Our reporter heads to Baltimore's i-team

Newsletter for May 16, 2024

Baltimore! With a mix of emotions, I'm writing my final newsletter note as Technical.ly's lead reporter here. Below, I delve into my next steps, and I hope you'll stay connected with me on LinkedIn.

Baltimore's tech ecosystem, like the others I've been fortunate to engage with, has been exceptionally welcoming and enriching. It's taught me so much. While "tech" may evoke different images for different people, for me, it's about warmth, support, empathy and being open to vulnerability when needed. Growth often stems from vulnerability and trusting the process.

— Alanah, Technical.ly lead reporter for Baltimore

Alanah Nichole Davis, known for her impactful storytelling at Technical.ly, is transitioning to a new role as the chief storyteller for the Mayor’s Office of Performance and Innovation (OPI) and its i-team.

Reflecting on her time at Technical.ly, where she helped shape narratives around Baltimore's tech and innovation scene, Davis emphasized the importance of community trust and diverse perspectives in journalism. In her new position, she will use data and human-centered design to elevate public innovation in Baltimore to the status of iconic local symbols like crabs or snowballs.

➡️ Learn more about how Alanah will leverage her journalistic expertise to spotlight the city's innovative solutions and community engagement efforts.

You might already know about this Philly-HQed tech wunderkind from our coverage, or because you just used it to get diapers. Well, as our editor Katie Malone reported today, the company plans to cut 6% of its staff around the world. It's part of the company's latest move to make the company profitable, according to a spokesperson, and comes after earlier rounds of layoffs and nine-figure spending last year.

➡️ Learn more in Katie's new story here, and let us know if the layoffs impacted you.

• A decade after the enactment of the Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act, stakeholders emphasize the critical role of data in guiding policy decisions. [Johns Hopkins University]

• Big congratulations to Open Works for their victory in the 2024 United Way Changemaker Challenge pitch competition! The org clinched the grand prize of $25,000, which will go toward its westside satellite makerspace at the Coppin State University College of Business. Additionally, Sen. Van Hollen's office will present Open Works with a $2 million check for the makerspace project next week. [Open Works]

• Baltimore's digital inclusion efforts, according to Comcast EVP Broderick D. Johnson, serve as a model for the nation as the Affordable Connectivity Program winds down. [Comcast]

• Mayor Brandon M. Scott designated Park Heights as the latest Baltimore Main Streets District, unlocking $500,000 for small businesses in the Greater Park Heights community. [City of Baltimore]

• The National FinTech Center at Morgan State University received a significant boost with a three-year, $1.05 million grant from Ripple, a prominent company in the blockchain and crypto world. [Morgan State University]