Black Tech Talk: An Interview with Taqee Bond
Deon Egenti
Black Tech is on the rise as we speak. Black people are realizing how important technology is to everything that we do now. Taqee Bond, black tech entrepreneur, wants to be at the forefront of that movement. I talk to Taqee about the creation of “What’s the Move?,” what does Black Tech mean to him, hitting 10,000 downloads on his app, and much more.
You created “What’s the Move?” five years ago. This platform now provides information to numerous events across the city. Was this always the plan for you?
No, this was not the plan. Originally, I started out managing artists. I had my own independent label. However, time is very telling of what’s for you and what your thing is going to be so the label didn’t work out. The artists that I was managing had other things going on in their lives, so a manager without anyone to manage is just a fan of music. Anyways, at the end of 2014/beginning of 2015, I started “What’s the Move?” and then I started hosting events. I also started throwing my own as well. Afterwards, I had a radio show with Q. Shepard and Cleverly Chloe called Word of Mouth Radio. We had a really dope show, we became a part of people’s routine, and when that came to an end I started my own podcast. I was tired of having the same problems with my last show so I ended that. I had a fitness brand as well so I did a little bit of everything. However, “What’s the Move?” stood the test of time so I just put all my eggs in one basket. I started to grow, develop, and turn “What’s the Move?” into not just a newsletter platform, but a tech platform. Now, it’s a mobile app.
I’ve always seen New York as this big city that always has something going on. How does this platform make sure the word gets spread about all the events?
I try to catch a little bit of everything. I think that it’s impossible to believe that I’m going to catch every single that’s going on. However, I try to diversify as much as I can and have a little bit of something for everybody. New York is always up and moving so it’s just a matter of knowing who my market is. My market is people around my age which include the 21–29 black professionals looking for something to do. You gotta get the things the people are checking for.
You did a commercial for “What’s the Move?” in the summer that was different than anything else I’ve seen. What made you want to do that and what was the process like?
I had the idea to do the train commercial in August 2018. I just said to myself, “Yo, this is going to work.” I know people are going to like it. I know people are going to gravitate towards this because it’s something everybody will relate to. I literally start the video by saying, “Good afternoon New York City.” Those are words that every New Yorker can identify with when you take the train. You’ve seen somebody try to put on a show, sell you snacks, or ask you for money. I just knew that it was going to hit with everybody who’s seen it or anybody from New York. Now, as far as piecing it together, that took me a while because I had to build up the confidence for me to do it. It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I really had to work myself up and get to that point. If you guys ever get to see the first tape, my voice was cracking when I was yelling on the train. After the first two times, I told myself that I got this and it ended up being really dope. I wanted to connect with everybody in New York, but also do something that nobody else was doing. If you have a product that everyone can use, then get on a platform that everyone else is on and sell it. I think that’s something we tried to embody. I wanted this to stick out like a sore thumb.
Do you remember the first time a lot of people came to an event because of “What’s the Move?” What did that feel like for you?
It’s always a dope feeling knowing that your product is being used. However, when you start to hit numbers like 10,000, you start to realize that’s a lot of people. A friend of mine had to break it down for me to really understand it. Imagine if you put ten thousand people in a room. You basically have ten thousand people walking around with your product on their phone. That alone is a great feeling. Now, to see it working in live action is amazing as well. There would be plenty of times where I’ll be out and try to pitch the app to people. I’ll ask them, “How did you find out about this event?” and they would tell me that they used “What’s the Move?” before I even mentioned it. It’s just a great feeling because it lets me know that not only are people downloading and connecting to something I made, but they’re using it. They’re using it consistently and on a regular basis. I feel like that to me is bigger than the numbers.
What does the saying “Black Tech” mean to you?
Black tech is important as hell to me because when I came into the tech industry I was learning more and more. One of the big things that always pops out is the diversity issues with tech. There would be underrepresentation with black people in tech and me, being a tech entrepreneur, I felt like we needed to be heard. We need to be loud and let people know that we’re here. We have to shake the table and make some people uncomfortable. I always had a Hip-Hop mindset where if you want to be heard by the label, then you go down to the label. You go sit in front of their offices and you wait until you can talk to somebody. I feel like that’s so important especially with me linking up with black tech entrepreneurs. We’re very soft spoken, cautious, playing by the books, and I feel like we have to take a Hip-Hop approach with black tech. We can’t approach it by the book because nobody is listening when you do that. However, when you start beating your chest a little bit, you make people aware of who you are and that you’re in this space as well. We as black people get everything last and everything late. A technological revolution is happening and we’re living in it now. It’s unfortunate that a lot of black people are not coding, developing apps, or working for these tech companies in large numbers. We’re missing out on this technological revolution. Someone said an amazing quote: “If your business is not on the internet, your business is going out of business.” That same quote applies to technology. If you’re running a business, looking to get a job, or anything in the future this decade, technology is going to affect that job some way. If you don’t have the tools to manage this technology, you’re going to be left out. That’s why I started curating Black Tech events because I think it’s super important for black people, people of color, Latin X, etc. I want to speak for them. I’ll do it because I don’t owe these people nothing. I want to level the playing field for all people. I feel like as soon as Black Tech gets somebody that’s ready to take those chances, Black Tech is going to be received differently. We’re at a point where a lot of our youth are getting more into technology because it’s now a lifestyle. We have to get in the front of that wave if we plan on surviving. We have to learn how to use technology, utilize it, and make money off of it.
This year, “What’s the Move?” reached 10,000 downloads. Tell me what that moment meant to you.
It was a very fulfilling moment because I always look at 10,000 as this magic number when it comes to these brands or companies. Once Instagram influencers reach 10,000 followers, that’s when companies and brands start to get interested in them. You have an audience of 10,000 people and that is a big number. I got 10,000 downloads on my own platform and that’s heavy for me. It means that I’m in this industry, I’m ten toes down, and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop what I’m doing. If you think I’m not supposed to be here or that I don’t belong; Well, 10,000 people say otherwise. I can’t come up short. I already have the support. I already have the love. At this point, everything else is extra and just more love. I just appreciate all of it so now I’m just building my company and brand. I want 20,000 by the end of this year. We’re just going to keep growing and keep going. This is a huge milestone, but an excellent starting point for the next chapter of “What’s the Move?”
Any advice for young black people that want to take the route that you’re taking?
The biggest piece of advice is you belong. There’s a reason why you’re in this room. There’s a reason why people are interested in what you’re doing. That’s one of the biggest things that I had to get over. I was sitting in these tech events and I had no idea what they were talking about. I felt like I didn’t belong there and that it wasn’t my thing. However, as you grow, do more research, build your brand, and connect with more people; you realize that you do belong. I’m home and I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. My biggest thing is pursue whatever that you want to pursue, start networking, and know that you belong in this space.
Make sure to follow Taqee Bond on Instagram and Twitter. Also, make sure to download the app “What’s the Move?” on your Apple and Android devices.
