"Empowering Change: Closing the Generational Wealth Gap and Fostering Diversity with Himalaya Rao-Potlapally

Sisters with Ventures

Bridging the gap in generational wealth building for people of color is a critical issue that extends beyond its direct impact on the Black community; it affects all of us. True progress and prosperity can only be achieved when everyone is given an equal opportunity to participate in spaces where innovative leadership can thrive and access to generational wealth is within reach. Entrepreneurship can be a powerful pathway for economic development, with the ability to create economic agency and the control necessary to shape ones own destiny. It also creates work environments that better utilize skills and tools endemic to different cultures and can be spaces where assimilation to white culture is not necessary for success. By dismantling barriers and fostering an inclusive environment for wealth creation, we can forge a stronger, more just society that benefits everyone, regardless of their background or race.

In this episode, we are joined by Himalaya Rao-Potlapally who shares more about investing in diversity, closing the gap in generational wealth building for people of color, and empowering black women founders. Himalaya is the Managing Director and GP of The BFM Fund, a seed-stage fund focused on highly scalable Black-led deal flow within the United States. Prior to becoming a GP, Himalaya got an MBA and specialized training in Venture Finance and worked in seven different firms as an Associate, Deal Lead, and Fund Manager. Through her work in creating equity within venture capital, she has been recognized as one of the Rising Stars in Venture Capital by the NVCA/Venture Forward, a Forty under 40 recipient by the Portland Business Journal, and a VCI Fellow. Himalaya has a passion for expanding the accessibility of entrepreneurship to BIPOC and rural communities as a pathway for economic development and generational wealth building.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Show

[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guests; Himalaya Rao

[03:36] Himalaya origin story and experience as a first-generation immigrant in the US

[04:47] How working as a social worker transformed Himalayas impact story

[06:39] How Himalaya was exposed to VC and how she made a career out of it

[11:30] About Himalayas fund and her experience building a fund as a woman of color

[14:06] Why supporting and investing in black founders is so important to Himalaya

[21:59] How being a woman of color has influenced Himalayas perspective

[24:34] Companies Himalaya is excited about that she recently invested in

[26:58] Himalayas message to her younger self

[29:19] Wrap-up and end of the show

Notable Quotes

• If someone gives you a reason why you cant do it, they are painting the road for you on what you need to do.

• Diversity is a strength, and investing in diversity is investing in strength.

• Black wealth creation is something that should be a concern to all of us.

• Closing the gap in the generational wealth building for people of color is an issue that affects not only Black people but all of us.

• As women of color, across cultures- were indoctrinated with the idea that we should always be lifting someone else up and making sure all our actions are helping someone else succeed.

• Do not be afraid, and do not be defined by how others see you.

Lets Connect

Himalaya Rao

Website: https://www.bfm.fund/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/himalayarao

Lisha Bell

Website: https://www.lishabell.com/

Angel Syndicate Website: www.blxvc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcali/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/belllism

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