Arlan Hamilton is an investor, author, and entrepreneur redefining access, equity, and innovation across business, media, and sports.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
“We were thrilled! The turnout to hear Arlan's fireside chat was impressive and the audience was very engaged. Arlan is a great speaker - she was articulate, funny, relatable and insightful. We were so glad to have her at our event.”
Alana Davicino
Village Capital
Arlan Hamilton is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and author transforming how the world views opportunity and innovation. As the Founder and Chair of Backstage Capital, she has invested over $30 million in startups led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ founders. Her journey from homelessness to the forefront of venture capital embodies resilience, foresight, and courage. Beyond venture, Arlan co-founded 3XBA, a women’s basketball league redefining equity in sports, and has authored bestselling books that inspire millions to create impact and generational wealth.
Arlan Hamilton’s story is one of remarkable determination and vision. In 2015, while experiencing homelessness, she founded Backstage Capital a venture capital firm built on the belief that great ideas come from everywhere, not just from those with privilege or access. Her mission was clear: to invest in founders who are often overlooked, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.
Under her leadership, Backstage Capital has raised over $30 million and backed more than 200 startups led by underestimated founders. Arlan’s approach challenges the traditional norms of Silicon Valley, proving that innovation thrives when diverse voices are given a seat at the table. Her bold vision and commitment have made Backstage Capital one of the most influential forces for inclusion in venture capital.
Arlan’s impact extends far beyond the world of venture capital. She is the co-founder of 3XBA, a groundbreaking women’s professional basketball league designed to elevate visibility, pay equity, and representation in sports. Through this initiative, Arlan continues her lifelong mission of creating platforms where underrepresented talent can shine.
Her passion for community building has also led to the creation of Arlan’s All-Access and Inner Circle, two thriving networks that coach and mentor entrepreneurs from across the globe. Through these platforms, she connects innovators, creators, and dreamers, empowering them to take their ideas from concept to success.
Arlan’s influence as a thought leader is equally powerful. She is the author of three books:
It’s About Damn Time (2020), her debut memoir that chronicles her journey from homelessness to building a multimillion-dollar investment firm.
Your First Million (2023), a practical and empowering guide to transforming ideas into generational wealth.
Arlan’s Revenue Playbook (2024), a continuation of her mission to equip underestimated entrepreneurs with the tools to create lasting impact.
Her YouTube channel, “Your First Million,” has become a hub for accessible business and financial education, reaching millions of aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. Through her books, talks, and digital content, Arlan distills her real-world experience into actionable lessons for anyone ready to build something meaningful.
True to her roots, Arlan is deeply committed to giving back. Together with her mother, Mrs. Earline Butler-Sims, she has established multiple scholarship programs for Black students and innovators. These include endowments at Oxford University, Harvard Law, Dillard University, and scholarships for Black pilots and inventors. These initiatives reflect Arlan’s belief that opportunity should be shared and that true success is measured by how many others rise alongside you.
Recognized as the first non-celebrity Black woman to grace the cover of Fast Company, Arlan Hamilton continues to push boundaries across industries. Her story resonates with audiences around the world because it embodies both vision and authenticity a reminder that barriers can be broken and futures rewritten.
Today, she stands as one of the most prominent voices in business, sports, and digital media, inspiring others to embrace possibility and purpose. Whether speaking to corporate leaders, creative communities, or aspiring founders, Arlan’s message is clear: access and inclusion aren’t just moral imperatives they’re keys to innovation and progress.
5 of 5
“We were thrilled! The turnout to hear Arlan's fireside chat was impressive and the audience was very engaged. Arlan is a great speaker - she was articulate, funny, relatable and insightful. We were so glad to have her at our event.”
Alana Davicino Village Capital
5 of 5
“Arlan showed up with enthusiasm, even after a long day of appearances. She was fun, thoughtful, and engaged, volunteering to stay after her talk to chat with members of the audience (over and above her contract.) The audience was thrilled, still talking about the event many days later.”
Lisa Durnford Venture Out
5 of 5
“Arlan was great. Obviously very knowledgeable, honest and candid and challenging in her remarks - while also being inspiring and thought-provoking.“
Tammy Nolen, Development & Communications Coordinator, Center for Economic Inclusion
5 of 5
“Arlan’s challenge and her enthusiasm set the state and the tone for the rest of the Summit, helping to energize attendees and inspire deep conversations about the future of our profession.”
