T.J. Breeden Speaking Topics

• Equity in Entrepreneurship: Empowering Minority and Underrepresented Founders

  Leveling the Playing Field: How Venture Capital Can Bridge the Equity Gap

  Entrepreneurship remains one of the most powerful engines for economic growth, yet minority and underrepresented founders continue to face significant barriers to capital, networks, and institutional support. In this talk, Dr. T.J. Breeden examines how venture capital, philanthropy, and public-private partnerships can work together to expand opportunity for founders who are too often overlooked by traditional investment systems.

  Drawing from his work with Fuze Fund, Emerging Entrepreneurs, and ABFE, Dr. Breeden explores the ecosystem-building strategies necessary to support minority, women, veteran, and rural entrepreneurs. The session moves beyond representation alone and focuses on the structures, relationships, and investment practices required to create durable pathways to capital and growth.

  Attendee Results:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers facing underrepresented founders.
  • Learn how venture capital and philanthropy can work together to expand capital access.
  • Explore ecosystem-building strategies that support founders across urban and rural markets.
  • Identify practical steps funders, investors, and institutions can take to build more inclusive entrepreneurial systems.

• Philanthropy, Trusteeship, and Inclusive Capital

  How Foundation Leadership Can Shape More Equitable Investment and Community Outcomes

  Philanthropy has an important role to play in shaping how capital, governance, and institutional influence are used to advance equity. In this session, Dr. T.J. Breeden examines the evolving role of philanthropic trustees, foundation leaders, and funders in building more responsive and accountable systems of investment.

  Drawing from his national trustee organizing work at ABFE, Dr. Breeden discusses how board governance, philanthropic practice, and community accountability intersect. He explores how trustees can move beyond traditional stewardship models and help foundations align grantmaking, endowment strategy, program design, and public influence with more equitable outcomes.

  Attendee Results:

  • Understand the role of trustees in advancing responsive and accountable philanthropy.
  • Learn how governance decisions shape institutional priorities and community impact.
  • Explore the connection between philanthropic capital, venture investment, and social change.
  • Identify practical ways foundations can align leadership, strategy, and resources with equity-centered outcomes.

• Rural Equity and Philanthropy

  Investing in Rural Communities Without Extracting from Them

  Rural communities are often discussed through deficit-based narratives, yet they hold deep assets, leadership, culture, innovation, and economic potential. In this talk, Dr. T.J. Breeden explores how philanthropy and investment institutions can better support rural communities facing racial, geographic, and economic inequities.

  Drawing from his role as Co-Chair of United Philanthropy Forum’s Rural Equity Peer Community, Dr. Breeden discusses the need for philanthropy to rethink how it defines scale, impact, partnership, and proximity in rural contexts. The session offers a practical framework for engaging rural communities in ways that are trust-based, non-extractive, and connected to long-term prosperity.

  Attendee Results:

  • Understand why rural equity must be part of a broader economic and racial equity agenda.
  • Learn how philanthropy can move beyond deficit-based narratives about rural communities.
  • Explore strategies for building trust-based partnerships with rural leaders and institutions.
  • Identify ways funders, investors, and public-sector partners can support equitable rural prosperity.

• Breaking Barriers: Promoting Racial Equity in STEM through Education and Entrepreneurship

  STEM Education and Racial Equity: Building Pathways for the Future

  Despite decades of progress in education and technology, racial and gender disparities continue to limit access to STEM pathways, particularly for African American women and girls. In this session, Dr. T.J. Breeden draws from his doctoral research to examine the institutional, social, and economic conditions that shape STEM access and persistence.

  He also explores how entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and venture investment can help build stronger pathways into STEM fields. The talk connects education systems, HBCUs, capital access, and workforce development to show how institutions can move from isolated programs toward more integrated equity strategies.

  Attendee Results:

  • Understand the root causes of racial and gender disparities in STEM education.
  • Learn how HBCUs and other institutions help bridge STEM equity gaps.
  • Explore how entrepreneurship and investment can expand STEM pathways.
  • Identify strategies for building inclusive STEM programs across schools, universities, and communities.

• Leadership in Venture Capital and Philanthropy

  How Inclusive Leadership Unlocks Innovation, Trust, and Institutional Change

  As markets, communities, and institutions evolve, leadership must move beyond symbolic commitments to diversity and toward more disciplined approaches to inclusion, governance, and innovation. In this talk, Dr. T.J. Breeden examines how inclusive leadership can strengthen venture capital firms, foundations, nonprofits, and public-private partnerships.

  Drawing from his experience launching Fuze Fund, leading national philanthropic portfolios, and organizing trustee engagement, Dr. Breeden explores how leaders can build the conditions for innovation while maintaining accountability to the communities they serve. The session focuses on practical leadership behaviors, decision-making structures, and partnership models that help institutions become more adaptive and effective.

  Attendee Results:

  • Learn how inclusive leadership contributes to innovation and institutional performance.
  • Understand the relationship between trust, governance, and strategic decision-making.
  • Explore how venture capital and philanthropy can adopt stronger equity-centered leadership practices.
  • Build practical strategies for leading across sectors, stakeholders, and complex systems.

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