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  • July 2021
  • Case
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Kevin D. Johnson: To Be a Venture Capitalist or an Operator?

By: Jo Tango and Alys Ferragamo
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:19
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Abstract

In May of 2021, Kevin D. Johnson had just graduated from a rigorous Executive MBA program, and he quickly needed to decide on his next career move. Johnson was the founder and CEO of a successful media company, Johnson Media Inc., but his career goals had shifted while at business school. He wanted to use his talents to help other BIPOC entrepreneurs access capital and provide opportunities to create intergenerational wealth. Johnson evaluated his four options: work full-time at an online platform dedicated to connecting Black founders with funding; join a BIPOC-focused venture capital (“VC”) firm; pursue a job at an established VC firm; or continue scaling his media company. Which option would Johnson choose?

Keywords

Entrepreneurship; Business Startups; Goals and Objectives; Race; Wealth; Decisions; Venture Capital; Personal Development and Career; United States

Citation

Tango, Jo, and Alys Ferragamo. "Kevin D. Johnson: To Be a Venture Capitalist or an Operator?" Harvard Business School Case 822-012, July 2021.
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About The Author

Jo Tango

Entrepreneurial Management
→More Publications

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    SAFE Notes: An Introduction

    By: Álvaro Rodríguez Arregui and Jo Tango
More from the Authors
  • The Traits of Entrepreneurs By: Jo Tango and Alys Ferragamo
  • The Entrepreneurial Manager: Spring 2023 By: Christina Wallace and Jo Tango
  • SAFE Notes: An Introduction By: Álvaro Rodríguez Arregui and Jo Tango
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