
2018 Ace Talks
ACE TALKS EVENT
Date: June 25th – 29th, 2018
Location: Morgan Manufacturing 401 N. Morgan Street, Chicago, IL 60608.
ACE TALKS EVENT
CORPORATE EQUITY
MONDAY, JUNE 25
10:00 AM
Let’s be real— “Diversity and inclusion” as we know it has become a quota filled buzz phrase, yet effective implementation remains a challenge for tech companies. In this talk, we’re bringing together Chief Diversity Officers, strategists and founders to explore the practical principles and philosophies that they have used to implement successful D&I models, as well as failed strategies. Whether you’re a recruiter, hiring manager, or techpreneur, we hope our speakers’ perspectives thoroughly influence the future of your hiring practices.

XAVIER RAMEY
Lead Strategist and CEO, Justice Informed

DR. MAYA BEASLEY
President and Co-Founder of the T10 Group; Professor and Director of Diversity 360 at University of Maryland

CANDICE MORGAN
Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Pinterest

LAURA GOMEZ
Founder, Atipica
BEYOND D&I: WHAT EQUITY IN TECH SHOULD LOOK LIKE
THURSDAY, JUNE 28
9:00 AM
Achieving equity in tech can be a double-edged sword. On one end, equity means impartial treatment to everyone, regardless of race. But on the other end, it can be quite challenging to navigate equity practices that have a communal impact.. In this talk, we will connect with BTE leaders to identify what the road to achieving equity in tech it looks like, and what it will take to make it happen.

CEDRIC BROWN
Chief of Community Engagement, Kapor Center

DR. MAYA ROCKEYMOORE
President & CEO, Center for Global Policy Solutions

BRENDA DARDEN WILKERSON
President & CEO, AnitaB.org

KENDALL NORRIS
CEO, Global Leadership Forum
CODE:
DISRUPTION BY WAY OF ERASURE
THURSDAY, JUNE 28
11:30 AM
Black communities have a history of being disrupted, exploited and negatively impacted by economic development. But what does this disruption really mean for our communities when considering new tech business models? In this talk, we will define and unpack the policies that need to be in place to empower Black communities to combat cultural smudging in the name of progress.
SPONSORED BY:


SHERRELL DORSEY
Founder & CEO, ThePLUG and BLKTECHCLT

MALCOM GLENN
Head of Strategic Partnerships, Uber

AYORIE SELASSIE
Product Marketing Manager
Salesforce Einstein (AI for CRM)

Dr. WILLIAM “BILL” SPRIGGS
Chief Economist, ALF-CIO
POWER PLAYS
THURSDAY, JUNE 28
3:00 PM
“For us- by us” is more than a saying. It’s the sustainable system that Black communities need more than ever. And a healthy level of activity among investors financing and reinvesting in Black tech firms, start-ups, and entrepreneurs is critical to the growth of the Black Tech Ecosystem. In this talk, we’ll chat with media professionals about their experiences building platforms that got acquired, and investors about their deliberate efforts and intriguing journeys investing in Black-owned companies.
SPONSORED BY:


BRANDE VICTORIAN
Managing Editor, MadameNoire.com

BRITTANY DAVIS
Director of the Deal Flow Team, Backstage Capital

RUBEN HARRIS
Founder, Breaking Into Startups & Techcrunch Contributor

PANAMA JACKSON
Co-Founder & Senior Editor, VerySmartBrothas.com

DAMON YOUNG
Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief, VerySmartBrothas.com
DIASPORA MOVES
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
9:00 AM
Our genius has spread and the proof is all around. We live in a time where Black inventors, known and unknown, are creating solutions that solve for some of the world’s most pressing needs, as well as innovative experiences built for pure enjoyment. It’s time we celebrate our most gifted minds that remind us that the genius of Africa and her Diaspora aren’t just fictional stories because new chapters are being creating in labs, schools and homes right now thinking of ways to change the world.

JAMES BLAND
Actor – Writer – Director

UGWEM ENEYO
Co-founder & CEO, Solstice Energy

RUSSELL LADSON
CEO, Drop Software Inc.

FEYI AYODELE
CEO, CancerIQ

KG CHARLES-HARRIS
CEO, Quarrio.
CULTURAL PHENOMS: UNAPOLOGETICALLY BLACK, UNDENIABLY TECH
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
11:30 AM
Black culture and tech culture are not disparate topics, but related narratives. Black culture is arguably the most influential culture on the planet – shaping music, fashion, and even language; but tech is the one arena where our narrative and relevance has not been accurately represented. It’s time to highlight the people, companies, and ideas that are spearheading new innovations and making an impact at the intersection of black identity and technology.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:


FELECIA HATCHER
Co-founder, Black Tech Week & Code Fever Miami

SAM SINYANGWE
Co-founder, Campaign Zero

JONATHAN JACKSON
Co-founder, Blavity & 2019 Nieman Fellow, Harvard University

PAULEANNA REID
Forbes Contributor, Celebrity Ghostwriter & Mentor
THE BREAKTHROUGH
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
3:00 PM
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