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Artificial intelligence (AI) now touches nearly every aspect of life — from health care and national security to smartphones and entertainment. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Tanneasha Gordon , U.S. data and digital trust principal at Deloitte & Touche, joined Jarell Oshodi, privacy executive and counsel, to explore balancing AI innovation with protecting sensitive information and maintaining trust in a data-driven world. Diving deep into ethical frameworks, Gordon described AI as a “broad field of computer science, really focused on designing and deploying systems that mimic human intelligence,” viewing it through three paradigms: Our five senses, creativity, and consciousness. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) When asked about AI’s benefits, Gordon pointed to increased productivity, efficiency, and cost savings across individuals and enterprises. However, she highlighted five key risks: Deepfakes and...
Representation matters now more than ever — a key theme highlighted during the AFROTECH™ 2024 Conference panel discussion, “Fueling Ambition For Women On The Rise.” The Summit Stage came alive with an inspiring conversation between two powerhouse leaders: Gabrielle Wesley , chief marketing officer of Mars Wrigley North America, and Jennifer Lynne Williams, chief development officer at the USA Basketball Foundation. Moderated by Zuhairah Scott Washington, founder and CEO of Unlimited Ventures, the session explored bold leadership, inclusive innovation, and the fearless pursuit of impact. Through personal stories and hard-earned insights, the panelists offered attendees tangible strategies to fuel their own ambition and rise in their careers. Both Wesley and Williams reflected on the impact of seeing Black women who looked like them in leadership roles and how mentorship shaped their own journeys, expressing a deep commitment to doing the same for the next generation — serving as...
No matter who occupies the White House, Maryland Governor Wes Moore remains steadfast in his commitment to three core pillars for his state’s 6.2 million residents: work, wages, and wealth — and creating pathways for all three. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, Moore — Maryland’s 63rd and first Black governor — joined Blavity Inc. Co-Founder and COO Jeff Nelson for a powerful fireside chat focused on economic empowerment, youth engagement, public safety, and sustainable community development. The governor shared insights on building resilient, self-sufficient communities, equipping the conference room of innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers with tangible steps to create a lasting impact. Buy your AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 ticket now! Reflecting on his personal journey into public service, Moore shared that he didn’t come from a political dynasty — far from it. Now, he says he sees the world in two categories: Marylanders and future Marylanders. “I had to convince members of my...
Artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) may dominate today’s conversations, but beneath the innovation lies traditional software engineering — the bedrock that makes these systems work. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Kunle Oshiyoye, a software engineer at GitHub, shared insights from his work on AI technologies, his background as a graduate student at Georgia Tech studying machine learning, and his hands-on experience building and maintaining robust software systems. During the workshop, Oshiyoye explored idiomatic patterns and practical strategies for writing effective tests in the Go programming language, emphasizing why testing serves as both a safety net and a validation strategy. “Testing, to me at least, is a way to validate, to verify what you’re writing,” Oshiyoye said. He referenced a favorite quote: “A good programmer is somebody who always looks both ways before crossing a one-way street.” Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! View this post...
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...
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...
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....
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...
“Houston, we have a problem” took on an entirely new meaning as AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 transformed the city into a hub of innovation and inspiration. Over 37,000 participants, 237 dynamic speakers, and 168 leading corporations came together to create a groundbreaking experience that redefined networking and collaboration. Over four electric days, Houston, TX, became the epicenter of innovation, wealth-building, and culture. From groundbreaking tech demos to impactful conversations on economic empowerment, AFROTECH™ delivers it all with unmatched innovation and purpose. Innovation At The Forefront This year’s conference lived up to its promise, showcasing the forefront of technological innovation. Attendees got a first-hand look at product demos from SnapChat, showcasing its latest hardware, and NVIDIA, which wowed the crowd with groundbreaking 3D imaging technology. The Learning Labs offered AI demonstrations and outlooks for the future, with Google unveiling its advanced Gemini...
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...
