In 2002, Steven left his cushy gig as an enterprise technology executive to prove and develop technologies and practices that would enhance the ability for distressed urban areas to become economically secure. He soon discovered this wouldn’t be a direct nor simple path and used a mix of entertainment and innovation to bring his brand of change to the city of Chicago.
His long-term Array of Opportunity project in Chicago presents the notion of establishing cyberinfrastructures to commercialize inclusive smart city edge innovations to tech-enable companies in distressed retail corridors.
Steve has worked with clients like United Airlines, Merrill Lynch, and Northeast Utilities and is the designer and producer of the first digital entertainment network between jukeboxes, a pharmaceutical trials platform, and even co-authored an award-winning play.
Described as cross between tech nerd and comedian, Steve often speaks about economic development and urban planning process of cities through his unique lens and experiences working with a range of community, municipal and industry stakeholders. Steve is a frequent speaker on civic tech engineering with a focus on urban planning and engagement as it relates to Internet of Things, urban sensing data analysis, drones use, augmented telematics, other digital assistive innovations and potential for funding their implementation through social impact, Opportunity Zone investments and PIPE (private investment in public equity) initiatives.
Steve is co-founder of XtraMedium Communications Group, Managing Director of Colony 5, a not-for-profit tech accelerator dedicated to helping Black male entrepreneurs, former Entrepreneur in Residence at UI Labs and City Tech Collaborative, a Blackstone Foundation/World Business Chicago Inclusive Entrepreneurship Challenge awardee, senior member of the Argonne National Labs Array of Things Executive Oversight Committee, Civic Tech Advisor for the Imagine Smart City Project, board member U.S. Green Building Council-Illinois, executive board member of Collaboraction Theatre, mentor for the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Data Science for Social Good Fellowship program, social ventures fellow for Center for Neighborhood Technology, and mentor for Northwestern University Farley School of Engineering, Design for America and Global Engagement Summit and architect of Chicago’s Responsible Retailer Initiative.
