Cidney C. 

Sr. Employer Brand Specialist 

AfroTech is the largest Black tech conference of the year. 20,000+ people attend with the intention of experiencing branded events, networking, and building connections with top recruiters. Last November, I had the opportunity to attend AfroTech on behalf of Toast.

Not only was this my first DEI conference as a Toast employee, this was my first DEI conference ever! I was so excited to help facilitate the Toast booth to connect with attendees and Toasters. As a Senior Employer Brand Specialist, I looked forward to bringing my expertise on attracting, retaining and engaging employees through digital marketing solutions such as our careers site, email campaigns and search engine optimization. 

As an Employer Brand Specialist, I am typically behind the scenes so this was an incredible opportunity to be in the spotlight meeting new people. Here are a few of my takeaways:

1. Call for diversity in the tech industry

The conference emphasized the importance of promoting diversity in the tech industry. There were thousands of Black tech professionals in different stages in their professional careers - from graduates to VPs. AfroTech highlights how even though we are united by being an underrepresented community, we are not a monolith. There was a diversity of backgrounds, languages, and experiences, all of which benefit the tech industry.

2. Emphasis on community building

Especially due to the virtual nature of work, building a sense of community is crucial. The conference stressed the importance of creating opportunities for Toasters to connect. Through Toast’s professional stipend, almost 100 Toasters were able to attend AfroTech. Being a part of Pumpernickel and Rye, an Employee Resource Group full of Black and African American Toasters, I was thrilled to be able to pair names with faces and hear of their passion for the work within Toast. Networking wasn’t just a key focus for Toast employees but the AfroTech attendees as well. I am confident I have made connections that will last a lifetime. 

3. Importance of giving back

At the Toast booth, alongside connecting with recruiters, Toast offered pastries and snacks but the main star of the show was the opportunity to choose a charity to donate to through Toast.org. Many attendees stood in line and expressed their gratitude for a chance to raise money for Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, The NAACP, Careers through Culinary Arts, and The Posse Foundation for a total of almost $1,200!

These takeaways reflect the broader themes of diversity and inclusion, employee development, and community building within the tech industry. My experience at AfroTech motivated me to contribute to a more inclusive, supportive, and thriving work environment!