Rodney & Shanterria Sampson Foundation [RASS]

The Rodney & Shanterria Sampson Foundation, largely actualized through Opportunity Hub (OHUB), establishes pathways for equitable inclusion in the future of work and wealth. Its initiatives build diverse, inclusive technology and startup ecosystems via strategic programs. These efforts include educational development, innovation labs, and partnerships, removing systemic barriers to industry participation.

Drs. Rodney and Shanterria Sampson co-founded Opportunity Hub in 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. Their core insight addressed significant disparities in access to technological and entrepreneurial opportunities for marginalized communities. Leveraging expertise, they cultivate infrastructure and empower individuals, driving inclusive economic growth within the innovation economy.

Its programs serve underrepresented individuals seeking success in technology and startups. The Foundation's vision is to create a landscape where diverse talent contributes to and benefits from the innovation economy. They aim for a sustainable, inclusive entrepreneurial pipeline, fostering economic mobility and equitable wealth distribution.

High-Level Overview

The Rodney & Shanterria Sampson Foundation [RASS] appears to be closely associated with Opportunity Hub (OHUB), co-founded in 2013 by Drs. Rodney and Shanterria Sampson as a nonprofit platform focused on building inclusive technology, startup, and venture ecosystems.[5][8] OHUB's mission is to ensure everyone, everywhere—particularly under-utilized and socially disadvantaged communities—gains equitable access to the future of work, fourth industrial revolution opportunities, technology education, entrepreneurial ecosystem building, and capital formation to create multi-generational wealth and reduce poverty and the racial wealth gap.[1][2][3][5] As an ecosystem builder rather than a traditional investment firm or portfolio company, it emphasizes impact through programs like talent placement, accelerators, and partnerships, influencing the startup ecosystem by scaling diverse founders, funds, and workforces via initiatives such as OHUB@Cities, OHUB@Campus, HBCU@SXSW, and the 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund I.[3][6][8]

Origin Story

Drs. Rodney and Shanterria Sampson co-founded Opportunity Hub in 2013 in Atlanta, GA, as a follow-up to the success of Rodney's book *Kingonomics* and related large-scale conferences in Atlanta and Washington, DC.[5][8] Rodney Sampson, a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, previously co-founded high-growth tech startups like Multicast Media Technologies (Streamingfaith.com) and EFactor, raising over $20 million in capital, generating tens of millions in revenue, and creating hundreds of jobs before acquisitions.[2] He served as a Partner at TechSquare Labs (2015-2017), a tech hub and seed fund whose portfolio has since raised nearly $400 million, achieved $2 billion in valuation, and employed over 1,500 people.[2][3] Shanterria Sampson shares the co-founding role, with the duo emphasizing intentionality in expanding to cities like New Orleans and Kansas City.[7] Pivotal early moments include launching multi-campus co-working spaces, CodeStart (training hundreds as software engineers), and partnerships yielding over 1,000 hires via #BlackAndHired.[8]

Core Differentiators

• Inclusive Ecosystem Building Model: Pioneers ground-up diverse tech/startup/venture ecosystems, operationalizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through platforms like DEIS, public-private partnerships for innovation districts, and access for underestimated founders/funds without relying on pre-existing wealth.[2][4][8]
• Proven Network and Track Record: Rodney Sampson's involvement as General Partner of 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund I (investing in MaC Ventures, Rheaply, Goodr) and Limited Partner in TechSquare Labs/OHUB partnerships has backed portfolios raising $400M+, valued at $2B+, with 1,500+ jobs.[2][3][8]
• Holistic Operating Support: Provides early tech exposure, in-demand training (e.g., YesWeCodeFund), talent placement, accelerators, and capital formation across campuses, cities, and HBCUs, expanding to 100 cities and serving thousands of students/professionals.[3][5][6][8]
• Philanthropic and Advisory Depth: Sampson's roles at Brookings Institution, Morehouse College, and boards like Black In AI/AI4All amplify impact, blending investment with education and policy.[4][6]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

OHUB rides the fourth industrial revolution wave—AI, tech-driven work, and inclusive innovation—by addressing systemic barriers like the racial wealth gap through equitable access to startups and venture capital in underserved communities.[1][2][5] Timing aligns with rising demand for diverse talent amid tech labor shortages and DEI mandates, amplified by post-2020 equity pushes and SSBCI funds in North Carolina/Alabama.[4] Market forces favoring it include public-private partnerships for economic mobility (e.g., Kansas City expansion) and HBCU/tech integrations like OHUB@SXSW, influencing the ecosystem by creating pipelines of Black and minority engineers, founders, and investors—disrupting poverty while boosting regional growth.[8] This positions RASS/OHUB as a key player in scaling "inclusive innovation districts" amid global calls for equitable tech participation.[3][7]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

OHUB and the Sampsons are poised to expand to 100 cities, deepen AI/tech training via DEIS software, and grow the 100 Black Angels Fund, capitalizing on trends like AI democratization and venture's shift toward diverse GPs.[3][4][6][8] Evolving influence may include more policy impact through Brookings and global scaling, potentially valuing its portfolio ecosystems at billions while narrowing wealth gaps. This builds directly on their foundational mission: equitable wealth creation for under-utilized communities in the future of work.[1][5]