Black Tech Week is making an impact for Black entrepreneurs — and millions for the Cincinnati business community.
Last July, more than 1,200 Black tech innovators and entrepreneurs came together in Cincinnati for Black Tech Week, an annual event and conference that empowers Black tech entrepreneurs and professionals through networking as well as educational and professional opportunities. The 2022 conference, which was organized by Cincinnati-based nonprofit Lightship Foundation, featured a range of workshops and discussion panels, including a keynote speaker session with iconic athlete and entrepreneur Serena Williams.
While the event was certainly impactful for those in attendance, the influence of Black Tech Week was also felt in the surrounding Cincinnati community. According to an impact report generated by Black Tech Week, the city saw an estimated increase of $6 million in community spending during the conference, which took place over just five days. It also aided in the creation of 27 new jobs, not including the 60 volunteers from the Cincinnati area who helped facilitate the event. Per the report, the event led to a total economic impact of $7.8 million for the Cincinnati region.
Black Tech Week also supported individual local businesses and artists. Cincinnati favorites such as blaCk Coffee and Soleil Kitchen had booths onsite all week, and the event’s evening performers and DJs were graduates of the Cincinnati Music Accelerator. Conference-goers were also encouraged to check out other events in Cincinnati when they were not attending Black Tech Week, leading to 1,287 new event registrations for the area.
Black Tech Week will return to Cincinnati in July 2023, featuring keynote speaker Issa Rae, among others.
