[ Build · Connect · Deploy ]

Urban Ed
Symposium
07.23–25

MyVillage member meeting eventMyVillage Project

Agenda at a Glance

Day 1 — Villager & Agent Happy Hour

Day 2 — Trainings & Certifications

Day 3 — Back-to-School Family Reunion

Looking For the Agenda?

Full Schedule

When

July 23–25, 2026

Growing Season

Where

Multiple Locations

Jacksonville, FL

For Whom

Families & Educators

Ages 16 to 80+

[ Speakers ]

Meet the
Instructors

The Annual Urban Ed Symposium features voices from across the MyVillage ecosystem including founders, builders, nonprofit leaders, funders, educators, elected officials and more. Come and get certified by your local community experts.

Melissa Hardwick

Melissa Hardwick

Founder, Brown Girls in the Boardroom

Dr. Irvin Cohen

Dr. Irvin Cohen

Executive Director, LISC Jacksonville

Darryl Willie

Darryl Willie

Duval County School Board, District 4

Dr. Barbara Darby

Dr. Barbara Darby

Retired Campus President, FSCJ

Angie Nixon

Angie Nixon

Florida State Representative, District 13

Dr. Kim Allen

Dr. Kim Allen

CEO, People Driven Data

Call for Instructors

Teach at the
Symposium

Are you a community expert ready to share your knowledge? We're looking for instructors to lead certification sessions and help our community grow. Bring your expertise to the stage.

Emerging TechnologiesEducation StrategiesEntrepreneurshipNonprofit LeadershipFunding & GrantsPolicy & Advocacy

[ Mission ]

Our Purpose And Goals

The Annual Urban Education Symposium is where families, organizations, and the broader community come together to teach ourselves what we all need to know to thrive in a rapidly changing economy, from understanding AI applications and advanced math readiness to nonprofit funding strategies, building agent forces for small businesses, and even running for office.

MyVillage member meeting

[ Discovery ]

Get Certified By Your Community

The Symposium is your opportunity to earn community-recognized certifications led by local experts who understand our neighborhoods. Whether you want to master emerging technologies, sharpen your education strategies, launch a nonprofit, or prepare students for advanced coursework, our instructors are ready to equip you with practical skills you can deploy immediately.

Students working on robotics projects

[ Community ]

Back-to-School Family Reunion

The Symposium is also a celebration. A time to share food, laughter, and fellowship while strengthening the bonds that hold our communities together. We hold space for students who are building and learning, surrounding them with the village as they prepare for the new school year. Come discover ways to help one another, share knowledge, and grow stronger as one.

Building the village together

[ Network ]

Partners in
Building

None of this is possible without the partner organizations and funders who make up the MyVillage Project network. More than 300 nonprofits, community groups, and institutional supporters stand behind the work — and the Symposium is where we come together to celebrate what the village is building.

Learn More

[ Get Involved ]

Volunteer
With Us

Sign Up to Volunteer

The Symposium is built by the village, for the village. Volunteering isn't just a role. It's the heartbeat of the entire event. When community members show up to cook, set up, greet families, and pack backpacks for kids, that's the village teaching itself what it means to take care of each other.

Ways to Help

👨🏾‍🍳

Senior Cooks

Elders and seasoned cooks preparing meals that bring everyone to the table

📦

Setup & Logistics

Helping move, arrange, and organize everything so the day runs smoothly

😊

Greeters & Hosts

Welcoming families and attendees with warmth from the moment they arrive

🎒

Back to School Bags

Packing and distributing backpacks filled with supplies for kids heading back to school

🤝🏾

General Volunteers

Lending a hand wherever it's needed because every contribution matters

💛

Community Mentors

Guiding youth and families through the day's workshops and experiences

[ Community Voices ]

What The Village
Is Saying

Voices from across the MyVillage ecosystem. The families, builders, educators, and community leaders who are building the village.

Village Knowledge Keeper

Villager

MyVillage Network

“...”

Community Partner

Villager

TechRoots League

“...”

TechRoots Builder

Villager

Student Builder, Age 16

[ FAQ ]

Questions
Answered

Find answers to common questions about the Annual Urban Education Symposium, certifications, volunteering, and how to get involved.

[ Schedule ]

Event
Blueprint

Full Schedule
Village agent networking at the symposium
Day 1

Villager & Agent Happy Hour

Opening Ceremony, Villager & Village Agent Meetups, Live Agent Demos, Community Matching

Trainings and certifications at the symposium
Day 2

Trainings & Certifications

AI Applications, Nonprofit Funding Strategies, Education Workshops, Culinary Arts, Community Gardening

Back-to-school family reunion at the symposium
Day 3

Back-to-School Family Reunion

Student Showcases, Family Fellowship, Community Cookout, Knowledge Sharing & Celebration

[ Training ]

Training &
Certifications

Community leadership and policy certifications
3 Certifications

Nonprofit & Policy

MVOS Nonprofit Foundations, MVOS Grant Writing Essentials, MVOS Intro to Civic Leadership

Learn More
Technology and AI certifications
4 Certifications

Technology & AI

MVOS AI Essentials, MVOS Intro to Agents, MVOS Intro to Small Business AI, MVOS Digital Literacy Foundations

Learn More
Heritage and cultural studies certifications
3 Certifications

Heritage & Culture

MVOS Cultural Awareness Foundations, MVOS Community Storytelling Basics, MVOS Intro to Heritage Preservation

Learn More
Education and academic readiness certifications
3 Certifications

Education & Academics

MVOS Math Readiness Foundations, MVOS Intro to Student Pathways, MVOS Afterschool Programming Basics

Learn More
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront

Host Hotel

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront

225 E Coastline Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202

A discounted group rate is available for symposium attendees. Book early to secure your room at the host hotel — located on the beautiful St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville.

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