Meet the Founders
GIRARD NEWKIRK: Girard Newkirk is a technology entrepreneur Founder and CEO of KWHCoin and Genesis Block. Girard is a native of Pender County and moved back to the Wilmington area by way of San Jose, California in November of 2018 with a mission to bring technology and entrepreneurship to his native community.
In 2019, KWHCoin won the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards Emerging Company for the company’s work on combining renewable energy and technology. He serves on the boards of the Cape Fear Economic Development Committee, Cape Fear Collective, and Cape Fear Community College Information Technology Committee.
TRACEY NEWKIRK:
Tracey Newkirk is the Co-founder and President of Genesis Block. With 20+ years of experience in corporate America as a Human Resources executive, she has made significant contributions. Tracey started her own Boutique Consulting Firm UNEXO after leaving corporate America. She is dedicated to building a vibrant African American business class in Wilmington. Tracey married Girard Newkirk and together they co-founded Genesis Block, a business development organization. In 2020, she became the Executive Director of the Genesis Block Foundation, providing support to minority business owners. Tracey has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Business Leaders in Wilmington multiple times. She founded the African American Business Council for the Chamber of Commerce and serves on various boards.
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