BetaNYC 43d ago

On Friday, May 8, 2026, BetaNYC hosted a BetaBagels conversation with its 13th cohort of Civic Innovation Fellows, Ayela Janjua and Jillian Melough. Watch BetaNYC as we trace the Fellows' journey from the College of Staten Island to organizing digital and data literacy events across New York City, including our inaugural Mapping for Equity events on Staten Island. Learn how public interest technology has influenced their academic and professional growth, and hear about their aspirations and hopes to carry this work into their future careers. OPENING REMARKS 00:00 Jazzy Smith - Chief of Staff, BetaNYC  08:32 Esther Caroline - Director of Policy,  Manhattan Borough President's office  11:18 Ishrat Chowdhury - Beta NYC Alum / Consulatant, Accenture   14:16 FELLOWS’ FIRESIDE CHAT CONVERSATION  Ayela Janjua -  Civic Innovation Fellow, BetaNYC Jillian Melough - Civic Innovation Fellow, BetaNYC Moderator: Dmitri Mimy - Manager, Educational Programs, BetaNYC Moderator: Naeema Haque - Development and Strategy Manager. BetaNYC CLOSING REMARKS & CERTIFICATION CEREMONY 55:42 Rev. Kathleen (Katie) M. Cumiskey PhD - Director, CUNY Public Interest Tech Lab 1:00:18 Certification Ceremony 1:00:10 Jazzy Smith - Chief of Staff, BetaNYC ABOUT BETA NYC BetaNYC is a civic organization dedicated to improving lives in New York through civic design, technology, and data. We envision an informed and empowered public that can leverage civic design, technology, and data to hold government accountable, and improve their economic opportunity. https://beta.nyc/ #SchoolofData #NYCsoData #opendataweek #opendata #ODW2026 #NYC #BetaNYC #OTI