DaVante Goins

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm DaVante Goins—Black America's Architect, born in Columbus, Ohio, and I'm here to flip the game on its head. I built Kin Worldwide as the first fully integrated Black-owned digital media & tech ecosystem, and we ain’t just playing by the old rules—we're rewriting 'em. At Kin Worldwide, we're on a mission to empower Black creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses by turning culture into capital.

Our flagship, Kin+, is where raw journalism meets unfiltered, creator-driven content, and our whole ecosystem—Kin360, the Kin Creator Network, Kin Studios, KinFest, and soon the Kin App—is all about giving power back to our community. I’m not just your average Founder & CEO; I'm a visionary disruptor determined to own the narrative and build a future where Black excellence runs the show. That's who I am and what I do—keeping it real, bold, and unapologetically Black.

What did it take/how did you get started?

What Did It Take / How Did You Get Started? Kin Worldwide didn’t start as just an idea—it was a necessity, a call to action, and a movement waiting to be built. I saw the gaps, the limitations, and the outright barriers keeping Black creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses from owning their platforms, their voices, and their revenue streams. We were fueling the culture, driving the trends, and setting the tone for digital media, but at the end of the day, the platforms that benefited from our creativity weren’t built for us, by us, or truly serving us.

So I made the decision: It was time to build something bigger. I started Kin Worldwide with nothing but a vision, relentless execution, and a deep-rooted belief in Black ownership. No venture capital, no big investors—just pure grit, strategy, and a commitment to changing the game. It took countless hours of research, trial and error, knocking on doors that didn’t open—but eventually, I realized we didn’t need permission to create our own future. Kin Worldwide was built for the creators, by a creator. For the businesses that have been left out of the traditional media & advertising industry. For the culture that has powered every major platform but hasn’t had the opportunity to own the digital real estate we deserve.

The Problem / The Why Behind Kin The problem is ownership. The reality is, Black creators, entrepreneurs, and media professionals have always been the driving force behind global culture. From music to fashion, from tech to business—we lead, we create, and we innovate. But when it comes to the platforms, the business models, and the economic control behind it all, we’ve been boxed out. Social Media: Black creators fuel viral trends but see pennies while platforms profit. Advertising: Black-owned businesses struggle to access mainstream ad networks and visibility. Media Representation: Black journalists and creators often lack platforms that prioritize our stories. Funding: Black-led startups, especially in media and tech, receive less than 1% of venture capital funding. Kin Worldwide exists to change all of that.

Kin+ – A media and membership platform that puts Black creators and news at the forefront. Kin360 – An ad network designed to give Black-owned businesses a seat at the table in digital advertising. Kin Studios – A content powerhouse amplifying Black voices through original productions and storytelling. KinFest – A conference and networking hub for Black creators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Kin App – The future of Black-owned social media and community-building. Kin Creator Network (KCN) – The engine that powers Black creators, entrepreneurs, and storytellers inside the Kin ecosystem.

The Bigger Picture – Why Kin Worldwide & KCN Are Game-Changers Kin Worldwide isn’t just another platform—it’s a solution. It’s a digital empire being built from the ground up to ensure that the next billion-dollar media & tech company is owned by us, led by us, and built for us. KCN puts the power in the hands of creators, not corporations. Kin360 keeps ad dollars circulating in Black-owned media. Kin+ ensures our stories, news, and culture are controlled by us. Kin Studios and KinFest create generational impact through content and networking. The Kin App will become the centralized hub for our entire ecosystem. We’re not here to play catch-up; we’re here to OWN IT ALL. That’s the mission. That’s the movement. And that’s why Kin Worldwide exists.

What does the future look like for you and your business?

The Future of Kin Worldwide: The Blueprint for Black Digital Ownership If the last few years have shown us anything, it’s that Black creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses are no longer waiting for a seat at the table—we’re building our own. Kin Worldwide isn’t just another media company, another tech startup, or another content brand. It’s the foundation of something bigger, bolder, and built to last.

The next five years are about turning this vision into a global force, one that redefines how Black media, business, and digital ownership operate. Year 1: Establishing the Foundation The first year is about execution at the highest level. Kin Worldwide is launching with a powerful lineup—Kin+, Kin360, Kin Creator Network (KCN), Kin Studios, KinFest, and the upcoming Kin App. Each of these brands serves a unique role, but they all work together to create a fully integrated Black-owned digital ecosystem. Kin+ will become the cultural hub, a place where creators and thought leaders shape conversations, drive news, and build community-driven content.

