How Morgan DeBaun Built a $40M Media Empire & Acquired 3 Black-Owned Brands

In this powerful clip, Morgan DeBaun, CEO and founder of Blavity Inc., joins Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal to break down her journey from early stock market investing at age 13 to building a $40 million media powerhouse. Get the inside scoop on how Morgan navigates the corporate landscape amid rollbacks in DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiatives and shifting political climates. She opens up about how these changes—plus new tariffs—are impacting Black businesses and media revenue, and why multicultural audiences are the real key to growth for big brands. Morgan discusses the value of cash in business, the importance of strategic acquisitions, and the unique spending culture among Black millennials and Gen Z. Find out how she leveraged her resources to acquire three impactful Black-owned brands: Travel Noire, Shadow and Act, and R&B House Party. Learn how each acquisition helped expand Blavity's network—from travel to entertainment to experiences—and set the stage for major events like Blavity Fest. Morgan also shares success frameworks from her new book, "Rewrite Your Rules," offering actionable advice for entrepreneurs, media creators, and nine-to-fivers who want to define success for themselves, break out of old molds, and master both growth and self-development. If you want honest insight on scaling businesses, navigating corporate America, and investing in Black success, this is a must-watch! *Timestamps:* 0:00 The real impact of DEI rollbacks & corporate shifts 2:10 Why tariffs matter more than politics for media revenue 3:40 Media growth & trusted news during chaotic times 4:00 Early investing lessons and the power of cash 5:00 How Morgan acquired Travel Noire, Shadow and Act, and R&B House Party 6:35 The story behind Blavity Fest 7:00 Practical frameworks from “Rewrite Your Rules” *Key Highlights:* The myth vs reality of DEI corporate commitments How volatility creates opportunity for acquisition The intersection of culture, travel, and business Why defining your own success is crucial Advice for entrepreneurs on building generational wealth *Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring business conversations!* #MorganDeBaun #Blavity #BlackExcellence #Entrepreneurship #MediaBusiness #Acquisition #BusinessGrowth #BlackOwned #RewriteYourRules #Investing #Tariffs #CorporateAmerica #AfroTech #BusinessPodcast Our Sponsors: * Check out PNC Bank: https://www.pnc.com * Check out Square: https://square.com/go/eyl Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.