Detroit’s Black Tech Saturdays Receives $1.2 Million Grant

Black Tech Saturdays (BTS), an organization that promotes Detroit’s Black tech entrepreneurs, has received a $1.2 million grant from the Gilbert Family Foundation.

The two-year funding will strengthen BTS’s operational capacity, expand its reach, and enable Detroit’s tech innovators to access essential growth resources.

Investing in Detroit’s Growing Tech Sector 

Launched in April 2023 by Johnnie and Alexa Turnage, BTS has tremendously impacted Detroit. The initiative has reached over 15,000 people and generated an estimated $30 million in economic impact through increased business revenue, new investments, grants, and tech job salaries.

“All Detroiters deserve the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the city’s growing tech sector,” said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of Gilbert Family Foundation. “Johnnie and Alexa Turnage have built an incredible community through Black Tech Saturdays and we are proud to work with them to dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically limited opportunity for Black residents.”

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“As Detroit’s tech landscape evolves, we have a historic opportunity to ensure this growth uplifts everyone. We are grateful to the Gilbert Family Foundation for this significant investment that will help us empower entrepreneurs and career builders alike to achieve economic freedom,” said Johnnie Turnage, co-founder of Black Tech Saturdays. 

“Our focus is clear: to increase dollars in people’s pockets by driving business creation, career advancement, and wealth-building opportunities, paving the way for a new, inclusive economy in Detroit,” he stated.

The grant will bolster BTS offerings, including pitch competitions, matchmaking for entrepreneurs and potential partners, a digitized library of resources, talent development, specialized training, mentorship programs, and more. 

Furthermore, the investment will strengthen the pipeline from other Gilbert Family Foundation-supported programs like the Apple Developer Academy and Venture 313 to opportunities in Detroit’s tech ecosystem.

Black Tech Saturdays Impact in the City of Detroit

BTS has hosted over 50 events (including networking sessions, trainings, and workshops), awarded $100,000 in grants to support tech adoption, and formed partnerships with three national agencies. 

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With nearly 200 local leaders and speakers spotlighted, the organization continues empowering tech entrepreneurs to advance their careers confidently.

Gilbert Family Foundation is a private nonprofit founded by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert to accelerate a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and build economic opportunity in Detroit.

Gilbert Family Foundation’s support for Black Tech Saturdays is part of the organization’s $500 million, 10-year commitment — shared with Rocket Community Fund — to build opportunity in Detroit neighborhoods.