Sherifa Clarke’s Post

One of my goals for 2025 is to attend the Afrotech Conference! This incredible event brings together the brightest minds in Black innovation and entrepreneurship. From inspiring keynotes to cutting-edge workshops, Afrotech fosters a powerful community for those shaping the future of tech. (Link: https://lnkd.in/gKpux2c2) Here's why I'm so excited about attending: 1. Learning from the best: Afrotech hosts industry leaders who are breaking new ground. I can't wait to gain insights and strategies to propel my own career forward. 2. Connecting with the Black tech community: Building connections with fellow Black professionals and entrepreneurs is incredibly valuable. Afrotech provides a platform to network, share ideas, and find support. 3. Celebrating Black excellence: Afrotech shines a light on the incredible achievements of Black innovators in the tech space. It's an opportunity to be inspired and celebrate the power of representation. Who else is planning to attend Afrotech 2025? #Afrotech #BlackTech #Innovation #Community #CareerGoals

Like most Fridays, I'm excited to highlight some amazing changemakers and organizations dedicated to making a real impact for #impactfriday LinkedIn We definitely need so much more change in the world 🌐 Zach Stein Stein & Carbon Collective: Revolutionizing how we invest in the planet's future with sustainable investment strategies 🌳. Zulfiqar A. Laghari Breaking barriers to education and opening doors for underrepresented communities 📚. Lili Gangas Kapor Center Pushing for diversity in tech, ensuring it serves as a bridge rather than a barrier 💻. Comfort Ero Leading global efforts to prevent conflict and shape policies for a peaceful world 🕊️. Jason Curry Comigo Merging technology with humanity to 👥. Ethan Mollick on All Things AI: Shaping the conversation around ethical AI for a future where technology serves all 🤖. Pocket Sun SoGal Ventures: Championing female entrepreneurs and disrupting the venture capital norm 🚀. Search for Common Ground Transforming how the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches to cooperative solutions 🌍. Gershon Baskin decades of peacemaking and innovation in Israel and Palestine and has incredible insights into the current conflict 🌱. Sasha Dichter 60 Decibels Decibels: Rethinking how we measure impact, with a focus on real, audible change 🔊. Felecia Hatcher at Black Ambition: Fostering a new generation of Black entrepreneurs, empowering them to dream big and achieve big 🌟. Nina Oduro at Dine Diaspora: Celebrating and elevating African cuisine, connecting cultures through the power of food 🍽️. Bernard Amadei at Engineers Without Borders: Building hope and engineering solutions for communities around the globe 🛠️. Durreen Shahnaz IIX Creating a more inclusive world by transforming finance into a force for good 💸. Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, MBE International Civil Society Action Network: Amplifying women's roles in peace and security, inspiring change through action and advocacy 🗣️. Who's inspiring you to work for impact? Share and amplify the work of others. playing around with images that reflect my real life cat

Do you know a visionary founder, a game-changing investor, or a tech trailblazer? ➡️ There's still time to nominate them for AFROTECH’s 2024 Future 50 list before the 5/1 deadline! The Future 50 celebrates the phenomenal Black minds shaping the future of technology across various categories, and this is our chance to give them the recognition they deserve. Here are the categories: ✍🏾 Dynamic Investor: This recognizes venture capitalists who have made significant contributions to advancing underserved founders in the tech industry. ✍🏾 Future Maker: This recognizes a Black professional for groundbreaking innovation and historical firsts that have a measurable impact on technology and society. ✍🏾 Corporate Catalyst: This recognizes corporate executives who actively promote diversity within their ranks, a core value to all of us here at Blavity Inc. ✍🏾 Changemaker: This honors an individual for significant social impact in the tech industry and their ability to reimagine and improve how we see the world around us. ✍🏾 Visionary Founder: This category acknowledges the accomplishments of a founder who showcases outstanding company growth, a strong dedication toward promoting diversity and inclusion, and recognition in the tech industry. Who comes to mind when you think of these categories? Tag them in the comments and nominate them for this year’s AFROTECH Future 50: https://lnkd.in/e8M5JaP6 #TechCommunity #FutureofTech #TechLeaders #TechForGood

Explore Melissa Bradley's journey and insights in the enlightening video series "Black in Tech 2024," spotlighting the trials and triumphs of Black tech professionals. #DiversityInTech #BlackInTech2024

