Humans of Ripple: Domenique Montgomery, RippleX Cohort 8
Humans of Ripple: Domenique Montgomery, RippleX Cohort 8
The Humans of Ripple series was designed to feature the brightest bunch behind the scenes of the Ripple community. Today, we’re excited to feature Domenique Montgomery, a current Cohort 8 fellow in the RippleX fellowship. Domenique was a US Army Veteran, and is currently studying sociology with a minor in sports management at Texas Southern University. He currently researches at TSU’s Center for Justice Research to understand the best approaches to structural, institutional and cultural criminal justice reform, and interns at Zwift in the People DEIBS (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Social Impact) group.
What is your current role?
In addition to participating in the RippleX Fellowship I currently work as a research intern with the Texas Southern University Center for Justice Research. At the center, I help with data collection and research projects aimed at educating the community and its members about critical social justice concerns. I also intern with Zwift, a tech startup, in their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging department. As a DEIB intern, I work to make the workplace a more equitable and inclusive place for employees by conducting research and development that leads to more diverse recruiting practices, cultural conversation events, and improved community participation.
How did you get to where you are today?
Trial and error. Your dreams and goals change as you grow and learn. So overtime I’ve had to readjust the direction I want to go in. Over the last year I’ve really been able to narrow who I want to be and it’s led me to the position I found myself in today. I hope to one day become a college professor while also managing a venture fund that’s focused on social justice impact. I believe that many of the social issues that face our communities today can be solved by leveraging emerging technologies in an innovative way.
Why are you excited about working in this space/industry? *
Working at the justice center gives me the opportunity to get some real hands-on experience in social justice advocacy and research. As an intern with Zwift in their DEI department I get a better understanding of startup culture and the ability to apply the knowledge gained from the justice center. With an awakening of a new social justice era following the deaths of George Floyd and Breanna Taylor we’ve seen that consumers are starting to hold corporations accountable to Diversity, Equity and Inclusive practices within their company and the communities they serve. Over time corporate transparency on DEI is going to become more and more influential in societies willingness to use and invest in certain products. Even affecting pre and post IPO valuations. Knowing this really excites me about working in DEI and becoming a strong advocate for it within the startup and VC world.
What’s one piece of advice you’d tell your younger self?
Spend more time learning about yourself and invest in your interests.
What’s something you learned from the RippleX Fellowship that helps you today? *
So far one thing that I’ve taken away from the RippleX Fellowship is the type of relationships and opportunities that can be built from a short 15 minute chat.
