Building Connections and Resilience Through Diversity and Inclusion: A Conversation with Jason Sherman

“Diversity and inclusion are not just values we advocate for; they are principles we actively practice.”– Jason Sherman

This powerful statement from Jason Sherman is the driving philosophy behind his innovative ventures, Spinnr and Vengo AI. The CEO and co-founder of these groundbreaking platforms, Jason has dedicated his career to fostering genuine human connections and building resilient communities through the active practice of diversity and inclusion.

A successful innovator, award-winning filmmaker, published author, tech startup expert, classically trained violinist, with a background in journalism and fluent in Spanish, Jason’s impressive resume includes features by prestigious media outlets and being a featured speaker on FOX’s Emmy award-winning Futurist TV Show: Xploration Earth 2050.

Operating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jason runs a web and mobile development shop and film studio. His influence extends to guest lectures at area universities, and his support as a mentor and judge at hackathons and tech events. Sherman’s methodologies on entrepreneurship and data-driven decisions have become a global source of education, integrated to his startup book “Strap on Your Boots” and the accompanying podcast. The book serves as the foundation for his class “Startup Essentials,” initially taught at the Wharton School of Business and now available online on platforms such as Udemy and Skillshare.

In this conversation, Jason takes us into the inspiration behind Spinnr and Vengo AI, and how his commitment to diversity and inclusion shapes the platforms. By actively practicing these principles, he aims to create safe, inclusive digital spaces that empower individuals to connect, share their stories, and build resilience. Join us as we explore Sherman’s journey, the challenges he has faced, and his vision for the future of digital connections.

TWB: Can you share the inspiration behind creating Spinnr and how it aligns with your mission of promoting diversity and inclusion?

JS: The inspiration behind creating Spinnr came from seeing how traditional social media often amplifies divisions and isolation. We wanted to counteract this by fostering genuine human connections across diverse backgrounds. Our mission of promoting diversity and inclusion is embedded in everything we do, welcoming everyone regardless of their background, identity, or beliefs. Spinnr is a place where people can share their stories and find common ground, fostering understanding and resilience. Our diverse team reflects this commitment, ensuring that our platform empowers individuals to embrace their identities and support each other.

Diversity and inclusion are not just values we advocate for; they are principles we actively practice. Our workforce is a testament to this commitment. We have a team comprised of individuals from various cultural backgrounds, including countries like Brazil, Vietnam, Pakistan, Japan, India, Spain, Portugal, and Mexico. Moreover, women make up 50% of our employees, and our leadership team reflects this diversity, featuring a female co-founder and CMO, a Hispanic female Director of Diversity, a South Asian CTO, and myself, a Hispanic CEO.

TWB: How has Spinnr managed to foster genuine human connections in an era where social media often amplifies divisions?

JS: Unlike traditional social media, Spinnr focuses on building an authentic, positive community where users can share their stories and experiences, creating deeper connections. We provide safe spaces for self-expression without fear of judgment, supported by robust moderation tools and community guidelines. Our algorithms promote diverse connections based on shared interests and values, while cultural sensitivity in our design ensures all users feel represented. By encouraging users to share real stories and creating support networks, Spinnr helps individuals navigate challenges and build resilience, fostering a sense of solidarity and connection. By prioritizing meaningful interactions and celebrating diversity and inclusivity, Spinnr has become a safe haven for people around the world who are tired of the toxic behavior prevalent on social media.

TWB: Can you describe a memorable story from a Spinnr user that exemplifies the platform’s impact on diversity and inclusion?

JS: The first story that comes to mind is the journey of Tony Diaz and his brand, Jux Now. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, Tony faced negativity on mainstream social networks. However, on Spinnr, he built supportive friendships with individuals who shared his values and interests. Using Vengo AI, Tony introduced Jux Style, an AI companion offering tailored fashion advice, which led to an 86% surge in engagement and a significant revenue boost. Tony’s story demonstrates how Spinnr fosters a supportive, inclusive environment, helping users monetize their skills and thrive both personally and professionally.

TWB: What challenges have you faced in ensuring that Spinnr remains an inclusive space for people from all walks of life?

JS: A primary challenge has been creating an environment that respects a wide array of gender identities and sexual orientations, such as agender, gay, and non-binary, as well as diverse abilities and needs like members with deafness or blindness. We have built features and policies to accommodate this diversity, ensuring all users feel represented. Combating negativity and harassment has also been crucial, leading us to implement robust AI moderation tools and a vast ambassador program of humans to maintain a positive environment and uphold our community guidelines, ensuring a safe and respectful platform. Another challenge was designing algorithms that promote diverse connections based on shared interests and values, rather than creating echo chambers. We also focus on cultural sensitivity by incorporating multilingual support and relevant content to represent our global user base. Continuous feedback and improvement are key; we actively seek user feedback to make necessary adjustments, ensuring Spinnr remains an inclusive and supportive community.

TWB: How do you believe fostering a diverse and inclusive digital space can contribute to resilience in individuals and communities?

JS: Spinnr significantly contributes to resilience by creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued. When individuals are part of a community that embraces diversity, they form strong, supportive relationships, which are crucial for personal resilience. Exposure to various perspectives broadens users’ understanding and empathy, encouraging flexible and creative problem-solving. Inclusive communities provide vital support networks, offering emotional and practical help during tough times, and inspiring users to persist through challenges. At Spinnr, we’ve seen how such an environment leads to stronger, more resilient individuals and communities, helping them thrive in today’s digital age.

