Gang leader turned venture capital investor - Karl Lokko on how he turned his back on crime | Ep. 19
Gang leader turned venture capital investor - Karl Lokko on how he turned his back on crime | Ep. 19, Working Hard, Hardly Working Podcast
Karl Lokko is an ex-gang leader turned activist, campaigner, influencer and entrepreneur. Growing up on a tough estate swarming with gangs, Karl's childhood was far from plain sailing, witnessing his first shooting when just 12 years old.
Though at the time this had felt shocking, within four years Karl found himself behind the trigger, eventually becoming the ringleader of his own notorious gang. Before he was even 16, Karl had already been shot at, cut on his face, stabbed in the chest and watched one of his best friends get killed.
Karl finally pivoted when he met Pastor Mimi Asher, the mother of a fellow gang member, who showed him a way out. Resulting from Mimi's courageous counselling and mentorship, Karl was able to gain perspective, zoom out on his situation, and turn a life of crime into a life worth living.
Since then, Karl has dedicated his life and career to helping others do the same. Karl also leads the vision for Black Seed, a community and seed fundraiser to exclusively support black-led start-ups. With an embarrassing 0.24% of venture funding reaching black founders, Karl is leading the Black Seed team to tackle the systemic racial disparities in investment, their vision to find the next black unicorn and transform Brixton into Silicon Valley.
Today’s episode will completely blow your mind. As he describes it, Karl’s story reflects the journey of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly - the complete transformation of his life into something utterly unrecognisable. thank you for watching!
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in this video
00:01 - Intro
1:10 - Karl's childhood in South London
6:07 - Where Karl's involvement in gangs began
13:00 - When Karl couldn't join a gang, he created one
18:56 - The problems within the system perpetuating gang culture
27:26 - How and why Karl eventually turned his back on crime
36:24 - What was next for Karl at this point?
41:48 - The beginnings of Karl's first business - a rehab centre.
44:04 - The initial idea for Black Seed
46:15 - Karl's Co-Founder struggling to get funding due to the colour of his skin
52:19 - The horror show that are Black Founder statistics
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Пікірлер: 37
For a long time, as a black creative I didn't realise the importance and impact of systemic racism. It's great that we get to see a conversation here thanks to Grace's platform. I can even mention systemic racism in the education system, it's not a "paranoïa/victimisation" thing that some students think, because they feel "meritocracy" is rewarding them for being the best. It's more open in the UK, in countries like France, the conversation isn't even there. Again it's great to hear from people who have an insight and work hands on to make a change. Thanks for this interview 🙏🏿
"Greenwich mean time is not what they're after." hahaha That got me! Such a fantastic interview. I'm using it in some of my 1-1 English classes. Thank you.
Very eye opening interview, Grace is great at interviewing, I can't wait to see who are the next guess.
Phenomenal episode so so eye opening and deserves so much more traction. Thank you Karl for sharing the true extent of systemic racism, your story is so inspiring
Grace, I never watch or listen to podcasts I don't like listening to other people talk but when I saw this clip on your Insta, I knew I had to watch it. I'm writing this halfway through the video but I really love this episode already. You are a great listener and interviewer and makes me think that gang culture isn't as simple as the media makes it out to be (like you said). Can't wait to see what other stories you bring to the limelight!
She is the definition of a listener
I love the way your openness control the Convo
Grace - Creating spaces for all kinds of stories that motivate people. Keep going, G.
shoutout lox uno from looking up to him in brikky when i was a yg to have changed his life around mad inspirational big up my man lox
This was amazing thank you Karl and thank you Grace! 🎉
What an amazing episode! Thank you guys so much 👏🏾 Im heading down to a Black Seed event this weekend, this has really encouraged my excitement!
phenomenal conversation
such a great episode
Brilliant episode ❤
Amazing! Grace is a great interviewer
Great interview
Where is your jumper from?? Brill vid x
Why am I subbed to this channel? I've never heard of you or seen a single video. I genuinely don't understand how I became subbed to this channel.
@chikondin
Жыл бұрын
🤣🤣🤣
@realestudergroundsou
Жыл бұрын
@@chikondin 😂😂
Anyone able to help ID her jumper and where it’s from?
hows my man greying i swear hes only 31
@ApexJnr
Жыл бұрын
Lots of people start to grey before 30, specially if living a stressful life.
*venturing, into cry'pto. now should be the first thought in every wise lndividuals list. in some months time you'll be euphoric with the decision you took today..*1️⃣✅💢
@ericsonbooker8026
Жыл бұрын
Same here, l almost got lost in the cr'pto world until my colleague lntroduced me to Sam.Bankman and he helped me, now my portfolio is worth $ 29,700 and I'm so happy. I just like the way he transparently analyzed my trade ®
@MichelleHarris-ew4zs
Жыл бұрын
I heard a lot of investing with Mr Sam bankman and how good he is, please how safe are the profit?
@stacyevans881
Жыл бұрын
@@MichelleHarris-ew4zs *I traded with him, The profit are secured and over a 100% return on lnvestment directly sent to your wallet.*
@margaretwillis8509
Жыл бұрын
@Timothy Newman Please how can I reach out to Mr Sam bankman ? I urgently need his management!.
@margaretwillis8509
Жыл бұрын
@Timothy Newman Thank you for this, I will message hlm right away, I see this as opportunity to escape my financiaI situation.