Detroit is a city known for innovation. So perhaps it’s no surprise that it has been ranked the top location for emerging startup ecosystems in the world. But systemic barriers to digital access persist – barriers that the Rocket Community Fund and our partners are actively trying to dismantle. We have made a lot of progress on helping to bridge the digital divide in Detroit, but our work is far from over. Now, the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technology promises to disrupt every industry, potentially widening the digital divide. Should we be worried? Or should we cautiously approach this new technology with curiosity, responsibility, and a willingness to learn?
Detroit tech founder Johnnie Turnage believes in the latter approach. Johnnie and Alexa Turnage are the creators of Black Tech Saturdays (BTS), an event series in Detroit created to foster a culture of innovation and community that supports the growth of Black tech. Their overall aim is to level the playing field for Black tech founders and entrepreneurs with the support and resources they need to stay ahead of the curve.
The Rocket Community Fund recently made a $300,000 commitment to support BTS on their mission. This investment will support Black Tech Saturdays as they engage with local nonprofits, neighborhood block clubs, community organizations and others to help residents better utilize technology in their daily lives. The goal is simple: equip Detroiters with skills, information and training to pursue all the opportunities that innovative tech has to offer.
AI Explained: Detroit
Our Education and Employment team recently hosted an event in collaboration with BTS called AI Explained: Detroit. The event – which was also supported by Microsoft and nonprofit Sistah’s Reachin’ Out – was intended to demystify Generative AI and its benefits for nonprofits and small business owners, while also providing participants with practical tools and hands-on experiences to take on challenges they may be facing in their operations.
“AI Explained is important because black and brown communities are expected to be heavily impacted by how generative AI will disrupt almost every industry,” said Autumn Evans, Senior Program Manager for Digital Equity and Inclusion on our Education and Employment team. Evans has devoted a big part of her career to digital equity, and has played a significant role in Detroit’s success bridging the digital divide.
“It’s important for communities to understand how the technology works, how they can protect themselves, while also leveraging the technology to create their competitive advantage in their respective industries and markets,” she said. Evans highlighted the “power of partnership” by bringing together government, nonprofit partners and the corporate world together to positively impact the community.
AI Explained: Detroit featured talks and presentations from wide-ranging experts including Rocket Mortgage Chief Technology Officer Josh Zook and newly hired Rocket Companies Chief Technology Officer Shawn Malhotra. Other experts included Art Thompson, Chief Information Officer for the City of Detroit and Dr. Karinda Washington from the Department of Homeland Security, among others. Attendees also participated in immersive workshops to try AI tools for themselves.
A Partnership With Big Ambitions
Turnage agreed with Evans that this new partnership is powerful, in large part because of a shared vision for a more equitable tech ecosystem. “The collaboration between Rocket Community Fund, Microsoft, and Black Tech Saturdays (BTS) is not just about creating opportunities—it’s about revolutionizing the tech landscape in Detroit,” he said. “It represents a unique convergence of community, technology, and visionary leadership.”
The objective of AI Explained illustrates that collaboration, and ties back to our larger shared mission between the Rocket Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation to build opportunity for Detroiters.
“These types of events also close the digital divide, specifically in the area of digital literacy and skilling,” Evans affirmed. “AI Explained inspires Detroiters to take advantage of all tools in their toolbox.” Evans hopes to see the series deepen content and become “more niche” to meet the growing skills and interests of participants.
The Turnages have received a lot of positive feedback from participants about the event and the partnership, and the brand (and the buzz) continues to grow. “AI Explained highlighted the boundless tech potential in Detroit and reinforced the message that there’s no limit to what can be achieved,” said Johnnie Turnage. “It’s a reminder that creating opportunities in tech is not just about the present—it’s about paving the way for a future where every Detroiter has a seat at the table.”
But the aspirations for BTS don’t start and end with Detroit. Turnage hopes that our partnership will serve as a catalyst to scale BTS into other cities. “The goal is to build a robust ecosystem that supports community tech adoption and education not only in Detroit but across the nation,” he said. “By attracting and retaining top talent, Detroit has the potential to become a leading hub for tech innovation, challenging traditional tech centers like Silicon Valley.”
Ultimately, the hope is that BTS will not just inspire, it will serve as a precedent for scaling an equitable tech ecosystem. As Turnage summed it up, “This partnership aims to set a standard for how equitable tech advancement can be achieved, ensuring a brighter, more inclusive future for all.”
