Howard University left a lasting mark at AfroTech’s 2024 Conference, hosted in Houston, Texas, with its groundbreaking initiative, “The Yard at Afrotech U”— a vibrant networking hub within the conference’s expo hall. First imagined two years ago and brought to life by a partnership between Howard University and Blavity, Inc. Media Company, creator/owner of the conference, the space was designed to celebrate HBCU unity and resilience. In addition, the space acted as a connector, bringing together Howard alumni, students, faculty, and staff with attendees from other HBCUs (historically black colleges and institutions) and Black professionals—all while supporting programming for students and early career technology professionals and entrepreneurs. A key part of Howard and Blavity’s partnership was the distribution of over 120 tickets to that allowed Howard and other HBCU students to attend the event free of charge, a value of almost $40,000.

A Space to Connect and Collaborate

Sponsored by Bayer, a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, the Yard at AfroTech U provided a dynamic space for networking and professional development, featuring marquee events such as a student breakfast, a resume workshop, and several engaging panel discussions. Reflecting on his first AfroTech experience, Ashton Brown, a junior economics major from Houston, Texas, shared how excited he was to connect with other attendees. “I’m excited to make meaningful connections with leaders and innovators in the Black community while learning how my role in finance can contribute to the tech world.”

“This was a space where Howard alumni and students could truly connect, collaborate, and grow,” said co-organizer Kweli Zukeri, Ph.D., associate vice president of Web Innovation and Strategy at Howard University. “We wanted to create something that not only celebrated Howard but also uplifted the entire HBCU community within a professional tech environment.” The Yard at Afrotech U was named after Howard’s campus iconic “Yard,” an intergenerational community-building space in in the middle of campus in which the seeds of Black resilience and prosperity have been nourished for more than a century and a half. “There was an alumnus who connected with one of our computer science professors, Legand Burge, Ph.D.,” said Zukeri. “They sat and discussed the software program the alum is in the process of developing. Burge’s advice was priceless.” 

Erin Horne McKinney, co-organizer and the former national executive director of the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship shared the importance of why spaces like AfroTech U are important in the tech industry, and how it can contribute to budding Black entrepreneurs in the technology space and beyond. "Creating spaces like the 'The Yard' are critical to creating a welcoming and safe experience for the young and emerging Black tech community,” she noted. “Our goal is to inspire the next generation of Black tech leaders and founders to show up confidently and represent Black excellence wherever they go. Their ideas, perspective, and skills are needed, valuable, and drive culture."

One panel, entitled “Resources, Relationships, and Respect - Building Success in Tech and Entrepreneurship" featured five Howard University affiliates, including faculty, staff, and alumni. Among the panelists was Professor Amy Yeboah-Quarkume, Ph.D., who serves as the director of graduate studies for the master's program in Applied Data Science and Analytics. She reminded the audience of the importance of building Black institutions that support Black student success, along with Rodney Williams, a Howard University School of Business alumni and founder of SoLoFunds, who emphasized the importance of Black people building intergenerational wealth via business ownership.

The Result of Cross-Campus Collaboration Years in the Making

The success of last year’s initiatives was the result of the hard work and dedication of the Howard@Afrotech Team—a collaborative group of Howard staff, faculty, and alumni who began preparations nearly a year prior. The efforts were primarily driven by four campus units: the Office of University Communications, the HUxPNC National Center for Entrepreneurship, the Center for Digital Business, and the Office of Alumni Relations. Their work was further bolstered by strategic support from the external partner, Convergence Point Consulting.

Together with other campus partners, these units contributed to a well-organized and impactful event, sending a large and engaged contingent to the conference. Further, Microsoft, a Howard University partner, provided significant financial sponsorship for the team’s efforts at both the 2023 and 2024 conferences.

The foundation for the University’s 2024 presence at AfroTech was laid during the 2023 conference in Austin, Texas. That year, the University co-hosted several alumni and HBCU networking events and held a panel discussion titled, “How HBCUs Are Preparing Tech Entrepreneurs in AI and Beyond.” It was this session that drew significant attention to the event, and is mentioned in episode three of Howard University's HU2U podcast mini-series on the GenAI Revolution. Due to the overwhelming positive feedback from attendees, the university set out to elevate its participation even further in 2024.

Looking to the Future

Etoulia Burnett, Howard@Afrotech co-organizer and director of the Center for Digital Business at Howard’s School of Business, reflected on the impact of the university’s efforts. “Howard University, along with the broader HBCU community, has long been a powerhouse of Black innovation and excellence, and the overwhelming response to ‘The Yard’ confirmed what we’ve always known,” she began. “This is just the beginning—I envision expanding this into a year-round community and dedicated programming track that harnesses the wealth of knowledge within our institutions to elevate all Black students and early-career talent, whether they attend an HBCU or not. The possibilities for growth are boundless, and we’ve only scratched the surface of what we can achieve.”

As Howard University continues to build on its legacy of excellence, its presence at AfroTech serves as a reminder of the role HBCUs play in shaping the future of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With plans to expand initiatives like “The Yard” into yearly programming and create opportunities for broader engagement, Howard continues to inspire the next generation of Black tech leaders. 

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