Introducing AfroTech: The biggest conference for black people in tech
Morgan DeBaun
CEO & Board Director – Angel Investor | Speaker & Author | Serial Entrepreneur Recognized as an Expert in Diverse Consumer Advertising
When I first started Blavity I had very few examples of founders and techies who shared my background and had created a successful startup. I'm from Missouri and didn't go to school at Stanford, MIT or even hold a CS degree. As our founding team began to navigate Silicon Valley and grow Blavity we frequently leaned on our peers in the industry to give us feedback and advice on how to get to the next level. It was only because of these amazing friends and advisors that I have been able to build this amazing community of creators, innovators, and storytellers.
I created AfroTech so that other techies like me sitting in their big tech company or sitting back home in St. Louis can have access to the amazing success stories in our community and the tips to how they got there. At Blavity we strive to make visible the lesser known leaders, innovators, and thinkers and the two-day AfroTech experience is our first step in accomplishing this goal. AfroTech is not just another "diversity" in tech conference, it’s an opportunity for us all to bridge the gap between culture, technology, and innovation.
On November 11-12 we'll meet in San Francisco to hear from millennials across industries and sectors, who are VC backed, scaling products for millions of users, and helping build creative digital brands. We'll feature sessions and interactive workshops covering topics like:
- Life scaling your business after raising 1M+ in funding
- Being a digital brand and the media landscape; and
- Building a marketplace business
You'll get the opportunity to learn from trailblazers who've used the power of technology to build their own careers, like Buzzfeed Director, Quinta B, Serial Entrepreneur and Growth-Hacking Expert, Everette Taylor, Venture Capitalist, Monique Woodward from 500 Startups, Slack Engineer Erica Baker, and many more.
Bring your resume because tech industry leaders like Ebay, Pinterest, Github, Automattic, Kapor Center for Social Justice, Abl, Atlassian, Twitter and Facebook will be holding office hours for prospective new hires.
*updated* If you're still not convinced AfroTech needs to exist read the comments below.
Neurodivergent Relationship Manager I Corporate Trainer & Sales Mentor I Curiosity only ever killed ignorance
5 å¹´I wonder if they'll be another event like this?
Reporter | Host | Producer at WLRN, Miami’s NPR
8 å¹´They tell you to stop complaining about not having a "seat at the table," so you create your own table...but then they say, "why are all the seats one color." It's a lose-lose. Instead of have reservations about the title of the conference, place all of your well-researched emphasis on the root causes/issues forcing this event to even exist. Morgan DeBaun and her team are creating an atmosphere that will potentially lead to sustainable institutions. I'm sure the conference won't exclude any groups from actually attending, but its primary logistical focus is on a specific community that constantly has their chairs pulled from under them. Unique challenges require unique solutions. I look forward to this event.
Obsessed With Destigmatizing Pleasure
8 å¹´We've enjoyed the videos from your AfroTech conference. So much so that Sherri was inspired to write a post on the talk by Jessica O. Mathews! ?????????? Thank you very much for putting this all together - We are so very appreciative! ( https://flymediaproductions.com/news/entry/jessica-o-matthews-on-the-competitive-advantages-of-being-authentic )
Supporting women and girl focused communities to thrive and flourish in their mental health and wholistic wellbeing
8 å¹´Such a brilliant space and an awesome platform keep up the good work!