Celebrating Black Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Technology & Hospitality
The AFROTECH™ Conference is one of the world’s leading gatherings of Black technology professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and business leaders. Bringing together thousands of attendees annually, AFROTECH celebrates Black excellence while creating opportunities for professional advancement, entrepreneurship, investment and economic empowerment.
At Black Hotel Guide, we believe that the spirit of Black entrepreneurship extends beyond the conference stage. From independently owned boutique hotels and historic bed and breakfasts to internationally branded hotels backed by Black investors and hospitality management companies, your choice of accommodation can be another meaningful way to support Black enterprise.
Whether you are attending AFROTECH for the first time, representing your company, recruiting talent, pitching your startup or reconnecting with fellow innovators, BlackHotelGuide.com helps you discover Black-owned and Black-led accommodations in AFROTECH host cities.
Before You Book—Check BlackHotelGuide.com First.
Upcoming AFROTECH Conference: Dates, Location & Where to Stay
AFROTECH Conference 2027 — Houston, Texas
- Conference dates: November 1–5, 2027
- Host city: Houston, Texas, USA
- Organizer: AFROTECH / Blavity Inc.
- Event type: Technology, business, entrepreneurship and professional networking conference
- Registration: Early-bird registration is available.
AFROTECH returns to Houston in 2027, bringing together professionals, founders, investors, students and corporate leaders for another celebration of Black innovation and achievement.
Houston’s thriving business community, rich African American heritage, diverse culinary scene and growing technology ecosystem make it an exciting destination for conference attendees.
With thousands of visitors expected, securing accommodations early is recommended, particularly if you prefer a Black-owned boutique hotel or bed and breakfast with limited room inventory.
Explore Black-Owned & Black-Led Hotels in Houston
Visit the Official AFROTECH Website for conference registration, programming and announcements.
Where to Stay During AFROTECH
Finding the right hotel for AFROTECH involves more than selecting the closest accommodation to the conference venue. Your stay can complement your professional objectives, travel budget and desire to experience the host city’s Black culture and hospitality.
Black Hotel Guide features a variety of accommodations suited to different types of conference travelers.
| Accommodation Type | Ideal For |
|---|---|
| Black-Owned Boutique Hotels | Entrepreneurs, solo travelers and professionals seeking distinctive accommodations |
| Bed & Breakfasts | Travelers seeking personalized hospitality and a quieter environment |
| Full-Service Business Hotels | Corporate teams, executives, recruiters and business travelers |
| Hostels | Students, early-career professionals and budget-conscious attendees |
| Vacation Rentals & Private Homes | Groups, colleagues and startup teams traveling together |
| Extended-Stay Hotels | Attendees combining conference participation with additional business or leisure travel |
Our destination-specific guides help travelers compare accommodations based on location, amenities, ownership, management and proximity to conference activities.
Featured AFROTECH Accommodations in Houston
1. Wanderstay Boutique Hotel — Black Woman-Owned Boutique Luxury in Houston’s East End
For AFROTECH attendees who appreciate creative design, privacy, and independent hospitality, Wanderstay Boutique Hotel offers a distinctive Houston experience.
Founded by Black hospitality entrepreneur Deidre Mathis, Wanderstay Boutique Hotel is a ten-room property in Houston’s East End, a short drive from downtown and the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Each guestroom features an individually designed theme, combining personality with practical amenities for business and leisure travelers. Guests can enjoy private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, shared kitchen facilities, and complimentary parking.
The property is especially appealing to solo professionals, couples, and conference visitors looking for a smaller, more personalized hotel.
Mathis has become a notable figure in Black hospitality entrepreneurship, building the Wanderstay brand around accessible travel experiences and independent hotel ownership.
Why consider it for AFROTECH? Its location near downtown, intimate atmosphere, and Black woman-owned identity make it a particularly relevant choice for a conference celebrating Black innovation and entrepreneurship.
Explore the property: Wanderstay Boutique Hotel on Black Hotel Guide
2. Courtyard Houston by The Galleria — Uptown/Galleria
For conference visitors seeking comfortable business accommodations near Houston’s premier shopping, dining, and commercial district, Courtyard Houston by The Galleria offers an appealing alternative to staying downtown.
Owned by RLJ Lodging Trust, the publicly traded hospitality investment company co-founded by prominent Black entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson, this 190-room Marriott-branded hotel is situated in Houston’s vibrant Uptown/Galleria district.
The property features contemporary guestrooms and suites with comfortable bedding, dedicated workspaces, mini-refrigerators, flat-screen televisions, and Wi-Fi. Additional amenities include a heated indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness center, a business center, meeting facilities, and an on-site Bistro serving breakfast, dinner, and evening beverages.
