NY Tech Meetup February 2025

Will you come?

$20.00 NYTM Feb 10, 2025


Celebrate Black History Month at the February NY Tech Meetup!

Join us on Monday, February 10, as we honor Black History Month with an inspiring evening celebrating the achievements of Black tech founders who are using innovation to address some of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. From tackling climate change to advancing quality education, improving health, and promoting equality, these trailblazers are creating meaningful solutions that drive global impact.

We’re thrilled to partner with Baddies in Tech, Black Women Talk Tech, Silicon Harlem, and Unicorn Ambition to host a fun and inspiring event. These organizations are champions for fostering diversity, empowerment, and innovation within the tech community, and their insights will make the evening even more special.

Expect powerful stories, cutting-edge demos, and meaningful networking opportunities with thought leaders and change-makers who are shaping the future of tech for good.

📅 When: Monday, February 10, 2025
📍 Where: Civic Hall at Union Square

Program Agenda

  • 6:00 PM – Doors Open
  • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM – Welcome and Tech Demos
  • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM – After Party & Networking

Partners

 

 

About Baddies in Tech

Baddies in Tech is a professional development and networking community for women of color in tech. Our mission is to create a more diverse and equitable tech industry by inspiring, empowering, and connecting Black, Latina, and Native American (BLNA) women in technology. We do this by providing our users with access to free or discounted technical up-skilling resources, mentorship, networking and job opportunities. Through our programs, we aim to double the representation of women of color in computing roles to 10% by 2030.

Allie Joy Tsahey, Founder & CEO

Allie Joy Tsahey is a Ghanaian-American entrepreneur, career strategist and diversity, equity, and inclusion advocate. She is the Founder and CEO of Baddies in Tech, a professional development organization dedicated to creating safe spaces for underrepresented women of color to thrive in technology. Allie’s impact on diversity and inclusion in the tech industry has been featured in global publications such as Ebony Magazine, Yahoo News, AfroTech and Blavity, and she continues to strive to create initiatives that ensure Black and brown women are represented in tech spaces.


Demos to be introduced by Baddies in Tech

DentalFynd is a marketplace where patients shop for dental care like cleanings and whitenings. People get upfront pricing and dentists acquire patients. They have plans for employers to cover employees and contractors as an alternative to offering dental insurance or as a supplement for services insurance doesn't cover. Employer patients get two free cleanings and 15% off all other services for as little as $21 a month. Patients can get care on demand, next day care or schedule in advance with teledentistry, home visit dentists as well as traditional in office care.

Tobi Bosede, Founder & CEO

Tobi Bosede is the CEO of DentalFynd, a marketplace where patients shop for dental care and President of People of Color in Dental, an organization for minority dental professionals and allies. Tobi is also an AI and Machine Learning expert. This has enabled her to build predictive systems for Fortune 500 companies including J.P.Morgan and Capital One resulting in billions in revenue and multiple patents.

With a Master’s degree in applied mathematics from Johns Hopkins, Tobi is most passionate about leading high-impact initiatives and solving complex technical problems. Aside from the decade of experience in technology that Tobi has under her belt, she is Ivy-league educated and completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania.

Tobi believes in giving back by sharing her talents with the community. Nigerian and a Jersey native, she is a fellow of the American Association of University Women.

In alignment with SDG 3, Libbie Health addresses the significant unmet need for accessible and effective mental wellness solutions for women who face unique stressors across various life stages (fertility, pregnancy, menopause) and workplace challenges. Our innovative use of somatic healing practices like EFT-Tapping and breathwork in our AI-powered Libbie app provides immediate relief and empowers women to build long-term resilience, resulting in improved mental health and increased productivity. This directly addresses the need for preventative mental health care solutions and improved employee wellbeing, a crucial area for many businesses.

Colette Ellis, Founder

Colette Ellis is a passionate entrepreneur who is dedicated to improving mental health outcomes, particularly for Black and Brown communities. With over 15 years of leadership experience, she founded Libbie Health to bridge the gap in accessible and evidence-based mental health solutions.

As a seasoned behavioral health coach (at Calm and private practice), Colette deeply understands the unique challenges women face in prioritizing their mental wellness, and is dedicated to providing supportive and effective solutions. Her experience in human resources and people development at WTW provided firsthand insight into the challenges of supporting diverse workforces and fostering inclusive cultures. 

