Detroit has always been a city of innovation, resilience, and grit. Yet, even in 2024, the Black community still finds itself disconnected from the technology that drives our modern world. The digital divide is not just about missing out on the latest gadgets. It’s about being left behind in a world where technology dictates the future of work, education, and economic mobility. Historically, this lack of access has widened the gap for Black communities, keeping us out of critical conversations and opportunities. Here we stand today, knowing that we must not only close this gap but also empower ourselves to thrive in a world defined by the digital footprint.
Thankfully, change is here. We’re no longer just talking about the issue. We’re doing something about it. Detroit, a city with one of the largest Black populations in the country, is stepping up to reclaim its place in the digital revolution. The Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit, taking place from October 3-5, 2024, is a powerful moment for our city. Simply put, this summit is a necessary step toward equity and empowerment.
Black Tech Saturdays, a movement making waves across Detroit’s tech scene, is spearheading this summit in partnership with the Rocket Community Fund. The goal? To bring innovators, tech leaders, and the community together to bridge the digital divide and foster economic mobility. The three-day event is set to inspire and equip Detroit’s Black community with the tools needed to navigate and succeed in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
“The desired outcome is to create a city of confident digital citizens, with the event placing Detroit’s culture at the center of tech conversations,” said Johnnie Turnage, co-founder of Black Tech Saturdays. “It aims to bridge communities that are not typically at the table when decisions are made and to highlight local entrepreneurs and innovators as heroes who can change the narrative around technology. The event is also about celebrating the progress of these individuals and providing tangible support through $120,000 in community regrants, funded by the Rocket Community Fund.”
This summit is all about bringing Detroit’s Black community into the future. It’s time to thrive, innovate, and lead in the digital world. It’s about equipping our community to take control of its future, to build generational wealth, and to ensure that no one is left behind. The digital divide has kept too many of us on the sidelines for too long, but now, we’re stepping up to the plate.
The event kicks off with a youth takeover at the Michigan Science Center, where over 2,000 youth from Detroit and the surrounding metro area will have the opportunity to engage with emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). These young minds represent the future of Detroit, and this summit is their opportunity to see themselves as leaders in the tech world.
“The 2,000 youth attending the event are from Detroit and the surrounding metro area. This initiative was made possible through a partnership with the City of Detroit’s Digital Inclusion department,” said Johnnie Turnage. “The event emphasizes that future generations belong in technology and should be empowered to see themselves shaping the future. Outreach has been intentional, targeting schools, youth programs, churches, and youth-serving institutions to ensure that young people have the opportunity to explore the impact of technology on their lives.”
As we invest in our youth, we’re also investing in the future of our community’s entrepreneurs and innovators. The summit will offer $120,000 in grants to small business owners and innovators, part of a larger initiative to create lasting digital inclusion in Detroit. These grants, provided by the Rocket Community Fund, are aimed at empowering Detroiters to take the next step on the economic ladder.
“This is about communities reimagining themselves through the power of technology,” said Autumn Evans, Senior Program Manager at the Rocket Community Fund. “We’re focused on innovation that not only bridges the digital divide but empowers residents with the tools and skills they need to thrive in a connected world. From affordable devices to digital literacy training, our goal is to create lasting, equitable access that transforms lives and opens new opportunities across Detroit.”
“We’re bringing everyone together– innovators, tech founders, and tech-curious people from across the country to learn what digital tools are available and what it will take to truly bridge the digital divide and close the racial wealth gap,” said Alexa Turnage, co-founder of Black Tech Saturdays.
The Rocket Community Fund’s commitment to digital equity has already made a tremendous impact in Detroit. Since 2019, the fund has invested more than $8.4 million in the community, with $4.3 million dedicated to digital inclusion efforts through the “Changing the Course” initiative. The Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit represents the next chapter in this journey, a critical step in ensuring that the Black community is not left behind in this digital revolution.
“Detroit is the perfect place for this event because of its rich history of resilience, innovation, and its ongoing revival efforts,” said Johnnie Turnage. “The city’s diverse community and unique challenges align perfectly with the summit’s mission to foster inclusive growth and digital empowerment. The event will showcase how technology can serve as a bridge to connect communities not typically at the forefront of tech conversations.”
Throughout the three-day summit, attendees will hear from powerful voices in the tech and social justice world. Jay Bailey, CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship, will open the event with a keynote on how innovation can empower Black entrepreneurs and create economic growth in underserved communities. On the second day, John A. Powell, Director of the Berkeley Center for Othering and Belonging, will address how technology can be used to bridge social divides and foster belonging in Detroit’s digital future.
Workshops on artificial intelligence and augmented reality, along with immersive technology experiences, will give participants hands-on opportunities to engage with the latest digital tools. Local entrepreneurs will also have the chance to network with industry leaders, share ideas, and build relationships that could lead to future success.
The final day will see the distribution of $120,000 in grants to local innovators and entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the community. These grants are designed to support tech-based projects that will not only bridge the digital divide but also create long-term economic mobility for Detroiters.
“The grants are open to anyone, with a strong encouragement for partnerships between entrepreneurs, innovators, and community institutions,” said Johnnie Turnage. “The aim is to share knowledge and foster community wealth, which is seen as the foundation for building generational wealth. These grants are part of the broader mission to empower 100,000 individuals to become tech-confident, helping to plant seeds that will blossom into long-term impact.”
Black Tech Saturdays and the Rocket Community Fund have come together for something deeper than a collaboration. This is a movement, driven by real change. It represents the evolution from digital inclusion to digital empowerment, a shift that will allow Detroiters to not only participate in the digital world but lead in it.
“The partnership between Black Tech Saturdays and the Rocket Community Fund is a model example of supporting the community-driven, trusted messenger approach, allowing communities to be their own heroes,” said Turnage. “This partnership is not just about inclusion; it’s about empowerment. It represents the evolution from digital inclusion to digital empowerment, planting seeds for the next generation to stand on our shoulders and climb even higher.”
As Detroit gears up for this historic summit, the hope is clear: to build a connected, empowered, and tech-savvy community ready to take on the future. This summit goes deeper than just bridging the digital divide—it creates a future where Detroit’s Black community thrives, leads, and innovates in the digital age.
This is Detroit’s time. Let’s step into our future, together.
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