Statement Of Purpose
Overview
As I reflect on my journey in technology and entrepreneurship, one thing is clear: the next frontier for entrepreneurs lies in innovation at the intersection of interfaces and human connection through technology. This belief drove me to apply for the prestigious Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) master’s program at Carnegie Mellon University, where I did my undergrad. Although I didn’t get into the program (a little fail never hurt anybody), the process of crafting my application reaffirmed my commitment to this field.
In this blog post, I’m sharing my statement of purpose—a deeply personal reflection on my journey from Harlem to the tech world, my passion for creating businesses that bridge cultural divides, and my dedication to leveraging technology for social good. I believe HCI is about creating systems that are intuitive, accessible, and empower users to connect in meaningful ways.
Read on to explore my thoughts on why HCI is the key to unlocking the full potential of technology for entrepreneurs, and how my diverse experiences have shaped this perspective.
Statement Of Purpose
Born in Harlem and raised in a multicultural environment in New Jersey, my early years were infused with the rich cultural heritages of my Jamaican and Guyanese parents. This diversity of experiences instilled in me a deep appreciation for varied perspectives, shaping my approach to entrepreneurship and technology. My desire to create businesses that positively impact lives was evident even in my early endeavors, where I saw technology as a tool for bridging cultural divides.
Feeling like an outsider in many educational settings, I eventually embraced my unique perspective, understanding its value in the broader context of technology's role in society. I sold pheromone cologne and bootleg AND1 mixtapes on eBay as a kid, secretly being encouraged by my parents who had no entrepreneurial ambitions of their own. At Carnegie Mellon, my studies in computer science, complemented by a pivotal introductory Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) class, laid the groundwork for my future endeavors in tech entrepreneurship. This period was crucial in shaping my understanding of how technology can be leveraged to enhance human experiences, sparking a lifelong passion for HCI.
While pursuing my studies, I faced a profound mental health challenge that led to hospitalization. During this difficult time, Mark Stehlik's visits in the hospital were a beacon of support and encouragement. This period tested my perseverance and resilience. Despite the setback, I graduated a year “late”, which serendipitously allowed me to witness Randy Pausch deliver his inspiring commencement speech. This experience was not only a testament to my perseverance but also shaped my perspective on overcoming obstacles and the power of supportive communities.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in the medical field, with doctors and pharmacists, I felt a personal connection to the role of technology in healthcare. During my mental health challenges, I realized that technology had not yet fully realized its potential in aiding healthy outcomes. This experience fueled my interest in leveraging technology for better healthcare solutions, a desire that I was able to execute on in my time later at Microsoft. Additionally, a lesson in patience, a virtue instilled in me by my mother through a poster on my wall since I was seven, shaped my approach to recovery. I learned to take small, steady steps, which was instrumental in my journey back to being an active and contributing member of the NYC startup community in the early 2010s.
My journey to rebuild my life post-recovery was marked by a deep immersion in the vibrant New York tech community. Taking over the StartupDigest newsletter with over 25,000 subscribers provided me with a unique platform to connect with like-minded individuals and share valuable insights. I found a renewed purpose in running dozens of Startup Weekends around the world, which had a profound impact on both me and the participants. These events were not just about fostering new businesses; they were about understanding and solving the deeper challenges entrepreneurs face. Beyond these formal experiences, I connected with entrepreneurs through hundreds of informal meetings, hearing them vent, helping them work through product and team issues, and gaining insight into the often untold behind-the-scenes stories. This experience was instrumental in understanding the transformative power of community in the tech industry and the importance of building strong networks.
My decade as a solo entrepreneur with a technology custom apparel company INK’A was a journey marked by both significant achievements and challenging trials. As detailed in my blog posts, this period was filled with the ups and downs typical of entrepreneurship. I fostered relationships with over 200 clients, including notable names like Google, Zillow, and Venmo, growing the company to over $1M in annual revenue while pivoting the company several times based on customer needs. Collaborating with design and marketing leaders, I honed my product marketing skills, creating products that resonated with users through a relentless customer interview process that tested my own resilience to the negative parts of hearing customer feedback. This journey was a full bootcamp in resilience, adaptability, and understanding the nuanced needs of startups and enterprises alike.
After transitioning from my role at INK'A, I embraced a new opportunity at Microsoft, becoming the inaugural U.S. Startup Advocate for the Microsoft for Startups program. In this capacity, I helped to guide the management of Microsoft's largest startup market, cultivating over 100 local and online community partnerships. This endeavor led to successfully enrolling more than 500 startups in the program. One of the most gratifying aspects of my role was consulting with over 150 startups, offering guidance on product marketing, customer journeys, and product enhancements. My efforts were instrumental in integrating over 100s of startups into the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, broadening my perspective on the innovative approaches of future-shaping companies. This period was an intense whirlwind of activity, enriching me with invaluable experience in a relatively short time.
My involvement took on a critical dimension during the COVID-19 pandemic, where I joined Microsoft's task force, advising Luminare, a digital health platform. I developed a product marketing strategy that was key in Harris County's decision to adopt Luminare's technology, ultimately impacting over 8 million people. This experience was a pivotal moment, aligning with my long standing ambition to leverage technology in enhancing healthcare outcomes, and marking a significant milestone in my career.
My commitment to social change began early with Habitat for Humanity, where I learned the importance of community and sustainable development as the first youth board member. My work with Defy Ventures and Hustle 2.0 as an adult, aiding incarcerated individuals, not only offered a chance to make a direct impact but also provided insights into my own thoughts on shame, redemption and forgiveness. These experiences have been pivotal in shaping my understanding of how important empathy can be as a tool for societal change and rehabilitation.
My experiences have highlighted the crucial role of diversity in entrepreneurship, especially in HCI. It's not merely about creating technology; it's about appreciating and integrating the diverse cultural contexts in which technology operates. This understanding has deepened my belief in the significance of diverse perspectives in developing truly inclusive and tailored technology solutions. Furthermore, the power of technology has surpassed the average user's comprehension. For instance, I used ChatGPT to write code for an entire chat application that would have taken a few months in years prior, showcased the current explosion in technological innovation in ways unimaginable even a year ago. Today's technological advancements are not fully leveraged, however, due to a lack of intuitive user experiences. There's a pressing need for HCI to focus on creating affordances that empower users to effectively utilize this advanced technology. By enhancing user experiences, we can bridge the gap between technology's potential and user capability, ensuring that technological advancements are accessible and beneficial to all.
The advancement of technology, while beneficial, brings with it the risk of perpetuating historical biases. My concern lies in the potential of powerful technology to inadvertently reinforce societal biases, making the role of HCI even more crucial. As we develop new technologies, it is imperative to approach them with a nuanced understanding of these biases, ensuring that we create solutions that are not only innovative but also equitable and inclusive.
Carnegie Mellon's HCI program represents the ideal blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application that aligns with my career aspirations. The program is renowned for its focus on innovation and its real-world impact, making it the perfect place for me to further develop my skills. Here, I aim to harness my diverse experiences and insights to contribute to the field of HCI, creating technology solutions that are not only advanced but also culturally aware and socially responsible. I also miss Pamela’s.
My journey, from a child hustling to a technology enthusiast and entrepreneur, has been a tapestry of diverse experiences. At Carnegie Mellon's HCI program, I aim to further develop my skills and knowledge, contributing to a future where technology is accessible, intuitive, and inclusive of all cultural backgrounds. My goal is to ensure that the advancements in technology are leveraged to create a more equitable and connected world.