The LIBI podcast BIPOC series celebrates and acknowledges BIPOC founders in Calgary's tech ecosystem, by sharing stories, struggles and successes. This podcast episode highlights Jefferson Roc an avid mental health advocate, Founder of PeerXAI, & proud father. He shares his mental health journey and his experience of being a black founder.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host:  Uriel Karerwa is a Program Manager at IncluCity Calgary, an organization devoted to the inclusion of diverse and underrepresented voices in the design of technology. With a background in neuroscience, Uriel has been coordinating community events and working with neurodiverse groups in Lethbridge; and has spoken on the topic of atypical neurology on the TEDx stage! Uriel is always exploring opportunities to impact communities in areas like I.D.E.A., Social Innovation, and Sustainability.

Guest: Jefferson Roc, a dynamic entrepreneur and advocate for mental health, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and later immigrated to Canada. Raised in Montreal, he initially pursued an accounting education, but his natural inclination toward entrepreneurship led him down a different path. With a strong foundation in sales and business, gained from running a successful distribution company, Jefferson's career has spanned 15 years of exceptional enterprise sales achievements.

Throughout his professional journey, Jefferson has consistently been acknowledged and honoured with overachievement awards, showcasing his ability to combine his deep understanding of customer needs with a sales-focused approach. He possesses a unique blend of tribal knowledge and strategic methodologies, enabling him to generate exceptional customer value and consistently achieve business objectives.

Driven by his personal experiences with mental health challenges, Jefferson founded his latest venture, PEERX.AI. Inspired by cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, PEERX.AI is revolutionizing the concept of wellness by providing a peer support solution that transcends conventional boundaries. The ground-breaking nature of PEERX.AI has garnered recognition and support from numerous mental health stakeholders, positioning it to become a leading force in corporate wellness.

Alongside his work on PEERX.AI , Jefferson serves as the Director for Partnerships and Alliances at Groupe3737, Canada's largest Startup incubator dedicated to fostering ethnocultural diversity. Additionally, he has taken on the role of Startup Mentor for both the BIPOC Foundation and the Alchemist X, actively addressing the funding gap that disproportionately affects underrepresented groups. Jefferson's unwavering commitment to creating contagious success reflects his belief in the power of passion, purpose, and profit.

 

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Show Links:

• PEERX.AI
• IncluCity Calgary 

Show Quotes:

"My experience of being a black founder: There was a lot of reluctance in accepting the message from the messenger, even though my value proposition was strong, validated, and fortified by tons of evidence... The imposter syndrome is still strong!"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan