We Are Black History Banquet

The Denver Professionals NSBE Chapter had a very eventful couple of years. Even through the COVID lockdown, NSBE continued to meet virtually and used the time to launch a few programs currently offered by the chapter. So it was only fitting that when lockdowns were lifted, the members, our partners, and the community could darn their best attire and have a night of glitz and glamour. The "We Are Black History Banquet" commenced on February 26, 2022, at History Colorado Museum Denver. Our presenting sponsor Arrow Electronics, Inc, and the hard-working members of our executive team did a phenomenal job on décor, music, and atmosphere. The night was used to recognize the excellent support we have received from our partners, sponsors, and advisors.

Our speakers inspired the audience and reinvigorated their drive to serve the community. The display of black excellence at the banquet is something to replicate in our society. Our speakers were two impressive women of color in the STEM field who commanded their audience's attention. The event was a truly fitting close to Black history month and a great start to Women's History Month.

Meet Our Speakers

Janeen uzzell

NSBE CEO

Janeen Uzzell, NSBE CEO

Janeen Uzzell is the Chief Executive Officer of NSBE, the National Society of Black Engineers.

NSBE is the largest student-run organization in the United States focused on improving the advancement of Black engineers in academia and industry with more than 30,000 members worldwide.

Prior to joining NSBE, Uzzell was the Chief Operating Officer for the Wikimedia Foundation, the organization that operates Wikipedia, one of the world's top 5 websites. Under her leadership, she launched the Office of the COO and introduced organizational rigor and process improvement while leading a staff of more than 500 and an operating budget of $140M. During the heightened racial trauma towards Black people being broadcasted throughout the world in 2020, Janeen helped launch the Wikimedia Knowledge Equity Fund, a $4.5 million fund created to provide grants to external organizations that support knowledge equity by addressing the racial inequities preventing access and participation in free knowledge.

Janeen has nearly two decades of experience implementing the design and use of technology to drive impact on global outcomes. During her tenure at GE, she led multiple company-wide initiatives including the company’s emerging market healthcare strategy across Africa where she lived for several years as an Ex-Pat in Accra, Ghana. She was also the head of Women in Technology, where she worked to accelerate the number of women in technical roles across the 300,000-employee workforce. Uzzell has merged her leadership as a global technology executive, and her passion for social justice to forge diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology through product development, leadership advancement, and by shining a light on the inequality in tech spaces as a thought leader and voice of influence.

Janeen has a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and a Master of Business Administration in International Business from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

She serves on the board of Mercy Ships International, the dFree Global Foundation and holds a seat as an Advisor for NCA&T’s College of Engineering. She is a venture capital investor and Chairwoman of the Greybridge SPAC, focused on fintech and legacy endowments within HBCU’s.

Janeen uses her keyboard for good. She is a warrior in her faith and love for God. She comes in peace, but she means business. And that is evident in all the work she prioritizes and commits herself to. In her spare time, Janeen enjoys playing tennis, and spending time with her family and friends. She is based in Washington, D.C.

Keynote Speaker- Toi Massey

Antoinette “Toi” Massey is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and the Founder and Executive Director of The JEKL Foundation, which is based in Denver, CO. With over 24 years of successful leadership experience in the Federal, Aerospace Defense and private sector industries, Toi’s involvement with The White House National Initiative on Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Keynote speaker at University of California Long Beach Women In Engineering Conference and several local and national initiatives make her a voice in demand and an energy that must be experienced.

A native of Detroit, Toi holds a Masters of Engineering degree in Mechanical with a concentration in Nuclear Engineering from Howard University, Washington, DC and a Batchelor of Science in Physics, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA. Passionate about closing the gender and cultural resource gap in the STEM disciplines, Toi founded The JEKL Foundation for STEAM Education in 2010, incorporating art and design as the collaborative thread across the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM+Art=STEAM) disciplines.

Antoinette sits on several Boards and is a member of Society of Women Engineers,National Society of Black Engineers, Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority, Inc, Links, Inc.  

Toi Massey

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

AWARDS & RECOGNITION PRESENTED BY PCL CONSTRUCTION

• Presenting Sponsor

  • Arrow Electronics, Inc.

• Banquet Sponsor

  • PCL Construction

• Community Award

• SOCIT NSBE Jr.

• Collegiate Chapters

• Sponsors

• NSBE Denver Professionals Advisors

• NSBE Denver Professionals Executive Board

SELF GUIDED TOUR & NETWORKING HOUR

Enjoy a self-guided tour of the History Colorado Museum. Also join us for a cocktail hour filled with networking, appetizers, photos, and time to celebrate Black History and NSBE Colorado. See below for the exhibits at the museum you can tour for free! https://www.historycolorado.org/history-colorado-center