This week I had the opportunity to chat with Denver tech leader Janackeh Blackwell. Janackeh has been hosting the Black Tech Denver meetup at Code's space in RiNo since last year. We got into the details of her career, the Denver community, Black Tech Denver, and more. Continue reading to hear all about Janackeh and what makes her a rising tech leader in Denver.
I noticed your Georgia phone number, are you originally from Denver?
I am a newcomer to Denver, having only recently moved here in November 2021 with my boyfriend. I'm actually from Atlanta and lived for a short period of time in Dallas, so Denver was a bit nerve-racking since it seemed so different from where I was from. I hadn't even visited Denver until I moved here, so I was very nervous about the cold and what Denver had to offer. I am pleasantly surprised by how much I love Denver. I have found there is plenty of decent food and unique places to explore. And I love the tech scene here.
What are you currently doing in Denver?
I'm currently working remotely in Denver for Sauce Labs. It's an open-source fellowship, which is my first position in the tech industry. I transitioned to tech a year ago after working in mortgage. I actually attended a boot camp in 2019 but was unable to secure a job due to the pandemic. During this time, I continued networking through Twitter and building my brand on LinkedIn, eventually making connections that led to my current role.
Where did you see the need for a meetup like Black Tech Denver?
I saw a need for more diversity. I literally went on LinkedIn and looked through Colorado tech and saw that there was so much diversity but no group to connect. So I connected with a lot of people that way. And I got amazing feedback. This is a group centered around people of color, but I want it to be a diverse group where everyone is welcome. We want everyone to join. Actually, the reason I started this meetup was honestly a bit selfish. I wanted a community for my boyfriend and me to be a part of, and I wanted to put it on my resume. But it has opened so many doors for me because they want to know about the group and everything we are doing. So many people reach out wanting more information, which has been one of the most rewarding parts of starting such a niche meetup.
What is your favorite thing about the Denver tech community?
The fact that something like ETHDenver can start and grow as huge as it is. It's funny; someone from another country brought it up to me. They asked me if I had ever heard of it, and I said no. They told me it is the biggest Web3 conf in the world. It's so crazy how it has turned into such a big thing. I have connected with some of the people who lead the conference. So many of my connections are from Black Tech Denver. Starting in tech, usually, it's recommended to have something that makes you stand out. And the group has been what makes me stand out because people are interested in it. Every meeting, there are 5-6 regulars, but 25-30 people are different.
What's one thing you would improve about the Denver tech community?
I see so many decentralized groups that pop up all the time. There isn't really a group that sees the big picture of bringing all of the tech scene in Denver together. There isn't a central focus. We see that there is so much going on, and Denver could absolutely hold its own tech conference. Denver Startup Week is huge, so we could definitely do the same thing, just with tech in general. I would love to see everyone come together somehow.
What are some trends in tech you're especially excited about?
AI right now. It's exciting and scary at the same time. Every day we learn about new things that are possible with AI and I am very interested to see as these new tools come out, what people do with the tools. The reason why I love and promote tech is that it has the ability to make our lives easier. I love to see how we use this to make our lives easier. I personally have been using Chat GPT to make my content more accessible and inclusive, which I really enjoy.
What do you like to do for fun?
I explore Denver. I worked at a speakeasy in Atlanta and found a love for craft cocktails. So we try to find new craft cocktail spots in town. We also love food, so we are always discovering new places to try. I also am getting outside more. We go to parks and take the dogs for walks. I also read a lot, mostly suspense and mystery books. And I've been getting into Anime. If you need a recommendation for craft cocktails, I would highly suggest The Tartarian.
Have someone you think should be spotlighted? Contact emily@code-talent.com.