HomeStrategiesShaw Will Lead Industry-First Initiative to Increase Diversity in Alternative Investment Industry

Shaw Will Lead Industry-First Initiative to Increase Diversity in Alternative Investment Industry

Published on

ALT Finance Corporation (“AltFinance”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Marcus Shaw as its Chief Executive Officer. Shaw is a visionary leader with extensive experience in the technology, investment, and non-profit sectors. In his new role, he will guide AltFinance in its mission to increase diverse representation across the alternative investment industry.
Marcus Shaw

Marcus Shaw


Today, Shaw will launch the application for the AltFinance Fellowship program at Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

The program was developed in conjunction with the four HBCUs, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), a national nonprofit working to transform our country’s leadership pipelines and close the racial wealth gap, and representatives from Apollo Global Management, Ares Management, and Oaktree Capital Management.

The AltFinance Fellowship will introduce students to investing and operations and tap into their entrepreneurial spirit—key elements of a career in the alternative investment industry.

The fellowship is open to sophomores and juniors at the four HBCUs and will provide one-on-one coaching, a career roadmap, custom curriculum, workshops and networking/relationship building, engagement with alternative investment firms, and scholarships to ease the financial burden on students.

Shaw will continue to build and implement the program as it prepares to welcome its first eligible class in Spring 2022.


As CEO, he will also work with The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania to create and launch a virtual institute. The virtual institute will be launched in 2022.


“AltFinance is uniquely committed to building and expanding pathways for Black students at HBCUs toward careers in alternative investment management. We believe there is no one better suited to lead our efforts than Marcus, who brings more than twenty years of financial and non-profit experience,” said Trey Pruitt, President, ALTFinance Board of Directors.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Marcus to AltFinance and look forward to working together to drive increased diversity in the alternatives industry.”

Shaw has spent more than 20 years as an executive in the financial industry with positions at Height Analytics, Piedmont Investor Advisors, and Banc of America Securities. Most recently, he served as chief executive at The Company Lab, a nonprofit startup accelerator supporting entrepreneurial growth in southeast Tennessee. Shaw has also led programs dedicated to innovation, equity and development of young professionals at the Montgomery TechLab and MLT.


“HBCUs are a valuable, yet often overlooked, part of the global talent landscape.

As alternative investments become a bigger part of the economy, we are excited to partner with leading firms to ensure HBCU students are exposed to career pathways and positioned for success in the industry,” said Shaw.


Shaw earned his MBA from Duke University, a B.S. in Mathematics from Morehouse College, and another in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech.
The selection comes after an extensive search by The Diversified Search Group.

Latest articles

10 Best Loans for Students

10 Best Loans for Students Loans for students are a necessary evil. Student debt is at an all-time high with this year's debt reaching 1.75 trillion. While, at the same time, the nation-wide average for unemployment has skyrocketed with 6.3 million experiencing joblessness. Thus, finding promising loans with affordable interest rates is more important than ever. Sofi Fixed APR: 2.49%-7.59% Variable APR: 1.74-7.24% Maximum Loan Amount: 100% cost of attendance With a shockingly low fixed rate of 2.49% -7.59%, Sofi is the number one lender at BlogWallet. [...]

Rappers Myron Rainey and Christian Sanders Shot Dead in Ohio (Video)

https://www.theindustry.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_372.pngOver the weekend, a tragic shooting occurred in Shaker Heights, a wealthier neighborhood in...

Who is Kevin O’Leary?

Discover Kevin O'Leary, the renowned Shark Tank investor and business mogul. Learn about his entrepreneurial journey, success strategies, and impact on the business world.

Ex Radio Jock, Stephon Ferguson, Makes Living Imitating Dr. Martin Luther King around the World

KUDOS to a former radio jock for using his radio leverage to create an amazing opportunity for himself. Stephon Ferguson, 48, discovered his amazing ability to emulate one of the greatest leaders of our time Dr. Martin Luther King by chance in the late 90s. Ferguson was mixing a vinyl recording of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech on Motown records with a beat and he was overheard by a friend who came into the room asking if that was him.” Ferguson told ABC News. [...]

