International non-profit organization CryptoChicks is excited to announce the inaugural Bahamas Youth Blockchain and AI Hackathon and Conference to be held August 23-25, 2019 at Windsor School, Albany campus.
The CryptoChicks Hackathon is a friendly, problem-solving contest that provides participants with a collaborative learning experience to solve business or community problems using technology.
Students, young adults, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike are invited to attend the three-day event that will feature blockchain and AI talks from local and international speakers including, John Rolle, Governor of the Central Bank of the Bahamas; Christina Rolle, Executive Director of the Securities Commission of the Bahamas; Alexandra Levin Kramer, Blockchain Attorney at CKR Law LLP and other local and international luminaries and mentors who will share their knowledge and time with attendees.
The event also provides a unique opportunity to get in-depth online blockchain technology education a few months before the hackathon from sponsor BlockGeeks.com. For three months leading up to the event, registrants will have free access to an in-depth Blockchain technology curriculum from a business and technical perspective, courtesy of Blockgeeks.com.
A pitch competition with a cash prize will also be featured at the event. Attendees can put their skills to the test by forming teams to create a minimum viable project. Participants will have access to talented Blockchain developers and be mentored on their projects during the Hackathon.
Bahamian co-creators and catalysts for this event are Felix Stubbs, Crachad Laing and Rhonda Eldridge, working closely with local blockchain enthusiasts and changemakers. Lisa McCartney, director at Windsor School, is an honorary education catalyst.
“I am excited to work with a talented Bahamian team to bring this inaugural event to Nassau,” stated Elena Sinelnikova, co-founder of CryptoChicks. “In a world that is fast becoming more technology driven, we are all called to action to unlearn, relearn and always be learning soft and hard skills that build competencies and character for the workforce of today and tomorrow. Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain are critical skills and I am elated that we have the opportunity to expose young Bahamians to this technology through this platform.”
Blockchain is a powerful technology whereby a record keeper is stored on an individual’s computer, connected by the internet. It doesn’t belong to any one person. It belongs to everyone. Blockchain is protected by locking an anti-hacking mechanism called cryptography. The information inside blockchain is stored in blocks that are connected by the cryptography and form a chain called blockchain.
CryptoChicks Hackathon has hosted educational hackathons and conferences in Canada, Pakistan, the United States, and Australia. The Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas have signed on as a community sponsor along with Harness All Possibilities; a US-based non-profit focused on amplifying human soft and hard skills for work in the 21st century.
Experienced software developers, sponsors, and mentors are invited to register to help attendees learn to code, create and present their projects.
“This event presents a wonderful opportunity for Bahamian youth to be exposed to a fascinating emerging technology, as well as hear from local and international experts,” stated Rotarian and Businessman, Felix Stubbs. “As space is limited, I would encourage our youth to register early to secure a spot.”
For more details or to register, visit bahamas.cryptochicks.ca 
Shown in the photo above are some of the members of the group that evolved from conversations Rhonda Eldridge has had over the past 3 years with local blockchain and crypto early adopters. She was inspired to create a trusted network of locally global talent, skills and experience launching a WhatsApp group after the 2018 Bahamas Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference in Freeport, the first such international event hosted by a government. CryptoChicks, a presenter at the conference, announced plans to launch a Hackathon in The Bahamas. The group shares insights, commentary, events and developments in blockchain technology. This was the second meetup to cultivate a collaborative mindset and call to action: reaching out, educating, including and creating a space of deliberate action to benefit all stakeholders in the adoption of this new technology. The inaugural Bahamas Youth Blockchain and AI Hackathon and Conference to be held August 23-25, 2019 at Windsor School, Albany campus.
From left to right are: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, Public Relations Consultant and Photographer, Michael Clare, Ministry of Finance, Felix Stubbs (back) Mentor and former CEO (retired), IBM Bahamas, Aliya Allen, Graham Thompson, Darius Ferguson (back) Palm Tree Digital Services, James Clarke, Global Sun Integration Management, P. Jillian Bethel, PO8:io, Travis Sweeting (back) Trav Creative, Derek Smith Jr., Rotary Club of Old Fort, Lisa McCartney, Director Meridian and Windsor Schools, Khail McCartney (front), Student Windsor School/STEM and Soccer Enthusiast, Rhonda Eldridge, Harness All Possibilities and CryptoChicks Ambassador – US and The Bahamas, Janvier Chalopin (back) Managing Director, Delchain Limited, Brian Jones, Leno and Jessica Thompson, Guest. Photo provided by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry.
E. Stefen Deleveaux (right), President, Caribbean Blockchain Alliance will be presenting at the Bahamas Youth Blockchain and AI Hackathon Conference that is slated for August 23-25, 2019 at Windsor School, Albany Bahamas. He is shown with Rhonda Eldridge, Founder of Harness All Possibilities, FinTech Advisor and CryptoChicks Ambassador in the US and The Bahamas. Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
