Bluefield State student-turned Disney intern grateful to attend AfroTech conference in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas -- AfroTech is back! For the second year in a row, the conference is bringing Black technology professionals, creatives, investors, and corporate leaders together in Houston. The annual event has taken over Houston's convention center, turning it into a hub for culture, innovation, and technology. It's designed to fuel growth at every stage, and that includes the student level.

This year is Kellie Williams' first AfroTech conference. The 21-year-old is a computer science major at Bluefield State, which is a historically black college in West Virginia. She was selected to come to Houston thanks to an internship with The Walt Disney Company.

"I knew I had to get here someway, somehow. When they gave me the opportunity, I was so grateful. I took it and ran with it. I was going to get here one way or another," she said.

Her first day at AfroTech started with an exclusive session for Disney Scholars to connect with technologists and recruiters within the company.

"It truly set the tone. Just to hear what they had to say to me and what they're pushing me to do, it truly made me feel like this is going to be a great week. I'm truly going to learn the most and meet the great people," she said.

Despite attending an HBCU, Williams also said she had never had the opportunity to see so many women of color in tech. On top of that, there are more than 168 companies represented and an expected 40,000 attendees.

"To see it, it makes me happy," Williams said. "I get excited to talk to all these different people and see these people in my field. These are people I can not only collaborate with, but also look up to."

Williams came in with the necessary networking skills, a revamped resume, and the right attitude. Now, she said she believes the conference can help jumpstart her career after graduation in May.

"Hopefully, I just make a lot of connections, hone my skills, and then that's what I feel would get me the most out of this," Williams said.

It's an opportunity she earned at Disney.

"They have truly opened up so much for me and have given me so much in return," Williams said.

It's also an experience she can make the most of back on campus.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my HBCU, so I am truly grateful for them and the opportunities they've given me. It's important to understand how important HBCUs are in making people," Williams said.

The AfroTech conference lasts through Friday at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

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