Gerald Black

Gerald Black

Africa Tech Ecosystem Builder & Storyteller | Executive Leadership in Go-To-Market, Expansion & Partnerships | Startup | Community | Fintech | Exited Founder (Acquired) | ECOWAS Youth Ambassador

Lagos State, Nigeria
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About

I am Gerald Black, a distinguished and award-winning tech ecosystem builder known for my contributions in the African tech ecosystem. With a background in computer engineering and a strong entrepreneurial spirit with over 11 years of experience, I have successfully connected founders, investors, and experts to create thriving tech ecosystems. My early ventures set the stage for a career marked by success and recognition, earning me prestigious awards for my contributions. Beyond professional achievements, I am committed to mentorship, education, and philanthropy, believing in the positive impact of technology on communities. My biography serves as a testament to my transformative influence on the ever-evolving landscape of innovation.

In my capacity as a partner at Black Ops, a community for top operators in venture-backed startups across Africa, I assume a central role in shaping the trajectory of this prestigious community, designed specifically for top-tier operators within venture-backed startups across Africa. Drawing on my extensive experience and influential network within the tech ecosystem, I contribute to the community's growth and influence.

I am also the host of "Backend by Gerald Black" podcast, a platform for spotlighting and celebrating the achievements of tech founders, operators, investors, and hubs across Africa. Through engaging interviews and discussions, the platform not only showcases their stories, challenges, and triumphs but also fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the dynamic African tech ecosystem. My role as the host positions me as a connector, contributing to a broader narrative of innovation and progress in the region.

My experiences over the years paint a compelling portrait of a visionary ecosystem builder, whose dedication surpasses mere individual success. My unwavering commitment to collective advancement reflects a broader passion for ecosystem building, support, and collaboration. Whether assuming the role of a partner at Black Ops, hosting "Backend by Gerald Black," or engaging in diverse entrepreneurial ventures, I emerge as a transformative figure actively molding the contours of the African tech landscape. Through my emphasis on fostering collaboration, championing innovation, and uniting top operators, I etch an enduring legacy, showcasing the significant impact achievable when passion converges with purpose in the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship and tech ecosystem development.

Activity

Experience

  • Black Ops

    Black Ops

    2 years 2 months

    • Black Ops Graphic

      Partner

      Black Ops

      - Present 1 year

      United States

    • Black Ops Graphic

      Community Manager

      Black Ops

      - 1 year 3 months

      United States

      - Supporting the Black Ops community, and other activities associated with building the community, growing the community, and supporting activities related to enabling a thriving community of operators.
      - Developing and executing initiatives to continue driving member engagement within the community
      - Managing the Black Ops public facing media (e.g. social media, newsletters) to keep them relevant and useful to the operator community and continue building the Black Ops brand.
      -…

      - Supporting the Black Ops community, and other activities associated with building the community, growing the community, and supporting activities related to enabling a thriving community of operators.
      - Developing and executing initiatives to continue driving member engagement within the community
      - Managing the Black Ops public facing media (e.g. social media, newsletters) to keep them relevant and useful to the operator community and continue building the Black Ops brand.
      - Conducting activities like research, outreach, marketing and best practices for building, managing and growing online communities.
      - Support with the development and/or delivery of masterclasses, fireside chats and other initiatives to support the growth and development of operator talent.
      - Support with launching new Black Ops communities or programs.

  • XConnect Graphic

    Tech Ecosystem Builder & Consultant (Africa)

    XConnect

    - Present 1 year 2 months

    Africa

  • Backend Series Graphic

    Host, Tech Storyteller & Content Creator (Africa)

    Backend Series

    - Present 2 years 9 months

    Africa

    Beaming light on African Startups, Founders, Operators and their back stories.

  • ECOWAS Commission Graphic

    ECOWAS Youth Council Ambassador

    ECOWAS Commission

    - Present 2 years 10 months

    Lagos, Nigeria

    - Giving young people a voice and empowering them to be better prepared for the world.
    - Helping organizations be better equipped to support young people and adopt Youth Friendly principles.
    - Ensuring that government policies across ECOWAS states are geared towards the real needs of young people.

  • Microblack

    Microblack

    3 years 9 months

    • Microblack Graphic

      Managing Partner

      Microblack

      - Present 2 years 6 months

      Lagos, Nigeria

      - Working with the partners to set organizational strategies and goals.
      - Communicating and collaborating with stakeholders, including executives and employees.
      - Implementing organizational policies and procedures.
      - Business development and developing a healthy client pipeline.

    • Microblack Consults Graphic

      Lead Consultant

      Microblack Consults

      - 1 year 3 months

      Lagos, Nigeria

      Consulting lead on business process identification and structure implementation.

