2016 was a blur. It was truly a time where everything happened quickly, and I had pushed my mental limit as far as I could. I didn’t think I had it in me, but it’s great to see that some of the work of 2011-2015 is starting to manifest itself into something amazing. The best part about doing these Year in Reviews, is that it gives me an opportunity to document the journey, because time flies.
BLUE1647 in Times Square
Where do I start? I’ll try and go in chronological order
Highlights: My 2016 Year in Review: Testified for Congress, 60 articles about BLUE1647, 22 Awards, 5 Trips to the White House, New York Times feature, Root 100 Award, SXSW Award, Chicago Innovation Award, Chicago Inno 50 on Fire, 2 Resolutions, 1 Law passed, 1 Film Festival, and a Hackathon in 8 states. WHAT A YEAR! Thank you everyone for your support and allowing me to chronicle the journey.
Nelly stopped by the office in St. Louis. Yeah, that Nelly.
My mother and I were featured on TV One’s Change Agents: History in the Making
Keynote at a Young Mens Conference
9 Tech Leaders in Chicago you should meet
Did my first live talk show in front of a studio audience
Received a SXSW Dewey Award as a top social innovator in the world
Received a Cook County Resolution for contributions to making Cook County better, by Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia.
Featured in the Root for getting my tech inspiration from Afro Futurism
Featured in PolicyLink for our ability to inspire public policy change
Received a Resolution by the Missouri House of Representatives, sponsored by State Representative Courtney Curtis.
FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES!!!
Had an Illinois law passed through our organization, Social Change
Recognized as the Root 100, top 100 most influential Black Americans.
Testified in front of Congress on Federal IT Spending
We had the best month ever in the history diversity in tech
Appointed to the Cook County Commision on Social Innovation
Appointed to the Polsky Council, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the University of Chicago.
We won the Chicago Inno 50 on Fire
Visited the White House 5 times in 2016
The White House did a presentation and event at BLUE1647
The United States Department of Commerce held an event at BLUE1647
And here’s links from all of our press for 2016
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2016 was another year of progressive growth at BLUE1647! >Many additional contributors with more to follow in 2017! >Your Role Choice, Either Continue with your on-going assistance or join in 2017! >STILL MUCH ROOM & ADDITIONAL OPENINGS!!!
I’m really thrilled to see Blue1647 (and you) get the recognition and momentum you deserve. I notice you didn’t mention the merger or the relocation, though, and I’m still a little confused about it myself as a member. Care to add something more about it? Was it an accomplishment or a compromise?
Definitely an accomplishment. Forgot to mention it. Will update : )
More details about that in a week or so.