Let’s be clear about one thing: Denton is nowhere near Silicon Valley.

Obviously this is true geographically, but it’s also true in the sense that people’s experiences in the tech industry in Denton are nothing like what you’ll find in the news or in TV shows like Silicon Valley.

The tech industry in Denton actually provides a refreshing counterpoint to some of the problems that plague Silicon Valley (i.e. lack of diversity, allegations of sexual harassment, etc..). This is reflected in the existence of places like Stoke, a co-working space and entrepreneurial center that opened in 2016. The people who choose to work at Stoke also reflect an ethos of consideration for the larger community. Read on to find out how you can help Stoke celebrate their one year anniversary later this week!