Congrats to 8Asians Founder, Ernie Hsiung for being recognized for his work in Miami to facilitate civic engagement through technology.
From Miami Herald:
Ernie Hsiung is on a mission to build Miami’s tech community by creating networking opportunities for software developers and programmers. Hsiung admits that when he first moved to the area from San Francisco, he experienced culture shock. Miami was a less mature tech community than he had come from, but he felt the city had potential.
To help raise the tech community profile, he started Code for Miami, “a civic hacking brigade” of volunteer developers, community leaders and concerned citizens that meets Monday nights at the LAB Miami in Wynwood. Code for Miami has been working with the governments of Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami and surrounding municipalities to help improve the way local governments and community organizations use the web.
Just this month, Hsiung learned that he landed a Code for America fellowship, a 10-month opportunity to work intensely with a municipality to see how technology can address its needs. Fellows work in one of seven municipalities; Miami-Dade County is on the list. Hsiung will learn later this month where he’ll be assigned. For the following 10 months, he will commute between San Francisco and his assigned city. Post-fellowship, he plans to return to Miami to continue helping South Florida build a better community through technology.
From Hsiung: “I want to bridge the gap between technology and being a better Miamian. The idea is to teach people about technology with the hope that they will use it to be more civically engaged citizens and build great things.”
Even though Ernie has moved on from 8Asians, I am glad he is taking his talents and putting them to good use elsewhere.
Image credit: CARL JUSTE/MIAMI HERALD STAFF
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