Conference Agenda – Digital Diversity Network

4th Annual NYC Conference – AI: Access & Ingenuity
9:00am – 4:00pm

Inaugural Innovation & Inclusion Awards Reception
6:00 – 9:00pm

Location:
Civic Hall
156 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10010

Join Digital Diversity Network for dual events during Advertising Week in New York City!

Come mix, mingle and be inspired with the most diverse assemblage of influential digital media and tech professionals from a broad spectrum of industries and disciplines. Our 4th Annual NYC Conference, AI: Access & Ingenuity, is your entrée to learning how these enterprising, multicultural experts are disrupting the status quo; creating businesses; engaging fans and consumers; and leveraging technology for social change.

Keep abreast of the latest tech trends with our product demos; and ensure that your career is on track with a complimentary assessment of your LinkedIn profile and a new headshot.

Later that evening, attend our inaugural Innovation & Inclusion Awards Reception—an inter- generational celebration of the contributions of diverse tech professionals—including a special tribute to the pioneering African American female mathematicians at NASA who helped to lead the US Race to Space. The story of these unsung heroes will soon be featured in both the upcoming book and motion picture, Hidden Figures. Meet author, Margot Lee Shetterly; “human computer” Christine Darden; and family members of the other women whose stories are told in Hidden Figures.

Click here to purchase tickets for the 4th Annual NYC Conference and/or Innovation & Inclusion Awards Reception. Save when you purchase an all-access pass.

Conference Agenda as of 09.23.16

8:30 – 9:00 am: Registration, Continental Breakfast & Networking

9:00 – 9:05 am: Conference Opening/Welcome

9:05 – 9:35 am: Tech Talk: Techonomics

Featuring : Jon Gosier, CEO & Co-founder, AuDigent; Serial Entrepreneur, Angel Investor & Senior TED Fellow

Moderator: Isabel González Whitaker, Deputy Editor, Billboard

9:40 – 10:25 am: Session #1: Social Media for Social Change

Recent headlines have been dominated by stories about policing; gun control; immigration; terrorism; and lack of diversity at the Oscars. It’s no secret that social media has illuminated these issues; kept them in the public discourse; and forced municipalities and organizations to address them. Our panel of influencers will share how they are leveraging the power of technology to effect social change.

Moderator:

Mary Pryor, Community Strategist at McCann/Founder of Urban Socialista

Confirmed Speakers:

Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, Founder & Editor-In-Chief, Muslim Girl
Nicole Alston, VP of Legal, YouTube
Saman Arbabi, Creator & Executive Producer, Voice of America’s Parazit & On Ten
Michelle Herrera-Mulligan, Writer/Author, Founding Editor, Cosmopolitan for Latinas
Jonathan Jackson, Co-founder, Head of Corporate Brand, Blavity
April Reign, Creator, #OscarsSoWhite & Managing Editor, Broadway Black

10:25 – 10:40 am: Networking Break

10: 45 – 11:15 am: Tech Talk: Digital Dividends – Using Technology & Creativity to Derive Value

Featuring: Chinedu Echeruo, CEO & Founder, Gigameet

Moderator: Angelica McKinley, Digital Designer, The New York Times

11:20 am–12:05 pm: Session #2: Venturing Into Capital

What are the best approaches for entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to access capital for their ventures? This session takes a critical look at the differences between funding sources (i.e, venture capital, private equity, angel investors), accelerators and incubators.

Moderator:

Lisa Skeete Tatum, Co-founder & CEO, Landit

Confirmed Speakers:

Richard Kerby, VP, Venrock
Sarika Doshi, Co-founder & Advisor, Rank & Style
Veronica Guzman, Founder & Innovation Catalyst, WAMVentures
Christine Souffrant Ntim, Forbes30Under30, Founder of Vendedy & CaribbeanStartups Accelerator
Tanya VanCourt, CEO & Chief Sower, Sow

12:05 – 1:15 pm: Open Luncheon/Product Demos/Career Consultations

Exhibitors as of 09.23.16:

2020Shift
Landit
The World Cup of Hip Hop: Take Back the Mic (VR)
Uber

1:15 – 1:45 pm: Tech Talk: Cultural Investing

Featuring: Marlon Nichols, General Partner, Cross Culture Ventures

Moderator: James Dennin, Staff Writer, Mic.com

1:50 – 2:35 pm: Session #3: New Dimensions in Virtual Reality

VR is the next BIG thing. Learn how this technology is changing the way stories are told and content is experienced; as well as strategies for engaging people of color as creators and consumers of VR. You can also get a personal taste of the VR experience at one of our product demo stations.

Moderator:

Joergen Geerds, CEO, Creative Director, Koncept VR

Confirmed Speakers:

Robinne Burrell, Chief Product Officer in Residence, Redflight Mobile
CJ Follini, CEO, IMMINENT
Michael Scogin, VP, Late Night, NBC Entertainment Digital
Evette Vargas, CEO, Writer/Director/Producer, Digital-Reign

2:40 – 3:10pm: Tech Talk: Social Impact Gaming

Featuring: Lindsay Grace, Associate Professor & Founding Director, American University Game Lab & Studio

Moderator: Aisha Bowe, Co-founder & CEO, STEMBoard

3:15 – 4:00 pm: Super Powers: Diversity in Animation

Given the recent backlash about the lack of ethnic diversity in the major Oscar categories, it often goes without notice that animated features frequently offer more diverse casts than their live-action counterparts. The upcoming releases of films like Black Panther, Moana and Luke Cage are thrusting people of color from mere voiceover characters and into starring roles. Is what is happening on-screen reflective of what is going on behind the scenes? Find out with our panel of animation experts.

Moderator:

Maureen Carter, VP, Design & UX, BET Networks, Digital

Confirmed Speakers:

Shawn Martinbrough, Artist & Creator for Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics & Image; Author of How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling (Random House)
Mary Nittolo, CCO/President, The Studio
Karen Toliver, SVP, Production, Fox Animation

4:00 pm: Conference Wrap-Up

6:00 – 9:00pm: Inaugural Innovation & Inclusion Awards Reception