The Founder

Will Lucas is an entrepreneur with holdings in hospitality, real estate, and software. He is founder and CEO of awlco, a holdings company with ownership interests in ventures including Creabo, a marketing technology and production agency; ToHouse, a private social club located in his hometown of Toledo, OH. He also serves as Brand Manager for both AfroTech and Black Tech Green Money, where he leads brand strategy.

ToHouse 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 40,000 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 his 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 2018, and served as the Chair of the Board from 2019 to 2024, holding the distinction of being the youngest Chairman in University history. 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.