TLDR:
- Less than 2% of AUM are handled by diverse-owned firms
- Bahiyah Yasmeen Robinson founded VC Include to empower historically underrepresented fund managers
This article highlights the work of Bahiyah Yasmeen Robinson, the founder and CEO of VC Include, an organization that aims to accelerate investment into historically underrepresented fund managers. Less than 2% of Assets Under Management (AUM) are handled by diverse-owned firms, with only 33 Black-owned investment management firms with more than $1 billion in assets under management. This disparity led Robinson to launch VC Include in 2018, providing fund managers with the tools they need to access capital and scale up their investment portfolios.
Robinson’s experience in philanthropy and impact investing, along with her own success as a fund manager, inspired her to create VC Include Fellowship in 2020. This weeks-long program nurtures the next generation of fund managers in venture capital, private equity, and impact investing, helping them raise millions for their respective funds. Through the Fellowship, VC Include has impacted the lives of numerous fund managers, like Phil Reeves, who raised nearly $60M for his private equity firm.
Despite the challenges posed by DEI backlash, VC Include remains committed to empowering underrepresented groups in the investment space. Robinson emphasizes the importance of inclusion and mentorship to level the playing field and ensure that talented individuals have the support they need to succeed. By prioritizing diversity and equity in venture capital and private equity, VC Include continues to drive positive change in the industry.
