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This year’s AfroTech conference going down in Houston is more than just a gathering—it’s a celebration of Black creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship! We’re thrilled to partner with Walmart who will be bringing The Shoutout Experience to AfroTech 2024. Part of Walmart’s Black & Unlimited program, The Shoutout is a bold initiative spotlighting Black creators, founders and businesses through the power of community-driven support. Nearly 50% of Black-owned businesses thrive on word of mouth, underscoring the essential role that we as a community play in driving visibility and success for the Black-owned brands we admire and love. With The Shoutout Experience, Walmart Black & Unlimited harnesses this power, giving us all a way to wear, share and shout out our love for Black ingenuity while amplifying the game-changing creators and entrepreneurs who lead these businesses. So, what can you expect at AfroTech? Get ready for an experience that empowers you to be an ambassador for...
The AFROTECH™ 2024 Conference took Houston, TX, by storm from Nov. 15 to Nov. 17, uniting Black innovators worldwide to connect, discuss trends, and network with industry leaders and recruiters. A highlight of the conference was the Women in Tech Luncheon, presented by Yahoo. This event brought together an inspiring group of pioneering Black women in technology for an empowering and supportive celebration. Celebrity wellness and lifestyle expert and birth doula Latham Thomas, known as Glow Maven, opened the luncheon with welcoming remarks. She has been recognized as one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100 and named one of Mindbodygreen’s “Top 100 Women to Watch in Wellness,” according to her Instagram profile. Notable speakers included Giselle Battley, head of global emerging careers and learning & development at Yahoo. According to her LinkedIn profile, Battley was recognized as one of Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women in Business for 2024. The luncheon opened the door for Black women...
Faith is the cornerstone of D’Janae Robinson’s life, shaping both her personal journey and professional endeavors. From our first conversation on LinkedIn, it was clear that her belief in God shapes her outlook on life and drives her decisions. Robinson has always felt a higher calling, though she admits the path forward wasn’t always clear. Raised in a family rooted in spirituality, Robinson grew up under the influence of her praying great-great-grandmother. This gave her an early understanding of God’s presence in her life. However, like many, her faith journey has had its highs and lows — a testament to the complexities of staying grounded while navigating life’s uncertainties. Through it all, Robinson’s unwavering trust in a higher purpose continues to guide her as she discovers how to align her life with her calling. “It wasn’t always easy being a believer, and I can say with my chest because I’ve been delivered from it. I didn’t always believe. I didn’t always believe that I...
Richard Merritt II had a clear vision for his next career step. Journey In Technology Richard Merritt II’s journey in technology began at the age of seven when he showed interest in old Dell computers and learned to code graphing calculators in math class. “I was actually pretty interested in how computers work. In math class, they gave me those graphing calculators, and I was able to code them to do calculations for me. So, I kind of always wanted to do something with computers,” he told AFROTECH™. Between 2007 and 2012, Merritt attended Texas Tech University. He initially pursued a degree in computer engineering but pivoted to business administration in management information systems after realizing he wanted to explore the intersection of technology and people. Immediately after graduating, Merritt jump-started his career as an IT Analyst Intern at Valero Energy Corporation, as noted on his LinkedIn profile. This internship led to a full-time role as a Technical Product Manager...
Being Black is not a monolith, which is why the culture’s approach to gaming is not something that is one-size-fits-all. That said, Xbox is on a mission to revolutionize the industry by offering a variety of games that fit the many needs of those playing. Beyond those who play games, there is also a space for those who have an interest in creating them over at the Microsoft-led company. One of the latest games that stem from Xbox is South of Midnight, a spellbinding third-person action-adventure game set in the American Deep South. Designed to celebrate Black heritage and Southern culture, the project follows main character Hazel, who was created by Compulsion Game’s, Zaire Lanier, who serves as the writer and narrative designer on the game. “When creating Hazel, for me, it was important to not think of Blackness as a monolith,” she said during the “ WOVEN: The Power of Black Voices in Gaming” panel at Microsoft’s Black TechXcellence House during the AFROTECH™ Conference 2024. ...
