Feb 25, 2026, 1:03 PM CST
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Milwaukee will celebrate Black women transforming the city’s technology sector at the 2nd Annual Black Women in Tech Breakfast later this month, an event organizers say is as much about economic strategy as it is about recognition.
Hosted by The Pink Hustle, the business strategy firm founded by Dr. Shakkiah Curtis, the breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the BMO Tower in downtown Milwaukee.
Curtis, one of the few Black women in the United States to hold a Doctor of Business Administration, said the event was created to address a stark disparity in the tech industry: Black women hold less than 3% of leadership positions nationally.
“Milwaukee is leaving $3.5 billion on the table by not fully investing in Black women’s economic potential,” Curtis said in a statement. “This isn’t about diversity checkboxes this is economic strategy.”
The 2026 honorees reflect a cross-section of Milwaukee’s growing tech ecosystem.
Christina “Crayz Wanderer” Velasquez will receive the Rising Star Award for her work as a cloud security engineer and her early-career innovation. LaTasha Langdon, a Release Train Engineer with more than a decade of experience, will be honored with the Trailblazer Award for mentoring and creating pathways for other Black women in technical leadership. Adonica Randall, president of Abaxent, LLC, will receive the Visionary Award for leading transformative technology initiatives in the region.
The event will also feature a keynote address from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who is expected to speak on representation in technology and the city’s economic future. Additional speakers include corporate leaders, technology innovators and community voices focused on equity and leadership development.
Organizers say the breakfast will bring together more than 100 corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, with networking opportunities designed to strengthen talent pipelines from entry-level roles to the boardroom.
Strategic partners include BMO, the Milwaukee Brewers, and Visit Milwaukee. Representatives from BMO said supporting diverse tech talent is critical to the region’s long-term competitiveness and innovation capacity.
The Pink Hustle, founded by Curtis, focuses on helping accomplished women entrepreneurs scale their businesses through infrastructure and technology systems. Beyond the Black Women in Tech Breakfast, the firm also hosts other signature events aimed at elevating diverse leadership in Milwaukee and beyond.
Registration for the February 26 event is open to corporate leaders, technology professionals, nonprofit organizations, and community supporters. Advance registration is required.
EVENT DETAILS
What: 2nd Annual Black Women in Tech Breakfast Celebration
When: Thursday, February 26th, 2026, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: BMO Tower, 11th Floor, 790 N Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Registration Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-black-women-in-tech-breakfast-celebration-tickets-1980286306651
Shannon, better known as “Maybe Shannon,” is a Milwaukee-born influencer, podcast host, makeup artist, and event host. She hosts the podcast “Maybe It’s Me,” contributes to WNOV and the Milwaukee Courier, and is a passionate civic advocate behind voter initiatives like “Turn Up the Vote” and “Party 2 the Polls.” With over a decade in the beauty industry and a deep commitment to her community, Shannon continues to uplift the people and spaces around her.
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