Accessibility Activist & Latinx Founder Announced as Speakers for the 2020 CSforALL Commitments Showcase
Let’s Talk Diversity and Inclusion with Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, American Actor and Irma Olquin, CEO and Co-Founder of Bitwise Industries
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, American Actor and Accessibility Activist
Daryl Chill Mitchell is an actor and accessibility advocate. He plays computer specialist Patton Plame on the hit show NCIS: New Orleans. He has served as a spokesman for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and established the Daryl Mitchell Foundation to promote awareness, education and advocacy for survivors of spinal-cord injuries.
In November 2001, Mitchell was sidelined by a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down; however, it never halted his forward momentum. Once he was in control of his wheelchair, Mitchell went back to work and signed on as a series regular for the role of Eli on the series “Ed,” a role which became the basis for the pilot titled “Eli.” Eli’s character gave Mitchell one of his favorite phrases, “Roll or fold,” which encompasses his take on life. He is currently filming both NCIS: New Orleans and Fear the Walking Dead.
Speaking Segment: Design For Diversity
Irma Olquin, CEO and Co-Founder of Bitwise Industries
In 2013, Irma L. Olguin Jr. decided to build a tech ecosystem, activating human potential to elevate underdog cities around the country. The company focused on strengthening the tech industry in Fresno, Calif. and leveraging it as the economic driver to remake the city. In 2019, the company secured one of the largest series A rounds of funding ever for a female Latinx led company.
Bitwise Industries now operates with the goal of activating human potential for the technology industry in underrepresented cities across the U.S. As CEO and co-founder, Irma oversees the company’s operations teams, as well as the technology-focused training program of Geekwise Academy, and software development firm, Shift3 Technologies.
Speaking Segment: Design For Diversity
Segment: Design for Diversity
This segment will illuminate the importance of incorporating diversity and inclusion at the design phase, including considerations of race, socio-economic status, ability, identity and more.
More Information:
Stay tuned next week for more details on additional speakers. For more information on the 2020 #CSforALL Commitments Showcase, visit: https://www.summit.csforall.org/
Register Here: http://bit.ly/CSforALLCommitments
Thank you to our 2020 Showcase Sponsors!
If you are interested in sponsoring, contact Ruthe Farmer (ruthe@csforall.org).
