AFROTECH is a solidified cultural staple name-dropped in Jay-Z verses, headlined by A-listers, and drawing multi-billionaire VC investors and top-tier corporate sponsors. It’s always a vibe, but the timing of this year’s conference hits different.
The event kicked off on Wednesday, November 13th—one week to the day since ‘the election’—a phrase frequently heard in exchanges as a kind of shorthand with mutual understanding of its implied significance. In food truck lines, at pop-up work suites, and in ladies’ room freshen-ups between sessions, casual exchanges inevitably pivot with more serious undertones. It’s clear what’s on everyone’s mind.
This year, AFROTECH feels like more than a conference—it’s a sanctuary and a rallying point, a place to see and feel seen. I, for one, am encouraged by what I’m seeing across generations. Early-career Gen Z, corporate millennials, entrepreneurs, and innovators, all pressing forward, contemplating solutions, and strategizing how we lift one another as the stakes grow frighteningly higher.
Day One unfolded with immersive experiences and powerful conversations, bringing the community together for a mix of wellness events, live DJ performances, and talent showcases at the Culture Park Stage, presented by Lexus. Celebrating innovation and culture, the stage reinforced AfroTech’s dedication to both connectivity and community.
The Opening Ceremony set an aspirational tone, guided by hosts Will Lucas and Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins. Blavity Co-Founder and CEO Morgan DeBaun urged the audience to embrace innovation to unlock the possibilities ahead, while NAACP President Derrick Johnson delivered a timely message, ‘The Power of Our Now,’ underscoring the importance of Black representation in technology and the ongoing fight for digital rights.
The opening ceremony set a resilient tone, with Blavity Co-Founder and CEO Morgan DeBaun calling on her packed audience to embrace innovation and NAACP President Derrick Johnson emphasizing the importance of representation and digital rights. Both leaders underscored the necessity of standing firm amid societal and industry challenges. Together, their messages reinforced that this conference is about more than innovation—it’s about fortifying and uplifting the community.
AfroTech’s exclusive All Access Welcome Reception wrapped up the day, providing an intimate setting for business professionals and entrepreneurs to mingle, connect, and build relationships that fuel future ventures.
As attendees dive into the days ahead, the spirit of collaboration, culture, and innovation promises to propel this year’s conference into a unique, unforgettable experience.
