Today we’d like to introduce you to Khalil Vinson.
Hi Khalil, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Khalil Vinson. I am originally from St. Louis, MO but moved to Texas at the age of six with my parents. Growing up, I was always energetic and inquisitive, with a strong will. I played sports, particularly basketball and football attended, summer camps, and enjoyed the freedom of being a child. As I grew up, I always wanted to do something special and profound. When my mind got fixed on something, I literally gave it all I had. Fast forward to my young adult years, the ambition and determination to be someone and do something with myself still burned inside me. Once I graduated high school, I attended Texas State University, where I got my degree in Computer Information Systems. After graduating college, I realized I wanted to merge my entrepreneurial spirit with the knowledge I gained at Texas State and thus created my own company, Tech Fest, LLC. I noticed an imbalance in the numbers of those consuming tech versus those creating it and came up with the Tech Fest platform. The purpose of my company is to provide exposure to technological resources that educate and inspire youth and young adults to effectively use technology to access, evaluate, create and communicate information to enhance their life-long learning skills for future progress. I believe that tech education is an integral piece to shortening the digital divide and wealth gap African Americans are facing today. When technology is used as more than just a tool for consuming entertainment but a pathway to knowledge, empowerment, and financial freedom (literally create what we are consuming), we will see a huge shift in the way people, in particular African American youth look at tech. Tech Fest is now in its second year of providing youth and young adults with a platform to educate themselves about the world of tech that they live in and learn ways to create pathways for success within this industry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve learned some really tough lessons along the way. I know now that you have to protect your ideas, be fearless when it comes to communicating what you need, work harder especially when and because you don’t feel like it, you have to listen for understanding, you have to be open to the possibility that there might be a better way and you must have faith in yourself. I believe everyone’s journey on the path to success is generally not smooth.
We’ve been impressed with Tech Fest, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Tech Fest is in its 2nd year of providing youth and young adults with a platform for access to resources and information about the world of technology in a fun and entertaining way. We are committed to creating a level playing field regardless of creed, class or color, offering accessible resources at an affordable price and increasing the flow of information to minority communities. Our framework is built on partnerships with organizations committed to empowering youth and young adults in underserved communities, as well as businesses in the tech space that are focused on diversity and inclusion.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.techfestlive.com
- Instagram: @techfestlive.com
