CDC Launches Diversity Initiative and Awards First Recipient

The Charleston Digital Corridor (CDC) is pleased to announce the launch of the CDC Diversity Initiative with a simple goal -- to broaden the inclusion within Charleston's tech community of under-represented entrepreneurs and business professionals. The Diversity Initiative aims to achieve this by offering no-cost usage and workspace at the Charleston Tech Center and through subsidizing an array of curated business resources, mentoring and educational tools as applicable.

The first recipients of support from the CDC Diversity Initiative are Jackie Kohlhepp and Brittany Betit of The Rez Rev, LLC, a woman-owned and military spouse-owned Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that seeks to connect job seekers and talent seekers/employers. This is accomplished by allowing users to create and submit video resumes (REZs) and video job requisitions (REQs), designed to personalizing the job search process to saving users time, money, and frustration.

"We are incredibly honored to be the first recipient of the CDC's Diversity Initiative! As non-technical female tech company founders, we're especially grateful for the opportunity to grow and develop our company with support from the CDC, experiencing firsthand their expert mentorship, top-notch resources, and motivating entrepreneurial spirit. It's our mission as an organization to rehumanize the hiring process by revolutionizing the resume, and thanks to the generosity of the CDC, Comcast, Google and others, we're that much closer to achieving our goal," said Jackie Kohlhepp & Brittany Betit, The Rez Rev, LLC.

"We are proud to partner with the Charleston Digital Corridor on this very important diversity initiative," said Jason Gumbs, Comcast Regional SVP. "This effort aligns perfectly with Comcast's commitment to diversity, inclusion and bridging the digital divide in Charleston and across the nation. We are thrilled to make a monetary grant to the CDC that will support their efforts in this critical space."

The rollout of the CDC Diversity Initiative is no coincidence. It comes on the heels of the opening of the landmark Flagship at the Charleston Tech Center in April and the recent launch of the CDCu education initiative, both prerequisites for the success of the diversity initiative.

"I am pleased to have Comcast, Google and many other local businesses and individuals wholeheartedly support this initiative, both financially and in-kind, demonstrating our shared goal to ensure Charleston's tech and tech-related businesses truly reflect the diverse demographic of the Charleston community," said Charleston Digital Corridor Director," said Ernest Andrade.

Learn more about the CDC Diversity Initiative here.