Arlan 👊🏾 @ArlanWasHere Twitter profile

Pinned Tweet

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 months

It’s happening!

23

31

215

Last Seen Profiles

@BaldBreens

@thadroher

@harvardnews

@BBC

@Lovesubwoman

@Wrightreportt

@wtc_volleyball

@deejaycrox

@misho_sa1

@FieraMilanoSpa

@eilishdata

@turnarounduk

@Grassroots4VitD

@stokfredrik

@xxxt_v

@RealMartyT7

@RoachRacingClub

@pa77y_mills

@annaspargoryan

@haru812s

@glamdoodle

@ZackRepEM

@Yumi_Trap

@VoirLesfilms

@yumedojosapporo

@IamRodrigo

@yukku_ri

@EternalSunProd

@sunaosazine

@kontiokaveri

@taeilsugardaddy

@DevOliRBX

@DailyDeltarune

@hourlylrh

@MinjuGlobal

@MlamuliSA

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Jacob Blake’s sister *did* that.

2K

126K

296K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

I’m sure many people have said this, but I haven’t seen anything about it. Why isn’t there a set of TV channels available nationwide by September that has school curriculum taught all day with simple scheduling? It would be more accessible than everyone needing a computer + wifi.

2K

20K

109K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

I consider myself a lesbian bon vivant, and in my 41 years of lesbianing, I thought I had seen it all. But no, I had not:

824

7K

65K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

1. One day I hope to be as comfortable at anything as @rihanna is at speaking. 2. She’s grown sooo much in the past 10 years and it’s genuinely inspirational. 3. I need everyone to stop what you’re doing and watch all 3mins of this 4. PULL UP! 💜

162

7K

27K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

You know what’s funny about this? Not a damn thing.

72

5K

27K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

When I asked Mark Cuban, a billionaire, why he invested $6M into my fund when he doesn’t usually enjoy investing in other people’s funds, he said without hesitation, “you’re in rooms I’ll never be in.” Think about how powerful that is. You don’t have to be rich to be powerful.

151

1K

17K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

"My name is Arlan. I'm a 37-year old Black woman from Texas, based in LA. Four years ago, I was on food stamps. Today, I have built a venture capital fund from the ground up, and have invested in 100 startup companies led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ founders."✍🏾

354

2K

15K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

1 year

Women: this is your reminder to have zero imposter syndrome. Not saying what Rick is saying is wrong, just saying you’re right.

136

2K

15K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

Tesla.

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

I remember a company asking me to come in to speak with their execs about diversity and me saying sure and giving my consulting rate, and them saying “why would we pay you? Don’t you want to meet our famous CEO?” And them now being revealed as a toxic workplace months later.

49

211

2K

82

2K

14K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

Wait…what? How has this not been made into a movie? 🤓

106

2K

11K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

The definition of giving people their flowers while they’re here:

70

2K

11K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

The rumors are true. Today at #USOW2018 I announced that my venture capital firm @Backstage_Cap has launched a $36m fund that will invest in Black women founders $1mill at a time. Thank you to the Backstage Crew, headliners, LPs, mentors & network for making this moment possible.

386

2K

10K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

Is this real life? I’m the October COVER of @FastCompany ! Also the first Black woman who isn’t an entertainer/athlete ( @Oprah , @serenawilliams , @Beyonce , @LenaWaithe — my favs!) to be on the cover. I never could have imagined this 3 yrs ago🤭 SO grateful.

510

2K

9K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Robert F. Smith is the richest Black person in the U.S. He just pledged to pay all 400 @Morehouse graduating class members’ remaining student loans. What he has just unlocked will reverberate for DECADES if not more. Even if I never meet him, I will be forever grateful to him.

104

1K

9K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Maybe our reparations should be that we all get an 850 credit score.

279

1K

9K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

If this song makes you emotional, we could probably be friends.

267

2K

8K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

"My name is Arlan. I'm a 40-year old Black woman from Texas, based in LA. Six years ago, I was on food stamps. Today, I have built a venture capital fund from the ground up, and we have invested in 175 startup companies led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ founders."✍🏾

158

691

8K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

All Trump is doing tonight is lying more slowly.

90

871

8K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

This is pretty heartbreaking. I hope this part of it is over very soon and that she soon gets to feel the love she has from all over the world, within.

Omid Scobie

@scobie

5 years

Duchess Meghan also opens up in the documentary about dealing with negative press during her pregnancy:

3K

30K

174K

81

747

7K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

My reply today to an event invite to speak in person... Feel free to the template for your next reply as needed.

244

660

7K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

For about 18 months, I begged @staceyabrams to run for President. Even though she contemplated a run, her answer always came back to this: “if I don’t help fix voter suppression, it won’t matter who runs for President.” She’s a masterclass in strategy, focus, and execution.