Colette's Mental Health First Aid and Trauma-Informed Care certifications directly inform Libbie Health's product development, ensuring that the solution is both technologically advanced and deeply sensitive to users' needs. Her training in EFT-Tapping, central to Libbie's innovative approach, uniquely positions her to blend clinical understanding with technological proficiency. 

Colette is driven by a vision to empower both individuals and employers to prioritize mental health, fostering more equitable and supportive workplaces.


 

About Black Women Talk Tech

There wasn’t a roadmap to billions designed for us, so we created our own. That’s how Black Women Talk Tech began. We created a tech conference designed specifically for Black women tech entrepreneurs to create a space where black women could for once, be seen and heard and have their ideas invested in. Our conference is now the largest convening of Black women tech entrepreneurs and technologists.

Today, our mission is to help Black women dream big and build the next billion-dollar tech or scalable company.

Esosa Ighodaro, Co-founder

Esosa Ighodaro is the co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech, the organization that aims to identify, support and encourage black women to build the next billion-dollar business. Black Women Talk Tech is the largest collective of black women tech founders therefore bringing a unique understanding of the challenges Black women face and the advantages they bring to the tech industry. As co-founder, Esosa co-leads business strategy and strategic partnership development and leads the organization’s marketing endeavors.

Esosa has more than 15 years of entrepreneurial experience including founding two influencer marketing businesses. Additionally, she has more than 12 years of marketing and operation experience as a serial entrepreneur, and as a former bank executive at Citigroup where she developed high-performing growth strategies and oversaw implementation for key lines of business.

Her achievements at her past companies led to several articles and past awards, including being named 100 Most Powerful Women by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2019 and one of the 50 Inspirational Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2017, and Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch by Paste Magazine. This ultimately lands her features in ELLE, Forbes, NBC, The Huffington Post, USA Today, and many more. Esosa graduated with a bachelor of science in finance from the Fox School of Business at Temple University. She and her husband now live in New York, NY and enjoy fashion, travel and food.

Regina Gwynn, Co-founder

Regina Gwynn is the co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech, the organization that aims to identify, support and encourage black women to build the next billion-dollar business. Black Women Talk Tech is the largest collective of black women tech founders therefore bringing a unique understanding of the challenges Black women face and the advantages they bring to the tech industry. As co-founder, Regina co-leads business strategy and strategic partnership development and leads sponsor relations.

Regina Gwynn launched her first tech startup in 2014 with TresseNoire, a platform that empowers women of color to celebrate their textured hair with a personalized beauty routine that works. Its virtual beauty coach takes the guesswork out of finding the right natural hair products & services by matching your individual hair profile to a beauty regimen designed by experts (so you can get the best twist out or the perfect wash n go style the first time, every time!). This innovative product is currently in private beta.

Regina started her career in the Product Development Executive Training program at Federated Department Stores (now Macy’s Inc.), and successfully launched three exclusive brands during her tenure. After graduating from the Kellogg School of Management with her MBA, Regina was a management consultant with the Monitor Group (now Monitor/Deloitte Consulting) and worked with clients within the beauty, media and healthcare industries. She was then tapped to lead marketing at The Apparel Group, where she built the department from scratch and launched the company’s first ecommerce site for its signature brand, Foxcroft Collection.

Regina has served on the Board of Directors for BRAG, a nonprofit for diverse retail professionals & Rising Tide Capital, an entrepreneur development program based in Jersey City, NJ. Regina loves to travel, dance and watch football (Go Giants!).

“A girl should be two things: Classy & Fabulous.” – Coco Chanel


Demos to be introduced by Black Women Talk Tech

At MMARA, we believe hair loss is a window into the body—a reflection of internal wellness that’s often overlooked. The MMARA Hair Coach doesn’t just offer routines; it fosters a sense of autonomy and control in users’ hair care journeys because life is already unpredictable enough. MMARA challenges outdated ideas about women’s hair loss - that genetics are the only factor or that women must resort to temporary fixes. Our goal is to transform hair care into a proactive, wellness-centered approach. We’re creating a world where women are equipped with knowledge, tools, and confidence to take control of their hair health—and, in turn, their lives.

Onyi Chukwuma, COO & Cofounder

Onyi Chukwuma oversees operations, financial management, customer service, and performance analysis. She has a background in project management and operations, having worked with leading companies like TikTok, American Express, and Grey Group. She previously created a protective hairstyling community to help women make informed decisions about wigs and hair extensions. As a wife and mother of three, she is passionate about empowering women to prioritize their health and confidence. Onyi holds a BS in Finance and Marketing from Seton Hall University and is currently based in New Jersey.

