Black Tech Street and Microsoft have joined forces in an unprecedented alliance to transform the historic Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, also known as Black Wall Street, into a thriving center for digital innovation. Founded in 2021, Black Tech Street aims to revive Black Wall Street as a hub for Black talent and entrepreneurship by securing tech-focused economic development opportunities for the community.
The partnership, called The Digital Transformation of Black Wall Street, seeks to restore Greenwood’s position as a national leader in Black innovation. Through collaborative efforts, Black Tech Street and Microsoft aim to address economic inequities stemming from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on a significant scale.
Tyrance Billingsley II, Founder and Executive Director of Black Tech Street, stated that transformative partnerships are essential in tackling deep-rooted economic disparities. He believes that the alliance with Microsoft exemplifies this opportunity and aligns with the core values of both organizations. Billingsley expressed gratitude for Microsoft’s support, emphasizing that this collaboration sends a powerful message about Black Wall Street’s commitment to driving innovation in the 21st century.
As part of the alliance, Black Tech Street has been named the Microsoft TechSpark Fellow for the State of Oklahoma. This fellowship program empowers community organizations by providing funding, mentorship, and training to promote digital access, computer science education, and digital transformation initiatives.
Microsoft, a firm believer in digital inclusion, recognizes the importance of creating opportunities for those who might otherwise be left behind by technological advancements. Ann Johnson, Corporate Vice President for Security Business Development at Microsoft, expressed pleasure at working with Black Tech Street, local government leaders, and community organizations to establish Greenwood and Tulsa as centers of technological vision, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
The initial focus of the partnership will be on boosting the cyber talent capacity in the Tulsa ecosystem. Black Tech Street aims to leverage Microsoft’s resources, along with support from other national partners, to create and employ more than 1,000 Black Tulsans in cyber and related fields by 2030. Microsoft has prioritized investment in the cybersecurity workforce, aiming to address the estimated gap of 1.6 million cyber professionals in North America alone.
To achieve its goal, Black Tech Street will focus on three critical technology areas: Cyber Security, Business Intelligence/Data Analytics, and Equitable Artificial Intelligence. Microsoft’s support through this alliance will kickstart a wider strategy to position Greenwood as a national leader in these fields. The execution of Microsoft-supported initiatives will be facilitated by local anchor partner Tulsa Innovation Labs, an organization dedicated to developing industrial clusters around Tulsa’s key sectors.
The partnership has garnered support from City officials as well. Mayor G.T. Bynum expressed enthusiasm about the alliance, highlighting its potential to bolster cyber talent in Tulsa, promote tech education, and enhance workforce readiness within the community.
This collaboration signifies a long-term relationship between Black Tech Street, Greenwood, and Microsoft, redefining the possibilities for communities and cities ready to invest in both people and technology.
The news of this alliance was also included in the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement of its National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, highlighting the importance of unleashing America’s cyber talent.
Black Tech Street is an organization at the forefront of reviving Black Wall Street as a Black Innovation Economy. Its mission is to empower Black individuals to embrace technology as a means of building wealth and making a positive impact on the world. Black Tech Street actively secures tech-focused economic and industry development opportunities for the Greenwood community and serves as a prime advocate for the 21st-century rebirth of Black Wall Street.
