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After 32 years at Black Entertainment Television (BET), former CEO Debra Lee 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. 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. 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. “When people started writing articles, ‘Debra Lee is the heir apparent,’ it really shocked me,” Lee recalled. “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...
Generosity isn’t just about being nice — it’s the key to earning the trust of a Fortune 100 CEO. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 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 growth strategy that strengthens relationships, unlocks bigger budgets, and leaves chief marketing officers (CMOs) feeling supported, empowered, and recognized. 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. That firsthand insight became a cornerstone of the agency’s experiential strategy: every event must feature a vehicle people can touch, sit in, and...
AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 brought the magic of Disney to Houston with “An Inside Look at Imagineering Presented by Walt Disney Imagineering.” On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Imagineers Lanny Smoot 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. 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. Photo Credit: Alan Castelan “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. Becker, never...
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 entrepreneur with her own media and podcast ventures. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 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. 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. “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...
When most people think of innovation in beauty, they picture lipsticks in luxe packaging, serums promising radiant skin, and campaigns that redefine representation. Beauty is often viewed through the lens of artistry, aesthetics, and culture, as reflected in what we see on shelves, in advertisements, and on social media feeds. But innovation in beauty is no longer limited to what meets the eye—it’s being redefined behind the scenes. At the intersection of science, technology, and self-expression, companies like L’Oréal Groupe are reshaping what beauty means and how it’s created. Today, innovation looks like AI tools that recommend your perfect foundation match, lab-developed molecules that transform your skin, and personalized haircare products and tools to match your specific curl-type. With new tech breakthroughs like these, beauty can be innovative and revolutionary. What’s even more exciting is that the future of beauty is being reimagined by engineers, data scientists, and...
In a world where vast amounts of information are available at the click of a button, Joe Tillman , managing director and head of private capital markets at The Raine Group, emphasizes continuous learning — especially for leaders looking to raise capital and achieve long-term success. Tillman came from humble beginnings in Paris, CA, and went on to graduate from California State University in 2008 amid the financial crisis, as well as pursue a law degree at New York University. He joined MaC Venture Capital’s first chief operating officer , Jennifer Randle, at AFROTECH™ 2024 , where he highlighted the power of targeted investment and strategic decision-making. Watch the full session at AFROTECH™ Conference 2024. After law school, Tillman spent four years at Gibson Dunn advising private equity and venture firms on M&A, finance, and fund formation before joining Raine as in-house counsel. While intellectually stimulating, he shared that he quickly realized practicing law wasn’t...
As the world becomes more interconnected, the demand for advanced cybersecurity continues to rise, driven by increasing threats and rapid technological change. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, Prem Iyer, SVP of strategic pursuits at Palo Alto Networks, shared insights on the direction of venture capital, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) trends in the cybersecurity space. From the stage, he offered valuable perspectives for professionals at all levels, from interns and investors to executives and chief information security officers (CISOs). Attendees were provided with a breakdown of key attack vectors driving CISO focus and how vendor consolidation can improve security while cutting costs, as Iyer emphasized the two most critical markets in technology today: cybersecurity and AI. “If you think about AI, we just started talking about it materially in the last two years, and right now if you ask Bain, they’ll tell you it’ll be a $780 billion to $990 billion market by...
Resilience, determination, and a commitment to paving the way for future generations — all qualities that define Sharon Bowen, the first Black woman and person of color to chair the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 , Bowen joined Uber’s Vice President of Operations and General Manager of North American Rides, Camiel Irving, to reflect on her trailblazing career spanning law, finance, and government, highlighting the power of mentorship, networking, and diversity in leadership. Watch the full session at AFROTECH™ Conference 2024. Bowen’s beginnings trace back to her childhood as the youngest of five children growing up in segregated Virginia, where she attended the same all-Black elementary school as her siblings. “And those teachers and my family and community sort of instilled the confidence in me, stress the importance of education to me,” Bowen said. “And it’s that background. I stand where I am today because of that background. So [I] always want to...
