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UnMasking Humanity with Joshua T. Berglan
In a recent episode of "UnMasking Humanity: 21 Questions with Joshua T Berglan," host Joshua T Berglan sat down with Dr. Letitia Wright, America's Crowdfunding Strategist and media maven, to explore the fascinating intersection of crowdfunding and media. With over two decades of experience in television production and crowdfunding expertise, Dr. Wright offers a unique perspective on leveraging these powerful tools for success, especially for women and minority-owned businesses.
As the Executive Producer and Host of Wright Place TV, which has been running for an impressive 23 seasons, Dr. Wright has witnessed firsthand the evolution of both the media landscape and the crowdfunding industry. During her conversation with Joshua, she shared valuable insights into how these fields have changed and converged over time.
"The fintech industry has come up and joined with crowdfunding. And I think that the two together are growing exponentially. I love what I'm seeing there. A lot of people are really afraid of it, but it's just what? If you understand how money works, you're fine."
This merging of financial technology and crowdfunding platforms has opened up new possibilities for entrepreneurs. No longer limited by traditional funding sources, businesses can now tap directly into their communities and fan bases for support.
One of the most exciting developments Dr. Wright sees is the increasing intersection of crowdfunding and media:
"I think that one of the things is that we will have a lot more media projects directly connected to crowdfunding and asking for connection and funds," she predicts. "We're starting to see that with a couple of films. I think that is going to expand to TV especially because we're having this big shift in media."
This shift presents enormous opportunities for creators. By combining compelling storytelling through media with the funding power of crowds, projects that may have struggled to find traditional backing can now come to life.
One of Dr. Wright's passions is using crowdfunding as a tool to empower women and minority-owned businesses. According to 2023 data from the Small Business Administration, minority-owned businesses account for nearly 20% of all employer businesses in the US, yet they often face disproportionate challenges in accessing capital.
"Because in 2010, entrepreneurs could not get loans, they could not get money from banks. And things were bad. And I saw crowdfunding as the answer to that," Dr. Wright shares. "You don't have to go to a bank. You have to go to a lending institution and make sure you have good credit all this. You could go to your people who want to support you and not be in debt and not have a credit check."
This democratization of funding has been a game-changer for many entrepreneurs who may have been overlooked by traditional financial institutions. Dr. Wright has seen firsthand how crowdfunding can level the playing field and give voice to innovative ideas that may have otherwise gone unfunded.
Looking ahead, Dr. Wright sees tremendous potential for the continued growth and impact of crowdfunding:
"I definitely see crowdfunding bringing more equality," she predicts. "It's a challenge to the different banking systems, and the governments of different countries have to figure out a way to make it work with their systems and it not be looking like some sort of Nigerian scam."
While there are still regulatory hurdles in some countries, Dr. Wright believes crowdfunding has the power to level the playing field globally. She notes that platforms like Kiva have already made strides in this direction, but there's still untapped potential.
"I think it's huge. I think the potential hasn't even peaked yet. We're still on the upward [trajectory]," she enthuses.
Throughout her career, Dr. Wright has gained valuable insights into what makes crowdfunding campaigns successful. Here are some key takeaways:
As we look to the future of crowdfunding and media, it's clear that these fields will continue to evolve and intersect in exciting ways. From new platforms emerging to innovative campaign strategies, the possibilities are endless. Dr. Wright's journey from chiropractor to America's Crowdfunding Strategist and media personality demonstrates the potential for reinvention and growth in these industries. Her success serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and creators looking to make their mark.
"Ignoring one's conscience is neither safe nor right. So don't ignore what's on your heart. Go for it. It'll bless your life, and it'll bless others."
To learn more from Dr. Letitia Wright and stay updated on the latest in crowdfunding and media, follow her on social media:
You can also catch her show, Wright Place TV, on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. With her wealth of experience and innovative approach to crowdfunding and media, Dr. Wright continues to be a leading voice in these dynamic and transformative fields.
Looking for more transformative ideas and curated wisdom? Dive into our recommended reading collection.
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Below is the living archive of field notes, frameworks, and reflections from the work of building sovereign media infrastructure through Media Company in a Box, The Sovereign Protocol, and The Sovereign Franchise.
