FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Opportunity Ecosystem Announces HBCU@SXSW 2018 Call for Student Applications & Corporate Sponsors

ATLANTA, June 14, 2017— In tandem with the holiday that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth, Opportunity Ecosystem’s HBCU@SXSW 2018 will officially launch its call for student applications and corporate partnerships on Freedom Day, Monday, June 19^th. Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and participating LSAMP Predominantly White Institutions desiring to attend SXSW, gain an increased exposure to the innovation economy and connect with technology recruiters and startup entrepreneurs can apply at http://www.hbcuatsxsw.co.

Since 2015, HBCU@SXSW has exposed high potential technical and non-technical students from under-tapped backgrounds (African American, Hispanic, and Native American) to career possibilities within technology, and entrepreneurship, while promoting wealth creation as well. 100 students attend in 2017. NBC, USAToday, LinkedIn, Black Enterprise, Campus Lately and more provided media coverage.

The initiative will be held in Austin, Texas at SXSW, the country’s premier festival for interactive, film and music, held March 9^th to 18^th. The third annual HBCU@SXSW will be held from March 6^th to 12^th during SXSWEDU and SXSWInteractive. The event has a $1.5 million budget with a cost per student at $3,000.

“Four years ago, my wife, a Howard University graduate, was at SXSW attending a VIP investor event. It was her idea to introduce HBCU students with access to the world we live and thrive in as early as possible,” says Rodney Sampson, Founder & CEO, Opportunity Ecosystem. “Every day we’re seeing multi-generational wealth being created in the technology and startup world that has no reliance on access to pre-existing multi-generational wealth.”

The application is open to students from under-tapped backgrounds who are studying at an accredited institution at the undergraduate or graduate level. Applicants attending HBCU, HSI and participating LSAMP PWI institutions are encouraged to apply.

Over the course of one week, students will attend official workshops and panels, as well as networking and student sessions promoting tech careers, entrepreneurship and wealth generation. They will also be exposed to highly-respected entrepreneurs, business leaders, technologists, and investors. Past speakers include Founder & CEO of Act-1 Group, Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first African American woman to own a billion-dollar company, John Hope Bryant of Operation Hope, Van Jones of Dream Corps and billionaire Steve Case of AOL and Revolution Fund.

Past sponsors include more than 32 corporations and tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, Mailchimp, Delta Air Lines and more.

The goal will be to fund and select 500 high potential technical and non-technical students, in concert with the establishment of OHUB@ campus chapters across colleges and universities nationwide.

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Opportunity Ecosystem

The brainchild of Rodney Sampson, Opportunity ecosystem promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, investment and wealth creation through a four-pronged approach: early exposure, education and training, ecosystem building and capital formation. HBCU@SXSW is an Early Exposure initiative of Opportunity Ecosystem. Learn more at http://opportunityhub.co/

HBCU@SXSW

Started in 2016, HBCU@SXSW is a partnership between Opportunity Ecosystem, Huston-Tillotson University and SXSW that exposes traditionally under-tapped college students to possibilities within the technology sector, whether in technical or non-technical roles. The program includes notable business leaders, technologists and investors as well as panels and student sessions. Learn more at http://hbcuatsxsw.co/.

SXSW

Established in 1987, SXSW is an annual conglomerate of conferences and festivals that highlight music, film and the interactive. The event includes more than 60,000 registrants and showcasing artists from over 100 countries. SXSW 2018 will be held in Austin, Texas from March 9th to 18th, 2018. Learn more at https://www.sxsw.com/.

#HBCUSXSW17 #HBCUSXSW18

CONTACT:

Corey Smith, Early Exposure Lead

corey@opportunityecosystem.co

404-664-9091

[email protected]

Writing since June 2017 · 1 story contributed