Who we are

Bartel Welch is a highly accomplished technology leader with almost 30 years of experience in front-end development, UI/UX design, mentorship, and leadership. He founded and serves as Executive Director of CODE313, a nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable access to STEM education for youth.

As CEO of Red Diamond Digital, a Metro Detroit-based company, and through previous roles such as Global Director of UX/UI for AidenAI, Welch has earned a reputation for world-class customer service, high-quality work, and on-time delivery. A leading design expert, he excels at conceptualizing, developing, and optimizing interactive applications, as evidenced by his impressive client portfolio. His expertise has been recognized in numerous local and national publications, and he is a sought-after speaker at conferences, business events, and community gatherings across the country.

Deeply committed to youth and community, Welch serves as President of the Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce, sits on multiple school technology advisory boards, and is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. A proud product of the Detroit Public Schools system, he holds an undergraduate degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, attended Wayne State University Medical School, and is currently pursuing a dual master's program at Walsh College of Business.

Meet Raquel Ne'Cole, a dynamic force born in the city of Flint, Michigan, and raised amidst the charm of Troy, Michigan. Hailing from a lineage of Black entrepreneurs spanning four generations, Raquel's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited from a young age.

Venturing back south to her roots to pursue her education, Raquel found her home at Xavier University of Louisiana, one of the premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in New Orleans. There she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology, all while juggling the responsibilities of single motherhood. Despite the challenges she faced, Raquel's determination and resilience shone through as she persevered to complete her degree and set the stage for her future success.

Not one to settle, Raquel continued her academic pursuits, graduating with an MBA in 2011.

As a devoted mother of four and a 17-year partner to her entrepreneurial husband, she is a key player in three thriving ventures. Together, they helm Red Diamond Digital, LLC, a full-service marketing firm with 14 years of excellence, alongside 529 Design Studio, LLC, specializing in interior design and upscale decor for over five years.

Fueling her passion for community and empowerment, Raquel founded 50Sha8desofLife, LLC, which launched its first chapter on October 31, 2023: an entertainment podcast, co-hosted with her cousin and best friend, celebrating Black businesses, health, wealth, entertainment, travel, and relationships within the community. Raquel and her spouse's commitment to uplifting others extends to the nonprofit CODE313, Inc., serving Detroit since January 2019.

By day, Raquel shines as a top-tier Corporate Recruiter for salaried roles across the USA and as a DE&I Champion within a global organization, leveraging her skills to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Her true essence lies in her creativity, her love for connection, and her unwavering dedication to uplifting her community.

A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Raquel's vibrant personality lights up any room. She is a natural networker, always eager to forge new connections and spark meaningful conversations. For Raquel, life is about more than business. It's about building relationships, making memories, mentoring, and empowering others to turn their dreams into reality.

Whether she's brainstorming ideas, grooving to her favorite tunes, or sharing laughs with loved ones, Raquel Ne'Cole is a beacon of positivity, creativity, and endless possibility. Stay tuned: she is just getting started.

Frank Erve is an IT professional specializing in cybersecurity and IT support. Working as an IT Manager for the security company Duo Security since 2016, Frank has a diverse background in the world of IT, with years of professional experience in areas ranging from mobile device management to front-end customer IT support for multi-factor authentication.

Born and raised in Detroit, Frank developed his initial IT background while attending Cass Technical High School and continued his education at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. In his spare time, Frank enjoys hosting his own hip-hop radio podcast and coaching youth football. He lives in Westland, Michigan, with his wife and two children.

Gary started his technology career almost 30 years ago, specializing in Command and Control Systems for the United States Army. Since then he has worked in a variety of roles in the private sector.

His experience ranges from creating scheduling systems for hotels and medical offices to web design, tech support, and IT management. It was through his volunteer work with Microsoft that he discovered his love of working with scholars of all ages, opening their eyes to the amazing world of coding and electronics.

Renee Yancy is a dedicated community leader based in Detroit, Michigan. With a deep passion for service and a commitment to social change, Renee has spent more than a decade working to improve the lives of those in her community.

Born and raised in Detroit, Renee developed a strong connection to her city and its residents. During her 17 years living in Chicago, she served as president of a local school council for seven years, where she honed her skills in advocacy, program development, and community engagement.

Renee has held leadership roles within local nonprofits, focusing on education, youth empowerment, and economic development. Her work has earned her recognition as a tireless advocate for underrepresented communities, and she has played a pivotal role in several initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and opportunity in Detroit.

As a proud board member of the Coleman A. Young Foundation, Renee is passionate about supporting young Detroit leaders and expanding access to education beyond high school. She has also joined the board of CODE313, where she aims to further empower youth through technology and innovation.

Renee is an active member of the Detroit Rotary Club, where she works with fellow Rotarians to address pressing community challenges. Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional life: she volunteers regularly with local organizations and mentors young leaders in her community.

