[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"conference-blog-articles":3},{"list":4,"total":168},[5,59,89,122,149,177,214,267,300,336],{"id":6,"author":7,"authors":18,"title":20,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":21,"slug":22,"body":23,"categories":24,"tags":34,"featuredMedia":39,"publishedAt":48,"publishedAtGMT":49,"updatedAt":50,"updatedAtGMT":51,"type":52,"listicle":53,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":55,"customFields":56,"additional":57,"acf":58},270738,{"id":8,"avatar":9,"firstName":10,"lastName":11,"displayName":12,"email":13,"username":14,"normalizedUsername":14,"description":15,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":17},166,"https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002Fab302aa113b803b09fb920b51b5bba9da5261ffc0f8d659e77463318424ffae0?s=1024&d=mm&r=g","Dorian","Smith-Garcia","Dorian Smith-Garcia","dorian.smith-garcia@blavity.com","dorian.smith-garcia","Dorian Smith-Garcia is a New York-based international marketer turned commerce, health, beauty, bridal, international and family travel, and multicultural parenting writer and a Millennial mom. She can always find a reason to shop, especially when taking a “desk break” between writing articles. Having experience in both pregnancy and parenthood, along with a love for beauty, tech, and fashion, she approaches her recommendations with authenticity.\r\n\r\nBefore pivoting to writing in 2018, Dorian worked as a marketing consultant for international clients with an emphasis in Japan. She represented major label and indie artists, helping to distribute their music into the Americas as well as supported touring opportunities for them. Dorian transitioned to writing after the birth of her child because she wanted to be a present parent.\r\n\r\n\r\nHighlights:\r\nDorian’s bylines include Parents, Health.com, Travel + Leisure, Healthline, Glowsly, Forbes Vetted, GadgetReview, Nylon, Fatherly, ScaryMommy, Bustle, and more.\r\nShe worked as a marketing consultant for international clients with an emphasis in Japan, representing and assisting major label and indie artists enter the Americas.\r\nWhen she’s not sharing parental wisdom or highlighting the latest deals, you’ll find her making any excuse to use her passport, spending time with her family, gardening, and brushing up on foreign languages.\r\n\r\nFollow Dorian on Instagram: @theantibridezilla\r\nFollow Dorian on TikTok: @themelaninmamifiles","","2023-08-01T13:53:52+00:00",[19],{"id":8,"avatar":9,"firstName":10,"lastName":11,"displayName":12,"email":13,"username":14,"normalizedUsername":14,"description":15,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":17},"The 10 Best Texas Tech Conferences","The best tech conferences in Texas for 2026 — Houston, Austin, and Dallas. AfroTech Conference leads, with HealthStack and AI Edge under one roof November 2-6.","texas-tech-conferences-2026","\u003Cp>While coastal staples like New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas remain popular convention hubs, Texas offers a compelling alternative for industry events. Driven by the thriving commercial ecosystems of Austin, Dallas and Houston, the state naturally attracts diverse tech sectors spanning software engineering, health tech and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fop-ed-why-the-creator-economy-needs-real-voices-not-artificial-influencers\">artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attending these top Texas \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fblack-ai-conferences-2026\">tech conferences\u003C\u002Fa> provides a prime opportunity to expand your professional network, sharpen your industry knowledge and uncover exciting new career prospects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is The Biggest Tech Conference in Texas?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>AfroTech Conference 2026, Houston, November 2 to 6, 2026\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AfroTech is one of the largest conferences focused on the professional development of Black technology professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders. More than 40,000 attendees, 300+ speakers and 15 content tracks make it the largest tech gathering in Texas focused on advancing Black innovation and career growth. Programming spans AI, cybersecurity, software engineering, fintech, cloud computing, data science, product management, venture capital and entrepreneurship.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What sets \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AfroTech Conference\u003C\u002Fa> apart in 2026 is its expansion, which has combined three conferences into a single central event. Alongside the flagship experience, attendees can participate in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthstackmed.com\u002Fconference\">HealthStack\u003C\u002Fa>, which focuses on healthcare technology, digital health, education with continuing credit accrual and medtech innovation. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those interested in expanding their understanding of AI should focus on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fai-edge-workshop\">AI Edge\u003C\u002Fa>, a dedicated AI and quantum computing conference featuring hands-on training and technical education. Rather than attending multiple niche conferences throughout the year, professionals can explore emerging technologies across several industries during one week in Houston.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Are Best In Houston?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>SPE Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition, Houston, October 21 to 23, 2026\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition (ATCE) is one of the world’s largest conferences focused on energy technology. While rooted in the oil and gas industry, the event has expanded to cover artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digital twins, cybersecurity, data analytics and other technologies shaping the future of energy. Engineers, software developers, data scientists and technology leaders attend technical sessions, product demonstrations and networking events centered on innovation in the energy sector.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>Texas HIMSS Regional Conference, Houston, May 6 to 7, 2027\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hosted by the Texas chapters of HIMSS, this conference brings together healthcare IT professionals, CIOs, clinicians, digital health leaders, cybersecurity experts and technology vendors. Sessions focus on artificial intelligence in healthcare, interoperability, cybersecurity, digital transformation, data governance and emerging health technologies. It’s one of the state’s leading conferences for professionals working at the intersection of healthcare and technology.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>TASSCC Annual Conference, Houston, August 1 to 4, 2027\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) Annual Conference is designed for technology professionals working in state government, higher education and the public sector. Attendees explore cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital services, data management and IT modernization through educational sessions and peer networking. The event is especially valuable for public-sector technology leaders looking to share best practices and learn about new solutions.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Are Best In Austin?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>Data Weekend Texas, Austin, October 10 to 11, 2026\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data Day Texas is one of the largest community-driven conferences for data science, machine learning, analytics and artificial intelligence in the Southwest. Organized by volunteers, the event features technical presentations, workshops and networking opportunities for data engineers, AI practitioners, researchers, software developers and business analysts. It’s a strong option for professionals looking to deepen their technical skills while connecting with the Texas data science community.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>CyberTexas Conference 2027, Austin, February 10 to 12, 2027\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CyberTexas brings together cybersecurity professionals, government agencies, higher education and private industry to discuss cyber defense, critical infrastructure, cloud security, risk management and workforce development. It’s a solid option for IT leaders and security practitioners looking to stay current on evolving threats and best practices.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>SXSW Innovation Track 2027, Austin, March 15 to 20, 2027\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although SXSW includes entertainment programming, its technology conference remains one of the world’s premier gatherings for startup founders, venture capital investors, software developers, AI innovators and emerging technology companies. The Innovation Track emphasizes artificial intelligence, robotics, climate technology, digital health and the future of work, making it worthwhile for professionals focused on technology and entrepreneurship.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Are Best In Dallas?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Presidio TechX 2026, Dallas, September 15, 2026\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presidio TechX is a one-day technology conference designed for IT leaders, architects, engineers, cybersecurity professionals, infrastructure teams and technical decision-makers looking to move AI initiatives from strategy to implementation. The agenda features keynote presentations, technical breakout sessions, hands-on AI training, a complimentary AI practitioner certification, and an expo showcasing enterprise technology solutions. This conference is ideal for professionals focused on AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and enterprise digital transformation.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>Gartner Product Leadership Conference 2027, Dallas, March 8 to 9, 2027\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Product managers, chief product officers, UX leaders and engineering executives attend this conference to learn about AI-powered product development, customer experience, pricing strategy and product innovation. The event is especially valuable for senior product leaders responsible for enterprise software and digital products.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>TECHSPO Dallas, Dallas, May 13 to 14, 2027\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TECHSPO Dallas is a business technology conference and expo that showcases the latest innovations in software, SaaS, mobile technology, AI, marketing technology and digital transformation. The event attracts developers, entrepreneurs, technology vendors, digital marketers, startup founders and business leaders interested in discovering new products and networking with professionals across multiple industries. While smaller than national conferences like AfroTech or SXSW, it offers a broad look at emerging business technologies.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Do You Pick The Right One?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, consider which location makes the most sense regarding travel plans. Both Houston and Dallas are larger cities with more accommodation and flight options compared to Austin. However, industry scope and career alignment shouldn’t be ignored either. This is why \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\u002F\">AfroTech Conference\u003C\u002Fa> is ideal: it covers a wider range of interests and is based in Houston, making it more accessible, along with a virtual option for added convenience. