Tulsa’s rise as a center for technology and innovation comes with a commitment to ensure all members of the community, particularly boys and young men of color, have opportunities to succeed in this evolving landscape. Through collaborative efforts led by organizations like My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Tulsa and Tulsa Innovation Labs (TIL), initiatives are in place to create career pathways, foster leadership skills, and offer real-world experience in technology. With support from partners, these efforts underscore Tulsa’s commitment to being an inclusive, forward-thinking city.
Tulsa’s Designation as A Tech Hub
Since 2020, Tulsa Innovation Labs has been working alongside partners to secure our region’s leadership in technology and innovation, particularly in the autonomous systems revolution around technology like drones, robotics, self-driving vehicles and others. As a result of this work, Tulsa has won two major federal grants totaling $90M and received an official designation as a “Tech Hub” by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The programs included in Tulsa’s Tech Hub have been designed to ensure that the growth underway is accessible to everyone in our region so that Tulsans are able to participate in the success.
People are beginning to look to Tulsa as an emerging leader in innovative technologies – and in 10 years, we will be a global hub for the development, testing, and manufacturing of autonomous systems. This means job opportunities across many different types of occupations that will support the industry.
Centering Boys and Young Men of Color in Tulsa’s Innovation Landscape
The rapidly growing tech sector opens doors for high-paying jobs and career growth; however, young men of color often face systemic barriers to entry in these fields. MBK Tulsa works to address these barriers with our partners, building programs, processes, and systems that equip young men with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the STEM industries. Through educational workshops, mentoring, and hands-on learning experiences, MBK Tulsa ensures young men within their programs are prepared to actively participate in Tulsa’s burgeoning tech industry.
MBK Tulsa’s focus on personal development and educational growth provides the building blocks for boys and young men of color to not only enter these fields but also to become leaders. This approach ties into Tulsa’s larger vision of inclusive innovation, wherein the unique perspectives of all communities drive a sustainable, diverse tech ecosystem.
Tulsa Innovation Labs: Creating Pathways for Future Innovators
Career pathways and jobs that support the autonomous systems industry will increase our region’s number of quality jobs opportunities that offer higher wages, job security and upward mobility. These include a wide range of occupations such as business, engineering, production or technology.
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The future of technology is in your hands, and these advanced roles—from building drones to designing safe autonomous systems—are looking for young, creative minds. You can be at the forefront of innovation, leading the way in the development of cutting-edge systems that will change how we live and work.
MBK Tulsa’s Tesla and Tech Day: A Hands-On Introduction to Careers in Innovation
Recently, MBK Tulsa, in collaboration with Tesla and Tulsa Innovation Labs (TIL), hosted an immersive Tesla and Tech Day for local teens at Leadership Tulsa. Designed to ignite interest and provide a firsthand look at careers in technology, robotics, and engineering, the event offered MBK Tulsa Youth All Stars an invaluable opportunity to explore the world of tech up close.
TIL played a critical role in the day’s success, providing these young participants with insights into the wide range of careers possible within the tech field. Through this partnership, MBK Youth All Stars gained exposure to diverse career paths and learned how their unique talents and skills could fit into Tulsa’s growing innovation landscape. The event featured guided walkthroughs of Tesla’s electric vehicle fleet, where students delved into the engineering and programming behind Tesla’s technology. Live demonstrations and expert-led discussions added depth to the experience, allowing participants to envision themselves in the tech field and connect with leaders and role models in the industry.
Tesla and Tech Day was a defining moment for MBK Tulsa’s ongoing mission to inspire and educate young men of color in Tulsa, with TIL’s partnership helping to illuminate future possibilities and open doors in the technology sector. Together, MBK Tulsa and TIL are equipping the next generation with the knowledge and resources to succeed in tomorrow’s innovation landscape.