In 2016, TechBirmingham had a vision to connect top technology influencers to Birmingham’s emerging innovation scene. We co-founded the tech and innovation conference Sloss Tech, putting Birmingham on the tech talent map. Now set over the course of three days, attendees enjoy dynamic mainstage and breakout programming, various lounges and activations, auxiliary social experiences like our VIP Party and closing Block Party, and much more. From its inception, Sloss Tech has immersed people in a collaborative-rich environment that offers practical applications for tomorrow’s technology, today.
Founder and Creator of Shazam, Entrepreneur, Inventor and Tech Investor
$38,500 plus hotel* for up to three (3) nights, meals, and professional RT event city ground transportation. *Speaker may choose to stay at a different hotel from the Event Hotel. Ask for more details.
Speaker Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/chris-barton
San Francisco, CA
Chris's dynamic background as the founder of Shazam, a groundbreaking app that changed how people discover music, aligns with SlossTech's focus on driving forward-thinking ideas and creative solutions.
Here’s why Chris is a great choice:
By featuring Chris Barton, Sloss Tech would not only provide a powerful and memorable experience for its audience but also reinforce its reputation as a premier event that showcases the most compelling voices in technology and innovation.
Topics
Award-Winning Entrepreneur and Brand Hysteria Expert
$35,000 speaking fee + $2500 flat travel fee
More about Johnny: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jBAbOnm-IIPYaFbRJxurLqYIioZxGmVD/view?usp=sharing
Boston, MA
Johnny Earle, known as Johnny Cupcakes, would be an exceptional keynote speaker for Sloss Tech, bringing a unique blend of creativity, entrepreneurship, and storytelling to the event. His journey from selling T-shirts out of the trunk of his car to building a global, cult-like brand offers inspiring lessons that align perfectly with Sloss Tech’s mission to ignite innovation and celebrate unconventional thinking in technology and business.
Here’s why Johnny Cupcakes is a fantastic fit for Sloss Tech:
Bringing Johnny Cupcakes to Sloss Tech would infuse the event with creativity, energy, and a fresh perspective, empowering attendees to embrace innovation in their own ventures. His story and strategies perfectly complement Sloss Tech’s mission to celebrate the intersection of technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes would be an outstanding keynote speaker for Sloss Tech, particularly given the event’s location in Birmingham, Alabama—a city with a profound history of social justice, civil rights, and cultural innovation. As a celebrated cultural leader, artist, and advocate, Asali brings a powerful perspective on the intersections of community, creativity, and social transformation, deeply resonating with Birmingham’s legacy as a hub for progress and resilience.
Here’s why Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes is a perfect fit for Sloss Tech:
By featuring Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, Sloss Tech would offer a keynote that honors Birmingham’s history while charting a path forward. Her unique perspective on the power of art, culture, and community would leave attendees inspired to embrace their role in creating a more just and vibrant world.
Dr. Ruha Benjamin would be a powerful and thought-provoking addition to Sloss Tech, bringing a unique perspective that bridges technology, innovation, and social impact. As a renowned scholar, speaker, and author, her work explores how science and technology intersect with society, particularly focusing on equity, justice, and ethics.
Here’s why Dr. Ruha Benjamin is an outstanding fit for Sloss Tech:
Dedren Snead-August would be a powerful and innovative addition to the keynote lineup at Sloss Tech, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of technology, storytelling, and culture. As the founder of Subsumé Studios and a thought leader in immersive storytelling, Dedren uses cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality, blockchain, and AI to craft narratives that inspire, educate, and empower.
Here’s why Dedren Snead-August is an exceptional fit for Sloss Tech:
By featuring Dedren Snead-August, Sloss Tech would provide attendees with a visionary look at the future of technology-driven storytelling. His keynote would challenge the audience to think differently about how tech can be used not only to build the future but also to connect with and inspire people on a deeply human level.
Sinead Bovell would be an exceptional keynote speaker for Sloss Tech, offering a forward-thinking perspective at the intersection of technology, innovation, and the future of work. As a futurist and founder of WAYE, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between cutting-edge technologies and the people they impact, particularly younger generations and diverse communities.