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[25,30],{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":16,"image":29},15187,"Career","career",null,{"id":31,"name":32,"slug":33,"description":16,"image":29},15189,"Professional Development","professional-development",[35],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},8304,"AfroTech Conference","afrotech-conference",{"url":40,"thumbnail":40,"credit":41,"title":42,"alt":43,"type":44,"width":45,"height":46,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fpexels-pavel-danilyuk-8761679-scaled.jpg","(Pavel Danilyuk\u002FPexels)","Texas Tech Conferences","Three business professionals smiling at a corporate event, wearing formal attire and badges.","image",160,107,"image\u002Fjpeg","2026-08-26T08:27:48-04:00","2026-08-26 12:27:48","2026-08-31T17:44:35-04:00","2026-08-31 21:44:35","default",[],false,4,{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":60,"author":61,"authors":62,"title":64,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":65,"slug":66,"body":67,"categories":68,"tags":73,"featuredMedia":75,"publishedAt":80,"publishedAtGMT":81,"updatedAt":82,"updatedAtGMT":83,"type":52,"listicle":84,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":85,"customFields":86,"additional":87,"acf":88},269413,{"id":8,"avatar":9,"firstName":10,"lastName":11,"displayName":12,"email":13,"username":14,"normalizedUsername":14,"description":15,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":17},[63],{"id":8,"avatar":9,"firstName":10,"lastName":11,"displayName":12,"email":13,"username":14,"normalizedUsername":14,"description":15,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":17},"Top Black Medical Conferences To Attend In 2026","The best Black medical conferences in 2026 for physicians, nurses, and health-tech leaders — including HealthStack Conference at AfroTech in Houston.","black-medical-conferences-2026","\u003Cp>The 21st-century \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fnaacp-launches-health-equity-map\">healthcare landscape\u003C\u002Fa> is moving at breakneck speed. Between AI integration, expanded telehealth options and evolving protocols for managing chronic diseases, providers are constantly navigating fresh tools and standards. While these digital innovations offer exciting possibilities for patient care, they also demand rapid adaptation from the professionals working on the front lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, persistent health disparities continue to affect marginalized groups, particularly within the Black community. Root causes like medical deserts, underrepresentation in clinical trials and a systemic shortage of culturally competent care make achieving true equity an uphill battle. Fortunately, Black-led \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002F5th-century-partners-closes-fund-ii-at-276m\">healthcare organizations\u003C\u002Fa> are actively tackling these issues through targeted conferences and advocacy. To help you stay connected with the leaders driving this change, here are eight standout medical organizations and conferences worth putting on your radar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Are Best For Health-Tech And Digital Health?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>1. AfroTech HealthStack Conference, Houston, TX, November 4 to 5\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthstackmed.com\u002Fconference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HealthStack\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> brings together physicians, nurses, health system executives, founders, researchers, digital health leaders and AI innovators for a two-day healthcare-specific program inside the larger four-day \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Ftimbaland-talks-about-the-power-of-timing\">AfroTech Conference\u003C\u002Fa>. Sessions focus on practical applications of AI, digital therapeutics, telehealth, clinical innovation and healthcare leadership rather than purely academic research.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a unique event as healthcare professionals can even earn up to six continuing education credits specifically for MD, RN, PharmD, NP and PA licenses. Attendees also gain access to AfroTech’s broader ecosystem of employers, investors and technology companies, making it especially valuable for clinicians interested in digital health, entrepreneurship or executive leadership. This is also a great opportunity to connect directly with innovators at leading healthcare organizations and advocacy groups like Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Bayer, Merck and the American Heart Association. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ahead of the in-person event, HealthStack hosted a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fhealthstack-virtual-summit-recap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual event\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on July 23. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fevents\u002Fhealthstack-virtual-summit-care-reimagined\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthstack Virtual Summit: Care, Reimagined\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> discussed how technology and a digital-first healthcare approach are changing how providers work and influencing health equity. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>2. National Pharmaceutical Association Annual Convention, Rockville, Maryland, July 31 to August 3\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPA) brings together Black pharmacists, pharmacy owners, educators and students. Its annual convention focuses on clinical practice updates, pharmacy leadership, entrepreneurship and addressing challenges affecting communities through medication access and education.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>3. National Association of Health Services Executives National Educational Conference, Los Angeles, CA, October 7 to 9\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) focuses on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fafrotech-2024-alexis-mcgill-johnson\">healthcare leadership\u003C\u002Fa> rather than clinical practice, bringing together hospital executives, healthcare administrators, physicians and emerging leaders. Sessions cover healthcare operations, leadership, policy, innovation and career advancement within health systems.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Black Medical Conference Is The Biggest?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>4. National Medical Association Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly, San Juan, PR, July 25 to 29\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Medical Association (NMA) was founded in 1895 in response to Black physicians being barred from joining the American Medical Association (AMA) until 1966. The NMA now hosts the nation’s largest annual gathering of Black physicians and healthcare professionals. The convention combines continuing education opportunities, specialty education, policy discussions, research presentations and extensive networking across nearly every medical specialty.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Are Best For Physicians?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>5. Association of Black Cardiologists\u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) brings together cardiologists, researchers, advanced practice providers, and cardiovascular professionals to discuss the latest science surrounding heart disease, prevention and patient care. The organization doesn’t have a formal annual conference like others on this list. However, multiple symposiums are scheduled throughout the year, creating opportunities for mentorship, leadership development and networking within cardiovascular medicine.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>6. National Dental Association National Convention, Richmond, VA, July 16 to 19\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Representing Black dentists and oral health professionals, the National Dental Association’s (NDA) annual meeting includes CE courses, clinical education, business sessions and networking for dentists, specialists, dental hygienists and students.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>7. Student National Medical Association Annual Medical Education Conference, Las Vegas, NV, March 24 to 28, 2027\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student National Medical Association’s (SNMA) flagship annual conference is designed for \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fxavier-ochsner-college-of-medicine-awarded-1-75m-grant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical students\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, residents, pre-med students and faculty committed to increasing representation in medicine. Programming includes residency preparation, clinical workshops, specialty interest sessions and one of the largest networking opportunities for future Black physicians.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Are Best For Nurses?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>8. National Black Nurses Association Annual Institute & Conference, St. Louis, MO, July 28 to August 2\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) represents more than 300,000 \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Ftuskegee-university-approved-for-paid-nursing-apprenticeship-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black nurses\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and hosts one of the country’s premier nursing conferences. The annual meeting features continuing education, leadership development, clinical sessions, student programming and networking opportunities for RNs, LPNs, APRNs and nursing students.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Do You Pick The Right One?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing the right medical or healthcare conference depends entirely on your goals. Some conferences are limited to specific healthcare professions. There are conferences that focus more on continuing education and advancing the profession, while others focus on accessibility and advocacy. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthstackmed.com\u002Fconference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AfroTech’s HealthStack Conference\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> brings these unique communities together, serving as a shared space for multiple disciplines under the healthcare umbrella. Similarly, by providing opportunities for continuing education credit accrual, networking and thought leadership, the two-day event is designed to build community and connect on-the-ground professionals with the healthcare systems and companies that propel the industry forward. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[69],{"id":70,"name":71,"slug":72,"description":16,"image":29},323,"News","news",[74],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"url":76,"thumbnail":76,"credit":77,"title":78,"alt":79,"type":44,"width":45,"height":46,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F07\u002Fpexels-thirdman-5327914-scaled.jpg","(Thirdman\u002FPexels)","Black Medical Conferences 2026","Smiling Black healthcare professional using phone in office with laptop and medical tools.","2026-08-14T19:45:11-04:00","2026-08-14 23:45:11","2026-08-31T17:43:30-04:00","2026-08-31 21:43:30",[],3,{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":90,"author":91,"authors":98,"title":100,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":101,"slug":102,"body":103,"categories":104,"tags":107,"featuredMedia":109,"publishedAt":114,"publishedAtGMT":115,"updatedAt":116,"updatedAtGMT":117,"type":52,"listicle":118,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":85,"customFields":119,"additional":120,"acf":121},268236,{"id":92,"avatar":93,"firstName":16,"lastName":16,"displayName":94,"email":95,"username":94,"normalizedUsername":96,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":97},248,"https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F0fe33507405327b945fdadaf51d8e6d9607167dbdca460b8e224fddced42b1ca?s=1024&d=mm&r=g","Tyler-Christian Daniels","tyler.daniels@blavity.com","tyler-christian-daniels","2025-09-30T14:36:56+00:00",[99],{"id":92,"avatar":93,"firstName":16,"lastName":16,"displayName":94,"email":95,"username":94,"normalizedUsername":96,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":97},"How To Lead A Black ERG That Actually Works","How to lead a Black employee resource group that creates real impact — getting buy-in, running programming worth showing up for, and avoiding leader burnout.","how-to-lead-a-black-erg","\u003Cp>To lead a Black ERG that lasts, you need structure, not just passion. The stakes are high. