Hank Williams joined eight other African American technology entrepreneurs at a live-in Silicon Valley-based business accelerator called NewME (New Media Entrepreneurship). He spent nine weeks there developing his online data management startup, Kloud.co, exchanging ideas with his housemates, and eventually pitching to potential investors. The entire process was documented by CNN for the fourth installment of its Black In America series, which premieres Nov. 13. He spoke with TIME about his experiences at the house and his observations on race and the technology industry.
