Recap of Black Tech NOLA: Creator Summit's tech event on November 4, 2024 in New Orleans focused on artificial intelligence, women in tech, entrepreneurs and creators in music and entertainment.
Table of Contents
- Black Tech NOLA: Creator Summit Introduction
- Vendors and Panels
- Panel - Women in AI: Paving the Way for the Future of Work
- Panel - Making Waves: Entrepreneurs in Music
- Panel - Tech vs Human: Music Business and AI
- Panel - Shoot You Shot: Advancing in Film and Media
- Conclusion
Greetings & Salutations, Artistikk R3b3lls!
Black Tech NOLA Creator Summit Introduction
NOLAvate Black
On Monday, 4th of November 2024, NOLAvate Black hosted its 7th Black Tech NOLA: Creator Summit in conjunction with New Orleans Tourism & Cultural Fund. NOLAvate Black is the largest Black Tech conference in the New Orleans region. I had the pleasure to attend my first Black Tech NOLA: Creator Summit at Loyola University New Orleans from 8am - 4pm.
Founder
Sabrina N. Short, founder and CEO of NOLAvate Black, is a community organizer and tech advocate.
Vendors and Panels
Vendors
- The event consisted of the following vendors:
- Idea Village
- The City of New Orleans
- CGI, Inc.
- Oschner
- Operation Spark
Before the event began, I visited Idea Village, The City of New Orleans, and Oschner.
Idea Village
I visited Idea Village because I wanted to ask about their entrepreneur programs and fellowships, including IdeaInstitute. Idea Village's representative discussed some application questions and how I can attend Yu-Gi-Oh events and ask questions about customers' needs. Furthermore, the vendors shared that I need to know what problem I am trying to solve. They advised I check their website periodically for the next cohort.
The City of New Orleans
I was interested in our great city's career opportunities. It was my first time participating in a NOLAvate's event, and I was unaware I should have brought my resume. I signed the registration form and collected their business card.
Oschner
I visited Oschner's table to learn about their available employment prospects and acquire cool swag. After speaking with their representatives, I discovered they are Microsoft-based and use .NET for software development.
Panels
The event featured four panels and a keynote presentation. The topics of the panels included:
- Women in AI: Paving the Way for the Future of Work
- Making Waves: Entrepreneurs in Music
- Tech vs. Human: The Music Business and AI
- Shoot Your Shot: Advancing in Film and Media
Additionally, the keynote addressed the theme of AI, Creators, and the Digital Revolution. Except for the keynote, I attended each panel. I have provided details of the notes and takeaways I gathered from the panel speakers.
Panel - Women in AI: Paving the Way for the Future of Work
Takeaways
- Connection is the new currency.
- Build a network that works.
- Every opportunity is a step.
- The future of AI is bright.
Panel Speakers
- Diya Wynn
- Jornea Armant
- Myra Roldan
- Yolanda Williams
Diya Wynn
Background
- First desktop computer in 3rd grade as a prize for high academic achievement.
- Worked in multiple industries.
- Want to make an exacerbated impact.
- Want to make a better life for her sons and others.
Barriers in AI
- There is not enough diversity, we need to consider all stakeholders.
- It does not have the voices and experiences of all stakeholders.
- How to bring in the voices that may not sit at the table.
- Lack of understanding when using systems.
- Do not be afraid of AI. We always had a form of AI in our technology; some may not know they were using it.
What advice would you give on finding supportive networks
- If connecting in LinkedIn, in note ask for a 30-minute coffee or virtual convo to make a connection.
- Think about your network strategically.
- Who do I need to know?
- How to make a connection with people to help you where you want to go?
Myra
Background
- She taught herself how to program in Basic.
- Her mother enrolled her in the Puerto Rico school.
- It took her 10 years to receive a bachelor's degree. During that time, she had a child young and then a second child.
- She did not give up.
- She got a nursing degree to help pay for college, so then she could pivot to what she wants—tech.
- Good data management became a part of her focus in tech working in hospitals.
- 1% Latinas work in AI, and 0.98% of Black women in AI globally.
What does she envision AI change workforce over decade
- Help businesses integrate AI into their business workflow.
- Work to try to build a portfolio for yourself and how to integrate into enterprise systems.
- Try to build pipelines.
- She helps build use cases.
- Learning a programming language, right now Phyton.
- Learn how to use and understand algorithms.
- If you want hands-on experience, try getting into health or finance.
What advice would you give on finding supportive networks
- Find a mentor in a role that is in the role you want.
- Find a sponsor. The sponsor owns the relationship. They will advocate for you when you are not in a room.
- This relationship is developed overtime.
- Be consistent.
Yolanda
Background
- Developed a knack for SQL while working as a research assistant.
- She is skilled in Agile.
- Worked at Wal-Mart and volunteered for projects.
- Data Management Transformation in retail for Walmart.
- Created the first Center of Excellence.
- Skills keep you in demand, and they can take you where you want to go.
- Know how to manage teams in AI, strategy, and ROI. Create a case study.
- Managed multiple teams in AI.
- Learn how to navigate the situations you are in.
- Internal Expert on how to get innovation started.
- Data is applicable to every type of business.
What advice would you give on finding supportive networks
- Do not leave the event without meeting someone new.
- Focus in and learn.
