BLK Men in Tech

We’re still riding the energy from THRIVE ‘24! Day two was packed with incredible workshops, Tech Talks, and unforgettable Main Stage moments like AI’s Impact on the Black Community and All BLK Everything: Representation at the Executive Level. We wrapped up the day in style with the Porsche VIP Experience, where attendees vibed to a live band, DJ, and top-tier networking. It was a good time with good people.

HOUSTON, get ready! The BLKOut is coming to AfroTech! ?? Join @blkmenintech x @shipt for an unforgettable night at “The BLKOut: AfroTech HTX Edition” Forget everything you know about networking events – this is next level. We’re talking: ? Game-changing connections ? Premium drinks ? Good vibes ? Curated music experience Your vibe architects for the evening: ?? Charles Kuykendoll - Best host in the game ?? @yannick.jones & @djnp3 – Taking over the decks This is the networking event they’ll be talking about to close out the year. Don’t be the one who missed it. ??? Secure your spot now → https://lnkd.in/ecj_KBzM

This year's BLK Men in Tech THRIVE conference was really special to me. My wife Jaylin Vandebovenkamp and best friend Ryley Akin were able to attend for the first time. I got to introduce them to Marcus Rountree, MBA, PMP and LaToya Moore - two people I met at previous THRIVE conferences, and have invested a lot of their time and insights in my growth over the years. This year I spoke on the "Defining Blackness: Exploring the Black Experience" panel. We had representation from almost all corners where the African diaspora touches: Canada (me), US (Kevin Burch), Caribbean (Autumn L.), and UK (Francis Aremo). Sharing the mic with these 3 was incredible. There's a shared family and personal experience we all have in common. We talked through navigating being the only person of colour in room; bearing the weight (and pride) of not just representing ourselves, but the black community as a whole, at work that opens the doors for others; and the responsibility we have uplifting each other. "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." Shoutout to Khambrel (Kham) Ward for being the reason we all come together every year. And shoutout to Dajon A. for rocking the mic with the energy you do; Shaquan T. Virgil always dope seeing you every year man; Mykah Hardin you know you my day 1, it's all love; Sterling Tyler Williams, D'Anthony Carter-Marshall, Chris Kohn, Kim Tims, and Aries Webb-Williams, MBA missed all of you; Portia Kibble Smith always love catching up with you and seeing your grandson rocking the long curls too; Stephen Graham basketball --> sales; Julian Bristol let's run it back again bro; and Bdyah Mogalid super proud of you!

Thank you for your vision and leadership! ????

Another successful BLK Men in Tech THRIVE Conference in the books! Year after year, I am?impressed?by how this conference improves and evolves. Being involved in the behind-the-scenes work that brought this event to life was so rewarding—it was amazing to see all the hard work, time, and dedication come together. A huge thank you to Khambrel (Kham) Ward for your leadership and for allowing me to play a major role in executing your vision.?I'm so grateful to be part of an organization that is intentional about creating community and empowering others. THRIVE 2025 -- Let's do it! #THRIVE24 #BLKMeninTech #ProjectManager #TechCommunity #Conference #Networking

What an incredible three days at Blackweek first-ever conference! The energy was electric and inspiring. From meaningful conversations with founders who shared their journeys, to connecting with brilliant speakers who dropped gems of wisdom, every moment showcased the depth of talent in our community. Special shoutout to the Walter T Geer III for the invitation. We got to network with the amazing attendees who brought their authentic selves. This was more than networking – it was a true celebration of Black excellence in the marketing and advertising space. Can’t wait to see how this grows! ???? #blackweek

#Thrive24 conference last weekend was were to be at! Lots of exciting speakers, my first BLK Men in Tech didn’t disappoint (to think I almost convinced myself to not attend??♂???). From the breakout room, to the main stage, the different speakers. You know there’s just a different vibe when you also see familiar faces Marcus Rountree, MBA, PMP and meet new ones also Danyelle Livingston, Tabitha Hadley, M.S, Ted S., Bea Bright-Davies. But had lots of fun, insights and motivations after a tough couple of weeks personally but I know I got God and my people with me for this long journey I’ve been on. Shout out to Khambrel (Kham) Ward and his team for a platform for my tribe! Let’s finish this year strongly!!!????

Game night was a vibe at THRIVE. The moment the DJ dropped Swag Surfin’ it got spiritual. Shoutout to Urban Trivia Game, LLC for bringing the heat! There’s nothing like playing a game that brings back all the childhood feels and reminds you where you came from! The spades and UNO tables were ??— let’s just say things got real intense but the best part? All the laughs and connections that came out of it! Who knew networking could be this fun? #TechConference #THRIVE2024 #blkmenintech

Super amazing! Thank you for sharing!

So it took me a couple of days! BLK Men in Tech was amazing, simply amazing. Here are a couple of takeaways that must be mentioned. ?? AI technology is here to stay and understanding how to use AI in the workplace is key to building great models for learning and ascending in a local (US) and global market place. ?? Sustainability is the name of the game! Learn how to understand technologies early and create models of impact that promote early adoption of sustainability for all spaces that can be uplifted by the power of technology, media, etc. ?? Enhancement of skillset makes you more versatile in the workplace. We all know this, but application of that knowledge is where “sustainability” comes in. The ones that “do it” are shape shifters of the culture. Period. All in all, the conference guests as well as the conference panels administered education on talent acquisition, the future of AI ??, early adoption for learners from 2025-2045 and the future that we need to be prepared for when it comes to using instruments like Chat-GPT. As professionals we have a duty to learn and teach the world ?? how to use these tools properly. The future is NOW and the professionals I met at this conference might as well be “Doc” from Back to the Future because not only are they firmly planted in todays pulse of tech and how it’s driving economics, social mobility and change but they also are changing the language and vision for our future generations world simultaneously. All gas no breaks ladies and gentlemen. Special thanks for all of the new contacts that I made and I am certainly more than excited to see you all next year with a new bag of ideas ?? to help set the culture forward. Thank you for providing the space and the vision! Thank you to these folks for making the trip to FLL extra special! Baddies in Tech Marlon Avery Adrian C. Howard R. Jean, M.S. Ed ???? ???? Marcus Rountree, MBA, PMP Curtis J. Williams Jackye Clayton ? Mike Felix Armand Cheeks @T.M. Bowman #BlackMenInTech #RepresentationMatters #BlackTechExcellence #TechWhileBlack #BlackCoders #BlackTechLeaders #MelaninInTech #BlackEngineers #HBCUInTech #DiversityInTech #TechCommunity #TechLife #TechCareers #InnovationNation #TechLeadership #FutureOfTech #DigitalTransformation #STEMProfessionals #TechIsTheFuture