xx, an AI researcher and applied science manager at Amazon, is breaking new ground—literally and figuratively—by transforming 14 abandoned acres in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, into a cutting-edge tech hub.
With an impressive track record that includes co-founding Partpic, a visual recognition technology startup acquired by Amazon in 2016, and establishing the Bean Path, a nonprofit tech incubator, Dr. Sephus is on a mission to bring STEM opportunities to underserved communities.
In an industry where Black women make up less than 1% of the engineering workforce, Dr. Sephus’s vision for the Jackson Tech District is nothing short of revolutionary.
Her $25 million project aims to revitalize downtown Jackson, creating a tech ecosystem that offers everything from an electronics lab and creative arts center to restaurants, apartments, and a grocery store.
This self-sustaining “city within a city” will provide essential resources to local entrepreneurs, helping them develop tech skills and grow their businesses.