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For CeD Mixon, balancing user-centered design with data-driven product strategy is core to his approach. As a seasoned design leader, he collaborates closely with product managers, VPs, and cross-functional teams to keep the end goal sharply focused on the user. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 , Mixon shared actionable insights on when to lead with design thinking and when to lean into product-led growth. The session offered practical frameworks to help engineers, designers, and solution architects align product development with both user experience and business goals. With over a decade of experience scaling companies from small startups to global platforms impacting millions, Mixon reflected on entering the tech industry at a time when he was often the only Black person in predominantly white spaces. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH™ Conference (@afrotech.conference) “In the beginning, I wasn’t that...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a wave of transformation, reshaping how organizations adapt and compete — making it essential to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability to navigate disruption and ensure long-term success. At AFROTECH™ 2024, Temi Soleye, the senior director of learning & performance at Merlin Labs, and Ashley Gatewood, the change & transformation leader at Google, came together to discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents for businesses, how to lead effective transformations and what it takes to build a future-ready workforce. When it comes to AI and transformation, Soleye noted that AI has productivity tools, such as support for coding and coders — but its challenges and opportunities go hand in hand. “High performance culture depends on the people, but it also depends on the processes and the systems,” Soleye said. Adding that, to streamline workflow, people should consider what the person currently does and how artificial intelligence...
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky sought out Barack Obama’s mentorship. During an interview with former First Lady Michelle Obama, Chesky revealed that he sought advice from Barack after the conclusion of his presidency in 2017. He believed that Barack was well-positioned to offer guidance that could inform his leadership at Airbnb, a vacation rental company that now boasts more than 5 million hosts and over 2 billion guest arrivals, its website mentions. “Airbnb is a community. Who’s the most famous community organizer in the world,” Chesky said, alluding to Barack while speaking to Michelle. Chesky’s time learning under Barack Obama as a mentee involved completing various homework assignments that he said changed his life. By 2018, he says his daily routine included attending night school with Barack’s lessons and participating in weekly one-hour phone calls. While practical, he points out one piece of advice that has stood the test of time: to become more intentional. “He literally said,...
Kevin Hart is aligning himself with an initiative to support Black founders using artificial intelligence (AI). The AI Illumination Grant has been launched by the Fifteen Percent Pledge, a nonprofit advocacy organization founded by Aurora James. The initiative challenges retailers and corporations to allocate 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned brands. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, 29 retailers have committed to this pledge, benefiting 800 Black-owned brands . The Fifteen Percent Pledge is scaling its efforts to support Black entrepreneurs with the aid of Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz’s (A16z) Cultural Leadership Fund. Eligible members of the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community are invited to apply for a chance to gain insights on leveraging AI and compete for a share of a $35,000 grant pool—$20,000 for the winner and $15,000 for the runner-up. “It is specifically focused on ensuring that the Black founders that are a part of the 15%...
Megan Holston-Alexander and Andreessen Horowitz’s Cultural Leadership Fund is shifting the investment mindset of cultural leaders. The Montgomery, AL, native is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz’s Cultural Leadership Fund, which connects global leaders such as athletes, entertainers, musicians, and C-level executives with emerging technology companies and champions the next generation of Blacks in technology. According to TechCrunch, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has a stake in at least 300 companies in sectors that include crypto, consumer, enterprise, fintech, healthcare, and biotech. It is also “Silicon Valley’s first venture capital fund consisting exclusively of Black cultural leaders and organizations,” its website mentions. Holston-Alexander is dedicated explicitly to wealth generation in technology for the Black community and is tasked with finding and sourcing deals. She has remained in her role at Andreessen Horowitz since 2020. “When you think about companies that have grown...
Kevin Hart has taken over as CEO of his production company, HARTBEAT, marking the third leadership change in less than two years. According to Bloomberg, Hart stepped in just before Thanksgiving 2024 following a series of layoffs that impacted around 20 employees, nearly one-quarter of the company’s workforce. Shortly after the layoffs, CEO Jay Levine, Chief Financial Officer DJ Jacobs, and Chief Content Officer Brandon Smiley departed amicably due to disagreements about the company’s direction. HARTBEAT is a global, multi-platform media company dedicated to creating entertainment that blends comedy and culture. The company produces films, TV shows, audio series, and branded content. Founded in 2009, Hart merged his two high-growth, profitable companies, Laugh Out Loud and HartBeat Productions, to form the current entity in 2022, per a press release. HARTBEAT was launched with a $100 million investment from the private equity firm Abry Partners, which took a minority stake in the...
Fashion is a way of making a statement in the world. When considering how clothing can be incorporated into other industries, including the tech space, certain strategies are needed to be effective in leadership long-term. During AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 on Nov. 15, Gap Inc.’s Tamesha Hoppie-Henry, vice president of technology operations, and Blaine Beshah, director of product management, conducted a lab called “Tailoring Tech Leadership.” Hoppie-Henry and Beshah discussed the intersection of effective tech leadership and essential wardrobe pieces. The lab showcased how the essence of a clothing item can inspire company leaders looking to navigate strategically and increase the best return on investment. Hoppie-Henry and Beshah, both successful in their careers, emphasized the importance of representation in the tech field and the benefits of leveraging technological advancements. Metaphorically, both leaders talked through how a shirt or a pair of pants can align with a type of...
