What Black Tech Saturdays does

Black Tech Saturdays (BTS) is a Detroit-based community organization founded in 2023 by co-founders Johnnie and Alexa Turnage to support Black tech entrepreneurs, founders, and professionals. The organization operates through five interconnected programs — Bridging Tech Spaces (events and meetups), Be The Source (an AI-powered chatbot and resource hub), Bridge to Success (micro-certifications in partnership with the University of Michigan Center for Innovation), Build The Story (narrative amplification), and Built To Scale (growth and funding support) — collectively serving more than 30,000 participants across 500+ cities with a claimed $50M+ in economic impact and 700+ jobs created or filled.

BTS is not a technology product company; it does not develop proprietary software platforms or hold patents beyond its registered trademarks. Its core technology footprint consists of a website (blacktechsaturdays.com), community-facing applications, and the Be The Source chatbot, all of which function as distribution and engagement layers rather than as differentiated technology products. The organization distributes programming through in-person Saturday meetups, micro-workshops, certification cohorts, and regional activations, with physical presence anchored at Michigan Central's 17,000-square-foot innovation space in Detroit and expanding into Lansing and Grand Rapids through partners including Start Garden.

The business model is grant- and sponsorship-driven rather than revenue-generating. BTS has secured roughly $4.2M in disclosed foundation grants over a 12-month window from the Gilbert Family Foundation ($1.2M), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation ($1M), and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation ($2M), supplemented by corporate sponsorship from Rocket Community Fund, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, DTE Foundation, Comcast, AT&T, Detroit Lions, and the City of Detroit. Programs are delivered free or at low cost to participants; the organization operates with a very lean headcount of 1–10 employees, suggesting heavy reliance on partner infrastructure for distribution and execution.

Name

Black Tech Saturdays

Legal name

Black Tech Saturdays

Website

https://blacktechsaturdays.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Tech Saturdays is a Detroit-based community organization founded in 2023 that empowers Black tech entrepreneurs through five programs spanning events, certifications, mentorship, storytelling, and growth support, serving 30,000+ participants across Michigan via foundation grants and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Computer Training (611420), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Inclusion & Public Tech Access Training (Device/Internet/Basic IT) (EDAAAFAE), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL), Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL)

Keywords

• Tech entrepreneurship programs
• Community mentorship events
• Startup funding access
• Certification micro-credentials
• Diversity in technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Primary revenue stream from philanthropic foundation grants to support mentorship programs, funding initiatives, and support programs for Black tech entrepreneurs in Detroit.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Funding from corporate partners including Rocket Community Fund, Gilbert Family Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, DTE Foundation, Comcast, and others to support programming and community events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Black Tech Saturdays is a community organization that supports Black tech entrepreneurs and professionals through five interconnected programs: Bridging Tech Spaces (community meetups and workshops), Be The Source (AI-powered chatbot and resource hub), Bridge to Success (University of Michigan-partnered micro-certification), Build The Story (narrative amplification), and Built To Scale (growth and funding support). Programming is delivered primarily through free or low-cost in-person events, workshops, certification cohorts, and pitch competitions across Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids.

Product overview

Black Tech Saturdays is a community organization operating as a platform with five interconnected programs designed to support Black tech entrepreneurs and professionals. The core programs include Bridging Tech Spaces (event-based community gatherings), Be The Source (AI-powered chatbot resource hub), Bridge to Success (University of Michigan-partnered certification and micro-credential program), Build The Story (narrative amplification), and Built To Scale (growth and funding support). Together, these programs aim to close the racial wealth gap through mentorship, education, funding access, and community connection, serving 30,000+ participants with $50M+ in documented economic impact across multiple cities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bridging Tech Spaces Event-based program hosting tech meetups, workshops, and community gatherings for Black tech entrepreneurs and professionals in Detroit and beyond.
• Be The Source AI-powered chatbot and resource hub providing information, guidance, and community resources to Black tech entrepreneurs.
• Bridge to Success Education and certification program developed in partnership with the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, offering micro-certifications and digital badges in innovation skills.
• Build The Story Narrative and storytelling program focused on amplifying Black tech founders and their ventures through media and community engagement.
• Built To Scale Growth and scaling program providing resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities for Black tech entrepreneurs ready to expand their ventures.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000+ participants engaged across programs
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Michigan CentralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Michigan Central to host events and launch cohorts inside the new 17,000-square-foot innovation and collaboration space within Michigan Central Station. Joint programming to connect Detroiters to the innovation economy.
• University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch 'Bridge to Success' micro-certification programs. A five-badge pilot series designed to build professional innovation skills in the Detroit community, with sessions led by experienced educators and workshop leaders.
• Start GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Start Garden to bring Black Tech Saturdays programming to Grand Rapids through the BTS Grand Rapids Takeover event.
• AT&TcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with AT&T and Human IT to distribute 500 laptops and backpacks to community members, marking a significant step toward digital equity.
• ComcastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting digital equity and technology access initiatives.
• City of DetroitcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal partnership supporting Detroit's tech ecosystem development and Black entrepreneurship programs.
• Michigan Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host youth tech events and programs at the Michigan Science Center, including the 2025 Youth Tech Fest with approximately 1,000 metro Detroit students.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AfroTech (Blavity Inc.): AfroTech is a conference and content platform focused on Black tech professionals and founders, operating events, recruitment, and community programs nationally. It is BTS's most direct competitor for Black tech mindshare, sponsorship, and pipeline.
• CODE2040: CODE2040 is a racial equity-in-tech nonprofit that runs fellowship, career, and community programs for Black and Latinx technologists. It competes with BTS for the same foundation capital, employer partnerships, and underrepresented tech talent pipeline.
• NewMe Accelerator: NewMe is an accelerator and community platform specifically serving Black founders, providing capital, mentorship, and founder residencies. It directly competes with BTS's Built To Scale program for Black founder mindshare and program participation.
• Black Founders: Black Founders is a community and advocacy organization supporting Black tech entrepreneurs through events, mentorship, and resources. It competes with BTS for the same Black founder audience and shares comparable programmatic structure.

Regional players

• TechTown Detroit: TechTown is Detroit's long-standing tech and small business hub, offering incubation, coworking, and acceleration for Detroit founders. It overlaps with BTS on serving the Detroit entrepreneur community and competes for the same local corporate and foundation sponsorship pool.
• Bamboo Detroit: Bamboo Detroit is a Detroit startup community and coworking organization hosting events, founder meetups, and ecosystem programming. It operates the same regional layer of community infrastructure that BTS serves, particularly for founders outside the Black-focused segment.
• Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan: The Detroit Urban League is a regional affiliate of the National Urban League focused on economic empowerment, workforce development, and entrepreneurship for Black Detroiters. It competes with BTS for foundation and corporate funding targeting Black economic mobility in the same geography.
• Build Institute: Build Institute is a Detroit-based small business support organization offering classes, mentorship, and community for early-stage founders. It directly overlaps with BTS's entrepreneur and startup founder programming within the Detroit ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Black Enterprise: Black Enterprise is a long-standing media and events company focused on Black business, wealth, and entrepreneurship. It operates events and programs at scale that overlap with BTS's Build The Story and Built To Scale initiatives for Black entrepreneurs.

Others

• Mozilla Foundation: Mozilla Foundation runs internet health, digital literacy, and trustworthy AI programs aimed at inclusive technology access. Its digital inclusion and equity framing parallels BTS's digital equity work and could be an enabling/complementary partner rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlckTchSaturdys
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-tech-saturdays

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Tech Saturdays