You Should Know: Laura Weidman Powers

After The Root named her one of the 100 Most Influential African-Americans back in 2013, Laura Weidman Powers has more than lived up to her title. Now, she’s the CEO and co-founder of CODE2040, a company that creates opportunities for Blacks and Latinos entering the engineering field. On the eyes of The New York Times, Forbes, NBC, and more, Laura more than deserves every bit of praise that's been coming her way.

Occupation:

CEO, CODE 2040

Place of birth:

New York, NY

Instagram/Twitter:

@lewp/ @laurawp

What do you actually do all day?

Creating new programs/solutions with my team; biz dev/partnerships, speaking engagements

Favorite song growing up?

Ini Kawuole Hotstepper

My biggest secret is…

[do people answer this?]

Where do you live in San Francisco?

So much innovation

Uber, Taxi, BART or Bike?

Muni!

My motto is…

Be comfortable being uncomfortable

My alter ego is…

an extrovert

The last drink I had was…

a Negroni

My secret crush is…

My husband (not secret)

What was your first job?

Camp counselor

If you had one day left to live in SF, what would you do?

Eat soup dumplings, pizza, and brownies

Coming from? Going to?

Who knows, I'm on planes all the time... next trip South Africa!

What is your favorite work of art?

Too many too choose... maybe Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series?

Who should we know?

My cofounder Tristan Walker, my head of programs Karla Monterroso, my brother Jonathan Weidman