047 | Tech Equity, Served Bold with a Side of Grit with Desiah Barnett

Change Maker, this is a story that may leave you speechless. 

How Do You Open Doors That Were Never Built for You?

If you lead an organization, there’s a point where strategy alone isn’t enough—you need access. You need the right partners, funding, and a way to prove that your work isn’t just meaningful, but essential.

But what happens when traditional systems weren’t designed with you in mind? When the gatekeepers aren’t looking your way?

That’s where Desiah Barnett’s story forces a different conversation.

She didn’t wait for an invitation. From foster care to securing government contracts in 30 days, she built a tech education pipeline that’s creating real workforce opportunities for youth who are often overlooked.

💡 Inside this episode, we unpack: ✔️ How she navigated the system to land city contracts and why your impact story is non-negotiable. ✔️ Why mentorship is the real solution to breaking cycles of poverty—and how she structured it for scale. ✔️ What it takes to introduce high-level stakeholders to your work and secure investment in your mission. ✔️ How she formed a winning team and built an app for Visa—without corporate backing or deep industry connections.

This is a case study in making the system work for you.

If you're leading a nonprofit, running a social enterprise, or securing funding feels like an uphill battle, this is your episode to rethink what's possible. 

Next Steps: 

Ready to position your brand for serious funding and long-term sustainability? The strategies Desiah used to land government contracts and scale impact aren’t just for her—they’re for any leader ready to step into their next era.

Get Year-End Power Moves —designed to help change makers like you secure funding, expand partnerships, and move with strategy in any quarter. Download it now and start making the right moves.