For Lauren Ward, joining Fanbase wasn’t just a career move — it was a return to community and to the culture.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ward’s family has been rooted there since the Great Migration. “We’ve been in Detroit since the end of World War II,” she said. “My family left the South in search of better jobs and a better life.”
An only child, Ward grew up classically trained in piano, a hobby she maintained for 15 years. She also developed a love for reading, writing, sports, and video games — especially “GTA,” “Call of Duty,” and “Fortnite.” Her favorite film? The Dark Knight Rises. Favorite shows? The Sopranos and Game of Thrones.
Ward attended the University of Michigan, earning a business degree from the Ross School of Business in 2019. That same year, she moved to California and began her tech career at Facebook, which soon transitioned into Meta. While working full-time, she also completed a master’s degree in Integrated Design, Business, and Technology from the University of Southern California in 2022.
At Meta, Ward played a vital role in product development, helping manage Facebook Stories. “I was responsible for backlog management, bug reviews, leading testing sprints, and keeping engineering, UX, and design teams aligned,” she said.
Her move to Fanbase in 2024 stemmed from both professional ambition and a personal desire to contribute to a platform centered on creator monetization for Black and brown users. “I love social media. I understand it. And Fanbase allows me to apply those skills without the guardrails of a massive corporation,” Ward said. “Its mission really resonates with who I am.” Ward also cited the cultural isolation she experienced in the Bay Area as motivation to relocate to Atlanta in August 2022.
“California just wasn’t diverse in the way I needed. There were African people, but not a lot of African Americans,” she said.
“Atlanta reminded me of Detroit — diverse, but still very rooted in Black culture.”
Upon arriving in Atlanta, Ward dove headfirst into the city’s social scene, attending events and connecting with the local community. “If I could make it in California with no support system, I could do it anywhere,” she said.
Now just three weeks into her role at Fanbase, Ward says she’s thriving. “I feel heard here more than I ever have,” she said. “I get to be creative. People ask for my perspective, not just on product, but culture. And I value that.”
When asked what she hopes to give back to Fanbase and its users, Ward didn’t hesitate: “I want to give them an app that feels like home.”
