"You were born to make NOISE!" -Keena PierreDuring my over a decade of extensive work in healthcare as a nurse, researcher, and healthcare IT consultant, I transitioned into entrepreneurship, first as the owner of a CPR education company, then as a healthcare consultant, before taking on the grand challenge of launching, sourcing and teaching BIPOC and women-owned local brands inside of my retail incubator in 2017. I helped to grow over 50 local brands, allowing them to test their products in the market before entering into big box retail spaces. After closing right before the pandemic in 2020 and taking in the wins and losses, I reflected on the struggles of bootstrapping all of my businesses including the recent brick-and-mortar retail incubator. I decided that I would become what I needed and pursue alternative investments, specifically in BIPOC-led startups and small businesses, which are the most underfunded, yet still ridiculously innovative. I'm Keena Pierre, a venture capital investor at the intersection of IMPACT. If you're a BIPOC tech founder, investor, aspiring investor, or ecosystem builder, let's connect! Also, if you are simply a champion for closing the wealth gaps, let's connect!P.S. Yes, my "About Me" section is written in the first person, because it feels weird to write about myself in 3rd person, but primarily because...no one can tell my story better than me.