Self determination through technology- Ken Granderson

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What happens when a kid from Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn leverages technology to empower the Black community? Ken Granderson's journey from MIT student to digital pioneer offers a powerful blueprint for self-determination through technology.

Growing up in what he calls "the neighborhood formerly known as Do or Die Bed-Stuy," Granderson found himself at MIT in 1980, where he balanced academic pursuits with becoming one of the Northeast's premier DJs for Black college parties. While his classmates were immersed in computer science, Granderson was spinning records—until the late 1980s when he reconnected with technology and discovered its transformative potential.

This reconnection led to creating BlackFacts.com in 1997—the first Black history search engine that continues operating today. Granderson's vision extended to putting the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation online in 1998 and developing digital platforms for Boston's Roxbury neighborhood when most communities of color lacked any online presence.

Throughout our conversation, Granderson delivers a masterclass in recognizing untapped potential. He spotlights accomplished Black MIT graduates whose contributions remain largely unknown—department chairs, government appointees, and innovators whose work has shaped technologies we use daily. As he puts it, "We have everything we need in our community to move ourselves forward."

The most compelling part of Granderson's message addresses today's AI revolution. He argues that artificial intelligence represents an unprecedented opportunity because "it's the first technology that requires zero technical skills to use it to become much more powerful at whatever you're trying to be." Unlike previous technological waves, AI's low barrier to entry creates a more level playing field.

Whether you're a technology enthusiast or simply curious about community empowerment, Granderson's perspective challenges us to recognize the power literally in the palm of our hands. The question isn't whether we have access to tools for advancement—it's whether we'll choose to use them.

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