Cheryl Contee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cheryl Contee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | United States |
| Occupations | Blogger, Writer, Entrepreneur |
Cheryl Contee is an American entrepreneur, CEO, blogger, and writer. She is co-founder and CEO of a digital marketing agency, Do Big Things.[1] Before founding Do Big Things, Contee co-founded Fission Strategy[2] and Attentive.ly.[3] In 2019, Contee released her book, “Mechanical Bull", which details her history as a non-traditional startup founder.[4] She received her B.A. from Yale University and has an International Executive M.B.A. from Georgetown University.[5]
In May 2008, Contee co-founded Fission Strategy, a women- and minority-owned tech startup. Fission was an Internet strategy and web development firm that specialized in nonprofits and foundations.[6] In 2006, Contee also co-founded Jack and Jill Politics, named one of the top 10 black blogs in 2008, where she wrote under the pseudonym "Jill Tubman”.[7]
In June 2012, Contee went on to co-found Attentive.ly, a tech startup specializing in influencer marketing technology, serving as their Strategic Advisor. In 2016, Attentive.ly was acquired by Blackbaud for $ 4 million,[8] making it the first tech startup with a black female founder on board in history to be acquired by a NASDAQ-traded company.
In 2018, Fission Strategy merged with 270 Strategies, a digital consulting firm, to create Do Big Things, where she currently leads as the CEO.[when?] Do Big Things is a mission-driven digital marketing agency that specializes in working with non-profits and progressive political campaigns. In 2019, Contee released her book, “Mechanical Bull: How You Can Achieve Startup Success", which details her history as a rare Black female startup founder.
In addition to her business ventures, Contee co-founded #YesWeCode,[9] now DreamCorps Tech,[10] which represents the movement to help over 100,000 low opportunity youth to become high quality coders.[11]
Recognition
Contee was included in the first "The Root 100" list of established and emerging African-American leaders.[12] Huffington Post listed her as one of the "Top 27 Female Founders in Tech to Follow on Twitter" in 2011,[13] as did Black Enterprise. Fast Company named her one of their "2010 Most Influential Women in Tech".[14] Contee was also named in "The Influencers 50" in Campaigns and Elections magazine.[15] In 2019, Kate Spade NY and Conscious Company named Contee one of 2019’s “World Changing Women”.[16]
