While researching various traits of undiagnosed but likely spectrum-dwellers like myself, I encountered a phrase which captures some of my response-mechanisms in terms of productivity: "... just out here chasing the dopamine". While that's not entirely scientific and likely not the best strategy for completion of time-based tasks, I can express a similar sentiment in positive-terms each time I'm a part of RenderATL.
RenderATL is a 3 day tech conference founded by Justin Samuels and located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It's tied to and overlaps Atlanta Tech Week, a series of over 100 tech and tech-related events occuring throughout the city. It also features multiple overlapping after hours activations - mixers, networking events, and parties including the now-famous "Render Roof". With the conference itself featuring some of the most brilliant minds across the technology landscape, for a first timer it can honestly be a bit overwhelming which is why I tweet, make videos, and even spoke via podcast interview on tips to navigating such a packed week of activity.
For a 4th-time attendee like myself, again, all week I'm just chasing the good feelings one after another. Typically, those good times parse themselves out in 4 general umbrellas - learning new tech, meeting new people, connecting with friends, and just having pure unadulterated fun. If I gain a new insight into how a Beta MCP Server project can be architected by day, you can believe I'll be two-stepping to Amapiano by nightfall. Having lunch with my Tech Twitter bestie? Check! Making a new LinkedIn connection after an inspiring talk by a fellow DevRel in the code and design space? Also Check! Because my week is intentionally scheduled to foster these occurrences, my Render week this year was a win just as it always is.
One may muse "Lawrence you're like a walking Render commercial - you probably couldn't be objectively critical if you tried". Oh contraire! As much work as I could tell went into the Render mobile app, it was honestly still easier for me to view my agenda on my trusty Google Sheet I update each year. The whole water bottle fiasco of 2023 is hilarious in hindsight but in the moment, more than a bit frustrating. I have to mention the lunch buffet lines in 2022 (yes there used to be food 😎) were slow-moving and people kept breaking line. When possible, I take these negatives or "lemons" and do what I can to make lemonade. Take the buffet line issue for example. I used that extra time waiting in line to introduce myself and begin conversing with people who were waiting in line with me. One thing led to another and I ended up driving the four of us to lunch at a downtown food court. The next thing you know, Portia Kibble Smith who was in our little group, had me being interviewed by the Karat/Brilliant Black Minds crew. Some weeks and conversations later, I find myself selected to be a Brilliant Black Minds Ambassador, a role I still serve in today.
Speaking of Brilliant Black Minds, it's Senior Advisor, Anthony Mays is one of those big brothers in tech I look forward to speaking with every year. I've gleened so much wisdom via his lived example as a saved black man thriving in the tech landscape. Sometimes this wisdom is gained from afar, in an interview he's on or just an insightful tweet. I've since been able to consult with him 1:1 to strategize my own career moves and even speak on stage with him in 2023 in an enlightening panel discussion. The common denominator here is Render.
It's tech classroom meets southern black family reunion. It's one part career fair, one part soca fete'. As an ambassador I was blessed to bring my wife last year, and as a Community Partner leader bring my sister this year. I share unabashedly I'm a fan through and through and would love every person in or adjacent to tech to get to enjoy just some of what I experience on a regular annual basis. You'll find a few pics below from events mentioned above but mostly capturing me chasing those good feelings.
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