Kin360 is set to revolutionize digital advertising, making sure Black-owned businesses and brands are able to connect with their audience in a meaningful way. KCN (Kin Creator Network) will empower the next generation of Black creators, providing them with monetization tools, brand partnerships, and full ownership over their content. Kin Studios will be the production house for the movement, crafting original video, podcast, and documentary content that tells our stories our way. KinFest will be the epicenter of creator culture, business, and networking, bringing the industry together every year to build and scale new opportunities.

The Kin App will bridge social engagement with real-world monetization, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that integrates all of Kin’s brands under one ecosystem. In this first year, the focus is on monetization, partnerships, and audience expansion. We’re scaling fast, but every move is calculated. Years 2-3: Scaling and Expanding the Movement By year two, Kin Worldwide will be operating at full capacity. The brands will be profitable, sustainable, and rapidly growing. This is where scale becomes the priority. Kin360 expands its reach, onboarding hundreds of Black-owned businesses into its ad network, giving them better marketing opportunities and bigger revenue streams. Kin+ solidifies itself as the home for Black news, culture, and creator-driven media, growing its membership base and onboarding top-tier Black journalists and thought leaders.

Kin Studios starts distributing content beyond Kin+, licensing shows, documentaries, and digital series to streaming platforms and networks. KinFest expands beyond its original market, launching satellite events in major cities and internationally. The Kin App fully launches, integrating social engagement, creator monetization, and direct-to-audience interaction in ways that no other platform has done before. This stage is about building generational impact. The goal isn’t just to make money—it’s to reshape the industry so Black creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses have a permanent stake in the future of digital media and tech.

Years 4-5: Kin Worldwide Becomes a Billion-Dollar Powerhouse By year four and five, Kin Worldwide is no longer an underdog or an emerging brand—it’s a dominant force in Black media, advertising, and digital commerce. Kin+ becomes the go-to destination for Black news and culture, competing at the highest levels of media. Kin360 establishes itself as the largest Black-owned ad network, circulating millions in ad revenue across Black-owned brands, businesses, and platforms. KCN produces some of the most influential creators in the game, many of whom are fully independent and thriving because of the ecosystem.

Kin Studios becomes an industry leader in Black storytelling, producing award-winning content and high-impact documentaries, shifting the narrative around our culture and legacy. KinFest becomes a global phenomenon, bringing together the best of Black entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation every year. The Kin App establishes itself as the next evolution of social media, an alternative to the mainstream platforms that prioritizes ownership, authenticity, and Black economic power. By this stage, Kin Worldwide is valued at $1B+ and generating over $100M in annual revenue. But more importantly, it’s changing lives, shifting economies, and creating a blueprint for what Black ownership in the digital era looks like.

The Big Picture: Where Kin Worldwide is Headed The next five years aren’t just about building a company—they’re about building an industry. The creator economy, advertising, and media landscape are all shifting fast, and Kin Worldwide is positioned to lead that shift in a way that’s never been done before. This isn’t just a business. It’s a movement. This is about proving that Black ownership isn’t just possible—it’s profitable, scalable, and unstoppable. Every platform, every tool, and every brand within Kin Worldwide is designed to make sure that Black creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses are in control of their futures. And this is just the beginning.

Kin Worldwide is here to own it all.‍

What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?

I’m driven by the relentless spirit of my ancestors—those who fought to own their lives, their freedom, and their futures at a time when Black people weren’t even considered human, let alone business owners. Their resistance, their courage, and their refusal to accept oppression fuel everything I do. They understood that ownership is power. And despite systems built to keep us from having anything—land, wealth, businesses, or even our own names—they still fought to build.

They created, they innovated, they paved the way so that generations after them could do more than just survive—we could own, lead, and thrive. That’s why I wake up every day obsessed with building Kin Worldwide. Because this isn’t just about creating a company—it’s about finishing the work that was started centuries ago. It’s about making sure that Black creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses never have to ask for a seat at the table again, because we own the entire house. Their fight is my fight. Their vision is my mission. And I won’t stop until we own it all.

What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?

1. Build with Purpose, Not Just Profit. If you’re in this just to make money, you won’t last. What I do—building Kin Worldwide—is about legacy, ownership, and creating something bigger than myself. If you’re serious about this, ask yourself: What problem am I solving? Who am I building for? What impact will this have in 10, 20, or 50 years? The money will come, but purpose will keep you going when things get tough.

2. Ownership Is the Only Way. Don’t just create—own. Own your platform, your audience, your data, and your revenue streams. We’ve seen too many Black creators and entrepreneurs build their brands on platforms they don’t control, only to get demonetized, de-platformed, or pushed out. Learn the business side of what you do. Read contracts. Understand revenue models. Create something that can’t be taken away from you.

