Founder & CEO of TINSEL; Creator, Inventor & Tech Changemaker
Aniyia Williams Biography
Aniyia Williams is a systempreneur, creator, inventor, tech changemaker, and investor. She is a principal on the Responsible Technology team at Omidyar Network, and works to help the tech world live up to its promise of changing lives for the better.
Prior to joining Omidyar Network, Williams founded Black & Brown Founders, a nonprofit which helps Black and Latinx entrepreneurs launch tech businesses. She continues to serve as the organization’s board chair. Williams is also co-founder of Zebras Unite, an entrepreneur-led movement focused on creating a more ethical and sustainable startup ecosystem through capital, culture, and community; convener of the Black Innovation Alliance, an ecosystem of organizations that support, fund, and sustain Black innovators; and co-founder of the Firefly Alliance, a community that equips women with collaborative leadership skills to move beyond racism and sexism. Previously, Williams founded the fashion tech company, Tinsel, which invented the world’s first audio necklace, designed in response to a lack of electronics developed for women.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Williams held roles in marketing, business development, and nonprofit fundraising. She also has a background in the arts, with a decade of training as an opera singer.
Williams holds a B.A. in music, with minors in business and Italian from Penn State University. She was a Bunton-Waller Fellow and graduated with honors in Italian and musicology, as well as the Josephine Rhea Award for Excellence in Italian studies. In 2019, Williams was honored by Penn State with the esteemed Alumni Achievement Award, presented to prominent alumni 35 and younger.
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Aniyia Williams Speaking Topics
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Unicorns vs Zebras: Money, Power & Startups in the Valley
Capitalism is a hell of a drug. When used responsibly, it can create freedom, innovation and efficiency. But unchecked, hoarding, exploitation and careless behavior can run rampant. The tech world has created a great example of this with venture capital and “unicorns”. It’s not greed and growth at all costs… it’s just business. Right? Wrong. We’re entering a new age, one where entrepreneurs want to create solutions to improve the human experience and quality of life without playing a zero sum game. The age of the zebra. In this talk, Aniyia will explain why purpose and profit do not have to be mutually exclusive, why creating alternatives to the venture capital status quo is a moral and economic imperative, and how innovation in business financing can help us solve the world’s big challenges.
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How to Launch A Startup Against All Odds
If you’re an underdog who wants to take your shot at building a tech business, a different approach is needed. For many people of color, women, LGBTQ, baby boomers, and the “others”
• the game is harder to play IF we're using the same playbook as Musk, Gates, Jobs and Zuck. In this presentation, Aniyia will share her recipe for finding strength, flushing out your idea, launching, and making your first dollars against all odds.
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How do I book Aniyia Williams to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Aniyia Williams for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Aniyia Williams, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Aniyia Williams or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Aniyia Williams
Speaking fees for Aniyia Williams, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Aniyia Williams are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Aniyia Williams, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Aniyia Williams speak about?
Aniyia Williams is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Black Heritage, Black History Month, Business, Civil Rights, Computer Science, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, Executive Leadership, Female Leadership, Finance, Human Resources, Leadership, Motivational, Resilience, Social Activism, Social Justice, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Technology, Venture Capital, Work-Life Balance -
Where does Aniyia Williams travel from?
Aniyia Williams generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is Aniyia Williams’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Aniyia Williams for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Aniyia Williams for your next private or corporate function. -
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Aniyia Williams is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Unicorns vs Zebras: Money, Power & Startups in the Valley, How to Launch A Startup Against All Odds, Health, Wealth & Love for Busy People, Finding Your Purpose When the World is On Fire and Unforgettable: How to Become an Interesting Person. The estimated speaking fee range to book Aniyia Williams for your event is available upon request. Aniyia Williams generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Arlan Hamilton, Kimberly Bryant, Kristie Kennedy and Cynthia Marshall. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Aniyia Williams for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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