Copyright abc13
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- AfroTech, the nation's largest Black tech conference, became the stage where innovation met inspiration as Walt Disney Imagineers and technologists gathered to forge new connections and open doors for a diverse generation of creators. Imagineers are Disney's visionary engineers and designers credited with bringing beloved movies and theme parks to life. They were front and center at this year's conference and actively searching for young, diverse technologists who can help create more of the magic The Walt Disney Company is known for. Lanny Smoot is a Disney Imagineers Research Fellow and one of the company's most prolific inventors. He has more than 100 patents to his name. He highlighted the powerful blend of technology and creativity that shapes Disney's experiences. "Those two things put together, the theatrical experience is amazing, and this is what thrills our guests at our parks around the world," he said. Smoot also expressed excitement about representing Disney at AfroTech. "The vibe is tremendous," he remarked, noting the energy and ambition among conference attendees. "We want our company to be as diverse as our audience is," he emphasized. That message resonated on the main stage with Disney Visual Effects Supervisor Andrew Roberts. "My mission is to look in every corner and find those people from underrepresented communities who are deserving and can bring something unique to the table and make sure they're given a fair shot," Roberts said, inspiring attendees to envision themselves as future creators of Disney magic. For Imagineer Jonathan Becker, opportunity was key to his successful Disney career, which began 11 years ago. "They saw something in me, believed in me, and encouraged me to create and inspire," Becker reflected. Now, he and his colleagues are eager to provide similar encouragement to the next generation. "Being at a place like this is a wonderful opportunity to attract those diverse voices, which will help propel Disney forward for the next couple of decades," Roberts said. As Disney Imagineers and seasoned professionals share their stories and expertise, they aim to inspire future innovators to build on the legacy of creativity and artistry. "We really want to inspire the next generation of Imagineers," Becker said. "We want to make sure all those voices here can be represented. It means so much to be part of this storied lineage and inspire those Imagineers of the future." With opportunities and mentorship on full display, AfroTech and Disney Imagineering are working together to ensure the next era of entertainment is more imaginative and inclusive than ever before. For updates on this story, follow Briana Conner on Facebook, X and Instagram.
