October 8, 2020

Join the WCS Los Angeles Chapter’s discussion on Arlan Hamilton’s book, “It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated Into Your Greatest Advantage.” Arlan’s experience starting her own venture capital firm in Silicon Valley, teaches us how to navigate industries that have historically been inaccessible and provides insight on how to accelerate a more inclusive green economy.

“In 2015, Arlan Hamilton was on food stamps and sleeping on the floor of the San Francisco airport, with nothing but an old laptop and a dream of breaking into the venture capital business. She couldn’t understand why people starting companies all looked the same (white and male), and she wanted the chance to invest in the ideas and people who didn’t conform to this image of how a founder is supposed to look. Hamilton had no contacts or network in Silicon Valley, no background in finance—not even a college degree. What she did have was fierce determination and the will to succeed... Arlan’s story as a black, gay woman who broke into the boys’ club of Silicon Valley provides us with an empowering guide to finding your voice, working your way into any room you want to be in, and achieving your own dreams.”

The discussion will be moderated by Kameale Terry, WCS member and Co-Founder and CEO of ChargerHelp!, and Shriya Nevatia, Operations Lead at On Deck and Founder & CEO of The Violet Society. Both of whom will be sharing their experiences uplifting women and people of color in the tech and cleantech industries.