LiteWork Events originated as a vision to create an Urban Socialite Network in Boston. What better way to build on this vision than to highlight some of Boston’s most dynamic urban young professionals and socialites! Check out our latest feature, and hopefully you’ll also catch up with them at our next event!
Name: Stanley King II
Where are you from? Turnersville, NJ
Alma Mater? BS Florida A & M University and PhD University of Virginia
What brings you to Boston? Innovation and opportunity. After graduate school I was hired by MIT to help manage and commercialize their life science technologies and have stayed here ever since.
Tell us about yourself (What are you passionate about? Any side hustles?):
All of my work experience has been around innovation and entrepreneurship because I like solving problems. I recently founded Door to the Outdoors (D2O), a company that aims to address the under-representation of people of color in the outdoors. Immediately before D2O, I lived in Kigali, Rwanda helping a non-profit focused on economic development strategize how to increase Rwandan youth self-employment. Before I left Boston for Rwanda, I worked for the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, managing research technologies, developing commercial strategies based on these technologies for startup companies, and negotiating licensing contracts. Before Harvard I did something similar at MIT, and in graduate school I researched the neurobiology underlying the formation of traumatic memories. For each of these experiences, I believed I could make a unique contribution towards a solution and trusted my instincts and worked hard. With D2O I plan to connect people of color interested in socializing and staying active outdoors, while challenging the idea that people of color do not enjoy the outdoors. I am excited to start this movement in Boston.
What’s one thing we should know about you?
I’m a big hip-hop and sneaker head that is always down for an adventure, whether backpacking around the world for months, surfing, gorilla trekking, or starting a company. I’m the friend who usually responds “yes” to crazy ideas and rationalizes them with a rap lyric. A life full of dope experiences, breathtaking views, and interesting people is success to me.
How can people connect with you? Email: stan@doortotheoutdoors.
And there you have it folks… #followthelite!
Thanks for this interview! Had the pleasure of meeting this brother through a few Door to the Outdoors events. He is a down-to-earth and true catalyst for social change and community-building!