Keynote Speaker

Robert Powell III
Founder & CEO
BGG Foundation

Johnnie Turnage is an award-winning grassroots activist, campaign manager, and tech entrepreneur, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to his endeavors.He embarked on his career in social justice and grassroots organizing early on, transitioning from a volunteer to a GOTV leader during the 2008 Presidential campaign at the age of 14. He holds the distinction of being the youngest person to ever graduate from Michigan State University’s Great Lakes Leadership Academy and has worked through four Presidential and three Gubernatorial cycles. Johnnie currently serves on the Detroit Action Advisory board, the Transforming Power Fund Community table, and their 2023 Giving Project. He is also a proud advisory board member of the Michigan Founders Fund, an accomplished public speaker, and a host and judge for technology competitions. Moreover, Johnnie dedicates his time to mentoring students at the University of Michigan’s School of Journalism Knight Challenge team project. In October 2022, Johnnie represented and contributed to Michigan’s first-ever Tech Week Venture competition, championing collaboration as the cornerstone of long-term success. Building on this momentum, in April 2023, Johnnie co-founded Black Tech Saturdays, a transformative learning community for entrepreneurs grounded in the principles of community organizing. With a mission to facilitate collective progress, Johnnie strives to empower individuals to achieve greater heights together.