Detroit Couple’s Black Tech Initiative Gets $2M Boost

Big news for Detroit’s tech scene! A local couple is making waves, and now they’ve got some serious backing. Johnnie and Alexa Turnage, the power couple behind Black Tech Saturdays, have just been awarded a massive $2 million grant from the renowned John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. This funding is a game-changer for their mission to empower Black professionals and entrepreneurs in the technology sector.

A Major Investment in Detroit’s Future

The Knight Foundation recently announced a $19.8 million investment across 12 projects aimed at fostering a ‘vibrant and thriving city’ in Detroit. While the foundation has a long history of supporting downtown revitalization, this latest round of funding is specifically targeting the city’s ‘inner-ring neighborhoods.’ The goal? To uplift art, public spaces, tech, and business, creating more opportunities for connection and community growth.

Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, the foundation’s president and CEO, emphasized that these investments are driven by the needs and ideas of Detroiters themselves. It’s all about providing the ‘wind at the back’ for passionate individuals who care deeply about their community’s success.

Black Tech Saturdays: Bridging the Gap

So, what exactly is Black Tech Saturdays? It’s a nationally recognized innovation community dedicated to strengthening the presence of Black individuals in tech. They achieve this through a variety of hands-on initiatives, including workshops, training sessions, youth STEM events, mentorship programs, and community outreach. Their upcoming Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit on September 26-27 is a prime example of their commitment to fostering innovation.

Founded by Johnnie and Alexa Turnage in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Black Tech Saturdays recognized a crucial gap: most tech entrepreneurs weren’t operating in predominantly Black spaces, despite Detroit being an 80% Black city. Since its inception, the initiative has already impacted over 20,000 people.

What This Funding Means

This $2 million grant from the Knight Foundation is set to supercharge Black Tech Saturdays’ efforts. The funding will help create clearer pathways for residents to access high-growth tech jobs and pursue entrepreneurship. A significant portion of the grant is also dedicated to achieving a goal of $10 million in income opportunities through developing digital infrastructure, hosting more events, and amplifying community stories.

This investment is more than just money; it’s a powerful endorsement of the work Johnnie and Alexa Turnage are doing to build a more inclusive and equitable tech landscape in Detroit. It’s about empowering a community and fostering innovation from within.