Thanks for reading Meet The Innovators Universe! This post is public so feel free to share it. Welcome back to the MTI Universe. This week, we took the conversation straight to the heart of Columbus, Ohio. We set up shop at the Martin Luther King Library off Long Street, right on the edge of Olde Towne East and Driving Park. There is something incredibly grounding about creating and recording in the exact spaces where we used to run to the library 30 years ago, eager to play games or download free beat-making software. In this episode, tentatively titled "The Glitch in the Narrative," we sit down with Stephen Adams. Stephen is an entrepreneur, the COO of the non-profit Black AI, and the driving force behind 614 Tech Week. His story is the definition of a true shake-back. He takes us through his journey from being a teenage father at 15 and navigating the streets, to eventually finding his lane in technology, climbing to a C-level executive position, and ultimately choosing freedom and entrepreneurship over corporate titles. Here is a breakdown of what we get into: * The Modern Oil Rush: We discuss how the tech world is the new frontier and why it is absolutely critical to ensure marginalization does not grow in this space. * Grassroots Tech Education: Stephen breaks down the mission of Black AI, which includes showing up at local libraries with pizza to engage kids and spark their interest in building apps, websites, and AI-generated music. * The 614 Tech Week Movement: We explore the origins of 614 Tech Day, an initiative launched in just 55 days to break down industry silos, bringing local founders and enterprise leaders together for collaborative coding, app building, and networking. * Navigating Burnout and Mental Health: We have a very real, necessary conversation about the extreme pressures placed on men, the danger of the “all or nothing” mentality, and the importance of taking time away from the grind to simply recharge in a hammock or out in nature. * Skill Espionage: Stephen shares his brilliant strategy of taking certain jobs not for the paycheck or the prestige, but intentionally to extract and learn valuable skills to eventually apply to his own business. * The Reality of Marketing: We talk about the evolution of digital storytelling, the necessity of having a strong community-driven “why,” and how a simple like, comment, or share from a friend is fundamentally the same as putting money in a creator’s hands. This conversation is packed with gems for anyone trying to carve out their own space in the world, whether you are a solo entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or just trying to navigate your own pivot. Drop into the episode, let these insights marinate, and let us know what your biggest takeaway was in the comments. Meet The Innovators Universe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mtiradio.substack.com/subscribe
