Detroit Pride Innovation Summit

Welcome to Detroit Pride Innovation Summit @ Carhartt Workshop!

Complete Registration: https://bit.ly/compass2025"Redefine Innovation in Detroit"

Join us for Detroit Pride Innovation Summit on Saturday, June 28th at Carhartt Workshop for an energizing day of talks, workshops, and celebration dedicated to LGBTQ+ leaders, technologists, and allies driving innovation forward. Guided by the 2025 theme, “Redefine Innovation in Detroit,” this summit will spotlight how LGBTQ+ 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 LGBTQ+ 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 Pride with you and leading Detroit’s Tech Ecosystem to re-imagine and build a more inclusive, innovative future for all.

Agenda

9:30 AM: Check-In & Breakfast

10:00 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks with Out in Tech & Compass Detroit

10:15 AM: Tech Innovation for Impact: AI and UX Driving the Future of Inclusive Mobility and Tourism

with Shima Solati @ BraunAbility and Hoda Solati @ BraunAbility

10:45 AM: Freelance Foundations: What My First Project Taught Me About Contracts

with Nicholas Gordon @ Apple Developer Academy

11:15 AM: Beyond the Resume: Crafting a Personal Brand for Career Success

with Kevandre (Dre) Thompson @ Innomotics (a Siemens company)

11:45 AM: Unlock Your Future: How to Master Community Networks for Invisible Career Advantages

with James Price and Charles Powell @ Scope Focus

12:15 PM: Lunch Break & Networking

1:00 PM: For Detroiters, By Detroiters: Redefine Innovation in Detroit Panel Discussion

with Moderator Tim Moore, CEO @ Clixie AI

2:00 PM: Closing Remarks & Prizes

2:30 PM: Networking Happy Hour

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Speakers

Charles Powell - @ Scope Focus (Co-Founder)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-powell-56530725/;

Hoda Solati - @ BraunAbility (UX/UI Researcher & Designer)

Hoda Solati is an award-winning and forward-thinking UX designer with expertise in innovative technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and robotics. Holding a Master’s in User Experience Design from the College for Creative Studies and an MFA in Animation from Art University, Hoda blends creativity, technology, and design to craft user-centered experiences.
Curr…

James Price - @ Scope Focus (Co-Founder)

JC is a serial entrepreneur in software and general merchandise. After receiving his Master's degree in sport marketing from BGSU he worked in media sales and merchandising sales. He soon realized he could better provide value to the world through operations, so he started a distribution company soon after transitioning into software. With no classical training in either, JC's career is built …

Kevandre (Dre) Thompson - @ Innomotics (a Siemens company) (Senior TA Professional & HR Advisor)

Dre Thompson is a talent acquisition strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations solve complex workforce challenges, enabling them to attract, hire, and retain exceptional talent. With over a decade of experience in HR, DEI, and workforce development, Kevandre designs actionable strategies that reduce turnover, build talent pipelines, and create thriving workplace cultures.
L…

Nicholas Gordon - @ Apple Developer Academy (Coding Mentor)

Nick Gordon is a passionate coding mentor at the Academy, where he inspires fellow learners to think critically, explore creative solutions, and grow into self-sufficient, lifelong learners. Beyond the Academy, Nick is an active contributor to Detroit’s growing tech community. He frequently attends local networking events and speaks publicly on technology topics to share knowledge and uplift o…

Shima Solati - @ BraunAbility (UX/UI Researcher & Designer)

Shima Solati is an innovative and award-winning UX/UI researcher and designer at BraunAbility, where she focuses on enhancing accessibility through innovation and user-centered design. With a master’s degree in User Experience Design from the College for Creative Studies, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in design specializing in fashion and textiles, she brings a multidisciplinary a…

Moderator

Tim Moore - @ Clixie AI (CEO)

Tim Moore is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience in launching, acquiring, growing, and exiting companies within multiple verticals. Mr. Moore has helped implement product success strategies for some of the world's largest companies, such as Google and Telefonica. As CEO of Clixie AI, he oversees strategy, partner platform sales brand awareness. Mr. Moore serves as a mentor…

Host

Jenna Ritten - @ IBM Research (Chief Developer Advocate & Architect)

Jenna is Chief Developer Advocate & Architect for InnerSource@IBM at IBM Research. She also serves as Chairman for Compass Detroit. She works on expanding the reach of open source technologies to global developer communities. Her areas of interest include hackathons, design-thinking workshops, NLU/NLP, gamified learning, Blockchain, and Serverless. Jenna is an advocate for non-traditional …

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Partners

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.

Out in Tech Detroit (https://outintech.com/)
Out in Tech is the world’s largest non-profit community of LGBTQ+ tech leaders.

We create opportunities for our 50,000 members to advance their careers, grow their networks, and leverage tech for social change.

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.

Grand Circus (https://grandcircus.co/)
Grand Circus is a premier coding bootcamp and talent development powerhouse under Dexian. For over a decade, we have proudly equipped over 4,000 students with cutting-edge skills in programming and technology, preparing them to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

In late 2022, Grand Circus joined forces with Dexian, a leader in staffing, IT, and workforce solutions. This partnership enables us to deliver comprehensive training programs and innovative workforce solutions.

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.

Automation Workz (https://autoworkz.org)
Automation Workz is a post-secondary tech certification school that uses video games to train students for certification exams in IoT, Cybersecurity, Network Engineering, Linux/Python, Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Fraud Examination leading to jobs earning $40,000 to $90,000. Automation Workz can reskill your employees to seize the $9 trillion dollar Diversity Markets through scalable, customized services designed exclusively for your organization.

Scope Focus (https://scopefocus.ai/)
Welcome to Scope Focus, where AI-driven innovation meets professional networking and project collaboration. Dive into our unique Community-Based Networking model, enhanced by generative AI, which allows you to connect, collaborate, and thrive in specialized professional communities. Our platform offers dynamic project scoping tools, tailored profile enhancements, precise role matching, and robust monetization opportunities, all within a secure environment.

College for Creative Studies (https://www.ccsdetroit.edu)
CCS provides students a rigorous and innovative education aligned with industry requirements. Our graduates are innovators, problem solvers and futurists who are prepared for a career, not just a job. CCS alumni know success. They are entrepreneurs. They are working artists. Fortune 500 companies hire them. The stories you will watch here are a testament to the impact CCS alumni are making in the art/design world. All of them dared to dream big. Let their stories inspire you.

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