Collaboration Awaits: Blacktech Weekend aims to connect black innovators with a lasting network
October 31, 2019 | Anna Turnbull
The most important aspect of Blacktech Weekend’s return to Kansas City Friday: connecting individuals from different segments of the entrepreneur cityscape, said Denayja Reese.
“Across industries, we want them to collaborate with each other and continue to build community as well as bring in folks who are outside of the community into the fold,” said Reese, founder of Miami-based GWTLP, which organizes the one-day Blacktech Weekend in KC. “I hope that the people who attend the event learn things that they didn’t know before. Whether it be a funding resource or if they learn from someone else’s’ ideas.”
Blacktech Weekend 2018
Blacktech Weekend is entering its second annual Kansas City offering this week, having debuted during 2018’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. The program targets black entrepreneurs, innovators and “techies.”
Click here to read about the 2018 Blacktech Weekend conversation on tearing down walls built by exclusive startup lingo.
“Most of the time, [Blacktech Weekend’s] out of town [speakers] are dealing with many of the same issues as those [in Kansas City]. They are able to have conversations about how they are balancing it given their different circumstances,” Reese said, explaining the event. “It really gives the attendees an opportunity to learn from the people even if they are coming from different sides [of the issue].”
The Kansas City event is also set to feature a number of local voices, including Philip Gaskin, senior director of entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; April Boyd-Noronha, chief engagement strategist for The STEM Broker; Bryan Shannon, founder and CEO of TicketRX; Dan Smith, co-founder of The Porter House KC; and Dell Gines, senior community development advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Click here for more information on Blacktech Weekend, which begins 10 a.m. Friday at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Activities from a fireside chat and panel conversations to masterclass breakout sessions, Reese said.
This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.
For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn
Featured Business
2019 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Fund Me, KC: My Bear Jeff spreads comfort to child trauma survivors, bear to bear
Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like Rachel Cohen with her My Bear Jeff campaign — to share their crowdfunding stories to gain a little help from their supporters. Who are you? Rachel Cohen, Chief Bear Officer…
Ben Jackson named to Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ list, capping year of growth, accolades for Bungii
Building something cool requires doing a lot of uncool things — tasks and tactics most people are unwilling to undertake, said Ben Jackson. “The daily grind isn’t glamorous and it’s not fun,” said Jackson, co-founder of Overland Park-headquartered Bungii and an honoree on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for consumer technology. “Success is a matter…
Pitch Pub Crawl returning to downtown Lee’s Summit with nine emerging KC startups
Nine startup leaders are expected to compete this month for seed in downtown Lee’s Summit hot spots better known for hops. Velocity LS Pitch Pub Crawl is set to return 5 p.m. Dec. 12 at Bricks Pub & Grub,18 SE Third St., before moving on to Smoke Brewing Company, 209 SE Main St., Arcade Alley,…
Helix Health finds ‘enlightening’ support in Spencer Fane’s new STARTUP Lab, co-founder says
Spencer Fane’s STARTUP Lab already is having an impact on its first selected company, Helix Health, said Aaron Deacon. “It has been a really enlightening experience for me,” said Deacon, co-founder of Helix Health alongside Anurag Patel, explaining support from the law firm. “To have the advice and help from other people who know how…