Drexel Joins Citywide Innovation Conversation at 2021 B.PHL Fest

Drexel faculty and professional staff will participate in the events of the 2021 B.PHL Innovation Fest at the end of September.

Drexel University faculty and staff will participate in a new hybrid version of the B.PHL Innovation Fest, a citywide celebration of innovation now in its third year. From Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 the event will welcome scores of creative thinkers from around the city and across the country, including headliners CNN’s Don Lemon, Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and Grammy-winning recording artist Eve.

This year’s festival, featuring workshops, events, interactive experiences, and performances, will focus on unity and the collective ingenuity that has helped the city confront the COVID-19 pandemic. After transitioning to an entirely virtual event last year, B.PHL has introduced a hybrid format for 2021. All sessions will be free and open to the public online, with a small number of guests in attendance at the events.

Drexel has participated in B.PHL since its establishment in 2019 and this year a number of faculty and professional staff will help to lead conversations around inclusion, the creative economy and the future of communication.

On Sept. 29, at 2:15 p.m., faculty from the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship and the School of Education will lead a discussion about the power of creativity in entrepreneurship and help participants identify their own creative and entrepreneurial strengths. The workshop, called “Hi! We’re Your Creative and Entrepreneurial Mindsets. Let Us Help Inspire Your Innovation (IRL),” will be led by Liza Herzog, director of academic research at the Close School; Barrie Litzky, PhD, an associate professor at the Close School; Charles Sacco, associate dean of strategic initiatives and director of the Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship at Drexel; Larry Keiser, PhD, an assistant clinical teaching professor in the School of Education; and Debra Conrad, Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile (EMP) product director at the Eckerd College’s Leadership Development Institute.

On Sept. 30, at 2:15 p.m., Youngmoo Kim, PhD, a professor in Drexel’s College of Engineering and director of the ExCITe Center, will moderate a “Fireside Chat” event with John Gruber, a Drexel alumnus and renowned technology developer, writer and podcaster. Gruber created the “Daring Fireball” tech blog and hosts two well-known tech podcasts, “The Talk Show” and “Dithering,” in addition to being a regular technology commentator for CNBC.

On Oct. 1, at 11:30 a.m., Faith Kellermeyer, assistant director of Digital Strategy and Design at Drexel’s College of Computing & Informatics, will co-host a workshop, called “Transforming Organizational Culture Through Inclusive Communications Strategies,” with Brandyn Campbell, antiracist communications consultant and founder of Brandyn Campbell Communications, about how organizations can use social media to respond to social change. Kellermeyer and Campbell will lead a discussion about how to use organizational social media to support antiracist causes and organizations. Attendees will have the opportunity to unpack case studies, ask questions and receive practical advice about managing these communications challenges. 

A limited number of in-person tickets will be available starting on Sept. 17 by registering here.

For more information about the festival and to register, visit www.BPHLFest.com.