Tulsa Initiative to host tech summit empowering NC students
By Staff Report, posted Oct 31, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com
On Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, The Tulsa Initiative will host the Success Summit: Tech Edition at Methodist University, bringing together more than 350 high school students for a full day focused on technology, leadership and innovation. The Summit introduces under-resourced students to real-world opportunities in tech through hands-on sessions, mentorship, and direct connections with colleges and employers.
Recognizing the rapidly growing industry and intersection of technology and artificial intelligence, Tulsa Initiative felt it was important to highlight this area in this year’s summit to help prepare students for the future of work and innovation.
The event will feature keynote speaker Paul Hanfere, former program manager at The Boeing
Company and co-founder of a successful mortgage brokerage. Now Lead Pastor of Overflow City Church in Washington, D.C., Hanfere blends business experience and faith-based leadership to inspire purpose-driven success.
Students will explore sessions including Intro to AI Prompt Engineering with Dr. Terry House, AI in Daily Life: Practical Tools for Success with Crystal McLean and Strengthening Future Readiness – Tools and Strategies for Workforce Preparation with Glenn Ford. The day will also feature a Pathways to Purpose panel discussion and a breakout session led by Jeffron Smalls, helping students connect technology to leadership, education, and workforce development.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring the Success Summit: Tech Edition to life this year,” said Founder and Executive Director of The Tulsa Initiative Qu’Derrick Covington in a press release. “Our goal is to show students what’s possible when education, innovation, and opportunity meet. We’re deeply thankful for the continued support of our partners, speakers, and community leaders who make this event—and its impact—possible.”
Community partners helping to make the Summit possible include Methodist University, Cumberland County Schools, Wake County Schools, JQ Lifestyle Group, City of Fayetteville Office of Community Safety, United States Army: Fort Bragg, Microsoft and Carolina Workforce Development.
For sponsorships, volunteering or partnerships, contact Kristen Maddox at 864-873-7814 or kristen@houseofpruitt.com
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