"Empowering Insights: Glen Ford's Game-Changing Commentaries on Black Agenda Radio!" In the bustling city of Miami, a new dialogue has begun about the future of Black entrepreneurship; a conversation that strives to bridge the racial wealth gap and drive economic empowerment. The Knight Foundation and the Black Tech Week venture is catching attention, signaling a new wave of opportunities in technology entrepreneurship for the Black community. As much as we aspire to dream in technicolor, so too can we dream in tech, breathing life to innovative ideas that promote inclusivity, economic growth, and social progress. Just as the vibrant Miami sunset paints the horizon with an array of brilliant hues, the initiative illuminates the path to prosperity for Black entrepreneurs in the tech sector. By fostering connectivity, visibility, and access to resources, they are recalibrating the tech landscape. In fact, consider how the tide rises - bit by bit it elevates all that's within its reach. Similar is the ethos of this venture, boosting the entrepreneurial ecosystem whilst strengthening community bonds. Thus, it's the time to ride the wave of change and make a tangible impact in Miami's burgeoning tech scene. If you're an entrepreneur seeking to advance your tech venture or a Miami resident interested to observe this exciting development, make sure to check out our website for upcoming events and programming. Let's paint a future where everyone thrives. #BlackTechWeek #KnightFoundation #MiamiTech #EconomicInclusion #TechEntrepreneurship

Of the 89 publicly-shared companies in the Summer 2024 cohort on Y Combinator, just 5 have Black founders. Here are three things YC can do to lead the way in supporting Black founders: Y Combinator is the Harvard of accelerators for startup founders. But not for all of them. 1. Give clear explanations to rejected applicants. Nothing drives a founder forward like clear, actionable feedback. It helps them identify their company’s weaknesses and, thus, what to work on to improve. This type of transparency would build trust with Black founders and ultimately encourage more to apply. 2. Partner with other organizations that already do an excellent job of supporting Black founders. There are many out there (my favorite being @goodienation),). Not only can these organizations offer diverse and innovative ideas, but collaborating with them would widen the pool of Black applicants. 3. Leverage the (albeit relatively small) network of YC-backed Black founders. Mentorship is a critical part of YC’s model, and I’d argue that the value of that mentorship increases when the mentor understands the additional challenges associated with being Black in that space. Black YC alumni can support new Black applicants on their journeys, and their referrals can help build a steady stream of Black applicants for future cohorts. I believe Y Combinator can more broadly uplift Black and underrepresented founders, but these three steps are a good start. Any other ideas? Let me know in the comments. Also, shout out to the five companies representing this year’s cohort! Rastro (YC S24) Zimi (YC S24) &AI Conductor Quantum AnswerGrid

🌟 Breaking Boundaries: Discover how Black Tech Nation Ventures remains resilient amidst DEI backlash, championing diversity in tech! 💡✨ #DiversityInTech #BlackTechNation #DEI #Innovation #VentureCapital #TechDiversity https://lnkd.in/ejPNkR8X

AfroTech is more than just a tech conference, it's a celebration of Black innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the technology space. Bringing together over 20,000 industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts from all around the world, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. I'm looking forward to four days packed with insights from over 50 renowned speakers from companies like Riot Games, American Express, Capital One, and Deloitte, as well as panel discussions on critical topics like Data Engineering, AI, and Cybersecurity. Being part of this gathering is a powerful reminder of the incredible contributions that Black professionals bring to tech, and I can’t wait to gain knowledge, meet inspiring people, and deepen my commitment to diversity and innovation in this field. #AfroTech2024 #BlackTech #Innovation #Networking #DiversityInTech #AmericanExpress #CapitalOne #Deloitte

Today, my research team at Plexus, led by Tayler J. James, in partnership with The Tech We Want, a program of the social change venture Omidyar Network, proudly unveils the 2024 Black Tech Effect, the second annual report of 100 high-growth, Black-led technology companies making significant impacts in their industries and communities. The Black Tech Effect Report highlights the incredible contributions of Black entrepreneurs and innovators in the tech industry. We believe that by amplifying these voices, we not only recognize the achievements of Black entrepreneurs but also inspire future generations of diverse tech leaders. Diversity and representation are more important than ever in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Our report aims to celebrate and elevate the voices of Black-owned tech companies, shedding light on their innovative products, services, and impactful initiatives. The 100 companies and founders featured represent a broad spectrum of industries from fintech to climate tech, health care, HR, and more. Key highlights of the report include: *Profiles of pioneering Black-owned tech companies across various sectors *Insights into their journey, challenges, and successes in the tech industry *Analysis of the broader significance of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation and economic growth. Get the report over at www.theblacktecheffect.com.

We are thrilled to be featured by QualityWorks Consulting Group, LLC in their latest article celebrating Black tech trailblazers for Black Business Month! 🎉 At Transformation Lead LLC we are proud to drive innovation and provide impactful solutions in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation for enterprise organizations and governments worldwide. Being recognized alongside such groundbreaking companies and leaders is truly an honor. A special thank you to Dr. Georgette Fraser-Moore, MBA, PMP, our visionary CEO, for her leadership and dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and business transformation. Read the full article and learn more about how Black-owned tech companies are making waves in AI and innovation #BlackBusinessMonth #Innovation #TechLeadership #DigitalTransformation #TransformationLead #Cybersecurity #AI #BlackTechExcellence