETT
Sequoia Blodgett started her career as a creative, directing commercials and music videos for some of the top artists and brands in the Entertainment industry. In May of 2014, she fell ill from a rare diagnosis that affects three out of a million people. Once, she recovered, she decided that she wanted to do something within her community, that directly affected others in an inspirational and uplifting way, while still maintaining her creative expertise. In 2015, she created and launched 7AM, a personal development resource guided by celebrities, influencers and experts, while attending Silicon Valley's, 7-week Entrepreneurship boot camp, Draper University. This opportunity led her to an investment from Venture Capitalist, Tim Draper and an advisory role on, ABC Family's, "Startup U", a reality series based around the unorthodox, startup ecosystem that Draper University provides. In addition to maintaining her startup, Sequoia is also the Silicon Valley, Tech Editor for the media conglomerate, Black Enterprise.

ABOUT JOTAKA EADDY
Jotaka L. Eaddy is a dedicated and seasoned policy advocate with more than 15 years experience.
Jotaka currently serves as Head of Government Affairs for LendUp, a venture backed financial technology company.
Within her capacity, Ms. Eaddy represents LendUp's regulartory and legislative initiatives at the federal and state level. Additionally Ms. Eaddy’s portfolio includes strategic partnerships with community leaders, elected officials, and other key stakeholders.
Ms. Eaddy has traveled extensively, serving as a guest lecturer and strategist on human rights and progressive policy reform at various institutions and universities covering 49 states and 25 countries. She has lobbied within various international forums including the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Organization of American States, and Council of Europe, among others.
Prior to her role at LendUp, Jotaka served as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for PayNearMe, Inc.
She also served as Senior Advisor to the President and CEO and Senior Director for Voting Rights for the NAACP. Within that capacity she directed external affairs and strategic initiatives on behalf of the Office of the President and CEO and led the NAACP’s strategy to defend and expand access to the ballot box.
In 2004 she directed the national lobby and international advocacy campaign against the juvenile death penalty in the United States. Those efforts contributed to the 2005 landmark US Supreme Court decision Roper v. Simmons which abolished the juvenile death penalty in the United States.
As a student at the University of South Carolina Ms. Eaddy was elected Student Body President, becoming the first black woman to be elected to the position in the University of South Carolina’s 213 year history.
Follow her on Twitter @JotakaEaddy.