ABOUT US
We offer a safe community for Black professionals and entrepreneurs in the technology sector to build collective capacity by leveraging shared resources, human capital, and economic opportunity in the Greater New Orleans Region.
INCLUSIVE INNOVATION
NOLAvate Black began with the launch of Black Tech NOLA – New Orleans’ first Inclusive Innovation Conference was first held in 2018 during Essence Festival Week to address the systemic barriers and social injustices that prevent Black people and under-resourced communities from gaining access to the high-demand and high-wage jobs available in the technology sector. Influencers that have graced its stage include Valerie Jarrett, Arif Gursel, Brandan “Bmike” Odums, Hannah Beachler, Sevetri Wilson, and Lupe Fiasco just to name a few.
Black Tech NOLA has grown to be a global tech exchange, bringing resources, funding, expertise, and innovation to our local growing technology and creative economy. Our programming, virtual and in-person, has reached over 5,000 technologists and jobs seekers world-wide.
BUILDING THE TALENT PIPELINE
Employer Partners support year-round efforts to address equity and accessibility within the tech pipeline. Partners commit to hiring BIPOC talent in high wage jobs, provide education and tools that promote employability and collaborate to foster spaces to help talent advance in technology.
At the beginning of 2020, NOLAvate Black partnered with Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and began working collaboratively on specific initiatives and projects that will promote an inclusive and accessible ecosystem for tech professionals and entrepreneurs of color. Since then we a partner with Microsoft, T-Mobile, Idea Village and the City of New Orleans to connect underrepresented to talent to jobs that can build generation wealth.
Share jobs with our global network
Host recruitment events engage untapped talent
Mentor the next generation on tech talent
Sabrina N. Short
Founder & CEO
OUR BOARD & ADVISORS
- Executive Board Members
- Sabrina N. Short NOLAvate Black, Founder & CEO
- Ruby Smith Love, Board Chair
- Kimberlee G. Archie, M.S. Ed.
- Randall Boseman
- Founding Advisors
- Shercole King
- Bernard Roberson
- Yolanda Williams