Diversity
in Blockchain today announced that it is launching individual
chapters around the country, starting with the launch of its New York
Chapter on May 7 in New York City.
Founded in 2017, Diversity in Blockchain is a non-profit organization
committed to creating equal, open and inclusive opportunities in the
blockchain industry. To further expand its reach and promote its
mission, Diversity in Blockchain is launching its first chapter in the
leadup to NY Blockchain Week with an inaugural event held from
6:30-8:30pm at the New York offices of Norton Rose Fulbright. In
addition to Norton Rose, the NYC Chapter launch is also being sponsored
by Wolters Kluwer, Jones Day, and IBM.
Diversity in Blockchain’s founders—Joshua Ashley Klayman, Susan Joseph,
Shawnna Hoffman, Anna Ashurov, and Michelle Gitlitz—are blockchain
pioneers and thought-leaders with unmatched expertise working closely
with industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies in finance, insurance,
securities, native digital assets, smart contracts, supply chain
management, and startup consulting among others.
The New York City Chapter Planning Committee’s members have sweeping
experience in the blockchain space, including at startups, large
financial institutions, institutional exchanges, global blockchain
technology and design companies, technology providers and law firms.
The May 7 event will feature Carlos Acevedo, renowned New York City high
school teacher recently featured in the Washington Post for his work
introducing students in the South Bronx to cryptocurrency, Frankie
Pangilinan, powerhouse software developer with MetaMask who will do a
“how to” on digital wallets, and Mark Beylin, co-founder and CEO of The
Bounties Network, a platform that empowers humans to incentivize and
self-organize, from freelancing to grassroots social action and anything
in between.
The event received an overwhelming response—it is currently sold out,
and has a waitlist, which, in the organization’s view, reflects a
growing hunger in the blockchain space for diverse voices to be heard
and diverse viewpoints to be recognized.
Michelle Gitlitz, one of Diversity in Blockchain’s founders and Co-Chair
of Blank Rome’s Blockchain & Digital Currencies Group, said, “We are
thrilled with the hard work that the founders of the New York Chapter
have undertaken to bring our organization to market in the New York
area. The proliferation of blockchain technology requires education,
mentorship and the opportunity to discuss and engage amongst diverse
perspectives.”
The New York Chapter’s launch will promote Diversity in Blockchain’s
mission of accessibility and inclusion by starting a year-long series of
“how tos” for blockchain and digital assets over the course of the year.
“For years, the tech industry has been under scrutiny when it comes to
the status of diversity and inclusion,” said Adrienne Valencia Garcia,
one of the New York Chapter’s co-founders and Senior Blockchain Counsel
at IBM. Rebecca Rettig, another NYC Chapter co-founder and a partner in
FisherBroyles LLP’s Blockchain & FinTech practice group, added, “With
this new chapter of Diversity in Blockchain, we look forward to
continuing our efforts to create inclusive opportunities for diverse
representation in emerging technology.”
For more information on the Diversity in Blockchain, visit: https://diversityinblockchain.com/
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190506005580/en/