Bishop-Wisecarver Group (BWG), a woman-owned family of WBENC certified companies that strive to support students, women, and programs related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, recently has sponsored Janelle Jolley on a 2 week tour to influence STEM in Africa. Take a look at Janelle’s journey to promote women empowerment and STEM education.
In an act of camaraderie and
collaboration, a group of female change-makers across technology and the social
impact space embarked on a two week innovation excursion across Africa. The uplifting
journey promoting women’s empowerment and global entrepreneurship granted the
women and other distinguished guests the opportunity to meet with fellow
entrepreneurs, attend pitch parties and government meetings, enjoy cultural
excursions, and connect with innovators across Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and
Kenya. Bishop-Wisecarver was involved by being a sponsor of Janelle Jolley, a
trip nominee and attendee.
Janelle Jolley is the CEO and
Founder of Sidewalk District, a social enterprise connecting local independent
retailers with their consumers through an eCommerce marketplace in order to
increase their impact on hyper local economic development. She has a background
in journalism and public policy, but eventually found her way to technology.
Her passion for local independent retailers and their ability to spur economic
development in communities across America is what led her to pursue the
Sidewalk District platform.
One of Jolley’s biggest takeaways
from her experience in Africa was the opportunities for technology/IT solutions
across all sectors that are endless throughout the continent. Africa is ripe
for disruptive technological solutions as well as technological solutions which
make entire business sectors more efficient and modern.
Jolley also discovered that just
as in the more modern West, the pipeline for STEM & technologists needs to
be diversified throughout Africa. More women and people of color in Africa need
to be made aware of and trained in STEM so that they are the driving forces of
the change and wealth creation happening throughout the continent.
Lastly, iHub, Nariobi’s
innovation hub for the technology community, has built the most impressive
startup ecosystem she has have ever seen anywhere in the world. Jolley has
never seen as comprehensive an approach to an end to end, integrated
organization for startups ever in her life. There is literally anything that
anyone would ever need to build and grow a successful company at iHub.
Jolley’s overall experience was a
wonderful and educational experience. With her efforts and the efforts of all STEM
influencers, there are hopes to increase the awareness of STEM education for
women, minorities and youth across all continents.
Check out some of the photos
below captured from her trip:
The group's first full day in Lagos, Nigeria. This morning, group attendees Claire and Yasmin are outside of the hotel waiting on transportation recapping some of the opportunities for business which they identified in Accra, Ghana which was the first stop on the expedition.
The group's first full day in Lagos, Nigeria. This morning, group attendees Claire and Yasmin are outside of the hotel waiting on transportation recapping some of the opportunities for business which they identified in Accra, Ghana which was the first stop on the expedition.
Hassan and Caleb at the
headquarters of one of Nigeria's biggest tilapia farms. Saheed Olakunle is the
owner of the headquarters and founder of the Nigerian Tilapia Association. He
is a STEM success story and applied his knowledge and training in aquaculture
to make Nigeria one of the biggest players on the global scene for farm raised
tilapia.
DeShawn Jenkins of the Africa to
Atlanta initiative at Georgia Tech and Sandra Hirschberg of GirlTank sitting
and discussing the ecosystem being developed at Co-Creation Hub in Lagos with
Femi Longe, their Director of Programs.