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fop-ed-how-trumps-cutting-of-federal-jobs-hurts-black-workers\">Black workers\u003C\u002Fa> made up just 7.4% of the high-tech workforce in 2022, according to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eeoc.gov\u002Fnewsroom\u002Feeoc-research-finds-unequal-opportunity-high-tech-sector-and-workforce\">EEOC\u003C\u002Fa>. Yet they were 11.6% of the overall U.S. labor force. That gap is exactly why your group exists: it gives \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Famazon-launches-first-robot-with-sense-of-touch\">Black employees\u003C\u002Fa> a place to belong when few peers share the room. Leading it well can accelerate your career, but doing it alone can quietly drain you. This guide covers five moves: purpose, buy-in, programming, measurement and burnout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>What Does A Black ERG Actually Do?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>A Black ERG does more than plan events. At its core, it builds belonging for people who often feel like the only one in the room. Done right, it turns isolated individuals into a visible, connected community with real influence. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mckinsey.com\u002Fcapabilities\u002Fpeople-and-organizational-performance\u002Four-insights\u002Feffective-employee-resource-groups-are-key-to-inclusion-at-work-heres-how-to-get-them-right\">McKinsey\u003C\u002Fa> reports that roughly 90% of Fortune 500 companies now run ERGs, so the model is mainstream, not fringe. The group also develops leaders, shapes policy and feeds \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fwomen-less-positive-feedback-at-work\">honest feedback\u003C\u002Fa> to executives. It becomes a pipeline for internal leaders, not just a support circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.perceptyx.com\u002Fare-ergs-the-key-to-workplace-belonging-heres-what-the-data-says\">Perceptyx\u003C\u002Fa> found that ERG members are 1.4x more likely to feel a sense of belonging than non-members. McKinsey adds that members who rate their ERG as effective report far higher inclusion than those who do not. So your role is not activity for its own sake, but effectiveness that members can feel. The strongest groups feel less like a committee and more like a home base for Black talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>How Do You Get Executive Buy-In And A Real Budget?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Passion cannot pay for programming. To win a budget, translate belonging into outcomes leaders track, like retention, engagement and recruiting. Frame the group as talent strategy, not charity, and executives lean in. Bring a one-page ask with a dollar figure, not a vague request for support. Name an executive sponsor early, because visible C-suite backing signals that the group belongs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2020\u002F06\u002Fwhat-black-employee-resource-groups-need-right-now\">HBR\u003C\u002Fa> notes that C-suite recognition of Black ERGs directly shapes the budgets and grace those groups receive. Tie your budget to concrete line items, such as speakers, events and conference travel for members. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fblack-ai-conferences-2026\">Conference attendance\u003C\u002Fa> is one of the clearest wins you can fund. Make the case for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fafrotech-conference-ticket-sponsorship-employer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">employer-sponsored tickets\u003C\u002Fa> so members access training built for Black professionals. When leaders see a plan, not a plea, budgets tend to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>What Programming Is Worth Running?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Run programming that moves careers, not just calendars. Prioritize skill-building, sponsorship and visibility over one-off socials. Anchor the year around clear \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fprofessional-development-goals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">professional development goals\u003C\u002Fa> your members actually want. Host workshops on promotion cases, executive presence and salary negotiation. Bring in senior Black leaders to speak, because representation at the front of the room matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Group trips to industry conferences give members a rare hit of community and learning at once. Choose the right \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fafrotech-conference-ticket-level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ticket tier\u003C\u002Fa> for your group so the experience fits your budget and goals. Pair every social with a takeaway, whether a new skill, a new contact or a new mentor. Recurring mentorship pairings often outlast any single event on the calendar. Balance culture and career, and members will keep showing up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>How Do You Measure Impact?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>You cannot defend a budget you never measured. Set two or three metrics at the start of the year, then hold yourself to them. Track membership as a share of your Black workforce, then watch it grow. Survey members on belonging before and after big programs. Log attendance, event turnout and how many members earn promotions or stretch roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perceptyx found that effective ERGs can cut turnover by 15%, a number leaders respect. Compare your group’s retention against the wider company, since that contrast tells a story. McKinsey’s five markers of effective ERGs, from allyship to career advancement, give you a simple scorecard. Pair hard numbers with short member stories, because leaders remember a face more than a chart. Report these results up, so impact stays visible and funding stays intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>How Do You Avoid Leader Burnout?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Here is the hard truth about ERG leadership. The same isolation that makes a Black ERG necessary can wear down the person leading it. Only about 23% of companies compensate ERG leaders, according to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Felizabethpearson\u002F2024\u002F03\u002F15\u002Fcompensating-erg-leaders-is-a-necessary-step-for-pay-equity-in-the-workplace\u002F\">Forbes\u003C\u002Fa>, so most of this work is unpaid. That invisible labor lands hardest on the same people the group exists to protect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protect yourself by sharing the load across co-leads and committees. Rotate roles yearly so no single person carries the group alone. Set boundaries on your time, and say no to work that HR should own. Push for real recognition, whether that means pay, a bonus or dedicated work hours. Build a bench through mentorship and prepare thoughtful \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fquestions-to-ask-a-mentor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mentorship conversations\u003C\u002Fa> that grow your next leaders. Ultimately, a rested leader builds a group that outlasts them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ready to lead a Black ERG that lasts? Give your members the ultimate professional development experience. Group attendance turns a single budget line into a shared, career-changing trip. Explore AfroTech’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\u002Femployer-sponsorship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">employer sponsorship\u003C\u002Fa> and group ticket options, then bring your whole ERG along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[105,106],{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":16,"image":29},{"id":31,"name":32,"slug":33,"description":16,"image":29},[108],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"url":110,"thumbnail":110,"credit":111,"title":112,"alt":113,"type":44,"width":45,"height":46,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F07\u002Fpexels-edmond-dantes-8547282-scaled.jpg","(Edmond Dantès\u002FPexels)","Black ERG","A diverse group of coworkers engaged in teamwork and collaboration in a modern office setting.","2026-08-13T17:05:22-04:00","2026-08-13 21:05:22","2026-08-31T17:42:11-04:00","2026-08-31 21:42:11",[],{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":123,"author":124,"authors":125,"title":127,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":128,"slug":129,"body":130,"categories":131,"tags":134,"featuredMedia":136,"publishedAt":141,"publishedAtGMT":142,"updatedAt":143,"updatedAtGMT":144,"type":52,"listicle":145,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":55,"customFields":146,"additional":147,"acf":148},269257,{"id":8,"avatar":9,"firstName":10,"lastName":11,"displayName":12,"email":13,"username":14,"normalizedUsername":14,"description":15,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":17},[126],{"id":8,"avatar":9,"firstName":10,"lastName":11,"displayName":12,"email":13,"username":14,"normalizedUsername":14,"description":15,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":17},"Top Black AI Conferences To Attend In 2026","The best AI conferences for Black professionals in 2026 — from AfroTech's AI Edge training day to NVIDIA GTC. Who each one is for and how to get there.","black-ai-conferences-2026","\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI is at the forefront of virtually every industry and career path. These days, recruiters, department heads and leadership are no longer asking if AI is useful for employees but instead asking how well-versed their workforce is in \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">using the technology\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. One of the best ways to build a knowledge base and improve your career prospects is to immerse yourself in this technology. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is true of the entire workforce, but especially for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fblavity-media-group-the-gathering-spot-exclusive-collaboration\">Black professionals\u003C\u002Fa>, who often face a more difficult hiring process or a more difficult career trajectory. Being adept at AI can give you the edge you need to succeed. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fblack-tech-conferences-2026\">AI conferences\u003C\u002Fa> continue to be a great place for education, networking, career opportunities and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">entrepreneurship\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here are 10 upcoming events you’ll want to put on your calendar. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where Do Black Professionals Go For AI In 2026?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>1. AfroTech Conference, Houston, TX, November 2 to 6\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AfroTech Conference\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the largest Black tech professional conference in the world. Originally held in San Francisco in 2016, it now draws over 40,000 attendees annually. Now in its 10th year, this community brings together over 300 speakers, 11 stages and hands-on coding courses through \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fevents\u002Fai-edge-in-person-training-afrotech-conference-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AI Edge\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This conference attracts \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\u002Fsponsors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">top leaders\u003C\u002Fa> in AI, like Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Anthropic, along with engineers, developers, founders, executives, and many others who are actively looking for new talent. To support those objectives, the conference incorporates \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Ftalent-infusion-connects-employers-to-diverse-talent\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talent Infusion\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a recruiting platform that creates customized matches between attendee resumes and open roles, with \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recruiters\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> often extending offers on the show floor.