Detroit Latin Heritage Month Innovation Summit

Welcome to Detroit Latin Heritage Month Innovation Summit - "Break the Pattern in Michigan's Tech Ecosystem"

Register for LHM Summit:
http://bit.ly/lhm-summit

Sign Up for Compass Detroit:
http://bit.ly/compass2026

Join us for Detroit Latin Heritage Month Innovation Summit on Saturday, September 19th at Wayne State University for an energizing day of talks, workshops, and celebration dedicated to Southwest Detroit's leaders, technologists, and allies driving innovation forward. Guided by the 2026 theme, “Break the Pattern in Michigan's Tech Ecosystem”, this summit will spotlight how Southwest Detroit's voices are transforming technology—especially in AI and other emerging fields—through bold thinking, authentic leadership, and boundary-breaking creativity.

Attendees will hear from local and international speakers sharing breakthrough ideas, exchange best practices for career advancement and inclusive leadership, and connect with peers who are equally committed to equity, representation, and innovation in tech.

Hosted in partnership with Compass and GDG Detroit, this event is part of a broader movement to amplify Southwest Detroit technologists and create intentional spaces for visibility, opportunity, and celebration. Expect a vibrant day of panel discussions, technical sessions, and dynamic networking—each designed to spark collaboration and challenge the status quo.

We look forward to celebrating Latin Heritage Month with you and leading Detroit’s Tech Ecosystem to re-imagine and build a more inclusive, innovative future for all.

#SoutheastDetroit #LHM2026 #BreakThePattern #DetroitInnovation #DetroitTech #CompassDetroit #GDG Detroit #WomenTechmakers #SHPEDetroit #WSU

Agenda

8:00 AM: Check-In & Breakfast

8:15 AM: Morning Mindfulness & Meditative Yoga

8:45 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:00 AM: Lightning Talks

12:00 PM: Lunch Break & Networking

1:00 PM: Detroit Latin Heritage Month Innovation Summit Panel Discussion

2:00 PM: Engineering Loteria

with SHPE Detroit

4:00 PM: Closing Remarks & Prizes

4:30 PM: Techie Hour & Networking

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Hosted By

Dave Koziol, GDG Organizer

Dave is a Director, Software Engineering at Little Caesars.Dave believes strongly in trying to foster and grow the tech community in Michigan and is a meetup organizer for GDG Ann Arbor, GDG Detroit, and the Korean / English Language Exchange.

Jenna Ritten, Chief Developer Advocate & Architect

Jenna Ritten (@jritten) is the Chief Developer Advocate & Architect for InnerSource@IBM at IBM Research. She is committed to expanding the reach of AI, open source and cloud-native technologies to global communities. Her areas of expertise include platform, community, hackathons, design-thinking workshops, AI/ML, blockchain, cloud-native, and innersource and open source. Jenna is an advocate for non-traditional people in tech, much like herself, and provides support by building and fostering communities for underrepresented people in tech.

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Partners

IBM (https://www.ibm.com/us-en)
The mission of IBM is to be a catalyst that makes the world work better. We aim to have a positive impact globally, and in the communities where we operate, through business ethics, environmental commitment and responsible technology.

For over a century, IBM been at the forefront of technological innovation. Beginning in the earliest days of computing, IBM has blended intelligence, innovation and science to improve business, society and the human experience.

Compass Detroit (https://bit.ly/bhm-summit-website)
The Collective of Minority Professionals and STEAM Societies (formerly COMPES) was formed in 2000 as an initiative between the NSBE, SHPE, and SWE Detroit professional chapters. The mission of this collaborative partnership is to support the local Detroit community in upskilling, career growth, networking, and to provide access to new opportunities.

Devs Create 313 (https://devscreate313.org)
Our mission is to empower people to learn, create, and contribute to a thriving Tech ecosystem in Detroit through collaboration, education, and innovation.

DTE Energy (https://www.dteenergy.com)
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes non-utility businesses focused on industrial energy services, renewable natural gas, and energy marketing and trading.

NSBE Detroit (https://nsbedetroitprofessionals.org)
Representing Black Engineers in Detroit. NSBE Detroit Professionals strive to increase technical awareness, encourage scholastic achievement, and stimulate enthusiasm in the black engineering community of Detroit. NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. The NSBE Professionals inspire the next generation of technical professionals, and serve as a catalyst for transform

GDG Detroit (https://gdg.community.dev/gdg-detroit/)
The Detroit Google Developers Group is an inclusive group that meets monthly online and in downtown Detroit to help educate and provide networking opportunities for software developers in the Detroit area.

Little Caesars (https://littlecaesars.com)
Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, Little Caesars was founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch in 1959 as a single, family-owned restaurant. Today Little Caesars is the third largest pizza chain in the world with stores in each of the 50 U.S. states and 27 countries and territories.

SHPE Detroit (https://www.shpedetroit.org)
SHPE Detroit is transforming lives in Detroit by inspiring and motivating young Hispanic students to excel in STEM education through mentorship and community involvement and enhancing career opportunities for Hispanics by building a strong professional network.

Google Women Techmakers (https://developers.google.com/womentechmakers)
Google’s Women Techmakers program provides visibility, community, and resources for women in technology.

JAC3DG33K (https://www.instagram.com/jac3dg33k)
Just a dude that's into technology and fitness.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-bowen-a7216610/

Techqueria Detroit (https://techqueria.org)
We’re a vibrant, 25,000-strong community empowering Latiné professionals to thrive in every corner of the tech industry. Much like a taquería serves up the best tacos, Techqueria is where Latiné tech talent gathers to connect, grow, and succeed. We provide mentorship, career development, and advocacy for DEI, ensuring that Latiné voices are represented and celebrated at every level, from emerging talent to seasoned leaders.

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Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-detroit-presents-detroit-latin-heritage-month-innovation-summit/.