Sydney, Yasmin and Shalanda

The Check Writers Room

No. of episodes

17

Latest episode

2026-08-06

Where can you listen?

The Check Writers Room is a groundbreaking podcast where the real power brokers of venture capital talk shop—unfiltered.

Hosted by three Black female General Partners—Sydney Thomas (Symphonic Capital), Shalanda Armstrong (100KM Ventures), and Yasmin Cruz Ferrine (Visible Hands VC)—the show pulls back the curtain on how venture capital actually works. From how investment decisions get made to why deals get a yes or a no, The Check Writers Room delivers candid, practical insights founders rarely hear out loud.

This isn’t aspirational advice. It’s lived experience from investors who have collectively raised and deployed over $50M, invested in hundreds of companies, and supported thousands of founders across tech, fintech, consumer, and enterprise. Each episode breaks down real market dynamics, exposes the unspoken rules of fundraising, and offers founders actionable guidance grounded in today’s realities—not outdated Silicon Valley playbooks.

Designed for founders, operators, and ecosystem builders—especially the next generation of Gen Z and Millennial entrepreneurs—the show fills critical knowledge gaps by democratizing access to venture capital insight, networks, and decision-making frameworks that have traditionally been gatekept.

With biweekly episodes, an interactive “Ask a VC” segment driven by real founder questions, and appearances from trusted peers and ecosystem leaders, The Check Writers Room is more than a podcast—it’s a masterclass and a community for builders serious about building enduring companies.