Black Future Weekend
About the Event
Black Future Weekend is an annual conference to convene thought leaders, influencers, subject matter experts, and the community for an interactive experience to prepare the Black community for the technologically heightened future. Join us for 2 days of culturally relevant panels, forums and lifestyle events that will shift the landscape of tech. Panels range from topics covering Health and Wellness, Finance, Entertainment, Workforce Development and Education, Emerging, and Clean tech.
Our Story
Dream Corps TECH is a national program founded by Prince and CNN Contributor, Van Jones to cultivate future leaders and entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds. We are creating a pipeline of diverse talent that will shift the culture of the tech sector. Dream Corps TECH provides access to skills training & scholarships, job placements so our people can change the future of tech.
As an intersectional nonprofit founded by civil rights leader Van Jones, Dream Corps has spent the last six years closing prison doors and opening doors of opportunity. We bring people together across racial, social, and partisan lines to create a future with freedom and dignity for all. Dream Corps is about bringing leaders from different backgrounds and issues to the table for strategic collaboration, idea sharing, innovation, and creative solutions.
“Our past heroes inspire us, but our future leaders will guide us,” said Jones. “With the climate going catastrophic and the economy going algorithmic, we need to talk about where we are heading as a people.”
The team was energized from the yearning of our founder to provide the Black Diaspora with support, resources and inspiration to see and chart a brighter future that draws from the strength of the past. Sharing this same passion, TECH’s National Community Initiatives Director was charged with curating a cultural community and education event that does just that!
Meet the Curator
Michelle Ferguson
Michelle is the National Community Initiatives Director of Dream Corps TECH, and event co-founder/curator for Black Future Weekend. With 14 years of experience in the nonprofit space, Michelle has dedicated her career to opening doors of opportunity for underrepresented and underserved individuals and communities. Michelle oversees tech policy and research initiatives, thought leadership, member engagement, and community partnerships. Michelle specializes in program development and implementation, content creation and producing innovative strategies for viable solutions.