Entrepreneurial Journeys: Black Women Activating Tech

For the month of February, Chi Hack Night and City Tech will be celebrating Black History Month. We are featuring presentations from prominent African Americans in tech and civic life here in Chicago. Read more about the series here.

Join us on Feb 28th as we host a community event at the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation with Colony 5, a cohort of neighborhood-based entrepreneurs who are identifying ways that technology can support their business.

Panel discussion

In 2017, Nielsen reported that black women are not only leading influencers in the economy, media, and politics, but they are the fastest growing group of female entrepreneurs. Colony 5, a business accelerator connecting social entrepreneurs, furthered the possibility of entrepreneurship when selecting 4 of the most recent members of the 2018 (C518) cohort Ehi Aimuiwu, founder of Geek Empowered and Civic Tech Collective founder, Monique Wingard, will close out Black History Month and transition into Women’s History Month with a panel at Chi Hack Night on February 28, 2018, called Entrepreneurial Journeys: Black Women Activating Tech.

The final Chi Hack Night of February 2018 will focus on the personal journey and ultimate leap of faith taken to join the ranks of other female founders in tech, as well as the connection points for growth in the ever-changing Chicago tech ecosystem and beyond.

The discussion will be moderated by Deena McKay, Founder, and host of BlackTechUnplugged, a monthly podcast that highlights Blacks who innovate and work in the tech industry. Panelists will include:

• Monique Wingard, Founder of The Civic Collective
• Ehi Aimiuwu-Jinadu, Founder of Geek Empowered
• Andrea Smith, Founder of Luminate Brands
• Britney Robbins, founder and CEO of The Gray Matter Experience
• Deena McKay, Founder and host of BlackTechUnplugged (moderator)

Breakout Groups

People are invited to break off into groups and work on projects, discuss potential ideas, and share their skills.

Additional details

• Close to the Halsted Green line stop
• There is free parking at the US Bank lot
• There will be lots of yummy Caribbean food (with veggie options)!

Food will be provided.