FormFree recently appointed former hip-hop/rap recording
artist-turned-techpreneur Victor D. Lombard, professionally known as DIVINE, to
be the company’s head of culture, according to a company press release.
DIVINE is the CEO and founder of Solvent, a fintech focused
on financial empowerment for marginalized groups. Solvent broke ground in 2022
when it was accepted as part of the inaugural cohort of Amazon's AWS Impact
Accelerator for Black Founders, an eight-week program designed to help
high-potential, pre-seed startups led by under-represented founders, the
release states.
Solvent was accepted into Village Capital’s Innovations in
Justice Tech in 2022. The fellowship program works in collaboration with AmFam
Institute and Dream.org to support entrepreneurs building innovations to
improve the lives of individuals and communities impacted by the justice
system.
DIVINE grew up in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and endured
childhood poverty and incarceration at age 19. Realizing his potential was
boundless but his options were limited, following his release DIVINE took a
leap of faith and asked Ben Horowitz, general partner and co-founder of venture
capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, to mentor him. Horowitz, who grew up a
hip-hop/rap fan in Berkeley, California, agreed. The mentorship proved a
turning point for DIVINE, and his transformation from system-impacted youth to
tech-founder has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, Black Enterprise,
Entrepreneur and Inc.
“We are extremely pleased that DIVINE has joined us and feel
he is uniquely qualified to convey our message of financial parity for unserved
and underserved communities,” FormFree CEO and founder Brent Chandler said in
the release. “DIVINE will be on the front lines of FormFree’s engagement of
unserved and underserved communities he connects with in ways that are
authentic and impactful.”
DIVINE joined Chandler and Kevin Harrington of ABC’s Shark
Tank fame at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s 2023 Convention & Expo in
support of FormFree’s launch of Passport and the FormFree Exchange (FFX).
Following a discussion of the opportunities lenders have to meet a diverse
array of homebuyers with a consumer-centric experience, DIVINE closed out the
session with a performance of his song H.O.P.E. (Helping Oppressed People
Elevate).
As head of culture at FormFree, DIVINE will use his new
platform and hip-hop/rap talent to reach out to unserved and underserved urban
renters with messages of financial empowerment and hope. Further, DIVINE will
work closely with Harrington in a collaborative partnership with FormFree to
bring awareness and empowerment to this audience.
“Hip-hop/rap culture and music in particular is a universal
and global language,” said DIVINE. “What better way than using it to help build
awareness of the benefits of homeownership and provide a technology bridge so
people will be able to take control of their financial futures.”
“Technologies like Passport and the FormFree Exchange can
change everything for minority homebuyers, getting rid of the disregard on one
side and distrust on the other. It takes all the judgment away. Borrowers can
raise their profile with lenders, and lenders know they’re creditworthy and
compete for their business, so it’s a win-win for buyers and lenders,” added
DIVINE. “With Solvent and FormFree’s shared mission and vision, there’s a
perfect alignment, and I’m really proud to be part of this unique partnership
to bring about transformation.”