Ace Talks

ACE TALKS EVENT

Date: June 25th – 29th

Location: Morgan Manufacturing 401 N. Morgan Street, Chicago, IL 60608.

BUY TICKETS

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

RSVP

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

RSVP

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

RSVP

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

RSVP

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

RSVP

THE BREAKTHROUGH

FRIDAY, JUNE 29

3:00 PM

Across the tech community, we often lament that Black people are more than amazing athletes and rappers. Not that those are bad things, but that mentality can shy us away from disrupting roles that we naturally dominate in- like the entertainment industry.
With this “Music +Tech” experience, we will bring musicians and innovators in the industry to the forefront to talk about how tech is impacting their artistry, as well as their opportunities for growth. Instead of shying away from it let’s own our dominance, continue building it and inspire new cultures through music and technology.

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