Technology鈥檚 impact on the world of business was in full focus at the last month, with AV俱乐部 providing support as a keynote sponsor.
Teri Balser, Dal鈥檚 provost currently serving as interim president, delivered remarks at the opening of the evening gala and dinner, emphasizing the importance of embracing technology for change not only in business but in higher education as well.
鈥淟ike so many of the businesses represented here today, we are also grappling with some of the accompanying risks and challenges that such fast-paced change can bring about. But as an institution of higher learning, we are open and committed to embracing change, as we鈥檝e seen time and time again the progress that often follows,鈥� said Dr. Balser (pictured).
She noted Dal鈥檚 deepening relationship with BBI in recent years, particularly through its Business Is Jammin鈥� youth program that has partnered to bring African Nova Scotian high school students to campus for a day of experiential learning as part of the Experiences in Architecture and Planning program and through the RBC iCode+ program that teaches coding to youth.
"We have a lot in common. Like BBI, AV俱乐部 believes deeply in skills development, innovation, business creation and empowering youth with career opportunities,鈥� said Dr. Balser.
Forging connections
Dr. Balser was one of several members of the Dal community to participate in the summit on July 14 at the Nova Centre downtown.
Earlier in the day, Kevin Hewitt, Physics professor and chair of AV俱乐部 Senate, hosted the opening plenary session that tackled the question of how to differentiate from the competition in an age of digital disruption.
And in the afternoon, Duane Jones, manager of records and information at Dal MedIT and founder and creative director of Art Pays Me, hosted The Pitch 鈥� a competition where Black entrepreneurs had the chance to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges in a large public forum.
Leaving a legacy
Imhotep鈥檚 Legacy Academy, the Dal-based organization that helps steer more youth of African heritage into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields through engaging activities and meaningful mentorship, played a big part in this year鈥檚 summit.
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The group hosted a pre-summit reception Thursday night (July 13) in its new space on Dal鈥檚 Sexton Campus, inviting summit-goers and others to check out some of the engaging, interactive activities ILA offers through its programming.
Eve Wedderburn, an Oxford Junior High student and ILA participant, had the honour of introducing keynote summit speaker international marketing star Bozoma (Boz) Saint John, who sat down for a lunch-time Q&A with Cassandra Dorrington who sits on Dal鈥檚 Board of Governors.
鈥淚 think my favourite quote from her is support my shine or be blinded by it,鈥� said Eve (pictured) in her introductory remarks for Saint John 鈥� an international marketing guru and advisor who has worked with the likes of Uber, Apple Music, Beats, Pepsi, Spike Lee and Beyonce.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a life philosophy, and I鈥檓 just learning how to embrace myself because to be happy and successful we can鈥檛 be anything but our authentic, unapologetic selves. That鈥檚 what she does so well.鈥�
Introducing Saint John seemed to be an impactful moment for the teen.
鈥淎s a young black girl looking towards my future, when I see myself reflected in powerful women like Boz I feel like I can do anything,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really great feeling because I know it hasn鈥檛 always been that way for women, especially black women.鈥