The 2026 Black Tech NOLA Creator + AI Summit is a free public event at Gallier Hall on Saturday, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and programming running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will present projects in an AI hackathon with $6,500 in prizes; the program also includes practical workshops and demonstrations. Presented by T-Mobile, the summit marks the eighth year of Black Tech NOLA.
NOLAvate Black, the New Orleans nonprofit organizing the summit, focuses on technology career access, professional training and entrepreneurship, according to Biz New Orleans. The group connects people with career preparation, employer relationships, AI training and technology certifications across greater New Orleans and the Gulf South. The event listing at wwoz.org describes the summit as free and open to the public, with workshops, demonstrations, career resources, entrepreneurship programming and immersive activations.
NOLAvate Black founder and CEO Sabrina Short said Black Tech NOLA connects technology, art, culture and opportunity, according to the Biz New Orleans report. Short, who previously developed Culture Forward — an AI tool designed to match job seekers with employers, as reported by WDSU — said the summit aims to give students pathways, job seekers connections, creators tools, founders support and the community a voice in AI's future.
Student Projects and Practical AI
The program includes workshops on AI prompting, application development, AI agents for startup growth and intellectual property protection, according to Biz New Orleans. Attendees can also see gaming and immersive media demonstrations, with sessions geared toward businesses, entrepreneurs and creative professionals.
The opening session features Short, Clint Odom, T-Mobile's vice president of strategic alliances and external affairs, and Lisa Alexis, executive director of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund, Biz New Orleans reported. Other discussions consider technology's relationship with the region's culture and creative industries. The panel Policy, Power & People: Redefining Innovation for Communities of Culture features René Peters Jr. of Nvidia and Angie Jones, moderated by Klassi R. Duncan. At the Table or On the Table? The Impact of AI on Black Futures includes state Rep. Shaun Mena and Kim Walker LaGrue, with Darrell Booker as moderator.
A further panel turns to cultural identity, storytelling and creative work, according to the outlet. Preserving Our Voice, Protecting Our Legacy: Culture, Storytelling, and Immersive Tech features Yolanda Barton and Jasmine Hall and is moderated by Kristi Coleman.
The Student Hackathon and Its $6,500 Prize Pool
The Black Tech NOLA NSBE AI Hackathon, organized with the National Society of Black Engineers, is open to university students from Louisiana and the wider Gulf South. Teams will have five hours, from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, to develop functional AI-powered solutions to community, cultural or other real-world problems, according to Biz New Orleans.
Finalists will present their projects to industry judges and summit attendees at Gallier Hall beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday. The first-place team will receive $5,000, the second-place team $1,000 and the third-place team $500, the report says. NOLAvate Black also held an AI hackathon with NSBE Louisiana in spring 2026; six teams developed projects and competed before industry judges. Organizers say the format gives students experience in AI development, problem-solving, prototyping, pitching and making industry connections.
Career Connections and Startup Support
The summit also includes an Explore Tech Talent Hub for students, early-career professionals, career changers and job seekers to connect with employers. The Link Up features startup demonstrations, mentorship and workshops on applying AI to business growth. The Idea Village, which supports New Orleans entrepreneurs, is participating in programming on scaling startups through AI.
Biz New Orleans lists T-Mobile, Entergy, Copado, iSeatz, Excella, General Dynamics Information Technology and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center among participating organizations. Short has emphasized investing in technology and culture together as part of the effort to preserve cultural legacy and prepare communities for the future.
Earlier Summits, Different Venues
The 2026 Gallier Hall event follows earlier editions at other locations: New Orleans CityBusiness reported that the 2024 Black Tech NOLA Creator Summit was scheduled at Loyola University, while NOLAvate Black’s event listing places a 2025 Creator + AI Summit at the New Orleans Jazz Market on Oct. 25. These venue records provide a history of the event, but do not document digital-access gaps in New Orleans. New Orleans CityBusiness and NOLAvate Black list the earlier venues and dates.
The 2026 Black Tech NOLA Creator + AI Summit takes place at Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans, with registration available at blacktechnola.com.
