Black History Month: How Black Entrepreneurs Are Defining STEM Excellence

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the innovative spirit of Black entrepreneurs and professionals who are helping to shape the future of technology. These professionals play a critical role in how technology and society connect, bringing diverse experiences and ideas that help make the tech world more inclusive and equitable for everyone. Here are just a few of the many Black innovators who are defining what it means to be a STEM entrepreneur. 

Lisa Gelobter, tEQuitable 
Lisa Gelobter is a computer scientist and entrepreneur known for creating internet technologies, like Macromedia Shockwave, a multimedia platform for building interactive applications and video games. This technology helped support the later invention of the internet’s favorite media file, the GIF (graphics interchange format). She has also held leadership roles with BET Networks, NBC Universal, and the White House. 

In 2016, Gelobter started her own company, tEQuitable, aimed at making workplaces more equitable. Within this platform, employees can anonymously discuss issues like bias and discrimination to establish a more inclusive work culture, helping companies improve employee satisfaction, retention, and equality. Lisa raised over $2 million in funding for her company, a defining achievement for Black women in business, and in 2019, she was named one of Inc.’s Top 100 Female Founders. 

“We have been trying to tackle inequities and systemic injustices since we started the business. Now it’s not just about having companies step up but it’s also how making them bring a lens of inclusion to their company culture.” –Lisa Gelobter 

Tope Awotona, Calendly 
Tope Awotona is the founder and CEO of Calendly, a scheduling tool that makes it easier to set up meetings. Awotona was born in Nigeria and used his own savings to start Calendly in 2013 because he was frustrated with how difficult it was to schedule meetings. Now, Calendly is worth $3 billion and is used by millions of people, including 86% of the Fortune 500 companies. He has become one of the richest Black tech entrepreneurs in the U.S., with a net worth of $1.4 billion. 

Angel Rich, Black Tech Matters 
Angel Rich is passionate about increasing diversity in tech and helping others with financial literacy. She founded Black Tech Matters in 2016 to help make the STEM fields more diverse. Angel also created games like The Wealth Factory, which teaches kids about credit, and Credit Stacker, a mobile game that helps people improve their financial skills. The Obama Administration named Credit Stacker the “best financial literacy product in the world.” 

Rich also launched CreditRich, an artificial intelligence fintech app that helps people raise their credit scores through automatic payment scheduling and rounding up change to pay bills.  “In 2021, CreditRich made history and was recognized in Forbes,” making her the first Black American woman to partner with a major credit bureau, Experian. She recently secured a $100 million investment for her work with a valuation of $1 billion. 

Jordan Taylor, Vizcom 
Jordan Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Vizcom, a company using AI to improve industrial design. After working at Honda and NVIDIA, Jordan helped start Vizcom in 2021. The company’s AI tool turns simple sketches into 3D designs, helping industrial designers create models more efficiently. Now, companies like Ford and New Balance pay up to $1 million a year to use this software. Taylor was recognized in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Manufacturing & Industry in 2025, and his current net worth is $1.4 billion. 

Celebrating STEM Diversity

The world of business and management thrives on diversity and inclusive perspectives that foster creativity and drive innovation. At Capitol Technology University, our programs in Management of Technology help students understand how technology drives business and creates success with an emphasis on ethical applications. Pursuing a degree with Capitol Tech provides the knowledge, collaboration, and opportunities to shape the future of a more diverse and equitable tech world. 

To learn more, contact our Admissions team or request more information today.