SMART Inclusion Podcast: Episode 12 - Energy Transition/Sustainability with Charletta Jean-Louis

In the season finale of the Smart Inclusion podcast, host Todd Q. Adams welcomes Charletta Lewis, General Partner at Mighty Oaks Capital Partners. Charletta shares her unconventional journey from law enforcement to Silicon Valley, and now back to Houston as an investor. This episode dives into her unique approach to venture capital, how she supports underrepresented founders, and the importance of community-driven investing. They also discuss her portfolio success stories, including Mula Wireless, and the broader need for systemic changes in how venture capital engages with diverse founders. If you’re passionate about social entrepreneurship, conscious capitalism, and the future of investing, you don’t want to miss this insightful conversation.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction: Todd welcomes listeners to the season finale and introduces Charletta Lewis.
1:05 – Charletta's Background: Charletta shares her journey from Houston to Silicon Valley, starting as a police officer, then transitioning into entrepreneurship and venture capital.
3:30 – Why She Came Back to Houston: Charletta explains why she returned to Houston and the fragmented nature of the local startup ecosystem.
5:10 – The Role of Mighty Oaks Capital Partners: Charletta discusses how her firm supports founders, the type of companies they fund, and the stage of investment. 7:05 – Investing with Purpose: Why Charletta chose to focus on investing in underserved communities and her mission to educate more people on how to invest.
9:45 – Funding Strategies: Charletta explains how Mighty Oaks uses Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to fund a wider range of companies.
11:20 – The Importance of Scalability: What venture capitalists look for in startups and the difference between scalable ventures and passion projects.
13:15 – Case Study: Mula Wireless: Charletta shares a success story about Mula Wireless, a company providing affordable mobile devices with built-in internet and rewards for users.
16:00 – Partnerships & Community Impact: How Charletta fosters institutional partnerships and supports local communities through education and retail collaborations.
18:40 – Overcoming Challenges as a Black Woman in VC: Charletta talks about the difficulties of navigating Silicon Valley as a black woman and her motivation to change the landscape for other underrepresented founders.
21:00 – Empowering Underserved Communities: The critical role of education in helping underrepresented groups access capital and investment opportunities. 22:50 – Call to Action: Charletta outlines her vision for building partnerships with Houston-area schools, colleges, and the local ecosystem to foster equity-driven entrepreneurship.
24:00 – Closing Remarks: Todd wraps up the conversation, highlighting the importance of investing in people, capital, and the environment, and thanking Charletta for sharing her journey.

Resources:
Charletta Jean-Louis:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charletta-jean-louis-30022115/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/mighty-oaks-capital-partners/ https://hamptonsgroup.com/blog/venture-capital-global-poverty-solution https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/spv.asp https://www.mumsandco.com.au/news/what-is-scalable-startup-entrepreneurship#:~:text=Scalable%20startup%20entrepreneurship%20focuses%20on,generate%20substantial%20value%20for%20stakeholders. https://atlantatribune.com/2024/07/31/empowering-the-future-of-black-women-entrepreneurs-in-venture-capital/#:~:text=Black%20entrepreneurs%2C%20and%20particularly%20Black,go%20to%20Black%20women%20founders.

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