MIAMI — Oct. 26, 2016 — NiteCap, a documentary conversation series that engages live audiences in interactive experiences, will highlight the people and issues driving the work of local entrepreneurs of color with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
NiteCap host, award-winning author and journalist Peter Bailey is inviting the South Florida entrepreneurial community to participate in NiteCap’s first taped event on Nov. 19, 2016 at Overtown’s Lyric Theater. The event will feature Brian Brackeen, founder of Kairos, a Miami-based facial recognition software company that was nominated as one of the Wall Street Journal’s 2013 startups of the year. RSVP here: http://nitecapnext.eventbrite.com/.
NiteCap’s three-event series will couple a deep discussion about opportunities and challenges in Miami’s startup scene with provocative experiences, integrating live theatrical and musical performances. Miami’s most promising entrepreneurs of color will be featured alongside industry leaders in entertainment, business and technology.
“The current generation of black entrepreneurs is fighting for economic ownership as opposed to inclusion like our predecessors,” said Bailey. “Nightcap will create an authentic bridge for black entrepreneurs to connect and build businesses together.”
“Miami’s black community is making key contributions to our city’s innovation ecosystem and we need more outlets to showcase their work,” said Matt Haggman, Miami program director for Knight Foundation. “NiteCap will help fill this gap by highlighting diverse idea makers in a unique format that will spark connections and inspire new thinking.”
Previously focused on the entertainment industry, this new iteration of NiteCap will center on stories of black entrepreneurs and business leaders, as a way to provide emerging innovators with valuable insights, and spotlight the great work being done in the community.
Launched in 2013, NiteCap’s entertainment series has hosted some of music and entertainment’s biggest names including: Mike Tyson, Fantasia, 50 Cent, Ice T, Janelle Monae, Chad Johnson and Mike Epps. The show is routinely featured on Vibe, BET, MTV and Huffington Post to name a few.
Before launching NiteCap, Bailey wrote for Time, Newsweek and the Miami Herald. His book on the life of hip hop star Trick Daddy was praised as “one of the pop music gems of 2010” by the New York Times.
Support for NiteCap forms part of Knight Foundation’s efforts to invest in Miami’s emerging innovators and entrepreneurs as a tool to build community, while fostering talent and expanding economic opportunity. Over the past two years Knight has made more than 200 investments in entrepreneurship in South Florida.
Tickets for the first NiteCap event on Nov. 19 are available at: http://nitecapnext.eventbrite.com/
For more information on NiteCap visit: http://iampeterbailey.com/
About NiteCap
In his critically-acclaimed documentary series, Peter Bailey engages in introspective provocative conversations with newsmakers including the likes of Rick Ross, real estate titan Don Peebles, Ice T, Janelle Monae and 50 Cent. The on location conversations delve into social issues in an unconventional and off-scripted tone revealing much about the storied guests. The series has been featured on MTV, BET, The CW and the Huffington Post to name a few.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.
CONTACT:
Anusha Alikhan, Director of Communications, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, 305-908-2677, [email protected]
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