Will Lucas
Will Lucas is an entrepreneur and content creator. He is founder and CEO at Creadio, a marketing technology and production agency, TolHouse, a private social club located in his hometown of Toledo, OH, and he serves as Brand Manager for both AfroTech and Black Tech Green Money, where he leads brand strategy.
TolHouse is a 25,000 sq ft riverfront social club which features amenities like multiple bars and lounges, Lucille’s Jazz Lounge, Earth Coffeehouse, Panda Workspace, and more.
AfroTech is the largest Black tech digital platform and conference globally, bringing together over 18,000 technologists, founders, and investors annually. Black Tech Green Money , an imprint of AfroTech, delves into creating wealth and legacy in tech, media, and business through its podcast, which received an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2023.
Will is personally committed to revitalizing his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, and enhancing its appeal to emerging talent and entrepreneurs. To this end, he has purchased and is actively developing three properties totaling more than 50,000 sq. ft. of real estate along the downtown waterfront corridor. These developments aim to boost the local economy and attract new businesses and residents to the area.
Outside of his business endeavors, Will was named Co-Chair of President Obama’s Ohio Small Business Committee in 2012. In 2013, Governor John Kasich appointed Will to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the state-wide regulatory body for casino gaming, and reappointed him for a second four-year term in 2017. He was then renamed to the commission for a third (and final) four-year term by Governor Mike Dewine in 2021, and he is currently Vice Chair of the commission. He was also named to serve on the University of Toledo Board of Trustees by Governor John Kasich in February 2016, and served as the Chair of the Board from 2023 to 2024, holding the distinction of being the youngest Chairman in the history of the University. Will was honored with the University of Toledo Blue Key for his personal and professional contributions and achievements. Governor Kasich also appointed Lucas to the Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission in 2014, and placed him as Chair of the commission in 2016. In 2019, Will was appointed to InnovateOhio Executive Advisory Board by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, where the mission is to make Ohio more innovative and entrepreneur-friendly.
Will also served as a co-chair on the transition team of Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz in 2017.
He is a songwriter and is listed as a co-writer on the track “How ‘Bout It”, found on the second studio album, Special Occasion, from R&B artist Bobby Valentino. The album, certified Gold by the RIAA, has sold over 500,000 copies.
TechFunnel – Top 14 Black Entrepreneurs in Technology (2019)
TechCrunch – 40 Diverse People In Tech Who Made Big Moves In 2015 (2015)
Business Insider – The 46 Most Important African-Americans In Technology (2014)
NBC New’s ‘The Grio’ – Top 10 Blacks in tech to look out for in 2013 (2013)
Business Insider – The 25 Most Influential African-Americans in Tech (2013)