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roughly 65% of attendees are mid-career or above, with 18% in director, VP or C-level roles, highlighting the prime opportunity this four-day event offers.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which AI Conferences Are Best For Your Career?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>2. Ai4, Las Vegas, NV, August 4 to 6\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ai4 is one of the largest enterprise AI conferences, drawing business leaders, AI practitioners and technology vendors to discuss real-world AI applications. Sessions center on practical use cases in real time. This is a good opportunity to connect directly with leaders from major AI companies and for HR and L&D teams to evaluate AI integration solutions. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>3. ODSC AI West, San Francisco, CA, October 27 to 29\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ODSC AI is ideal for technical professionals seeking hands-on experience with today’s most in-demand AI tools. Practical workshops covering machine learning, LLMs, data science, and production AI are core features, which is why this event tends to attract engineers, data scientists and ML practitioners who want to build technical skills.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>4. Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, Orlando, FL, March 8 to 10, 2027\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gartner’s Data & Analytics Summit supports AI strategy development that delivers measurable business value. Programming covers governance, generative AI, AI agents, analytics and workforce readiness. Expect to mingle with executives, HR leaders and L&D professionals responsible for enterprise AI adoption, change management and employee upskilling.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Are Best For Team And Corporate Training?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>5. Black Is Tech Conference, Houston, TX, April 27 to May 1, 2027\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black Is Tech blends AI, software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and career development into one event. AI programming has become an increasingly important part of the conference as organizations race to upskill their workforce. If you’re seeking new opportunities, this is a great place to network with recruiters, attend technical workshops, and connect with fellow Black technologists. HR and L&D leaders can also discover training resources while meeting companies actively investing in AI talent.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>6. Data + AI Summit, San Francisco, CA, June 21 to 24, 2027\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hosted by Databricks, the Data + AI Summit serves enterprise audiences who want to build modern data platforms for AI initiatives. Technical sessions and enterprise strategy brainstorming for teams working in analytics, engineering, and AI are a hallmark of this conference. Along with product announcements and customer success stories, there are also certification opportunities and sessions covering everything from data engineering to generative AI applications.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>7. HumanX, Las Vegas, NV, March 7 to 10, 2027\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HumanX brings together executives, founders, investors, and enterprise decision-makers to explore how AI is changing business. The event emphasizes practical use over hype and is perfect for organizations and entrepreneurial developers moving beyond experimentation into production AI. Major AI players, including OpenAI, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Anthropic, Google Cloud, AWS, and Databricks, are often in attendance.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>8. Microsoft AI Tour (rolling locations and dates)\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Microsoft AI Tour is a series of regional events that prioritizes AI education within local tech communities. If you’re very interested in building your Microsoft AI skillset, sessions typically include demonstrations of Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, security, and productivity tools for business.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>9. AWS re:Invent, Las Vegas, NV, November 30 to December 4\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to Microsoft, AWS re:Invent is Amazon’s AI-focused tech event designed to help everyone from founders to upwardly mobile employees and corporate teams better understand and build a knowledge base around the brand’s AI ecosystem\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cb>. \u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This conference features extensive programming focused on generative AI, Amazon Bedrock, AI infrastructure, and machine learning. Hands-on technical sessions, certification opportunities, product announcements, and networking are primary features of this event.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Are Best For Founders And Entrepreneurs?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>10. AI Engineer New York, New York, NY October 12 to 14\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The AI Engineer New York event is one of several hosted around the world that’s geared toward builders actively creating AI products and applications. The conference offers hands-on opportunities to explore production-ready tools, agent frameworks, LLM development, and deployment strategies. Developers, startup teams, and technical founders will find plenty of opportunities to learn directly from engineers building cutting-edge AI systems.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Do You Pick The Right One?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The right conference will vary depending on individual goals and interests. Consider whether you’re seeking hands-on learning opportunities, networking options, or a career change. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you need all of the above, the AfroTech Conference and specifically \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fevents\u002Fai-edge-in-person-training-afrotech-conference-2026\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI Edge\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which combines all three features. More importantly, it attracts mid- and senior-level professionals, investors, and founders, making it a smart investment for your career and growth. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[132,133],{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":16,"image":29},{"id":31,"name":32,"slug":33,"description":16,"image":29},[135],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"url":137,"thumbnail":137,"credit":138,"title":139,"alt":140,"type":44,"width":45,"height":46,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F06\u002Fchristina-wocintechchat-com-KAULAzQwxzE-unsplash-scaled.jpg","(Christina WOC In Tech\u002FUnsplash)","Black-Owned Staffing Agencies In Atlanta","a group of Black women sit around a table smiling while doing work on their laptops","2026-08-13T16:39:17-04:00","2026-08-13 20:39:17","2026-08-31T17:41:04-04:00","2026-08-31 21:41:04",[],{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":150,"author":151,"authors":152,"title":154,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":155,"slug":156,"body":157,"categories":158,"tags":161,"featuredMedia":163,"publishedAt":169,"publishedAtGMT":170,"updatedAt":171,"updatedAtGMT":172,"type":52,"listicle":173,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":85,"customFields":174,"additional":175,"acf":176},268231,{"id":92,"avatar":93,"firstName":16,"lastName":16,"displayName":94,"email":95,"username":94,"normalizedUsername":96,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":97},[153],{"id":92,"avatar":93,"firstName":16,"lastName":16,"displayName":94,"email":95,"username":94,"normalizedUsername":96,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":97},"How To Hire Black Tech Talent At Scale In 2026","How to recruit and hire Black tech talent in 2026 — where to find candidates, how to build a pipeline, and why AfroTech's recruiting floor works.","how-to-hire-black-tech-talent-2026","\u003Cp>To hire \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fblack-tech-conferences-2026\">Black tech talent\u003C\u002Fa> at scale, you need a sourcing engine, not just a single job post. The numbers explain why. In 2022, Black workers made up just 7.4% of the high-tech workforce, according to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eeoc.gov\u002Fnewsroom\u002Feeoc-research-finds-unequal-opportunity-high-tech-sector-and-workforce\">EEOC\u003C\u002Fa>. Yet they still represented 11.6% of the overall U.S. labor force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the largest tech companies, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fblavity-media-group-the-gathering-spot-exclusive-collaboration\">Black professionals\u003C\u002Fa> hold only 3.7% of technical roles, per the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kaporcenter.org\u002Fpublication\u002Fblack-tech-workforce\u002F\">Kapor Center\u003C\u002Fa> and NAACP. That share rose barely 1 percentage point between 2014 and 2021. It’s clear that the talent exists, but most employers appear to be fishing in the wrong ponds. The rest of this guide walks through four operational moves: sourcing at scale, building a pipeline, closing offers and retaining the people you hire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Where Do You Find Black Tech Talent At Scale?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The fastest route to a diverse candidate pool is going where that talent already gathers. AfroTech built two channels for exactly this purpose. The first of these is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftalentinfusion.io\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Talent Infusion\u003C\u002Fa>, an AI-powered sourcing platform that lets recruiters filter by skills, post roles, invite candidates and track engagement. Enterprise teams pay a subscription, then search a vetted database of engaged Black candidates. Once inside the platform, you can save promising profiles into pools, download resumes and hand them straight to your ATS. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Ftalent-infusion-connects-employers-to-diverse-talent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AfroTech built it\u003C\u002Fa> to connect enterprises directly with diverse talent, not to sit as just another job board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second channel is the AfroTech Conference recruiting floor, where over 200 tech and enterprise companies recruit each year. Because thousands of Black technologists attend to interview hopeful candidates, you can source and screen in days rather than months. On the floor, prep your booth with recruiters who can speak to the work and schedule same-day interviews for standout candidates. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Feffecting-recruiting-at-afrotech-conference\">AfroTech Conference\u003C\u002Fa> returns to Houston from November 2 to 6, 2026, so plan your recruiting presence now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>How Do You Build A Pipeline Instead Of A One-Time Hire?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>A single great hire fills one seat. Meanwhile, a real pipeline fills next year’s roster. Start by treating Talent Infusion as a living pipeline rather than a one-time search. Build saved talent pools filtered by role, experience and location, then nurture those candidates for months. Log every promising conversation from the floor into a pool, then follow up within the same week. Return to the recruiting floor every year so your brand becomes familiar rather than unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, since \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fbowie-state-maryland-first-hbcu-phd-nursing-education-program\">HBCU partnerships\u003C\u002Fa> feed internship and entry-level pipelines that compound over time. Map two or three anchor schools, attend their career fairs and sponsor a hackathon so students meet your team before graduation. When you show up every cycle, candidates remember you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>What Makes Candidates Accept The Offer?