FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, January 26, 2026
QBP RICHARDS TO HOST FOURTH ANNUAL QUEENS TECH & CAREER EXPO
Saturday, January 31 from 10am to 2pm at the New York Hall of Science in Corona
QUEENS, NY — As part of his continuing effort to ensure all Queens residents can contribute to and prosper from our city’s emerging tech industry, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. will host his fourth annual Queens Tech & Career Expo this Saturday, January 31, from 10am to 2pm in Corona.
“If Queens is to become the nation’s leading tech hub like we know it can and should be, we must break down the barriers to entry that have made it difficult for members of historically marginalized communities to fully participate in New York’s fastest-growing economic sector,” said Borough President RICHARDS. “With our annual Queens Tech & Career Expo and our many other tech-related initiatives, my administration is boldly tearing down these persistent barriers. Our entire borough and city are better off when everyone has a fair opportunity to benefit from the high-paying jobs that are increasingly available in the tech sector, and I look forward to seeing many of our neighbors on Saturday.”
Held at the New York City Hall of Science at 47-01 111th Street, the free Queens Tech & Career Expo will feature more than 50 different career and technology vendors, remarks from Borough President Richards and numerous interactive activities geared toward residents from historically disenfranchised communities who are interested in breaking into New York City’s tech industry, including:
- Opportunities to explore artificial intelligence (AI) & tech learning labs;
- The chance to help build an AI tool for government use;
- A thrilling gaming battle for prizes, led by popular Hot 97 host and video game influencer Gerard “HipHopGamer” Williams;
- A Mentoring & Career Lounge, led by WERULE;
- A special presentation from AT&T;
- Special prizes from Meta;
- Information and engagement from Google;
- On-site demos and tabling from the New York Power Authority centered on technology, clean energy, and workforce pathways
In addition, one lucky attendee will win a gaming console personally donated by HipHopGamer.
AT&T and the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) are also partnering to give away free laptops to 100 previously selected families with students who attend schools in Community School District 28, which serves a broad section of central Queens. Queens Public Library representatives will be on hand at the Queens Tech & Career Expo to provide these families with tutorials on how to use these laptops.
“At AT&T, we’re committed to helping ensure that every community can thrive in the digital age. Access to connectivity, devices and digital education is vital so that students can take full advantage of technology and put their imaginations to work,” said AT&T Northeast President JOHN EMRA. “We’re proud to collaborate with dedicated organizations like the QEDC and the Queens Public Library, and grateful for the support of leaders like Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. Together, we can bring real opportunities and effective resources to New York City families.”
“As the AI revolution continues to drive our economy and society, it is more important than ever to make sure those from historically marginalized communities are not passed over for the many valuable opportunities available in the tech sector,” said Deputy Borough President EBONY YOUNG. “There is a deep pool of talented people in these communities who deserve the chance to contribute their knowledge and ideas to the development of technology. I am so pleased to work with Borough President Richards and his entire administration on connecting traditionally marginalized Queens residents to our city’s tech and innovation spheres.”
Residents interested in attending the Queens Tech & Career Expo can register by visiting 2026TechExpo.eventbrite.com.
Members of the media who wish to cover the Queens Tech & Career Expo are asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected] or calling 718-286-2640.
Center for an Urban Future, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Brookings Institution report that Black and Latino New Yorkers are significantly underrepresented in tech jobs, especially in high-wage and technical roles, despite making up over 40 percent of New York City’s overall workforce.
Black workers hold roughly 7 percent of the city’s tech jobs, despite making up about 19 percent of the city’s total workforce, with Latino workers facing a similar gap. These disparities are even more pronounced in emerging fields like AI, where access to early exposure, training, and career pathways remains limited for students from underserved communities. More broadly, structural barriers — including unequal access to STEM education, professional networks, and mentorship — continue to limit entry and advancement for Black and brown youth in tech.
To help correct these long-standing inequities, Borough President Richards and Deputy Borough President Young have led a multi-pronged effort over the past five years to build Queens into a cutting-edge hub of technology, innovation and economic activity.
Work continues to build out the Global Tech & Innovation Center (GTIC) in Long Island City, which was first announced by the Borough President in his 2024 State of the Borough address and is currently slated to open later this year. Created in partnership with tech firm Pursuit and supported with more than $4.6 million in capital funding from the Borough President, the GTIC will be a hub of programming, investment and growth for New York City start-ups — providing entrepreneurs with the financial investment services and business mentorship tools they need to scale up.
Borough President Richards is also continuing to sponsor the Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge in partnership with the QEDC. This yearly competition for Queens-based entrepreneurs was established in 2022 and provides participants with free businesses classes, mentorship opportunities and networking sessions. It also annually awards five winning entrepreneurs with start-up grants of up to $20,000 each.
The Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge’s 2025-26 competition is ongoing, with interested entrepreneurs able to register for it through March 2. You can visit queensstartup.org to register and get additional information.
The Richards administration’s efforts in addressing tech industry disparities were bolstered by a July 2023 visit that the Borough President and Deputy Borough President made to Lagos, Nigeria. There they learned from local government officials and tech leaders about how that city had harnessed the potential of its residents to become what some call the “Silicon Valley of Africa” — with the goal of incorporating many of Lagos’ successes into their efforts to create a Black tech hub in New York City.
WHAT: Borough President Richards Hosts Fourth Annual Queens Tech & Career Expo
WHEN: Saturday, January 31 from 10am to 2pm
WHERE: New York Hall of Science
WHO: DONOVAN RICHARDS JR., Queens Borough President
EBONY YOUNG, Deputy Queens Borough President
Technology industry leaders and professionals
Follow the Office of the Queens Borough President via @QnsBPRichards on Twitter and @QueensBPRichards on Facebook and Instagram
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