Aaron Samuels is a Black Jewish performance poet turned venture capital investor at Collide Capital who co-founded Blavity and created AfroTech before raising a $66M fund backed simultaneously by Amazon, Alphabet, and Twitter. He uses "identity saliency" as an investment lens, focusing on how strongly a founder's lived identity connects to the problem they're solving, while continuing to publish poetry and perform as part of his dual identity bridging artist and entrepreneur roles. 

• Dedication to funding underrepresented entrepreneurs, specifically focusing on Black, Latinx, and female founders. He frequently discusses his work with Collide Capital and its mission to provide institutional capital and community support to diverse changemakers who have the grit to create next-generation solutions.
• A deep commitment to building ecosystems and amplifying voices within the Black tech community. He often reflects on his role as a co-founder of Blavity and AfroTech, highlighting the importance of creating spaces for professionals of color to connect and grow.
• Openness about his intersectional identity and heritage, frequently discussing his experiences as a Black and Jewish individual. He shares personal reflections on topics like Black Shabbat, Passover, and his grandfather's history as a Jamaican immigrant breaking barriers at IBM.
• Passion for the arts and creative writing, which he views as interconnected with his entrepreneurial journey. He identifies as a poet and shares updates about his creative work, such as being featured in literary magazines or writing pieces for holidays, suggesting he values creativity alongside business acumen.
• Enthusiasm for global travel and cultural exploration. He regularly shares moments from his international trips to places like New Zealand, Thailand, and Morocco, framing these experiences as opportunities for discovery and personal joy.