Tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors will converge in Miami for the second annual Black Tech Week, from February 15 to 20.
Launched by co-founders, Jamaican-born Felecia Hatcher and her husband Derick Pearson of tech non-profit Code Fever, Black Tech Week seeks to change the narrative surrounding the Black community and the tech industry, replacing it with stories of innovation, creativity, and technology.
Key speakers and experts include Jeff Hoffman, Hollywood film producer and cofounder of Priceline.com; George E. Curry, founder of Emerge Magazine; Melissa James, President of The Tech Connection – the premier marketplace for purpose driven, diverse technical talent; and Kathryn Finney, Managing Director of digitalundivided – a social enterprise that finds, supports, and trains urban tech entrepreneurs.
From broad discussion of industry issues, to support programs for budding teen coders and local start-ups, the conference provides a dynamic and empowering resources for minority entrepreneurs. Participants can get hands-on with practical advice on what it takes to succeed, with a slew of panel discussions, business pitch competitions, and investor sessions. Also, continuing Code Fever’s commitment to teaching minority youth how to code, create technologies, and become entrepreneurs, the conference will also include over five “Youth Innovation” events.
And this special conference isn’t all business. The event also includes parties and “meet and greets” galore, particularly a special “Women’s Innovation Brunch,” highlighting the contributions of women entrepreneurs.
Last year’s inaugural event was well received by the local community, calling attention to the persistent lack of diversity within the tech industry – and how Miami’s unique blend of cultural diversity and rich innovation could serve as an anecdote to this issue.
“When I sat down with members of our steering committee to discuss the momentum in Miami and all the various conversations about diversity and inclusion in the tech space, we realized…the time was ripe for an event like this in Miami,” said Hatcher. “It’s time for an event that provides a collision point between tech, innovation and culture with a real focus on Miami as a conduit to the Caribbean and African Diaspora.”