31

682

6K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

Recording my debut album, “I don’t work here.” Featuring the hit singles, “Yes, I do have a ticket. I’m the keynote speaker.” and “Yes, I know this is the line for First Class.” Droppin straight FIRE bars!

141

1K

6K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

The first time I held a copy of my @FastCompany was just 2 days ago. Id been keeping it together, but once I saw it in person, a flood of memories of what it took to get to this point in my life came rushing at me. My longtime friend & co-conspirator @dcONearth caught the moment.

258

462

6K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

I’d like to announce that I’m starting a $13 fund for straight white men. I will be giving 26 straight white men 50cents, along with exposure, experience, and mentorship of my choosing. Because of this, I am being awarded $1billion worth of free marketing & leads. You’re welcome.

210

745

6K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

Whew.

120

1K

6K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

Wow.💘

79

2K

5K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Put the sound on. You’re welcome.

129

865

5K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

Janet said… and then…

10

629

5K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Go OFF @serenawilliams !! ✊🏾

82

1K

5K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Well, never in a million years would I ever have thought I’d ever, ever say this... but... I am indeed starting to feel the Bern. We shall see...

325

266

5K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

I’m going to receive a few thousand $ in Feb from the (modest) estate of my late father. I’d like to use $5,000 of it to split between 10 people for something that greatly impacts their craft/passion. In what way would $500 impact what YOU are doing? I’ll choose my favs to fund🌱

1K

5K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

Girl, WHAT? 😮

92

402

5K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

No matter what happens next... Thank you, Georgia. Thank you, @staceyabrams . Thank you, Black people.

44

577

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

3 years ago I slept in a rental car w/my mom to attend SXSW, looking for investors for a fund that didn’t yet exist. This year’s SXSW was slightly different: 1 big announcement 8 speaking engagements 16 Crew members & 56 Portfolio co-founders attended And a very proud VC✨

148

588

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

So this is kinda random but I just noticed that the three men who created that 99%-dude Forbes list have not been on Twitter since 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. And it’s a list about innovation. This makes me blink hard.

98

584

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

“Just because I carry it well, doesn’t mean it ain’t heavy.”

31

784

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

I met high-schooler David at the Atlanta airport after complimenting him on his shirt. His aunt made it for him👨🏾‍🎓

44

362

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

If you’re wearing a mask and it’s not covering your nose, you’re not wearing a mask.

83

624

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

JUST MARRIED🎈 @queergermangirl and I have known each other nearly 5 years. Together more than 4 years (pre-dating the fund!). Took 19 months to receive her fiancée visa. And today...it happened🎅🏾Woooooo!!

480

79

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

Maaaaaan... ✊🏾 I call this “November Reign”

51

1K

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

Be yourself so that the people looking for you can find you.

61

1K

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

She is all of us, and we are all of her. And she is my hero. Watch every second of this.

56

1K

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

In 2015, I slept in a rental car w/my mom, hoping to meet investors at @sxsw who would want to back a fund that didn’t yet exist. This year, I brought 30+ team/fam/guests, spoke on 5 stages, filmed my own tv show, & met hundreds of people who have been catalyzed by my work…

116

195

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Dear white people I work with: Don’t ask anything of me on Monday if you’re not speaking out today. Don’t expect me to co-sign on your social equity if you’re not willing to make your thumbs work. It’s literally the least you can do. I do mean it.

57

468

4K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

With Millie Bobby Brown trending with yet another adult taking advantage of her (this time, it’s about a 20 year old man talking explicitly about a relationship with her. She’s 16 today) I’d like to reiterate what I’ve been saying for 4.5 years…

39

415

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

2014: income <$10,000 2016: raised first $1.2M fund 2020: deployed first $1M “check” 2021: raised $1M in 8 hours Don’t give up.

49

234

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Today marks the beginning of my 100th week sober from alcohol, after being addicted for ~15 years. NEVER imagined this was possible. I wake up proud & grateful to be here, to have my senses at 100%, to truly taste what life has to offer, the good, the bad & everything in between.

142

78

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

If I EVER had a son and he dressed the way Harry Styles does in this new magazine feature at ANY age, I’d lose my mind... ...with PRIDE AND ADULATION! Imagine that, he’s alive and healthy and beautiful and talented and is SERVING. Candace, honey, sit down and shut up.

44

373

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

“Over her 23-year career, Serena Williams has never tested positive for any illegal substance despite being tested significantly more than other professional tennis players, both male and female – in fact, 4x more frequently than her peers.” They can’t STAND for us to win.🧐

33

1K

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

We started taking Friday’s off at my company back in May or so. I think all weekends should be 3 days from now on in this new normal. What do you say to a 4-day work week?