TWB: You said your team at Spinnr is quite diverse, with a 50% women rate of employees. How has this diversity influenced the company culture and product development?

JS: Our inclusive company fosters an environment where a wide range of perspectives and ideas are welcomed and encouraged, cultivating openness and mutual respect. Employees feel valued and empowered, leading to effective teamwork and a strong sense of community. In product development, our women-led team has been instrumental in navigating the intricacies of women’s safety, a crucial aspect given the dangers women often face on social media and dating apps. Their insights help us design features that enhance user safety and experience, addressing issues like harassment and stalking. This focus on safety ensures our female community members feel secure. This diversity drives innovation, as varied viewpoints lead to creative solutions, particularly in user safety, accessibility, and community engagement. Ultimately, our diversity enriches both our culture and our product development, ensuring Spinnr remains a forward-thinking and inclusive platform.

TWB: Can you discuss the role of resilience in your journey as an entrepreneur and how it has shaped your leadership style?

JS: Resilience has been a cornerstone of my entrepreneurial journey and has significantly shaped my leadership style. Facing numerous hurdles early in my career, such as securing funding and dealing with market fluctuations, taught me the importance of adaptability and flexibility. This mindset has fostered an environment where innovation and experimentation are encouraged, understanding that failures are often stepping stones to success. Maintaining a positive attitude, even during tough times, has been essential in keeping the team motivated and focused. Building strong relationships and a supportive network has also been crucial, emphasizing teamwork and collective problem-solving. Resilience has underscored the importance of continuous learning and growth, encouraging my team to embrace challenges as opportunities to develop new skills. These lessons have not only helped me navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship but have also shaped Spinnr into a resilient and innovative company capable of thriving in the ever-changing digital landscape.

TWB: How do Spinnr and Vengo AI support mental well-being and combat loneliness, particularly in marginalized communities?

JS: Spinnr fosters genuine human connections by providing safe spaces where users can express themselves freely, which is essential for mental well-being. This is particularly important for marginalized communities, who often face discrimination and isolation. Our platform offers personalized matches based on shared interests and values, ensuring users find meaningful, authentic connections. Vengo AI, a cutting-edge digital companion platform, combats loneliness and supports mental well-being through empathetic, judgment-free interactions and educational mentorship. Unique to Vengo AI is its creator marketplace, which opens up AI creation and revenue opportunities to marginalized communities, who otherwise wouldn’t have access to such expensive and complex tools. Vengo allows members to design and monetize their AI personas easily, integrating them into Vengo AI’s gig economy and sharing in the platform’s revenue. Additionally, Spinnr facilitates the creation of support networks, crucial for mental health, where users can find encouragement and advice. By showcasing stories of resilience, we inspire others to embrace their identities with pride. Together, Spinnr and Vengo AI help users from marginalized communities feel valued, understood, and less alone.

TWB: What strategies have you implemented to maintain a balance between technology and genuine human interaction on your platforms?

JS: Maintaining a balance between technology and genuine human interaction on Spinnr and Vengo AI is central to our design and operational strategies. We believe technology should enhance, not replace, the authenticity of human connections. Our platforms are human-centric, prioritizing user experience and genuine interactions by creating features that facilitate meaningful conversations and connections based on shared interests and values. We encourage users to share real stories, fostering an environment where authenticity is valued and personal connections are deepened.

While Vengo AI provides personalized support, it complements rather than replaces human interactions. For example, Maxine, a dedicated vaccine specialist with extensive expertise in virology and immunology, helps users by providing accurate information about vaccines and health. Maxine’s engaging and insightful approach makes complex medical concepts accessible and compelling, empowering users with reliable health information.

We also facilitate support networks and community-driven initiatives to foster a sense of belonging and mutual support. By actively seeking user feedback, we continually refine our features to better support authentic connections. Additionally, we promote offline meetups to bridge the gap between online and real-world relationships. Our goal is to ensure that users of Spinnr and Vengo AI feel supported, understood, and connected in meaningful ways.

TWB: Looking ahead, what are your future goals for Spinnr and Vengo AI in continuing to promote diversity, inclusion, and resilience?

JS: Looking ahead, our future goals for Spinnr and Vengo AI focus on deepening our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and resilience. We aim to expand our reach to more diverse communities globally, ensuring people from all backgrounds feel represented and valued. This includes enhancing multilingual support and culturally relevant content. We will continue improving our algorithms to foster more meaningful connections, refining our matching systems to enhance community interactions. Leveraging AI, we plan to offer more personalized support, advancing Vengo AI’s capabilities to provide tailored advice and companionship, thereby combating loneliness.

Vengo AI also simplifies AI creation and use, similar to how WordPress revolutionized website building. With just one line of code, any brand, influencer, business owner, or celebrity can convert their knowledge, skills, and audience into passive income. We are democratizing the complex and expensive world of AI, making it accessible, simple, and fun for everyone. Strengthening our efforts to create safe, inclusive digital spaces remains a priority, with robust moderation tools and guidelines to protect users. We also plan to enhance offline engagement initiatives, promoting real-world meetups and community events to bridge the gap between digital and physical connections. Additionally, maintaining and growing our diverse team is crucial for innovation and inclusivity, ensuring our platforms evolve to meet the global user base’s needs. Through these efforts, we aim to promote diversity, inclusion, and resilience, helping users feel valued, supported, and connected. ⭐

“When individuals are part of a community that embraces diversity, they form strong, supportive relationships, which are crucial for personal resilience.” –Jason Sherman

Originally Published by: The World’s Best