Hello everyone! Today, we're excited to feature James Hueston, a Venture Investor at Primetime Partners and a dynamic Community Leader with AgeTech NYC and FirstGen Funders.

Before we dive in, a quick note: if you have any community opportunities or shoutouts you'd like to share, I'm happy to use this space to help amplify your message, completely free of charge. Just reach out at [email protected].

Building with Purpose

At Community dōjō, we see community building as both an art and a science, a blend of passion and strategy. We shine a spotlight on James Hueston, an early-stage venture investor and community architect. His journey from, founding school clubs out of necessity to running hybrid communities, is a masterclass in transforming exclusion into empowerment. By fusing emotional intuition with data-driven tactics, James demonstrates how to create spaces where every voice is valued.

A Compelling Portrait of James

Forging His Own Path Early On

James’s journey began long before his professional accolades. As a child with an insatiable curiosity and a wide range of interests - academics, sports, board games, and card games - he quickly realized that the standard school cliques and clubs couldn’t capture his multifaceted personality. Rather than waiting to be accepted by pre-existing groups, he took matters into his own hands:

• Middle School: He co-founded a card game club, creating a dedicated space for strategic play and camaraderie.

• High School: He launched a board game club, carving out a niche for enthusiasts who craved more than just competition - they sought genuine community.

These early experiences set the foundation for James’s lifelong passion for community building. A passion that continues to drive his work today. Currently, James helps run two innovative communities that reflect his commitment to inclusion and purpose-driven connection:

• AgeTech NYC: Partnering with entrepreneur Sarah Richard, James helps run AgeTech NYC, a community focused on tech solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration for older adults and caregiving. What began as a small meetup during NYC Tech Week has grown into a robust network, with 50+ participants at monthly happy hours and nearly 800 subscribers to its mailing list. This initiative shows how passion and collaboration can help drive industry change.

• FirstGen Funders: Motivated by his experience as the son of a first-generation immigrant, James co-founded the FirstGen Funders community with Matt Kaliski. This group connects investors and funders from diverse backgrounds who face challenges accessing traditional networks. Through monthly meetings, structured discussions, and post-event surveys, the community promotes open strategy sharing, problem-solving, and lasting change. James’s work underscores the value of tailored onboarding and continuous feedback to maintain engagement and trust. FirstGen Funders is a new addition to the broader FirstGen Founders network that Mat has been building since 2018

Learning from Both Connection and Exclusion

College brought new challenges and revelations. Immersed in team sports like lacrosse and various extracurricular groups, James encountered the harsh reality of exclusion. Despite his active participation, cultural and social barriers left him feeling isolated at times - experiences that would later fuel his commitment to inclusivity. He recalls trying to join groups that promised belonging, only to be met with subtle signals of rejection. These painful moments weren’t setbacks, they were transformative experiences that crystallized his belief: a truly thriving community welcomes everyone from the outset.

Pivoting in a Changing World

Transitioning into his professional life, James embraced the world of venture capital with a focus on companies that empower older adults and their caregivers. Working in vibrant hubs like New York City and San Francisco, he not only honed his analytical and strategic skills but also nurtured a passion for building communities. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, in-person connections evaporated overnight. Undeterred, James quickly pivoted to digital solutions. Hosting Zoom meet-ups, virtual game nights, and board game sessions to maintain a sense of belonging. As the world slowly reopened, he reintroduced the human touch with intimate in-person gatherings, from casual golf outings to adventurous ski trips, ensuring that the energy of face-to-face interaction remained a core pillar of his community-building strategy.

A Dual Philosophy: The Art and Science of Connection

What makes James’s approach unique is his ability to balance the emotional, human aspects of community building with a rigorous, strategic mindset. He understands that while data and feedback are essential, the heart of any community lies in the intangible qualities of trust, empathy, and shared passion. His experiences, from childhood initiatives to professional challenges, inform his belief that every community should be inclusive, adaptive, and ever-evolving.

Actionable Strategies from James’s Journey

James distills his community-building philosophy into several powerful, actionable insights. These are not just surface-level observations but deeply unique strategies that you, as a community builder, can incorporate into your own practice.

1. Embrace the Hybrid Model: Marry Digital Convenience with In-Person Depth

Why It’s Critical: James witnessed the surge of digital engagement during the pandemic, platforms like Zoom and Discord became lifelines for connection. Yet, he also learned that nothing replaces the depth and authenticity of in-person interaction. The hybrid model allows you to scale your community while nurturing the intimate connections that make it truly meaningful.

Reflect: Recall a time when an online conversation felt fleeting compared to an in-person meeting. What elements made the personal encounter so impactful?

Tactical Steps:

• Begin with low-commitment virtual events to gauge interest.

• Gradually layer in small, in-person gatherings, like coffee meet-ups or local group outings to deepen relationships.

• After each event, solicit detailed feedback with questions such as, “What made this interaction memorable?” and “How can we enhance personal connection next time?”

2. Champion Inclusivity: Create Communities Without Barriers

Why It’s Critical: James’s early experiences of exclusion have indelibly shaped his mission. He believes that every new member should feel an immediate sense of belonging - a commitment that combats the subtle biases and unspoken barriers that often fragment communities.

Reflect: Examine your own community. Are there unspoken norms or processes that might inadvertently alienate newcomers?

Tactical Steps:

• Define and consistently communicate your community’s core values, such as respect, authenticity, and openness.

• Develop a robust onboarding process that goes beyond introductions. Encourage new members to share their personal stories, aspirations, and challenges.

• Create structured opportunities for peer engagement, such as small-group discussions or mentorship pairings, that reinforce an environment where every voice is valued.

3. Iterate Through Genuine Feedback: A Cycle of Continuous Improvement

Why It’s Critical: James understands that communities are living, breathing entities that must evolve over time. By treating feedback as a vital conversation rather than a mere metric, he has cultivated environments that are dynamic and responsive to members’ changing needs.

Reflect: How regularly do you solicit meaningful feedback from your community? Do you have a mechanism in place that truly captures and responds to your members’ voices?

Tactical Steps:

• After each event or initiative, conduct structured feedback sessions using open-ended questions.

• Share the insights and your subsequent action plans with the community to build transparency and trust.

• Introduce simple metrics, like satisfaction scores or engagement ratings, to track progress and celebrate incremental improvements.

Final Thoughts

James’s journey, from a determined young innovator to a seasoned investor and community architect, reminds us that building inclusive, thriving communities is both an art and a science. His hybrid approach, unwavering commitment to inclusivity, and relentless pursuit of improvement offer a powerful blueprint for community builders at every stage.