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The 24th Annual TechBridge Digital Ball was a night to remember, starting with a dynamic welcome from our emcee Tom Riles, who set the tone for an evening of interstellar technology meeting the wonder of circus artists. Tom’s playful opening captured the spirit of innovation and creativity defining the tech community, blending humor with a nostalgic look back at the tech industry’s evolution. Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our attendees, we raised more than $190,000, which will directly support our work transforming communities positively through technology.
As the evening unfolded, excitement charged the atmosphere — especially as Tom announced the $5,000 per table challenge. This wasn’t just any fundraising goal — each $5000 donation represented a life-changing opportunity for a single student to attend our Technology Career Program (TCP). The challenge added a competitive edge to the night, with donations tracked live on leaderboards and fostering a sense of community and purpose among attendees.
Gallery: Reception (highlights)
Celebrating Excellence: Award Honorees
The night also included two award recognitions: the Vish Narendra TCP Graduate of Excellence Award and the TechBridge Community Leader Award.
The Vish Narendra TCP Graduate of Excellence Award recognizes a graduate who has consistently excelled throughout their training and certification course as part of TCP, demonstrating integrity and a strong commitment to our mission and values. The finalists this year included Erin Robinson-Jahi, Mary Nichols, and Dana Priest. Dana has stood out for her exceptional dedication, making her the honoree for this year’s award. Her journey through the program is a testament to her hard work and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Equally impressive are the finalists for the TechBridge Community Leader Award, which honors individuals and companies making dynamic, transformative contributions to their communities. This year’s honoree is Jay Bailey, President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). Jay has been a driving force behind RICE, turning it into the world’s largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to growing, scaling, and developing Black businesses. His leadership and dedication to economic empowerment have earned him this well-deserved recognition.
Gallery: Presenters (highlights)
Finalists for the award included Elevance Health, a company dedicated to improving humanity’s health; Karen Cramer, VP of data, technology, and impact at Purpose Built Communities, who has leveraged her extensive nonprofit experience to enhance data and technology capacity building; and UST, a global leader in transformative technology solutions. Each of these finalists embodies innovation, leadership, and a profound commitment to their communities.
Unparalleled Networking: Building Connections to Drive Change
The connections and the networking opportunities throughout the evening were truly exceptional. From engaging conversations with top IT executives to impactful discussions with nonprofit leaders, the energy in the room was electric. The Digital Ball wasn’t just an event; it was a powerful reminder of the strength in collaboration and the potential we have when we come together to drive change.
Exciting Auctions: Funding Our Mission
The energy in the room was palpable as our attendees participated in both the live and silent auctions, bidding on one-of-a-kind experiences offering unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry leaders.
From a meal with Fahim Siddiqui (CIO & EVP of The Home Depot) to an exclusive Porsche experience tour and lunch with Patrick Gresham (VP of customer technology at Chick-Fil-A), our live auction had everyone on the edge of their seats. The bourbon-tasting experience with Vish Narendra (CIO & SVP of global business services at Graphic Packaging) and the golf day with Tonya Bryant and Martin Davis at the Atlanta Country Club were just a few of the highlights sparking spirited bidding wars.
Gallery: Fundraising & Audience (highlights)
The silent auction was equally thrilling, featuring a round of golf at Dunwoody Country Club with (our CEO) Clint Bailey and a surprise CIO guest, as well as a tech and BBQ evening with Jason James (CIO of Aptos) at Fox Bros. BBQ. The luxurious golf getaway at Reynolds Lake Oconee and the VIP Atlanta Braves game experience with DeWayne Griffin and Penny Collins from Insight Global also captured the imagination of our generous supporters.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of our attendees, we raised significant funds that will go directly toward our mission to end generational poverty. Every dollar raised at the Digital Ball will help us continue our work in transforming communities through technology and innovation.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We are deeply grateful to everyone participating and contributing to making this event successful. Together, we are creating a future where poverty is a thing of the past.
The room was filled with positive energy as guests connected, laughed, and competed, all in support of our mission of ending hunger and homelessness and promoting social justice. With the incredible Hi-Definition Party Band lined up for the after-party, the night was not only about giving back but also about celebrating the impact made by each donation.
Gallery: Afterparty (highlights)
To see all of the photographs from The Digital Ball 2024, visit Shane Michael Photography
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