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Tech Exchange's 29th Anniversary Celebration was a sparkling success! Thank you to everyone who attended to honor our collective mission to close the digital divide in the Bay Area, and to all the partners and supporters that have been part of our effort along the way.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, a sold-out event crowd mingled with local dignitaries and our Board of Directors at Oakstop on Telegraph Ave. in Oakland. Guest Emcee Lady Ray of 106.1 KMEL/ iHeart Radio and DJ Magic Mike kept the energy going throughout the event!
Oakstop's beautiful new space at 1740 Telegraph Ave. provided the perfect venue, including outstanding artwork in the gallery space. Oakstop CEO Trevor Parham greeted the crowd and shared some exciting opportunities for internship and workforce development collaborations with Tech Exchange. A performance by Oakland spoken word artist Maxwell drew the crowd together for a vibrant expression of the need for equity in our community.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao kicked off the awards portion of the program by presenting Executive Director Ulises Zatarain with a City of Oakland Proclamation declaring February 28, 2024 as Tech Exchange Day. Mayor Thao then presented the Social Equity Champion award to Patricia Wells, who invited her Oakland Housing Authority team to join her on stage.
Tech Exchange Board Member Will DeVries (Google) announced our new Tech Equity Network, which will give our supporters an active opportunity to be part of the solution in closing the digital divide sustainably, before presenting the Education Champion Award to Sandra Ernst of Oakland Promise.
Other esteemed presenters and awardees included Tech Exchange Board Chair Cynthia Mackey (Winning Strategies) and California Emerging Technology Fund CEO Sunne Wright McPeak, along with Kennan Scott (Empathways Designs) and Former Mayor of Oakland Libby Schaaf.
#OaklandUndivided was in the house, with #OU Director Patrick Messac presenting the Change Agent Champion award to Tech Exchange's Former Executive Director, Seth Hubbert, who led our organization through the pandemic. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Digital Equity Visionary Pioneer Award to Tech Exchange's Founding Director, Bruce Buckelew by Executive Director Ulises Zatarain. Bruce's heartfelt acceptance speech brought the crowd to its feet.
Thank you to all our inspirational awardees, VIP presenters and emcee, local artists and entertainers, and the many valued partners and supporters who joined us at the event. It is because of your involvement that Tech Exchange has become a leader in the effort to close the digital divide in the Bay Area. Your support is essential! Click here to make a gift in honor of Tech Exchange's 29th Anniversary, or email us to learn more about joining the Tech Equity Network.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, a sold-out event crowd mingled with local dignitaries and our Board of Directors at Oakstop on Telegraph Ave. in Oakland. Guest Emcee Lady Ray of 106.1 KMEL/ iHeart Radio and DJ Magic Mike kept the energy going throughout the event!
Oakstop's beautiful new space at 1740 Telegraph Ave. provided the perfect venue, including outstanding artwork in the gallery space. Oakstop CEO Trevor Parham greeted the crowd and shared some exciting opportunities for internship and workforce development collaborations with Tech Exchange. A performance by Oakland spoken word artist Maxwell drew the crowd together for a vibrant expression of the need for equity in our community.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao kicked off the awards portion of the program by presenting Executive Director Ulises Zatarain with a City of Oakland Proclamation declaring February 28, 2024 as Tech Exchange Day. Mayor Thao then presented the Social Equity Champion award to Patricia Wells, who invited her Oakland Housing Authority team to join her on stage.
Tech Exchange Board Member Will DeVries (Google) announced our new Tech Equity Network, which will give our supporters an active opportunity to be part of the solution in closing the digital divide sustainably, before presenting the Education Champion Award to Sandra Ernst of Oakland Promise.
Other esteemed presenters and awardees included Tech Exchange Board Chair Cynthia Mackey (Winning Strategies) and California Emerging Technology Fund CEO Sunne Wright McPeak, along with Kennan Scott (Empathways Designs) and Former Mayor of Oakland Libby Schaaf.
#OaklandUndivided was in the house, with #OU Director Patrick Messac presenting the Change Agent Champion award to Tech Exchange's Former Executive Director, Seth Hubbert, who led our organization through the pandemic. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Digital Equity Visionary Pioneer Award to Tech Exchange's Founding Director, Bruce Buckelew by Executive Director Ulises Zatarain. Bruce's heartfelt acceptance speech brought the crowd to its feet.
Thank you to all our inspirational awardees, VIP presenters and emcee, local artists and entertainers, and the many valued partners and supporters who joined us at the event. It is because of your involvement that Tech Exchange has become a leader in the effort to close the digital divide in the Bay Area. Your support is essential! Click here to make a gift in honor of Tech Exchange's 29th Anniversary, or email us to learn more about joining the Tech Equity Network.