Dr. Nashlie Sephus is on a mission to uplift her community by creating a $25 million tech hub for aspiring entrepreneurs in Mississippi.
The Jackson native, who serves as an Applied Science manager for Amazon Artificial Intelligence, purchased 12 abandoned acres and seven buildings near Jackson State University on September 11, 2020.
Her vision is to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Dr. Sephus believes in the importance of giving back to the community which played a significant role in shaping her career. She is passionate about introducing more people to the world of technology and making it accessible to everyone.
In a recent LinkedIn post, she expressed her dedication to helping underserved communities reach their full potential in STEM fields. Dr. Sephus understands that this mission is not without its challenges, but she remains determined to see it through.
Throughout her career, she has been a successful engineer, previously leading the Amazon Visual Search team in Atlanta and serving as the Chief Technology Officer for Partpic, a startup that was later acquired by Amazon.
Education has been a cornerstone of her journey, as she earned her Ph.D. from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2014 and obtained her B.S. in Computer Engineering from Mississippi State University.
As the founder and CEO of The Bean Path, a non-profit organization, she continues to pursue her vision of sowing technical expertise to nurture networks and empower communities. Her latest endeavor involves revitalizing downtown Jackson, Mississippi, by developing the 12-acre property into a thriving tech hub.
Over the next five years, Dr. Sephus plans to transform seven of the abandoned buildings into a photography studio, electronics lab, and maker’s space. Additionally, she envisions creating restaurants, a grocery store, an innovation center, and apartments on the site. Her ultimate goal is to establish a self-sustaining village where people can live, work, play, and eat.
This project is her way of turning the impoverished streets of Jackson into a vibrant and innovative community. Dr. Sephus acknowledges that many do not expect positive change to come from Jackson, and she believes it’s up to the community to build a better future for those who will follow.
