Though I was confident I wasn’t going to win, this really was one of those times where I felt honored to be nominated.
I was listed among five collaborators and genuine friends as a nominee to be called a top “Advocate for Equity” by 1Philadelphia, a new initiative focused on inclusive innovation in the region. My bud Michael O’Bryan, who runs a consultancy and is a popular champion of equity efforts, took the honor at an event Saturday. It was part of what the group calls its Innovation Weekend.
I arrived at the event early for a quiet tour of the celebrated Barnes Foundation, among my favorite museums, and cheered on friends doing important work.
The awards event followed a Friday summit I emceed, which included research I’ve dug into around progress to diversify tech workforces and entrepreneurship. There, 1Philadelphia’s leader Danae Mobley, who doubles in a leadership role of youth training nonprofit Coded by Kids, announced plans to raise $20 million toward their goal. I also announced (see below photo) that Danae and I intend to collaborate on producing Philly Tech Week next May.