How Skillshare Democratized Learning and Created a Global Community of Creators

Discover how Skillshare revolutionized online learning, empowering millions to explore their creativity and learn new skills in a vibrant global community of creators.

The Birth of Native Instruments: How They Changed the Landscape of Digital Music Production

Native Instruments revolutionized digital music production with innovative software and hardware. Discover how this tech pioneer transformed the industry landscape.

Chicago Budget Passes Amid Migrant Spending Chaos (Vidoe)

In a tumultuous session held at Chicago City Hall, the Chicago City Council narrowly...

Entrepreneur Mistakes: Unimportant Interruptions

Do not allow anyone to throw your day off. Nothing like  unimportant interruptions For some odd reason, many people think that black entrepreneurs do nothing but sit around and twiddle our thumbs and wait for money to come in. I guess this is why we get unimportant interruptions during the day? They are really under the impression that because we do what we love we're not working. And part of that is correct, we're not working. But we're always busy and we never sleep. [...]

10 Tips on How to Improve and Make More Money with Your Business

One of the greatest complaints and challenges in business is almost always money. We...

How to Manage Your Business Calendar Automatically with Tech

Discover smart ways to streamline Business Calendar Management using automation tools and tech solutions. Save time and boost productivity with these essential tips.

More like this

Just Getting Paid for our Work…

Let’s face it, we’re all thrilled to get new business and we try our...

Nielsen’s 2021 African American Consumer Report Explores the Influence of Black Culture on Content and Media Trends

Nielsen continues to dedicate itself to telling the story of the power of Black audiences, their diversity, and the representation of the collective Black community. According to "Seeing and Believing: Meeting Black audience demand for representation that matters," the newest report in Nielsen's Diverse Intelligence Series, the U.S. Black population has a complex and powerful legacy that continues to shape countries and cultures around the world. [...]

What Does an Entrepreneur Do When You No Longer Love What You’re Doing?

Are you a Frustrated Business Owner? You Can't grow a business you don't still LOVE doing. As an Entrepreneur, the way you plan for your business is paramount especially the future of your business. As I'm sure you know, many unpredictable things can happen. Your industry may change, you make age out, or you will be tired of doing what you do. Sometimes everything can happen at the same time. [...]

New Business Owners are Keeping Commercial Solicitors Busy

Liverpool, United Kingdom, August 26, 2013 --(PR.com)-- During 2012/13, 451,700 new Ltd companies...

TSBDC at ETSU Provides Free Assistance to Rural Business Owners

Kingsport, TN, August 08, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Aundrea Wilcox, Senior Business Counselor with the...

Life’s Lessons the Music Industry Has Taught Me About Running my Black-Owned Business

I honestly believe that by revealing my positive and negative experiences over three decades of working in the industry, there is a good chance that I can save someone time and create value for their careers or decision-making. Being incredibly blessed to have my first business succeed in the industry, I feel it is my job to give something back and to be honest about it. I've run Radio Facts for 28 years and recently wrote 7 things that I know for sure about the industry. Then I realized there were many more things that I could share. [...]

Two-time NBA Star and Entrepreneur Baron Davis Launches New Start-up: The Santa Company

Two-time NBA Star and Entrepreneur Baron Davis Launches New Start-up:  The Santa Company  A brand focused on promoting positive role models – all year round December 2nd, 2016  – Just in time for this holiday season, Baron Davis announces the launch of Santa, a new brand offering innovative products, branded apparel, and other consumer items, which will remain culturally relevant year-round. [...]

RICK ROSS DEFEATS TRADEMARK SUIT OVER ALBUM ANNOUNCES NEW business VENTURES

RICK ROSS DEFEATS TRADEMARK SUIT OVER MASTERMIND ALBUM Targets Further Expansion Into Food Industry Through Checkers Acquisition Announces New business Partnership With Luxury Hair Care Line Rich Hair Care It has been a year of successful turnovers for Grammy nominated recording artist and expanding black entrepreneur, Rick Ross. [...]

Michigan Inventor to Exhibit “Steam Valet™” at America’s Largest Invention Show

Canton, MI, May 21, 2013 --(PR.com)-- InventHelp’s INPEX, America’s Largest Invention Trade...