Mayor Williams (center) with Qodeo’s Stephen Fusi and Simon Glass
March 26th, 2026
Qodeo is delighted to have Mayor Williams join Qodeo, other leading panelists and attendees at Qodeo’s Durham Democratizing Venture Summit on March 26th, 2026 at HBCU (Historically Black College & University) North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, NC, Qodeo’s home.
Discussing how to improve access to private capital, especially for Black and older entrepreneurs.
Qodeo’s Stephen Fusi and Simon Glass met with Durham North Carolina’s recently re-elected Mayor Leonardo Williams. Mayor Williams is a graduate of North Carolina Central University. Where Qodeo’s Stephen Fusi also serves at Chief Brand Officer.
Mayor Williams worked as a school teacher and school administrator. He was twice recognized by Durham Public Schools as teacher of the year and was recognized by Triangle Business Journal as one of their “40 under 40” for innovative practices in education. Williams and his wife, Zwelibanzi Moyo Williams opened Zweli’s in 2018, a Zimbabwean restaurant in Durham named after his wife. The restaurant is the first full-service Zimbabwean restaurant in the United States. The couple later opened Ekhaya in the American Tobacco Campus in 2022, serving Bantu inspired tapas.
He won the 2023 Durham Mayoral election in 2023 and assumed office on December 4. He is one of the youngest mayors in Durham’s history. He received endorsements from the People’s Alliance, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, and Friends of Durham PACs.
Qodeo is delighted to have southeast rising VC star Zakiya Lee of Idea Fund Partners join our panel.
Meet Our Panelists
Zakiya Alta Lee – Principal at Idea Fund. Partners and creator of ZTheVC, supports founders, evaluates deals, and shares insights on venture capital while expanding access for emerging investors
Mayor Leonardo “Leo” Williams – Former educator turned entrepreneur and Durham mayor (since 2023), champions economic opportunity, education, and support for Black and older entrepreneurs
Doug Speight – Doug Speight is CEO of AxNano, a venture-backed company developing innovative technology to eliminate PFAS “forever chemicals” and other complex wastes streams; and a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and Duke University lecturer in technology commercialization.
Stephen Fusi – Stephen, Qodeo director, founder of FUUSI, and Chief Brand Officer at North Carolina Central University, is a global entrepreneur and brand builder creating culturally inspired products and championing innovation and execution.
Made possible by Qodeo Partner Eisner Amper.
