Jon Fortt

Co-Founder

New York City, New York, United States27 yrs 9 mos experience

Highly Stable

Key Highlights

Pioneered innovative media projects since 1999.
Launched educational initiatives for Black youth.
Expert in technology journalism and content strategy.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Media and Education professional with a focus on technology journalism.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Video ProductionContent StrategyEducationBusiness StrategyMedia Production

Other Skills

Music ProductionWeb Content WritingDigital MarketingVideo EditingVideo PodcastsStrategyAdobe Creative CloudLive EventsEvent PlanningInterviewingLive StreamingTechnologyE-LearningIllustrationPhotography

About

I started covering tech in 1999, in Lexington, Kentucky. Later that year I moved to Silicon Valley to cover the online revolution. Since 2016 I've been publishing content with the Fortt Knox brand, first as a podcast, then as a livestream, now as a community and a video series on CNBC.com. The themes are innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership. I interview builders, innovators and visionaries and engage a community here to benefit from shared knowledge. In 2020 I launched The Black Experience in America: The Course. Learn more about it at forttmedia.com. In 2025 I launched a podcast and Bible plans with David Tieche under my Fortt Media brand. See it all at bible.fortt.com.

Experience

27 yrs 9 mos

Total Experience

5 yrs 1 mo

Average Tenure

1 yr 7 mos

Current Experience

Fortt media

3 roles

Executive Producer and Co-Host, Character Study

Promoted

Oct 2025 – Present · 7 mos

Conceived and launched Character Study: the Bible for Real, a video podcast with David Tieche that explores people in scripture. Co-authored Bible plans to support the series.

Music ProductionWeb Content WritingDigital MarketingVideo EditingVideo PodcastsVideo Production+1

Author, Designer and Publisher of The Black Experience in America: The Course

Nov 2020 – Present · 5 yrs 6 mos

After the tragic killing of George Floyd in 2020, I decided to use my journalistic background and pull together knowledge to prepare my young sons for life in America.
We’ve heard about “The Talk” that many Black fathers have with our children; this became “The Course.” In creating The Course, I pulled from sources as diverse as Shakespeare and NWA, Miles Morales and Toni Morrison. As I taught the 18 classes over Zoom to my sons and nine other Black kids during the summer of COVID-19, I explored the country’s history and my own, and reconsidered iconic figures and moments I thought I understood. When we finished, the powerful feedback I got from the kids and parents convinced me that we hadn’t just finished something — we had started something. Now I want to continue it, and share that experience with you.

StrategyAdobe Creative CloudContent StrategyEducation

Owner

Sep 2018 – Present · 7 yrs 8 mos

A media company seeking the light of cross-cultural understanding. Home of Character Study and The Black Experience in America: The Course.

StrategyAdobe Creative CloudBusiness StrategyMedia Production

Montgomery blair high school alumni association

Board Member

Oct 2024 – Present · 1 yr 7 mos

StrategyBusiness Strategy

Cnbc

6 roles

Co-Anchor, Closing Bell Overtime

Feb 2023 – Jan 2026 · 2 yrs 11 mos

Winners stay late. Morgan Brennan and I kept score on earnings, markets and the economy. It’s the hour for data and insights, as pros made trades and we brought you their best ideas for your next smart move.

Creator, Time Out (formerly Working Lunch)

Sep 2021 – Dec 2025 · 4 yrs 3 mos

I conceived and write a weekly Overtime segment that introduces viewers to the personalities and ideas of founders and CEOs. The segment is based on Fortt Knox interviews. Previously called Working Lunch.

Creator and Editor, On the Other Hand

Aug 2020 – Jun 2025 · 4 yrs 10 mos

I conceived and write a weekly Squawk Box segment in which I argue both sides of a contentious business issue. In May 2023, we launched an On the Other Hand newsletter on CNBC.com.

Creator, Executive Producer and Host, Fortt Knox

Promoted

Nov 2016 – Present · 9 yrs 6 mos

Rich Ideas and Powerful People: Fortt Knox delivers 1:1 interviews and breaking-news insights from innovative founders and CEOs, and convenes them in a unique community.

StrategyAdobe Creative CloudLive EventsEvent PlanningInterviewingContent Strategy+1

Co-Anchor, TechCheck (previously Squawk Alley)

Nov 2013 – Feb 2023 · 9 yrs 3 mos

I covered technology and innovation from CNBC Global Headquarters.

Technology Correspondent

Jul 2010 – Nov 2013 · 3 yrs 4 mos

I covered technology and innovation from Silicon Valley.

Depauw university

Member Board of Trustees

Oct 2022 – Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

National summer learning association

Board Member

Jun 2021 – Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

Sibley memorial hospital

Advisory Council Member, Ward Infinity

May 2021 – May 2023 · 2 yrs

The Ward Infinity Advisory Council consists of civic leaders who offer Sibley strategic advice on amplifying impact while honoring the values of community residents and leaders.

Fortune

Senior Writer

Sep 2007 – Jul 2010 · 2 yrs 10 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

I covered Silicon Valley companies for print and online.

StrategyBusiness Strategy

Time inc.

Senior Editor, Business 2.0

Sep 2006 – Sep 2007 · 1 yr · San Francisco Bay Area

I edited the What Works section and helped direct online efforts.

San jose mercury news

3 roles

Real Estate/Finance Editor

Jan 2006 – Aug 2006 · 7 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

I led a team of four reporters who cover some of the nuts-and-bolts aspects of the Bay Area economy: residential real estate, commercial real estate, consumer affairs, energy, finance and corporate governance.

Senior Web Editor

May 2005 – Jan 2006 · 8 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

Tasked with developing online strategy and launching new products including blogs, and audio/video podcasts. Main coordinator with the newspaper's staff of journalists, and main change-agent in transitioning the organization from a print culture to a digital culture.

Reporter/Editor

Dec 1999 – May 2005 · 5 yrs 5 mos · San Francisco Bay Area

Covered Apple Computer, Adobe Systems, Palm, mobile computing and other technology topics for the newspaper of Silicon Valley. Also covered education and edited local news.