(WNY News Now) – Bridging the Gap: How Arts, Tech, and Entrepreneurship Are Shaping a More Inclusive Digital Future.
Buffalo, NY – Beau Fleuve Music & Arts is proud to present Seat at the Table: Bridging the Digital Divide, a dynamic event focused on the intersection of arts, culture, entrepreneurship, gaming, and AI. Taking place on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, at Seneca One, this event will convene industry leaders, creatives, and community advocates to explore how technology and innovation can empower underrepresented communities.
Seat at the Table is a media production and content creation platform that amplifies the voices of leaders, artists, musicians, influencers, and curators. Through storytelling, interviews, and creative collaborations, the platform ensures that every voice has a seat at the table, particularly those from historically underserved communities.
This year’s event will specifically address the digital divide and the opportunities within the evolving tech landscape. As industries like AI and gaming continue to grow, Seat at the Table will provide a platform for dialogue, learning, and actionable solutions to foster equitable access to digital tools, education, and economic mobility.
Featured Speakers
The event will feature distinguished industry professionals and community leaders who are actively working to bridge gaps in digital access, entrepreneurship, and technology:
• Darrell Booker – Microsoft Corporate Affairs Specialist and helm of their Non-Profit Tech Acceleration (NTA)- being visionary servant leader committed to creating pathways for underserved communities in the tech industry. His work at Microsoft focuses on leveraging technology to drive social impact and create equitable opportunities. renowned for his role as a disruptive technologist and tireless champion of global non-profit initiatives. Under his guidance, NTA has blossomed into a nationwide force, empowering nearly 3,000 non-profits with cutting-edge digital technology and invaluable consulting services, all aimed at advancing their mission-critical objectives while fostering racial equity.
• Jerome Howard – Co-founder and COO of Culture Wireless, an Internet Service Provider delivering high-quality and affordable internet access to underserved communities. electrical Engineering from the esteemed Georgia Institute of Technology after also completing the dual degree program with Albany State University. Following a successful internship in the Oil & Gas industry as a Security Analyst, he joined the sector full-time in 2011. After spending 7 years in Oil & Gas, Jerome transitioned back to Atlanta, where he assumed the role of Senior Engineer at a prominent Healthcare company. With a rich and varied background in Corporate America, Jerome decided to embark on a journey of serial entrepreneurship and community enrichment
• Jesana Gadley – Talent Programs Lead at M&T Bank, supporting aspiring technologists in Western New York. As a professional strategist who has aided Western New York organizations in driving their mission and vision forward. Her expertise in program management, process refinement, and eye for details has led her to successfully work across the non-profit, corporate, and entrepreneurial sectors at various stages of maturity. Currently, Talent Programs Lead for the Technology Division at M&T Bank where she aids aspiring Technologists build the skills needed to be successful in this rapidly evolving industry and creates opportunities for Western New Yorkers to build their tech skills.
• Derrick Parson – Executive Director of The Exchange at Beverly Gray, a premier entrepreneur support organization dedicated to advancing underrepresented and BIPOC entrepreneurs. The Exchange is proud to be the first Incubator and coworking space in WNY specifically serving BIPOC founders and business owners. Expanding his entrepreneurial footprint, Derrick founded GrabALatte, Inc. (LatteTM), a SaaS company designed to help organizations facilitate mentorship, sponsorship, and professional development for employees on their career journeys.
• Rachel Eastlack –is the Community Impact Program Lead at TechBuffalo, where she drives to build and sustain a more diverse and equitable tech ecosystem in the WNY community. As a Microsoft TechSpark fellow, Rachel leads TechBuffalo’s Family Code Night initiative, introducing entry-level digital and coding skills to over 350 community members and counting. She also plays a key role in identifying and cultivating collaborative relationships among tech employers, trainers, and talent that enable further access to tech careers with family-sustaining wages.’
• Samantha Schlein – Senior Global Program Manager at Ingram Micro, leading the global strategy for Microsoft Cloud and Copilot. With over a decade of experience in program management and marketing, her career has been focused on building enablement programs from the ground up. She has created and led multi-million-dollar programs to drive customer acquisition and retention as well as optimized company processes for maximum efficiency. Her reputation as a trusted leader extends across startups to Fortune 50 corporations.
• Lindsey L. Taylor – Founder & CEO of Beau Fleuve Music & Arts, a leader in creative placemaking and brand partnerships, dedicated to empowering communities through arts, culture, and innovation. For nearly 20 years, Lindsey L. Taylor has built a respected track record of working across diverse sectors—including Nonprofit, Government, Arts & Culture, Entertainment, Corporate, and Sports—earning undeniable recognition for brand alignment and partner execution. His ability to foster trust within communities, while aligning brand partnerships with impactful events, has consistently led to the success and growth of all stakeholders involved.
· John Kindelan – Sr. Manager of Services Execution at Ingram Micro, leading the ASC post sales support, Managed Services, Authorized Training Center and Deployment an Assessment service teams. An employee of Ingram for 12 years working both pre-sales and post sales, John has managed many teams at Ingram Micro in pre-sale SDAS Solution Design and Services including Dell, Cisco and HPE and now with post sales services working with vendors like Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Proofpoint and Nutanix.
· Kevin Hanna- Regional Director, External Affairs, for AT&T in Upstate NY, Kevin has over 25 years’ experience in the wireless and telecommunications industry. In 2007 Kevin first joined AT&T in the Network organization and was soon promoted to Upstate NY Market Operations managing the integration of cellular properties after AT&T acquisition.
A Legacy of Supporting Entrepreneurs and the Arts
For nine years, Beau Fleuve Music & Arts has been at the forefront of supporting over 400 entrepreneurs, small businesses, artists, and young professionals across various initiatives. From nurturing young creatives through its Student Ambassador and Internship Programs to providing resources for emerging artists and business owners in the arts and culture space, Beau Fleuve remains committed to fostering economic empowerment through digital literacy and technological innovation.
Through events like Seat at the Table, Beau Fleuve continues to create opportunities for networking, education, and advocacy, ensuring that communities have the tools and resources necessary to succeed in a digital economy.
Event Details:
• What: Seat at the Table: Bridging the Digital Divide
• When: Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, 11:00am-1:00pm
• Where: Seneca One, Buffalo, NY
• Who Should Attend: Entrepreneurs, artists, technologists, students, educators, and community members interested in AI, gaming, digital equity, and creative innovation.
This event is free and open to the public, with registration available online. Attendees will gain valuable insights, networking opportunities, and actionable knowledge to help drive success in an increasingly digital world. RSVP HERE – CLICK HERE
Join the Conversation
Beau Fleuve invites the community to be part of this transformative discussion on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. For more information on Seat at the Table and to register for the event, visit [insert website or registration link].
For media inquiries, partnerships, or additional information, please contact beaufleuvemusicarts@gmail.com.
This event is in support of funds provided by NYS Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Ingram Micro, Intersect and City of Buffalo Councilmember Discretionary Funds.
About Beau Fleuve Music & Arts
Beau Fleuve Music & Arts is a multifaceted arts and culture brand that champions creative placemaking, brand partnerships, and philanthropy through the arts. More at Beaufleuvemusicarts.com
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