137

224

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Netflex?

19

205

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Y’all. Today my U.S. speaking fee is the same amount as the most income I made in a full calendar year til I was 35 years old. You hear me? Keep going.

88

227

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

It’s my sincere pleasure to announce the Oxford-Arlan Hamilton & Earline Butler Sims Scholarship for Black scholars🧚🏽‍♂️ My mother and I are funding a full rise scholarship for both @UniofOxford (a first-of-its-kind for the uni) + (HBCU) Dillard University.

Black students at Oxford University to get scholarships from black American tech entrepreneur

Arlan Hamilton, an African-American entrepreneur in the mostly white and male tech industry, hopes Oxford gift will inspire others to support black students.

www.usatoday.com

104

642

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

If you make less than $200k, you can buy $1,000 worth of lottery tickets every day of the week, but can’t invest in most private companies. Many of us don’t think that’s right & also think it’s hindering Black wealth creation. So I told the SEC. @Law360

SEC Told More 'Accredited Investors' Could Benefit Minorities - Law360

Expanding the "accredited investor" definition could be an effective tool for increasing women and minority-owned businesses' access to capital, an entrepreneur who backs businesses led by underrep...

www.law360.com

118

531

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Just found out you can use an emoji to find a gif on twitter (from @1WiS3_Guy ) and I’m shooketh. I know you were trying to go to sleep and all, but...

206

602

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

Key to success? Lack of FOMO. Wherever I am, that’s the best deal/meeting/party in town. That feeling will take you far.

15

384

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Sincere shoutout to anyone who couldn’t afford Xmas gifts this year. It’s ok and you’re enough. Real talk.

29

655

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

Before it was deleted, this is what that tweet was about...

106

163

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Mark Cuban has given me $6M to invest in underestimated founders (ArlanWasHere Investments Fund I), and I just released a podcast episode with details. @ApplePodcasts @anchor @spotifypodcasts cc: @mcuban @Backstage_Cap

141

395

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

Black people don’t need anyone’s permission to start a company, to learn to code, to read and drink from the same cup of knowledge as others, to have equity in something, to rewrite history, to create, to imagine, to invent, and invest. Please, just DO. It’s our time.

28

586

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

Yesterday I showed a journalist the part of the SFO airport I used to “sleep” in part of the time when I was homeless (again) in 2015. Today I watched the sun rise from the 180-degree view of San Francisco my hotel room has, quietly celebrating my 75th investment. Don’t give up.

44

405

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

Friendly reminder: I cannot be offended by someone I do not respect.

21

536

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

2014: personal income <$10,000 2016: raised first $1.2M fund 2020: deployed first $1M “check” 2021: raised $5M in 8 days Don’t give up.

70

180

3K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

I still think it’s crazy that wealthy people get so much for free, and it’s so expensive to be poor.

45

361

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Just two Black women investors... 4/25/19 @serenawilliams ✨

77

147

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

Ok, @Google , you’ve figured out how to show accurate Black representation in your cameras. Now do your workforce.

23

400

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

They said it couldn’t be done... It is my great honor to announce that the venture capital fund I launched in 2015 has now grown to 20 (💜) Crew members, 50+ (👊🏾) Limited Partner investors, and, as of today—say it with me—100 AMAZING PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

Arlan Hamilton's Backstage Capital has invested in 100 startups with underrepresented founders -...

As of this week, the firm has invested in 100 companies with at least one founder who is a woman, person of color, or LGBT.

www.fastcompany.com

111

519

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

This is the BEST.

19

239

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

How women get to age and how men get to age summed up in tweets from two cool people I follow just hours apart. @jameelajamil @FredTJoseph

14

341

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Today I remembered this time 5 short years ago a friend and his wife invited me over for dinner. I had less than $10 to my name (they didn’t know) but didn’t want to show up empty-handed, so I bought a $3 bottle of wine that tasted terrible. I felt so down about it...

58

143

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

I remember a company asking me to come in to speak with their execs about diversity and me saying sure and giving my consulting rate, and them saying “why would we pay you? Don’t you want to meet our famous CEO?” And them now being revealed as a toxic workplace months later.

49

211

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

👋🏾 Who here agrees that they should not have an in-person inauguration this month, sign @JoeBiden in at a televised and streamed process with the 4-5 people in the room, and then have a blowout party next year? Why do we need an inauguration ceremony of any magnitude right now?

85

190

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

10 years ago, would you have imagined it would be Kanye riding for Trump and Taylor Swift riding for Biden/Kamala?

