Aug 26, 2024
Celebrating the Power of Connection
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.
Digital Ball Highlights
Celebrating Excellence:
Award Honorees
The night also included two award recognitions: the 2024 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.
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.