JOURNi has been focused on preparing Detroit’s youth opportunities in tech since 2016. This has been my sole engagement since moving to Detroit so I’ve been able to make a lot of connections in that time and meet a ton of people invested in our youth. We do a good job of making the most out of resources to benefit our youth. Because of that, we’re introduced to and approached by individuals and organizations with similar focuses and are able to make those connections.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING YOUTH IN TECH?
There’s a huge opportunity with our youth in Detroit. They are incredibly resourceful and creative. If you really think about the lack of opportunities that they have and how they’re able to survive and sometimes thrive, then you’ll see the great opportunity we have to really make a difference in our region by cultivating our young people. They just need to be made aware of the opportunities possible with the correct messaging. Instead of looking to bring an Amazon here, we can cultivate the next generation of moguls. Instead of looking attract tech talent from abroad, we can fill those tech positions with young Detroiters.

WHAT ARE THE TOP WAYS PEOPLE CAN GET INVOLVED IN SERVING YOUR ORGANIZATION’S MISSION?

1. Speak to our students and provide advice, whether tech industry knowledge or just life advice
2. Volunteer and tech mentors at our coding events and programs
3. Recently providing paid opportunities for our students to build digital products so that they can earn income while learning and perfecting their craft

Visit journi.org to get connected or contact hello@journi.org.