Regina Gwynn (born in 1979) is an African American tech entrepreneur, and co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech, as well as CEO of TresseNoire.[1] Black Women Talk Tech (BWTT) is a collective that helps women of color entrepreneurs finance and build tech companies.
 | |
| Born | Born in 1979 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States |
|---|---|
| Nationality | African-American |
| Known for | Co-Founder and CFO Black Women Talk Tech (BWTT), Co-Founder and CEO TresseNoire, Roadmap to Billions Conference |
| Academics | Northwestern University-Kellogg School of Management
Rutgers University Fashion Institute of Technology |
| Awards and Nominations | 100 Most Powerful Women by Entrepreneur Magazine 2019, Top Ten Women in Tech by Essence Magazine 2020. |
| Website | https://www.blackwomentalktech.com/ |
Early life and education
editGwynn was born in 1979 in Fayetteville, North Carolina.[1] At the age of nine, she began her entrepreneurial career by selling Avon products.[1]
Gwynn attended the Fashion Institute of Technology from 1996-1998, where she studied fashion buying, marketing, and merchandising. She also attended Rutgers University from 1998- 2009, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in marketing. She simultaneously received an MBA in marketing, entrepreneurship, and strategy in 2009 from Northwestern University-Kellogg School of Management.[1]
Career
editIn 2009 Gwynn started her career in the Product Development Executive Training program at Macy's Inc. From 2010-2011, she became a management consultant at the Monitor Group.[2] From 2011-2015 she transitioned into becoming a marketing executive at The Apparel Group in New York City.[2]
In 2014 during her tenure at the Apparel Group, she launched her very own hairstylist on-location beauty booking app platform, TresseNoire which ended in 2020.[3]
In 2017, Gwynn met and collaborated with tech founders Esosa Ighodaro and Lauren Washington.[3] Where their interaction led to the creation of Black Women Talk Tech (BWTT). BWTT is a collective that has 500 plus women of color tech entrepreneurs, focusing on engineering and full-stack development.[1][3]
In 2018, Gwynn with other tech collaborators Lauren Washington and Esosa Ighodaro was invited to be guest speakers at the Hustle House for SXSW.[4][3] The main topic of discussion was how to circulate wealth within the community.[4]
In 2020, BWTT, hosted its fourth annual conference, pairing more than 1,300 participants to potential viable resources.[1] BWTT gained sponsorships from leading brands such as Walmart Connect and SheaMoisture to fund their 7th annual conference "Roadmap To Billions".[5] BWTT is the largest conference for women of color in the tech industry.[6]
Awards and nominations
edit- In 2019, Gwynn received the award "100 Most Powerful Women" by Entrepreneur Magazine.[7]
- She also in 2020, received the award "Top Ten Women in Tech" from Essence Magazine.[7]
Selected publication
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Regina Gwynn '09 MBA helps Black women tech entrepreneurs build profitable businesses". Northwestern Alumni | Working for Change. February 24, 2021. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ a b "Regina Gwynn – Council of Urban Professionals". cupusa.org. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
- ^ a b c d Marcano, Ray (May 15, 2022). "Stiffed by investors, ignored by recruiters, these Black people in tech create support for themselves and others". The Grio.
- ^ a b Pryor, Mary (March 13, 2018). "SXSW: 5 priceless business tips from Black women start-up founders". The Grio.
- ^ Turner, Rachelle (May 17, 2023). "Black Women Talk Tech Presents the 7th Annual 'Roadmap To Billions' Conference". P R Newswire. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Francis, Alannah (2019-10-14). "Collective helping black women tech founders secure funding expands to London". Voice Online. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ a b c Editorial, Staff (July 5, 2022). "Esosa Ighodaro-Johnson and Regina Gynn are changing the landscape in Tech for Black Women!". The Official Black Magazine. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
- ^ Saldana, Andy (May 5, 2021). "Building a Two-Sided Marketplace With Regina Gwynn". Medium. Retrieved May 5, 2021.