Obi Chukwuma, CGO & Cofounder

Obi Chukwuma leads product development, overseeing user research, testing, and iteration. Before MMARA, Obi worked in equity crowdfunding, helping startups raise over $75M, leading multiple record-breaking campaigns. She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.S. in Design and Urban Ecology from Parsons School of Design and it currently based in New York. Passionate about building solutions that empower underserved communities, she is dedicated to reshaping beauty and wellness through technology and research.


About Silicon Harlem

Silicon Harlem is a dynamic and inclusive community that welcomes individuals, businesses, and organizations from all backgrounds. We focus on ensuring every citizen has internet. Join us in shaping the future of tech infrastructure in Harlem and beyond.

Clayton Banks, Founder & CEO

Clayton Banks is the CEO of Silicon Harlem whose goal is to combine technology and innovation with affordable connectivity that can enable a sustainable economic engine in emerging communities across the United States. Under his leadership, Silicon Harlem has attracted over $75 million dollars into upper Manhattan for advanced infrastructure research and test bedding. Mr. Banks has positioned Upper Manhattan as a tech and innovation hub that is one of the fastest growing areas for tech startups, entrepreneurs, and companies. Banks has been able to galvanize the public sector, the private sector, universities, and community stakeholders to embrace tech as a sustainable economic engine for Upper Manhattan. Banks has established critical programs based on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in public schools and several non-profits in Upper Manhattan to prepare citizens for 21st century jobs and careers. These programs have become gateway opportunities for many students to pursue further education. 


Demos to be introduced by Silicon Harlem

 

Pairgap is an innovative co-buying platform that makes real estate ownership more accessible by connecting compatible buyers to pool resources and co-invest in property. Whether it’s friends, family, or business partners, Pairgap provides a structured and transparent process for joint ownership.  

Our platform includes specialized tools like the Real Estate Prenup Builder, which ensures legal protections, clearly defining roles, financial responsibilities, and exit strategies for co-owners.

By matching individuals based on their financial goals and risk preferences, Pairgap expands access to prime real estate that might otherwise be unattainable. But our mission goes beyond transactions—we are committed to financial inclusion and equity in the housing market, making shared ownership a sustainable, wealth-building solution in today’s real estate landscape.

Nikki Merkerson, Founder

Nikki Merkerson is a leader in shared housing and co-ownership, dedicated to making homeownership more accessible through collaboration. As the Founder of Pairgap, she simplifies the co-buying journey by matching compatible partners and providing essential legal and financial tools. With 25 years of experience in financial services, specializing in mortgage banking and community reinvestment, Nikki leverages her expertise to help individuals build wealth through collaborative real estate solutions.

MUNICIPAL DATA & POWER

Municipal Data & Power (MDP) Development is the for-profit economic development and management arm of Municipal Data & Power. Specializing in financing, project management, and operational oversight, MDP Development transforms municipal and university infrastructure through restorative, revenue-generating projects. These include micro power grids, data centers, real estate developments, and smart city integrations. Leveraging innovative funding mechanisms like municipal bonds, MDP Development ensures sustainable debt repayment while expanding data sovereignty and fostering economic resilience. The division's initiatives incorporate digital twin technology, Metaverse-based municipal services, and localized educational platforms tailored to community needs, ensuring lasting social and economic impact.

JT Thompson

Sir James "JT" Thompson, Founder & CEO

Sir James "JT" Thompson is a pioneer in entertainment and urban development, known as the creator and executive producer of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame Awards on BET. As the CEO and founder of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame, Renascence Equity Ventures Corp., and Municipal Data & Power, he leads initiatives that blend culture, technology, and community growth.


About Unicorn Ambition

We advocate and build community for the tech entrepreneur, especially underrepresented founders. We are founders helping founders, by connecting them with Investors, Enterprise Clients, Business Partners, Service Providers, and Authentic Community.​​​ Our conference has weathered societal disruptions, economic shifts, global crises, rapid tech advancements, and political change. Through it all, our focus remains steadfast: advocating for our unique interests as tech founders. Our move to New York, makes us part of the second largest innovation ecosystem in the world. Today, our contributions are more indispensable than ever in building an equitable community for tech entrepreneurs.

