QBP RICHARDS TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL QUEENS TECH & JOB FAIR
Saturday, January 27 from 10am to 2pm at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center
(January 23, 2024 at 10am)
QUEENS, NY – Continuing his office’s steadfast commitment to making the tech industry more representative of New York City and connecting communities of color to the growing sector, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. will host his second annual Queens Tech & Job Fair this Saturday, January 27, from 10am to 2pm in Jamaica.
“The tech talent here in Queens is unparalleled, but that talent cannot be harnessed and cultivated unless we greatly expand the amount of available opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship right in our own backyard,” said Borough President RICHARDS. “My administration is deeply committed to transforming Queens into one of the nation’s top tech and innovation hubs, specifically through the creation of pipelines between the tech industry and historically marginalized communities. That’s exactly what our annual Queens Tech & Job Fair strives to do.”
Held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave., the Queens Tech & Job Fair will feature a litany of interactive activities geared toward residents from historically disadvantaged communities with an interest in breaking into the tech industry, including:
- A free job skills assessment powered by leading artificial intelligence firm Skyhive along with JobsFirstNYC and One Ten;
- Workforce development partners such as All Star Code, Greater Nexus, Hood Code, Per Scholas, Pursuit, and Urban Upbound and more will be providing job training information and recommendations;
- Individualized hiring stations in partnership with entitles and projects such as Con Edison, the redevelopment of John F. Kennedy International Airport, the MTA, Rapid Talent and Verizon Wireless, all of which are looking to hire Queens residents;
- Tech workshops and virtual reality demos hosted by All Star Code, Joby Aviation, Tech Duels, VEDEX and a Tekken 8 gaming challenge with HipHop Gamer;
- One-on-one mentoring and networking opportunities with tech industry leaders;
Queens residents interested in attending the Queens Tech & Job Fair can register by clicking here. Additional information about the fair can be found here.
“No longer will Queens stand idly by while our historically marginalized communities once again miss out on the opportunities of a growing industry,” said Deputy Borough President EBONY YOUNG. “All our neighbors deserve to have their talents tapped into, and that’s exactly what our office is doing as we strive to create a borough rooted in equity and prosperity.”
Underscoring the importance of ensuring equitable access to the tech field are the stark demographic and gender disparities that currently exist in the New York City tech industry workforce. Nearly 30 percent of city residents are Latin and 24 percent are Black, but Latin and Black residents hold just 12 percent and 11 percent of New York City tech jobs, respectively, according to a 2020 study by analytic firm HR&A Advisors. Meanwhile, half of New York City’s population identifies as female, but just 35 percent of tech jobs are filled by women.
To help correct those historic inequities, Borough President Richards and Deputy Borough President Young have led a multi-pronged initiative over the past two years in an effort to build Queens into a cutting edge hub of technology, innovation and economic activity.
In July 2023, the Borough President and Deputy Borough President traveled to Lagos, Nigeria to learn from local government officials and tech leaders about how the capital city had harnessed the potential of its residents to become what some call the “Silicon Valley of Africa — with the goal of incorporating many of the Nigerian capital’s successes into their efforts to create a Black tech hub in New York City.
In January 2023, the two leaders hosted their inaugural Queens Tech & Job Fair, drawing more than 600 people to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation’s Greater Nexus facility.
In October 2022, Borough President Richards and Deputy Borough President Young launched the 2022-2023 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge (QTIC) in partnership with the Queens Economic Development Corporation. The multi-month competition for Queens-based entrepreneurs — offering free businesses classes, mentorship opportunities and networking sessions — saw five different start-ups receive $20,000 in seed funding.
The 2023-24 iteration of the Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge is ongoing, with interested entrepreneurs able to register through March 1, 2024. The application for a spot in the QTIC by clicking here or visiting www.queensstartup.org.
Members of the media who wish to attend the Queens Tech & Job Fair are asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected] or calling 718-286-2640.
WHAT: Borough President Richards Hosts Second Annual Queens Tech & Job Fair
WHEN: Saturday, January 27 from 10am to 2pm
WHERE: Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. in Jamaica
WHO: DONOVAN RICHARDS JR., Queens Borough President
EBONY YOUNG, Deputy Queens Borough President
Technology industry leaders and professionals
Follow the Office of the Queens Borough President via @QnsBPRichards on Twitter and @QueensBPRichards on Facebook and Instagram
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