Diversity And Inclusion Spawn Growth For SPILL As CEO Turns To CrowdFunding

When you meet Kenya Parham, her electric personality and disarming smile can oftentimes bury the lede.

Parham, the first Black woman to become chief growth officer at the social media platform known as SPILL, is blazing a trail in an industry that rarely elevates Black women to executive roles. Her success comes amid the rollback in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts nationwide and industry leaders’ penchant for overlooking style, grace, and commitment like what Parham possesses.

SPILL, now in its third year of operation, has become a stronger platform due to Parham’s unique ability to combine political know-how, entrepreneurial experience and strategic counsel.

“SPILL is an app for the world,” said Parham, who joined SPILL two years ago as first vice president of community and partnerships. “We believe that by centering culture driving communities, namely Black, Brown and queer communities, we can make a safer, more fun, more enjoyable space on social for everybody.”

Parham has been part of SPILL’s growth strategy and development since its beta release. Between the third and fourth quarter of 2024, the visual conversation app experienced a wave of growth–a 282 percent increase in user sign-ups–as it allowed its users, also known as “Spillionaires,” to express themselves with a combination of 90 characters, images, GIFs and videos.

Stark changes taking place at other popular social media platforms also played a role in SPILL’s increasing appeal, Parham said.

“While other platforms are rolling back diversity measures and committing to catching less bad stuff, we at SPILL are leaning into this moment,” Parham said. “We believe diversity and safety measures are critical to building a supportive and inclusive social space, and that is why people flock to SPILL.”

Much of the social media tech industry has succumbed to the Trump administration’s push for more misinformation and disinformation online. That means they’re winding down diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, rolling back strong community guidelines, and in some cases, upending platform fact-checking.

Parham said she and her colleagues are staying true to the values espoused by SPILL founders Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell and DeVaris Brown.

“Our community guidelines are unambiguous,” Parham told Forbes. “We enforce them regularly, and they say very explicitly that we prioritize well-being, safety and expression, and the growth we’re seeing really validates that.”

Witnessing its strongest month of user growth since the application launched in June

2023, SPILL is now turning to its “Spillionaires” to launch its equity crowdfunding round. This effort started on March 10th when app users received the offer of equity and an opportunity to mold SPILL’s future.

Thus far, SPILL has raised $5 million. It has also attracted $1 million in annual revenue through advertising, making a clear business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion in a marketplace that speaks of its ills.

With an investment amount starting at $250, users worldwide can join in Terrell and Brown’s vision. Investors in this round stand to receive investor profile badges, early access to new SPILL features, a first look at company updates, exclusive invites to company events, and company merchandise.

As Terrell pointed out, investors also get access to Parham’s growth team. Those interested in participating in the crowd round can download the SPILL app to receive alerts when it begins next month.

“We’re building SPILL to be more than a successful business—it’s a movement proving that platforms thrive when they put safety, culture and real people first,” Terrell told Forbes. “This crowd round is a unique opportunity to co-own the future of social media and help create the vibrant, inclusive spaces that our culture needs now more than ever.”

Parham, a third-generation Los Angeles County resident, echoed Terrell’s sentiments as she defined SPILL as a global community. She said the platform’s growth, in tandem with this crowdfunding round, will reaffirm SPILL’s goal of earning profit while providing users with a safe and intersectional community.

“It’s been incredible to see that not only are people finding the platform, but once they get here, they’re connecting with the products and the features that we have and are building community on their own,” Parham said.

One of those people is Emmy-winning actress, activist and producer Kerry Washington. In late 2024, Washington invested in the platform, citing its safety features and commitment to building honest and connected communities.

“I immediately wanted to support the growth of the platform because safety is a powerful tool to foster honesty, creativity, connection, and community,” Washington said. “In a digital world where marginalized groups, especially Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA folks, rarely feel prioritized, SPILL stands out.”

As part of SPILL’s growth model, users can join communities and engage in “tea parties”

They also have a bevy of games to choose from, including Spades — one of the most popular card games at Black cultural events, family and friend gatherings and summertime cookouts. Since the app’s launch, users have spent a total of more than half a million minutes playing on the Spades gaming platform.

In early January, out-of-control wildfires that destroyed homes, businesses and livelihoods in Altadena, California put SPILL’s community’s power to the test. However, instead of mere support posts, users leaped into action with mutual aid efforts, fundraisers, and so much more.

“When the fires broke out…we started to partner with other organizations to be a force amplifier in drawing attention to the GoFundMe, relief efforts and mutual aid opportunities for the families, specifically for Altadena and the Black and Brown families for Altadena,” Parham said.

Weeks later, as community members in Altadena rebuild, and people in power keep destruction at the front of their mind, SPILL continues to serve as an online space where everyday people can discuss culture, discover community and build something new.