3. Start With What You Have. I started Kin Worldwide with nothing but an idea, grit, and a relentless drive to execute. No investors. No big funding. Just a belief that this needed to exist. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect moment.’ Start now with whatever tools, resources, and skills you have. The only way you fail is if you never start.

4. Be Relentless. This journey isn’t easy. You will face rejection, setbacks, and moments where you want to quit. But the difference between those who make it and those who don’t? Relentless execution. Keep moving forward, keep adapting, and keep betting on yourself even when no one else does.

5. Build Community, Not Just a Business. Success doesn’t happen in isolation. Surround yourself with like-minded people, mentors, and collaborators. Help others, pour into your community, and build something that people genuinely want to be a part of. When you do that, you create something that lasts. Final Advice: Bet on yourself. Own everything you create. Move with purpose. And never stop building.‍

What has been the hardest part of your business journey?

The hardest part? Pushing forward when life keeps throwing punches. Starting Kin Worldwide wasn’t just about launching a business—it was about building a movement, a legacy, a platform that Black creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses could finally call their own. But what they don’t tell you about building something from the ground up is that life doesn’t pause to make the process easier.

There have been moments where things didn’t go as planned—where I mapped out a vision, put in the work, and still had to pivot because life had other ideas. Financial struggles, personal setbacks, unexpected roadblocks—things that would have made a lot of people quit. But I had to keep going, not just for me, but for the mission behind Kin. The hardest part isn’t just the work—it’s staying focused when everything around you feels like it’s falling apart. It’s waking up every day and choosing to keep building, keep executing, and keep believing in the vision even when the obstacles seem impossible. But that’s what separates those who talk about it from those who make it happen. No matter what life throws at me, I refuse to stop. Because this isn’t just about me—it’s about the people who need Kin Worldwide to exist.

How have you managed burnout thus far?

Honestly? I haven’t really. For a while, running was my outlet—I was clocking 15 miles a day from July until early October. It wasn’t just exercise; it was therapy in motion, a way to clear my mind, push past stress, and keep my energy locked in. But as I got busier and the cold months hit, I fell off. The business demands grew, the pressure intensified, and I stopped making time for what was helping me reset.

Right now, I’m not managing burnout as well as I should. I know that. But what I am doing is taking my mental health seriously. I see a therapist weekly because I understand that, as much as I push forward, I need to make sure my mind is in the right space to keep going. The reality is, building something at this level demands everything from you. But I’m learning that pushing through doesn’t mean ignoring your well-being. So, moving forward, I know I need to bring back the things that helped me recharge—running, movement, moments to breathe. Because if I’m going to lead Kin Worldwide to the level I know it’s destined for, I have to take care of me, too.

What are a few resources that you'd recommend?

Success isn’t just about grinding—it’s about learning, adapting, and staying plugged into the right information. Here are a few game-changing resources that have helped me along the way:

Podcasts:

• How I Got Here – A must-listen for understanding the real journey behind building something great.
• Earn Your Leisure – One of the best platforms breaking down business, investing, and economic empowerment for our community.
• The Game with Alex Hormozi – If you want straight business strategy, scaling insights, and revenue growth tactics, this is it.
• Business Wars – A dope way to study the rise and battles of industry giants and what we can learn from them.The Table with Anthony O’Neal – Real talk about money, entrepreneurship, and leveling up.
  

Books:

• The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone – A wake-up call on thinking bigger and executing at massive levels.
  
• The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau – For those starting with limited resources but big vision.
  
• Contagious by Jonah Berger – If you want to understand how ideas spread and create viral content, this book is gold.
  
• Tribes by Seth Godin – This one breaks down how leaders and businesses build powerful communities.
• Soar by T.D. Jakes – If you’re an entrepreneur looking to align your purpose with your business, this is a must-read.
  

Websites & Platforms:

• LinkedIn – Not just for networking—it’s a powerful platform to build authority, connect with decision-makers, and create opportunities.
  
• Substack – If you’re a writer, journalist, or thought leader, owning your audience through a newsletter is key.
  
• Fanbase – A Black-owned alternative to social media platforms, focused on creator monetization.
  
• StartEngine / Republic – If you’re thinking about equity crowdfunding and raising money from your community.
  
• Product Hunt – A great way to stay ahead of emerging tech, startups, and digital tools. At the end of the day, your network and knowledge determine your growth. These resources will keep you sharp, strategic, and in the right rooms.