Bold and Black: Navigating Entrepreneurship as a Founder

Picture this: you walk into a room and instantly feel seen. Every story shared feels like a lifeline — raw, real, and deeply inspiring. That’s exactly what unfolded at the “Bold and Black: Navigating Entrepreneurship as a Founder” panel, hosted by Val Racheeva, founder and CEO of Female Founder Space, at this year’s Global Female Entrepreneurs Summit. This wasn’t just another event — it was a soul-stirring experience. A space where vulnerability met vision, and where three extraordinary Black entrepreneurs — Augustine, Mpho, and Sitan — opened up about the highs, lows, and everything in between on their entrepreneurial journeys.

Their stories weren’t polished pitches. They were blueprints for courage. For anyone daring to dream, especially Black entrepreneurs who’ve been told they shouldn’t.

Sitan opened the panel, and her story began with a feeling many entrepreneurs know too well — being stuck. Her corporate job felt like a cage, and it wasn’t until she immersed herself in the entrepreneurial energy of Cote d’Ivoire that something clicked. She realized that entrepreneurship isn’t just about business plans — it’s about soul work. It’s about building something that lights you up.

That passion led her to found Blocks of Change, an IT consulting firm dedicated to supporting African micro, small, and medium enterprises. Her work is rooted in impact—helping businesses grow sustainably and thrive in a digital world.

Augustine echoed that sentiment. Her turning point came when she decided to bet on herself, even when the world told her she was reaching too far. Currently, she is building SKLL INK, a venture focused on enhancing collaboration in intercultural teams. Her journey is proof that self-belief isn’t just a mindset — it’s a muscle. And when you flex it, you start to carve out a path that’s truly your own. For Black, female entrepreneurs, this kind of self-trust is revolutionary.

Stay bold, stay authentic, and keep driving change in a unique and powerful way

Mpho, a non-binary Black entrepreneur, brought the conversation to its emotional core. They spoke with honesty and grace about the barriers they’ve faced — and the lifelines that helped them push through. Trust. Community. A network that doesn’t just clap for your wins but holds you through your losses.

As the founder and CEO of All.txt, Mpho blends data science, psychology, and sociology to challenge conventional approaches to entrepreneurship. Their work is bold, intersectional, and deeply human — just like their story.

For Black entrepreneurs, these lifelines aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re survival tools. Augustine and Sitan nodded in agreement, sharing how asking for help and building a circle of support changed everything. Entrepreneurship can feel isolating — but it doesn’t have to be. We rise faster when we rise together.

The panel didn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff. Sitan spoke about the art of reframing — how she learned to see obstacles not as roadblocks, but as invitations to grow. She reminded us that even when you feel like an outsider, you still belong. You still matter.

Mpho shared practical strategies for navigating bias, from sticking to daily routines that ground them, to seeking legal support when necessary. Augustine offered a powerful insight: not every battle is worth fighting, but every voice deserves a space where it’s heard. For Black entrepreneurs, these lessons are essential. Their stories were a masterclass in resilience — and a reminder that the tough moments can shape us into stronger, wiser leaders.

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One of the most urgent calls from the panel was for more inclusive networks. The founders urged us to be intentional — to build relationships that reflect the diversity of our world, and to advocate for grant opportunities and resources that uplift marginalized communities.

This isn’t just about equity. It’s about possibility. It’s about creating ecosystems where bold ideas from Black entrepreneurs can flourish.

This panel wasn’t just a conversation — it was a movement. A rallying cry for Black entrepreneurs who’ve been underestimated, overlooked, or unheard. As Val Racheeva closed the session, she left us with a message that still echoes: “Stay bold, stay authentic, and keep driving change in a unique and powerful way.”

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building businesses. It’s about building legacies. Building communities. Building a future where Black entrepreneurs get to show up fully — and win.

Watch the Panel

SITAN CISSÉ, Founder of Blocks of Change, Founder of BlackInTech Berlin, Manufacturing and Consumer Goods, Entrepreneur, Mentor

Sitan Cissé is an IT consultant with expertise in design and software engineering. They have worked across startups, medium enterprises, corporations, and multinationals, bringing a broad industry perspective. After founding their first startup in electric vehicle infrastructure and joining the Techstars accelerator, they are now building a second venture to support African MSMEs in accessing asset financing. Sitan is passionate about leveraging technology to drive economic growth and innovation

AUGUSTINE KANGNI CEO & Co-Founder of HRTech Start-Up in Stealth Mode

Augustine Kangni is a project management and digitalization expert with over six years of experience. She gained practical skills at Siemens and Ernst & Young and led a multicultural team in an IT startup, driving marketing campaigns that trained over 1,000 tech professionals. Augustine supported a €9 million EU project with the Siemens Foundation, advancing innovative business models across Africa and Europe. Currently, she is building SKLL INK, a software platform designed to improve collaboration in intercultural teams through better communication.

MPHO MATHELEMUSE Founder of all.txt, Social Justice Tech, Public Speaker

Mpho Mathelemuse has a diverse background in data science, psychology, and sociology. As a nonbinary Black founder, they challenge societal norms by occupying spaces where they are often underrepresented. Their entrepreneurial journey reflects a commitment to breaking conventions and redefining what a founder looks like. Through their work, Mpho continues to push boundaries and inspire change.

Built for Impact: What Female Founders Can Learn From This Panel

This panel was more than just a conversation — it was a reminder that building something meaningful takes guts, heart, and a whole lot of clarity. For women founders, especially those still carving out space in rooms that weren’t built with them in mind, there’s so much to take from these stories.

Each speaker showed up with purpose, shared openly, and proved that impact isn’t about scale — it’s about intention.

Whether it’s leading with your values, staying rooted in your community, or trusting your lived experience as your edge, the message is clear: you don’t have to build like everyone else to build something powerful.

You just have to build like you.

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