One Door Can Change Everything

People often ask why Building Our Tech exists.

As Executive Director, I've had the privilege of sharing our mission countless times. But the answer isn't just found in what we do today; it's found in two stories that eventually came together.

The first is my own.

Growing up in Indianapolis, I didn't see technology as a career path. Like many students, I didn't know what opportunities existed because I had never been exposed to them. I remember getting my first computer in seventh grade, but it wasn't until I joined a STEM program in eighth grade and later attended a New Tech high school that everything changed. For the first time, I saw technology as more than something I used. I saw it as a future I could build.

Looking back, I realized the challenge was never talent.

It was access.

Access to exposure. Access to mentors. Access to opportunities that helped me see what was possible.

Years later, I would discover that the founders of Building Our Tech had recognized a different, but equally important, challenge.

When Joshua Walker and Mike Felix started what was then Black Orlando Tech, their vision wasn't to launch workforce programs or an incubator. They simply wanted to create a space where people interested in technology could connect, learn, ask questions, and talk about technology without feeling judged or out of place.

That sense of belonging mattered.

As the community grew, so did the conversations. People weren't just looking for a place to network; they wanted guidance. They wanted to know how to break into tech, grow their careers, launch businesses, and navigate an industry that often felt out of reach.

The community shaped the organization.

Networking evolved into workshops. Workshops evolved into workforce programs. Founder meetups evolved into entrepreneurship education and incubators.

Today, Building Our Tech continues to evolve, but our purpose remains the same: creating opportunities that help people build better futures.

That's where my story and Building Our Tech's story intersect.

The opportunity I received as a student is the same kind of opportunity we work to create for others every day. We believe that when someone is given access to the right resources, community, and support, they don't just change their own future; they create new possibilities for their families and for generations to come.

That's why we build community.

That's why we develop careers.

That's why we support entrepreneurs.

And that's why we remain committed to creating pathways to economic mobility through technology and innovation.

One opportunity changed the direction of my life.

Today, our mission is to help create that opportunity for someone else.

Help Open the Next Door

Every workshop, mentorship session, career program, and entrepreneurship initiative is made possible because people believe in this mission.

Become a monthly supporter and help create new opportunities.

Your ongoing support helps us continue opening doors for aspiring tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and future innovators across Central Florida. Together, we can ensure that more people have access to the opportunities, community, and resources that can change the trajectory of a life and, ultimately, the future of an entire family.