# Morgan DeBaun

> Morgan DeBaun is the Nashville-based founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., which she established with three Washington University friends in 2014. Her work spans Black media, the AfroTech professional community, founder education through WorkSmart, angel investing and corporate advising. She is the author of Rewrite Your Rules, published by Ballantine Books in April 2025.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Blavity Inc.
- **Organizations:** Blavity Inc., AfroTech, WorkSmart Advisor, Blavity.org
- **From:** St. Louis, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Political Science; minors in Education and Entrepreneurship, Washington University in St. Louis
- **Known for:** Co-founded Blavity Inc. in 2014 and developed a portfolio spanning publishing, events and talent services., Forbes 30 Under 30, media, 2016., Forbes America’s Top 50 Women in Tech, 2018.

## Career timeline

- **2012** — Graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and moved to the Bay Area to work at Intuit.
- **2014** — Founded Blavity with Aaron Samuels, Jeff Nelson and Jonathan Jackson; launched an initial product in July.
- **2016** — Blavity developed AfroTech; DeBaun was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in media.
- **2017** — Blavity launched 21Ninety and acquired Shadow and Act and Travel Noire.
- **2018** — Blavity raised $6.5 million in new funding; DeBaun was recognized in Forbes America’s Top 50 Women in Tech.
- **2021** — Blavity.org launched to support Black-led businesses through grants, education and mentorship.
- **2023** — Blavity launched Home & Texture; the company also introduced Talent Infusion.
- **2025** — Ballantine Books published Rewrite Your Rules on April 1.
- **2026** — Published a January reflection on the relationship-building value of her book tour.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Blavity Inc. in 2014 and developed a portfolio spanning publishing, events and talent services.
- Forbes 30 Under 30, media, 2016.
- Forbes America’s Top 50 Women in Tech, 2018.
- Recipient of ADCOLOR’s Innovative Award.
- Author of the national bestseller Rewrite Your Rules, as described by its publisher.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — In a January 20 Substack essay, she described how the Rewrite Your Rules tour reconnected her with her community and noted that the book did not reach the New York Times bestseller list.
- **2025-04** — Rewrite Your Rules was published on April 1 by Ballantine Books.

## Links

- Website: https://morgandebaun.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgandebaun/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/MorganDeBaun
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MorganDeBaun
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgandebaun/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorganDeBaunPage
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/morgan-debaun
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20