Tech Council of Delaware turns one: ‘All technologists are welcome here’

“All technologists are welcome here,” said Zakiyyah Ali, the inaugural executive director of the Tech Council of Delaware, in a short, unscripted speech.

Ali offered this invitation as the First State’s first tech council celebrated its first birthday during its March 28 Tech Thursdays event, which took place at the New Castle County (NCC) Chamber of Commerce on the Wilmington Riverfront.

It was a celebration of a year of accomplishments, and of Delaware’s unique brand of tech hub — one that is uncommonly diverse, not just culturally but also in its cross-section of tech types, from IT to drones to cybersecurity to software development.

The tech council will reach an additional milestone this summer when its three-year incubation with the Rodel Foundation reaches its end. The Detroit-based firm The Barthwell Group was selected to create a three-year strategic plan and operating budget.

The whole initiative will continue to collaboratively build up Delaware’s tech ecosystem, too, with an eye toward representation.

“I’ve been to a lot of tech rooms and they never look as diverse as this one,” Ali said.

Check out what happened through these photos. 

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