As the Chief Marketing Officer for Mars Wrigley North America, Gabrielle Wesley leads a multi-billion-dollar portfolio, exemplifying how Black women can thrive in the C-suite. Originally born on the south side of Chicago, Wesley expressed during the AFROTECH 2024 conference panel discussion, “Fueling Ambition For Women On The Rise,” that her desire to join marketing started after watching the 1992 film “Boomerang,” starring Eddie Murphy and Robin Givens. “When I saw people who looked like me doing marketing, doing advertising, leading big brands, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Wesley’s first job was as an intern in financial services at Northern Trust. While there, she met a woman named Jackie, who became her mentor for her confidence, leadership, and her way to command a room. After the internship, Wesley held roles in brand management at both food and beverage corporations, General Mills and ConAgra. With 20 years of experience, Wesley has managed a variety of brands,...
As the 2024 AfroTech conference approaches, anticipation builds for the impactful discussions that will celebrate Black excellence in technology. This year, Capital One, a tech leader committed to fostering diversity and innovation, is taking center stage with an exciting workshop on technology and product management. At the helm of this dynamic session will be two visionary leaders, Alexandra “Alex” Wood, Vice President of Product, and Jared Jordan, Managing Vice President, both of whom are driving the future of tech at Capital One. Their leadership exemplifies the company’s commitment to nurturing Black talent and pushing boundaries in the tech landscape. Meet the Leaders: Alex Wood and Jared Jordan Alex Wood and Jared Jordan bring diverse experiences and unique perspectives to their roles at Capital One. For Wood, the journey to Capital One wasn’t a linear path but rather a discovery of passion. “Like every good daughter of an immigrant, I wanted to be a doctor or scientist, but...
Bobby Wagner is planning for life after the league. Sportico reports that the Washington Commanders linebacker is currently signed to a one-year deal with the team reportedly worth $8.5 million. He negotiated the contract without an agent, winning the praise of Magic Johnson, who is a limited partner of the Washington Commanders. The 34-year-old joined the league in 2012 and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks. He remained with the team for his first 10 seasons and went to eight straight Pro Bowls, ESPN reports. He then played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and returned to the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 before landing with the Washington Commanders in 2024. Throughout his time in the league, Wagner has taken full advantage of opportunities off the court. Inspired by his mother who worked in the finance industry, he majored in business entrepreneurship and is working on his MBA at Howard University, per Sportico. He has made calculated investing moves, such as purchasing stakes in...
In any sports competition, coaches go into each game with a specific strategy. From determining who will be a part of the starting lineup to tricking plays to throw the opponent off, every game is built with tools to ensure the team’s success. But what happens when the tried-and-true approach to the game no longer works? For the more traditional and antiquated coaches, they will more than likely stick to the routine, hoping everything will work itself out. However, for those who desire to see change on the fields or courts, the coach will implement a new strategy and approach aimed at getting the results they’ve planned for. The same can be paralleled in the world of tech. Although the industry is experiencing challenging times due to the current job climate, the field still suffers from diversity. According to a 2023 McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility report, Black people represent 12% of the United States workforce, while only 8% hold tech jobs. The people at...
Having a Black woman in your corner is a sure shot for success. Although they make up only a small percentage in the business of sports, the underrepresented group is often a saving grace behind the scenes within the space. During AfroTech Executive Los Angeles in September 2022, a few powerhouses who make up the underrepresented group gathered for a panel titled The Changing Face Of Sports And Fitness Leadership. During the conversation — moderated by the CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Nichol Whiteman — the women not only touched on making it into the industry but also on surviving as Black women. Photo Credit: AfroTech “You can’t come into this industry with thin skin. Whether you’re a male or female, you have to be thick skin. You’re going to have to go through a lot. You’re going to have to work harder,” Kiesha Nix said during AfroTech Executive Los Angeles. “At this point in our careers, people joke with us sometimes that we should be working smarter and not harder....
Greenwood continues its mission toward economic empowerment for the Black and Latino community. The digital banking platform just acquired Valence to provide communities with support for professional development and job recruiting. The news comes on the heels of Greenwood’s acquisition of The Gathering Spot and solidifies the brand’s stance as a place where our people can not only learn skills for a better financial future but also get equipped with resources to survive and thrive. Valence was established in 2019 by Kobie Fuller, who is also the General Partner at Upfront Ventures. He, alongside Emily Slade and LaMer Walker, wanted to create a network specifically designed to help Black professionals connect with companies and vice versa. Now, Greenwood will leverage the company’s pipeline recruiting database to help companies diversify workforces of all levels from early career to the C-suite. This is a legendary move set to equip Greenwood’s community of roughly one million Black...
A venture capital firm has put together a dream team, and its new additions only add to its high-profile status. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Nascar driver Bubba Wallace are the newest additions to join the long list of athletes a part of a fund by the firm Andreessen Horowitz.