This session featured two main parts: a pitch presentation by the team Kenshi Coin and an essay competition focused on innovation to stop gun violence. Kenshi Coin, composed of Howard University students, presented a blockchain-based decentralized peer-to-peer lending platform aimed at underserved communities in Kenya. They addressed the challenges faced by millions, such as slow loan processing and lack of collateral options, by creating a secure system that uses digital collateral and trust scores to empower micro-entrepreneurs and low-income families. Their solution also leverages blockchain smart contracts, reduced fees, and community trust to enable efficient financial inclusion.
The essay competition showcased middle and high school students from the DC area who proposed diverse technological and community-based solutions to gun violence. Ideas included mentorship programs, smart guns with biometric locks, AI-powered surveillance and predictive analytics, and virtual reality educational tools to provide safe outlets for youth. Emphasis was placed on mental health evaluations supported by AI to prevent violent incidents. The session concluded with a mindfulness exercise led by Genesis Johnson, an 11-year-old entrepreneur who educates children on mindfulness and emerging technologies.
Overall, the session highlighted innovative, technology-driven approaches to address critical social issues like financial exclusion and gun violence, emphasizing empowerment, community engagement, and future-forward thinking.
