Black Tech Fest: Where Tech & Culture Collide Feat. Ashleigh Ainsley MBE

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Black Tech Fest: Where Tech & Culture Collide feat. Ashleigh Ainsley MBE | TDA - E805

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The Day After - Sept 23rd

This episode brought culture clashes, politics, and a vision for the future all into one space.

The show kicked off with laughs and roll calls before jumping into the Jay Electronica vs. Kendrick vs. Lupe Fiasco debate - the panel sparred over lyrical greatness, influence, and longevity, asking whether Jay Electronica’s mystique holds up against Kendrick’s consistency and Lupe’s mastery of lyricism.

The energy then shifted with a powerful segment on Black Tech Fest. Guest Ashley Ainsley MBE, co-founder of Color in Tech, broke down how he launched BTF in 2020 and grew it into Europe’s biggest Black-led tech festival. He spoke on making tech spaces feel authentic - hosting in Tottenham’s old IKEA, blending networking with DJs and food vendors, and making sure the vibe reflects the community. With partners like Apple, Google, Netflix, and Goldman Sachs, BTF has opened doors for thousands - from students discovering cybersecurity to attendees landing jobs at JustEat, Apple, and more. Ashley also touched on the hurdles of scaling UK tech versus moving to the US, and why representation is more than numbers - it’s about ownership, visibility, and access.

The panel closed with heavy-hitting headlines:

Sarah Ferguson’s apology email and the Epstein fallout.
The Southport attack inquiry and delays in emergency response.
Nigel Farage’s immigration pledges around indefinite leave to remain.
Trump officials linking Tylenol in pregnancy to autism, sparking a raw debate on public health, vaccines, and narratives in medicine.
Corbyn and Sultana’s shaky attempt at forming a new left-wing party.

Audience stories brought it home - from lived experiences with vaccines and autism to reflections on conspiracy, community resilience, and where leadership is coming from.

At its heart, this was an episode about legacy: from artists to activists, from politics to tech, from cultural icons to community builders.

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