Inside the Truist Foundation Fellowship Summit: Our Executive Director Safia Porter Recaps Lessons Learned in Atlanta

Safia Speaking

Last month, our Executive Director, Safia Porter, was invited to take the stage at the Truist Foundation Fellowship Summit. Safia shared how Building Our Tech (BOT) is helping individuals learn new skills, build real projects, and scale their careers in tech. The showcase brought together nonprofits, mentors, and organizational leaders to reflect on what's working in tech education today and what still needs to change. In this post, Safia shares the key takeaways from the event and what it means for the future of our mission.

“When I traveled to Atlanta for the Truist Foundation Fellowship Summit, I expected to share the story of Building Our Tech.

What I didn't expect was how much I would learn from listening to nonprofit leaders from across the country.

Although every organization served a different community, our conversations centered around many of the same challenges: income gaps, barriers to opportunity, access to education, entrepreneurship, and preparing people for the future of work.

But one idea stood out above everything else.

When you change one person's opportunity, you change the future of an entire family.

That belief connected every fellow in the room.

A parent earning a higher wage creates greater stability for their children. An entrepreneur building a successful business creates jobs in their community. One career change doesn't just improve someone's life; it creates opportunities that can be felt for generations.

It reminded me why the Truist Foundation invests in building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. More importantly, it reminded me why Building Our Tech exists.

Here are the three lessons I brought home with me.

1. Economic mobility starts with opportunity.

One thing became clear throughout the Fellowship: talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn't.

Whether someone was serving communities in Florida, North Carolina, Texas, or beyond, we were all working to remove barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential.

Sometimes opportunity looks like learning a new technical skill.

Sometimes it's launching a business.

Sometimes it's simply meeting the right person at the right time.

Every opportunity has the potential to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond one individual.

That's why Building Our Tech is committed to creating pathways into technology careers and entrepreneurship. Every workshop, cohort, mentorship opportunity, and partnership is designed to help someone take their next step.

2. Stories matter. Data proves impact.

Every fellow shared inspiring stories about the people they serve.

Those stories remind us why this work matters.

But another lesson became equally clear: stories create connection, while data demonstrates impact.

Did someone secure a better-paying job?

Did a founder launch a business?

Did a family's financial future improve?

Those are the outcomes that show whether we're creating lasting economic mobility.

As Building Our Tech continues to grow, we're equally committed to measuring our impact so we can better understand what's working, strengthen our programs, and continue investing in solutions that create meaningful change.

3. Collaboration creates stronger communities.

Truist Summit Group Photo

No organization creates change alone.

Economic mobility happens when nonprofits, employers, educators, funders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders work together.

That spirit of collaboration was evident throughout the Fellowship, and it's something Building Our Tech has believed from the beginning.

Every partnership we build helps expand access to opportunity for the people we serve.

Because lasting change isn't created by one organization.

It's created by communities working together.

Looking Ahead

Representing Building Our Tech in Atlanta wasn't simply an opportunity to share our work.

It was a reminder that the work happening here in Central Florida is part of a much larger movement.

Every learner who earns a certification.

Every founder who launches a business.

Every career that changes.

Every door that opens.

Each one creates a ripple effect that strengthens families, communities, and local economies.

That's the future we're working toward every day.

Because when you invest in one person, you rarely change just one life.

You change the future of an entire family.”