The Rev. Al Sharpton, Panasonic Corporation North America CEO Joseph M. Taylor, State Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka recently unveiled the National Action Network Newark Tech World.
Located in Newark’s South Ward, the goal of the technology center is to provide skills to community members and students of color in Newark. The program will offer after-school academic enrichment opportunities at the Old South Ward Boys & Girls Club. NAN Newark Tech World is going to be free for students and will teach courses in web design, graphic design, digital literacy, networking and more
New Hope Baptist Church Senior Pastor and NAN New Jersey State Director the Rev. Steffie Bartley will serve as director of the tech center. State Chairman of New Jersey Chapter of NAN and Senior Pastor at Metropolitan Baptist Church the Rev. David Jefferson Sr., Esq., and NAN Technology Director Lord Dowdell also attended the unveiling.
The tech center extends the current efforts of Baraka to enable Newark residents and meet the talent needs of local businesses. The program is being financed by Panasonic North America in conjunction with local universities and nonprofits. Tech World will serve as a high-tech community center for the city.
In 2014, Panasonic became the first newly built office tower in downtown Newark, where its North American operations are headquartered.