AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 is ensuring the Black community is Building What’s Next.
The conference — which kicked off on Monday, Oct. 27 — is a future-forward experience designed to fuel growth at every career stage. With over 168 companies and booths onsite and five days of programming, AFROTECH™ is building on its momentum from previous years.
During Opening Ceremony, Senior Vice President of AFROTECH™ and Live Events at Blavity Inc. Simone Ashley Tyler took to the main stage at this year’s conference to affirm 2025’s theme and the opportunities that lie ahead, not only for sessions but also for attendees.
“If you look around this room, this is the room of our future,” Tyler expressed. “This year’s theme is ‘Building What Is Next.’ So we’re not just talking about building the future. We’re talking about what it looks like for us to build it together. Over the next few days, you’ll experience a lineup that reflects the brilliance and range of our culture, from groundbreaking sessions on AI, venture capital, and entrepreneurship to curated meetups,” she continued.
Tyler also thanked partners and sponsors who showed their support during a tumultuous political climate.
“They have shown up in a way during a really challenging time that is about investing in us. They are on the expo floor hiring people, in innovation rooms teaching you about what products will look like in the future,” she added.
She concluded by encouraging attendees to also network horizontally, as their next CEO, co-founder, mentor, job, or internship opportunity may come from the person seated beside them.
Prior to Tyler taking the Main Stage, there had already been a sea of opportunities to connect with founders and those in social impact through meetups. Learning opportunities were in full swing. On Monday, Oct. 27, many students flocked to the third floor of the George R. Brown Center for the InternXL Certification – Part I, to get a competitive edge in the job market, and a welcome celebration followed.
Sessions on how to build AI agents in a conversation led by Black Women In Artificial Intelligence CEO Angle Bush took place on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The AI torch was passed along to Kapor Capital’s Head of Portfolio Marketing Cliff Worley who discussed a few of the top AI tools in 2025. Later, Microsoft Cloud Solution Architect Shon Jones also tapped in to discuss securing your data.
The gaming industry was represented well with EA Sports taking center stage, highlighting efforts to support the next generation in the gaming industry. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, this includes a scholarship for students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Cam Jones, a game designer at EA Games, also took to the stage to highlight its Black History Month Program, which amplifies the efforts of pioneers in the NFL on and off the field.
The session was a standout for University of Texas at Austin student Patrice Hayes who is majoring in arts and entertainment technologies and aspires to become a 3D artist or animator for games. Various students have been present for the AFROTECH™ U Summit, which concludes on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
“The EA Sports session was definitely my favorite, ’cause it’s gaming,” said Hayes, who also added that it was her first time at the conference.
Students are not only repping on the ground as attendees but are also joining the Main Stage. Series platform founders Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow shared their story of securing $1 million over a late dinner and being at the right place at the right time.
Beyond sessions on wealth building and banking, attendees have been able to benefit from workshops on ethical AI management, launching an app in 30 seconds, leveraging Canva, and earning certifications to advance in their careers.
To decompress, the Culture Park Stage has been a go-to with DJ performances, wellness events, and talent showcases. What’s more, the official AFROTECH™ Chess Tournament took place on Oct. 28, a first for the conference.
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