Daniel Porter

Daniel

Porter

Speaker 2025


Dan Porter is the CEO of Overtime, a creator of disruptive sports IP and the leading sports brand and community for the next generation of fans. Porter has previously built companies in mobile gaming, education, media and marketplaces and has generated multiple exits for his investors over the course of his career.

Before Overtime, Porter served as Head of Digital at William Morris Endeavor (WME) where he built out the first and leading digital talent arm representing hundreds of top creators. Porter also founded and led numerous startups including OMGPOP, a gaming company that sold for $200MM and TicketWeb, a ticketing company that sold for $40MM. Additionally, he was also the creator of Draw Something, a mobile gaming app which was downloaded 250 million times.

Porter spent his early career in education as a public school teacher in Brooklyn, and as a member of the early team of Teach For America and eventually as its President.

Porter graduated from Princeton University and has a master’s degree from New York University where he is also currently an adjunct associate professor.

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Andre Gray

Andre

Gray

Speaker 2025


Andre Gray is the Chief Creative Officer at ANNEX88, part of Havas. Author of Digital Anthropomorphism: Humanizing the Brand, he is a staunch advocate for underrepresented voices through work like Black Madison Avenue and lives to add to the cultural conversation.

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Adan Romero

Adan

Romero

Speaker 2025


Creative leader Adan Romero spearheads breakthrough work for clients like Verizon, Audi, and more. Born in Honduras, raised in Brooklyn, Adan’s achievements include the Cannes Creative Effectiveness Lion for American Express “Small Business gets an Official Day,” and advocating for POC in the industry.

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Walter T. Geer

Walter T.

Geer

Speaker 2025


Walter T. Geer is Chief Experience Design Officer at VMLY&R Health. Honored by WSJ, Adweek, Savoy and more, Walter co-founded Diverse Creatives and has been outspoken
in the charge for creating a diverse and inclusive culture for Black and brown creatives in advertising.

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Kirby Porter

Kirby

Porter

Speaker 2025


Bio coming soon.

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Abran Maldonado

Abran

Maldonado

Speaker 2025


Abran Maldonado is a globally recognized AI thought leader and co-founder of Create Labs, an award-winning startup led by Black and Brown innovators at the forefront of generative AI and digital human design. He is the creator of C.L.Ai.R.A., the first GPT-powered digital woman of color, and was among the earliest prompt engineers to test OpenAI’s models. As an OpenAI ambassador, Abran supports responsible AI use, particularly in education and social impact. His work merges culture and innovation to ensure AI reflects diverse voices, and has been featured in The Washington Post, Wired, and Fast Company.

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Dupé Ajayi

Dupé

Ajayi

Speaker 2025


Dupé Ajayi is a strategist at the intersection of marketing, storytelling, and mission-driven innovation. With over a decade of experience, she has helped individuals, nonprofits, and businesses amplify their reach through compelling narratives and cutting-edge technology.

As the founder of The Ajayi Effect, Dupé has led digital transformations for major organizations, including Bank of America, Girls Who Code, Worklution, Airbnb.org, the New York City Housing Authority, and The Shed. Her expertise spans institutions such as ABC News, the Brooklyn Public Library, The Raben Group, MTV, BET, the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, Mary J. Blige, and Rent the Runway’s Project Entrepreneur—each shaping her ability to craft stories that resonate, inspire, and drive change.

A steadfast advocate for impact with integrity, Dupé operates by one principle: If access isn’t at the center, she won’t be. She specializes in integrating AI, technology, and digital tools into brand-building and purpose-driven strategies, helping organizations future-proof their purpose in an evolving landscape.

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Kanene Ayo Holder

Kanene

Ayo Holder

Speaker 2025


Kanene Ayo Holder is a multi-award-winning educator, AI strategist, and comedian helping global organizations—including the United Nations, Shutterstock, and The American Red Cross—navigate ethical AI, innovation, and inclusive branding. She manages data and AI transparency for the GenAI chatbot EMPWRD and guest lectures at MIT’s AI for Digital Transformation course.

Known for blending emotional intelligence with tech insights, Kanene has given keynotes or workshops at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, ADWEEK, SXSW EDU, and more. She serves on the advisory boards for The Hive at UNHCR and The Alliance for Women in Media, where she champions responsible AI strategies that center humanity, creativity, and purpose.

