AfroTech Conference, the premier annual event at the intersection of technology, culture, and innovation, returns to Houston this week with a new overlap — basketball.
For the fourth consecutive year, the NBA will collaborate with AfroTech, hosting multiple events during the festivities as the league looks to tap into the growing event that brings together Black technology professionals.
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“Whether it’s social media, tech, or fashion, the NBA drives culture,” said Jade Daniels, the senior product manager helping lead the AfroTech planning committee. “AfroTech provides a platform for the NBA to celebrate the intersection of culture, basketball and tech.”
For fans of the Houston Rockets and the league, a familiar figure will appear on the Immersion Stage on Wednesday at the George R. Brown Convention Center. John Wall, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, five-time All-Star, and former Houston Rockets player for two seasons, will join Ebony Taylor, Amazon Web Services’ Head of Global Innovation and Engagement, for a fireside chat.
This session, titled “The Fast Break Life of John Wall,” will highlight key moments in his career through a unique production that shows his transition from superstar to his new role as a basketball analyst for Amazon Sports’ NBA coverage.
Former Houston Rockets star John Wall will take the main stage on Wednesday at the AfroTech Conference this year. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
“Wall will reflect on his Raleigh, N.C. roots, early basketball triumphs and moments of adversity that paved the way for his NBA career while his story is brought to life through complementary visuals and sensory design elements,” AfroTech’s statement on the event reads. “Wall will also explore the evolution of tech and look ahead to his role as an analyst for NBA on Prime, powered by AWS, discussing how he hopes his passion for the game will resonate with viewers and enrich Prime Video’s NBA coverage.”
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Beyond showcasing their latest technical prowess during broadcasts with partners like Amazon, the NBA is also focused on lifting Houston through community efforts.
The NBA Foundation will sponsor 100 Houston college students across the University of Houston, Prairie View A&M, Rice University and Texas Southern, for events and networking, including a “Career Lounge” reception at the Houston Rockets game against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 27 and access to the Tech Challenge.
“This year it is exciting to see a specific focus on student programming, AI and innovations in MedTech,” said Genisha Metcalf, partnership lead for the NBA Foundation that’s also leading planning efforts with Daniels. “The NBA Foundation’s mission is to drive economic opportunity in NBA markets and it is energizing to see AfroTech deepening its impact in Houston.”
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Students will participate in a mentoring circle on Oct. 28 to discuss career options, explore the AfroTech Expo Hall, and network with recruiters from various fields. Each circle will be led by a professional from tech, media, sports, or social impact.
Daniels says that, despite the planning effort to create a polished, well-run conference, the conversations among students and working professionals will ultimately determine its success.
“It’s about the conversations and connections it sparks,” said Daniels. “If we’re able to keep sharing the story of how technology creates access and opportunity for both fans and players, then we’ve done something meaningful.”
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Additionally, the conference and league will collaborate on an activation called “AWS x NBA Arena,” which will serve as a week-long immersive basketball activation featuring a basketball court displaying the new basketball intelligence platform NBA Inside the Game powered by AWS, offering fans a glimpse of the new AI-powered advanced stats and Play Finder feature that will be introduced this season.
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This article originally published at The NBA hits Houston to spotlight tech innovations at AfroTech Conference.