“For those of you that think gospel music has gone too far, you think we got too radical with your message, well, I got news for you. You ain’t heard nothin’ yet.” If those lyrics resonate with you in any way, it’s likely because you remember the 1997 gospel hit “Stomp” by Kirk Franklin that had the church rocking. While the song is based around lifting radical praises despite life’s circumstances, the opening line offers a bold and audacious declaration that the innovation and creativity of Christians cannot be boxed in. A textbook example of this radical innovation is Touré Roberts. Roberts is the current pastor of ONE (Formerly One Church LA), serving over 7,500 local members and an online viewership of more than 700,000 subscribers. And while his faith and work in the church have catapulted him to success in the religious sector, Roberts had a lucrative career in the tech industry. During an April 2022 conversation with Blavity, Inc. CEO Morgan DeBaun on her Work Smart podcast,...

The AfroTech Conference schedule has been released. And, needless to say, it proves that some things are worth the wait. After nearly two years of virtual conferences, thanks to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Blavity family is pleased to announce the return of an in-person gathering for the preeminent Black in tech conference in the United States. The AfroTech Conference schedule features fireside chats with thought leaders and intimate performances with some of the industry’s hottest artists. What’s more, it’s a chance to connect with a global community of more than 20,000 Black tech innovators during a series of digital and in-person events filled with dynamic programming on emerging trends, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and conversations with top tech recruiters. The 2022 installment of the conference will take place from November 13-17, 2022, at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. Tickets are on sale now and are available for every budget and...