Music Maven Ted Lucas Embraces Tech To Close Black Wealth Gap

Slip-N-Slide Records founder and CEO Ted Lucas has built a Miami music empire. He leads SuperFest Miami Live, which has grown into the city’s largest music festival. And for his independent label he discovered, signed and developed Platinum-selling recording artists Trick Daddy, Trina, Rick Ross, Plies and most recently, TYTE, who plans to drop a new album on March 18. 

Most recently Lucas founded TechNolij, a Florida-based non-profit organization that works to prepare and introduce women and minorities to workforce and entrepreneurial opportunities in emerging and advanced technologies. Not only is he connecting Black and Brown tech creators and innovators around the world, but he is also providing funding and employment opportunities in emerging and advanced tech to address digital divide barriers like training and access to capital for tech businesses.

From discovering new artists like Sebastian Mikael and Teenear, to partnering with emerging tech leaders, Lucas is influencing the world of hip-hop with an ultimate goal of closing the Black wealth gap through tech and innovation programs. 

“My job is to make sure that Miami doesn’t just look like South Beach, but that it has the chance to look like the Miami that I grew up in and liked, to get these kids new opportunities,” Lucas says. “This place has been good to me and blessed me over the years with my record company. I just want to make sure I give those kids the same platform, the same opportunities that someone gave me.” 

Preparing younger generations for careers in tech requires bridging the gap that exists between the new companies arriving in Miami and surrounding Black and Brown communities. As the scene evolves beyond South Beach style to showcase new career opportunities, Lucas says that he strategically involves as many young students as possible in his team’s ideation projects. As tech and music meld together in Lucas’ world, he finds himself scouting and investing in new music talent alongside tomorrow’s founders. 

Fabiola Fleuranvil, chief marketing officer at Blueprint Creative Group, partnered with Lucas to create an Institute of Black Wealth, and says, “There is an opportunity to identify and pilot innovative solutions and business opportunities that will help close the Black wealth gap. That can be through procurement and government contracting, tech and innovation programming and through strategic alliances and institutional relationships. We’re in a pivotal moment in this country, and our aim is to get very intentional about creating prosperity and leveling the playing field.”

Through TechNolij, Lucas has forged a new partnership with Florida Memorial University. The partnership will develop and fund opportunities that will promote and position South Florida’s only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) as a technology and innovation hub for the region’s Black and underserved communities. 

This past summer, Lucas also worked closely with the City of Miami Mayor, Francis X. Suarez, on a “When We Code” coding camp for underrepresented students in preparation for careers in the computer science industry. Not only does the program provide curriculum, but also mentorship for students to succeed in a tech-driven economy.

Involving local high schools and helping their students place in tech jobs early on the campus is feasible, Lucas explains, as many students are already well-versed in tech, cryptocurrency and bitcoin. And upon completing a 16-week course, they can qualify for select paid positions. 

“Music attracts young kids, they’re excited. I just want to open their eyes and expose them to more, and I think tech is a way to do it,” says Lucas. “I want to give the opportunity to pursue their music career and also expose them to what’s going on in the tech community as well.”

Lucas is hosting Miami NFT Week, a tech conference featuring Mark Cuban April 1-3 at the Wynwood Convention Center. The event is expected to inspire tech leaders passionate about addressing the Black wealth gap, and perhaps also identify merging music talent.