- Community Builder & Activist -
Deborah Okenla is the founder of YSYS; a thriving startup community for founders, developers, creatives and investors. Deborah is experienced in launching accelerator programmes and building engaged communities, with a shared mission.
She currently works as the Membership Manager of Huckletree West; a co-working space for tech businesses, entrepreneurs and corporate innovation teams across media, fashion and design.
Formerly at IncuBus Ventures, Deborah played a pivotal role in the launch of their scale-up programme, working with mentors including Facebook, Instagram and Amazon. Following this, Deborah worked with Capital Enterprise to launch their investment-readiness programme alongside Data Pitch, a Europe-wide accelerator offering startups equity-free funding to innovate with data.
She is a passionate advocate for black women in tech and a #poctech ambassador at Campus London, where she supports their BAME community. In December 2017, Deborah received a TechWomen50 Awards, celebrating emerging female talent in tech.
Projects
- Podcast: Is The Future FemaleIn this episode of Future Visions Natalie Campbell explores the thoughts of Cindy Gallop - a former ad-consultant (BBH) turned sex-tech entrepreneur (MakeLoveNotPorn) - who believes "in order to predict the future you have to invent it". Cindy envisions a future that thrives off diversity, where everyone has the same opportunities as straight white men - resulting in more creativity and disruption. But how can we undo years of inbuilt bias in the world around us? We hear from virtual reality specialist Catherine Allen, Nominet Trust director Vicki Hearn, #PocTech campaigner Deborah Okenla and start-up investor Jonathan Sposato to see how we can address the problem. To subscribe head over to iTunes, Acast or just search 'Future Visions' on your podcast app of choice. https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/future-female
- Article: Where are the faces of black female founders, investors and journalists in tech?Disclaimer: Firstly, I want to point out this is not a post about how we need to encourage more black women into tech or venture capital. There are already some amazing organisations working towards this, such as Diversity VC, PocTech, Hustle Crew, YSYS London and Black Girls Tech. Instead, this post is directed towards organisers of “Female Founders in Tech” events and curators of “Top Women To Watch in VC” lists. #Wherearethefaces? The other day I had a conversation with a friend of mine, who
+ Show more
Projects credited in
- This Black History Month 2020, meet 100 rising stars inspiring changeWe still have a long way to go when it comes to conquering the lack of diversity in all industries – which is why it is so important for us, as a platform, to use our force for good. True diversity at every level is the key to innovation and success, so we celebrate and promote Black talent throughout the year, including via our list of brilliant Black leaders. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, so we’re always looking to unearth more incredible rising stars to feature and promote, to h166
- Women of Power - Documentary Photojournalism project by Yana Binaev‘Women of Power’ is a Documentary Photography project that tells the personal and professional stories of eleven courageous women who decided to change their destinies and follow their dreams in spite of all difficulties. Read here: https://tmrwmagazine.com/features/culture/women-of-power-photojournalism-by-yana-binaev
- Championing Diversity: This Black History Month 2018, meet 100 creatives inspiring changeThis Black History Month 2018, we’ve brought together a group of outstanding industry heroes to each nominate 10 black changemakers and creators that are shaping culture, arts, design, business, tech and beyond. We still have a way to go when it comes to conquering the lack of diversity in the creative industry - which is why it so important for us, as a platform, to use our force for good. To do so, throughout the year we spotlight incredible people, the projects that they are involved with141
+ Show more
Work history
Membership ManagerHuckletree
London, United KingdomFull Time
Huckletree is one of London's fastest growing coworking communities built for a diverse mix of ambitious entrepreneurs, startups, bigger businesses
#poctech Ambassador, Campus LondonGoogle
London, United KingdomFull Time
Promoting diversity in London tech-ecosystem, through series of events and community activities.
+ Show more
Awards
W
W
Tech Women 50WeAreTechWomen