For Women’s History Month, we at Black Sci-Fi are highlighting a woman who is a forward thinker and pioneering the future for us right now.
Tiara Jante, Founder and CEO of CNTRD tech is building people-first technology that prioritizes equity, liberation, and sustainability.
We had a chance to speak with Tiara Jante about this and more:
BlackSciFi: What inspired you to create CNTRD, and what problem does it aim to solve in the social media landscape?
Tiara Jante: The CNTRD App was born out of my frustration with gaining visibility for my media brand, Black Is The Standard or mainstream platforms. It stems from my frustration in watching my public relations clients not be monetized fairly on these platforms—not being valued for their contributions in the ways they should. As a Black digital strategist and storyteller, I’ve seen firsthand how traditional social media platforms profit from our creativity while actively suppressing our voices. Whether it’s Black creators getting shadowbanned, Black-owned businesses struggling against biased algorithms, or misinformation being weaponized to distort our narratives, the current social media landscape wasn’t made for us—it was made off us.
The CNTRD App is my response to that. It’s a new blueprint, a social ecosystem where Black voices are not just visible but valued. A space where our businesses can flourish, our conversations can evolve without interference, and our digital presence is truly our own.
BSF: What strategies do you have in place to foster a positive and inclusive community on CNTRD?
TJ: Community is everything, and the CNTRD App isn’t just another platform—it’s a movement. Our approach to fostering a positive and inclusive space is intentional from the ground up. We’re building community-driven moderation, where trusted members help maintain the integrity of conversations without the arbitrary policing we see on other platforms.
Our engagement model prioritizes connection over conflict, meaning divisive content that thrives on rage-baiting won’t be rewarded. And we’re creating safe spaces, where marginalized users—especially Black women, LGBTQ+ folks, and other historically silenced groups—can engage without fear of harassment or suppression. The goal is simple: we uplift, not exploit.
BSF: How will CNTRD address issues like misinformation, harassment, and hate speech?
TJ: We’re not here to replicate the problems of existing platforms—we’re here to disrupt them. The CNTRD App’s moderation will use a human centered approach—meaning harmful content will be flagged, but actual people from our community will have a say in how rules are enforced.
We’ll also be implementing verified creator badges to help users distinguish credible sources from any potential bots or bad actors spreading misinformation. Harassment and hate speech? Non-negotiable zero tolerance—users who engage in targeted abuse will be removed, no debate. Unlike other platforms that let harmful content fester for the sake of engagement metrics, the CNTRD App is built to prioritize people over profit.
BSF: What role do you envision CNTRD playing in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry?
TJ: The CNTRD App isn’t just changing who gets heard online—it’s changing who gets to build. Tech has never been an equitable space for Black and marginalized communities. We get boxed out of leadership, underfunded as founders, and overlooked as innovators. By launching the CNTRD App, we’re proving that we don’t need permission to create our own systems.
We’ll be working with Black developers, UX designers, and engineers to build the platform, ensuring that diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s baked into the foundation. The CNTRD App is here to show the industry that inclusion isn’t an afterthought; it’s the blueprint.
BSF: Can you share any insights or lessons learned from your experience as a Black woman founder in the tech industry?
TJ: One thing I’ve learned is we have to build our own tables. The tech industry wasn’t designed for us to succeed, and the statistics prove it—Black women receive less than 1% of venture capital funding, yet we continue to innovate, disrupt, and create.
I’ve learned that we can’t wait for traditional investors to see our worth. We have to fund ourselves, support each other, and take up space unapologetically. The biggest lesson? Ownership is power. When we control our platforms, we control our narratives, our economies, and our futures.
BSF: How do you plan to balance the need for revenue growth with the need to maintain a positive and healthy user experience?
TJ: Too many platforms sacrifice user well-being for ad dollars—we’re not doing that. The CNTRD App’s revenue model is built on ethical monetization, meaning:
No exploitative algorithms designed to keep people doom-scrolling.
Direct creator monetization, where users can support their favorite content creators without a middleman taking an unfair cut.
Brand partnerships with companies that align with our values, so we don’t rely on predatory ad structures that force us to compromise community integrity.
Our goal is sustainable growth, not growth at the cost of our people’s digital well-being.
BSF: What are your goals for CNTRD’s user growth and engagement in the first year, and how will you measure success?
TJ: Success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about impact. Of course, we have metrics: we aim to reach 500K+ users in our first year, with a strong base of engaged creators and businesses actively using the platform to generate income. But more than that, success looks like Black creators getting paid fairly, Black-owned businesses seeing real traction, and Black communities having a digital home that uplifts instead of exploits. We’ll measure success not just by downloads but by the stories of creators, entrepreneurs, and community members who thrive because the CNTRD App exists.
BSF: Are there any exciting features or partnerships on the horizon for CNTRD that you can share with us?
TJ: We’ve got some major things in the works. While I can’t reveal everything just yet, I can say that we’re developing a unique monetization model for Black creators that will give them more ownership and revenue control than any existing platform. We’re also planning to invest in mission driven organizations that serve our communities in the same way.
We are in early talks with Black-owned banks and fintech companies to explore ways to integrate financial literacy and economic empowerment directly into the app.
And yes—there are some amazing partnerships in the works that will help us launch in a big way. Stay tuned, because the CNTRD App isn’t coming to play—it’s coming to change the game.
BSF: Are you using fact-checkers for the app?
TJ: Yes. Misinformation is one of the biggest issues on mainstream social platforms, and we refuse to let it thrive on the CNTRD App. We’ll be working with a network of trusted fact-checkers and independent journalists to ensure that news and informational content shared on the platform is credible. But beyond fact-checking, we’re also prioritizing media literacy—because knowing how to spot misinformation is just as important as removing it.
To contribute financially: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=BNPNJJWM5CM8L
To follow on Instagram & Threads: @thecntrdmovement and @iamtiarajante
To subscribe the to email list & newsletter: https://thecntrdmovement.substack.com
