Black Tech Week is returning this July for its third year in Cincinnati, and the 2024 event will be headlined by a filmmaker, director and social justice advocate.
Ava DuVernay, best known for her work in film and television, including "Selma," "13th" and the critically acclaimed series "When They See Us," will serve as this year’s keynote. Black Tech Week, a gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders and a celebration of Black tech culture, will take place July 16-18 at locations across the city.
Candice Matthews, founder and CEO of Lightship Foundation, which acquired Black Tech Week in 2022 – relocating the conference to Cincinnati that same year – said more than 3,000 people attended in 2023. Black Tech Week this year expects to top 10,000 in person and virtually.
DuVernay joins past keynote speakers including Issa Rae, an actress, writer and producer best known for her HBO series "Insecure” and Serena Williams, a retired tennis pro and managing partner at San Francisco-based Serena Ventures, who headlined in 2022.
"We are deeply honored to welcome Ava DuVernay as the keynote speaker for Black Tech Week 2024," Matthews said in a news release. "Ava's dedication to creating opportunities and platforms for people of color aligns deeply with our commitment to supporting diverse founders. Her insights and experiences will certainly inspire our attendees to continue pushing boundaries to drive change."
DuVernay has earned her numerous accolades in her career, including an Academy Award nomination and multiple Emmy Awards.
Black Tech Week guests will enjoy a special screening of DuVernay’s latest work, "Origin," inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s best-selling book “Caste,” which explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance and a fight for the future of us all. The film features Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”) as well as Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farminga, Nick Offerman and Blair Underwood.
Black Tech Week was founded in 2015 in Miami. The conference features curated social events and startup growth-focused programming tailored to founders of color, women, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Last year's event featured more than 50 workshops and 100 speakers.
In December, organizers said the event will remain in Cincinnati through at least 2026 with support from the mayor’s office, Visit Cincy, REDI Cincinnati and others. Lightship Foundation last year had put the conference out for national bid.
"Black Tech Week is a celebration of the Black excellence we see every day," Matthews said in a news release. "Lightship works hard to make Black Tech Week a space and time for our community to connect, recharge and reset."
