Black Tech Week has announced that world-renown tennis icon Serena Williams will be the keynote speaker at its upcoming conference in Cincinnati.
Black Tech Week announced the conference via its official Instagram page on July 1.
“We are excited to announce our keynote speaker at #BlackTechWeek, @serenawilliams, from July 18th – 22nd. As Founder and Managing Partner @serena.ventures, she is focused on investing in companies that embrace diverse leadership and opportunity. Catch Serena’s talk [on] Thursday, July 21 at 1 p.m. @musichallcincy. #BTWSpeaker #FindYourTribe #BTW22 #BTWCincinnati.”
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In a press statement, Serena said that through joining the event, she’s looking forward to “impacting the future of technology.”
“Black Tech Week is a movement in support of the success of ecosystems being built by Black founders,” she said. “I’m looking forward to joining this strong community of talent, connecting and impacting the future of technology.”
Black Tech Week is a week-long technology festival dedicated to “tech professionals and enthusiasts, funders, allies, and all members of the global Black tech community,” its website indicates. It’s scheduled to take place in Cincinnati from July 18 to July 22 and will include 60+ sessions and present 50+ featured speakers that are tech influencers and minority innovation ecosystem builders.
In addition to Serena, other featured speakers at the big event include the founder of Black Girls Code, Kimberly Bryant, CEO of National Black Society of Engineers, Janeen Uzzell, founder of Hire Runner and Backstage Capital, Alan Hamilton, and more. Each speaker will discuss the latest trends in tech and the startup lifecycle.
Black Tech Week, which corresponds with the Cincinnati Music Festival–headlined by legendary pop star Janet Jackson–will also include a career fair at Washington Square Park. Its sponsors include drive-sharing apps Uber and Lyft, as well as Main Street Ventures.
