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Kwame Anku

CEO and Chairman

Black Star Fund

Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow Alumni 2018 Cohort 4

Sacramento, California

The Black Star Fund is an early stage innovation fund investing in the United States and Africa. Prior to the Black Star Fund, Kwame Anku was the Principal of the Black Angel Tech Fund, a pioneering investment fund he co-founded that focused on capitalizing Black technology entrepreneurs. Recently named “One of the Top 25 Black Venture Capitalists to Watch in 2018” by Pitchbook, Anku has worked extensively in business development and media marketing blending entrepreneurship, social impact, and corporate engagement for over two decades. Anku entered into the tech industry after being personally recruited by the late legendary rock star Prince to develop his mobile app. He later went on to serve as the National Director of Strategic Development for the Prince-inspired #YesWeCode initiative, supporting youth of color empowerment through the creation of technology. Kwame has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, BBC Worldwide, SiriusXM, and National Public Radio and is a mentor for both the AT&T Aspire Accelerator and Founder Institute Sacramento.

Stories Featuring Kwame Anku
February 14, 2023
2022 Ascend Impact & Inspiration Report
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June 29, 2020
Undo A System of White Supremacy: The Call for a New Social Contract
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July 12, 2019
Ascending at the 2019 Aspen Ideas Festival
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June 19, 2019
2018 Ascend Fellow Action Plans
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April 3, 2019
Transforming Communities Through Enterprise
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March 13, 2019
Moving Families Toward Opportunity, Two Generations at a Time
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September 6, 2018
Prestigious Aspen Institute Ascend Fellowship Announces 2018 Class of Leaders
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Ascend Fellows are a community of values-driven leaders who share an unwavering commitment to our shared goal of intergenerational family prosperity and well-being.