Ayana Parsons

Arian Simone

Fearless Fund

This dynamic Black female duo has been dominating headlines for months facing conservative efforts to undermine DEI efforts. Rather than yield, they have decided that their principles are as important as profits. Arian Simone is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, investor, best-selling author, and international speaker. As a co-founder and General Partner of the Fearless Fund, she has played a pivotal role in empowering women of color by establishing the nation's first venture capital firm dedicated exclusively to investing in tech and consumer-goods companies owned by women of color. With over 17 years of entrepreneurial experience, Simone has been instrumental in pioneering and expanding a highly successful PR and marketing firm, serving high-profile clients such as Sony Pictures, Walt Disney, and Universal, among others. Simone's versatility, business acumen, and dedication to empowering women of color have established her as an influential and respected figure across industries. Ayana Parsons, a remarkable Co-Founder and General Partner at the Fearless Fund, played a pivotal role in establishing the pioneering venture capital fund exclusively created by and for women of color. With a career spanning over two decades, she has excelled as a venture capitalist, organizational consultant, corporate executive, and entrepreneur. Parsons’ unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through her role as a cabinet member of Stanford University's Clayman Institute for Gender Research, where she has provided invaluable thought leadership on bridging the gender gap in corporate boardrooms and executive suites. Throughout her impressive career, Parsons has left an indelible mark on the business world, tirelessly championing diversity and empowerment.