Day 4 Of AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 Delivered Insights On Design, Wealth Building, And Human Connection In The Age Of AI
The motion isn’t slowing down at the AFROTECH™ Conference.
To jumpstart the day, the Blavity Health Community 5K Run was held in partnership with bEHR Health Systems Inc. and attracted participants of all fitness levels.
The day was off to a strong start with the Budgetnista Founder and CEO Tiffany Aliche, who brought her humor to a workshop where she shared game-changing tips on building generational wealth. Aliche, the first millionaire in her family, offered key advice to attendees on how to grow, manage, and protect their finances.
The weeklong conference continues to deliver game-changing conversations across industries to help position attendees for long-term success in the evolving tech and business landscape. That included Jordan Brand Chief of Design Jason Mayden, who emphasized the importance of human interaction and authenticity in an era where deepfakes and digital twins are on the rise.
“If you think about the generation that is facing the rise of deep fakes, you know, digital twins, we see all the work at AFROTECH™,” Mayden told audience goers on the panel, “Designing for Greatness.”
“I’ve been in it for a long time. I’ve been a part of creating it. The things that will cut through will have a human connection, human interaction, and a level of craft that feels real,” he added.
Former BET CEO Debra Lee weighed in on technology from a workforce perspective, emphasizing that employees shouldn’t be fired because of AI, but rather reassigned to new tasks.
“They’re still needed in different capacities,” Lee said during a panel moderated by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas.
Former athletes have also brought their expertise to the AFROTECH™ stage. Stephen Jackson reminded the audience that how you treat others goes a long way, which is timely as networking is at the forefront of many attendees’ minds. His approach ultimately helped him secure a role in media when he retired from the NBA in 2015, because he was kind to every reporter.
The day featured a range of discussions, including designing for disabled users, funding trends and tips for venture capitalists, consumer tech marketing, maintaining community at the intersections of health and technology, and scaling a beauty brand.
Mayor Brandon Scott also spoke at the conference to highlight how Maryland’s Black communities have pushed innovation in the tech, biotech, and quantum industries. Disney made their return during the same hour with its Head of Effects Animation & Visual Effects Marlon West, who gave an inside look at of effects and technical animation for “Zootopia 2.”
AI remains a hot topic, with multiple sessions exploring its influence and application. Microsoft CEO Mustafa Suleyman discussed the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping its future, while Dr. Michael Simoni focused on using the technology’s use in fertility treatment. Kapor Capital’s Cliff Worley returned to the stage this week to share new insights centered on AI tools to increase productivity.
Malik Ducard, Pinterest’s chief content officer, shared content gems with attendees during a fireside chat, including building content with inclusivity in mind and navigating the age of AI.
Throughout the day, there were more workshops, a couple of bootcamps, and even a reception for proud HBCU alumni hosted by Howard University.
Several meetups were hosted, including one for creators, which is timely, given that Friday will kick off the Blavity Creator Summit in partnership with Dream Con. The summit will feature conversations on the streaming industry, how to find success, tips to have influence in real life, and more.
Blavity House Party
You won’t want to miss the grand finale of the conference, the Blavity House Party featuring RL, OT Genasis, and Juvenile. The party will take place from 2:30-6:30pm CT. It’s not too late to grab your ticket for an unforgettable Friday night filled with nostalgic hits.
AFROTECH™ Conference Will Return To Houston
The AFROTECH™ Conference will return to Houston in 2026, and you can plan ahead by purchasing your early bird ticket today.
