Black Excellence and Black Magic combine at Black Tech Week.

Conversations about entrepreneurship, mental health, the experience of being a Black and Brown founder, and thousands of ideas abounded at Black Tech Week! With 100+ speakers and 50+ workers, Black Tech Week brought a week of innovation to the City of Cincinnati. On July 18-20, Cincinnati Music Hall hosted it all. 

Beginning as a minority ecosystem-building festival for the technology field, the event has become an amazing boon for both the city and the local startup ecosystem. Affectionately described as “where the black people in tech will be”, the event attracts talent and entrepreneurs of color from across the country. Issa Rae, actress, author, activist, and producer was the Keynote speaker for this year. The three-day event had more than 3,000+ attendees. 

With ½ million tech leaders, 450 international businesses, and national recognition for innovation, Cincinnati is no stranger to creating opportunities. Procter and Gamble, Kroger, and Cintas, all with homes in Cincinnati, are included as sponsors of Black Tech Week. 

Lightship Foundation, an impact-driven organization that serves both entrepreneurs and ecosystems, acquired Black Tech Week in 2022. Candice Matthews Brackeen, Founder and CEO, said upon the acquisition, “I am thrilled to bring this conference to Ohio and provide thousands of Black techies throughout the Midwest the chance to attend.”


Cincinnati offers a competitive advantage for entrepreneurs with the relative ease of recruiting/retaining people, and the community is eager to support startups. Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem is powered by resources such as the Cincinnati Innovation District and Cintrifuse, created and funded by the city. Union Hall is one of the resources the city offers founders, and the building regularly welcomes guests from all over the nation to Cincinnati. Inc. Magazine will host their satellite event, Inc. Founders House, next door at The Transept this year where entrepreneurs can connect, pitch their businesses to Inc. editors, and hear from fellow founders.

Originally published in Soapbox Cincinnati.

Miyah Byrd