This session, moderated by Jana Rosco of Operation Hope, focused on the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and community empowerment, particularly within Black and underserved communities. Speakers included Dion Buzzy Reader, who discussed her nonprofit and catering business using innovative digital payment methods to serve economically challenged neighborhoods, emphasizing financial inclusion and wealth generation locally. Sierra Gross, founder of WorkLution, shared how her AI-driven HR solutions empower employees with independent support and digital tools, highlighting the importance of representation in tech and the transformative potential of AI and blockchain. Carmen Rodriguez, an exiled journalist from El Salvador, provided a critical perspective on technological advancements, warning of disparities in access and the negative impacts on marginalized populations both abroad and within the U.S. The dialogue underscored the necessity of inclusive technology adoption, local economic upliftment, and advocacy to bridge gaps in access and opportunity, urging participants to engage actively in emerging tech spaces to shape equitable futures.