Located just one block from The Galleria, the hotel provides convenient access to upscale shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and the surrounding Uptown business district.
Although the property is outside downtown Houston, it offers an attractive option for conference attendees who wish to combine professional networking with business meetings, shopping, dining, and leisure activities. Guests should allow additional travel time when attending downtown conference sessions.
Why consider it for AFROTECH? Courtyard Houston by The Galleria is well suited to executives, entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, and business-leisure travelers who appreciate contemporary accommodations, familiar Marriott amenities, and proximity to Houston’s premier shopping and business district.
Explore the property: Courtyard Houston by The Galleria
3. La Maison in Midtown — Black-Owned Luxury Bed-and-Breakfast
For conference visitors seeking an upscale, more residential experience, La Maison in Midtown offers an elegant alternative to a large downtown hotel.
Founded by hospitality entrepreneurs Sharon Owens and Genora Boykins, this Black-owned urban bed-and-breakfast features seven individually designed guestrooms and suites in Houston’s Midtown neighborhood.
The three-story property combines traditional Southern hospitality with contemporary comforts, including private bathrooms, luxury linens, complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and guest parking.
Some accommodations feature spa-style bathrooms and private sitting areas, making La Maison especially attractive for business travelers who want a peaceful retreat after a full day of conference sessions.
Midtown also provides convenient access to downtown Houston, dining, nightlife, and cultural attractions.
Why consider it for AFROTECH? La Maison is well suited to executives, entrepreneurs, couples, and visitors who value a quieter boutique stay with personalized service.
Explore the property: La Maison in Midtown
4. Residence Inn Houston Downtown/Convention Center
For conference visitors seeking spacious, apartment-style accommodations with the conveniences of home, Residence Inn Houston Downtown/Convention Center offers an attractive alternative to a traditional business hotel.
Owned by RLJ Lodging Trust, the publicly traded hospitality investment company co-founded by Black entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson, this 171-suite Marriott-branded hotel is located in the heart of downtown Houston.
Designed for both short visits and extended stays, the property features spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas, comfortable bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi, and daily complimentary breakfast.
The residential-style accommodations are particularly appealing to business travelers who appreciate additional space to work, prepare meals, or unwind after a full day of conference sessions and networking events.
Its downtown location provides convenient access to the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green, Toyota Center, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Why consider it for AFROTECH? Residence Inn is well suited to entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, startup teams, and extended-stay visitors seeking spacious accommodations, familiar Marriott amenities, and convenient access to downtown conference activities.
Explore the property: Residence Inn Houston Downtown/Convention Center
5. SpringHill Suites Houston Downtown/Convention Center
For conference visitors seeking contemporary, all-suite accommodations in the heart of downtown Houston, SpringHill Suites Houston Downtown/Convention Center offers a comfortable combination of convenience, style, and value.
Owned by RLJ Lodging Trust, the publicly traded hospitality investment company co-founded by prominent Black entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson, this Marriott-branded hotel provides another opportunity for AFROTECH attendees to support Black hospitality entrepreneurship.
The property features spacious suites with separate sleeping and living areas, dedicated workspaces, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and Wi-Fi. Guests also enjoy complimentary daily breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, and business and meeting facilities.
The hotel’s thoughtfully designed accommodations provide additional space for professionals to prepare presentations, catch up on work, or relax after a busy day of conference sessions and networking events.
Located on Dallas Street in downtown Houston, SpringHill Suites offers convenient access to the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green, Toyota Center, GreenStreet, and numerous restaurants and entertainment venues.
Why consider it for AFROTECH? SpringHill Suites is well suited to business travelers, entrepreneurs, corporate teams, and budget-conscious professionals who appreciate spacious accommodations, complimentary breakfast, Marriott amenities, and convenient access to downtown conference activities.
Explore the property: SpringHill Suites Houston Downtown/Convention Center
6. Wanderstay Houston Hostel — Affordable Black-Owned Accommodations
AFROTECH attracts students, early-career professionals, startup founders, and entrepreneurs at different stages of their careers. For travelers prioritizing affordability, Wanderstay Houston Hostel offers another Black-owned accommodation option.
Also founded by Deidre Mathis, the hostel provides a mix of private guestrooms and shared dormitory accommodations.
Its Houston-inspired rooms, communal kitchen, Wi-Fi, and shared social spaces create opportunities for travelers to connect while exploring the city.
Located in Houston’s Museum District area, the hostel is within reach of downtown attractions and the convention center by car or public transportation.