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Sourcing gets you the conversation. Closing gets you the hire. Many Black candidates weigh whether they will be the only one in the room, so representation matters at the offer stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Put Black employees and genuine allies on your recruiting team, because candidates read authenticity fast. Be transparent about pay, promotion timelines and what the team actually looks like today. Share salary bands upfront, name the hiring manager and let candidates meet a future teammate before they decide. Competitive compensation still wins, yet belonging often breaks the tie when offers sit close. Show candidates a path, not just a paycheck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also helps to know what candidates are preparing for, from elevator pitches to portfolio reviews. Small signals, like a same-day thank-you and a clear next step, tell candidates you value their time. When your offer reflects the culture you promised, acceptance rates climb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>How Do You Retain Black Tech Employees After The Hire?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Hiring without retention simply refills the same hole. The attrition problem is real. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mckinsey.com\u002Finstitute-for-economic-mobility\u002Four-insights\u002Fhow-to-close-the-black-tech-talent-gap\">McKinsey\u003C\u002Fa> reports that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fexclusive-black-operator-ventures-wants-to-close-series-a-funding-gap\">Black tech talent\u003C\u002Fa> faces higher attrition and rarely stays long enough to earn a promotion. Mentorship alone will not fix it. Only 20% of Black entry-level and 13% of Black management-level employees strongly agree their sponsors effectively create opportunities, again per McKinsey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dice.com\u002Fhiring\u002Frecruitment\u002Freports\u002Ftech-sentiment-report\">Dice\u003C\u002Fa>‘s 2026 tech sentiment research adds that Black tech professionals are the group most likely to leave. Peer-reviewed research points to the first two years after hire as the danger zone, when weak onboarding and bias push people out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shift from mentorship to sponsorship, where senior leaders advocate for advancement behind closed doors. Invest in structured onboarding, sponsorship, and honest feedback loops, so new hires feel valued from day one. Build belonging through transparency and real inclusion, not one-off events. Track retention by group to spot problems early, then fix the conditions rather than blame the hire. Learning from HR and recruiting leaders helps here. The business case holds true, since \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbuiltin.com\u002Fdiversity-inclusion\u002Fdiversity-management\">Built In\u003C\u002Fa> found diverse management can lift revenue by 19%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you ready to hire Black tech talent at scale? Put your brand in front of the community where this talent already gathers. Explore AfroTech’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\u002Femployer-sponsorship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">employer sponsorship options\u003C\u002Fa> and start building your pipeline today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[159,160],{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":16,"image":29},{"id":31,"name":32,"slug":33,"description":16,"image":29},[162],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"url":164,"thumbnail":164,"credit":165,"title":166,"alt":167,"type":44,"width":45,"height":168,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F07\u002Fpexels-silverkblack-36766696-scaled.jpg","(Vitaly Garlev\u002FPexels)","How To Hire Black Tech Talent","Two businessmen discussing data at a cafe while enjoying coffee.",90,"2026-07-29T17:13:27-04:00","2026-07-29 21:13:27","2026-08-31T17:39:59-04:00","2026-08-31 21:39:59",[],{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":178,"author":179,"authors":189,"title":191,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":192,"slug":193,"body":194,"categories":195,"tags":199,"featuredMedia":201,"publishedAt":206,"publishedAtGMT":207,"updatedAt":208,"updatedAtGMT":209,"type":52,"listicle":210,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":55,"customFields":211,"additional":212,"acf":213},268221,{"id":180,"avatar":181,"firstName":182,"lastName":183,"displayName":184,"email":185,"username":184,"normalizedUsername":186,"description":187,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":188},193,"https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F5a600afdf30f16d9b250586c02dc5824b75c1cf8b4ad104c9d205bb1ea394dcc?s=1024&d=mm&r=g","Hayley","Hynes","Hayley Hynes","hayley.hynes@blavity.com","hayley-hynes","Hayley Hynes is a freelance Canadian creative who covers astrology, entertainment, and culture\u002Flifestyle content at 21Ninety, Blavity, AfroTech, Travel Noire and Home & Texture. She also co-managed HotNewHipHop for two years, but in 2024, Hayley stepped down from that role to launch her own website. There she offers tarot\u002Fenergy readings, informative astrology content, and personal reflections on her own spiritual healing journey. Find her on Instagram @hayleyhynes for more info!\r\n\r\nHayley graduated from Vancouver's Blanche Macdonald Centre after studying Fashion Marketing. She studied Journalism and Marketing at Mount Royal University in Calgary while writing for Narcity before that and is passionate about helping others heal through storytelling, understanding\u002Fbeing understood, and creating positive change.","2024-04-17T19:16:58+00:00",[190],{"id":180,"avatar":181,"firstName":182,"lastName":183,"displayName":184,"email":185,"username":184,"normalizedUsername":186,"description":187,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":188},"Top 10 Black Tech Conferences To Attend In 2026","The 10 best Black tech conferences in 2026, from AfroTech in Houston to NSBE. Dates, cities, and who each one is for.","black-tech-conferences-2026","\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding a room where you’re not the only Black person in tech still takes effort. These 10 conferences fix that. They’re where \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fjaneen-uzzell-nsbe-ceo-afrotech\">Black engineers\u003C\u002Fa>, founders, and product leaders go in 2026 to get hired, get funded, and meet the people who can move their careers, whether you’re job hunting, raising a round, or going to your \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fcollege-sophomores-how-landed-interviews-at-afrotech-conference\">first conference ever\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AfroTech sits at No. 1 because nothing else operates at its scale. The rest of the list runs from national career fairs to founder summits to regional developer events, sorted by what you can actually walk out with.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Which Black Tech Conference Is The Biggest?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cb style=\"font-size: 20px;\">1. AfroTech Conference, Houston, TX, November 2 to 6\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\">AfroTech Conference\u003C\u002Fa> is the largest gathering of Black tech professionals in the world. It started in San Francisco in 2016 with 650 people. By 2024 it drew more than 37,500, and the 2025 conference passed 40,000. The 2026 edition, its 10th year, is built around 40,000+ attendees, 300+ speakers, 15 tracks, and 11 stages at the George R. Brown Convention Center.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What separates it from everything below is who shows up to recruit. Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, NVIDIA, Anthropic, OpenAI, JPMorgan Chase, and Netflix are among the companies on the floor, and they come to hire. The conference runs \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Ftalent-infusion-connects-employers-to-diverse-talent\">Talent Infusion\u003C\u002Fa>, a platform that matches attendee resumes to open roles, and the hiring is direct enough that recruiters have offered interviews to attendees on the spot.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It works. James Miles II went to AfroTech in 2018 looking to change companies, and went on to land a senior HR role at the restaurant-tech company Toast. About 65% of attendees are mid-career or above, and roughly 18% sit at the director, VP, or C-level, so the people who can hire you, fund you, or refer you are in the same building for four days.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>What Are The Best Black Tech Conferences For Hiring And Recruiting?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cb style=\"font-size: 20px;\">2. NSBE Annual Convention, Baltimore, March 18 to 22\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Society of Black Engineers runs one of the largest career fairs in engineering, drawing thousands of students, professionals, and corporate recruiters. NSBE offers scholarship and volunteer passes that cover registration, which is why it remains a primary pipeline for Black engineers entering the field.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>3. NBMBAA, Los Angeles, September 23 to 25\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Black MBA Association’s career expo connects Black MBAs and senior professionals with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fkaren-carter-dow-inc-ceo\">Fortune 500\u003C\u002Fa> recruiters. By industry concentration, it generates a high volume of executive-level hiring conversations, so it’s the stronger pick if you’re targeting a senior or management move.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>4. Black Is Tech, Houston, April 20 to 24\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Draws 5,000+ for a career fair, workshops, and recruiting, with programming built to connect early-career Black technologists to employers. Pricing tends to run lower than the mega-conferences, which makes it a realistic first conference for students and career changers.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Which Conferences Are Best For Founders And Executives?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cb style=\"font-size: 20px;\">5. Women of Power Summit, Las Vegas, March 11 to 15\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black Enterprise’s summit programs executive panels, skills workshops, and curated networking for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fnew-index-reveals-the-first-200-us-based-black-women-founders-to-raise-1m-in-vc-funding\">Black women executives\u003C\u002Fa> and founders, with speakers drawn from Fortune 500 companies and funded startups. It targets the group most underrepresented in tech leadership.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>6. ForbesBLK Summit, Atlanta, October\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Held at Morehouse College, an HBCU, the summit convenes Black executives, founders, and creators around economic empowerment, with keynotes and curated networking aimed at investor and decision-maker access.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>7. Black Tech Week, Cincinnati, July 14 to 16\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founder-first programming: workshops, founder showcases, and investor access in a smaller setting than the national conferences. Useful if you want face time with corporate partners and investors without competing for it against 40,000 people.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>8. DiversiTech, Philadelphia, March 19 to 22\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connects Black and Latinx founders and technologists to the wider tech ecosystem through founder-focused sessions, workshops, and networking.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Which Conferences Are Best For Engineers And Developers?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cb style=\"font-size: 20px;\">9. RenderATL, Atlanta, August 12 to 13\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A developer-focused conference that pairs technical sessions on engineering tools with Atlanta’s Black tech community. Programming spans emerging technologies, leadership, and developer tooling.