Fearless Fund Co-Founder Ayana Parsons Steps Down
Fearless Fund’s co-founder, Ayana Parsons, has stepped down from her role as chief operating officer after five years against the venture capital firm.
Parson stated that her resignation is unrelated to the ongoing lawsuit from Edward Blum’s conservative group.
Fearless Fund Co-Founder Steps Down
Parson, who co-founded the organization with Arian Simone and Keisha Knight Pulliam in 2019, served as the fund’s chief operating officer for nearly five years.
In an official press release, Parson, who is also the co-founder of Yardstick, announced that she would be stepping down to focus on mentally, physically, and financially empowering the masses.
In 2023, the organization faced a lawsuit from The American Alliance after it claimed the fund’s Strivers Grant was racially discriminatory.
After an ongoing tug-of-war, an appeals court ruled against Fearless this month, stating that the grant likely violates the Civil Rights Act of 1886.
However, Parson told The Atlanta Journal-Constituition that the lawsuit was not part of her reasoning for leaving the firm—she did not give details on why she left.
Parson Continues To Fight For DEI
She said she would continue pushing back against efforts to dismantle corporate America’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
“I remain steadfast in my support of Fearless Fund and committed to the advancement of women and people of color,” Parsons stated in the press release.
“The best way I can do that is to boldly focus on new strategies and tactics. Because if the courts are going to sideline our best practices, we need to design and implement alternatives. We must innovate.”
Parsons thanked her community for their unwavering support and said she will continue fighting for and embodying freedom.
A spokesperson also confirmed to TechCrunch that Parson will remain an investor in the fund.
“Ayana has poured tireless hours into advising many of our portfolio companies, a key component to our fund’s success,” said Fearless Fund’s CEO, Arian Simone.
“We are sad to see her depart and wish her only the best in her new endeavors.”
Image Credit: Burns & McDonnell