Why consider it for AFROTECH? It offers a potentially more affordable option for solo travelers, students, and entrepreneurs seeking to manage accommodation costs while attending the conference.
Explore the property: Wanderstay Houston Hostel
Comparing Black-Owned Places to Stay for AFROTECH 2026
| Property | Houston neighborhood | Accommodation style | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtyard Houston Downtown/Convention Center | Downtown | Business hotel | Conference attendees, professionals |
| Residence Inn Houston Downtown/Convention Center | Downtown | Extended-stay suites | Longer stays, business travelers |
| SpringHill Suites Houston Downtown/Convention Center | Downtown | All-suite hotel | Professionals, groups, couples |
| Wanderstay Boutique Hotel | East End | Boutique hotel | Professionals, couples, solo travelers |
| La Maison in Midtown | Midtown | Luxury B&B | Executives, business travelers, couples |
| Wanderstay Houston Hostel | Museum District area | Hostel and private rooms | Students, solo travelers, budget travelers |
| Courtyard Houston by The Galleria | Uptown/Galleria | Business hotel | Professionals, shoppers, business travelers |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Medical Center Hotel & Suites | Texas Medical Center | Full-service hotel | Professionals, families, extended visits |
Looking for more choices? Browse our complete Black-owned and Black-led Houston hotel directory.
What Is AFROTECH?
AFROTECH is a technology, business and professional networking platform developed by Blavity Inc. Its flagship annual conference brings together people working across technology, entrepreneurship, finance, media, healthcare, artificial intelligence and other industries.
The conference provides opportunities for attendees to develop professional relationships, discover emerging technologies, explore career opportunities and connect with investors, founders and corporate decision-makers.
Conference programming varies by year but commonly includes:
- Technology and business presentations
- Entrepreneurship and startup discussions
- Artificial intelligence and emerging technology sessions
- Career development and recruitment opportunities
- Investor and founder networking
- Corporate exhibitions and product demonstrations
- Professional development workshops
- Cultural experiences and social events
AFROTECH welcomes established professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs, university students, career changers and anyone interested in participating in the evolving technology and business landscape.
The History of AFROTECH: From Silicon Valley to a Global Community
AFROTECH was launched in 2016 by Blavity Inc., with co-founders Morgan DeBaun and Jeff Nelson playing central roles in its development.
The inaugural conference took place in San Francisco, California, creating a dedicated space for Black technology professionals and entrepreneurs to connect, exchange ideas and increase their visibility within the technology industry.
What began as a relatively small gathering developed into a major professional and cultural event attracting participants from across the United States and around the world.
AFROTECH has since expanded beyond its original Silicon Valley roots, hosting conferences in Oakland, Austin and Houston while developing a broader community of technology professionals, business leaders and innovators.
In 2026, AFROTECH celebrated its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of Black innovation, professional advancement and entrepreneurship.
AFROTECH Conference Host Cities
AFROTECH’s evolution reflects the growing influence of Black technology professionals and entrepreneurs across America’s major business and innovation centers.
| Host City | Conference Years |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | 2016–2018 |
| Oakland, California | 2019 |
| Virtual Conference | 2020–2021 |
| Austin, Texas | 2022–2023 |
| Houston, Texas | 2024–2027 |
The 2027 Houston conference has been announced. Future host cities will be added as official announcements become available.
Explore Black Hotel Guide’s destination guides to discover Black-owned and Black-led accommodations, cultural attractions and hospitality entrepreneurs in these destinations.
Black Innovation Meets Black Hospitality
AFROTECH celebrates the power of Black innovation, ownership and economic participation. These same principles are reflected in the stories of Black hospitality entrepreneurs.
Black hotel owners, independent innkeepers, real estate investors and hospitality executives have built businesses across the United States and around the world, contributing to employment, tourism, community development and generational wealth.
Yet many travelers remain unaware of the ownership and leadership behind the hotels they book.
BlackHotelGuide.com was created to help change that.
By making Black-owned and Black-led accommodations easier to discover, we connect travelers with hospitality businesses that might otherwise be overlooked in conventional travel searches.
For AFROTECH attendees, choosing these accommodations offers an opportunity to extend the conference’s entrepreneurial spirit into another important sector of the economy: hospitality and tourism.
Understanding Black-Owned and Black-Led Hotels
Not every hotel associated with Black hospitality entrepreneurship has the same ownership or management structure.
A Black-owned hotel has Black ownership interests, which may include independent ownership, partnerships or investment groups.
A Black-led hotel may be professionally managed by a Black-led hospitality company or have another significant Black leadership connection without necessarily being Black-owned.
