The founder of financial tech company Block Inc., Jack Dorsey announced he is collaborating with the rapper Jay-Z by launching a Bitcoin Academy in Brooklyn. The Bitcoin Academy’s mission aims to empower and provide education to the region. The project’s website further details that residents of Marcy House, located in Brooklyn, New York will be eligible for free courses and other benefits like internet data plans.
Marcy House or Marcy Projects is a public housing complex located in Brooklyn, New York. Jay-Z lived there on Marcy Avenue when he was a kid, and he attended Eli Whitney High School. “Bitcoin is becoming a critical tool for many in Africa and Central and South America,” Dorsey continued in his Twitter thread. “We believe the same potential exists within communities in the U.S. Our goal is to prove that making powerful tools more available to people enables them to build greater independence.” The Block executive added:
Education is where we start. This isn’t just about bitcoin…it’s about long-term thinking, local economies, and self-confidence. Courses are free to all Marcy residents, including kids. And to make it even easier we’re providing devices and data plans for all who need it.
The Bitcoin Academy website notes that “education is power,” and classes will be online or in-person starting June 22 through September 7. “All Marcy residents are welcome,” the website details. “In-person classes will take place two evenings per week and dinner will be served.”
If needed Marcy residents will get access to MiFi devices, a year-long data plan, and they can keep the devices. Bitcoin Academy is also focusing on the youth and a “Crypto Kids Camp” will happen on Saturday for children ages 5-17. The website also reveals that Jay-Z’s non-profit the Shawn Carter Foundation has pitched in as well.
“Shout out to Jack,” Jay-Z tweeted on Thursday. “Bitcoin Academy, starting in Marcy, a place that taught me so much, is hopefully the first of many. The simple goal is to provide people tools to build independence for themselves and then the community around them.”
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