The leadership journey is like a roller coaster: climbing to high peaks and sometimes rapidly dashing to low valleys. So much talk about leadership describes the ascent and leaders’ unique view from “the top,” but we do too little to prepare emerging (or even seasoned) leaders for the time they will spend in the low places, to prepare them to decide now how they will show up in times of adversity. 

In this talk, Kimberly Bryant shares personal stories of setbacks, including leaving the organization she started, and discusses the values and strengths that helped her recover and move forward after disappointment.

These include:

Grace: the divine influence within all of us that allows us to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trials.

Resilience: knowing that one failure doesn’t define us, seeking ways to do the work to change and grow, and investing in the relationships that support us in these moments, our resilience safety net.

Embracing the thrill of starting over again: Though one’s mind and body may feel unsettled by change, the soul delights in starting over, even when the destination is not clear.

Through Kimberly’s unwavering dedication to uplifting marginalized communities and her commitment to continuous growth, audiences will learn how to embrace both the lows and the highs of their journey, emerging better equipped to navigate career crossroads with resilience and purpose.

Black women leaders face a unique and powerful challenge, a paradox of power. While they are celebrated for their resilience, strength, and innovation, they simultaneously encounter systemic bias, double binds, and constant underestimation. In this talk, Kimberly Bryant explores the “Black Girlboss Paradox,” a framework she coined to describe the conflicting dynamics that Black women navigate as they rise to leadership across industries.

Drawing from her forthcoming book, Ascending: Black Women & the Power Paradox (set for release in 2026 by Tiny Reparations Books/Penguin Random House), as well as her personal journey leading Black Girls CODE and founding The Black Innovation Lab, Kimberly unpacks the historical and cultural roots of these challenges. She also offers solutions for both personal resilience and the structural changes needed to support Black women’s leadership.

This talk explores:

The “Black Girlboss Paradox,” which forces Black women to navigate heightened scrutiny, limited access to capital, and confinement to less lucrative roles while being celebrated for their perseverance.

The historical and cultural factors that have marginalized Black women, relegating them to supportive rather than leadership roles in business, tech, and social justice movements.

Strategies for dismantling these barriers, including personal approaches like mentorship and community building, as well as systemic changes in funding equity, corporate board structures, and inclusive leadership programs.

Kimberly Bryant will inspire audiences to confront these challenges head on and actively build a future where Black women leaders are celebrated, supported, and empowered without compromise. Through personal stories, deep research, and insights from Ascending: Black Women & the Power Paradox, attendees will learn to embrace their leadership potential and contribute to creating a more just and inclusive world.

Kimberly Bryant’s journey began with a personal mission:to create learning opportunities for young people where they previously did not exist. As the founder of Black Girls CODE, she has spent over a decade fighting to close gaps in education and technology for marginalized communities. Now, in this powerful talk, Kimberly connects her personal story to the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. She challenges educators and policymakers to see AI not just as a tool, but as a responsibility—one that can either help us build a more equitable future or perpetuate existing inequalities.

This talk explores:

Kimberly’s personal journey in creating pathways for underserved students and how those experiences inform her perspective on AI’s role in transforming education.

The potential and dangers of AI in sectors like education, healthcare, and criminal justice, where marginalized groups often face biased systems.

The systemic biases embedded in AI algorithms and how these can reinforce stereotypes, misrepresent marginalized communities, and limit students' access to diverse perspectives.

Inspirational examples of young innovators using AI for social good, from fighting climate change to improving maternal healthcare in underserved areas.

The crucial role of educators in this new AI-driven landscape, from removing barriers to success in the classroom to demanding and creating human-centric policies for AI in the education field to empowering students to engage with technology critically and ethically.

Grounded in the belief that education is a public good, Kimberly offers a powerful call to action for educators and innovators to lead with intentionality. By prioritizing equity and inclusion in AI, they can help build a future where technology enhances education for every student, not just the privileged few.

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 with Kimberly Bryant 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.

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.