IMPACT SPOTLIGHT
A word on Fight Blight Bmore’s youth innovative and incubation space
“The importance of space- #theHackHub sits at the edge of the Upton and Harlem Park communities in West Baltimore, and it provides a safe space for community based educational opportunities. As an independent operator of a 21st century STEAM program (the BlkRobot Project/SoulBot Saturday Design Squad) space is always the first question to answer because working on robotics, computer hardware or foundational skill set building requires a location. The Hack Hub is equipped with classroom equipment such as a smart board, WiFi and modular tables so that I can shape the classroom to fit what I need in the moment. Most recently, I did a workshop for a family where I instructed two young boys on how to upgrade their mother’s computer. While I provided this instruction, I also had my robotics class families passing through to pick up robotics kits for their youth. The location in community and the space itself made this type of multitasking a breeze. Nneka Nnamdi’s leadership in providing this type of space for community is to be commended and hopefully, replicated throughout Baltimore and beyond."
- Jason Harris, founder of the BlkRobot Project
Thousands of children and youth in Baltimore live with blight, a concentration of vacant, abandoned, dilapidated, underutilized or misutilized properties in their community. A blighted Baltimore is a bleeding Baltimore. It follows that a large number of Baltimore's victims of violence are youth (14-25) living in blighted neighborhoods. Beyond the increase risk of experiencing violence, there is an increased risk of toxic exposure, limited access to healthy food and few if any recreation options available for children and youth in blighted neighborhoods.
To address this need FBB is launching the HACK HUB, a youth centered idea curation and startup space. The space will provide access to training on how to take a bright idea and turn it into a prototype, on how to start a business as well as provide access to Wi-Fi, 3D printers, programmable robots and the creative collisions that occur when innovators work in close quarters.
Last summer FBB hired 8 youth through the city's Youth Works program. The Youth workers work site was the Hack Hub. The Youth workers did a great job
testing the app
identified 3 software defects
mapping blight
completed a blight survey of Harlem Park
reporting blight
submitted over 50 requests
MEET THE TEAM
Karima - Project Coordinator
Aja Dixon
2019/2020 Blight 2 Bright Intern
As the FBB intern, Aja will receive training on creating competent space in the community, civic advocacy, and engagement and entrepreneurship development. The training will be achieved through completing a study guide, workshops, case studies as well as an assignment completion. She will be assigned various tasks including infographic development, blight research, and social media management.
2019 YOUTHWORKS COHORT
