The Biggest Black Tech Conference: AfroTech Kicks Off Sunday in Austin

The largest conference on black technology, Afro Tech Conference, kicks off Sunday at the Austin Convention Center.

It marks a return to in-person events after two years of AfroTech Conference held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference includes fireside chats with technology leaders and music performances.

“We continue to tackle the diversity divide in Big Tech and AfroTech Conference serves as a destination for those fueling more inclusivity in the industry. As we return in person, our mission remains the same: to continue building Black Silicon Valley by helping fast-growing companies effectively hire Black professionals and close the wealth gap,” Morgan DeBaun, CEO and Founder of Blavity, who is organizing the conference, said in a press release. “We are thrilled to announce our largest lineup of industry speakers and brand partners looking to engage in meaningful discussions about technological disruption and black innovation. I’m excited for the ideas, funding and career advancement that will come from this experience and look forward to enhancing the celebration with our first-ever music festival of Afro-Latin and Black artists.

More than 100 speakers will attend this year’s AfroTech conference, which will cover hot topics such as: Securing the Bag: Navigating Technology from Cradle to Career; Climbing to the top of the technological ladder for engineers and managers; Web3, Crypto and the Dark Economy: Unlocking Inclusive Access with a New Wave of Commerce; Inclusive product design: what it is and why it matters, and more.

The 2022 conference takes place from November 13^e to November 17^e at the Austin Convention Center.

On Sunday, AfroTech’s official welcome and kickoff takes place at 3:30 p.m. with DeBaun and Will Lucas in a fireside chat with a performance by Zaytoven.

Other highlights include:

• NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace will speak in partnership with DoorDash discuss strategies to thrive while being the First, being the Only, and being Different in your industry, company or board.
• Rapper and businessman Chamillionaire will take the stage with Silicon Valley Bank to share his journey from rap star to successful founder and investor. He will discuss his entrepreneurial ventures, investment philosophy, and how he works to make the tech ecosystem more inclusive and accessible to the Black community.
• Marc CubanGovernor of the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball team National Basketball Associationco-founder of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, Haywood L. Perry III and Ansley Carlisle of Mark Cuban Companies will share information about their journeys to entrepreneurship and how they support founders and emerging investors today.
• Creative director, activist and fashion designer Aurora James will be joined on stage by the CEO and founder of Blavity Morgan DeBaun to discuss how to hold companies accountable.