Renee lives in Detroit with her family. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city's vibrant art scene, taking part in community events, and spending time outdoors. Her dedication to her city and its residents continues to inspire those around her.

Richard Walker is the Senior Program Manager for Industry Awareness at the SEMI Foundation, the workforce development arm of SEMI, a global trade association representing more than 3,000 semiconductor companies. In this role, Richard develops engaging programs and builds strategic partnerships to inspire interest in semiconductor careers and expand the industry's talent pipeline.

Richard brings a dynamic professional background to the board. As a tech entrepreneur, he co-founded a sports science company that analyzed wearable sensor data for professional and collegiate sports teams.

At Detroit PBS, Richard led workforce development initiatives, including the creation of a show spotlighting women in STEM careers. Earlier in his career, he practiced corporate and intellectual property law and gained extensive marketing and advertising experience at both large and boutique ad agencies.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Richard has made Metro Detroit his home for the past 25 years. He holds a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law, an MBA from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Carrie J. Clark wears multiple hats and balances all of them through astute leadership and a focus on community service. Carrie serves as System Director for IT at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, a role that spans the Project Management Office (PMO), IT Asset and Software Management, IT Service Management Applications, and IT Business Relationship Management. She earned the position by rising through the ranks and merging her knowledge of project management with technology.

A Detroit-area native, Carrie holds BA and MSA degrees and is working on a second master's degree in Health Administration. She maintains multiple certifications, including PMP, Scrum Master, ITIL, and CPM. Since 1995, Carrie has also been an adjunct professor at Detroit-area universities, teaching information technology, quality management, and project management. Her many professional awards include the Eastern Michigan University Distinguished Alumni Award, the DRIVEN Award, PMO of the Year finalist, Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence, the Black Alumni Eastern Elite Award, and the Career Mastered National Women's History Leadership in Action Award.

Carrie is a proud 37-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she has served on the board of directors for the last six years, first as the 29th Great Lakes Regional Director and now as International Regional Director. In this role, she guides members in chapters across eleven countries and territories outside the continental United States, raising awareness of global community needs through the sorority's initiatives on childhood hunger, youth leadership, economic empowerment, environmental concerns, social justice, and more.

Carrie also gives her time to many organizations, including the Project Management Institute (Great Lakes Chapter), the American Heart Association Go Red Passion Committee, the Great Lakes (MI) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America as an Associate, and she is a former board member of the Youth Development Commission (YDC). She is a member of Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit and is grateful for the support of her family: Mark, her husband of more than 28 years, and their two sons, Ian Marc Clark and Noah Stone Clark.

Dr. Wayne Gersie serves as Vice President for Engagement and Belonging at Michigan Technological University. Since taking on the role in November 2020, he has provided vision and strategic leadership for inclusive excellence and sense-of-belonging initiatives. He works with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners to advance the university's strategic commitments, from coaching leaders in cultural proficiency and building partnerships with minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to leading training programs and advising on strategic diversity, equity, inclusion, and sense of belonging (DEIS) issues.

Dr. Gersie has secured more than $14.5 million in external grant funding as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator for programs supporting underrepresented students in STEM. His key achievements include developing the university's first DEIS strategic plan, expanding partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other MSIs, and leading the university's successful application for a $1.3 million Ronald E. McNair Scholars grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Before joining Michigan Tech, he served as Assistant Research Professor and Chief Diversity Officer at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory. He is also the founder of the consulting firm Oasis Strategic Consulting LLC.

Dr. Gersie earned his PhD in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State, with an emphasis on human resources. He also holds an MEd in Counselor Education from Penn State and certificates from Harvard University's Institute for Management and Leadership Education, Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Center for Creative Leadership.

Tom Keuten is a consulting industry veteran with vast experience helping clients get the most from their investments in technology. He has built teams of business strategists, designers, and technologists that have delivered powerful outcomes, including ecommerce, websites, native mobile applications, and connected products.

Always based in Detroit, Tom has lived in London and visited more than 30 countries for work and pleasure. After starting his career at BDO out of business school, he went through several divestitures and acquisitions, learned hard lessons as an entrepreneur with Keuten and Associates, and joined Capgemini to lead one of its Detroit businesses.

In 2015, Tom joined Rightpoint to help create an employer of choice in Detroit and help clients throughout the region create better technology experiences. Rightpoint was later acquired by Genpact, and Tom now builds the Microsoft business across both companies.

Autumn Evans is a public administrator and advocate with extensive experience leading mission-driven initiatives that promote economic mobility and community impact.

As Senior Program Manager at Rocket Community Fund, she manages a multimillion-dollar portfolio focused on digital equity across multiple cities, building partnerships with government and philanthropic organizations to strengthen community resilience.