Here’s why Sinead Bovell is a perfect fit for Sloss Tech:
Bringing Sinead Bovell to Sloss Tech would inspire attendees to think boldly about the role of technology in society and equip them with the tools and mindset to drive meaningful innovation. Her unique blend of futurism, accessibility, and actionable insights makes her a standout choice for the event.
Eniola Abioye would be a dynamic and inspiring keynote speaker for Sloss Tech, offering a unique perspective at the intersection of design, technology, and user experience. As a design leader and founder of UX Out Loud, she is passionate about creating human-centered solutions that foster innovation and inclusivity in the tech space.
Here’s why Eniola Abioye is an excellent fit for Sloss Tech:
By featuring Eniola Abioye, Sloss Tech would spotlight the critical role of design in innovation, inspiring attendees to create technology that is not only innovative but also inclusive and impactful. Her keynote would leave a lasting impression, motivating attendees to prioritize the human element in their work.
Founder, Black Girls Code, Tech Inclusion Innovator Founder, The Black Innovation Lab [BIL]
$40,000* speaking fee + $3,500.00 flat travel fee, plus hotel up to 2 nights, meals & car service in venue city (to be modified based on current market rates and requested schedule for any non-U.S. travel)
*Flexible, we can get a deal here.
Short Bio
Kimberly Bryant is a renowned technology industry leader, visionary and founder of ASCEND Ventures. As the CEO of ASCEND Ventures, Kimberly is committed to creating opportunities for marginalized founders building impact-driven companies. With her flagship Black Innovation Lab, she cultivates and invests in a pipeline of leaders who use technology to make a societal impact while creating pathways to equity and generational wealth through entrepreneurship and ownership.
Before ASCEND Ventures, Kimberly founded Black Girls CODE, a social-change organization aimed at introducing girls of color aged 6-18 to technology and computer science, with a focus on entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, Black Girls CODE grew from a grassroots initiative to an international organization with chapters across the U.S. and South Africa and more than 100,000 students.
Oakland, CA
Speaking Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQUPr-yPLvQ
Speaking Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0MvT82bLPg
Over 56% of African Americans live in the US South, which has accounted for 94% of the nation’s Black population growth since 2020. It remains the only region to see a net increase in Black residents since the start of the 21st century, marking a new “Reverse Migration” that carries transformative potential.
This talk offers insights into how the South is becoming a hub for advancements in fields such as healthcare technology, agribusiness, food technology, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable mobility. Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls CODE, draws from her personal experience growing up in Memphis and her recent return to launch the Black Innovation Lab.
Through compelling storytelling, Kimberly connects the history of post-Reconstruction economic exclusion with today’s opportunities for Black business and educational innovation in what some call the "Digital Delta.” She also highlights the importance of closing the racial wealth gap through business ownership, which drives economic mobility by creating jobs and building community wealth.
As the South experiences this economic and demographic revival, regional hubs are not only driving innovation but also increasing voter representation and economic mobility. Learn from Kimberly how this movement is creating a fertile environment for growth, laying the foundation for a new era of racial wealth equity and inclusive entrepreneurship. Actionable takeaways include learning how to build inclusive ecosystems, gaining a better understanding of the importance of equity-centered innovation, how to access venture capital, and what business ownership can do as a path to long-term wealth as well what this could mean for other communities looking to establish greater economic outcomes for their populations.
Imagine a future where technology holds the key to a transformation so profound that it touches every aspect of our lives. This future is our reality, driven by the inexorable force of artificial intelligence, the fourth wave of innovation. It brings with it the promise of increased efficiency, improved healthcare, and boundless opportunities. However, as we embrace this revolution, we are met with a grave responsibility: to ensure that its fruits are not exclusive but are shared by all, particularly those in marginalized communities. This talk will:
-Explore how AI regulations may help prevent exploitation, protect privacy, and ensure equal opportunities for marginalized communities in AI-related jobs.
-Explore how we might leverage AI to address social issues like poverty, unemployment, or education gaps in marginalized communities ensuring equitable benefits of AI tools.
-Educate communities on AI basics and implications, making technology accessible, understandable, and usable, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment.
-Encourage diversity in AI development to ensure a wide range of perspectives and inclusion to prevent the creation of systems that inadvertently harm marginalized communities.