Bitwise Industries and OnwardUS are proud to present“Onward On-Air. This original streaming series and podcast tells the story of our country at one of its most critical and challenging times, through the lens of people working together to respond to current circumstances and re-imagine the future. Hosted by Jake Soberal, Co-Founder and CEO of Bitwise Industries, Onward On-Air facilitates conversations with leaders who are doing authentic work to help folks navigate life in this new normal. The future may be uncertain, but the need for authentic storytelling and conversation will always be a necessary pillar in our society.

The impact of a global pandemic has been far reaching, and according to data reports, it’s clear that here in America communities of color are being hit disproportionately hard by COVID19. Analysis from The COVID Racial Data Tracker revealed that in many states, African-American deaths from COVID19 are nearly two to three times greater than would be expected based on their share of the population, while Hispanic/Latinos make up a greater share of confirmed cases in 42 states plus Washington D.C.. In our first episode of Onward On-Air, host Jake Soberal facilitates a conversation with Rich Dennis, CEO of Essence & Sundial, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, of California’s 13th District, and Freada Kapor Klein, Partner at Kapor Capital and Kapor Center, on how the pandemic has impacted communities of color and what we can do to respond.

In early spring of 2020, folks around the nation began seeing changes large and small in their communities. Whether it was companies moving remote or store shelves starting to run low, we became aware that something serious was happening. The entire country soon woke up in a global pandemic. Communities and companies had to respond to this new age of COVID19. In this episode of Onward On-Air, host Jake Soberal chats with Michael Tubbs, Mayor of Stockon, Joe Barela, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and James Fallows, Journalist at The Atlantic, about their approach, response and leadership in the current crisis.

In these unprecedented times, we’re learning just how valuable creativity and innovation can be. Folks everywhere are having to think outside the box when faced with these new challenges. Whether it is a local restaurant shifting to contactless take-out orders and deliveries, or our families adjusting to a new normal of homebound activities — it truly is a time for creative problem solving and innovation. This week on Onward On-Air, host Jake Soberal chats with Ollen Douglass, Managing Director at Motley Fool Ventures, Sukhi Samra, Director of SEED Program in Stockton, and Tomas Vargas Jr., SEED Participant, to hear how these local innovators are finding unique ways to make an impact during the COVID19 pandemic.

Now more than ever, it’s important to remember to take care of each other. COVID19 has turned many of our lives upside down, and as we continue to do our part to flatten the curve, folks are thinking critically about how to support our frontline responders. This week on Onward On-Air, hear from Steve Grove, Co-Founder of Silicon North Stars and Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Opportunity in Minnesota, Mary Grove, Co-Founder of Silicon North Stars and Managing Partner at Bread and Butter Ventures, and Pastor DJ Criner from St. Rest Baptist Church, who will share strategies for supporting those who are working to protect and heal our communities.

There are so many stories across the news these days, focused on the ebb and flow of a global pandemic and how folks are responding. It’s crucial during this period to not only stay informed, but also highlight the important work individuals across our country are doing to help that may go unnoticed. In this week’s episode of Onward On-Air, host Jake Soberal chats with Lyndsey Gilpin, founder and editor at Southerly, about her experience running an online publication dedicated to amplifying the underrepresented voices of the American South, and Galiana Fajardo, Portfolio Manager at the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), about working in venture philanthropy and helping mission-driven businesses navigate a way forward during the ongoing pandemic.

Even during an ongoing global crisis, companies across America are finding unique and innovative ways to create a long-lasting social impact. Folks are using what they have, digging deep into resources, and pivoting priorities in light of current circumstances to help others. In this week’s episode of Onward On-Air, host Jake Soberal chats with Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen, about her non-profit global venture capital fund and utilizing entrepreneurial approaches to address global poverty, and Irma Olguin Jr., Co-Founder and CEO of Bitwise Industries, about their efforts to support communities and creatively solve problems during a global pandemic.