These four men have partnered up to create Harlem Capital, taking on the task of funding black and brown founders, full speed ahead. According to the site, their goal is to invest in 1,000 diverse founders over the next 20 years. Meet the team below:
John Henry is venture partner of Harlem Capital Partners where he focuses on operational improvements, deal sourcing, brand management and investor relations. In addition, he is the managing partner of a real estate fund, VM Properties. Henry previously invested in seed stage real estate tech companies through an accelerator, AREA. He also hosted Open For Business, a branded podcast from eBay and Gimlet Creative, about building businesses from the ground up. The show debuted at No. 1 on the Business Podcasts charts on iTunes.
At the age of 18, Henry left college to pursue what became his first company, an on-demand laundry service. He quickly carved out a niche in film and television production, handling wardrobe for clients such as Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order: SVU, Power, and more. Within just two years of launching Mobile City, the company was successfully acquired. Afterwards, Henry co-founded a nonprofit incubator, Cofound Harlem, with a mission to incubate over 100 companies north of 96th street in New York City.
Henri Pierre-Jacques (Image: Harlem Capital)
Henri Pierre-Jacques is co-founder and managing partner of Harlem Capital Partners where he focuses on fund strategies, processes, VC partnerships, value-add opportunities and financial analysis. Pierre-Jacques is currently an M.B.A. candidate at Harvard Business School (2019).
Previously, Pierre-Jacques was a private equity associate at ICV Partners where he evaluated and conducted due diligence on mid-market buy-out opportunities. Prior to ICV, he was an investment banking analyst in the Real Estate, Gaming & Lodging Investment Banking Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he completed mergers & acquisitions, debt refinances, and various strategic alternatives. Pierre-Jacques sat on a nonprofit board for Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) where he focused on social engagement, professional development, and philanthropy for MLT alumni in the NYC area.
Jarrid Tingle is co-founder and managing partner of Harlem Capital Partners where he focuses on deal sourcing, organizational strategy, financial analysis, and due diligence efforts. Tingle is currently an M.B.A. candidate at Harvard Business School (2019).
Tingle was a private equity investment professional at ICV Partners. At ICV, he was responsible for evaluating control investment opportunities, constructing financial models, and monitoring two portfolio companies to assist with annual budgets and strategic initiatives (e.g., add-on acquisitions, business development, and financing).
Prior to ICV, he was an investment banking analyst in the Global Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group at Barclays where he executed several M&A and financing transactions. Outside of HCP and ICV, Tingle is co-president of the Lantern Senior Society Graduate Board, a graduate director for the Eta Chapter of Delta Phi Fraternity, and an MLT MBA Prep Fellow.
Brandon Bryant (Image: Harlem Capital)
Brandon Bryant is co-founder and venture partner of Harlem Capital Partners where he focuses on deal sourcing, market analysis, and fund strategies. In addition, Bryant is the creative director of Wall Street Paper, a digital creative outlet that is focused on lifestyle and culture for the modern gentleman. He has partnered with prominent brands such as GQ Magazine, Cole Haan, Perry Ellis, and Diageo.
Previously, Bryant was the head of Social Engagement at Wilson, where he focused on digital media strategy for clients specifically on mobile and social media. Prior, he was an investment banking analyst in the Debt Capital Markets Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he analyzed debt structures for clients in preparations for IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and spin-offs.
Check out their investment criteria here.