Fintech
WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO AND THE GREENWOOD PROJECT HOST “FINTECH FEST”, GIVING THE NEXT GENERATION ACCESS TO FINTECH CAREERS
Two-day immersive experience: 29 and 30 May
CHICAGO , May 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As part of a strong collaboration to close the gap in financial technology representation, World Affairs Chicago & Greenwood Project are excited to announce FinTech Fest. This two-day event will focus on empowering Black and Latino youth from Chicago’s South and West Sides, communities historically underrepresented in tech and finance.
World Business Chicago’s workforce development team and its ThinkChicago team are co-managing this collaboration with Greenwood Project. “By focusing on our young Black and Latino residents, we are not only helping to foster much-needed diversity in the FinTech industry, but we are also providing scholars with the tools to innovate and lead,” said Tana Francellno, Director of Workforce Development at World Business Chicago.
Trenton Dunn, director of ThinkChicago, added: “This event showcases all levels of Fintech, from startups to large corporations. During the two-day event, students will be able to map the evolution of the industry in Chicago FinTech Fest is the perfect addition to our portfolio of programs designed to promote career awareness for students and help Chicago companies source diverse talent pipelines. We thank 1871 and all the participating companies who helped make this event is possible.”
The initiative is designed to break down barriers and promote generational change by exposing young Black and Latino adults, ages 18 to 24, to wealth-building career paths through an intensive introduction to the financial technology industry.
By directly connecting Greenwood Project scholars, many from South and West Chicago, with eight leading FinTech companies, this event not only opens doors to new career paths but also nurtures the development of future leaders in FinTech,” said Kwesi Smith, CEO of Greenwood Project. “This initiative highlights our commitment to providing access to transformative opportunities in emerging financial services sectors.”
Program Agenda:
Day 1: Wednesday 29 May 2024
- 9.30 – 11.00: Visit to Global headquarters of the CME Group. Scholars will explore the world of futures and options trading and risk management with a tour of the CME Global Command Center, located on the historic trading floor space.
- 11.30am – 2.00pm: Interactive session at 1871, Chicago’s main technology hub. Scholars will participate in an inspiring panel discussion over lunch, moderated by Greenwood Project CEO Kwesi Smith. Speakers include Jesse Slovenec from BMODario Grandberry by LeagueSwypeand Hanane Bouchareb of M1Finance.
Day 2: Thursday 30 May 2024
- 9:30 – 11:00: Scholars will visit and take a tour PEAK6. Here they will learn about PEAK6’s evolution from a proprietary options trading firm to a multi-billion dollar enterprise with diverse business interests, including FinTech and EdTech.
- 11.30am – 1.30pm: Scholars will participate in a networking lunch with DRW and discover the innovative integration of trading and technology at DRW, a leading global trading firm processing over one million trades per day.
- 2.00pm – 3.00pm: Scholars will dive into the exciting world of cryptocurrency with Heads or tails, a global digital currency platform company. With over 5,000 cryptocurrency kiosks worldwide, CoinFlip offers its customers simple and secure access to buy and sell digital currency. The scholars will meet with Ben Weiss, co-founder and CEO, and Matthew Long, corporate recruiter.
“For the past three years, we have proudly partnered with World Business Chicago to help connect Chicagoland students with educational resources and career opportunities,” said Ben Weiss, co-founder and CEO of CoinFlip. “We are excited to be part of the FinTech Fest and host Greenwood Project students as they explore career paths in the crypto-blockchain-web3 space. It is important that young people understand and have exposure to fintech careers, including fast-paced ones. growing cryptocurrency sector.”
SOURCE World Business Chicago