NASHVILLE (TN Tribune) –The Nashville chapter of the Blacks in Technology Foundation (BIT-Nashville) announces today Amazon as the title sponsor of BIT-Nashville for the next year.
BIT is a global non-profit with over 14,000 members in seven countries around the world. The goal of the organization is to increase the number of Black people in tech, while facilitating the advancement of those already in the industry.
BIT membership is free and many training programs are free or subsidized by corporate sponsors, including Disney, Citi – and now for the Nashville chapter – Amazon.
Local tech company Rachel + Winfree Consulting organized the Nashville chapter of the BIT earlier this year in an effort to grow and connect the Nashville Black tech community.
According to Holly Rachel, BIT-Nashville co-organizer and President: “Naming Amazon as the title sponsor for the year is such an exciting milestone for BIT-Nashville.
“This title sponsorship will provide many opportunities for BIT-Nashville to grow and reach even more people. It will benefit the Nashville Black tech community by helping us keep membership free, supporting more BIT-Nashville member programs, and giving us the means to support other local organizations that are doing important work for our community.”
“This partnership will go a long way in creating the pipeline for Blacks in the tech industry, as well as fulfilling the promise of BIT-Nashville to highlight and bring more awareness to minorities in tech.” said Lena Winfree, BIT-Nashville co-organizer and Vice President.
“A diverse and competitive workforce means more opportunity in Nashville, a stronger economy, and a workforce that is both reflective of our community and brings valuable perspectives to the table,” said Courtney Ross, Amazon’s Nashville Senior Manager of External Affairs. “Supporting the BIT Foundation means more programming, resources, and mentorship to help our neighbors pursue innovative, inclusive opportunities.”
Member perks of the BIT Foundation include funding for technical certifications and nano-degrees, technical apprenticeships, contract-to-hire programs, computer and broadband subsidies for low income households, and soft skills training such as resume writing and interview prep.
Holly Rachel adds, “The support that we have gotten from Amazon is encouraging, and we are looking forward to working with them, as well as our other sponsors and community partners to provide more opportunities and resources for our members. It’s important to us to build relationships with the leading companies in Nashville’s tech industry so that we can provide as much community value as we can.”