Kelauni Jasmyn, founder and CEO of Black Tech Nation (BTN), aims to create connections between the tech community in Philly and Pittsburgh. BTN supports Black entrepreneurs and technologists through programming, networking, and funding, including its two-year-old VC arm, Black Tech Nation Ventures.
Jasmyn noticed that many people in Philadelphia were becoming members or asking how they could get involved in the tech sector. BTN hosted its first networking event in Philadelphia last week, attracting founders, investors, and supporters. The organization plans to host monthly events in Philly throughout the year.
Jasmyn expects these events to help BTN become more informed about the needs of Philly’s tech ecosystem, including workshops, continuing education, access to capital, and community-building opportunities. She believes that there is never enough space for Black people in the tech sector, as historically, it has been lacking in every city. Despite concerns about stepping on toes with tech leaders in Philly, most attendees welcomed her and BTN to the city. Jasmyn hopes that Black Tech Nation, both on the community and the fund side, can be a conduit to create amazing Black founders and bridge the gap between the two communities.
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South Africa’s Investment in Emerging Black Growers Sees Results
The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) in South Africa has released R78.9m to black growers under the Economic Transformation of Black Citrus Growers Programme. The program aims to provide loan funding and financial assistance to black growers, transferring skills and creating new jobs in surrounding communities. The CGA launched the initiative in 2019 in partnership with various entities, including the Jobs Fund, Land Bank, Department of Agriculture, Agri Seta, LIMA Rural Development Foundation, and First National Bank.
Over the past three years, R161.3m of funding has been approved, and R78.9m has been disbursed to support black grower citrus operations, creating 78 permanent and 625 seasonal jobs and enabling 208 hectares of new trees to be planted. The South African industry predicts citrus exports could grow to 260m cartons annually by 2032, with a target for black growers’ contribution to the overall 260m vision of 50m cartons annually.
