BNtheMix.com/ December 3, 2017/ Not-for-profit STEM education program iUrban Teen’s Founder and Chief Innovator, Deena Pierott was named by Essence Magazine as one of the “50 Black Women Founders to Watch” in their November 2017 issue. Deena was lauded as part of this fastest-growing entrepreneurial demographic in the United States, having a venture that’s shown a steady level of growth.
Deena recently returned from the “Open Source Summit Europe” held in Prague in the Czech Republic from October 23-26, 2017. She presented to international conference attendees at the invitation of the Linux Foundation on “Interrupting Bias.” The presentation drew on her professional expertise as a diversity and equity professional and non-profit leader. She offered insight and tools for interrupting bias gained the international technologists and community members who attended the conference.
“I wasn’t just excited to have travelled to Prague,” Deena said. “I was more excited that the Linux Foundation dedicated time in their conference schedule to have this type of training and discussion.”
Prior to her selection as a speaker at this conference, Pierott was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for Technology Inclusion by President Barack Obama, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Global Impact Award, a 2013 Ebony Power 100 recipient, Business Journal’s Orchid Award, and the Delta’s Woman of Excellence.
Paul Speer, former VP of Strategy Development for Hewlett Packard, said of Pierott’s leadership, “The commensurate entrepreneur, Deena Pierott has built iUrban Teen from her personal vision into a multi-state program positively changing the lives of youth and families in the communities that iUrban Teen serves. While ultimately iUrban Teen is the work of a village of supporters, there can be no doubt that Deena’s self-sacrifice, infectious passion, persistence, and leadership are what inspires that village.”
iUrban Teen’s programs have demonstrated results in providing mentors, educational pathways, and to African American, Latinx, and Native American students. While focused on males from these demographic populations, iUrban Teen is inclusive of youth of all genders, as well as youth with special needs. You can learn more about iUrban Teen and help support their programs by visiting their website at http://www.iurbanteen.org