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Robert

@blazeurtrail

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Faith | Family | Purpose | Legacy
👨🏾‍💻 @eliteeightai
🫶🏾 @apathtopeacemd
✍🏾 @forbes
🎵 @bookedbyblaze
🙏🏾 Micah 6:8
🤙🏾 ΑΦΑ

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🇺🇸 AI. Innovation. People. Trust…Thank you @forbes for publishing my perspective on one of the most important topics of the moment: “The Missing Layer Of The AI Revolution: Public Trust”

“When innovation is paired with inclusion, trust tends to follow. When trust grows, adoption accelerates. And when more communities - from Baltimore to Memphis to Tulsa - participate in building the AI economy alongside the Silicon Valley, the result will be stronger businesses, more resilient local economies and a future where technological progress benefits everyone.”

Thank you to the many people who are already doing this work and to the leaders who create opportunities to engage productively and get things done.

Let’s make this a tool for good, and for growth. 🤝🏾🚀

Link to full Forbes article here and in bio https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2026/08/18/the-missing-layer-of-the-ai-revolution-public-trust/

@forbes @govwesmoore @eliteeightai #AI #Innovation #Workforce #EconomicDevelopment #PublicPrivatePartnerships

(views expressed in this article are my own) taken in Capitol Hill by @blazeurtrail

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14 days ago

🏡🐴👩🏻‍🌾👩🏾‍⚕️ Introducing: A Path To Peace, and the reimagination of the historic birthplace and childhood home of Johns Hopkins in Maryland. @apathtopeacemd

I’ve seen first hand the increasing need to find spaces where people can truly grow, heal, and feel deeply connected in their community - especially individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities - and those navigating emotional, social, or life challenges.

This is an area that has directly touched our family and has ignited a drive to be a part of the solution.

It’s with this backdrop that I am proud to join Jacqueline in announcing A Path To Peace - a woman led, nonprofit grounded in the belief that healing happens through connection, purpose, nature, and community.

We are also incredibly excited to announce our acquisition of the birthplace and childhood residence of Johns Hopkins, best known for providing philanthropic support to establish the globally recognized Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital in his home state of Maryland.

Over a three year, multi-phase project, A Path To Peace, along with public-private collaborators, we will have the honor of transforming this 240+ year old former tobacco plantation into a 13-acre integrated housing, healing, and wellness campus for the community.

This reimagined space will include:
🏡 Supportive and integrated housing for adults from vulnerable populations
🐴 Equine-assisted therapy services for individuals with disabilities, military veterans, and others in need of support
🌾 Agriculture programming for students and the extended community
🤝🏾 Creation of up to 22+ new full-time jobs and apprenticeships, including jobs designed for individuals with disabilities.

A SINCERE THANK YOU to our board members, advisors, partners, and many individuals for the early outpouring of support - which we are excited to share in upcoming communications.

If you would like to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact us via the APTP page, or leave a comment below.

There’s never been a better time to invest in amplifying the power of inclusive human connection. Honored for this opportunity. Let’s Build 🧱 taken in Maryland by @blazeurtrail

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5 months ago

Choosing to get baptized last night is the most important decision that I will ever make in my life.

And it’s extra special that Jacqueline chose to make this decision too!!

Grateful for all of the countless blessings and life lessons that God has brought me through over the years. Far from perfect, but I’m committed to working toward becoming my the best Man, father, husband, person that I can be…and following the principles laid out for us in the Bible.

Praying that 2026 brings you joy, peace and prosperity. In Jesus name! 🙏🏾🙌🏾

🎵 Trust in God - @elevationworship by @blazeurtrail

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10 months ago

This week, I had the opportunity to spend time with our U.S. Congresswoman, Maryland Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Delegates, Comptroller, and other State and Local leaders.

Appreciate the focus on exchanging ideas, listening to different perspectives, and discussing practical ways that we can all contribute in strengthening our communities and economy.

My focus remains in connecting technology innovation, workforce development, economic development, and community investment to create meaningful, measurable outcomes. 🤝🏾

Aruna Miller | Joseline Peña-Melnyk | Sarah Elfreth | Brooke Lierman | Jacqueline L. Williams taken in Maryland by @blazeurtrail

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2 months ago

🇺🇸 🤝🏾 Impactful day on the Hill. Thank you NHIT, @iamphyliciaporter Luis Belen and all of the leaders pictured below for your work to advance healthcare and technology for good outcomes in our communities!

@eliteeightai

#health #equity #aiforgood taken in Capitol Hill by @blazeurtrail

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3 months ago

Bringing this historic property back to life. One project at a time. 🌿#apathtopeace #aplaceforall #landstewardship #johnshopkins #dreaminprogress by @blazeurtrail

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3 months ago

🌍 I had the pleasure of joining a group of esteemed diplomats, tech sector leaders, diaspora entrepreneurs, multilateral institution representatives, and development professionals convened by Meridian International Center to discuss the emerging intersection of Africa, AI, economic systems and governance structures.

