Planting Seeds: Celebrating The Bean Path

The Bean Path provides technical advice and guidance to individuals of all ages and small businesses.

The Bean Path is growing roots in Jackson's Tech District alongside Founder Dr. Nashlie Sephus and their talented staff. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides technical advice and guidance to individuals of all ages and small businesses. One of the ways they're accomplishing this is with the scaled-out Makerspace, a think tank playground for community workshops and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math)-inspired programming.

The Makerspace features different types of equipment for 'makers,' including Boss laser cutters for wood engraving, 3D printers, a heat press, and machines for sewing, embroidery, and monogramming.

The technology readily available is more than the sum of its parts. Dr. Sephus, who formerly led the Amazon Visual Search team and is the Applied Science manager for Amazon Artificial Intelligence (AI), envisions The Bean Path as the hub that cultivates and unites talented makers in Jackson and throughout the state. For its launch, the Makerspace membership model is structured for affordability and accessibility so that individuals may even elect to teach courses in exchange for time in the workshop.

a gathering of people at The Bean Path
Classes are held regularly at The Bean Path
Credit: The Bean Path

Members can train on machines like the laser cutter or the CNS router, and in turn, assist during events as host instructors. The organization recently held their first practice class with a local visual artist trained on the Boss laser cutter, who created a wood engraving of one of their designs.

The Bean Path aims to be a space where young people can create and learn without fear or anxiety around being the 'smart' kid. The organization brings in tech experts to teach, many of whom are African-American, allowing young people to see themselves represented in roles like architects, fashion designers, and computer engineers.

The vision is to transform perceptions so that when the world thinks 'tech,' they'll think of Jackson, Mississippi alongside places like Denver, Colorado, or Utah.

The Bean Path continues to look for ways to sow its seeds, and local makers are encouraged to collaborate and reach out through their website for volunteering or donations. In-kind donations of expertise and teaching skills are welcomed, as the organization aims to be a hub hosting classes that are important to community members, where they can be invested and receive training.

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