Kiara Byrd

Civil rights leader Rashad Robinson and actor Kendrick Sampson had a much-needed conversation at the AFROTECH™ Conference 2024. During the fireside chat “We’ve Voted, Now What?,’” on Nov. 15, the two activists led a compelling discussion around post-election and reclaiming our power through infrastructure. Robinson served as the president at Color of Change for 13 years and is currently a board member of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation. With his expertise, Robinson shared his thoughts on what true power looks like for communities of color and the realities of who benefits from the lack thereof. “We have to get clear about power to know what we will do next,” Robinson shared. “When I think about power, I very much think about the ability to change the rules. Far too often, we mistake presence for power. Presence is visibility, awareness, retweets, shoutouts from the stage, etc. For example, we can sometimes think that a black president means that we’re in a post-racial world. Or when...

From one of the most impactful singles, “Where Is The Love,” to the catchy hit “Boom Boom Pow,” will.i.am has been an integral part of the music industry and still places a massive stamp on the world. As a member of the iconic music group Black Eyed Peas, the Grammy-Award winner has released many popular studio albums. Will.i.am has also played the role of record producer by working alongside other artists such as Michael Jackson, John Legend, Lady Gaga, Chris Brown, and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few. Born William Adams, will.i.am grew up in Los Angeles, CA. He has always been encouraged to pursue music and stand out. His music career began in the eighth grade, performing with a group around the city. After becoming the Black Eyed Peas, their recognition continued to soar, which landed the group a contract with Interscope Records. The Black Eyed Peas released their first studio album, “Behind The Front” in 1998. With over 25 years in the music industry, will.i.am decided to expand...

Since August 2016, Nigerian-American rapper, director, and entrepreneur Tobechukwu “Tobe” Dubem Nwigwe has made an imprint in the music industry for his authentic “hood hymns,” visual storytelling, and integration of faith and family in his art. Nwigwe stopped by the AFROTECH™ Conference on Nov. 15 for the session, “Visionary Beats: Tobe Nwigwe on Visual Storytelling,” where he shared details about his creative process, the importance of living in your purpose, and how he wants to be a true example for his children and fans. Before Nwigwe became recognized as Grammy-nominated Best New Artist in 2023 and Webby Special Achievements award winner, he didn’t see himself as an artist growing up. The Houston, TX, native attended the University of North Texas and was on track to play for the NFL. However, after an unfortunate injury, he dove into different passions. Nwigwe told AFROTECH™ in an interview that he has always known who he is as a person. The originator just needed to figure out...

As the Chief Marketing Officer for Mars Wrigley North America, Gabrielle Wesley leads a multi-billion-dollar portfolio, exemplifying how Black women can thrive in the C-suite. Originally born on the south side of Chicago, Wesley expressed during the AFROTECH 2024 conference panel discussion, “Fueling Ambition For Women On The Rise,” that her desire to join marketing started after watching the 1992 film “Boomerang,” starring Eddie Murphy and Robin Givens. “When I saw people who looked like me doing marketing, doing advertising, leading big brands, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” Wesley’s first job was as an intern in financial services at Northern Trust. While there, she met a woman named Jackie, who became her mentor for her confidence, leadership, and her way to command a room. After the internship, Wesley held roles in brand management at both food and beverage corporations, General Mills and ConAgra. With 20 years of experience, Wesley has managed a variety of brands,...

Melissa Bradley set out on a mission to address the lack of financial resources available to Black founders in Washington, D.C., and ultimately surpassed even her own expectations in achieving this goal. She created a national organization called 1863 Ventures, a name that pays homage to the year of the Emancipation Proclamation, symbolizing the organization’s commitment to economic empowerment and social justice. 1863 Ventures has helped various businesses reach over one million dollars. Before her successful organization became a vast resource for many Black founders, Bradley had always had an eye for business. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Finance from Georgetown University in 1989, she received her master’s degree in business administration (MBA) in Marketing at American University in 1993. Bradley’s education prepared her to pursue a life of entrepreneurship, even if it included dealing with complex societal realities. On Nov. 14, during the session “Founder’s...

Aaron Walton is the CEO and founder of the award-winning ad agency Walton Isaacson. He is celebrated for his extensive work with renowned brands and celebrities, establishing himself as a true trailblazer in the art of collaboration. Walton began his career as a marketing executive for the food and beverage giant Pepsico and went on to create his own company, Aaron Walton Entertainment (AWE). He later sold AWE in 2002 to Omnicom Group’s DAS Division. This transaction resulted in Walton being appointed president of Omnicom’s Radiate Entertainment Group, driving exponential growth across numerous agencies. With his knowledge, Walton shared how he successfully created major opportunities to transform traditional advertising practices by embedding them with cultural insight and innovation. On Nov. 14, during the AFROTECH 2024 Conference, Walton spoke about challenging the practice of collaborating with the same people within the same industries. While aligning with brands for successful...