Runa Lucienne

A Future in VC?

God gave me a vision to raise a venture capital fund with focus on minority founders and start-ups, as a way to uplift the entire African-American community. With interest in leveling the playing field, countering systemic racism, and catering to under-served communities, I’m hoping to invest in sustainable goods and infrastructure, alternative waste management, and bio-tech, so we can change living conditions of impoverished communities with below average education systems, limited access to affordable whole foods, affordable health care, and everything we take for granted including air quality.

Did you know there’s an undeniable link between race and landfill locations? Landfills are the third largest source of anthropogenic methane in the United States. Large amounts of methane decreases the amount of oxygen in the air, resulting in headaches, nausea, and dizziness, and prolonged exposure can contribute to a multitude of diseases. At the North Carolina Department of Waste Management, “researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that landfills were twice as likely to be located near communities with a minority population of more than 10% and average housing worth less than $100,000.” By simply finding an alternate, affordable solution to waste management, this is one way we can counter systemic racism.

I’ve always had big dreams of positively impacting the world for future generations. Evidence of that includes my role as an unpaid, volunteer publicist for the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) looking to raise funding for human clinical trials for a cure to cancer using laser technology and nano-particles proven to completely cure cancer in mice after 15 days with one 10-minute treatment, with little-to-no side effects. In addition to the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation, before COVID-19 I regularly volunteered at the Miami Children’s Museum, Paws4You, a Miami dog rescue organization, and at my local church.

From growing up in Toledo, Ohio to living in New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Macao, Miami, and now Las Vegas; working at NASA, Monster Energy, and as an entrepreneur, I’ve lived such an interesting life, with lots of highs and lows, but it’s been said “the unwounded life bears no resemblance to the Rabbi” -Brennan Manning

My vision may sound insane but I’m putting my complete trust in God. God puts His desires in our hearts, so we desire what He desires. I am a woman after God’s own heart, and want His will to be done -not mine. So even if I don’t meet my goal, I know it’s all a part of God’s plan and “all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan”, Romans 8:28.