“Afro tech” spans two worlds: a global Black tech movement led by AfroTech (the media platform and annual conference), and a South African–rooted electronic music sub-genre that fuses African rhythms with modern house/techno. If you’re optimizing for the focus keyword “afro tech,” you’ll want to cover both clearly and completely.
AfroTech conference and media
AfroTech is a Blavity Inc.–owned media platform and the world’s largest annual gathering for Black technologists, founders, and allies. It blends cutting-edge programming, an energetic career expo, and cultural experiences designed to accelerate access to jobs, funding, and partnerships.
Core pillars
- Conference programming: AI, Web3, MedTech, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, venture, product, and leadership tracks — with Learning Labs and hands-on demos.
- Career acceleration: On-site interviews, recruiter lounges, and expo booths where top companies meet talent; many attendees secure interviews and roles through the event.
- Community & media: Daily coverage on afrotech.com, the AfroTech app for planning and networking, and AfroTech Insider for member-only content and connections.
- Mission: Expand pathways for Black leaders in tech, empowering attendees to leave with new skills, deals, and relationships.
Location and timing
- 2024: Houston, Texas — a multi-day experience that turned the city into a tech-and-culture hub.
- 2025 and 2026: Scheduled to return to Houston, Texas, building on momentum with deeper programming, larger expo floors, and expanded cultural activations.
2024 highlights (Houston)
- Scale: 37,000+ participants, 237 speakers, and 168 corporations engaged over four days — a record-setting community moment.
- Innovation demos: Snap’s latest hardware, NVIDIA 3D imaging, and Google’s Gemini AI featured in Learning Labs and main stages.
- Workforce + reskilling: Cybersecurity and AI stages focused on practical upskilling and actionable takeaways for a fast-evolving job market.
- Capital & equity: Announcements like NAACP Capital (a $200M fund-of-funds) and new funds supporting women- and Black-owned startups.
- Brand presence: AT&T, McDonald’s, Lexus, Mars, and others launched campaigns aligned with AfroTech’s innovation and cultural excellence.
- Cultural finale: Blavity House Party Block Party recognized by the City of Houston, celebrating impact and community.
Do people get jobs at AfroTech?
- Yes — and not by accident. AfroTech’s expo and recruiter programming are designed for high-intent hiring. Attendees routinely secure interviews, offers, mentorships, and partnerships; major firms send large teams to meet candidates across roles and levels.
Leadership
- Ownership: AfroTech is a brand of Blavity Inc.
- Executive context: Blavity Inc’s co-founder and CEO is Morgan DeBaun; AfroTech’s leadership operates within Blavity’s portfolio to drive the conference, media, and community strategy.
Tickets and access
- Pass types: General, professional, student, and VIP tiers (pricing and inclusions vary by year).
- Student pathways: Discounted student tickets and targeted programming help early-career attendees build networks and showcase talent.
- App + Insider: The AfroTech app streamlines agendas and connections; AfroTech Insider provides exclusive content and curated networking beyond conference week.
Afro tech music genre
Afro tech (music) is a sub-genre of house emerging from South Africa. It merges traditional African rhythms and percussion with minimal, hypnotic electronic production.
Sound and structure
- Fusion: Polyrhythmic African drums and melodic motifs blended with modern synths, pads, and techno-inspired repetition.
- Feel: Pulsating, driving grooves; deep basslines; evolving textures; vocals often in South African languages like Xhosa and Zulu.
- Artists: Black Coffee, Culoe De Song, and DJ Shimza helped popularize and globalize the sound; contemporary DJs keep pushing it into clubs and festivals worldwide.
How it differs from other styles
- Versus Afrobeats: Less pop-centric; more club-oriented and percussive, with longer build-ups and atmospheric layers.
- Versus amapiano: Fewer log-drum signatures and more techno influence; Afro tech tends to be darker, more minimal, and tempo-stable.
Quick comparison: AfroTech conference vs. afro tech music
| Topic | What it is | Core elements | Audience | Outcomes |
| AfroTech (conference/media) | Blavity Inc.–owned tech platform + annual conference | Innovation tracks, expo, on-site interviews, venture + culture | Black technologists, founders, allies, recruiters, brands | Jobs, funding, partnerships, skills, community |
| Afro tech (music) | South African–rooted house/tech sub-genre | African rhythms + modern electronic production; hypnotic grooves | DJs, producers, club/festival audiences | Sets, mixes, releases, cultural influence |
Sources: Conference details, attendee experiences, and 2024 highlights; genre definitions and notable artists are derived from the shared articles and commonly known context.
FAQs
What is AfroTech?
A leading Black tech media platform and the largest annual conference for Black professionals, founders, and allies, owned by Blavity Inc.
Where is AfroTech?
Houston, Texas. The conference is set to return in 2026 as well.
Who is the CEO of AfroTech?
AfroTech is a Blavity Inc. brand; Blavity Inc’s CEO is Morgan DeBaun.
Do people get jobs at AfroTech?
Yes. The expo, on-site interviews, and recruiter programming are designed for hiring; many attendees secure interviews and roles.
What is afro tech (music)?
A South African–origin sub-genre of house blending African percussion/rhythms with modern electronic and techno elements.Quick. Clear. Current. Catch it all at QuickFast.
