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Scratchwerk ^EDU
"Scratchwerk ^Edu," hosted by Ronnie King, CEO of Scratchwerk Tech and founder of the MyVillage Project, is a dynamic podcast at the nexus of Black communities, technology, business, education, and current events. Each episode dives deep into the role of emerging technologies in promoting equity, enhancing workforce development, and reshaping education.
Join Ronnie as he explores how technology can be leveraged to uplift and empower marginalized communities through insightful discussions with experts, activists, and innovators. From the practicalities of tech entrepreneurship to the impact of community-led initiatives, "Scratchwerk Edu" is an essential resource for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and social change.
Learn about the success of tech incubators such as "Coding in Color", which has trained over 2,000 students in emerging skills and secured over $800k in funding to support young Black tech entrepreneurs, and discover how initiatives like the MyVillage Project Community Fund has united organizations and disbursed over $4M to support 220+ Black-led nonprofits across the country. Tune in to be informed, inspired, and involved in reshaping a more equitable tech future.
Episodes
55 episodes
Conversation with Charles Griggs - The OG's Playbook on Community Leadership
What does it take to create lasting community change? For Charles Griggs, Director of Community Initiatives in Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan's office, the answer lies at the intersection of experience, empathy, and strategic advocacy....
Werk Week News Update - PwC AI Agents, ChatGPT Memories & the Future of Wharton Business
We explore three major AI developments reshaping business and technology: PWC's new Agent OS platform, ChatGPT's memory feature, and Wharton School of Business's new AI major.• PWC launches AgentOS, a $1 billion platform helping busines...
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Werk Week News Update - Smart Health, Smart Meetings, Smart Glasses
Tech giants are pushing boundaries with AI in healthcare, meeting participation, and augmented reality wearables. These advancements signal a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology in our daily lives.• Apple developing Pro...
Conversation with Marsha Oliver - The Power of Presence, Purpose & Public Relations
What does true representation look like in spaces where you're not expected? Marsha Oliver, Senior Vice President of Community and Public Engagement at the PGA Tour, takes us on a journey that challenges conventional thinking about career paths...
Collectively Uncomfortable : How Communities Turn Risk Into Reward
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable has become something of a personal development mantra, but what happens when we apply this principle to our communities? Many of us believe our communities are "so close" to breakthrough...
Werk Week News Update - Bill Gates Warns, Otter Speaks, GPT Draws
Artificial intelligence continues to reshape our workplaces with Bill Gates predicting AI will replace most human jobs within the next decade. His statements highlight how AI will fundamentally change not just our careers but basic human activi...
Conversation with Dr. Johnnetta Cole - Using Generational Wisdom to Move Forward
An intimate conversation with Dr. Johnnetta Cole reveals the extraordinary journey of a woman who has repeatedly made history throughout the years. From entering Fisk University at just 15 years old to becoming the first African-American woman ...
Everyday Stress Conversation : How Silly Talk Sparks Innovation
What if we brought the same playful energy, the same permission to imagine without judgment, to discussions about AI replacing jobs or the changing nature of education? What if these conversations didn't have to feel like doom and gloom?When we...
Werk Week News Update - Quantum Speed, Green Billions, and Gene Edits
Tech advancements are reshaping our future with unprecedented breakthroughs in quantum computing, renewable energy, and biotechnology. We explore revolutionary developments that promise to transform industries while raising important questions ...
Conversation with Mia Jones - Walking with Purpose from City Council to Healthcare
Mia Jones is a force of nature whose mission to serve Jacksonville's underserved communities has shaped her remarkable career from city council to the Florida legislature and now healthcare leadership. Her approach to creating change reveals a ...
Big Brother for Equity's Sake : The Advantage of AI Monitoring
Ever considered the radical notion that surveillance and AI could be our most powerful allies in the fight for equity? This exploration challenges everything we think we know about technology's relationship with social justice and opens a provo...