While the discourse around artificial intelligence (AI) has coincided with concerns regarding bias — especially as it pertains to the Black community — Microsoft has taken this opportunity for growth by helping showcase how technology can enhance one’s entrepreneurial journey. Microsoft tapped social media star Keith Lee to help demonstrate how AI can empower Black entrepreneurs, providing tools and insights to navigate and thrive in an increasingly tech-driven business landscape. During the AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, the technology company purposefully hosted an activation in Houston, creating a space for tech experts, enthusiasts, and everyone in between to explore its offerings in the AI landscape. Central to this experience was Microsoft Copilot—a suite of AI-powered tools seamlessly integrated into the company’s products, designed to assist users with tasks ranging from everyday workflows to managing the complexities of running a restaurant, which is where Lee’s expertise came...
Alexis McGill Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA), has proven to be a thought leader for reproductive rights and a true advocate for social justice. After earning her Master of Arts degree from Yale University, Johnson returned to her alma mater as a faculty member. She later served as political director for Russell Simmons’s “Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.” In 2009, she co-founded the Perception Institute, a collective of researchers and strategists dedicated to turning scientific insights into practical solutions for people from diverse backgrounds, per their website . In 2019, she was named president of Planned Parenthood. During the AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 on Nov. 15, the C-suite executive joined board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Simone Whitmore and 1063 West Broad founder Alencia Johnson for a discussion on reproductive health rights, effective advocacy strategies for women, and advancing reproductive health equity....
AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 was in Houston, TX, from Nov. 13 to 17 — and on Day 3, LinkedIn hosted an Executive Stage session titled “The Path Forward: Adapting Amidst Rapid Tech.” Career expert Drew McCaskill and technology leader Bef Ayenew led the panel to discuss artificial intelligence’s transformative impact on jobs, teams, and companies. With 1.1 billion members leveraging LinkedIn for career growth, knowledge sharing, skill development, and community building, many have already enhanced their profiles with AI skills . “We’ve seen 140x in times in LinkedIn members globally adding AI skills to their LinkedIn profiles. That’s 140x increase in people adding those skills,” McCaskill said. “70% of companies are reporting that they’re using AI already at work. If you think about it like this, 25% of the skills needed for the jobs that all of us do and have been doing for the past eight years have changed.” “So even if you’re not changing jobs, your jobs are changing on you,” he...
Jennifer Lynne Williams is a prominent leader championing global opportunities in sports. As Chief Development Officer of the USA Basketball Foundation, she recognizes the importance of confidence in the industry and holds a hopeful vision for the future of young athletes. Originally from Detroit, MI, Williams studied at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and African American studies. Originally dreaming of a career in television, she pivoted to pursue a master’s degree in athletic administration at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), which equipped her for a successful career in the sports industry. As an athlete herself, Williams wanted to make a difference for college athletes and those who were looking to break into the professional leagues. Williams served as the associate athletic director of development and executive director of the Aggie Athletic Foundation at North Carolina A&T University for four years....
When it comes to cultivating connections for the Black diaspora, Abdul Karim Abdullah is dedicated to highlighting the values and richness of Africa and bringing awareness to the U.S. Abdullah is the founder and chief executive officer of the Culture Management Group (CMG). CMG is the parent company of the recognized Afrofuture Festival, previously known as the Afrochella Festival, which is an annual event that takes place in Accra, Ghana. With his dedication to celebrating the culture through African music, food, art, and fashion, Abdullah has made a huge impact on the country and the continent as a whole. In 2022, Abdullah and the CMG team were officially appointed as Goodwill Ambassadors to Ghana. This position solidifies Abdullah’s leadership role and provides an opportunity to further support the tourism industry and drive increased engagement. During the AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 on Nov. 15, Abdullah discussed the significance of investing during his fireside chat “Why Africa?...
