Urban Coders Guild Hosts Community Conversation with Tech Pioneer Emmitt McHenry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tulsa Native and Internet Visionary to Discuss Tech Innovation, Inclusion, and Tulsa's Future
TULSA, OK — [October 22, 2024] — Urban Coders Guild is proud to present “A Community Conversation with Emmitt McHenry,” an event dedicated to celebrating the legacy of Tulsa native and tech industry pioneer, Emmitt McHenry. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Greenwood Cultural Center.
Emmitt McHenry, best known for founding Network Solutions, transformed the way the world interacts with the internet by creating a system to register domain names. His contributions allowed websites to be easily identified by names instead of numerical IP addresses, paving the way for the user-friendly web we rely on today. Raised in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street, McHenry’s journey from the Greenwood community to global tech innovation has made him a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and technologists.
The evening will feature a Q&A-style discussion with McHenry, where he will share insights on his groundbreaking work in the tech industry, the importance of diversity and inclusion, and his thoughts on Tulsa's evolving role as a tech hub. The event will highlight how McHenry's story resonates with Urban Coders Guild’s mission to provide computer science education and opportunities to youth from historically underserved communities.
“Having Emmitt McHenry join us is a tremendous honor,” said Mikeal Vaughn, founder of Urban Coders Guild. “Conversations like this are vital because they allow students of color to see themselves reflected in successful tech innovators, like Mr. McHenry, who grew up right here in Tulsa. We hope his story will inspire our students to see the possibilities within themselves and remind the entire community of the importance of creating inclusive opportunities in the tech sector.”
The event will also highlight Tulsa’s recent designation as a Tech Hub by the Biden-Harris administration, underscoring the city’s commitment to workforce development and job creation. Emmitt McHenry will address how this new status can create opportunities for the local community, especially Black Tulsans, and the role that grassroots initiatives can play in ensuring inclusivity from the outset.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Greenwood Cultural Center, Tulsa, OK
Host: Urban Coders Guild Founder Mikeal Vaughn
This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session and connect with members of Tulsa’s tech community.
About Emmitt McHenry:
Emmitt McHenry is an entrepreneur, innovator, and tech visionary known for founding Network Solutions, the company that developed the first commercial domain name registration system. His groundbreaking work revolutionized how the world navigates the internet. Born and raised in Tulsa’s Greenwood District, McHenry’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and community impact. Today, he remains an advocate for diversity and equitable access to technology, focusing on empowering underrepresented communities.
About Urban Coders Guild:
Urban Coders Guild is a Tulsa-based non-profit organization providing free, high-quality computer science education to middle and high school students from underserved communities. By creating pathways to tech careers and entrepreneurship, Urban Coders Guild aims to build a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem that drives intergenerational wealth in Black and brown communities.
For more information about the event or to RSVP, visit Urban Coders Guild Website or contact Mikeal Vaughn at mikeal@urbancodersguild.org.
Media Contact:
Mikeal Vaughn
mikeal@urbancodersguild.org
(918) 644-6781
