MARLOWE STOUDAMIRE SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION AWARD | Alexa and Johnnie Turnage

Alexa and Johnnie Turnage, Founders of Black Tech Saturdays and EvenScore
Alexa and Johnnie Turnage are fostering an inclusive environment for Black tech founders and entrepreneurs to network and thrive through their community-led initiative Black Tech Saturdays (BTS). What began as a small gathering for local Black tech founders and entrepreneurs has become a heavily-attended, popular event in Detroit. BTS engages industry experts from across the region to speak and attendees have ample time to connect and network with fellow innovators. BTS will be hosting its inaugural three-day Digital Empowerment Summit in early October, during which the Turnages hope to equip Detroiters with the skills necessary to succeed within the tech landscape. TechTown has been proud to witness the growth of BTS and see many of its program alumni and team members connect with the Turnages and continually attend the event. And through TechTown’s Capital programs, the Turnages have received support and capital for their startup EvenScore, a platform aiming to revolutionize donors’ experiences and help individuals support the causes and candidates they care about. As Detroit’s tech and entrepreneurial ecosystems continue to assert their positions on the national stage, the Turnages play a significant role to their growth and to building connections.