CertiFi by Mercy University and The Bronx Community Foundation Host Digital Inclusion Event

Approximately 150 high school students from five  Bronx high schools heard from technology experts and community organizations about career opportunities in the tech sector and how to increase digital access during an all-day event at Mercy’s Bronx Campus. CERTiFi by Mercy University partnered with The Bronx Community Foundation to host “The Future of Opportunity: A Digital Inclusion Event” to promote and increase digital equity as part of nationwide efforts to hold these discussions during National Digital Inclusion Week, October 2-6.

“At Mercy University, we believe it is important to support digital equity for all,” said Brian Amkraut, vice president of Workforce Credentialing and Community Impact at Mercy University. “Just like you need language literacy or mathematical literacy, if you don’t have basic digital technical skills, you’re going to be a step behind.”

“Today is important because it provides access and information as we work to interrupt those digital inequities that exist in our borough,” said Mercy University alumna Meisha Porter, M.S. ’03, H.D. ’20, president and chief executive officer of The Bronx Community Foundation.

The day started with a fireside chat with Umesh Subramanian, chief technology officer (CTO) for Citadel, who discussed his career path as CTO of a company with $62.3 billion of assets under management. He relayed the mantras that have helped him succeed:  work hard; make time for work now; and when there are big problems to solve, show up. A panel discussion on social imprint and social media identity followed. The panel entitled “InstaWho?” included Stacey Cohen, chief executive officer and president of Co-Communications, Tiffany Ervin, producer and on-air host for The Shade Room; Sophia Little, content specialist at Essence Community and Milena “Millie” Toro, creative social strategist at IBM.  The students also participated in workshops on digital literacy and personal branding, as well as a drone demonstration.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson attended the event and shared encouraging words for the high school students.

“We want to make sure that every scholar is connected, but we also know the careers that the tech industry will provide and is providing today. I encourage all of you, representing our high schools in this borough, to understand that these pathways are for your success, pathways to college and careers and whatever it is that you want to do. We intend for you to be successful because that is your purpose, so I hope you get an incredible amount of education and knowledge from this summit today because The Bronx Community Foundation and Mercy University are invested in all of you,” said Gibson.

The evening program, which was open to adults in the Bronx community, included a panel discussion featuring Phill Beltre, senior data engineer at TikTok, Kevin Chik, senior QA engineer at Paramount and Ricky Garnder, senior software engineer at Netflix, who discussed their experience as people of color working in the tech industry. A second panel featured Jeremy Sanders, technical recruiter at Warner Bros. Discovery, Olubanwo Aruleba, technical recruiter, and Tiffany Hsieh, director of innovation programs at JFFLabs, who discussed various paths and strategies one can take to enter the tech industry.

This event was made possible in part through a $2.6 million federal grant Mercy University received  to bridge the digital divide and provide students and underserved communities with access to high-speed internet, technological devices and technology education support. 

Click here to see NY1 coverage of the event.

Students participate during the panel discussions. Photo credit: Jesse Ovalles