Podcast
Scratchwerk ^EDU
Hosted by Scratchwerk Tech · EN
"Scratchwerk ^Edu," hosted by Ronnie King, CEO of Scratchwerk Tech and founder of the MyVillage Project, is a dynamic podcast at the nexus of Black communities, technology, business, education, and current events. Each episode dives deep into the role of emerging technologies in promoting equity, enhancing workforce development, and reshaping education.
Join Ronnie as he explores how technology can be leveraged to uplift and empower marginalized communities through insightful discussions with experts, activists, and innovators. From the practicalities of tech entrepreneurship to the impact of community-led initiatives, "Scratchwerk Edu" is an essential resource for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and social change.
Learn about the success of tech incubators such as "Coding in Color", which has trained over 2,000 students in emerging skills and secured over $800k in funding to support young Black tech entrepreneurs, and discover how initiatives like the MyVillage Project Community Fund has united organizations and disbursed over $4M to support 220+ Black-led nonprofits across the country. Tune in to be informed, inspired, and involved in reshaping a more equitable tech future.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Conversation with Charles Griggs - The OG's Playbook on Community Leadership
Jun 1000:59:59Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to create lasting community change? For Charles Griggs, Director of Community Initiatives in Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan's office, the answer lies at the intersection of experience, empathy, and strategic advocacy.In this candid conversation, Griggs shares insights from his journey through media, marketing, public health, and public service. As the architect behind the relaunch of Jacksonville Journey Forward – a comprehensive initiative addressing crime prevention and community engagement – he brings a uniquely holistic perspective to some of today's most pressing challenges."If you don't understand how the machine works, you can't effectively change it," Griggs explains, cutting through the noise of well-intentioned but often ineffective advocacy efforts. With a refreshing blend of historical awareness and forward-thinking pragmatism, he challenges listeners to move beyond simply identifying problems toward developing data-driven, community-supported solutions.The discussion takes a powerful turn when examining narratives around Black boys and men. Drawing from his role as a board member for National 100 Black Men of America, Griggs articulates how exposure and opportunity create pathways for better choices. "Young people don't know what they don't know," he observes, underscoring the importance of intergenerational mentorship during times of social change and uncertainty.Whether you're engaged in community work, interested in effective advocacy, or simply trying to make sense of complex social challenges, Griggs offers a masterclass in how principled leadership can bridge divides and create meaningful impact. Listen in and discover why information isn't just power – it's the foundation for transformational change.Send us Fan Mail
Transcribe →Werk Week News Update - PwC AI Agents, ChatGPT Memories & the Future of Wharton Business
Apr 9, 202500:10:16Tap to summarizeWe explore three major AI developments reshaping business and technology: PWC's new Agent OS platform, ChatGPT's memory feature, and Wharton School of Business's new AI major.• PWC launches AgentOS, a $1 billion platform helping businesses deploy enterprise-level AI agents• ChatGPT's new memory feature allows it to recall user preferences and past interactions• Wharton School of Business announces a new major in artificial intelligence and business starting fall 2024Please don't forget to follow and like us on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to your podcasts.Send us Fan Mail
Transcribe →Werk Week News Update - Smart Health, Smart Meetings, Smart Glasses
Apr 2, 202500:09:45Tap to summarizeTech giants are pushing boundaries with AI in healthcare, meeting participation, and augmented reality wearables. These advancements signal a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology in our daily lives.• Apple developing Project Mulberry, an AI health companion aimed at replicating primary care physician functions through iPhones and Apple Watches• Otter.ai has launched a voice assistant that actively participates in meetings by speaking and responding to questions in real-time• Meta revealed details about upcoming $1,000 smart glasses featuring voice control, real-time translation, and AR overlaysPlease follow and like us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcast. Until next time, keep up the Scratchwerk, keep building.Send us Fan Mail
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Conversation with Marsha Oliver - The Power of Presence, Purpose & Public Relations
Apr 1, 202501:08:41Tap to summarizeWhat does true representation look like in spaces where you're not expected? Marsha Oliver, Senior Vice President of Community and Public Engagement at the PGA Tour, takes us on a journey that challenges conventional thinking about career paths, community impact, and authentic leadership.Tia Leathers and Ronnie King join Marsha in a conversation as Oliver recounts her life-changing experience in South Africa just two years after apartheid ended, the philosophy that guided her controversial decision to serve as spokesperson for Republican Mayor Lenny Curry and how she's helping direct a $100 million commitment from the PGA Tour to underrepresented communities.Between heartfelt stories about generational differences in approaching discrimination and candid reflections on the current "crisis" surrounding DEI initiatives, Oliver leaves us with a message that resonates with anyone who's ever felt like an outsider yet chosen to show up anyway: "Your biggest accomplishment is the ability to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you someone else."Send us Fan Mail
Transcribe →Collectively Uncomfortable : How Communities Turn Risk Into Reward
