12th-annual Afrotech Conference, geared towards networking opportunities, arrives in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Thousands of people packed the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston this week for the 12th annual Afrotech Conference.

It's the second year in a row that the conference has been held in Houston.

Afrotech brings together some of the brightest minds in technology, giving professionals, students, and others a place to gather and network. Among the international companies with a presence at the G.R.B. this week is The Walt Disney Company.

Disney partnered with Howard University for a space called Disney on the Yard.

Students from Howard and other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) had the chance to mingle with tech industry professionals and Disney cast members.

They brainstormed ideas and talked about the future of tech.

Taya Watson is a junior computer information major at Howard and attended Afrotech this year.

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"Disney has graciously sponsored us over the past three years... we've been working with them for the past couple of months, creating this vision that we had, and it's come to life. It's exactly what we wanted," Watson said.

Mariah Raymond, also a Howard student, said the Afrotech experience is unique.

"I believe it's important for people to come to Afrotech, especially for students... to be able to connect with professionals, to be able to network, to be able to just connect with professionals and to be able to gain that experience," Raymond said.

Disney had executives on hand to chat with students wanting to explore opportunities with the company.

"One of the things that really excites me about both Disney and Afrotech is our commitment to expanding access and opportunity to talent wherever it might exist. Because as the premier entertainment and storytelling company, we know that the best ideas can come from anywhere," Tinisha Agramonte, the chief opportunity and inclusion officer for Disney.

No Disney experience is complete without a visit from Mickey Mouse himself.

Drum Major Mickey made guest appearances at Disney on the Yard this week, where he danced with conference attendees and posed for pictures.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC13.