Everette Taylor

When I think about the changemakers paving the way for Black leaders in business right now, no one stands out more than ­Everette Taylor. As the first Black CEO of Kickstarter and a creative titan, Everette has made it his purpose to ensure that Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry hopefuls have the tools they need to make their dreams a reality. These goals are defined by his origins. Starting his career path at just 19 years old, each of Everette’s roles has taken on a life of its own—from building several multimillion-­dollar brands to working toward democratizing the art world as CMO at Artsy. The range of his experience is indicative of a leader who approaches all of his ventures with a vision of empathy, innovation, and a commitment to building a more inclusive society.

Black entrepreneurs continue to face barriers not only in their ability to raise funds, but also in finding people who understand their stories—I know that firsthand. Everette’s work aims to disrupt a system that has historically excluded Black stories, and to redefine crowdfunding for future Black generations.

James is the founder of Brother Vellies and the Fifteen Percent Pledge

Contact us at letters@time.com.