Jackson State University staff and volunteers joined TECH JXN and #YesWeCode Hackathon on Tuesday, June 30, in the downtown Jackson Convention Center for an innovation summit to help young people create apps to tackle social and civic issues.
Dr. Ricardo Brown, dean of JSU’s College of Public Service, moderated the event, which continues through Wednesday, July 1.
Brown said, “In today’s environment, cities are more competitive through technology. If we start by teaching our kids how to code, they will be more competitive; as well, they’ll be in the pipeline and included in the innovation economy.”
Florida attendees, who traveled to the conference via Estella’s Brilliant Bus, joined young participants from Jackson Public Schools. The customized bus mobile learning center is the brainchild of 79-year-old Estella Pyfrom of Belle Grade, Fla. Recognized as a CNN Hero, Pyfrom, a daughter of migrant farm workers, recounted growing up in an impoverished community with a lot of unskilled labor in southern Florida. She said she developed the idea to bring computers and technology to underserved areas.
“Kids who don’t have access to technology will be left behind,” said the retired educator, who led young participants in a motivational chant: “When I look in the mirror what do I see? A brilliant mind looking back at me.”
JSU hosted Estella’s Brilliant Bus to the city last year as well.
Robert Blaine, JSU dean of Undergraduate Studies and CyberLearning said this year’s reunion expanded into a technology hub that will help grow the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. “Hackathon is a way to extend our arms into the community and support the kids who will come to Jackson State in a few years.”
Furthermore, he said, “The conference focuses on engaging minority communities in building an innovation economy in Jackson.” The way to accomplish this, said Blaine, is by teaching youths how to create apps for solving the world’s problems using technology.
Among volunteers was 24-year-old Jackson native and app developer Michael Lawrence. He said the event is important because technology is the future. “There’s no shortage of apps coming out every single day. Jackson recognizes the potential of this event by showing kids an alternate route for success besides mainstream sports. I want to be a catalyst for innovation.”
Lawrence spent a year teaching himself how to code. He says he developed an app to help people find events because “in the past I’ve missed so many opportunities such as this summit.” He’s volunteering this week to help youths follow his path.
Volunteer Sheena Allen, a native of Terry and University of Southern Mississippi graduate, has developed six apps that have generated nearly 3 million downloads. Currently living in Texas, she says she’s visiting her home state to help with technology innovation in Mississippi.
Her most popular development is PicSlit, a banner app for Instagram, used by celebrities and others for a more spectacular page profile. “Being here and watching these young people learn to code is irresistible.”
After the summit concludes Wednesday, students at the Jackson event will travel to New Orleans, where the Jackson app winner will present at the Hackathon during the annual Essence Festival this week. For more information, click on Innovation Summit.
