The Spirit Of Progress Lives On At AfroTech 2025 As Black Innovators Lead The Way

As Janine Fleming entered the AfroTech Conference, she sought clarity, not merely job prospects. The recent Stanford alumna, with a degree in Science, Technology, and Society, had spent countless hours sending out resumes, often met with silence.“I’ve been advised repeatedly to align my résumé with ATS standards,” Fleming recounted, referencing the automated tracking systems. “You send it, and sometimes it’s just crickets.”Fleming, like many Black professionals, faces significant challenges as the tech sector encounters upheaval. Despite her prestigious education, she contends with layoff patterns, automation, and a hiring process increasingly devoid of personal touch.According to Layoffs.fyi, over 150,000 jobs were eliminated in 2024 and another 22,000 this year, primarily due to cost-cutting and automation dynamics. Concerns about AI's role are palpable; Fleming articulated anxiety about its impact on entry-level opportunities. This atmosphere of uncertainty underpins AfroTech's significance. Having evolved from a modest networking event in 2016, it now stands as one of the predominant congregations of Black tech professionals and entrepreneurs.April Bradley, a veteran cloud engineer, perceives AfroTech as a vital reminder of the necessity for adaptability in the tech world. “In technology, being open-minded is paramount,” she stated. “Comfort can hinder your progress as the industry never halts.