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>10. AABE National Conference, Louisiana, April 12 to 15\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The American Association of Blacks in Energy serves \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fblavity-media-group-the-gathering-spot-exclusive-collaboration\">Black professionals\u003C\u002Fa> in a sector where data, software, and infrastructure increasingly overlap, and where Black representation in technical roles stays low. A focused pick if you work where energy meets tech.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>How Do You Pick The Right One?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of these do one job well. The reason AfroTech sits at No. 1 is that it covers several at once, and the programming is split by audience so you’re not paying for a room that isn’t yours.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you’re job hunting, the recruiters on the floor come specifically to hire Black talent. If you’re building a company, AfroTech runs pitch hours, dealflow office hours, and founder firesides, so founders are a listed audience, not a side room. If you’re moving into leadership, Executive Stage programming and invite-only roundtables run Tuesday through Thursday. If you’re early in your career or still in school, AFROTECH U and the Student Summit run Monday through Wednesday with resume workshops, recruiter receptions, and HBCU programming.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost doesn’t have to be the blocker. AfroTech offers student programming and discounted pathways for early-career attendees, and there’s an employer sponsorship page with a copy-and-paste email template you can send your manager to expense it as professional development.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shorthand: match the event to your goal. NSBE or NBMBAA if the goal is a job. Women of Power or ForbesBLK if it’s leadership. Black Tech Week if it’s funding. And if you want all of those in one trip, that’s the event at the top of the list.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Register for \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\">AfroTech Conference\u003C\u002Fa> early — partner hotel blocks near the convention center tend to sell out by October.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[196,197,198],{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":16,"image":29},{"id":70,"name":71,"slug":72,"description":16,"image":29},{"id":31,"name":32,"slug":33,"description":16,"image":29},[200],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"url":202,"thumbnail":202,"credit":203,"title":204,"alt":205,"type":44,"width":45,"height":46,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F07\u002Fpexels-pavel-danilyuk-8761723-scaled.jpg","(Pavel Danllyuk\u002FPexels)","Black Tech Conference","Confident Black woman in business attire sitting in a conference room with notepad and ID badge.","2026-07-29T16:36:54-04:00","2026-07-29 20:36:54","2026-08-31T17:37:26-04:00","2026-08-31 21:37:26",[],{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":215,"author":216,"authors":226,"title":228,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":229,"slug":230,"body":231,"categories":232,"tags":238,"featuredMedia":256,"publishedAt":261,"publishedAtGMT":262,"updatedAt":261,"updatedAtGMT":262,"type":52,"listicle":263,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":55,"customFields":264,"additional":265,"acf":266},245185,{"id":217,"avatar":218,"firstName":219,"lastName":220,"displayName":221,"email":222,"username":223,"normalizedUsername":224,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":225},220,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F11\u002FShaCamree-Cover.png","ShaCamree","Gowdy","ShaCamree Gowdy","shacamree.gowdy@blavity.com","Shacamree","shacamree","2024-09-09T12:27:08+00:00",[227],{"id":217,"avatar":218,"firstName":219,"lastName":220,"displayName":221,"email":222,"username":223,"normalizedUsername":224,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":225},"As An Exec Who Spent 32 Years With BET And Moved With Shifts In The Industry, Debra Lee Urges Leaders To Stay Adaptable Amid AI Changes","After 32 years at BET, former CEO Debra Lee reflects on her legacy and the importance of embracing change in an AI-driven world.","former-bet-ceo-debra-lee-legacy-afrotech-conference","\u003Cp>After 32 years at Black Entertainment Television (BET), \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fdebra-lee-sees-hope-in-the-digital-era-citing-issa-rae-and-keke-palmer-as-examples\">former CEO Debra Lee\u003C\u002Fa> continues shaping culture and business. Today, she sits on the boards of Warner Bros. Discovery, Marriott International, and Procter & Gamble — but her legacy at BET remains untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At AFROTECH™ Conference 2025, Lee reflected on how her leadership from 2005 to 2018 helped define generations of Black entertainment, from shaping beloved programming to setting new standards for representation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee began at BET as the company’s first in-house counsel, building the legal department from the ground up. She later — and unexpectedly — became president and chief operating officer, succeeding founder Bob Johnson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When people started writing articles, ‘Debra Lee is the heir apparent,’ it really shocked me,” Lee recalled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought I was just going to continue to do the work, and Bob would get all the credit. That’s the way it went. No big deal. And it wasn’t until Bob left and I became CEO that people started saying, ‘What do you want your legacy to be? What’s your vision for the company?’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Lee, the answer came easily — her vision centered on creating authentic, high-quality Black \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Frussell-westbrook-invests-in-arizona-athletic-grounds\">programming\u003C\u002Fa> and proving it could thrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the first shows under her leadership, “The Game,” was picked up from CBS and went on to draw 7.7 million viewers on its BET premiere night, she shared — an unprecedented number for cable television at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My legacy is a little different. I want the high-quality programming to be part of that. But, I also wanted the fact that I hired primarily people of color, a good number of women, and they came to BET,” Lee said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They were passionate about what they did, and they did an excellent job. I wanted BET to be known for excellence. And it took a while, but we accomplished that. So I wanted that to be my \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fdangelos-catalog-soar-by-nearly-800-percent\">legacy\u003C\u002Fa> also, that I provided opportunities for young people of color and for women to produce great programming and to change the idea of representation in the media industry,” she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving BET in 2018, Lee still feels the joy and pride of the legacy she built. Fans continue to stop her for selfies, thank her for her impact, and celebrate what she did for the culture — proof that she accomplished exactly what she set out to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That means a lot that people see what we did, what we tried to do. And I’m really proud of that. That’s the legacy. And when I look back on it, we had fun doing it. We really had fun. Everybody was pulling in the same direction. We had the same goal, and we just wanted the audience at home to watch and to be proud of what we were doing,” she shared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Debra Lee Wants Leaders To Embrace AI, Not Fear It\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Under Lee’s leadership, BET.com also launched — an effort driven by her determination to keep the network connected to its growing audience. As digital media rose in influence, she recognized early on that BET needed a strong online presence to stay ahead of the curve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With AI reshaping business and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fweb-stories\u002Flist-of-companies-that-dont-support-dei\">diversity, equity, and inclusion\u003C\u002Fa> initiatives under pressure, she noted that industry leaders are still learning and adapting — just as she always has.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think we’re still struggling with getting over the fear that AI is just going to eliminate jobs. It’s going to eliminate some jobs, but it should also be helpful in terms of how we conduct business and how people can work better together,” Lee said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People are nervous, but I think we have to get over that fear and really figure out how it can be helpful. And that’s the same thing with any technology,” she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>‘Trust Your Gut’\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">In an era of layoffs and uncertainty, Lee told the AFROTECH™ audience, “always realize that we’re all expendable,” urging them to stay adaptable and proactive. Above all, she encouraged attendees to stay true to themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know what you’re good at. You know what you’re not good at. I hope you have unbridled faith in yourself. And usually when people make mistakes is when they don’t listen to their gut and they don’t stay true to their values,” Lee said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So then find out what your values are or what the values of the company where you work are, even if you are the founder. And stay true to those values,” she added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Over 40K Attendees Gather At AFROTECH™ Conference 2025\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>AFROTECH™ Conference 2025, held in Houston, TX, from Oct. 27 to Oct. 31, 2025, drew over 40,000 attendees and provided a significant boost to the local economy, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.prnewswire.com\u002Fnews-releases\u002Fafrotech-2025-draws-40-000-attendees-sparks-human-centered-ai-debate-and-highlights-equitable-medtech-302602968.html?tc=eml_cleartime\">according to\u003C\u002Fa> a news release. Launched in 2016, the conference has become a cornerstone for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fexclusive-black-operator-ventures-wants-to-close-series-a-funding-gap\">Black tech\u003C\u002Fa> professionals and innovators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year, leaders and founders from government, health systems, and top tech companies led hundreds of sessions and connected across sectors to advance human-centered AI, equitable medtech, and culture-driven tech entrepreneurship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“AFROTECH™ is where the world experiences innovation through the lens of community,” Morgan DeBaun, founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., said in the release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This year’s conference embodied what’s next, from real-world AI applications to transformative discussions in health and venture, bridging access and opportunity in every space,” she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[233,237],{"id":234,"name":235,"slug":236,"description":16,"image":29},15188,"Advice","advice",{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":16,"image":29},[239,240,244,248,252],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"id":241,"name":242,"slug":243,"description":16,"image":16},15668,"AFROTECH25","afrotech25",{"id":245,"name":246,"slug":247,"description":16,"image":16},11975,"artifical intelligence","artifical-intelligence",{"id":249,"name":250,"slug":251,"description":16,"image":16},2795,"Black Excellence","black-excellence",{"id":253,"name":254,"slug":255,"description":16,"image":16},80,"diversity and inclusion","diversity-and-inclusion",{"url":257,"thumbnail":257,"credit":258,"title":259,"alt":16,"type":44,"width":45,"height":168,"mimeType":260},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F11\u002FUntitled-1-08-10-2025-11-50-52-1.png","Ismael Quintanilla III","Untitled-1 – 08-10-2025 11-50-52","image\u002Fpng","2025-11-06T13:56:27-05:00","2025-11-06 18:56:27",[],{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":268,"author":269,"authors":270,"title":272,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":273,"slug":274,"body":275,"categories":276,"tags":279,"featuredMedia":290,"publishedAt":294,"publishedAtGMT":295,"updatedAt":294,"updatedAtGMT":295,"type":52,"listicle":296,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":85,"customFields":297,"additional":298,"acf":299},244290,{"id":217,"avatar":218,"firstName":219,"lastName":220,"displayName":221,"email":222,"username":223,"normalizedUsername":224,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":225},[271],{"id":217,"avatar":218,"firstName":219,"lastName":220,"displayName":221,"email":222,"username":223,"normalizedUsername":224,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":225},"How Juan Bonilla Leverages Generosity For Brand Growth — ‘It’s About Building A Reputation And Earning Trust’","At AFROTECH™ Conference 2025, Juan Bonilla and Ayiko Broyard broke down the philosophy of “strategic generosity” at Walton Isaacson.","walton-isaacson-leverages-generosity-growth-afrotech-conference-2025","\u003Cp>Generosity isn’t just about being nice — it’s the key to earning the trust of a Fortune 100 CEO.