News & Insights

Cary Wheelous

Hayti – MICRO Fall 2023

Published November 9, 2023

As part of our ‘Meet Our Founders’ series today, we introduce Cary Wheelous, Founder and CEO of Hayti based in Durham, NC. Hayti is the largest Black-Owned news and podcast app highlighting Black culture from Black content creators around the world.

Q: What problem are you trying to solve and what influenced you to start your company?

A: Hayti was developed to address the underrepresentation of Black voices in mainstream media and the lack of a centralized app for Black content creators to reach a wider audience. My goal is to foster inclusivity and empower creators to create a more equitable and diverse media landscape.

Q: How will your NC IDEA grant funds advance your company?

A: NC IDEA grant funds will serve as a catalyst for research and development, allowing us to enhance our offerings and understand our customer needs and solidify our presence in the mobile app space.

While visiting Durham, Cary recommends:

• Visit the NC Mutual office building. In the lobby, there are 4 pillars that provide a timeline highlighting the history of the Hayti District, Durham’s Black Wall Street. If you love breakfast, check out True Flavors Diner (trueflavorsdiner.com)

Support Hayti and Cary by:

• Download our app on Google Play or Apple App Store, rate our app in the app store, and tell a friend.