Disney, Issa Rae, Magic Johnson Enterprises, and Chris Paul — what do they share in common? They’re all investors in Jessica O. Matthews’ Uncharted.

The Nigerian-American founder and CEO started her company to be a leader in creating a world with universal access to smart, sustainable infrastructure, as previously reported by AfroTech. What’s more, Uncharted aims to reduce the costs of development across the globe.

Since its founding in 2011, Uncharted has gained support from big-name companies and public figures.

During AfroTech Executive Seattle (Washington), in March 2023, Matthews filled AfroTech in on what she believes is the reasoning for the investors hopping on board — they share the same mission of advancing their communities.

“I think that a lot of people who see these entertainers forget the fact that outside of being on the court and the TV or movie screen, these are Black and brown people who come from Black and brown communities that need infrastructure,” Matthews shared in an interview with AfroTech. “And that oftentimes what they do on the court or the screen is because they need to get resources to bring back home to help their communities and families.”

She continued, “I think for me connecting with them as individuals and keeping it very real that I’m doing this for that same reason, I think from the angel investor’s perspective that it just made sense to them.”

As Uncharted continues to evolve, so does the tech world as a whole, which Matthews ensures she is keeping up with.

As AfroTech previously told you, she was outspoken during an AfroTech Executive discussion with Acting Director and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Official at the U.S. Department of Energy Jonnie Bradley, about how to sustainably take control and maximize artificial intelligence (AI) for the future. Matthews is a believer that people shouldn’t be afraid of AI, but be concerned with the people who are building it.

Just as the Black community has dominated in music, fashion, and more as well as influenced so many others, Matthews hopes that they can use their power to make the same magic in the AI space.

“I believe that that power can be leveraged in science, technology, and in AI as well,” she told AfroTech. “We are not limited to the realms of things that people have limited us to. As soon as we start to get as comfortable with AI as we are with fashion and music and defining the culture in those spaces, the entire world is going to benefit the same way they’ve benefitted from all of our work in music, fashion and all of the things in between.”

Matthews also shared that she believes that AI will play a critical role in accelerating the development and reach of climate improvement and sustainable solutions “because it allows us to do more with less” such as when it comes to education and training. 

To read more about Matthews’ thoughts on AI during AfroTech Executive Seattle, click here.

AfroTech Executive has been one for the books this year in Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C. The multi-city event series aims to bring executive-level talent and corporate partners together to network and discuss today’s trending tech topics as well as brainstorm potential innovations for the future.

The next stop for AfroTech Executive is Brooklyn, NY, on Sept. 22.

For updates, make sure you check out the AfroTech website.