Erika Hairston

Don’t sleep on the legend that is Erika Hairston, this is the real deal, no cap. So she’s a YC W20 alum, which already puts her in the startup stratosphere, but what really makes her stand out is her process and what she’s doing now.

Erika’s got a solid CS background from Yale, the kind of brain that’s been coding forever, I bet. Before jumping into startups, she was at Facebook as a Product Manager, building tools that millions rely on and improving user experience like a true techie. But here’s the thing, she’s not just about tech for tech’s sake. She’s about making a real impact.

She’s super passionate about diversity and inclusion, especially in STEM and education. That’s why she co-founded Edlyft, a YC-backed startup that’s all about supporting college students in STEM, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Basically, she’s trying to level the playing field, making sure more women and minorities crush it in tech and science. That’s her mission, using her skills to create real change.

But wait, she’s also got some media cred. She created and starred in this HBO series called ‘Diversity Hires’, yeah, she’s out here telling stories of women of color in tech, shining a light on what’s real. She’s not just talking the talk; she’s walking the walk, pushing for more representation and diversity across the board.

What does all this say about her? It’s pretty simple: Erika’s driven by a genuine desire to make tech and education more inclusive. She’s been on the inside at big companies, seen the bullshit, and decided to jump into the startup game to actually fix it. Her process shows she’s a builder, a storyteller, and a fighter for people who often get left behind.

Basically, she’s proof that you don’t just need to be a coder or a founder, you gotta care about the bigger picture, about changing the system. She’s crushing it because she’s combining her tech skills, her media chops, and her passion for diversity into one strong package. That’s why she’s important, she’s not just building a startup, she’s building a movement.

So yeah, that’s Erika Hairston, a tech pro, diversity advocate, media creator, and now a founder making waves. She’s the kind of person who shows you that with the right skills and a big heart, you can really make shit happen.