Miami Gardens, Fla. – Technolij, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on closing the racial wealth gap through technology education, is partnering with Florida Memorial University, South Florida’s only HBCU, to launch the Technolij Innovation Center on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.

The partnership is part of the larger mission to ensure that technological advancement is available to all Black and Brown communities in South Florida and that the infinite potential of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship is accessible to the communities. The event is open to the public with free registration at tinyurl.com/4aa5jrw6.

To realize its mission, the Technolij Innovation Center will be open to students and community members, offering programming such as talks from local entrepreneurs and nationally recognized technologists, philanthropic events, and educational workshops, officials said.

The center’s opening will host various partners, such as Florida Memorial University, Career South Florida, MiamiDade County, Venture Miami, as well as the city’s mayor, and council members.

Technolij is introducing the Technolij Apprenticeship Program, a joint initiative between Ted Lucas & Marlon Avery, Bootup, and various community organizations. The program has been created to allow students to gain entry-level positions in the tech industry, emphasizing equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Community partners, including BLK Men in Tech, will help ensure that the students and community have equal access and opportunity to explore technology. By providing access to resources, networks, and pathways to cultivate natural abilities, the program will help close the wealth gap and provide communities of color with career pathways in the fast-growing technology sector of the economy.

"At Technolij Inc, we prioritize technology and innovation,” said Founder Ted Lucas. “Our goal is to demonstrate to underrepresented individuals in Black and Brown communities the vast opportunities available within the tech and innovation sectors and to empower them with the necessary training, resources, and mentorship to achieve success."

"The Technolij Innovation Center at FMU will provide the necessary tools to ensure students are proficient in the latest technology and prepared for cutting-edge jobs beyond school," said Dr. Jaffus Hardrick, president of FMU. "This invaluable campus resource helps our university deliver on its mission of producing graduates with the knowledge and skills to be career-ready for the fastest growing industries."

"BLK Men in Tech’s mission is to make tech accessible and inclusive,” said Kham Ward, Chief Executive Officer-BLK Men in Tech, Inc. “By partnering with Technolij to build our first Cyber SPACE on the campus of Florida Memorial University, we are ensuring that the students and community have equal access and opportunity to explore technology. In addition, we’re building programs that provide historically underrepresented communities with tools, equipment, and training that will provide opportunities for people to develop skills, create new businesses and start careers in emerging fields."

Previous partners and sponsors of Technolij include Venture Miami, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the City of Miami, AT&T., the City of Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade County Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III, Miami NFT Week, Florida Memorial University, Quicknode, and numerous others.

Visit technolij.org.