MLH Hackcon 2021 Keynote

Hackcon is MLH's conference for hackathon organizers and community leaders. Every year I deliver a keynote highlighting some inspiring stories from our community, major accomplishments, and a sneak preview of what's ahead. This is the deck for Hackcon IX (2021).

Transcript

1. We empower hackers. Hackcon IX
2. Hey, there! I’m Swift. 👋 CEO & Co-Founder of Major League Hacking (MLH). Aspiring lawyer who became a developer instead. Empowering technologists for 10 years now.
3. We empower hackers.
4. Meet Swift Joined Community: hackNY, 2010
5. I wanted to be a lawyer before my first hackathon. Turns out that I’m a much better hacker.
6. Back then I used to think my story was unique. It ends up, my story wasn’t unique at all.
7. 500,000 MLH Community Members
8. Meet Ebtesam Joined Community: HackDSC, 2020
9. There was a feeling from her classmates that women didn’t belong in tech.
10. Ebtesam learned so much at her first hackathon and felt so welcome.
11. MLH hackathons helped boost my confidence and allowed me to set bigger goals for myself. Ebtesam Al Haque George Mason University “
12. COVID changed everything.
13. COVID changed everything. nothing!
14. & Weekly Virtual Hackathons & Workshops Year-Round MLH will be back on campus this Fall (where it’s safe)
15. Expert Support & Advice Discounts & Freebies Extra Event Prizes Software Lab Credits Judging Support Marketing & Promotion Mini Events & Workshops Swag & Giveaways All These Benefits & More Head to: mlh.io/event-membership
16. No matter where you’re hacking from, you’re a part of the MLH Community.
17. Meet Sayd Joined Community: VandyHacks, 2019
18. Says felt like he wasn’t learning enough in class & wanted to do something about it.
19. Ebtesam learned so much at her first hackathon and felt so welcome.
20. Through the MLH community, I was exposed to the diversity of paths, backgrounds, and possibilities. Sayd Agzamkhodjaev Vanderbilt University “
21. Where technologists come to level up. fellowship.mlh.io
22. Meet Emily Joined Community: SB Hacks, 2018
23. Emily expected to hack by herself. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
24. This was the technology community that helped break me out of my shell and encouraged me to be myself. Emily Nguyen UC San Diego “
25. Emily found the skills and the confidence she needed to launch her career.
26. 40% Non-Male Last Year
27. Meet your new 2022 Season Mascot: Frankie, The File Ferret
28. Meet Jarrel Joined Community: Local Hack Day, 2018
29. MLH helped me understand that coding wasn't just for coders, but for those with a hunger for innovation and the heart to make a difference. Jarrel Thomas UC Riverside “
30. Jarrel found a job at shop, but never let go of his passion for the hacker community.
31. Following his dreams led Jarrel to land a job at Twilio as a support engineer.
32. Local Hack Day is a worldwide celebration of hacking.
33. • Learn: October 10th 18th, 2021 • Build: January 9th 17th, 2022 • Share: April 3rd -11th, 2022
34. These are just a few of the thousands of inspiring stories here this weekend...
35. We’re hiring full-time, part-time, & interns! Head to: careers.mlh.io
36. Happy Hacking!