UMYO Network is a digital ecosystem created and owned by African American father Gregory Barnard Cherry and his three sons—Gregory Jr., Isaac, and Isaiah. The family-built platform is designed to prepare communities for artificial intelligence, automation, and economic changes, aiming to give everyday people tools and opportunities to adapt in a rapidly evolving world.
Cherry’s path to UMYO was shaped by personal challenges, including a brain injury at age 10 and the loss of his brother to violence at 19, which led to a period of destructive behavior and prison. He credits these experiences with redirecting his life toward faith, community work, and creating opportunities for youth and underserved populations.
Before UMYO, Cherry co-launched STI740 with former NFL player Telance Sawyer, the first Black-led youth media project training young people in sports content creation. At the same time, he taught his sons technology and critical thinking from an early age, laying the groundwork for UMYO. The platform builds on Cherry’s long-standing warnings about automation disproportionately affecting Black and underserved communities, offering a “Wall Street of Technology” owned by its members.
UMYO has already launched more than 50 digital hubs that combine social media, e-commerce, education, and networking into one platform. Membership starts at $5.99 per month and offers access to financial support, spiritual resources, storefront giveaways, and income opportunities. Profits are reinvested into communities, supporting HBCUs, nonprofits, churches, and unions without traditional fundraising.
Ultimately, UMYO represents a family-led legacy of innovation and generational leadership. Gregory Cherry and his sons have created a model for community-driven economic resilience, challenging corporate tech dominance while providing tools for everyday people to thrive in the AI era.
Weekly virtual meetings are held every Tuesday at 12 noon CST and Thursday at 7 p.m. CST to guide partners, leaders, and members on how UMYO works and how communities are being transformed. More information is available at UMYONetwork.com. Press inquiries can be sent to [email protected] or 214-659-1663.
