About me
Le'Kiesha French Merritt is a visionary in Global economic development, tech, entrepreneurship & innovation ecosystem building with over two decades of transformative impact. She founded two global multi-million-dollar social enterprises and has helped shape technology ecosystems worldwide through her work within Silicon Valley and international institutions like Georgia Institute of Technology, MIT, Standard and HBCUs. Today, she leads as Founder & President of The Future in Color Institute and Future In Color Media, driving corporate innovation and championing diversity in innovation ecosystems.
Le'Kiesha is pioneering the Global Black GDP(x) project, using a data-driven approach to forecast wealth by 2050 and create an inclusive economic future. Her advocacy extends to critical areas like Black women’s health, maternal health, and criminal justice reform, making her a beacon for change-makers worldwide. Le'Kiesha embodies the essence of passion, perseverance, and purpose, inspiring action and empowering communities.
Le'Kiesha French is a leading economic development, entrepreneurship, and innovation figure. Her career, which spans over two decades, is marked by pioneering initiatives and transformative impact. With a foundation in human-centred design, innovation capacity building, and business development, Le'Kiesha's journey began with the founding of two groundbreaking multi-million dollar global social enterprises. Her immersion in Silicon Valley's tech startup scene further honed her skills and expertise, setting the stage for her influential role in shaping the future of technology.
As a sought-after advisor and consultant, Le'Kiesha has driven corporate innovation and fostered diversity in tech ecosystems. Her strategic guidance has propelled organizations to new heights, while her advocacy for inclusivity has set new standards for industry leaders worldwide. In her latest venture as the Founder & President of The Future in Color Institute and Future In Color Media, Le'Kiesha continues to push boundaries and redefine the future innovation & economic landscape, now calculating and accelerating the Global Black GDP with an applied data-driven economic blueprint to create a new wealth projection in 2050 for a future economy that is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable for underinvested and unprotected communities to shape emerging economies and markets of the future.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Le'Kiesha is deeply passionate about advocacy and impact investment, particularly in areas that have affected her life, such as Black Women’s health, maternal health, opportunity youth, neuro-diversity and criminal justice reform. Her unwavering dedication to creating positive change inspires aspiring change-makers worldwide, showcasing the power of passion, perseverance, and purpose in driving meaningful impact.