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.
Dr. Sephus, who holds degrees in computer engineering from Mississippi State University and Georgia Tech, has already secured significant support for her project.
Backed by a $500,000 grant from the Kellogg Foundation and bolstered by Amazon’s Future Engineer program, she’s overcoming the challenges of capital-raising and breaking barriers to bring tech innovation to her community.
“I want this to be a place where people can live, work, play, and eat—where innovation thrives,” Dr. Sephus explains.
Her tech hub is set to bridge the technology gap in Mississippi, fostering creativity, equity, and economic growth in the heart of Jackson.