A legendary Hip-Hop artist, a force in the community, an entrepreneur , and a professor — it’s no secret that Bun B’s résumé runs deep. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , the Port Arthur, TX, native — born Bernard Freeman — joined Jeff Nelson , co-founder and chief operating officer of Blavity Inc. , for an insightful fireside chat that explored innovation, entrepreneurship, branding, and building wealth and success beyond the music industry . Highlighting his influence as an artist and how it carried over into his success in other business ventures, like his fast-food restaurant Trill Burgers, Bun B shared how he has leveraged his platform to create multiple streams of income and leave a lasting cultural imprint. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) During their conversation, Bun B traced a pivotal turning point in his life back to 10th grade, when a simple journaling assignment revealed his love for writing....
Authenticity and research fuel successful brand partnerships — and Aaron Walton recognized this long before it became the norm. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Walton, CEO and founder of award-winning ad agency Walton Isaacson, joined Shardé Marchewski, Wayfair ‘s Head of Supplier Diversity , for a conversation on how aligning values and culture with the right celebrity can elevate storytelling and impact consumers. The session offered creatives a behind-the-scenes look at major brand collaborations and practical strategies for securing and executing high-impact campaigns. Walton’s brand story began after graduating from Babson College in 1983. With a passion for advertising , he joined the Pepsi-Cola Company as a research analyst, learning how to tell stories with data before being promoted into brand marketing , marking the start of a game-changing career. “The truth is everything that we do now, whether it is an event or some type of communication, starts with looking at what the business...
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...
Cliff Worley Sr., head of portfolio marketing at Oakland, CA-based venture firm Kapor Capital, believes artificial intelligence (AI) is going to make us all entrepreneurs. Based on its website, Kapor Capital invests in businesses that improve the lives of low-income communities and communities of color. It was also an early investor in Blavity Inc. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, Worley led a dynamic workshop offering a comprehensive overview of the most effective AI tools for founders. The workshop aimed to equip attendees with the knowledge and strategies to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and optimize budgets using cutting-edge AI innovations for business success. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! “If you’ve ever had that idea that you’ve always wanted to build, now is the time to do it,” Worley said while on stage. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Drawing parallels to the internet in 1988 and the release of...
Cybersecurity remains one of the most important — and unpredictable — topics shaping today’s technology landscape. At AFROTECH™ 2024, Nicole Dove, director of security engineering at Riot Games, led a session on how bad actors use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance cyberattacks and how defenders are evolving to stay ahead. Moderated by Dr. Christine Izuakor, founder and CEO of Cyber Pop-up, the session also included Oluwadamilola Obamehinti, who has over a decade of experience at major tech companies including eBay. During the session, Dove and Obamehinti were presented with high-stakes real-world scenarios to respond to live. “We’ve all heard a lot of the nightmare stories over the last year, especially when it comes to security,” Izuakor said. “Everything from unprecedented amounts of data being leaked to social media hacks to a global IT outage — and it’s important as leaders for us to be able to respond in ways that are efficient, to remain calm, to think critically while...
As data remains the backbone of digital advertising and regulatory scrutiny continues to grow, technologists are uniquely positioned to influence the industry’s future. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Juliette Stancil, senior assistant general counsel of data privacy at Intuit Inc. — the parent company of TurboTax, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Credit Karma — led a workshop tackling the intersection of digital advertising and data privacy. Stancil unpacked current challenges, evolving platform rules, and privacy-first innovations — equipping attendees with the insights needed to navigate and influence a rapidly shifting landscape. “I would encourage anyone to really read through privacy settings and the privacy policy of any of the places you tend to visit or where you ingest content,” Stancil shared early in the session. “And you might be surprised at the number of capabilities you have to set permissions around what gets collected and what gets used, particularly for marketing and advertising...