A few key takeaways from the room:
1. African Agency and Ownership Must Be Built into AI Governance from the Outset
2. Infrastructure Gaps Remain the Most Binding Constraint on AI Adoption
3. The Diaspora is a Strategic Asset for AI-Driven Development
4. Localization is Key to Sustainable AI Ecosystems
5. Data Availability, Quality, and Security Are Inseparable Challenges

Looking forward to more #AIforGood driven dialogue, collaboration, action.

For the startup community: I look forward to meeting more bold entrepreneurs that are addressing local challenges on the continent, and see global opportunity in health, medicine, climate, digital infrastructure, financial services. 🤝🏾

Anza Capital | Elite Eight Strategies

David Bohigian | Kellee Wicker, Diego Scharifker | Elizabeth M. H. Newbury, Ph.D. | Kara Struckman | Audrey Verhaeghe | Saskia Nysschens | Kekana Meriam | Gilbert Anyetei CA (SA) | Larry Yon, II | Nicholas Bassey | Semhar Araia | Meaghan Waff | Clayton Naidoo | Jide Ehimika

#Africa #Diaspora #VC

photo credit: Jess Latos taken in Washington, DC by @blazeurtrail

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5 months ago

For my first time being published in #Forbes (!), there’s no topic more critical in my mind than the current intersection of our workforce, the impacts of AI, and how we need to find pathways to growth for both people, and their employers.

According to the World Economic Forum, 77% of employers are planning to implement strategies for reskilling and upskilling existing workforces to better work alongside AI.

This sounds positive, but the headlines of layoffs, and data around college grad job placements potentially tell a different story.

My view is that one win-win approach to further explore is apprenticeships - more discussions around public and private partnerships, and more business leader sponsored pilot programs across industries.

Thanks in advance for reading, sharing, and providing your perspectives below.
Let’s keep working toward solutions for our people, together!

👉🏾 link in bio

Forbes Finance Council
@eliteeightai by @blazeurtrail

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6 months ago

Great morning on the Hill for “Maryland Day” recognizing history, progress, and the ongoing work for communities & businesses in such a pivotal time.

Thank you Sen. Van Hollen and Sen. Alsobrooks

Looking forward to supporting more outcome focused, public & private sector partnership initiatives with fellow Marylanders this year!

#Maryland
#Education
#Health
#Technology taken in Capitol Hill by @blazeurtrail

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7 months ago

Some seasons are designed to test you.

Funding tight. Headlines loud. Detractors bold. Jobs..eliminated.

And if you’re an underrepresented leader or founder, it may feel at times like the pressure isn’t just to deliver…it’s to prove you belong while you deliver.

Courage is the path.

It’s shipping anyway. Leading anyway. Building anyway. 💪🏾

With the 100th anniversary of #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM as a backdrop, if you need evidence that trailblazing courage compounds, below is a list of eight elite leaders, builders, innovators..who happen to be Black.

If you’re in a tough place on the trail: pick one name, deeply study their path and pattern, and keep focused on what you can control: making daily progress.

For everyone else: pick one, study their path, and see if there is someone nearby that you can mentor or extend a ladder of opportunity.

Through @eliteeightai - I have the privilege of partnering with underrepresented leaders with bold ideas and ready to unlock their path to trailblazing outcomes. The opportunities for impact are infinite. ♾️

📈 Leadership at scale
1. Ursula Burns: first African American woman to lead a Fortune 500 at Xerox.
2. David Steward: built World Wide Technology into a $20B global tech solutions provider, while staying true to philanthropic and faith based values.
3. Robert F. Smith: built Vista Equity Partners into a software investing powerhouse with $100B+ AUM; portfolio companies collectively employ 100,000+ people.

🚀 Entrepreneurship & ownership wins
4. Madam C. J. Walker: from orphan born to first female self-made millionaire in the U.S. and employed a 40,000 saleswomen force.
5. Richelieu Dennis: Liberia to the U.S.; sold Sundial Brands to Unilever in a reported $1B+ deal.

🧬 Technological innovation that changed the world
6. Dr. Patricia Bath: first African American woman to receive a patent for a medical device.
7. James E. West Foundation: 250 patents for mic audio tech; used in 90% of the 2B microphones manufactured each year.
8. Lonnie G. Johnson: engineer inventor of the Super Soaker which generated $1B+ in lifetime sales. taken in Capitol Hill by @blazeurtrail

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8 months ago

@forbes 📈 || Excited to announce that I’ve joined the Forbes Finance Council!!

AI is reshaping how startup companies scale and how invested capital creates returns.

The real opportunity now isn’t just faster growth, it’s turning great ideas into companies that compound value, trust, and positive economic impact.

After years in the tech industry, I’m looking forward to contributing an operator-investor perspective at the intersection of AI, startups, strategic partnerships, and long-term investing.

Let’s make 2026 a year of outsized growth, and impact. 🚀

@eliteeightai ♾️

#Forbes #Investor #AIforGood #BlazeUrTrail taken in Wall Street by @blazeurtrail

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9 months ago