Kerry Washington has invested in Spill, the Black-owned social media platform designed to provide a safer and more inclusive environment for diverse communities to engage with and discuss culture in real time.
“In a digital world where marginalized groups, especially Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA folks, rarely feel prioritized, Spill stands out,” Washington said, according to TechCrunch. “I’m proud to be part of this community as both a user and an investor.”
Founded in 2022 by Alphonzo Terrell and DeVaris Brown after the two had worked at Twitter, Spill raised a $2.75 million seed extension in 2023 and has over 200,000 active users.
In addition to serving as an investor, Washington actively participates in the Spill community by hosting “Tea Parties,” which are live video conversations, and engaging with users on topics like voter registration.
“She’s incredibly accessible and knowledgeable, especially around these topics and is not scared in any way, shape, or form about really engaging with people directly,” Terrell told TechCrunch about Washington. “I think it really does represent the kind of environment we want to cultivate on Spill… We’re all human here, too. Let’s connect.”
As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Washington began her acting journey as a teenager. Since then, she has captivated audiences with her roles in “Save The Last Dance” and Shonda Rhimes’ critically acclaimed TV series “Scandal.”
While her portrayal of top “fixer” Olivia Pope was significant, it was just one of many contributions Washington has made to culture. She is also recognized for her behind-the-scenes work as a producer and director.
The actress and mother of three actively uses her platform to advocate for equity and inclusion for Black individuals within the industry and beyond. During the social unrest of 2020, she expressed her views on the ongoing challenges Black Americans face.
“This is not a moment of revelation, but I’m watching the revelation around me for people, and I’m grateful that the world is showing up for black lives in a different way, but this is what has been the reality — this level of danger and anger and fear,” Washington told PEOPLE, per AFROTECH™. “Maybe trauma and lack of safety — this has been the reality of Black Americans since there were Black Americans.”
Washington’s extensive career as an actress and investor has helped her amass an estimated net worth of $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
To share her knowledge about building wealth, in 2022, she partnered with Carta, an ownership and equity management platform, for its Equity 101 campaign highlighting key concepts that hinder financial freedom.
