Meet Morgan DeBaun: The Blavity Founder Bridging The Gap Between Content And Tech
In a time where the most iconic platforms for black entertainment face evident declines in revenue and viewership, a void has opened for a millennial-driven media outlet to emerge that reflects the progressive voice of today’s generation.
As Hip Hop culture continues to expand its global influence, the intersection of content and technology presents a unique opportunity to shape a new narrative around what young African Americans consider cool, cutting edge, and aligned with their diverse lifestyles.
Since the definitive shift into digital media, extensive studies have concluded that African American millennials consume more content than any other demographic, are the most mobile-obsessive, and further prove to be the most active users on social media platforms. This information would suggest that big brands, marketers, and business leaders alike would place a priority on developing innovative ways to capture such a thriving audience. Dominant brands likeBuzzFeed are actively capitalizing on contemporary trends, such as viral videos, comedic memes, and real-time reports on pop culture moments. However, despite reaching millions daily, the many nuances that define black people and black culture are rarely accounted for. Now, one rapidly growing media and tech company is blazing an impressive trail for these companies to follow.
Founded in July of 2014 by 24-year-old Silicon Valley veteran Morgan DeBaun, and 25-year-old Co-Founder Aaron Samuels, Blavity is a thriving tech and multimedia company serving as the standout voice of black millennials. Offering a seamless mix of humor, critical commentary and valuable thought-leadership – the platform covers the full spectrum of content, tech and culture. Boasting an increasing total of over 120,000 followers across social media, while generating over 700,000 monthly unique visitors to its flagship site – Blavity has become a commonly referenced source of news and information for notable influencers across industries.
I spoke with Morgan about what inspired the company, her vision behind the brand, and how Blavity is laying the blueprint for other tech savvy creators and digital entrepreneurs to adopt.
The idea for Blavity birthed from your experience in college – describe how the concept originated and evolved?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial itch. When I was younger, I would look for opportunities to make money, invest, and create things. I didn’t quite know where that would take me, but I knew that I wanted to create something that would be a reflection of who I was. Blavity is a manifestation of just that. The founding team and I went toWashington University in St. Louis, a predominately white institution (PWI). During our time at Washington University, there was a particular place where all of the Black students would sit together; and that was at the lunch table. Like in many groups and ethnicities in culture, food and gathering makes people feel comfortable and at home despite the fact that they may be amongst people they don’t know. That lunch table is where the idea and the term ‘Blavity’ originated. We would sit down, then another person would sit down, and then another 2 or 3 people would sit down. Then, before we knew it, there would more than 20 of us sitting there for hours. We would skip class and talk about critical race theories, what the Alphas did at the party, or whatever it may be.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the early stages and how have they evolved over time?
In the midst of intense conversations surrounding racism, injustice and senseless violence — what role does Blavity play in impacting or shaping the narrative?
What would you describe as the definitive turning point — when you knew Blavity was a respected brand and voice in the space?
There were two points. First, when things would happen in culture, members of the black community started to tag and mention Blavity to make sure we had seen it. They would tag us next to BET, The Root, Buzzfeed, and Vox – brands that are big hitters with 7+ years on us. The second turning point is when I started getting inbound emails from big brands wanting to work with us. I knew we were starting to reach beyond our peers in to new spaces.
You’ve been in Silicon Valley and worked in the tech space, but have managed to build Blavity without any venture funding to this point — was that an intentional decision and what was your thought process behind it?
Yes, it was absolutely intentional, and in a lot of ways necessary. Blavity is a reflection of the love and passion of hard working millennials across the country. This reflects Millennials who go to Harvard Law and Spelman, contributors who are Rhodes scholars, community organizers, poets and investment bankers. Before I could take anyone else’s money, I wanted to not just tell the story about how Blavity could be a huge business, but also show the story. We’ve successfully accomplished that goal.
So many studies show millennials obsess over celebrity and pop culture — what kept you from positioning Blavity as an entertainment news platform?