Boris Moyston, Founder

Boris Moyston is the Founder and Senior Managing Partner of Relentless Venture Partners, a VC firm investing in underrepresented tech founders. Named one of PitchBook's 53 Black Founders and Investors to Watch and BAM's 101 Black Tech Titans in 2021, he also founded Unicorn Ambition (by Black Men Talk Tech), a conference series for underrepresented entrepreneurs, and Fundr Capital, an automated platform connecting investors with underfunded startups.

Committed to economic justice, Boris works to close funding gaps for underrepresented entrepreneurs, fostering inclusion in venture capital. As a Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Fellow, he leads the NYC MLT Alumni Chapter and helped launch initiatives like the $1 million Peerless Pitch Competition and the Factor Fellowship for diverse startup professionals.

Boris’s career spans private investments, structured finance, equity trading, and investment management at MBNA Bank, ABN AMRO, Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs. An alumnus of the Black Venture Institute at UC Berkeley, he holds a BA in Economics and Philosophy from Brandeis University and an MBA from Duke University.

A former Peter Westbrook Foundation board member, Boris is dedicated to community impact. He lives in Greater New York with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children, Lizzie and Sean.


Demos to be introduced by Unicorn Ambition

 

Materialize is a real-time data integration platform that enables teams to create up-to-date views into any aspect of your business using just SQL. You can assemble and adapt live data services in minutes with the team you already have. Popular use cases include real-time portfolio pricing, operational dashboards, and fresh context delivery for AI/ML pipelines. Organizations using Materialize include General Mills, Vontive, and Nanit, enabling fast corrective actions, real-time LLM-driven loan underwriting, and fast, consistent data APIs for microservices.

Nate Stewart, CEO

Nate is the CEO of Materialize, a real-time data integration platform that enables teams to transform, deliver, and act on fast-changing data using just SQL. Previously, he was Chief Product Officer at Cockroach Labs, where he joined pre-revenue and helped scale CockroachDB into a leading cloud-native database, also serving on its board. Nate holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and an MBA from MIT, where he won the MIT $100K Business Plan Competition.

Ciba Health is revolutionizing the care and treatment of chronic disease conditions, pre-diabetes, obesity & weight management, type 2 diabetes and digestive health, through a patient-centered, root cause approach and a value-based care delivery model. We provide full spectrum integrated care and convenient access to multi-disciplinary care team, leveraging cutting edge technology to implement each patient's personalized and whole-person care treatment plan.

Innocent Clement, Founder & CEO

Innocent Clement is a physician, innovator, and serial entrepreneur, He is the founder and CEO of Ciba Health, a company that revolutionizes the care and treatment of chronic and metabolic diseases, such as pre-diabetes, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, through a patient-centered, root cause approach and a value-based care delivery model.

Before launching Ciba Health, Innocent was the co-founder and CEO of Kaia Health, a digital therapeutic company that uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to create medicines that silence or turn off the genes that cause or contribute to disease. He led the company's initiatives in the US, including partnerships, clinical trials, regulatory submissions, and expansion across North America. He is also a board member at CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, where he contributes his expertise and vision to advance public health education and research. Innocent is passionate about using technology and innovation to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people with chronic and metabolic conditions.


About NY Tech Meetup

NYTM is our signature event that has been a staple for the NYC tech ecosystem since 2004. It's the world’s largest meetup group of its kind with members who have a common interest in learning from and helping one another. At each event, entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and their teams demo cutting edge and transformative tech, answer questions from attendees and network with all in a welcoming, fun-filled space. Since its creation, over 1,000 companies have participated and have been a driving force of innovation and job creation in NYC and the greater NY area.

This event is a perfect place to start if you are new to tech, to New York City, or to the New York tech ecosystem.  It’s all about meeting people and having a "front row seat" to learn of the latest innovations that address market opportunities.


About the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals

The NY Tech Alliance is proud to announce that we will be using the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as our guiding framework for the year. These goals offer a powerful blueprint for addressing the most pressing global challenges, and we believe they provide the perfect foundation for the work we do in the tech community.

Throughout 2025, our meetups, forums, and other events will align with these SDGs, creating opportunities for meaningful discussions, collaboration, and innovation. Whether it's tackling climate change, promoting quality education, fostering gender equality, or advancing sustainable cities, we are committed to using our platform to drive positive change that not only benefits the tech ecosystem but also contributes to a more equitable and sustainable future.

We look forward to exploring how each SDG intersects with the work being done in the tech sector and how we, as a community, can make an impact. Together, we can bring these global goals to life—one event at a time.