Last month, AfroTech brought over 30,000 Black innovators, technologists and leaders to Houston, Texas for a celebration of culture and progress, centered on this year’s theme: Building the Future We Want to See. Amid the energy and innovation of AfroTech 2024, Axon set out with a clear purpose: to inspire, empower and attract attendees to our mission to protect life and achieve our moonshot goal to reduce gun-related deaths between the police and the public by 50% over the next decade. This mission resonated deeply with many conference attendees who are seeking not only to apply their talents, but also to change the world and improve the lives of people who share their experiences.

Fostering connection and innovation

Axon’s presence was designed to create space for meaningful dialogue and hands-on interaction with technology shaping the future of public safety. From our VR headsets, a training tool that empowers officers with the skills to navigate complex real-world scenarios to our My90 platform, which fosters community feedback, attendees were invited to experience tools designed with transparency and safety at their core. Our body-worn cameras (BWCs) were a key focus, sparking conversations about their ability to capture truth, increase accountability and de-escalate situations.

A standout feature was our Moonshot goal wall, a large and dynamic board that invited attendees to share their own bold, audacious goals. By the end of the conference, the wall was covered with notes displaying the dreams and aspirations of AfroTech attendees. These goals ranged from landing a job as a Product Manager, to expanding an art therapy business and successfully selling an established startup. More than an eye-catching display, it underscored our commitment to attracting mission-driven talent aligned with our moonshot goal who are eager to explore tech, training and data solutions for improving outcomes between the police and public.

The electricity and excitement was palpable as attendees asked pointed questions, shared unique perspectives and reflected on how our mission and technology intersected with their own lives. One attendee, Tiffany Afolabi-Brown shared, “I got chills listening to the mission. For Black and Brown people in America, working at a company that can save lives is particularly important work.” This sentiment lies at the heart of Axon’s work and purpose. Our presence at AfroTech wasn’t only about showcasing technology or recruiting talent—it was about engaging with a community of change makers whose imagination, energy and lived experiences are essential to driving positive change.

Envisioning public safety through collaboration and innovation — A panel discussion

Hosted on the executive stage, Axon’s panel discussion, The Future of Public Safety and Technology, added a deeper layer to the conversation at AfroTech 2024. Bringing together three dynamic leaders—Mayor Frank Scott Jr., the first Black elected Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas; Regina Holloway, Axon’s VP of Community Impact; and Yemi Akisanya, Axon’s VP of Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) and People Experience —the session highlighted the critical role of tech in shaping public safety.

Their unique perspectives illuminated the delicate balance between upholding public safety and fostering trust in historically underserved communities, an essential conversation in today’s landscape of rapid innovation.

Axon’s presence extended beyond the panel with an interactive learning lab that delved into the evolution of BWCs from their initial development in 2006 to today’s advanced features like real-time streaming and automatic activation. Led by Nache Shekarri, Axon’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering — the session highlighted how Axon’s tools are designed to capture trust and protect life. Attendees, many of whom were engineers, posed thoughtful questions ranging from the ethics of integrating AI into BWCs and the potential for expanding these tools beyond law enforcement to industries such as healthcare and workplace safety.