Sir Mix a Lot talks mix of creativity and tech at Black Tech Night

[Link]Photo: Jordan Nicholson

The latest Black Tech Night was all about the intersection of creativity and technology and how they drive one another. The August 8 event at M5 Creative featured a fireside chat with Seattle rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot and Hey, Black Seattle! founder Kiesha Garrison. The Grammy Award winner shared how his love of technology started after he saw the German electronic band Kraftwerk.

"I wanted to learn everything about drum machines, synthesizers, the works," he explained.

Mix-a-Lot told stories about acquiring his first 4-track recorder. Then he started fixing and repairing gear. He shared how someone at a local electronics store gave him a 16-track reel-to-reel for free - he estimates it was worth around $40,000 - because it wasn't working. Mix-a-Lot said he could tell there was something wrong with the power supply.

"I bought everything I needed, and I fixed it bottom-up. That's where it all came from," he said. "Music didn't get me into technology. Technology got me into music.

[Link]Photo: Jordan Nicholson

Our office, in partnership with several major tech companies, launched Black Tech Night in February 2023. Since then, OED has partnered with tech non-profit, SeaCiti, in co-leading this effort, and producing partners, A Space Inside. The Tech Night Series, which recently kicked off the first La Noche Tech and Pride Tech Night, is intended to create a space to gather and connect with our city's tech community and allies while supporting local small businesses and bringing workers back Downtown.

Garrison, who created Hey, Black Seattle! and its directory of Black businesses and organizations to address the disconnection she saw for Black residents in the Seattle area, says having events specifically for the Black community means real issues are discussed.

"You can do something for all people of color, but you're not really addressing the potent problems that certain communities are facing," she said. "When you get into the specifics of one community, you're really able to address what is on people's minds in their day-to-day lives."

Topics at the latest event ranged from the future of AI, the importance of fiscal literacy, and even included an impromptu tour via Mix-a-Lot's laptop of his home studio filled with gadgets.

"It showed us he's not a celebrity who says he's into tech and throws his name on some things that other people are doing. He truly touches this stuff with his hands every day and is building his share," said Garrison.

The next Black Tech Night is September 19 at AXIS Pioneer Square and will be hosted in partnership with Zillow: https://blacktechnight.splashthat.com/

"It's a great opportunity to meet more people in the tech space," said Garrison. "If the vibe continues to be as personal and relatable as the latest event, people can expect to feel something they can connect to."

Register for the next Black Tech Night.

Thank you to our Tech Night partners, past and present: Zillow, F5, Google, Salesforce, Apprenti, Lyft, Microsoft, Quadrant Technologies, Davis Wright Tremaine, PwC, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber, Downtown Seattle Association, Homestreet Bank, and Seattle Good Business Network.

Tech Nights include a small business marketplace. Be sure to check out the businesses featured at the August event: Ezell's Chicken, lunar park, 6601, Time Armor, Beniam, and Buggbrains.

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