Mar 28, 202500:16:38Tap to summarizeGetting comfortable with being uncomfortable has become something of a personal development mantra, but what happens when we apply this principle to our communities? Many of us believe our communities are "so close" to breakthrough – but can this perspective be keeping us in comfortable patterns that limit real progress. The truth? We might not be as close as we think, and the path forward may require more significant disruption than we're currently willing to embrace.What might collective discomfort look like? What does it mean to risk it all for progress? The goal isn't just personal advancement but creating a future where the next generation starts with "billion-dollar problems" instead of struggling with the same challenges we face today.Send us Fan Mail
Transcribe →Werk Week News Update - Bill Gates Warns, Otter Speaks, GPT Draws
Mar 26, 202500:12:23Tap to summarizeArtificial intelligence continues to reshape our workplaces with Bill Gates predicting AI will replace most human jobs within the next decade. His statements highlight how AI will fundamentally change not just our careers but basic human activities, raising important questions about purpose and the future of employment.• Bill Gates predicts AI will replace most human jobs within the next decade• Otter AI has introduced an agent that can actively participate in meetings with a human voice• OpenAI has integrated image generation capabilities into ChatGPTDon't forget to like and follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Until next time, keep building!Send us Fan Mail
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Conversation with Dr. Johnnetta Cole - Using Generational Wisdom to Move Forward
Mar 24, 202501:02:56Tap to summarizeAn intimate conversation with Dr. Johnnetta Cole reveals the extraordinary journey of a woman who has repeatedly made history throughout the years. From entering Fisk University at just 15 years old to becoming the first African-American woman president of Spelman College, Dr. Cole's life exemplifies resilience, vision, and purposeful action.Dr. Cole shares the remarkable story of her journey to presidency at Spelman—a position she initially resisted. This fascinating tale of destiny and determination offers a glimpse into how pivotal moments can shape our life's direction when we remain open to possibilities beyond our own imagination.With ancestral knowledge that traces back to Senegal—Dr. Cole embodies the concept of Sankofa: "You've got to look back in order to go forward." Her connection to American Beach and A.L. Lewis (Florida's first Black millionaire) demonstrates how knowing our history empowers our future action.Addressing today's challenging social climate, Dr. Cole offers perspective that only her decades of experience can provide: She advocates for hope, inspiration, and activism rather than despair or retreat.Her parting wisdom for younger generations emphasizes self-care as foundational to activism. Listen now to be inspired by the living legacy of a woman who has transformed institutions, shattered barriers, and continues to light the way forward with the eternal truth that "we who believe in freedom cannot stop until it comes."Send us Fan Mail
Transcribe →Everyday Stress Conversation : How Silly Talk Sparks Innovation
Mar 21, 202500:14:28Tap to summarizeWhat if we brought the same playful energy, the same permission to imagine without judgment, to discussions about AI replacing jobs or the changing nature of education? What if these conversations didn't have to feel like doom and gloom?When we remove the pressure of solving global problems and instead approach them with genuine curiosity, something remarkable happens – creativity flourishes.The most innovative solutions often emerge not from stressed thinking, but from allowing our minds to wander through possibilities without immediate demands for feasibility. That business idea or community program you've been seeking might be waiting at the end of what initially seems like an impractical thought experiment.Join us in breaking down these artificial conversation barriers. Send us Fan Mail
Transcribe →Werk Week News Update - Quantum Speed, Green Billions, and Gene Edits
Mar 19, 202500:10:44Tap to summarizeTech advancements are reshaping our future with unprecedented breakthroughs in quantum computing, renewable energy, and biotechnology. We explore revolutionary developments that promise to transform industries while raising important questions about encryption security, sustainability progress, and ethical gene editing implications.• Quantum computing breakthrough achieves processing speeds that solve in seconds what would take traditional supercomputers 47 years• Amazon announces $1 billion commitment to renewable energy projects globally, becoming world's largest corporate buyer of clean energy• Scientists unveil compact gene editing tool with extreme precision for in-body disease treatmentsPlease follow us and leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.Send us Fan Mail
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Conversation with Mia Jones - Walking with Purpose from City Council to Healthcare
Mar 17, 202501:00:47Tap to summarizeMia Jones is a force of nature whose mission to serve Jacksonville's underserved communities has shaped her remarkable career from city council to the Florida legislature and now healthcare leadership. Her approach to creating change reveals a masterclass in relationship politics – not the partisan kind, but the human connections that transcend political divisions when addressing community needs.Jones shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of how she strategically built alliances to pass meaningful legislation. Now as CEO of Agape Community Health Center, Jones faces the challenge of providing care regardless of ability to pay while navigating complex funding structures. Her innovative approaches to creating sustainable funding streams reveal both creative problem-solving and deep commitment to community health.What resonates most powerfully is Jones's reminder that strong communities take care of their own. Her parting wisdom draws from historical examples of community self-sufficiency. In today's uncertain landscape, her message couldn't be more timely: use your insurance while you have it, get preventive care, and contribute to organizations serving your community. The strength to weather any storm comes from within.Send us Fan Mail
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