Black Tech Saturdays Receives $1M To Expand Tech Workshops In Detroit
The Detroit-based tech meetup for creatives has received a $1 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The funding will be used to grow its workshop across the state, according to Crain’s Detroit Business. It’s the largest single grant out of $6.8 million that the MEDC is giving to 23 organizations as part of the Trusted Connector Grant program, the MEDC announced on Wednesday.
The $1 million grant
Black Tech Saturdays will run a pilot program in Detroit and Lansing, featuring 25-30 micro workshops that provide focused programming for founders over the summer. In a bid to expand the program further, founders Johnnie and Alexa Turnage will also seek to equip founders and entrepreneurs through micro workshops.
$150,000 of the $1 million grant will also be allocated toward pitch competitions for founders at the monthly large meetups at Newlab, located at Michigan Central.
“This investment is going to really catapult members of Black Tech Saturdays so they can learn new information, get more mentorships, and ultimately, where we can get more programming and workshops, too, so they can get more information and just get further faster with us as a community,” Alexa Turnage said.
The importance of Black Tech Saturdays
Black Tech Saturdays was founded in April 2023 by the husband-and-wife team of Johnnie and Alexa Turnage. It quickly became a hub for budding entrepreneurs, drawing hundreds of people each week to its Saturday events.
The founders of Black Tech Saturdays have created a space where Black tech enthusiasts can learn, innovate, and collaborate. They have successfully hosted workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs, aiding entrepreneurs in securing deals and funding.
Image: Black Tech Saturdays
