RenderATL 2024: Bridging Cultures, Empowering Technologists

So I did a thing this week! I braved traffic to head downtown to meet people with my same passion for tech. And, I also got my chance to eat one of those tasty Slutty Vegan burgers (thanks Intuit). In the heart of Atlanta, far from the traditional tech meccas of the California Valley, a different kind of tech conference raised eyebrows down here in the “Silicon South”. Technologists, thought leaders, and cultural influencers converged to prove that where collards and code intertwine, incredible things happen. RenderATL, founded in 2019 by Justin Samuels, wasn’t just about the latest gadgets and software; it was a celebration of diversity, tech educational collaboration, and a catalyst for change in the tech industry.

Justin Samuels, CEO and visionary behind RenderATL, grew up immersed in a world where technology and culture intersected. Raised by an entrepreneurial father from Jamaica, he early on found his passion for technology through games like The Oregon Trail and early social media platforms. It was cool to hear him share this on stage. His journey through tech education and his career eventually led him to ask why such events couldn’t happen closer to home on the East Coast, particularly in a vibrant city like Atlanta. Thus, RenderATL was born—a conference designed not just to educate, but to inspire and connect. Starting amidst the challenges of a global pandemic, his vision quickly gained traction. Despite initial uncertainties, the event drew hundreds, then thousands of attendees in subsequent years, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Atlanta’s tech scene.

More Than Just Tech Talks

What set RenderATL apart wasn’t just its impressive lineup of over 100 keynotes, seminars, and workshops featuring luminaries like NFL legend Shannon Sharpe and my favorite Google’s Kelsey Hightower. What impressed me most? Many things, but it had to be the deliberate effort to create an inclusive environment where everyone—from seasoned professionals to aspiring technologists—could find their place and learn the critical things that draw us all in, like AI and ML.

Diversity statistics in tech are stark, with men still dominating the field globally and minorities severely underrepresented. RenderATL addressed this head-on by not only showcasing diverse talent but also by actively engaging underrepresented groups through tailored programming and outreach. 

Culture Meets Technology

At Render, the connectivity of technology and culture was palpable. Beyond the conference halls, attendees experienced performances by top musical acts and connected with peers across industries, forging relationships that extend beyond professional networking.

Samuels’ broader vision extended to initiatives like Atlanta Tech Week, which complements RenderATL by further embedding Atlanta as a tech hub. Supported by local government and industry leaders, these events not only showcase Atlanta’s potential but also foster opportunities for growth and innovation.

RenderATL 2024

The RenderATL 2024 edition was very simply “dope”, exceeding high expectations. With attendance surpassing 5,000 there was a key focus on code, tools, modalities, cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence and tech leadership. The conference proved to be a pivotal moment for both creative attendees and the industry at large.

Supported by sponsors like Zillow and endorsed by Atlanta’s mayor Andre Dickens, RenderATL continues to push boundaries. Its impact extends far beyond the conference dates, influencing the trajectory of careers and communities. And to be clear, they all showed up, sponsors and all from Microsoft, to Delta, Google, HubSpot, GitHub, Intuit, The Home Depot, Couchbase, Cloudflare, Akamai, AWS, IBM, AJC, New Relic, Block, FanDuel, Uber, Sentry, appwrite, Square, TBD, Cisco, Datadog, EPIC games, SLACK, SafeStack, GFiber, Brilliant Black Minds, CapOne, ESSENCE, etc.  

RenderATL 2024 featured a lineup of cultural influencers and tech leaders that made waves in the industry. Shannon Sharpe, renowned for his 14-season NFL career and acclaimed podcast “Club Shay Shay,” delivered a panel keynote on organizational and executive leadership with Samuels. The session was moderated by Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt Media and TV, adding a dynamic perspective on leadership in the tech landscape.

Also gracing the event was the incredible Kelsey Hightower, a distinguished Google engineer and developer advocate, who shared his powerful life story from GA to the West Coast to his move back to ATL. He shared cool stories, played classic music, made us all reminisce and laugh bringing a comedian on stage, and shared insights from his early struggles and determination minting in the minds of the listeners the mindset and habits it takes to succeed. He did not delve into trends shaping the future of technology, but focused more on individual belief, desperation, preparedness and execution. 

The conference further dazzled attendees with performances from DJ Pee .Wee (AKA Anderson .Paak), along with R&B stars Rotimi, D Smoke, CoCo and Breezy, Kamaiyah, and DaniLeigh. These cultural icons not only entertained but also underscored RenderATL’s commitment to bridging technology and diverse cultural expressions.

A Call to Action

RenderATL 2024 exemplified its role as a platform where tech innovation meets cultural influence, fostering discussions and connections that pushed deep soul boundaries of community accountability while inspiring the next generation of technologists and leaders to be great, care for others, and even power up new start ups. Philanthropy. Community commitment. Tech & Cultural revolution. I met and spoke with a lot of really great people (Leon Noel at Resilient Coders struck chords so deep within us that the entire session gave him a standing ovation; Brandon Bayer CEO at Flightcontrol has seed money to make something special happen). I even saw a familiar face. RenderATL wasn’t just another tech conference; it was a testament to what happens when innovation meets inclusivity. By championing diversity and fostering a supportive learning environment, the Render team created a beacon for technologists worldwide. RenderATL hit the mark with its essential message for driving innovation, leaders executing through the noise, AI influence, and shaping a future where everyone has a seat at the table. Bravo!

Added Bonus: A Few Memorable Quips

• It’s easy to create, but who cleans up the stuff?
• There is no straight line to leadership. Leaders should be a mirrored reflection, that when shown to their people resemble what the people hope to see in themselves.
• Stand out.
• Influence.
• Work-Life balance is really taken seriously at some companies.
• When you run your own business, it must be handled. The people you hire must be as passionate and obsessed as you are.  
• You don’t know it all.  
• Everyone should eat when you reap the benefits of success. 
• View slow progress as delayed success, never as failure.
• If you desire to, you can overcome personal impediments.
• If a person does not like to have fun, don’t hire them. (Wow)
• Sunshine follows rain, don’t panic.
• There is real power in belief.
• Have people around you that fill you up and affirm you.
• God gives you the dream. You can share it with someone and they will steal it from you, ridicule or mistreat it.  Be careful. You have to be ok trusting the right others with your vision.
• Don’t allow LIARS to say you are not something. They know your impact.
• LOVE the job that you decide to do.
• The cavalry ain’t coming!
• Right now, bank loans are not coming.
• I have a poster on my wall that says, “I’m going to make you proud”!  I tap that poster every day. – J. Samuels
• We are already behind in bridging the massive equity gap.
• Talent is equally distributed; opportunity is not.
• Help “folx” participate in this new economy!
• Your network access is the most powerful tool for social mobility.
• Running out of time is what makes it precious.
• Always be prepared, so you are ready for the right moments.
• Good things take time.