72

198

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

2 years

Y’all are going to have to stop thinking of Black people as charity or people you are “helping to elevate”. We elevate you. Stop it.

48

305

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

...I think about these types of things every day. Every time I order food to be delivered and the cost of it is more than I would have had for a week’s worth of food 6 years ago. Or when I’d stretch $2 in change. Every day, without fail, I remember. It feels like yesterday.

54

45

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Thinking about the innocent hotel and food workers in Tulsa who have to deal with and be exposed to these immoral idiots this weekend.

28

354

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Absolutely no ripple effects racing through the male founder community in the aftermath of WeWork’s implosion.

Bryce Roberts

@bryce

4 years

Very real ripple effects racing through the female founder community in the aftermath of last week’s Verge/Away piece.

36

3

104

25

455

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Not even going to be chill about this. I just got my finished books in the mail, y’all!!!

230

141

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

When I think of collaborating, I think of it as you x me, rather than you + me. A successful collaboration is compounding, not just additive.

38

410

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

I started asking for what I’m worth, and accepting nothing less. A funny thing happened: I started getting it. You have to be prepared for those who *will* say no. As long as you’re willing to walk away from those tables, the right alignment at the right value will come along.

45

522

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Always knew Betty White was a real one, but never knew this story... 💜

15

405

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

1/I’ve got something I HAVE to say: If you want to attract money, and you don’t have money, you have to BE money.

46

603

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

I know most don’t agree with me, but I would much rather see Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman, Bill Mcglashan, etc paying for underserved college kids’ tuition for the rest of their lives than behind bars. Lori apparently could face 50 years? How will that help anyone?

133

203

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Most investors and corporations are still treating founders, employees and vendors who are women and people of color like either charity or an HR issue, instead of the untapped, overlooked and underestimated value proposition we truly are. Figure this out at your org to win.

37

542

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

I’m super concerned with how many voice-activated things have a woman’s voice. We’re basically telling artificially intelligent women what to do and teaching young boys to do the same. If at least 10% of us change our settings to a male voice, it’ll make a huge difference.

170

386

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

Or we could, you know, fix Earth.

Elon Musk

@elonmusk

3 years

@wapodavenport My plan is to use the money to get humanity to Mars and preserve the light of consciousness

6K

2K

19K

26

208

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

8 years

A thing you could do to improve diversity in tech? Invite diverse people to speak at your events about things OTHER than diversity in tech.

25

861

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

ANNOUNCEMENT: It is my great honor to lead the new round of funding for @Backstage_Cap headliner @getmahmee , supported by @serenawilliams @mcuban @RiseOfRest +more🙌🏾 Together Melissa, Sunny and Linda are a force the be reckoned with and will save lives🙌🏾

Serena Williams and Mark Cuban Invest in Startup Fighting Maternal Mortality

Williams has shared her own experience with a health crisis after giving birth.

fortune.com

68

419

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

Black women really did just get the first Black woman Vice President elected.

30

181

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

🤲🏾 So, like many of you, I’ve waited a long time to say: It’s. About. Damn. TIME!!! 😍

95

179

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

Excuse me while I peel myself up off this floor. WHEN I SAY CHILE...😀😍 @IAMQUEENLATIFAH

71

103

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

*faints*

34

384

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

6 years

My mom doesn’t have time for you or your nonsense while she’s drinking champagne on her international flight, ok? 😁

70

39

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Just found this email I sent out to several investors on May 27, 2013. Keep in mind this was when I had a place to live (with my mom), but figured out rent month-to-month, and wouldn’t have been able to afford a plane ticket from Houston to SF. Second pic is from 5 days ago.

44

207

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Best way to end the day! A must-watch.

69

397

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

5 years

You either change the title to “white female founders” or you have more representation in the pic. Ya know? (before you accuse me of being sensitive, I’m telling you the most likes I’ll get will be from white women who agree. This is ALL of our problem).

61

188

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

The first woman / Black woman / Indian woman / Asian-American woman / HBCU graduate / AKA to become Vice President of these United States!!! @KamalaHarris 🗽

28

291

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

Scientists say it’s so white, it received $50M from venture capitalists for diversity recruiting when it wasn’t even seeking funding.

Des Moines Register

@DMRegister

3 years

The world's whitest paint has been created in a lab at Purdue. Scientists say it's so white that it could eventually reduce the need for air conditioning.

559

467

2K

46

245

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

3 years

One way companies can foster diversity in tech is to invite underrepresented speakers to their events to speak about topics OTHER than diversity in tech.

37

339

2K

Arlan 👊🏾

@ArlanWasHere

4 years

Black women, whatever you’re being paid, it’s a discount. Forget “imposter syndrome.”

23

417

2K