> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.sahntejeanweekly.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # AfroTech 2026 Returns to Houston for 10th Anniversary - URL: https://www.sahntejeanweekly.com/afrotech-2026-returns-to-houston-for-10th-anniversary/ - Published: 2026-10-12T13:53:19.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-12T02:13:55.000Z - Description: AfroTech Conference 2026 returns to Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center November 2–6, marking the conference’s 10th anniversary. - Author: Contributor - Tags: Headlines, Culture - AfroTech Conference 2026 will return to Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center Nov. 2-6, marking its 10th anniversary. - The five-day event will feature more than 300 speakers across 15 tracks and 11 stages, with programming on artificial intelligence, health care, entrepreneurship and executive leadership. - Under the theme “Build What’s Next,” organizers will emphasize AI training, business ownership and opportunities for professionals, entrepreneurs and creators. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/41/16/4116beae-763c-4284-ae2d-df10b90a5a36/content/images/2026/10/image.png) Image: A marching band kicked off the opening ceremony at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center on November 13, 2024, Meridith Kohut, Houston Landing ## Focused on the future AfroTech Conference 2026 will bring technology professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, creators, investors and policy leaders to Houston for five days of learning, networking and business exchange. Organized by Blavity Inc., the conference will celebrate its 10th anniversary with programming focused on the technologies and ideas shaping business, health care and culture on Nov. 2-6 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/41/16/4116beae-763c-4284-ae2d-df10b90a5a36/content/images/2026/10/image-1.png) Image: Tens of thousands of people came to Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center on November 13, 2024 for the first day of AfroTech, Meridith Kohut, Houston Landing ## Building what's next Organizers say this year’s conference will advance AfroTech’s commitment to train 1 million people in artificial intelligence. The organization also reports a year-round community of more than 75,000 professionals and more than 150 global companies. “Ten years and 500,000 AfroTechies later, we built our own room,” said Morgan DeBaun, founder, CEO and chairman of Blavity Inc. “The next decade is about ownership, influence and building companies, products and ideas that shape where technology goes next.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/41/16/4116beae-763c-4284-ae2d-df10b90a5a36/content/images/2026/10/image-2.png) Image: Axon staff prepare their booth at the AfroTech conference at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center on November 13, 2024, Meridith Kohut, Houston Landing ## AI and health take center stage The AI Edge Training Summit on Nov. 3 will offer what organizers describe as a beginner-friendly experience focused on practical AI skills, tools and workflows. The Human Centered AI Summit will explore autonomous AI systems, computing infrastructure, computing costs, potential harms from algorithms and strategies for deploying AI products at scale. The HealthStack Conference, scheduled for Nov. 4-5, will bring together clinical and technical perspectives on AI, digital health, medical technology, telehealth, maternal health and the future of care. ![](https://cdn.afrotech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2B5A7331.jpg) Image: AFROTECH™ ## From ideas to action Attendees will have opportunities to sharpen their business pitches and explore ways to turn ideas into companies. Idea Hour will feature venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton in a live session offering real-time feedback and connections focused on entrepreneurship and business development. The Creators Summit on Nov. 6 will focus on personal brands, emerging tools, earning income from expertise and turning visibility into business opportunities. ## Leaders on the stages Confirmed speakers include Andrew Yang, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, Vic Mensa, Dr. Timnit Gebru, Dr. Uché Blackstock, Carrol Chang, Louis Carr, Vanessa E. Wyche and Vindell Washington. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/41/16/4116beae-763c-4284-ae2d-df10b90a5a36/content/images/2026/10/image-3.png) Image: AFROTECH™ ## The bigger question As AfroTech asks attendees to “Build What’s Next,” who ensures AI is built for communities still going without water, while soaring electricity bills tied to data centers make its true cost impossible to ignore—and are we doing enough to safeguard its use? ## The stats - More than 300 speakers announced for the conference. - 15 programming tracks. - 11 stages. - More than 75,000 professionals in AfroTech’s year-round community. - More than 150 global companies, organizers say, are part of that community. ## Additional Events - [Black Is Tech Global Virtual Summit](https://blackistechconference.com/pages/about-conference/?ref=sahntejeanweekly.com) — Jan. 21-22, 2027; an online summit with speaker sessions, workshops and networking. - [NSBE Annual Convention](https://convention.nsbe.org/?ref=sahntejeanweekly.com) — March 31-April 4, 2027, in Boston; brings together students, professionals, educators and industry leaders for technical and career programming. - [Black Is Tech Conference & Week](https://blackistechconference.com/pages/about-conference/?ref=sahntejeanweekly.com) — April 27-May 1, 2027, in Houston; planned programming includes workshops, speaker sessions, a career fair and recruiter office hours. - [Black Tech Week](https://www.blacktechweek.com/?ref=sahntejeanweekly.com) — July 2027, in Columbus; a three-day gathering for founders, investors, technologists and creators. Exact dates have not been announced. - [RenderATL](https://www.renderatl.com/?ref=sahntejeanweekly.com) — Aug. 18-19, 2027, in Atlanta; a tech conference featuring programming on software engineering, AI, open-source technology and leadership.