HBCU's WordCamp Conferences R4U

[williamjackson]

HBCU's WordCamp Conferences R4U
by William Jackson #MyQuestToTeach
Graduate of South Carolina State University
WordCamp - Speaker, Sponsor, Volunteer, Advocate

As a speaker, volunteer, organizer, sponsor and advocate of
WordCamp conferences I encourage HBCU instructors to encourage
students to attend conferences and become engaged in local
Meetups in their respective cities.

The knowledge gained is invaluable and the networking potential
phenomenal. The term "its not what you know, but who you know,"
tells a valuable story. Networking is vitally important. What you
know in your brain cannot be appreciated unless you have others
that can appreciate your knowledge and potential to learn more.

The expansion of People of Color (POC) attending tech conferences
is increasing as the need and demand increases for those with
technology knowledge grows. There are growing numbers of POC that
love tech, embrace being nerds, enjoy bring geeks.

Attending WordCamp conferences locally, nationally and
internationally are re-freshing reminders that geeks are everywhere,
in every city, state, country; People of Color embracing tech and
learning to be producers not just consumers.

Productivity brings engagement in conversation about the dynamics
of not just WordPress (which over 35% of web pages are designed
on globally). This affects graphic design, e-commerce, Apps, Google
analytics, SEO, marketing and achieving entrepreneurial dreams.

HBCU students can change the narrative because of their engagement
their children as well will be exposed and inspired to start their
own businesses. The WordPress community is just that, a community
that sees beyond just the simplistic nature of the web. They see
the unlimited possibilities of self-employment, intellectual design,
community engagement and social activism.

Social Media is increasingly dominated by POC's building Brands,
building business relationships, applying marketing strategies,
and helping entrepreneurial dreams to be fulfilled.

The development of new technologies, Apps and platforms geared to
business are allowing more to be engaged in online environments for
communication, collaboration and business ventures.
What should be encouraged is the involvement of HBCU institutions
taking advantage of platforms like WordPress and encouraging students
to attend WordCamp conferences.

WordCamp conferences in 2019 are located in;
Miami (March), Jacksonville (June) Atlanta (May) and Orlando (August)
( https://central.wordcamp.org/wordcamps/ ).

If HBCU students do not understand the language of their professions
they cannot sit at the tables of tech companies to become influencers.
HBCU students are learning that much of what they are learning in the
classroom may be outdated as industry standards change, they need to
be attending, contributing and even speaking at conferences like WordCamp. 
It should not always take alumni coming back to HBCU institutions speaking
when students themselves have valuable information they can share from
involvement and exposure.

The benefits are enormous and lasting.