Major Wins for Detroit’s Tech Scene: Black Tech Saturdays and JustAir Lead the Way

Exploring Detroit’s Emerging Tech Landscape Led by Black Innovators and Environmental Health Initiatives

Articulated Insight – “News, Race and Culture in the Information Age”

Darren Riley CEO/Founder of JustAir 

Black Tech Saturdays (BTS) has always been more than a networking event—it’s a movement. With its recent $1.2 million grant from the Gilbert Family Foundation, BTS is poised to create an enduring impact on Detroit’s tech landscape. “We’re committed to driving business creation and wealth-building opportunities,” said co-founder Johnnie Turnage. This investment enables BTS to offer robust programs such as pitch competitions and mentorship initiatives, giving Detroit’s Black and Brown entrepreneurs the tools to succeed in a competitive industry​.

For Darren Riley, founder and CEO of JustAir, BTS played a pivotal role in transforming his vision into reality. Riley’s journey started with a personal health challenge—developing asthma after moving to Detroit. “It made me realize the undeniable connection between environment and health, particularly in Black and Brown communities,” Riley explained. His company, JustAir, uses cutting-edge IoT technology to monitor air quality, providing data that informs community action and policy. “We’re not just diagnosing the symptoms; we’re tackling the root causes.”​

Redefining Success with Black Ambition

Riley’s innovation has gained national attention, winning a $75K award in Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize. This program goes beyond funding, offering mentorship and resources to Black and Latinx entrepreneurs. “Black Ambition is about building a legacy,” said CEO Felecia Hatcher. Riley echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the mentorship component: “It’s invaluable to have seasoned professionals guiding you through challenges specific to our community.”.

The mentorship, combined with funding, creates a pathway for founders like Riley to break into industries often closed to them. The initiative reflects a larger commitment to leveling the playing field and ensuring Black and Brown innovators can lead in sectors like environmental technology, health, and urban development.

Building a Sustainable Future

JustAir Team

BTS and JustAir exemplify a broader shift in Detroit—a city reimagining what tech and innovation can achieve when equity is at the core. BTS’s new funding allows it to expand its offerings, including a pipeline to the Apple Developer Academy and local talent recruitment. “We’re not just looking to participate; we’re here to create an inclusive economy,” Turnage stated​.

JustAir’s work underscores this ethos. The company has deployed hundreds of air quality monitors across multiple states, but Riley insists the mission goes beyond data collection. “We’re using this data to close gaps in health equity,” he said. The goal is to influence policy and healthcare practices, ensuring communities most affected by pollution receive actionable solutions. “Environmental justice is central to our work—it’s about creating systems that prioritize human well-being.”

Innovation Rooted in Community

The power of community is a recurring theme in Riley’s journey. BTS provided him with access to talent, mentorship, and an ecosystem of like-minded entrepreneurs. “There’s something profoundly empowering about seeing people who look like you excel in this space,” Riley shared. Through BTS, he found a part-time product manager who deeply understood the challenges JustAir aims to solve. “It’s not just about technical expertise; it’s about shared values and lived experiences,” Riley said​.

Detroit is setting the stage for an inclusive utopia in tech—supporting Black and Brown innovators to thrive on their own terms. By creating connections, providing critical resources, and celebrating cultural authenticity, BTS and companies like JustAir are redefining what success looks like in the realm of technology. “We’re here to take up space unapologetically,” Riley declared. “This is our time to shape the future.”

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