• Two-year grant expands access to capital, mentorship and resources for Detroit’s tech entrepreneurs.
  • Partnership seeks to remove barriers to wealth creation by providing exposure and connections to in-demand technology careers.

Detroit, Nov. 2 — Gilbert Family Foundation today announced a $1.2 million investment in Black Tech Saturdays (BTS), the premier network for Black professionals and entrepreneurs in tech. This funding will strengthen BTS’s operational capacity, expanding its reach and enabling Detroit’s tech innovators to access essential resources for growth.

BTS has grown rapidly since its launch in April 2023, drawing more than 10,000 attendees to its wide-ranging mix of networking events, trainings and workshops. Gilbert Family Foundation’s grant will help scale these offerings to include pitch competitions, matchmaking for entrepreneurs and potential partners, specialized training, mentorship programs and more. The investment will also create a stronger pipeline from other Gilbert Family Foundation-supported programs, such as the Apple Developer Academy and Venture 313, to opportunities in Detroit’s tech ecosystem.

“All Detroiters deserve the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the city’s growing tech sector,” said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director, Gilbert Family Foundation. “Johnnie and Alexa Turnage have built an incredible community through Black Tech Saturdays and we are proud to work with them to dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically limited opportunity for Black residents.”

To date, Black Tech Saturdays (BTS) has reached over 15,000 people and generated an estimated $30 million in economic impact through increased business revenue, new investments, grants, and tech job salaries. The recent Digital Empowerment Summit alone drew 3,200 attendees. BTS has hosted over 50 community events, awarded $100,000 in regrants to support tech adoption, and formed partnerships with three national agencies. With nearly 200 local leaders and speakers spotlighted, BTS continues to empower tech entrepreneurs to advance their careers with confidence.

“As Detroit’s tech landscape evolves, we have a historic opportunity to ensure this growth uplifts everyone. We are grateful to the Gilbert Family Foundation for this significant investment that will help us empower entrepreneurs and career builders alike to achieve economic freedom,” said Johnnie Turnage, co-founder, Black Tech Saturdays. “Our focus is clear: to increase dollars in people’s pockets by driving business creation, career advancement and wealth-building opportunities, paving the way for a new, inclusive economy in Detroit.”

Some of the new programs supported by Gilbert Family Foundation’s grant will include:

  • Specialized workshops on brand storytelling and relationship building
  • Digital library of resources for tech startups
  • Personalized coaching opportunities for entrepreneurs
  • Talent development and local recruiting
  • New pitch competitions and pitch training

Gilbert Family Foundation’s support for Black Tech Saturdays is part of the organization’s $500 million, 10-year commitment — shared with Rocket Community Fund — to build opportunity in Detroit neighborhoods.

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About Gilbert Family Foundation:

Gilbert Family Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation founded by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert to accelerate a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and build economic opportunity in the city of Detroit. The Gilbert Family Foundation supports groundbreaking, cutting-edge research in hopes of eradicating NF1, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves anywhere in the body. Additionally, the Foundation supports the economic stability and mobility of residents in Detroit by investing in wealth-building opportunities and breaking down systemic barriers. For more information on the Gilbert Family Foundation, please visit gilbertfamilyfoundation.org.

About Black Tech Saturdays:

Founded in 2023 by husband-and-wife team Johnnie and Alexa Turnage, Black Tech Saturdays is a community-led initiative focused on increasing Black tech representation and community wealth. Through this movement, tens of thousands of people have participated in tech networking, collaboration, and education sessions across the U.S. Learn more at blacktechsaturdays.com.