PHILADELPHIA — Project NorthStar, a tech conference organized by Black & Brown Founders and the City of Philadelphia, announced the opening of conference registration. NorthStar aims to show Black and Latinx people ways to leverage technology to close the growing wealth gap affecting their communities.
Tickets for Project NorthStar are now on sale at northstarphl.com. Early bird prices will be available until August, with regular tickets starting at $159 and VIP tickets at $299. Prices will increase August 26 to $199 (Regular) and $349 (VIP). Further price increases may apply for day-of ticket purchases.
“We are very excited to re-launch the NorthStar website and share more information about what people can expect from this inaugural partnership with the City of Philadelphia,” said Aniyia Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Black & Brown Founders. “We not only want to share details about the event there, but the context around why Project NorthStar is needed: massive wealth inequality exists for Black and Latinx folks in America, and the innovation economy is producing opportunities that can help close those gaps.”
The website provides easy access to essential details about the three-day tech conference taking place Wednesday, October 3, 2018 through Friday, October 5, 2018 at 2300 Arena, located at 2300 S. Swanson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148. It will also include information and data about the wealth disparities that exist within Black and/or Latinx communities, reports from data collected by the Black & Brown Founders team, and thoughts on how we can move the needle forward by using technology as a tool to create valuable solutions to the problems they face.
Project NorthStar will feature talks, panels and workshops from a national network of speakers who are subject matter experts in technology, finance, investment, law, marketing, sales, product development, engineering, workforce development, design, and hiring. Attendees who are interested in entrepreneurship will have an opportunity to learn about topics ranging from how venture capital works and alternative forms of funding to emerging tech opportunities and how to validate your product idea. Participants who are working as tech professionals, or are interested in getting tech jobs, will learn more about career paths and ways to “level up” their skills. Day Three (Friday, October 5) of the conference will be free to attend (registration required), and aims to create a pipeline for youth and newcomers to get exposed to opportunities in technology.
“For a city like Philadelphia, it is imperative that we ensure our progress is inclusive,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “The tech industry offers a unique opportunity for Black and Latinx people to not only develop successful careers, but also build wealth for themselves and their families. Project NorthStar will allow Philadelphia residents and attendees from outside the city to access vital information and tools that can set them on the path to success; and it is my hope that they will also experience Philadelphia in a way that shows them our city is the ideal location to build a diverse tech business.”
Project NorthStar’s website will be updated regularly with news of featured speakers, events and conference updates. The call for entries to speak at NorthStar is now open. Visitors are encouraged to explore the website, submit to be a speaker, and sign up for direct updates from Project NorthStar at northstarphl.com.
About Black & Brown Founders
Black & Brown Founders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, providing Black and Latinx entrepreneurs best practices and community to build successful tech companies with modest resources. www.blackandbrownfounders.com