Momentum Starts Here | Powered by Best Buy Edition

The Official Newsletter of Momentum Summit

POWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

In the coming years, technology will continue evolving in a series of unpredictable twists and turns. But here’s the headline: It’s not going anywhere. That’s why, for decades, Best Buy and the Best Buy Foundation® have been committed to equipping young people with the skills, experiences, and opportunities needed to thrive in the rapidly changing world of technology.

That makes Best Buy a perfect presenting sponsor for this year’s Momentum Summit, where leaders and changemakers will gather in August on Martha’s Vineyard to explore Power of Possible: Technology, Policy, and the Future of Philanthropy.

We’re excited to learn more about how Best Buy and the Best Buy Foundation support the next generation of leaders to build skills through technology, career exploration, mentorship and economic mobility through opportunities like paid internships to thrive in the tech-enable careers of the future. Through community partnerships, networks of Best Buy Teen Tech Centers® and immersive technology camps across the US, young people build a solid foundation in technology for high-demand careers and prepare them for whatever’s coming next.

THE POWER OF PLACE

Oliva Jefferson, Vice President of Social Impact at Best Buy As Vice President of Social Impact at Best Buy and Executive Director of the Best Buy Foundation, Olivia Jefferson is helping prepare young people for a future increasingly shaped by technology. Her work focuses on expanding access to education, skills training, mentorship, and career pathways so that more young people can participate in and help shape the economy of tomorrow. That vision comes to life through Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, where young people gather after school to explore technology through creativity and hands-on learning. You might find a young person editing a short film, recording music in a sound booth, building a brand identity, learning to code, or watching a 3D printer bring an idea to life. Mentors are close by, offering guidance, encouragement, and exposure to new possibilities. What makes these spaces powerful is that they are about more than technology. They help young people develop confidence, agency, and a sense of what is possible for their future. Rather than simply preparing students for today’s jobs, they help equip them with the skills and adaptability needed to navigate a rapidly changing world. The goal isn’t just to teach young people how to use technology. It’s to help them shape what comes next. Through her leadership, Jefferson is helping build a generation of creators, problem-solvers, and innovators ready to thrive in the tech-enabled careers of the future.

WE LEAN INTO TECH

We chose tech as one of the central themes of this year’s Momentum Summit in part because of its outsized role in the domestic economy. According to CompTIA, the technology sector contributes about $2.3 trillion in direct economic value in the United States. Over the next decade, tech occupations are projected to grow at roughly twice the pace of the overall labor market.

Research also shows that early STEM exposure can have a lasting impact: building interest in STEM fields, increasing the likelihood of pursuing a STEM degree, and opening access to the careers of the future. That’s why our partnership with the Best Buy Foundation is invaluable to us: They turn early exposure into real-world opportunity.