Ebunoluwa Akinola
Matthew Newman , the founder and CEO of TruSo, a new audio-visual social networking app which targets the Black community. The app is in 2D and metaverse, which makes him the first black man to own a social networking app in the metaverse.
“What TruSo is building is perfectly suited for the metaverse— and one thing we don’t want, is for the Black community to be left behind as the world enters this new frontier,” he said.
TruSo provides an engaging community experience and also offers monetization opportunities for Black people. It is also designed to empower and advance personal and career aspirations and has a content calendar for individuals to engage across several categories like Arts & Culture, Business and Marketing, and more.
In addition, the app is positioned to disrupt technology in the social networking space. As a social networking app, it includes integrated chat, accessibility for the Deaf, and built-in monetization for users.
The app has the backing of celebrities like Sway Calloway, Kareem Grimes, Terrell Owens, and Miki Barber. “I believe in the power of community – especially cultural communities,” Newman said. “As it relates to the Black community, the entire world has witnessed what we can accomplish when we join together behind a cause – we create a phenomenon.”
Newman said that he founded the company as a result of growing racism and discrimination Blacks face on various social media platforms that they do not control.
“At its core, TruSo is the barbershop, beauty shop and brainchild of the Black community,” he said. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen racism and discrimination creep into social media in a way that attempts to mute Black voices. In contrast, TruSo amplifies Black voices.”
Since it was launched, the app has raised more than $30K from individual shareholders who wanted in, Black News said. And for those who want to come on board as early-stage investors or shareholders, they can do so with as little as $100.