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fwhat-you-missed-so-far-afrotech-conference-2025\">AFROTECH™ Conference 2025\u003C\u002Fa> in Houston, TX, Juan Bonilla, president of marketing agency Walton Isaacson, and Ayiko Broyard, executive vice president and head of account management, unpacked the power of strategic generosity as a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fblack-led-venture-capital-growth-progress-remains-uneven-report\">growth\u003C\u002Fa> strategy that strengthens relationships, unlocks bigger budgets, and leaves chief marketing officers (CMOs) feeling supported, empowered, and recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broyard shared how this philosophy shaped Walton Isaacson’s long-standing partnership with Lexus. Early on, she noticed how luxury buyers valued the brand’s respect and hospitality — something missing from competitors. To truly understand that experience, she and her team visited dealerships, sat in the cars, and immersed themselves in the customer journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That firsthand insight became a cornerstone of the agency’s experiential strategy: every event must feature a vehicle people can touch, sit in, and feel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And so at the end of the day, you got to bring it back to that CMO mindset is ‘I’m here to sell cars,’ and in order for me to sell the car, sell the product, you’ve got to know it,” Broyard said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Broyard applies that same principle across brands — from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fwhy-are-people-boycotting-mcdonalds\">McDonald’s\u003C\u002Fa> and The Home Depot to PNC Bank. Whether it’s cars, fries, tools, or financial services, the same goal remains: immerse yourself in the product and lead with strategic generosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, no data point can replace real-world experience. Bonilla pointed out that true partnership means living and breathing the brand — seeing what the CMO can’t yet see. Identifying blind spots and surfacing opportunities before they’re on the radar, he said, “will get you in the door faster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely,” Broyard replied. “At the end of the day, it’s about building a reputation and earning trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For CMOs, data often tells the story that earns that trust. It’s not just about numbers — it’s about using insights to show clients the opportunity you already know will help them win big.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We live in the world of algorithms and data now, but you do have to connect the data with the emotional impact of anything, how you actually change perceptions,” Broyard said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because data doesn’t just change perceptions. You need the emotional connection part to additionally change connections,” she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Running The Risk And Reaping The Reward\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>At Walton Isaacson, there’s a core philosophy called “The Courage to Collide.” It’s rooted in the belief that innovation happens when different backgrounds, perspectives, and views meet — sometimes with tension. While the agency’s creative breakthroughs are driven by the willingness to challenge and question the status quo, they come with risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re going to make sure that we remain authentic and we don’t always agree with our clients. We tell them how we feel, we tell them what they should do,” Broyard said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the client makes the final decision, “you have to have the courage to stand up in the room to be authentic for yourself, for your brand, for your consumer, for your people,” she added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an agency always pursuing new business, one of Walton Isaacson’s most undervalued strengths is the power of starting small to get in the door — beginning with a modest opportunity and using it to build trust. This long-game approach, driven by ambition for the client’s brand, has helped the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Faaron-walton-successful-brand-partnerships-afrotech-2024\">agency\u003C\u002Fa> grow initial projects into \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Flisticle\u002Fchemin-founder-november-nichols\">multibillion dollar\u003C\u002Fa> partnerships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end of the discussion, Broyard circled back to the theme of the session: generosity; it’s not optional — it’s essential for growth. She encouraged reframing the mindset from simply chasing revenue to uncovering and solving the problems clients don’t yet see. That’s how lasting partnerships are built and how brands maintain their place on the CMO’s A-list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the end of the day, generosity, authenticity … it’s not, at the end of the day, about just winning the business,” Broyard said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s really about building trust, building a relationship. And at WI, our partners aren’t transactional. They’re our partners. We don’t consider them a vendor. We consider them partners. Our money, we treat your money, it’s our money. And we’re not wasteful. We are about delivering impact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"article-body default\">\n\u003Cp>Feeling FOMO? Don’t miss another AFROTECH™ Conference. Secure your \u003Ca class=\"c-link c-link--focus-visible\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fattendee-aftc2026.streampoint.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\u002F\u002Fattendee-aftc2026.streampoint.com\u002F\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">early bird ticket\u003C\u002Fa> now for 2026.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n",[277,278],{"id":234,"name":235,"slug":236,"description":16,"image":29},{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":16,"image":29},[280,281,282,286],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"id":241,"name":242,"slug":243,"description":16,"image":16},{"id":283,"name":284,"slug":285,"description":16,"image":16},5001,"brand collaborations","brand-collaborations",{"id":287,"name":288,"slug":289,"description":16,"image":16},2906,"Partnerships","partnerships",{"url":291,"thumbnail":291,"credit":292,"title":293,"alt":16,"type":44,"width":45,"height":46,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FLeviThompson_GenerosityAStrategy_ATC2025_Halo-03739-scaled.jpg","Levi Thompson","LeviThompson_GenerosityAStrategy_ATC2025_Halo-03739","2025-10-31T11:52:31-04:00","2025-10-31 15:52:31",[],{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":301,"author":302,"authors":303,"title":305,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":306,"slug":307,"body":308,"categories":309,"tags":314,"featuredMedia":325,"publishedAt":329,"publishedAtGMT":330,"updatedAt":329,"updatedAtGMT":330,"type":52,"listicle":331,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":332,"customFields":333,"additional":334,"acf":335},244313,{"id":217,"avatar":218,"firstName":219,"lastName":220,"displayName":221,"email":222,"username":223,"normalizedUsername":224,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":225},[304],{"id":217,"avatar":218,"firstName":219,"lastName":220,"displayName":221,"email":222,"username":223,"normalizedUsername":224,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":225},"Lanny Smoot, The Disney Imagineer With The Most Patents At Walt Disney, Shares The Next Big Thing That Could Change The VR Game","At AFROTECH™ Conference 2025, Disney Imagineers Lanny Smoot and Jonathan Becker shared behind-the-scenes insights on the latest creations.","disney-imagineers-innovation-afrotech-conference-2025","\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fwhat-you-missed-so-far-afrotech-conference-2025\">AFROTECH™ Conference 2025\u003C\u002Fa> brought the magic of Disney to Houston with “An Inside Look at Imagineering Presented by Walt Disney Imagineering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Imagineers \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Flisticle\u002Fimagineer-lanny-smoot-earns-most-patents-walt-disney-history\">Lanny Smoot\u003C\u002Fa> and Jonathan Becker shared their personal journeys, offering a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most innovative and immersive experiences in themed entertainment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the session, Smoot, who holds 107 United States-issued patents — the most of anyone at Walt Disney Company — discussed his latest innovation, the HoloTile floor, which he believes will transform the virtual reality landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cfigure id=\"attachment_244344\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-244344\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-244344\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"938\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 320w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 1200w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 128w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 1229w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 1638w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 1568w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2335-scaled.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption id=\"caption-attachment-244344\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Alan Castelan\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp>“Virtual reality has always allowed people to be in multiple places, all of that sort of thing, but of course, if they walk too far, they trip on the couch. So, I’ve invented a floor that allows anything on its surface, including people walking, to walk as long as they want to in any direction. The floor will always correct that and keep them on it,” Smoot said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Becker, never one to “fit into a monolithic box,” reflected on his unique path to Disney — shaped by a lifelong passion for music, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fdove-launches-guide-boost-black-hair-representation-gaming\">video games\u003C\u002Fa>, surfing, skating, and even gardening and landscape design, where he memorized the species of plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During an internship at Imagineering, Becker began by designing musical interactions at Walt Disney World’s Pandora, exploring ways for guests with no musical training to create group compositions through innovative drum circle experiences. From there, a broader interest in mechanical and robotic design grew, leading to Becker helping develop exoskeletons for large costume characters like the Incredible Hulk and Thanos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve always been a free spirit, always chasing things that made me happy. So I’ve never really fit into a box, and weirdly, that kind of set me up for imagineering,” Becker said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exclusive panel also highlighted the Disney Cruise Line, which brings Disney, Pixar, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Flisticle\u002Fblack-panther-video-game\">Marvel\u003C\u002Fa>, and Disney Parks adventures to life. Upcoming offerings on the Disney Destiny include an all-new Hercules stage show and Pride Lands Feast of The Lion King, an immersive dining experience featuring music from the film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"702\">By the end of the session, it was clear how creativity and engineering work together to shape the future of storytelling across Disney’s live entertainment, resorts, cruise ships, and more. The collaborative effort underscores the company’s focus on innovation, driving next-generation projects across Disney products.