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Gilbert Family Foundation awards $1.2 million to Black Tech Saturdays

Pabio November 3, 2024

A technology organization aimed at boosting new Black entrepreneurs will receive a $1.2 million investment from the Gilbert Family Foundation.

Black Tech Saturdaysfounded in April 2023 by husband-and-wife team Johnnie and Alexa Turnage, said the two-year grant would expand access to capital, mentorship and resources for Detroit tech entrepreneurs who show up by the hundreds to attend the organization’s Saturday workshops.

“All Detroiters deserve the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the city’s growing technology sector,” said Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. “Johnnie and Alexa Turnage have built an incredible community through Black Tech Saturdays and we are proud to work with them to dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically limited opportunities for Black residents.

The award will help the organization hire at least six employees who will help entrepreneurs and professionals, support 300 career development mentoring sessions, and sponsor an upcoming pitch competition on Dec. 14 where new business owners can practice presenting their business proposals, with three being chosen for grants of $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000.

The organization plans to award more grants and host another summit on digital empowerment. This year, an inaugural summit attracted 3,200 attendees over three days and awarded six business owners $20,000 prizes.

Johnnie Turnage, co-founder of the tech organization, said its goal is to “spur economic mobility for a community already left behind.”

“Technology is a great equalizer…if we can actually start to get people to higher and higher thresholds, to increase the money that goes into their pockets, a lot of the problems and questions that we face in the city of Detroit, and cities like Detroit, could actually be resolved,” Turnage said.

According to the release, Black Tech Saturdays reached more than 15,000 people and generated an estimated $30 million in economic impact through increased business revenue, new investments, grants and salaries in tech jobs. . BTS has hosted more than 50 community events, awarded $100,000 in grants to support technology adoption, and formed partnerships with three national agencies.

Some of the new programs supported by the Gilbert Family Foundation grant will include specialized workshops on brand storytelling and relationship building, a digital library of resources for tech startups, personalized coaching opportunities for entrepreneurs, development talent and local recruitment.

The Gilbert Family Foundation’s support of Black Tech Saturdays is part of the organization’s 10-year, $500 million commitment – shared with the Rocket Community Fund – to create opportunities in Detroit neighborhoods.

The foundation is a private, nonprofit organization founded by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert to accelerate recovery from neurofibromatosis type 1 and create economic opportunity in Detroit.

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