Tom Nyuma was awarded second place at the 2024 AFROTECH™ AI Hackathon , where innovators gathered to collaborate on impactful solutions for their communities and industries. Nyuma, who started programming in college, created Sickle Sense to “truly make a difference in the lives of those with sickle cell,” he shared in his submission to AFROTECH™. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) As someone living with sickle cell disease, Nyuma initially planned to develop an app to help people find jobs. However, after reflecting on his own experiences, he decided to address a long-standing issue he had been passionate about for years — sickle cell disease management. While researching, Nyuma found a 2023 paper titled Artificial Intelligence in Sickle Cell Disease, which explored how AI could transform the management of sickle cell disease through areas like early crisis detection, personalized treatment, and risk stratification. He said...
The AFROTECH™ Conference is more than just a place where tech experts and enthusiasts gather. It is also a destination where creativity is fostered and new ideas are birthed. The budding social media platform SPILL emerged directly from AFROTECH™ Conference 2022. When the company’s co-founder, Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell, was laid off during Elon Musk’s acquisition of the app formerly known as Twitter, he conceived the idea for a new platform alongside his former co-worker and friend, DeVaris Brown, during the technology event’s return to in-person programming in Austin, Texas, that same year. “We’re not strangers to AFROTECH™,” said Spill’s Global Vice President of Community & Partnerships, Kenya Parham, ahead of the Creator Unplugged discussions hosted by Speedy Morman to kick off Microsoft’s House of Black TechXcellence during this year’s conference. “Last year, we launched Tea Parties and consistently returned and done product releases at AFROTECH. In fact, I’m talking to you now,...
Whether you’re a founder, an entrepreneur with a startup idea, or a creative with plenty of ideas, Kapor Capital’s Cliff Worley is dedicated to helping you harness the power of artificial intelligence to bring your vision to life. During AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, Worley took to one of the executive stages to share insights on AI tools that help him remain successful in his industry. Additionally, he gave attendees various resources available to them at the tap of a button. “I’ve been speaking all around the world on AI. Last year, I got to speak on stage with Sam Altman,” Worley told attendees. “I believe that AI is going to make all those entrepreneurs if you’ve ever had that idea that you’ve always wanted to build, now is the time to do it. There’s a lot of tools out there that can help you build.” He also spoke about the rise of artificial intelligence as we know it. Contrary to popular belief, AI is not new — it has simply evolved. AI technology had its beginnings in 1950. When...
AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 in Houston, TX, was packed with powerful conversations, spotlighting trailblazers across tech, business, and culture. Day 3 of the four-day conference, which wrapped on Nov. 16, 2024, featured several dynamic discussions, including a fireside chat with actress, activist, and tech entrepreneur Angelica Ross . The “Pose” actress led an inspiring talk on creating access and opportunities for LGBTQIA+ talent in tech. Photo Credit: Benjamin Esakof “Unfortunately, what happens is America loves symbols of change and not real change. So they will pluck a few of us out of obscurity and make it look like change is happening. And now everybody who’s trans can kind of live this great life,” Ross shared. “But what you realize is, for the most part, celebrity separates us from reaching it. It no longer seems as accessible. So I have to model from my own experience and with TransTech that I’m someone who became successful. I also have to teeter this line to show what it...
Increase Divine-Wisdom has been crowned the grand prize winner of the 2024 AFROTECH™ AI Hackathon. And he went great lengths to secure the “W.” Increase Divine-Wisdom traveled all the way from Nigeria to attend AFROTECH™ Conference, held in Houston, TX, where the winner was named. AFROTECH™ hosted innovators on Day 2 who collaborated on solutions for community impact, leaving with the tools to drive change in their industries and communities. Increase Divine-Wisdom took first place with his user-friendly health management app “designed for people dealing with chronic conditions.” The winner, who himself has chronic inflammatory response syndrome, shared that with the app, individuals are able to track symptoms, mood, and recovery tasks. Increase Divine-Wisdom has expertise in DevOps, CI/CD, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and mobile development. According to his LinkedIn profile, he oversees projects from concept to delivery, utilizing the necessary tools to create...