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Will Lucas

Will

Lucas

Speaker 2025


Will Lucas is an entrepreneur with holdings in the hospitality and restaurant, marketing technology, real estate, and software industries. He is founder and CEO at aWLCo, a holdings company with ownership interests in ventures including Creadio, a marketing technology and production agency, and TolHouse, a private social club located in his hometown of Toledo, OH. He also serves as Brand Manager for both AfroTech and Black Tech Green Money, where he leads brand strategy.

TolHouse is a 25,000 sq ft riverfront social club which features amenities like multiple bars and lounges, Lucille’s Jazz LoungeEarth CoffeehousePanda WorkspaceCommons Pizza and Cinnamon Rolls, and more.

AfroTech is the largest Black tech digital platform and conference globally, bringing together over 18,000 technologists, founders, and investors annually. Black Tech Green Money, an imprint of AfroTech, delves into creating wealth and legacy in tech, media, and business through its podcast, which received an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2023.

Will is personally committed to revitalizing his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, and enhancing its appeal to emerging talent and entrepreneurs. To this end, he has purchased and is actively developing four properties totaling more than 60,000 sq. ft. of real estate along the downtown waterfront corridor. These developments aim to boost the local economy and attract new businesses and residents to the area.

Outside of his business endeavors, Will was named Co-Chair of President Obama’s Ohio Small Business Committee in 2012. In 2013, Governor John Kasich appointed Will to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the state-wide regulatory body for casino gaming, and reappointed him for a second four-year term in 2017. He was then renamed to the commission for a third (and final) four-year term by Governor Mike Dewine in 2021, and last served as Vice Chair of the commission. He was also named to serve on the University of Toledo Board of Trustees by Governor John Kasich in February 2016, and served as the Chair of the Board from 2023 to 2024, holding the distinction of being the youngest Chairman in the history of the University. Will was honored with the University of Toledo Blue Key for his personal and professional contributions and achievements. Governor Kasich also appointed Lucas to the Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission in 2014, and placed him as Chair of the commission in 2016. In 2019, Will was appointed to InnovateOhio Executive Advisory Board by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, where the mission is to make Ohio more innovative and entrepreneur-friendly.

Will also served as a co-chair on the transition team of Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz in 2017.

He is a songwriter and is listed as a co-writer on the track “How ‘Bout It”, found on the second studio album, Special Occasion, from R&B artist Bobby Valentino. The album, certified Gold by the RIAA, has sold over 500,000 copies.

TechFunnel – Top 14 Black Entrepreneurs in Technology (2019)

TechCrunch – 40 Diverse People In Tech Who Made Big Moves In 2015 (2015)

Business Insider – The 46 Most Important African-Americans In Technology (2014)

NBC New’s ‘The Grio’ – Top 10 Blacks in tech to look out for in 2013 (2013)

Business Insider – The 25 Most Influential African-Americans in Tech (2013)

Will graduated from the University of Toledo with Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Technical Studies and Organization Technology, respectively. He resides in Toledo, OH, with his wife Angela and their three children, Sophie, Monroe, and Olivia.

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Susan Jaramillo

Susan

Jaramillo

Speaker 2025


Susie Jaramillo is an Emmy-nominated director, artist, and board director, and the co-founder and CEO of Encantos, an award-winning children’s entertainment tech company named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies. She is also the creator of Canticos, the #1 bilingual preschool brand and series, beloved by families everywhere.

At Encantos, Susie leads a mission to share stories with a Latin heart for global audiences—brought to life through apps, books, content, and consumer products. With a background in brand building and a deep passion for storytelling that unites communities, she has redefined how Latino stories are told—blending beloved nursery rhymes with modern technology to create rich, inclusive content for today’s children.

Susie has been widely recognized for her creative leadership and cultural impact, with features in Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, NPR, ABC, NBC, and CBS. She was recently named The Ad Club’s People of the Year and honored on NBCUniversal + Telemundo’s Inspiring America list.

A sought-after speaker on culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship, Susie has shared her insights at events across the country. She also serves on the board of The Moth.

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