In an effort to provide safety for women and the LGBTQ+ community, one Black woman-owned rideshare app was launched in the south.
Atlanta native Kiersten Harris grew up on the southside of the city and has always been committed to the betterment of her community.
The 22-year-old entrepreneur is now the co-founder and CEO of what’s said to be the first female-friendly rideshare app in the south, HERide, according to Reckon.
“Our motto is ‘Choose to be unbothered,’” said Harris in an interview with Reckon. “We wanted to create a platform for women to feel safe and welcome.
Our drivers and passengers come first. Here’s how you can stay safe during this time of COVID-19.
Stay updated by following @CDCgov for tips and updates.
If you are showing symptoms please inform a medical professional. pic.twitter.com/ss1rE79bAj
— HERide™️ App (@getheride) March 15, 2020
On top of providing safe, reliable transportation for members of the LGBTQ+ community and women, Harris had the vision to create a platform that also combats domestic violence, sex trafficking, and stalking. The app has the same operations as other ridesharing apps, however, along with additional security features, they also conduct more thorough background checks on their drivers.
“Starting in an already established industry doesn’t mean you have to recreate the wheel,” said Harris. “We wanted to improve the rideshare system for women, so we looked for ways to do that.”
Harris and her business partner, COO, and co-founder, Jillian Anderson, are working to make the app as secure and safe as possible for both drivers and riders. Anderson — a 25-year old computer science engineer and former Uber driver — wanted to draw on those previous experiences to provide a rideshare experience that was even safer.
“Everything is based on our own experience,” Harris said. “We all know people who have been stalked, bothered, or even almost kidnapped during a ride or while driving.”
Click here to check out the list of cities HERide is currently serving.
