C O V E R S T O R Y
Dare To Launch Something New: The Initiative
Bridging Minority Youth & Technology - BliT
According to research and statistical data, one in
four public school children drop out before they
finish high school. For African- American and
Hispanic students, the challenge is much more
severe, with an alarming likelihood of graduating
on time from high school being at only 65 percent.
Sadly, these stories are not changed as many of
these students grow up without ever having access
to positive role models. Without this influence,
young people cannot envision graduating from
school, obtaining a career, building a strong family
or even connecting to their community to empower
change and make a difference. The tragedy that
accompanies young people who drop out of high
school is that they are much more likely to be
unemployed, incarcerated or live in poverty –
dying without ever living out their maximum
potential.
From this notion and daunting statistical data,
Anderson will launch BLiT, a tech and startup
community for aspiring and established techies and
related entrepreneurs of color October 11, 2018.
The launch celebration is free and open to the
public.
This organization is infused with diversity to
start connecting with one another, building the
relationships, and sharing the ideas that will
create fertile ground for the next great
technology to come out of Memphis, TN –
expressly from the Black and Latino community.
Whether you desire to transition into the tech
field or you are an experienced professional,
BLiT is an exciting community network
opportunity. The idea behind BLiT is to expose
youth to technology at an early age as
high-technological jobs are the wave of the
future. Engaging students this early in the field
of technology grabs their attention and integrate
curriculum across subject matters.
It is encouraging to see Middle and High School
students gravitate to STEM programming and
watch them advance into electronic technology.
These exposures and platforms of experiences
connects them to the real world. Young people
are build and flying drones in the classroom and
utilizing built-from scratch robotic technology
that will one day be the creative solutions to
problems. The need for aerospace engineers,
computer communications and technology-based
individuals is certainly in high demand.
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