AFROTECH™ Forms 3-Year Partnership With Howard University To Position Students To Become Industry Leaders
Howard University has cemented a partnership to put Black excellence on full display.
The Yard @ AFROTECH™
The HBCU will build on its presence at the AFROTECH™ Conference to ensure students are on the fast track to success.
According to The Dig — Howard’s news publication — the HBCU first touched down at the conference in 2023, with the support of Microsoft. This laid the foundation the following year for “The Yard @ AFROTECH™,” in partnership with Blavity, which provided a safe space for alumni, students, and professionals from schools — including Morgan State University, Texas Southern University, Clark Atlanta University, and Prairie View A&M University — to foster connections and gather game-changing insights.
“The Yard @ AFROTECH™” is returning at this year’s conference, taking place Oct. 27–31 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. What’s more, the collaboration marks the start of a new three-year partnership.
“In 2024, ‘The Yard’ demonstrated the impact HBCUs have when we come together,” said Kweli Zukeri, assistant vice president of web innovation and strategy at Howard University, according to The Dig.
“That success laid the foundation for this new agreement, ensuring that Howard and our HBCU partners remain central to shaping the future of innovation and commerce,” Zukeri continued.
As for what to expect, there will be targeted programming across the AFROTECH™ stages. Students and early-career professionals will have access to mentorship and resources designed to help them advance their careers, plus opportunities to connect with industry leaders. The event will also engage the broader ecosystem of alumni, corporations, and HBCUs, creating exposure that could lead to new partnerships.
“‘The Yard @ AFROTECH™’ is a home base for Howard alumni — our strongest asset and some of the most accomplished leaders in technology and business,” said Etoulia Salas-Burnett, director of the Center for Digital Business at Howard University, per The Dig.
“This partnership ensures they, alongside our HBCU peers, have a platform to connect, mentor, and demonstrate the power of HBCU excellence on a national stage. My hope is that the momentum we create together will carry forward into new opportunities, partnerships, and pathways for the entire HBCU community,” Salas-Burnett added.
Simone Ashley Tyler, senior vice president of AFROTECH™, Blavity Inc. commented:
“At AFROTECH™, we believe it’s critical that students not only have a seat at the table but also proximity to the innovation, products, and leaders shaping the future. This exposure helps ensure they understand the pathways into entrepreneurship, as well as careers in business and tech in today’s rapidly changing landscape. Our partnership with Howard University signals our continued commitment to fostering accessibility, representation, and opportunity for the next generation of leaders.”
It’s not too late to snag your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025. Purchase yours today.
