Founders of HERide

Jillian Anderson and DeVynne Starks

Jillian Anderson discovered her entrepreneurial spark during late-night Uber drives in Atlanta. Women passengers often felt safe with her and requested her services outside of the app. Inspired by this, she listened to the podcast “How I Built This” and learned that Lyft and Uber were founded by just two people. This revelation ignited her passion. In March 2020, alongside her friend and co-founder DeVynne Starks, Jillian launched HERide. Their mission? To prioritize the safety and empowerment of women. HERide focuses on safe transportation, job creation, and financial security. Despite some pushback, including accusations of discrimination due to prioritizing women drivers, Jillian and DeVynne remain committed to their vision. The app has been downloaded over 26,000 times, primarily through word-of-mouth and earned media. Jillian’s intentional fundraising goal of $1.5 million aims to follow in the footsteps of Uber and Lyft founders, with plans to expand internationally. As she puts it, HERide is just the beginning, empowering women one ride at a time.

DeVynne Starks, co-founder of HERide, shares Jillian’s passion for shaking the table. They believe in being trailblazers, and their specific call to action centers on education. As the head of communications for HERide, DeVynne has played a crucial role in its growth. Despite serving only the Atlanta area for now, the app’s impact is undeniable. Together, Jillian and DeVynne are breaking ground at one of the nation’s busiest airports, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, making HERide the first black-owned rideshare company to secure a contract there. These visionary women are revolutionizing transportation tech, putting women’s safety and empowerment at the forefront. 🚗💪🏽