Our Tribal "Yucayekeno Connect" App Will Receive Resource Support from MIT experts!
We are thrilled to announce that Borikua Taino Foundation's Yucayekeno Connect has been selected as a 2024 Solver Team by MIT Solve! Out of over 2,200 applications worldwide, Yucayekeno Connect was chosen as one of just thirty winning teams, receiving a $10,000 award from MIT Solve and additional funding to expand its impact.
Board President Brooke Rodriguez (Yucayeke Abacoa) pitched Yucayekeno Connect to a room of philanthropists and global leaders at the MIT Solve Challenge Finals in New York, held during the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week. The nine-month support program will provide access to funding, resources, experts, and mentorship, helping the app scale its reach and enrich the lives of the Borikua Taino community.
Yucayekeno Connect, led by Education Wayarí Priscilla Bell, enables Borikua Taino descendants to engage with their heritage by sharing stories, accessing resources, and preserving their culture in a protected digital space. “With this app, we can intertwine the stories of our Ancestors into the fabric of our future, empowering our People to reconnect with our Taíno heritage and cultivate a pathway of strength and renewal,” Priscilla shared.
Yucayekeno Connect is a mobile platform that helps the Borikua Taíno community reconnect with their heritage, share stories, and document ancestry. With features like interactive maps, educational tools, and a tribally-owned server, the app empowers members to preserve their culture while maintaining privacy and security.
At MIT Solve, we believe that to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all, we need new voices and solutions. Join us in our mission to find and scale the best.
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