Blacks in Technology Announces 2012 Recipients of Top 10 Black Innovator Awards

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 1, 2013 - Blacks in Technology (BiT), the leading coalition of African-American technology organizations announced today the winners of its annual Top 10 Black Innovator Awards, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated leadership and made an impact by fostering disruptive innovation in technology-related industries, products, and services.

BiT will present the Top 10 Black Innovators of 2012 as a component of the SXSW Interactive Festival on Friday, March 8, 2013 during the BiT Welcome Reception being held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Carver Museum. Attendees of the kick off event will enjoy a momentous evening of commemoration and networking over free-flowing libations accompanied with a Texas inspired hors d’ oeuvres menu.

Award Recipients:

• Heather Hiles – CEO and Founder of Pathbrite
• Katherine Finney –  Editor-at-Large of BlogHer, Founder of The Budget   Fashionista blog and the digitalundivided conference
• Hamet Watt – Co-Founder of bLife and MoviePass
• Mae Jemison - Physician and NASA astronaut, 1st African American woman in space
• Cory Booker – Mayor of Newark, NJ and Co-Founder of Waywire
• Navarrow Wright – Chief Technology Officer  at Interactive One
• Victoria Walker – 11 year old winner of AT&T’s 2012 hackathon
• Melissa Harris Perry – Author and host of MSNBC's "Melissa Harris-Perry"
• W. Kamau Bell – Socio-Political Comic and Host of FX’s “Totally Biased”
• Kimberly Bryant – Founder of Black Girls Code

"Blacks in Technology is thrilled to work with SXSW to recognize innovation in both the technology and Black professional communities,” says Sheila Marmon, Black Innovator Awards Chair. “The Black Innovator Awards provide a platform to shine a light on the accomplishments of diverse leaders who are making a contribution to American society and the world."

BiT is an initiative that grew out of a concern expressed by African-Americans living in Austin to promote more diversity during the SXSW conferences. In 2008, SXSW began hosting a free Welcome Reception at the Carver Museum targeting local African Americans. The event has transformed into the preeminent hub for honoring the achievements of Blacks in technology and one of the most highly anticipated segments of interactive week.

To learn more about Black in Technology please visit http://wearebit.com

Excluding the welcoming reception and awards banquet, you must have a SXSW Interactive, Gold or Platinum badge to attend BIT programming. SXSW Interactive, Gold and Platinum badges can be purchased online at www.sxsw.com/attend.

Celebrating it's 20th anniversary, the 2013 SXSW Interactive Festival runs March 8-12 in Austin, Texas. See www.sxsw.com/interactive for more information.

For media inquiries contact: Amanda Spann, BRANDSPANpr at aspann@brandspanpr.com

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