JDcarlu

I think the key is not to destroy but to open. I like what #500 (Dave McClure) is doing by investing all around the world bringing SV mentoring and investments to other cultures. The new startups once in #500 have 2000 founders they can network with (many, if not most of them, from Silicon Valley). This same solution can be applied on our own Bay Area by just taking the same approach but with Latinos and African Americans.

The critic is not to YC (which are actually the only ones that recognize the problem) but on the system. We (include myself) have to play by this rules but we shouldn't have to. We could effectively try to incorporate more Latinos and blacks into the selection by encouraging or helping them to apply. If we keep going on the same path it will certainly not change.

Talk to your customer. Where do you live? You probably frequent the same restaurants and probably they recognized you in some of them. Ask to talk to them. Don't sell. Tell the story of why and listen. If you want to start with one (and you are in the Valley) hit me at @JDcarlu and I will go with you to a friends restaurant and introduce you. Don't be scared to ask.