The Fortune Society’s 5th Annual Tech Fair is coming up on April 29 and will focus on “Tech in Action,” in partnership with the John Jay Institute for Justice and Opportunity. Each year, the Annual Tech Fair provides the community with an opportunity to explore emerging and innovative technologies that can be applied in daily life.  

Many DE participants are learning digital skills for the first time after years of incarceration. Digital literacy is now essential for navigating the modern world, as a strong understanding of technology and the internet is crucial for communication, ordering food, or finding employment.  

Fortune’s Digital Equity (DE) program provides participants with the support and training needed to navigate the digital world. This includes technology distribution, IT career courses, and digital literacy workshops. The Tech Fair will cover a diverse range of digital topics, building upon the foundational skills that participants learn through the DE program. This year, the event will feature engaging panels and speakers who will provide insights on how to apply these tech skills in everyday situations.  

Tiffany, a Program Manager for Women Rising, will moderate a panel at this year’s Tech Fair that will address technology in parenting. She noted that many parents feel insecure about their lack of digital skills. For instance, children often receive homework that must be completed and submitted online; if a parent lacks the digital skills to use a computer or navigate the internet, it limits the support they can offer.  

Tiffany’s parenting panel will feature two tech industry experts and a participant who will share his experiences and struggles with navigating technology as a parent. The goal of the panel is to provide key information and helpful tips on keeping children safe online, monitoring their online habits, and using AI safely.  

In addition to the parenting panel, Tiffany emphasized the Tech Fair’s tremendous value as a learning opportunity. It helps participants apply technology to real-world scenarios, whether in parenting, job hunting, or monitoring health.  

Events like the Tech Fair are vital in promoting digital equity and enhancing the quality of life for all community members. By emphasizing practical technology applications, the Tech Fair aims to boost participants’ confidence and skills. As this year will explore various tech industries, we encourage you to attend to learn more about how technology can be applied in everyday life.   

““Tech literacy is becoming a requirement now to be able to sustain yourself,” Tiffany said. “That is why Digital Equity provides these resources and conducts workshops. I have seen firsthand the confidence level that builds when someone learns how to use a computer. So, seeing it on such a massive scale with the Tech Fair just shows how effective all of this is.”