Black Hotel Guide distinguishes between these relationships whenever reliable information is available, helping travelers make informed accommodation decisions.
Planning Your AFROTECH Trip
Book Your Accommodations Early
Major conferences generate significant demand for hotels, particularly in neighborhoods close to convention centers and popular networking venues.
Independent boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts often have fewer rooms than larger branded properties, making early reservations especially important.
Consider Transportation and Conference Access
When comparing AFROTECH hotels, consider the distance to conference venues, public transportation, rideshare availability, airport access and evening networking events.
A centrally located hotel may be worth the additional expense if it reduces daily travel time.
Choose Accommodations That Match Your Professional Needs
Business travelers may prioritize reliable Wi-Fi, workspaces, meeting facilities and flexible cancellation policies. Entrepreneurs traveling with colleagues may prefer suites or private vacation rentals.
Students and early-career professionals may find hostels and shared accommodations more affordable.
Explore the Host City’s Black Heritage
AFROTECH is also an opportunity to discover the history, culture and entrepreneurial communities of its host city.
In Houston, consider exploring:
- Houston’s historic Third Ward
- Emancipation Park
- The Houston Museum of African American Culture
- The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
- Texas Southern University
- Black-owned restaurants, coffee shops, galleries and cultural businesses
Extend your stay before or after the conference to experience more of the destination while supporting local businesses.
AFROTECH Conference Travel & Accommodation Guides
Black Hotel Guide publishes destination-specific accommodation guides to help conference attendees discover relevant Black-owned and Black-led hotels.
Our guides include hotel recommendations, ownership and management information, neighborhood comparisons, cultural attractions and travel planning tips.
AFROTECH 2026 — Houston, Texas
Explore our guide to AFROTECH’s tenth-anniversary conference in Houston, including accommodation recommendations and information about the city’s Black hospitality community.
Read the AFROTECH 2026 Houston Accommodation Guide
Future conference guides will be added as AFROTECH announces upcoming events and host destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About AFROTECH Hotels & Travel
What is the AFROTECH Conference?
AFROTECH is an annual conference developed by Blavity Inc. that focuses on Black participation and leadership in technology, business, entrepreneurship, investment and innovation.
Where is the next AFROTECH Conference?
The next announced AFROTECH Conference will take place in Houston, Texas, from November 1–5, 2027.
Are there Black-owned hotels near AFROTECH?
Black-owned and Black-led accommodations are available in several cities that have hosted AFROTECH. In Houston, options include Wanderstay Boutique Hotel, La Maison in Midtown and Wanderstay Houston Hostel. Proximity to conference activities varies by property.
Where should I stay when attending AFROTECH in Houston?
Downtown Houston, Midtown and the East End are neighborhoods worth considering, depending on your budget, transportation preferences and conference itinerary. Downtown offers convenient access to the George R. Brown Convention Center, while surrounding neighborhoods provide additional independent accommodation options.
How early should I book my hotel for AFROTECH?
Consider researching accommodations six to twelve months before the conference and booking once your travel plans are confirmed. Early reservations are particularly helpful for boutique hotels, small inns and properties close to major event venues.
Are there affordable accommodations for AFROTECH attendees?
Yes. Hostels, shared vacation rentals and selected budget-friendly hotels can help students, entrepreneurs and early-career professionals reduce accommodation expenses.
Can I earn hotel loyalty points when booking AFROTECH accommodations?
Some Black-owned and Black-led hotels operate under major international hotel brands. Loyalty benefits depend on the property’s brand, rate and booking channel. Check the applicable terms before reserving.
Is Black Hotel Guide affiliated with AFROTECH?
Black Hotel Guide is an independent travel and hospitality discovery platform. This accommodation guide is not an official AFROTECH publication, and no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
How can I book a Black-owned hotel for AFROTECH?
Visit BlackHotelGuide.com, explore accommodations in the conference host city, compare properties and use the available booking options to reserve your stay.
Make Your AFROTECH Stay Part of Something Bigger
AFROTECH is about more than technology. It is about opportunity, representation, ownership, innovation and building stronger professional and entrepreneurial communities.
Your accommodation choice can reflect those same values.
From Black-owned boutique hotels and independent bed and breakfasts to Black-led hospitality companies, discover the people and businesses shaping the future of hospitality.
Celebrate Black Innovation. Support Black Hospitality. Travel With Purpose.
Before You Book—Check BlackHotelGuide.com First.
Same Price. Bigger Impact.
Black Hotel Guide is an independent travel resource. Conference dates, venues, accommodation ownership, availability and booking terms are subject to change. Some booking links may generate an affiliate commission for Black Hotel Guide at no additional cost to travelers.