Arian Simone

For HM Queen Wa Arian Simone, leadership must always be rooted in service — a responsibility she carries with particular weight as a traditional titleholder. A venture capitalist, author, and global advocate, when the numbers showed that women of colour were barely receiving industry funding, she didn’t wait for the system to correct itself. She built a new one — the Fearless Fund. As Founder and CEO, @ariansimone has spent the last decade confronting the most persistent inequalities in venture capital: who gets funded and whose ideas are considered worth investing in, working to close the gap for women of colour. This March, she’s expanding her mission with the launch of Fearless Fund Africa, hosting a pitch competition in Ghana, alongside a microfinance initiative to provide loans for women entrepreneurs. For our Impact Special, Simone reflects on her journey towards bridging the capital gap for Black women, her vision for what Africa can grow into, and the legacy she hopes to leave for women entrepreneurs through the Fearless Fund Pitch competition. Read the full conversation at the link in our bio.✨ Credits Editor-in-Chief: Denise Eseimokumoh (@theloliaba ) Content Editor: Esther Akinbola (@_enioola_ ) Features Editor: Patricia Ellah (@patriciaellah ) Fashion & Beauty Editor: Chinazam Ikechi-uko (@chinvzvm ) Photographer: Will Sterling (@sterlingpics ) Styling - Arian Simone (@ariansimone ) Hair: Nikk Nelson (@nikkrokkshair ) Makeup: Latasha Wright (@latashawright ) Cover Design: Michael Olusoga (@_eniolamichael ) Words: The Editorial Team #MarieClaireNigeria #ArianSimone #TheImpactSpecial

Super thanks to @glamour_sa for placing me on their Digital Cover. I was honored to share my story with the editorial staff. This moment truly exemplifies global impact and bridging a gap between Africa and America. I am blessed to be a global citizen making an impact for the diaspora and doing it with style. In this photoshoot we displayed 1950s & 60s glamour in Africa. Creative Director: @ifactorylive Photographer: @gilbertasante Stylist:@Fiskanistyle @theivyshowroom Hair: @tru_arnold Make up: @makeupbyzulky

In August 2023, founder Arian Simone was thrust into a new kind of national spotlight when her Atlanta-based venture capital firm, Fearless Fund, was sued by the conservative nonprofit American Alliance for Equal Rights. ⁠ ⁠ The allegation? That one of the fund’s grant programs was racially discriminatory. ⁠ ⁠ It was a fight that Simone never saw coming. “I knew we were making history. I just didn’t know we were going to be making headlines,” she says.⁠ ⁠ Even after a 13-month-long legal battle that became one of the most closely watched anti-DEI cases among a flurry of lawsuits waged in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action, the Fearless Fund founder isn’t giving up on race-based funding. ⁠ ⁠ Head to the link in bio for how our #FemaleFounders500 cover star is helping entrepreneurs of color fight another day. (Reporting by Sarah Lynch. Photography by Piera Moore.)

When work days look like this! Frozen Mojito Mocktails Ocean Views Cool Breezes Sun-kissed skin Only @excelerateher ❤️. Kudos to @kimblackwellpmm for curating a well thought out community based event in an environment that is flow & ease.

Yesterday I got to witness a powerful conversation between my Fiancé Benjamin and @toureroberts at the annual @calledleaders convening. The grace and favor that God has given Benjamin to do great works, I’m always in awe. #TGBTG #ProudWife

Wedding Update: Benjamin and I went venue scouting with @precioustheplanner & @tamarabjonah . The countdown is on for “Coming to Africa” #ComingToAfrica #MarryingMougarbel #RoyalWedding

I don’t know these people but what I do know is that even if people are not racist or sexist at all, the racist and sexist systems that exist have created a by product called proximity. 80% of white people have all white networks. This is how someone can walk randomly on the street and this happen, whether in London, America, or anywhere. In many aspects our world is socially segregated. One reason so little venture capital money gets into the hands of Black and Brown people is because of this example right here! In venture capital, 92% of the investors/check writers are white men. We understand @fearless.fund we have to diversify the investors in order to diversify the investments. Because even with racism and sexism aside you have proximity where people will do what they know and invest in what is in their direct network. What were your thoughts after watching? Repost from @ukbbshow

This week we were called into meet with H.E. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff regarding @fearlessfundafrica . We are delighted that our work has been well received by the Ghana government during both previous and current administrations. We look forward to forging great partnerships and relationships to ensure our African female entrepreneurs get the support they need.

Honored to be included in the Blueprint Power100! Being recognized alongside the most influential leaders in investment management is a reminder that the work we do at @Fearless.Fund is resonating. Thank you to @_blueprintcapital and Jacob Walthour for your leadership and for highlighting those of us who refuse to be sidelined. We are not just managing assets, we are changing lives and creating a more equitable future for everyone!

Last week I gave a keynote @iamcourtneycaldwell ’s “Scale to Sell Clinic” for @googleforstartups at the Accra Google office. Courtney is a @fearless.fund portfolio company so I was more than happy to support her. The bonus of being there, Courtney had a fireside chat with our most recent @fearlessfundafrica pitch competition winner @khadijat_el of @cheerupbeverage . What a great time with diasporans, innovators, creators, change makers!

The count down is on! #MarryingMougarbel #ComingtoAfrica #RoyalWedding

So I’ve been enjoying wearing my natural hair when I’m not in wigs or weaves and I have had so much flexibility wearing it curly because of all the moisture treatments @edenhealthyhair , and then I top it off with my mousse from @mielleorganics and I’m good to go. I’m a big advocate for textured hair, however tight or loose your curls are, the key is moisture! If you all have any tips for curly hair drop a comment, I welcome advice on healthy hair.