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8:00am
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Breakfast8:00am - 9:00am Aug 29Join us for a continental breakfast to start the day!
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9:00am
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Welcome by Belmont University9:00am - 9:05am Aug 29
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Welcome and State of Diversity & Inclusion in the Tech Ecosystem9:05am - 9:25am Aug 29
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Building Inclusion and Diversity in Tech9:25am - 9:40am Aug 29
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9:30am
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Introduction: The State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Nashville Tech Ecosystem (Solo Talks)9:40am - 9:45am Aug 29
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Mountains, Unicorns, Stereotypes, Oh My: Dispelling the Myths of Black People in Tech9:45am - 9:55am Aug 29
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From Combat To Code: How Programming Helps Veterans Become Successful After Service9:55am - 10:05am Aug 29A talk about how veterans are using software engineering to move on for life after the military, common misconceptions and how to integrate them into your teams.
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10:00am
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Women in Technology of Tennessee: Shaping the Future of Tech10:05am - 10:15am Aug 29All across Middle Tennessee, women in technology are dealing with the same challenges, craving the same opportunities, seeking new ways to grow, and looking for like-minded women to share it with. At WiTT, we connect women with a community that believes in and advocates for them. Through education, networking, scholarships and community outreach, WiTT promotes women in Technology and helps carve a path for the next generation. This is the future of tech.
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It Starts with Me: Why Organizations Like Nashville Girl Geek Dinner Matter10:15am - 10:25am Aug 29The power to influence change is one of intention and creating environments where individuals with a curiosity for technology can learn, be inspired, network and encouraged is just one step in being a part of that change. Nashville Girl Geek Dinner was launched because of a passion to serve underserved groups in technology and to be a catalyst for continuing to carry this message forward to our next generation of youth.
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Am I an Entrepreneur?10:25am - 10:35am Aug 29What does it mean to be an entrepreneur and how can we inspire our youth to think about solving today’s most challenging social challenges through business. Why access and empathy are important in our goal to ignite an entrepreneurial mindset in our communities of color.
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10:30am
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Building Accessible Bridges10:35am - 10:45am Aug 29How a lack of accessibility in the tech community impacts diversity and ways to begin making a change.
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Making Nashville and Tech More Inclusive for the LGBTQ+ Community.10:45am - 11:00am Aug 29
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11:00am
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Building Inclusive Cultures (Panel Discussion)11:00am - 12:00pm Aug 29
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12:00pm
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LUNCH12:00pm - 1:00pm Aug 29
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1:00pm
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Creating an Inclusive Tech Ecosystem in Nashville (Panel Discussion)1:00pm - 2:00pm Aug 29
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2:00pm
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Making Venture Capital Inclusive (Panel Discussion)2:00pm - 2:45pm Aug 29
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2:30pm
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COFFEE BREAK2:45pm - 3:00pm Aug 29
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3:00pm
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Creating an Inclusive Tech Pipeline: Focus on Education (Panel Discussion)3:00pm - 3:45pm Aug 29
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3:30pm
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Codifying Digital Inclusion3:45pm - 3:55pm Aug 29There exists both technical and non-technical tasks and resources serving as the basis for addressing Nashville's need of Digital Inclusion. Identifying the components of Digital Inclusion gives rise to efforts that increase the chances of successful, city-wide implementations. Examination of the components of Digital Inclusion provides insights on the complexities involved with serving populations in need. This talk presents the audience with a strategy for achieving Digital Inclusion centering populations in need.
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CREATE_HERE: Tennessee’s Creative Technology Industry Initiative3:55pm - 4:05pm Aug 29The Tennessee Entertainment Commission (TEC) recently expanded its focus to cover interactive and digital content creation-related industries. The new campaign, “Create_Here” highlights Tennessee’s creative technology class and seeks to recruit new talent and companies beyond TEC’s ongoing emphasis on music, film and entertainment. Interactive Digital Media includes sectors such as Music Tech, Gaming/Gamification, Virtual/Augmented Reality, Ed Tech, Animation, Digital Content Production & Digital Distribution. The new Create_Here platform also includes a new online community for animators, software and app developers, designers, marketers, writers and other professionals in Tennessee’s emerging creative tech sector. The directory allows individuals and companies to create profiles to showcase their work, connect with other professionals in Tennessee and integrate profiles with existing social media networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Snapchat. Create_Here’s online resource directory is accessible at CreateTN.com. Video testimonials and stories can be found on YouTube at the TFEMC channel.
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4:00pm
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Keep the plates spinning4:05pm - 4:15pm Aug 29What are the elements the Community Foundation & Partners are doing to reduce the digital divide in Davidson County? How can you help?
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Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Oh My!4:15pm - 4:25pm Aug 29Learning to live in an artificial world isn't an option, it's a necessity. Belmont University Journalism Professor Dr. Syb Brown shares the latest trends, tech and and signals being sent in virtual reality. Need ideas? Options? Opportunities? This moment in time is tailored just for you.
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Raising Funds While Black / Twice The Work, Half The Shine4:25pm - 4:40pm Aug 29Courtney Eason discusses "Raising Funds While Black" - the struggles for black and brown founders during the fundraising process and how we can best prepare for those struggles by mastering the art of Bootstrapping.
Dominique Anderson discusses "Twice The Work, Half The Shine" - A checklist of things to make sure entrepreneurs have, as they prepare to raise funds, to avoid the conversation around, "watering down requirements for diversity."
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4:30pm
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Simple Things You Can do to Improve Diversity and Inclusion4:40pm - 4:50pm Aug 29This brief discussion will cover some common beliefs about diversity in the technology field. Then provide some simple things anyone can do to help with diversity and inclusion efforts in their company.
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CLOSING4:50pm - 5:00pm Aug 29
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5:00pm
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Please make your way to the Happy Hour!5:00pm - 5:15pm Aug 29The Refinery - 438 Houston St Suite 263, Nashville, TN 37203 - just a short 5 minute drive. Directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/9u2wcHhxMtj
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HAPPY HOUR5:15pm - 7:00pm Aug 29Join us for Happy Hour, networking and refreshments to continue the conversation!
Different Location:
The Refinery - 438 Houston St Suite 263, Nashville, TN 37203
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/9u2wcHhxMtj
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