Startup founders, journalists, CEOs, and some of the largest tech companies will descend upon Las Vegas this week for CES 2019, a weeklong showcase of the latest gadgets and trends in technology. Along with a behind the scenes look at voice assistant software, virtual reality headsets, and driverless cars, several leaders will take the stage for discussions on using tech for good and creating pathways into the industry.
Last year, the trade show came under fire for the lack of diversity, and while this year’s keynote lineup noticeably includes more female speakers, it also noticeably excludes Black and Latinx tech executives.
In 2018, we wrote about Black women making waves in the venture capital world, and covered Backstage Capital’s move to launch a $36 million fund to support “underestimated founders.”
Here’s a list of the Black innovators, leaders, and journalists taking the stage during CES 2019. Check them out:
Ruth Chandler Cook, CEO, HireHer
Arlan Hamilton, Founder and Managing Partner, Backstage Capital
Catherine E. Pugh, Mayor, City of Baltimore
Caroline Wanga, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, and VP, Human Resources, Target
Brian Brackeen, CEO, Kairos
Daniel Cherry, Chief Marketing Officer, Activision Blizzard Esports League
Bernard Coleman, Global Head, Diversity, and Inclusion, Uber
Sherrell Dorsey, Founder, BLKTECHCLT, and ThePLUGDaily.com
Demetrick Ferguson, Founder, The Bitcoin Podcast Network, LLP
Dr. Knatokie Ford, Founder, and CEO, Fly Sci™ Enterprise
Anthony Foxx, Chief Policy Officer, Lyft
Dr. Chris Gibbons, Founder, and CEO, The Greystone Group, Inc.
Martin Gilliard, Head of Industry, Retail Superstores & Groceries, Facebook
Andre Hentz, Undersecretary, Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology
Jemele Hill, Staff Writer & Journalist, The Atlantic
Dhani Jones, EVP Business Development, Rock Ventures
Sarah Kunst, Managing Director, Cleo Capital
Steve Harvey, Entertainer, Media Magnate and Investor, Steve Harvey Global
Kay Madati, Global VP and Head of Content Partnerships, Twitter
Jason Mars, CEO, and Co-Founder, Clinc
Georges Massing, Director User Interaction & Software, Mercedes-Benz Cars Research & Development
Julian Mitchell, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Beats by Dre
Tiffany Moore, SVP, Political and Industry Affairs, Consumer Technology Association
Shawn Outler, EVP, Chief Diversity Officer, Macy’s, Inc.
Rene Quashie, VP, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Consumer Technology Association
Elena Richards, U.S. Minority Initiatives & Talent Management Leader, PwC
Patrice Samuels, Sr. Analyst, Parks Associates
Bill Taylor, VP, Outreach & Partnership Development, NAF
Bari Williams, VP, Legal, Policy and Business Affairs, All Turtles