At AfroTech 2025 in Houston, thousands of professionals and founders attended the conference to network and potentially find a job, not as outliers in tech, but to find community among other Black folks in their fields.
Between panels on artificial intelligence (AI) and booths lined with recruiters, the conference has become the hub for the merging of culture and innovation.
“I came for the intersection of health in tech,” said Nettie Brown, a biomedical engineer at the Texas Medical Center, who focused on how AI can support healthcare workers and improve outcomes for Black patients. “I came to vibe with people that look like us in these spaces, because it’s needed, especially in equity, tech, and healthcare.”
Brown moved to Houston to address the stark disparity when it comes to Black maternal health.
“People aren’t treating us the same way. If I say I have a blood clot, they might dismiss me, but maybe not my white counterparts,” Brown said.
When layoffs lead to reinvention
The ripple effects of layoffs and shifting job markets were also an unavoidable topic. In 2024, tech layoffs resulted in more than 150,000 job cuts across 549 companies, while in 2025, over 22,000 positions were eliminated.
Nathan Okolo, a 23-year-old former software engineer, was laid off from Nextdoor just two months earlier. He saw the setback as motivation.
Okolo attended AfroTech 2025 to advance his skills in starting a clothing line, Uneven Garments.
“It’s definitely a very weird time, a downtime for most people,” he said. “They’re losing their jobs, but I feel like this is an opportunity for me to find what I want to do right in the midst of all this chaos. I’m just going to go all into my dreams.”
Similarly, Simone Cyprian, a cybersecurity professional, is navigating a new era where corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are shrinking.
“I was in a DEI position before the position that I am right now. The positions are getting eliminated. We’re in a position where hopefully we’re building it back up, which I think we will. It’s just gonna take time. But right now there are not a lot of jobs.”
Simone Cyprian, cybersecurity professional
“I was in a DEI position before the position that I am right now,” she said. “The positions are getting eliminated. We’re in a position where hopefully we’re building it back up, which I think we will. It’s just gonna take time. But right now there are not a lot of jobs.”
For those navigating the impact of DEI rollbacks, she says, “You just have to keep going. Life is gonna keep moving regardless, so if you pour into yourself and show up for you every day, everything else will come.”
Students claiming their space
For students and early-career professionals, AfroTech represented both inspiration and a glimpse into reality.
Alisa Akaya, a senior computer science major at the University of Houston, attending her third AfroTech, said she came to “celebrate Black intelligence and excellence.”
Despite the instability in the job market, she’s optimistic.
“I’m still here trying to be authentic, creative,” Akaya said. “I see AI as a productivity tool for now. Obviously, we understand it can go either way, but at least for the next 10 years, it’s being used to uplift engineers, product managers, people in general.”
Meanwhile, students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, such as twin brothers Abdulai and Alpha Bah, seniors at Howard University and Bowie State University, said the event helped bridge the gap between HBCUs and the tech industry.
“I really wanted to be a part of a community where our presence was heard and seen,” Abdulai said. “There’s a job market for every era of time, and right now, everyone’s just going through that smooth process of transitioning into the new job market. AI is taking over a lot…We’ve never seen that.”
“From the perspective of the college student and us trying to get into the entry-level jobs, I feel like the job market’s been hectic because all the new innovations like AI,” echoed Alpha. “We just have to get used to them for the most part.”
Building and believing
For some, AfroTech was about reclaiming creativity. Clemille Peters, founder of Konsole Kingz and developer of the Black Spades mobile game, said his mission was to merge tech with culture.
“Don’t be afraid to pivot,” he advised new job seekers. “Don’t turn one opportunity down just because you’re so focused on this one.”
The recruiter’s lens
While many came seeking opportunity, some came to offer it. Joi White, a lead talent acquisition advisor, attended as both a recruiter and an entrepreneur.
“We’re looking for people with technical and sales backgrounds,” she said. “Even in the age of AI, we still need those who can sell to customers because we are not gonna have bots selling. AI cannot sell, at least not yet.”
She advised job seekers to network, acquaint themselves with recruiters and peers, refresh their resumes, and build their own brands.
Even in a conference dominated by discussions about automation and algorithms, one message rang clear: Human connection remains irreplaceable.
Courtnie Keith, who manages social media for Intuit Mailchimp, said customer-facing roles are still vital.
“Any job dealing with customers is the most important because with AI coming in and taking over, a lot of customers don’t feel like they have that human touch when it comes to reaching out for support,” Keith said. “My advice is to be authentic in your interviews. Make sure that you come in with questions because it’s also important that you are fulfilled emotionally, mentally, and spiritually at a job.”
Keeping up with the times
And Fola Ojeikere, a veteran tech consultant, reminded newcomers to stay agile and is also trying to navigate the AI space.
“For those who are starting now, the old is not working,” she warned. “The days of go to school, get a job, get an education, and have a 30-year career…there is nothing that reminds you of those days anymore. I wish somebody would tell me with an AI ball what I should do the next six months, so at least I can put food on my table.”
From students and recruiters to founders and faith leaders, AfroTech 2025 revealed a truth that runs deeper than the latest trend or startup pitch: The future of technology is still human, but the widespread use of AI to replace humans remains a concern.