Werk Week News Update - Big Brother in Schools, Culinary Innovation and Global Governance
We explore three major AI developments transforming our world: AI surveillance in schools, food technology innovations showcased at South by Southwest 2025, and the global politics of AI regulation. • AI surveillance in schools exp...
Conversation with Attorney Octavius Holliday - Criminal Justice and a Prosecutor’s Journey
What happens when the power to determine someone's fate rests in your hands? Attorney Octavius Holliday Jr., Director of the Human Rights Division at the State Attorney's Office, pulls back the curtain on prosecutorial discretion and the human ...
Beyond Traditional Nonprofits : Building Villages For Students
Ronnie King and Tia Leathers reflect on the evolution of the MyVillage Project from a modest $10,000 fund into a community-designed and tech-driven initiative across Florida. What began as an effort to support Black-led nonprofits has blossomed...
Werk Week News Update - Brain-to-Text, AI Agents & Crypto Education
We cover some groundbreaking developments in technology and their effects on society. We discuss Ripple's new nonprofit aimed at educating the public about cryptocurrency, Meta's new brain-to-text technology, and Salesforce's AI-driven AgentFor...
Conversation with Senator Tony Hill - Public Service and Connecting the Dots
Step into a compelling conversation with former Florida State Senator Tony Hill, as he unpacks his journey from longshoreman to public servant. In this warm and engaging episode, we discuss the importance of community connections and how these ...
Conversation with Dr. Barbara Darby - From Educational Leadership to Advocacy
Join us for a captivating episode featuring Dr. Barbara Ann Darby, a distinguished educator and community advocate who has dedicated her life to empowering others. From her significant tenure as Campus President at Florida State College at Jack...
The Superposition Mind : Holding Every Possibility at Once
Unlock the secrets of the quantum realm as we help change your understanding of technology's future. Imagine a world where time travel, disease cures, and supercharged human brains are not just figments of science fiction, but tangible realitie...
Werk Week News Update - Humanoids, Higher Ed DEI Shakeups & Microsoft’s Quantum Leap
A significant societal shift is underway as executive orders challenge the stability of DEI programs in education, the race for humanoid robotics accelerates, and Microsoft achieves a breakthrough in quantum computing. We explore how these deve...
Conversation with Dr. Baron Kelly - Celebrating Black Theater's Legacy Through Storytelling
Dr. Baron Kelly is not just an acclaimed actor; he's a storyteller who brings the magic of theater to life. His journey from the Metropolitan Opera's children's chorus to Broadway's grand stages is a testament to the power of early artistic exp...
My Best Friend is an LLM : The Future of Friendship
Could AI chatbots become our closest companions, rivaling human friendships by 2026? Explore this intriguing possibility as we discuss the ever-evolving landscape of AI companionship. As chatbots become increasingly conversational and lifelike,...
Werk Week News Update - Meta Layoffs for AI, Government Education Reform, Musk's OpenAI Grab
This episode dives into the evolving landscape of skill development, education, and employment as we explore the recent wave of tech layoffs, the implications of executive orders on education funding, and Elon Musk’s billion-dollar bid for Open...
Conversation with Judge Brian Davis - Uplifting Communities with Judicial Reality
Join us as we sit down with the Honorable Judge Brian Jordan Davis as he shares his remarkable journey from aspiring dentist to federal judge, highlighting the pivotal role of community support and mentorship in his career. His candid stories r...
Social Engineering 101: The Science for Change or Control?
Unlock the transformative power of social engineering as we challenge conventional perspectives. Ever wondered how technology and policy silently shape our daily lives and societal norms? This episode promises to reveal the dual nature of socia...
Werk Week News Update - Google’s AI War Weapons, Amazon’s Robot Empire, and Trump’s Crypto Fund
This episode analyzes Google's significant policy change regarding AI military applications, Amazon's increasing automation in its fulfillment centers, and the implications of Trump's proposed sovereign wealth fund that may incorporate cryptocu...