And on the fifth day there was light! Up until this point in our trip, our understanding of what makes Israel’s startup culture unique was almost entirely secondhand. That all changed today with our visits to a couple of successful Israeli “startups,” and to an organization that is committed to building stronger business ties between Israeli and the US.
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Winter in Israel: Day 4
This is the start of our fourth full day in Israel. The pace is intense. By observing the culture of Jerusalem, the West Wall, and the Dead Sea we are starting to understand the nation and its people. The reoccurring sight of armed police and soldiers started to get routine until we went to the border with Jordan yesterday and witnessed the live mine fields which brought the reality of past despair, suffering, and a feeling of isolation knowing that there were three more borders (Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt) not including the chaos in the Gaza Strip and to a lesser extent the West Bank.
Tale of a Fearless Newswoman

“The Post” Offers Glimpse into the Role of the ‘Fourth Estate,’ Keeping Government Accountable
On New Year’s Eve, we watched the new film: “The Post,” starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. The film traces the decision by Katharine Graham (Streep) and Ben Bradlee (Hanks) to publish Vietnam-era stories based on the Pentagon papers. Continue Reading
Winter in Israel: Day 3
Our third day in Israel consisted largely of traveling from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, with a few stops and detours along the way. The day included both visits to common attractions in Israel as well as sojourns to lesser-known areas.
After travelling to the West Bank and driving past the historical site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, we began with a brief excursion at Ein Gedi, a nature reserve in the midst of the desert. Although we did not stay long, we hiked through the reserve, visited a small waterfall with an ancient biblical legend associated with it, and were introduced to some of the local wildlife on the hike.
Winter in Israel: Day 2
Conveying the level of exuberance that was felt as I opened my hotel curtains on Friday morning may be a tough task. I fear that this remarkable amount of excitement may not resonate with the readers who do not have the pleasure of being faced with this breathtaking view of Jerusalem. Today marks the weekly holiday of Shabbat, where people come together with their loved ones to celebrate their unconditional bond with each other.
Michelle Obama: Authentic, Engaged, Funny and Inspiring

More than 3,000 people packed The Bushnell in Hartford recently to hear former First Lady Michelle Obama in a moderated conversation. While the venue was large, the evening came across as an intimate conversation because she was “authentic,” funny, and told engaging stories. Continue Reading
Winter in Israel: Day 1
Our first full day in Israel was very busy and full of enlightening experiences. After only about 24 hours here, I am amazed at the versatility of the country. There is a huge focus on development of the next big technology and the future, yet as we toured Jerusalem, we experienced over 2000 years of history that brings together people of all backgrounds, ages and experiences.
Why We Need More Conferences Like AfroTech
Accountant. African American Woman. A small dot within the tech workforce.
This is my bio.
Being a person of color in the tech industry tends to feel like you’re a fish out of water. Though tech companies are working to improve diversity in the workplace, Black and LatinX employees still make up only a small margin of the workforce. Continue Reading
UConn Receives $22.5M Gift for Entrepreneurship, Innovation

The UConn Foundation has received a $22.5 million commitment from Peter J. Werth, ensuring a legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship for generations of students to come.
“Peter’s transformative and historic commitment cements his legacy as a most generous friend to UConn,” said Josh Newton, President and CEO, UConn Foundation. “As a steadfast UConn supporter for many years, Peter has previously given very generously to our athletic programs. We’re grateful that his generosity has expanded to include academics, especially into an area that supports the economy of our state: entrepreneurship and innovation. We hope he will inspire others to follow his lead.” Continue Reading
London Week 12: Paris

Although I doubt the temperature rose above freezing, I spent this past weekend in Paris. I saw the obvious sights such as the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Continue Reading