Historically, underrepresented and/or low-income individuals have limited access to the tech business sector. As South Florida evolves into a national tech hub, creating equitable opportunities in Broward County is a priority of local government, including libraries. Built in Broward established a pathway to tech entrepreneurship, offering underserved minorities economic mobility and providing a blueprint for freelancers to serve local startups and businesses. Funding was provided by a grant from Google via ALA.

The year-long Built in Broward program series provided targeted assistance/education with free workshops and a quarterly Freelance Business Development Incubator were used. The monthly online workshops, led by local tech entrepreneurs, focused on branding, design, coding, digital marketing and user experience design. The incubators, hosted by a minority-owned educational/digital marketing agency, provided support and success strategies. Both featured local and national-level speakers.

Outcomes included receiving a Florida Library Association’s 2020 Libraries Mean Business Award; workshop attendance of 1,195; and articles in Miami Herald and Refresh Miami. Cohort participants were surveyed before and after completing the program. Comments included: “Have more clarity on how to apply the skills I already had;” and “very positive and encouraging setting — just what you need to make that mental shift to realize you can do it.”