Black Tech Saturdays

"I think it would be so great if everyone could get the exposure they deserve in order to just takeoff" - Black Tech Saturdays "Community Hero" Award Winner Nicole Liggins Nicole Liggins is a technology leader at General Motors, responsible for driving the development and execution of a diverse digital portfolio of connected vehicle products. With a primary focus on delivering exceptional value to retail customers, Nicole also ensures delivery of enterprise value through backend services. Prior to her current role in product management, Nicole held key roles such as Senior Mobile Architect, Senior Technical Product Owner, and various QA positions. Her extensive expertise in these areas has equipped her with a deep understanding of product development and a keen eye for delivering high-quality solutions. Nicole is passionate about mentoring others, sharing her knowledge and expertise to help others grow and succeed. Best Description of what I do: I strive to build teams that not only solve problems but also create technology that customers genuinely love. Thank you Nicole Liggins for your hard work and dedication to our community! We LOVE you! #DetroitDigitalEmpowermentSummit #BlackTechSaturdays #keepgoing #togetherwecan #strongertogether #bridgethedivide #closethegap #blackintech #womenintech #latinxintech #diversityintech #Detroittech #blackexcellence #blackjoy #blacklove

Last week was truly a mesmerizing experience!! So many activities for small business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs, founders and tech enthusiasts. Michigan Founders Fund put together yet another incredible effort with this year’s Michigan Tech Week, another great week for founders, techies, entrepreneurs and the Michigan ecosystem. I’m truly grateful for attending. A soul-moving, truly awesome, groundbreaking three days at the inaugural Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit also happened, thanks to the efforts of Black Tech Saturdays and the various sponsors who helped put the whole event into motion. I conducted two coding workshops for those interested in learning how to code. And to be among many innovators, founders, entrepreneurs, tech professionals, business leaders and trailblazers leading all of the workshops, panels, talks, keynotes and presentations, not to mention the awards show celebrating all of the people who are taking the leap in moving things forward in their very own special ways. Shout out to Johnnie and Alexa Turnage for allowing me to be a part of the experience. Next year's summit will definitely be bigger and better. #MichiganTechWeek #DigitalEmpowermentSummit #Tech #Michigan #Entrepreneurs #Founders #Innovators #Business #Ecosystem

Congrats Johnnie Turnage, Alexa Turnage, Evan Bailey, and Ashley Williams Clark on being named Crain's Fourty under 40! Honored to know and have worked with y'all!

When you unexpectedly receive award for all your hard work, that goes unnoticed feels amazing and it keeps me motivated to continue to always do great things thank you Black Tech Saturdays

I had a great time at the Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit! It was amazing seeing old friends, meeting new people, and helping attendees share their stories with the world. Here’s to empowering our communities and shaping the future together! #DetroitDigital #Empowerment #Storyselling #Community

"It's about humans and human potential." #DetroitDigitalEmpowermentSummit #BlackTechSaturdays #keepgoing #togetherwecan #Changethenarrative

???? Meet the Scientists at the Spooky Science Spectacular! ???? Wayne State University Department of Chemistry, in partnership with the American Chemical Society, invites K-6th graders and their families to a science-filled Halloween event like no other! Join us for the Spooky Science Spectacular on October 25th at 6 PM for thrilling experiments, candy galore, and Halloween fun! ??? We’re excited to announce that Tom Kuntzleman, Darrell Marshall, and other scientists will be there, ready to dive into some spooky science with you! Come meet them, experience hands-on experiments, and see how science can make Halloween extra special! ??♂????? ?? Costumes are encouraged — bring your best spooky look if you dare! ???? ?? Where: Wayne State University Chemistry Department? ??? When: October 25th, 6 PM -7:30 PM ?? RSVP here:(https://lnkd.in/gbshpVZ4) for ????FREE ???? Mark your calendars, tell your friends, and get ready for a night when science and Halloween collide! ???? #WayneState #SpookyScience #HalloweenFun #FutureScientists #K12Science #AmericanChemicalSociety #STEMEducation #ScienceIsFun #HalloweenEvents #Detroit #BlackTechSaturdays #waynestate

A huge thank you to our panelists Monique Tate , Kenya Abbott Jr. , Keonda W. Buford, MBA, PMP, LSSBB, CSM, Karl Kaebnick, and Brent Smith from the City of Detroit Open Data Portal, Digital Equity and Inclusion, and GO DATA Advisory Commission for a great discussion on The Promise and Reality of Open Data during the Black Tech Saturdays Digital Empowerment Summit. The successful movement that Johnnie Turnage and Alexa Turnage have created to promote and elevate the tech ecosystem in Detroit is unprecedented and honestly, amazing! Last weekend I witnessed their many collaborators and volunteers work towards a great event full of networking and learning opportunities. Thank you for the opportunity!

?? A huge congratulations to TechTown alumni Alexa Turnage and Johnnie Turnage (bottom), co-founders of Black Tech Saturdays and EvenScore, Darren Riley (top right), co-founder and CEO of JustAir, and Ashley Williams Clark (top left), vice president and director of Center for Equity, Engagement and Research at Detroit Future City (a TechTown tenant), for being recognized as Crain's Detroit Business' 2024 40 Under 40 honorees! ?? Check out the full list of honorees here: techtowndet.org/3zTs2YZ

There’s an unspoken power in volunteering. On a whim, I decided to volunteer for Youth Tech Fest—an event with 1,500 students at the Michigan Science Center—which kicked off Day One of The Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit, hosted by Black Tech Saturdays. Their mission to empower Black tech communities nationwide to drive economic growth, close the wealth gap, and diversify the tech industry deeply resonates with me. Through their initiatives, they are creating measurable outcomes and building a future where prosperity is accessible to all. With over five years in the tech industry, much of my work has centered on sourcing and acquiring top talent with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As a Diversity Hiring Specialist and Talent Acquisition DEI SME, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with professional diversity organizations, driving change and promoting representation in the workforce. As someone early in my career, seeing diverse leaders in high positions has always been important to me—it shows that the paths to success are real and achievable. This event reminded me just how crucial it is to provide that same representation and education to the next generation. Witnessing the range of opportunities in technology and seeing people who look like me leading the way was both powerful and inspiring. I’m truly grateful to have been part of this event and for the lasting impact that Black Tech Saturdays and its founders Alexa Turnage and Johnnie Turnage continue to make within the community. I left this experience feeling deeply inspired. #BlackTechSaturdays #BlackTech #TechCommunity #DiversityAndInclusion #Empowerment #Volunteering #TechForGood #Detroit #thefutureisbright #diversityintech #blackintech #womenintech #detroittech #DetroitDigitalEmpowerment