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Sharing community tools,

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Thoughts on technology, community, and building in Detroit

From Buenos Aires to Detroit: Deploying the Next Wave of Community Tech

From Buenos Aires to Detroit: Deploying the Next Wave of Community Tech

Community tech is reaching a turning point — with mini-apps, embedded wallets powered by account abstraction, and x402 payments making seamless onboarding and real-world value exchange truly practical. Building Mystic Island at the inaugural Ethereum World’s Fair in Buenos Aires, and experiencing the city’s blend of architectural grandeur and economic complexity, highlighted how this infrastructure can unlock new creative, community-driven economies. This post reflects on that moment and why it matters for Detroit and beyond.

By The Barefoot DevDecember 8, 2025
DevelopmentEvents
🛠️ Open October Build Session #1 Recap

🛠️ Open October Build Session #1 Recap

Our first build session brought together new and returning contributors to share updates and project ideas.

By The Barefoot DevOctober 9, 2025
Open OctoberCommunity Development
Open October Kickoff Recap

Open October Kickoff Recap

OpenOctober kickoff recap: creatives + technologists aligning to build open, local-first tools for Detroit. Submit your project by Oct 7.

By The Barefoot DevOctober 3, 2025
Open OctoberCommunity BuildingOpen Commons
Closing the Knowledge Gap: Vibe Coding @ Bamboo Royal Oak – August 11, 2025

Closing the Knowledge Gap: Vibe Coding @ Bamboo Royal Oak – August 11, 2025

At this month’s Vibe Coding meetup, we explored how AI tools like Cursor can speed up projects—or derail them without clear direction. I shared the Renaissance City LaunchPad, a cultural shift and support ecosystem empowering community organizers to build, own, and sustain their own technology.

By The Barefoot DevAugust 12, 2025
Community DevelopmentVibe Coding Detroit
Grassroots Innovation at Work: A Recap of Black Tech Saturdays Pitch Day

Grassroots Innovation at Work: A Recap of Black Tech Saturdays Pitch Day

At Black Tech Saturdays on July 22nd, 30 founders took the stage to share bold, community-rooted ideas—from wearable tech to solar-powered EV solutions. The event showcased Detroit’s grassroots innovation in action, with five standout winners leading the charge toward a more equitable future.

By The Barefoot DevJuly 29, 2025
Community DevelopmentBlackTechSaturday
🔗 Building Bridges: APIs, AI, and Chainlink at the July Detroit Software Developers Meetup

🔗 Building Bridges: APIs, AI, and Chainlink at the July Detroit Software Developers Meetup

The July Detroit Software Developers Meetup brought together "non-techies", new developers, seasoned engineers, and curious creatives to explore how APIs, AI, and Chainlink Functions are bridging Web2, Web3, and local ecosystems—all while connecting the communities of Detroit Blockchain Collective, Google Developer Group, Detroit Software Developers, and Detroit DevOps.

By The Barefoot DevJuly 17, 2025
Community DevelopmentAPIsDetroit Software Developers
Why I’m Walking the Path of the Barefoot Dev

Why I’m Walking the Path of the Barefoot Dev

A flickering idea found its light in a mansion full of creatives, where I realized the path forward was to walk barefoot—building with care, clarity, and community.

By The Barefoot DevJuly 15, 2025
Community DevelopmentInspirationWalking the Path
🧱 What is DePIN?

🧱 What is DePIN?

DePIN = Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks

By The Barefoot DevJuly 14, 2025
BlockchainDePIN
From Spaghetti Code to Solo Dev Studio: Lessons from a 20-Year Game Development Journey

From Spaghetti Code to Solo Dev Studio: Lessons from a 20-Year Game Development Journey

A veteran game developer reflects on 20+ years in the industry—and how AI is now enabling him to build complete games solo, from concept to launch. In this inspiring talk, he shares lessons from the ad tech world, why performance marketing matters more than ever, and how tools like Gemini and Unity are reshaping the future of indie development.

By The Barefoot DevJuly 14, 2025
Game DevelopmentDNewTech
KID INK. is Empowering Students with Skills for the Future

KID INK. is Empowering Students with Skills for the Future

KID INK. is a unique innovation platform aiming to empower students in Detroit. They aim to help students acquire both the technical and mindset-based skills they need for the future. The initiative, spearheaded by passionate parents and educators, is focused on equipping the younger generation with the tools necessary to succeed in the digital age.

By The Barefoot DevJuly 9, 2025
EducationTechnologyCommunity

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