11/07/2025
Recap of my first AfroTech as a therapist — the energy was incredible. It was a pleasure connecting with fellow founders, creatives, engineers, and organizers who are actively shaping the future. And it was meaningful to share space as someone who supports high-achieving professionals navigating stress, burnout, and the balance between professional and personal relationships. To discuss these 4 things:
1. Innovation Means Nothing If We’re Exhausted
There were so many sessions on scaling, investing, and building. But here’s the truth: ambition without emotional sustainability leads to burnout.
If your work costs you your peace, clarity, or connection to relationships — the price is too high.
2. Community is Still Our Greatest Technology
The organic conversations in hallways, coffee lines, and after-parties were the real gems.
Advice was shared. Opportunities were created. Encouragement was exchanged.
Black brilliance doesn’t just build tech — we build each other.
3. AI is Not Replacing Us — It’s Releasing Us (If Used Right)
Many us are overwhelmed not by work itself, but by the volume of tasks.
AI can be a support, not a substitute.
Since Afrotech, here are just a couple tools I’m using to reduce stress + save time:
* Glasp or YouTube Summary → Turns long videos into key points
* Canva + AI slide generators → Speeds up presentations
These tools don’t make you less intentional —they help you stay present, rested, and human
4. Tech Needs Therapists, Wellness Experts, and Social-Impact Thinkers at the Table
The future of AI + health + work culture cannot be built by engineers alone.
We need clinicians, educators, sociologists, community healers, cultural strategists inside the product rooms — not just as users.
Why?
Because technology is impacting emotional behavior… and emotional behavior impacts the culture.
If ethical AI is the goal, then mental health professionals must help design it.
A tip to innovators:
When you’re building — ask:
“Who is emotionally impacted by this, and who should be consulted before launch?”
Speed is impressive.
But care is how we build something that lasts
