Derrick Maultsby

Derrick Maultsby, who specializes in law for start ups from Frost Brown Todd, discusses the importance of being a partner with Black Tech Week and what it means for him to be here offering advice to those in attendance. 

Mayor Aftab Pureval

Mayor Aftab Pureval talks about the economic and social impact of Black Tech Week being held in Cincinnati and also discusses how the city is prepared for big events such as Cincinnati Music Festival.

Bell Charitable Foundation announces $1M commitment

Candice Brackeen, the Founder of Black Tech Week, chats with Christie Cornette, the Chief Culture Office at Altafiber, about the million dollar donation to organizations to support digital equity in the Cincinnati area announced today. 

The Bell Charitable Foundation today announced a $1 million commitment to create digital equity in the communities it serves over the next five years through a series of focused grants to organizations that are expanding access to broadband Internet.

The Bell Charitable Foundation will make digital equity grants in the Midwest and Hawaii markets, where it also supports organizations that focus on Economic & Social Mobility, Technology, Environmental Sustainability, and Health & Wellbeing initiatives.

Christi Cornette, Chief Administrative Officer of altafiber and Bell Charitable Foundation Board Member, said increasing access to broadband connectivity is critical to maximize the impact of organizations that the Bell Charitable Foundation funds.

“Broadband Internet is essential in order for individuals across all demographics to access education, employment, and healthcare opportunities,” Cornette said. “Creating digital equity is a natural focus area for the Bell Charitable Foundation, and will benefit our current and future partner organizations and those they serve.”

altafiber, which formerly did business as Cincinnati Bell in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, launched the Bell Charitable Foundation in 2022. To date, the Bell Charitable Foundation has provided more than $400,000 in grants to 23 organizations.

altafiber has invested more than $2 billion into expanding its fiber network across the Greater Cincinnati region and Dayton, as well as Hawaii, where the company does business as Hawaiian Telcom. altafiber’s network delivers gigabit Internet connectivity to residential and business customers across its operating areas.

Nancy Eigel-Miller, Founder of 1N5, said the Bell Charitable Foundation’s digital equity commitment will directly support her organization’s mission to promote mental health for students K-12 and in college.

“Through a commitment to digital equity, altafiber enables all people to access the connectivity that is so important to our mental wellness,” said Eigel-Miller. “Whether it is through the accessibility of online tools to find a provider or resources, virtual training opportunities, or simply the ability to stay connected with friends, family, and mentors, increased connectivity in our communities will help 1N5 to impact the mental health of even more individuals across Greater Cincinnati and beyond.”

For more information about the Bell Charitable Foundation, please visit our web site: https://www.bellfdn.org/

Ugi Ugwuomo

Ugi Ugwuomo, the Lead Global Creative Strategist for Tik Tok, shares how brands and corporations can utilize Tik Tok in the best way to share their messaging.

Damon Jones

Damon Jones, the Chief Communications Officer for P&G and Sponsor Representative of Cincinnati Music Festival, discusses the partnership with P&G and Black Tech Week. 

Nicole Alexander

Nicole Alexander, the Global Head of Marketing for Meta, shares her excitement for Black Tech Week being hosted in Cincinnati and discusses the hot topic of AI.

Brendon Cull

Brendon Cull, President and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, shares how Black Tech Week aligns with the Chamber's goals of growing the region;

Adam Phillips

Adam Phillips, Managing Director with TechStars, shares why he is excited to be at Black Tech Week this year in Cincinnati and what he is looking forward to the most out of this week's events.

Alecia Kintner

Alecia Kintner, the CEO of ArtsWave, talks about the impact Black Tech Week has on the arts community and also the economic impact it has on the city of Cincinnati.

Brian Brackeen

Hear from Brian Brackeen, the co-founder of Black Tech Week, about all the excitement surrounding this year's event held at Cincinnati's Music Hall.

Detavio Samuels

Detavio Samuels is the CEO of REVOLT Media, America’s fastest-growing Black-owned media company. He shares how an event like Black Tech Week helps the black media community and what others can do to help advance the black voice.

Woody Keown

Woody Keown, the President of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, shares the impact that Black Tech Week not only has on the black community here in Cincinnati but also the opportunities it provides the museum itself. 

Candice Brackeen

Candice Brackeen, the founder of Black Tech Week, talks about what it means for this event to be back in Cincinnati this week at Music Hall.

On the Schedule

Black Tech Week, held from July 18-20, connects tech entrepreneurs, investors and professionals to education, resources, opportunities— and one another. The second annual event headquartered in Cincinnati will welcome more than 3,000+ attendees, 100+ speakers and 50 + workshops in Over-the-Rhine at Music Hall, Memorial Hall and the Transept.

Speakers include producer/actress Issa Rae; Candice Matthews Brackeen, CEO of Lightship Foundation; Everette Taylor, CEO of Kickstarter; and Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition Opportunity Fund.

See the full schedule!

Black Tech Week is supported by some of the nation's largest Fortune 500’s right alongside remarkable local businesses, all with one goal in mind— to connect Founders of Color (FOC), Women, Disabled, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with the resources their businesses need to scale.