- Community service with high schoolers.
Panel - Making Waves: Entrepreneurs in Music
Takeaways
- Run your own race.
- Be authentic about your mission in life and what you are doing.
Panel Speakers
- Gina Swanson
- Tavia Osbey
Tavia Osbey
Background
- Work with Tank and the Bangas, an American musical group based in New Orleans.
- Help the vision of the artist come to life.
- Teach music management at Loyola.
- Older sister.
- Degree in Business.
- She managed Alfred Banks, an emerging New Orleans rapper, for 6 years.
- She believes in quality over quantity.
Introduction to Tank
- She wanted to meet Tank because Tank inspired her younger sister.
- Sent inspiration quotes to Tank.
- A faith quote sent to Tank influenced Tank had quit her job at IHOP.
- Tavia was persistent, but not nagging about working with Tank.
- Tavia pushed Tank to create a spoken word for the first album.
Tavia's Story
- She quit her government job to focus on Tank.
How Tavia became Tank's Manager
- Tank would joke and state Tavia is her manager.
- Tank paid her with meals at first, then $40 or some amount in cash following a performance.
Business Aspect
- Be clear in your communication.
- Artists do not understand the process of what it takes to get the artist to the stage.
The Process of Getting Started
- Help good people around you.
- You get weary as an independent artist.
- She was getting weary and lost in the music industry.
- Feeling as if she exhausted all the resources she had.
Turning Point
- The NPR Tiny Desk performance was a breakthrough for the band.
- Tank and Tavia would feel successful if their careers could sustain their lifestyle.
Music Business Treachery
- The band did not want to make a certain decision, and business executives called her business partner behind her back.
Technology in Trajectory of Tank and the Bangas
- You do not need CDs.
- Maximize social media.
- Tank stayed true to herself. It might take longer.
Trends
- Negative being the new positive.
- Do not do what is trendy.
- You must get comfortable with who is in the room and not focus on who is not.
Advice
- Learn as much as you can.
- Get in the field; make mistakes.
- In the management position, what you do not know hurts the artist. Seek counsel.
- Make technology beneficial to you.
- She thinks there need to be laws to protect creatives and artists.
- Diversify yourself. Use music as a platform to do it.
Moving Forward with Tank and Technology Usage
- Currently, Tank is closed off to tech but now open to it.
- See Tank acting on Broadway, and currently she is working on a script.
Panel - Tech vs Human: Music Business and AI
Takeaways
- Listeners want more.
- Technology will push creatives to be more creative.
Panel Speakers
- Darrell Flowers
- Donovan Williams
- Lou Hill
Darrell Flowers
Background
- Network Engineer and Composer, Musician.
- Team MFN.
AI Impact
- The abundance of technology will be a market for a human made things: AI Content vs Human-Made Content.
Positive
- There are good things, such as using it to connect with people to get songs cleared.
Donovan Williams
Background
- Founder and working on software for artists to have a manager on the phone.
- Co-founder of JammAround, working on Music Max AI.
AI Impact
- Technology will force artists to have a relationship with fans.
Positive
- Save your craftsman for people who care about it.
Lou Hill
Background
- Band: Water Seed.
- Right now, music is marginally authentic.
AI Impact
- AI forces you to have a brand. The ability to bring yourself to the forefront and a reason why someone should fall in love with you.
- Technology will push creatives to be more creative. To have their own identity.
- AI cannot create its own identity.
- AI has desensitized the audience such as Auto-Tune.
- ChartMetrics App: Allows you to see your analytics as a musician.
Positive
- Can be able to work faster.
- A producer can take on my clients.
Hope for Future
- Hope the industry goes back to having A&R.
Panel - Shoot You Shot: Advancing in Film and Media
Takeaways
- Human touch is important.
- Artificial Intelligence will cause loss of jobs.
Panel Speakers
- Angelique Roche
- Demetrius Grosse
- Terence Rosemore
Angelique Roche
Background
- Journalist, Author, Producer and Lawyer.
AI in Work
- She talked about how a fair, brown hair white woman was the template to check lightning.
- Ask who is making money from the product.
Demetrius Grosse
Background
- Actor appearing in 70+ films and television.
- Directed a movie.
AI in Work
- He thinks the human touch will not leave.
- Make sure they are equity in the technology.
- AI will cause smaller writers' room.
Terence Rosemore
Background
- Writer, Director, and a Storyteller.
- Finishing two television shows.
- Directed 1 feature film and its own Tubi.
- It is the Business of Show.
AI in Work
- Better adjust and adapt, instead of trying to erase it.
- As storytellers, you can be more productive.
- People are losing jobs, especially in visual effects.
- If you got something meaningful, it will take time for AI to replicate it.
- Learn how technology and business work.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the panelists were knowledgeable and prolific in their domains. Artificial Intelligence is prevalent in our daily lives. As technology advances, we cannot escape AI. Therefore, we must learn to embrace and employ AI to address our problems, while maintaining the importance of human interaction. I enjoyed the event and look forward to attending other NOLAvate Black's tech summits. Furthermore, I recommend tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs to attend NOLAvate Black's events.
R3b3l with me at GitHub, Medium, Dev Community, and LinkedIn
Signed
The LightBringer
I am the eagle that flies ABOVE.
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