  • Anchor (YC S22) Graphic

    Head of Go To Market

    Anchor (YC S22)

    - 1 year 3 months

    Lagos, Nigeria

    - Overseeing the complete sales cycle from pipeline generation, leads qualification, to closing, across different target customer segments.
    - Building an efficient and scalable sales strategy, great sales operations and subsequently building a world class sales team.
    - Building and maintaining strong relationships with new and existing customers.
    - Supporting customer onboarding process for smooth experience.
    - Collaborating with the marketing team to create effective product…

    - Overseeing the complete sales cycle from pipeline generation, leads qualification, to closing, across different target customer segments.
    - Building an efficient and scalable sales strategy, great sales operations and subsequently building a world class sales team.
    - Building and maintaining strong relationships with new and existing customers.
    - Supporting customer onboarding process for smooth experience.
    - Collaborating with the marketing team to create effective product messaging helping drive more top of the funnel pipeline.
    - Demonstrating commercial leadership within the broader ecosystem through thought leadership.

  • Talemia Graphic

    Mentor & Faculty Member

    Talemia

    - 1 year

    Lagos, Nigeria

    Working collaboratively with other members of the faculty specifically in the area of brainstorming and designing Idea, product & growth strategies for portfolio companies.

  • Fixit45 Graphic

    (Spin-off of Cars45) Vice President; Business Development

    Fixit45

    - 7 months

    Lagos, Nigeria

    - Create, administer, and implement the business development strategies and tactics for the company.
    - Identify, evaluate, solicit, and follow-up with targets through multiple sales, communications, and marketing methods.
    - Initiate and develop relationships with key prospects to identify and meet prospects’ business needs.
    - Maintain relationships with clients to ensure project success.
    - Pitch capabilities and communicate unique selling proposition based on prospect needs and LHS…

    - Create, administer, and implement the business development strategies and tactics for the company.
    - Identify, evaluate, solicit, and follow-up with targets through multiple sales, communications, and marketing methods.
    - Initiate and develop relationships with key prospects to identify and meet prospects’ business needs.
    - Maintain relationships with clients to ensure project success.
    - Pitch capabilities and communicate unique selling proposition based on prospect needs and LHS solutions.
    - Create and customize presentations and other sales materials.
    - Establish and achieve sales goals, metrics, and milestones. Track and report on progress and success.
    - Capture prospect and market needs and trends and consult with executive leadership and internal teams for solution development.

  • Parkit

    Parkit

    3 years 11 months

    • Parkit Graphic

      Director

      Parkit

      - 7 months

    • Parkit Graphic

      Founder, CEO (acquired by Fixit45)

      Parkit

      - 3 years 4 months

      Lagos, Nigeria

      On-demand Vehicle Care service like never before.

  • iFixng.com Graphic

    Founder, CEO

    iFixng.com

    - 3 years 5 months

    Lagos, Nigeria

    Online platform for hiring handymen/workmen

Education

  • HarvardX

    Certification Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies Passed

    -

    This business and management course, taught by Harvard Business School professor Tarun Khanna, takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and solving complex social problems. You will learn about prior attempts to address these problems, identify points of opportunity for smart entrepreneurial efforts, and propose and develop your own creative solutions.

    The focus of this course is on individual agency—what can you do to address a defined problem? While we will use the lens of…

    This business and management course, taught by Harvard Business School professor Tarun Khanna, takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and solving complex social problems. You will learn about prior attempts to address these problems, identify points of opportunity for smart entrepreneurial efforts, and propose and develop your own creative solutions.

    The focus of this course is on individual agency—what can you do to address a defined problem? While we will use the lens of health to explore entrepreneurial opportunities, you will learn how both problems and solutions are inevitably of a multi-disciplinary nature, and we will draw on a range of sectors and fields of study.

  • London Academy Business School

    P.GD Project Management

    -

  • London Academy Business School

    Certification Business Administration and Management, General

    -

  • Madonna University

    Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) Computer Engineering

    -

Licenses & Certifications

Volunteer Experience

  • Talemia Graphic

    Emerging Founders Spotlight Series Anchor

    Talemia

    - Present 2 years 1 month

    Education

    Create pictorial, audio & video contents for “Talemia” emerging startup founders in partnership with Talemia and other affiliated sponsors.

Honors & Awards

  • Startup Ecosystem Builder Of The Year

    Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit & Awards (ASEB)

    This award recognizes an exceptional individual who has contributed significantly to the development and growth of the startup ecosystem in their community or country and beyond.

Languages

  • Igbo

    -

  • German

    -

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