George Nunez has made it his mission to give back to his Bronx community, one that has had its share of challenges. The way he sees it, there is untapped potential and he wants to be the one who helps open doors using technology to develop workforce opportunities. As the founder of Bronx Tech Hub, a new initiative focused on creating job opportunities and making the borough a tech hub, the tech entrepreneur used Bronx Tech Week, a series of events that started September 9, to connect Bronx residents of all ages with opportunities in tech and ways to grow their businesses.
“It’s not just workforce development, it’s not just getting people a job,” said Nunez. “It’s a lifestyle. We’re also talking about creating generational wealth for them and their families.”
Nunez was raised in the South Bronx in NYCHA housing—with his mother, brother, and sister—an environment that did not encourage academic success or the pursuit of a positive future.
“It was tricky getting exposed to gang violence, drugs, seeing friends take a turn, and…a whole bunch of negativity, whether it was friends who were dying or getting incarcerated,” Nunez said.