Black Tech Saturdays Receives $2M to Unlock Opportunities in Detroit

News

Published by Stephen Oluwadara at September 12, 2025

A Grant from The Knight Foundation to the City of Detroit

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation awarded $19.8 million to 12 projects across Detroit. The funding decisions are guided by the community, with a focus on expanding opportunities beyond downtown into inner-ring neighborhoods.

“We’re here to support the amazing, creative, passionate people who are Detroiters, who have the ideas about what it is that their community needs in order to continue to thrive,” said Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, the foundation’s president and CEO.

“Knight’s role here is really only to serve as the wind at the back of these amazing people who care so much about their community. So every one of the decisions about where we invest is driven, first and foremost by the people of Detroit.”

Grantees and community members were present at the community celebration where the announcement was made on Sunday, September 7, at Michigan Central.

A performance by Detroit poet Jessica Care Moore and a Motown-inspired tribute highlighted the event.

How The $19.8M Grant Will Be Shared

Black Tech Saturdays is one of the grantees and will receive $2 million to scale Detroit’s tech economy, expand digital infrastructure, and create income opportunities.

Other recipients include the Unified Greenway Project which will receive $5 million to expand nearly 30 miles of trails and public spaces, linking the Joe Louis Greenway, Detroit Riverfront, and 23 neighborhoods.

This includes $2.5 million for operations and maintenance through the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and $2.5 million for construction through the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

The Joe Louis Greenway Partnership will also get $2 million to activate a Woodward Avenue trailhead and add cultural programming. The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit will receive $2 million to upgrade its infrastructure and expand its programming.

Vanguard Community Development Corporation will get $2 million to complete the North End Community Campus, while Eastside Community Network will receive $1.5 million to complete the Mother Tree Wellness Campus.

Additionally, Detroit Horse Power will receive $1 million for a 14-acre equestrian center, and Give Merit will get $1 million to transform vacant land into a youth hub. Design Core Detroit/College for Creative Studies will receive $1 million to support local creative businesses, and Black Leaders Detroit will get $1 million for a no-interest loan program.

The Downtown Detroit Partnership will receive $800,000 to improve accessibility, and Rootoftwo via CultureSource will get $500,000 to convert a former electrical substation into a civic studio.

“These are all things that we believe are really important to creating a vibrant and thriving city,” said Wadsworth, the foundation’s president and CEO. “By focusing on these areas, we create opportunities for connection, we help preserve vital history for the community, we provide ways for the community to really access one another and the downtown core.”

More About Black Tech Saturdays

Black Tech Saturdays is expected to help generate $10 million in earned income from the $2 million grant. So far, the organization has hosted over 50 events, including networking sessions, trainings, and workshops.

It was founded in April 2023 by the husband-and-wife team of Johnnie and Alexa Turnage. It quickly evolved into a hub for budding entrepreneurs, drawing hundreds of people each week to its Saturday events.

BTS has awarded $100,000 in grants to support tech adoption and formed partnerships with three national agencies. Nearly 200 local leaders and speakers have been highlighted, empowering tech entrepreneurs to advance their careers with confidence.

Main Image: Co-founders of Black Tech Saturdays, Alexa and Johnnie Turnage