Dear BLK ED: "The Opportunity Engine: Turning Talent into Wealth" with Jay Nwachu

This episode features ⁠Jay Nwachu⁠, a purpose-driven leader working at the intersection of social entrepreneurship and impact investing to grow local economies and close the racial wealth gap. Shaped by a career in talent acquisition and a master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Jay brings a people-first, research-informed lens to community development. As president & CEO of ⁠Innovation Works⁠ and founder of ⁠Ignite Capital⁠, he designs systems that turn local talent into dignified work, sustainable businesses, and community wealth, without losing sight of the humans at the center.

Jay traces his journey from recruiting to entrepreneurship, unpacks the constant tension between “people and systems,” and explains how Baltimore’s future depends on place-based entrepreneurship, resilient revenue, and collaboration across neighborhoods. We dig into the metrics that matter: living-wage jobs, benefits, owner wealth, and community spend. Jay also shares tangible wins from Baltimore founders scaling childcare, food & beverage manufacturing, and more, and previews Ignite Capital’s next fund to prove that flexible, values-aligned capital can unlock bold growth without predatory tradeoffs.

Whether you’re a founder, funder, ecosystem builder, or nonprofit leader, this conversation delivers practical tools for centering equity in workforce pathways, designing community capital, and measuring impact that actually builds wealth where people live.

Listen now on Spotify and follow the Dear BLK ED Podcast for more conversations that amplify Black leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable community change.

Follow BLK ED Network on Social:
www.instagram.com/blkednetwork
www.facebook.com/theblkednetwork
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof...