Last week showed Memphis continuing to invest in the skills shaping the future of work.

From AI conversations with Scott Finny and automation strategies with Joe Ferguson to Microsoft’s largest annual community gathering, local professionals came together to explore the tools, platforms, and practices driving modern technology. The common thread wasn't technology alone, it was a community committed to learning, sharing knowledge, and helping each other grow.

by BDPA Memphis

June 13 — 9AM (In-Person)

June 10 — 5:30PM (In‑Person)

A first challenge can change your trajectory. This beginner-friendly CTF turns curiosity into action, helping you build problem-solving skills that sit at the foundation of software development. You'll learn alongside others starting the same journey and leave with a clearer picture of what building in tech actually feels like.

June 10 — 6:00PM (In‑Person)

AI starts with data, and understanding that pipeline is becoming a valuable skill across modern tech roles. Explore how data moves from collection to deployment, build familiarity with the workflows behind machine learning, and connect with others exploring where AI is headed. A strong entry point into one of tech's fastest-growing disciplines.

June 13 — 9:00AM (In‑Person)

Start here. This beginner-focused CTF helps demystify software development through guided challenges that strengthen logic, troubleshooting, and technical confidence. If you've been waiting for a practical way to explore coding, this is a low-pressure opportunity to learn while meeting others doing the same.

June 13 — 1:00PM (Virtual)

The work gets shared here. Developers, learners, and builders bring projects, ideas, and questions into the room for feedback and discussion. Whether you're looking for technical insight, accountability, or new connections, this session helps you stay engaged with a community that's actively building and learning together.

June 08 — 6:30PM (In‑Person)

Interviews are rarely just about technical skills. Practice telling your story, strengthen your confidence, and receive feedback from people who understand the challenges of navigating a career transition. A supportive environment for refining one of the most important skills in professional growth.

June 10 — 6:00PM (In‑Person)

Leadership shapes organizations long before it appears in a job title. With perspectives from leaders connected to FedEx and the University of Memphis, this discussion explores how talent develops, influence grows, and opportunities emerge. An excellent room for professionals thinking beyond their current role.

June 10 — 5:30PM (In‑Person)

No presentations. No pressure. Just an opportunity to spend time with people working across the local tech ecosystem. Relationships often begin in conversations like these, making this one of the easiest ways to stay connected, meet new faces, and strengthen your community network.

June 11 — 6:00PM (In‑Person)

A career change starts with understanding your options. Learn how Tech901 prepares people for technology careers, hear firsthand experiences from program participants, and get clarity on pathways into the industry. If you've been considering a move into tech, this is a practical place to begin.

June 12 — 7:00PM (In‑Person)

See what people are building. The open house offers direct access to makers, tools, and projects while providing a glimpse into a community driven by experimentation and creativity. It's a chance to learn something new and discover where your own interests might fit.

June 13 — 9:00AM (In‑Person)

Bring your laptop. Bring an idea. Spend the morning alongside people building projects, sharing knowledge, and helping each other move forward. Whether you're coding, learning, or exploring a new concept, this gathering combines focused work time with meaningful community connection.

June 10 — 10:15AM (In‑Person)

AI changes fast. This weekly gathering helps you stay current by hearing what others are testing, adopting, and learning right now. Meet professionals exploring similar challenges, exchange ideas, and gain context that can be difficult to get from articles, videos, or tools alone.

June 11 — 10:00AM (In‑Person)

AI strategy is moving from experimentation to execution. Hear how leaders are evaluating tools, deploying agents, and making decisions that impact operations and growth. If you're responsible for products, teams, or business outcomes, this conversation offers context that can help shape your next move.

June 13 — 8:30AM (In‑Person)

Building a business requires more than a good idea. This full-day seminar brings together organizations, resources, and expertise designed to help entrepreneurs navigate growth, operations, and long-term sustainability. Attend to expand your network, sharpen your strategy, and discover support available across the ecosystem.

Looking to use your technical skills for community impact? Innovate Memphis is hiring a Full Stack Developer to help power Data Midsouth, building tools that make civic data more accessible for residents, nonprofits, and public agencies. If you're passionate about technology, data, and Memphis, this is a chance to help shape how our city uses information to make better decisions.

Keeping a community visible takes more than good intentions. It takes people willing to invest in the infrastructure behind it.

Tech901 helps grow Memphis' tech talent pipeline by creating pathways into technology careers. Uncomplicated Inc. builds human-centered software while consistently supporting the community behind the scenes. Memphis Technology Foundation sustains the meetups, events, and connections that help Memphis tech stay connected and continue growing.

This newsletter is one small part of what that investment makes possible.

Thank you for supporting the stories, people, and progress that don't always make the headlines but shape the future of Memphis tech.

Interested in supporting Memphis tech storytelling? Sponsorship information is here.