Kevin R. Keller, CEO CFP Board
5 of 5
“We loved having Arlan. She has an amazing stage presence and asked so many compelling questions to the startups on stage. We were lucky to have her!”
Annie Fei, Principal Event Marketing Manager Hubspot INBOUND
Keynote by Arlan Hamilton:
Have you ever felt like your story was being written for you instead of by you? In her powerful keynote “Write Your Own Headlines,” Arlan Hamilton shows audiences how to take back control of their narrative and define success on their own terms.
From sleeping on airport floors to building a multimillion-dollar venture fund, Arlan’s journey proves that you don’t need permission to make history.
With sharp insight, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, she challenges conventional thinking and empowers you to see possibility where others see limits. Book Arlan Hamilton to inspire your audience to break barriers, own their story, and write the next bold headline of their lives.
Audience takeaways
Discover how to reclaim your personal narrative and define success on your own terms.
Learn strategies to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth and reinvention.
Gain practical insights on building confidence and resilience in the face of adversity.
Be inspired to challenge traditional paths and create new spaces for innovation.
Leave motivated to take bold action and write the next headline of your own story.
Keynote by Arlan Hamilton:
Do you ever feel frustrated waiting for change that never seems to come? In her transformative keynote “Being the Change You Want to See,” Arlan Hamilton challenges audiences to stop waiting for permission and start creating impact right where they are.
Drawing from her own journey from homelessness to building multimillion-dollar ventures that champion inclusion she shares how courage, conviction, and action can rewrite entire industries. This keynote empowers individuals and organizations to turn vision into movement, fear into momentum, and ideas into measurable change.
Book this talk to ignite a culture of accountability, purpose, and progress that inspires everyone to step up and lead the change they wish to see.
Audience takeaway
Learn how to transform frustration into action and create real, lasting impact.
Discover practical ways to lead change from any position or background.
Gain tools to turn vision and purpose into tangible results.
Build the courage and mindset needed to challenge systems and drive inclusion.
Leave empowered to inspire others and be the catalyst for meaningful transformation.
Keynote by Arlan Hamilton:
Do you ever feel limited by outdated rules that keep innovation out of reach? In her bold keynote “Breaking Rules While Breaking Ground,” Arlan Hamilton reveals how true progress begins when we dare to challenge the status quo.
Through her extraordinary journey from outsider to trailblazer in venture capital and entrepreneurship, she proves that success belongs to those willing to rewrite the playbook.
This talk inspires audiences to think differently, take smart risks, and build opportunities where none existed before. It’s a wake-up call for anyone ready to innovate, disrupt, and lead with authenticity. Book this keynote to empower your team to stop following the rules—and start creating the future.
Audience takeaways
Discover how breaking outdated rules can lead to breakthrough innovation and progress.
Learn strategies for challenging conventional thinking and redefining success.
Gain confidence to take smart, calculated risks that drive real change.
Understand how authenticity and courage fuel creativity and leadership.
Leave inspired to disrupt limits, think boldly, and create your own path forward.
Keynote by Arlan Hamilton:
Why are Black women still underrepresented in one of the world’s most powerful industries? In her compelling keynote “Black Women in Tech,” Arlan Hamilton shines a spotlight on the barriers and the breakthroughs shaping the future of innovation.
Drawing from her experience building a multimillion-dollar venture fund that champions underrepresented founders, she offers real-world insights on how inclusion drives creativity, profitability, and progress.
This talk challenges organizations to move beyond tokenism and invest in equitable access, representation, and leadership. Book this keynote to inspire your audience to build a tech ecosystem where Black women don’t just participate—they lead, innovate, and transform the industry.
Audience takeaways
Understand the challenges and opportunities shaping the future for Black women in technology.
Learn how diversity and inclusion directly drive innovation and business success.
Gain actionable strategies for creating equitable access and representation in tech.
Discover how to move beyond tokenism and foster true cultural and structural change.
Leave inspired to support and empower Black women as leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
Watch Arlan Hamilton in action
