Photo by Carolina Wilson.

Felecia Hatcher is co-founder of Code Fever and an organizer of Black Tech Week, which Knight Foundation supports to build Miami’s community of innovators and entrepreneurs, while fostering talent and expanding economic opportunity. 

Since announcing Black Tech Week I’ve fielded a lot of questions and the two that I’ve received over and over again are: “Why Black Tech Week?” and “Why Miami?” My answer is simple: “Why not!”

When I sat down with members of our steering committee and Derick Pearson, co-founder of Code Fever, to discuss the momentum in Miami and all the various conversations about diversity and inclusion in the tech space, we realized that we’d all attended many such conferences around the world but the time was ripe for an event like this in Miami. It’s time for an event that provides a collision point between tech, innovation and culture with a real focus on Miami as a conduit to the Caribbean and African Diaspora.  

We set out with the mission to create Black History Month 2.0, understanding the diversity problems that exist but really wanting to build a weeklong series of events during Black History Month that focused on creating solutions, highlighting innovators who are currently reshaping the world, paying homage to innovators of color who have come and gone, and also sharing resources that will help build smarter communities and continue to push Miami forward as a beacon for innovation and diversity.

Our overall goal for Black Tech Week is to turn it into a global movement similar to Global Entrepreneurship Week, where every year during the last week of Black History Month, organizations, educational institutions and corporations will offer programming around the four pillars of Black Tech Week: culture, innovation, technology and vertically integrated communities. Here are some highlights of what’s happening today through Feb. 28.

Monday

Hour of Tech sponsored by Kairos

Throughout the week we are teaming with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Local startup companies are adopting classrooms for an hour of tech each day during the week. Speakers from the conference as well as local startup founders will speak to students, showcase their technology or teach coding sessions highlighting notable figures in black tech history.  

EcoTech Visions & Awesome Foundation Pitch Competition

Local startup founders and social entrepreneurs will pitch their green or eco-friendly business or organization for a chance to win a $1,000 Awesome Foundation grant.

Tuesday

Mentor mixer with investors

Pitch Competition

Guests will have the opportunity to meet local investors and pitch their businesses for a cash prize. 

Wednesday

Special guest David Banner will discuss “Music, Social Activism and Social Media” with A. Randolph.

Thursday and Friday

A two-day summit will feature speakers from all over the world, including the founders of MakersRow, AppAfrica, HopStop, Startup Kingston (Jamaica), and more. 

Saturday

Black History Month Youth Hackathon

The hackathon will focus on President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, fostering ideas and building tech solutions aimed at improving life for South Florida youth. Students will compete for cash and other prizes. 

Women’s Innovation Brunch

We wanted to create a series of events that celebrate the rich history and accomplishments of innovators of color but also show the vast amount of opportunities in technology in the Africa, the Caribbean and especially here in Miami. Thanks to all of our sponsors and partners. Please join us in this celebration. A full list of events and locations is available at blacktechweek.com.