Detroit Blockchainers

To reserve your spot, and to get the exact event location, you must register on our partner's event page on Luma.

Bitcoin and the Pursuit of Self-Sovereignty:
When banks fail, when governments overreach, when inflation erodes savings—Bitcoin offers something radically different: financial freedom that no institution can control. At its core is the principle of self-sovereignty—the idea that you can be your own bank, holding and securing money without permission or dependence on intermediaries.
In this session, Amber Harris, Managing Director of the Michigan Bitcoin Trade Council, will show why Bitcoin matters far beyond speculation or price charts. She’ll share stories of people using Bitcoin in humanitarian crises, under authoritarian regimes, and in remittance corridors where traditional finance has failed them. For these communities, Bitcoin isn’t an experiment—it’s survival, resilience, and freedom.
You’ll also learn the practical side: the pathways to self-sovereignty through wallets, custody, and secure storage, along with how advocacy movements like Stand With Crypto are amplifying the call for sound, accessible money for all.
This isn’t a typical “crypto talk.” It’s a conversation about dignity, sovereignty, and how one protocol is reshaping the fight for financial human rights.

MEET YOUR FEATURED SPEAKER
Amber Harris, Managing Director Michigan Bitcoin Trade Council
Amber Harris is a dynamic campaign strategist and community organizer with a passion for uniting people and driving impactful change. As Managing Director of the Michigan Bitcoin Trade Council, she aims to build coalitions and connect with policymakers and businesses to advance Bitcoin as a solution for economic empowerment.
Recognizing that traditional approaches often fall short, Amber champions Bitcoin to help individuals take control of their financial futures. A dedicated wife, mother, and nonprofit organizer,
Amber balances her professional endeavors with a commitment to family and faith.

MEET YOUR HOST
Elizabeth Hansson is the Michigan President of Stand With Crypto, where she leads statewide advocacy and mobilizes a grassroots network to shape the future of digital asset policy. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Blockchain Collective, which connects innovators, universities, industry, and policymakers to strengthen the state’s role in the national conversation. With a background as a software engineer and CTO in decentralized finance, Elizabeth combines technical expertise with grassroots organizing, earning recognition as a trusted advocate who unites communities and legislators to advance clear, bipartisan policy for blockchain and digital assets.

MEET YOUR SPONSORS!
Stand with Crypto is a nonprofit uniting crypto advocates worldwide, empowering the blockchain community through advocacy, education, and grassroots engagement.

Red Level
As a comprehensive technology services company, Red Level delivers customized scalable technology solutions designed precisely to our clients’ unique needs – solutions that accelerate growth, reduce costs and enable scalability.

Photography notice
By attending this event, you consent to being photographed and recorded for use in sharing the event with our broader community.

To reserve your spot, and to get the exact event location, you must register on our partner's event page on Luma.

You're invited to a special partner event hosted by Detroit Blockchain Collective!
To reserve your spot, and to get the exact event location, you must register on our partner's event page on Luma.

Event Description:
We’re thrilled to welcome Michigan State University Professor Dar Meshi as our guest speaker! This is a rare chance to learn directly from a leading researcher at the intersection of psychology, technology, and Web3.

BLOCKCHAIN 101
​Blockchain, crypto, NFTs, and Web3 are everywhere right now—from news headlines to everyday conversations. But what do they actually mean, and why do they matter? This talk will give you the foundation to finally make sense of the buzz and see how these technologies are changing the world around us.
​In this talk, you’ll gain insight into:

• ​What blockchain really is (without the tech jargon)
• ​Explore how this new tech will change the internet as we know it.
• ​How it allows us to own digital assets, like our online data and so much more.
• ​Why this technology is changing commerce, reshaping the way we shop, connect, and interact online and offline.

​Whether you’re simply curious, exploring new career skills, or want to finally understand what your friends keep talking about, this talk will give you the clarity and confidence to join the conversation. Bring your questions, this will be a friendly and inclusive talk!

NETWORKING
​Come network with Detroit's vibrant Web3 community, and get to know industry leaders over complimentary food and drinks!

FEATURED SPEAKER
​Dar Meshi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Michigan State University. He investigates the psychology of technology use, primarily focusing on the use of social media platforms, as well as the use of web3. Dar earned his B.S. in biology from the University of California at Los Angeles, and his Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York.

EVENT HOST
Elizabeth Hansson
Detroit Blockchain Collective Founder & Executive Director
Stand With Crypto Michigan President
Elizabeth created the Detroit Blockchain Collective with the purpose of fostering blockchain innovation in Michigan through grassroots community and education. She is a digital asset advocate, ecosystem builder, and technology strategist with a background in decentralized systems and software engineering.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!
​Stand With Crypto is a national non-profit uniting crypto advocates through advocacy, education, and grassroots engagement!

HART Inc — now in Detroit, a full-service, independent brand transformation agency that propels businesses forward.

LOCATION
​Exact Location in Detroit to be announced on Luma.

To reserve your spot, please make sure to RSVP on Luma!