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re looking [at] five to 10 years out, where \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fchris-lyons-says-there-is-no-better-time-to-be-in-tech\">technology\u003C\u002Fa> is going and how that intersects with creativity to create amazing new experiences for our guests,” Becker said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling FOMO? Don’t miss another AFROTECH™ Conference. Secure your \u003Ca class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fattendee-aftc2026.streampoint.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\u002F\u002Fattendee-aftc2026.streampoint.com\u002F\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">early bird ticket\u003C\u002Fa> now for 2026.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[310],{"id":311,"name":312,"slug":313,"description":16,"image":29},46,"Technology","technology",[315,316,320,323],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"id":317,"name":318,"slug":319,"description":16,"image":16},1047,"Disney","disney",{"id":321,"name":322,"slug":322,"description":16,"image":16},86,"entertainment",{"id":324,"name":313,"slug":313,"description":16,"image":16},74,{"url":326,"thumbnail":326,"credit":327,"title":328,"alt":16,"type":44,"width":45,"height":46,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2372-scaled.jpg","Alan Castelan","AlanCastelan_WaltDisneyImagineering_ATC2025_Halo-2372","2025-10-30T16:28:41-04:00","2025-10-30 20:28:41",[],2,{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16},{"id":337,"author":338,"authors":339,"title":341,"subTitle":16,"excerpt":342,"slug":343,"body":344,"categories":345,"tags":348,"featuredMedia":363,"publishedAt":367,"publishedAtGMT":368,"updatedAt":367,"updatedAtGMT":368,"type":52,"listicle":369,"disableContentGate":54,"disableListicleNumbers":54,"canonicalUrl":16,"socialThumbnail":16,"readingTime":55,"customFields":370,"additional":371,"acf":372},244049,{"id":217,"avatar":218,"firstName":219,"lastName":220,"displayName":221,"email":222,"username":223,"normalizedUsername":224,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":225},[340],{"id":217,"avatar":218,"firstName":219,"lastName":220,"displayName":221,"email":222,"username":223,"normalizedUsername":224,"description":16,"htmlBio":16,"twitter":16,"facebook":16,"instagram":16,"registeredAt":225},"Stacey Abrams’ Life In Mississippi Drives Her Commitment To Democracy In An AI-Driven World: ‘Often We’re Told To Pick A Lane…I Picked A Freeway’","Stacey Abrams shares how expanding opportunity and understanding emerging technologies like AI are crucial to protecting democracy.","afrotech-2025-stacey-abrams-democracy-ai-driven-world","\u003Cp>Stacey Abrams wears many hats. The first Black woman nominated for governor in U.S. history, she is a national leader, voting rights advocate, romance and thriller novelist, and serial \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fanthony-gees-kulture-house\">entrepreneur\u003C\u002Fa> with her own media and podcast ventures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fseries-co-founders-scored-a-1m-investment-over-dinner\">AFROTECH™ Conference 2025\u003C\u002Fa> in Houston, Abrams joined Dr. Rachel Gillum, vice president of ethical and humane use of technology at Salesforce, for a session titled “Democracy in the World of AI,” highlighting AI’s rapid spread, its impact on every sector from health care to the economy, and its connection to democracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abrams explained that her commitment to democracy is driven by her experience with poverty, which she called immoral, economically inefficient, and solvable — a reality she is determined never to return to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Democracy is how we have always advanced the cause of more voices being involved in the answer,” Abrams shared from the stage. “I create companies because I was poor, and I don’t like it, and don’t ever want to do it again. My mother used to call us the genteel poor. We had no money, but we watched PBS, and we read books, and I’m very comfortable with not being poor. And so I want to give that to other people. But to get to that space, to build the democracy, we need to create the economic opportunities to create prosperity for our communities, for our people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abrams emphasized the importance of tackling challenges from multiple angles. For her, the question is which approach will have the greatest impact in the moment — whether starting an organization to protect democracy, writing a book on the vulnerabilities of the power grid, or creating a children’s book about hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And so often we’re told to pick a lane. I did. I picked a freeway,” Abrams said. “And so for me, it’s how do I navigate in the moment? How do I pick which lane makes the most sense for the outcome?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latest novel she’s written, “Coded Justice,” released on July 15, 2025, blends \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fai-pros-cons-afrotech-2024\">AI\u003C\u002Fa>, ethics, health care, veterans’ issues, and a touch of romance. Abrams said she wanted to explore the challenges of AI while also reflecting on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which she sees as central to America’s identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are in a moment where our very diversity of our pluralistic democracies [is] under attack, and the underpinning [of] the conversation about DEI [is] getting consumed by this false narrative of who should be hired,” she said. “It is how we have constructed a multiracial, multi-ethnic, multi-identity nation. And so those who are attacking \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Fnbc-news-lays-off-journalists-covering-marginalized-communities-dei\">DEI\u003C\u002Fa> are attacking the nature of who we intend to be as a country.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While AI offers tremendous opportunities to expand knowledge and access across languages, it also carries risks, especially when poorly designed or misunderstood — similar to the challenges of social media and information silos. Abrams shared how she applied multiple tools and deep research to write “Coded Justice,” modeling her approach to how people should engage with AI.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Health care is a human right, and we can only achieve our intention of access if we use every tool at our disposal,” she said. “But if we use tools that we don’t understand, that we do not navigate, that we do not regulate, then what begins with good intention almost invariably goes wrong. And in a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotech.com\u002Flisticle\u002Fthe-center-for-tech-and-civic-life-founder-tiana-epps-johnson-has-plans-to-restore-trust-in-our-democracy\">democracy\u003C\u002Fa>, it is our responsibility to not simply adhere to the goals of the majority, but to understand the needs and the vulnerabilities of the minority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>AI, Access, And The Road Ahead\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>To help communities gain the skills and influence needed in this new AI-forward era, Abrams highlighted Bean Path, an organization in Mississippi that she hopes to expand to Georgia. The program trains young people, seniors, and small business owners to use AI.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s important because when we are afraid of knowledge, when we’re afraid of technology, we tend to isolate ourselves from it, which doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist; we simply lose control over it,” she said. “And our communities at this moment must understand what might supplant them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As concerns grow about AI’s impact on jobs and the future of work, Abrams stressed the importance of resilience, drawing inspiration from generations of extraordinary family members. Simply put, she said, she comes from a long line of people who refused to give up — and she is no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Things aren’t right, things aren’t normal,” she said. “AI is coming after our jobs, but there are other facets that are coming after our lives, our resilience, our fortitude, our imagination, our existence, and they’re not shy about it. We cannot be shy about our responsibility to be just as loud, just as aggressive, just as engaged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the session wrapped, Abrams challenged attendees to take action: Identify a person, organization, or problem where there may be unseen obstacles — and use the skills you have to make a difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are changing the nature of democracy, but democracy isn’t this esoteric idea,” Abrams said. “I don’t care about voting rights because I like casting a ballot, I care about voting rights because it’s power. And if we all decide we’re going to do something within our power to increase the power of someone else, to increase their access so that they know democracy can deliver, we cannot just save the nation, we can demand the nation we deserve. And that’s the work that gives me the most hope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take this opportunity to join the conversation. Check out the full\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca style=\"font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base); text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration-style: dotted;\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fafrotechconference.com\u002Fschedule\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">schedule\u003C\u002Fa> for \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">AFROTECH™ Conference\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> and \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca style=\"font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fattendee-aftc2025.streampoint.com\u002F?utm_campaign=general&utm_source=afrotech&utm_medium=web3%3A10&utm_content=navbar\">purchase your ticket now.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[346,347],{"id":234,"name":235,"slug":236,"description":16,"image":29},{"id":26,"name":27,"slug":28,"description":16,"image":29},[349,350,351,355,356,360],{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":16,"image":16},{"id":241,"name":242,"slug":243,"description":16,"image":16},{"id":352,"name":353,"slug":354,"description":16,"image":16},410,"artificial intelligence","artificial-intelligence",{"id":249,"name":250,"slug":251,"description":16,"image":16},{"id":357,"name":358,"slug":359,"description":16,"image":16},1018,"data privacy","data-privacy",{"id":361,"name":362,"slug":362,"description":16,"image":16},1418,"networking",{"url":364,"thumbnail":364,"credit":365,"title":366,"alt":16,"type":44,"width":45,"height":46,"mimeType":47},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.afrotech.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FAdriannaHall_StaceyAbrams_ATC25_Halo-9297-scaled.jpg","Adrianna Hall for AfroTech","Afrotech Conference 2025 in Houston, TX","2025-10-29T17:37:28-04:00","2025-10-29 21:37:28",[],{"disableConnatixPlayer":54},{"disableAd":54,"disableConnatixPlayer":54,"enabledComments":54,"headScript":29,"hidePhotoAttribution":54},{"reviewer_name":16}]