Chandell Stone

Nah but seriously, check out Chandell Stone, this absolute beast in the startup and edtech world. The dude’s a serial social entrepreneur, born and raised in the trenches of NYC, really jumping into the game from the ground up. Started out as a teacher and school leader in the Bronx and Harlem, so he’s been in the trenches working with low-income kids, trying to make a real difference. That hustle? It’s what fuels everything he does.

He’s got a legit academic background too, a BS in Math from North Carolina A&T and an Ed.M. from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, all about education tech. You can tell he’s not just talking, he’s got the brains and the heart to back it up.

Then, he jumps into the startup scene and drops some serious heat. Founded Degrees of Freedom, an edtech nonprofit that’s all about shaking up higher education. Think blending online, on-campus, and even VR learning to make college affordable and high quality, basically, giving students a real alternative to the bullshit expensive colleges. This isn’t some pipe dream, they went through Y Combinator’s Winter 2021 batch, which is like the Oscars of startups. That’s a big deal.

But Chandell’s process isn’t just about one company. He’s built a bunch of organizations across Africa and the Americas, stuff like Chany Ventures and Destination Impact. Dude’s raised over $3 million in philanthropic funding, all aimed at improving education and opportunities for marginalized communities. That’s no cap, he’s really out here trying to level the playing field.

And it’s not just about starting stuff, Chandell’s all in on building ecosystems. He’s a Techstars mentor, a 2022 Kapor Center Investment Fellow, and he’s laser-focused on backing underrepresented founders. He’s out here lifting others as he climbs, which is rare and super important.

Now he’s based in Mexico City, but his impact is global. He’s all about empowering communities that are often left behind, building entrepreneurial ecosystems where there wasn’t much before. His whole story screams motivation, he’s not just in it for himself, but to create real change, to turn dreams into startups, and help others do the same.

Bottom line? Chandell Stone is the real deal, a guy who’s been in the trenches, got the scars and the wins, and now he’s out here pushing boundaries in education and entrepreneurship. His process shows that starting something big isn’t just about tech or money, it’s about heart, hustle, and a deep desire to make a difference. No bullshit, he’s someone you want to watch, because he’s shaping the future of education and entrepreneurship, and he’s doing it on his own terms.