The South Got Something to BUILD: Atlanta Leading the Digital Revolution
In recent columns, "Stablecoins: Pillars of Progress" and "The South Still Got Something to Say", we explored how digital assets are poised to empower communities and how the American South is reclaiming its narrative in the evolving financial landscape. What was once future is now unfolding at an accelerated pace. This past week, Atlanta Tech Week 2025 delivered a powerful testament to this shift, proving that the digital asset revolution isn't a distant dream; it's happening now, and it's being built right here in Atlanta.
Atlanta Tech Week 2025 was monumental for the City of Atlanta. It was truly transformative, setting new records with over 80 community partners, 215+ events, and over 15,000+ city-wide participants. The collective energy of Atlanta’s tech ecosystem was undeniable, showcasing our city’s unified pursuit of greatness. This is precisely the kind of broad-based engagement that is crucial for driving meaningful conversations and thoughtful innovation, all while building a stronger foundation in the South.
For Ajamu Baker and me, this year's Atlanta Tech Week held particular significance. We officially launched our $150 million AI and crypto-focused venture capital fund, Deal Team SIXX, aimed at fueling Georgia's innovators from pre-seed to Series A over the next decade. This fund is the culmination of a vision we've shared since our days at Morehouse College, a vision sparked over morning meetings at The Gathering Spot and cemented by our first co-investment in Figure AI last year. We're not just investing and mentoring anymore; we're actively building up the next generation of tech leaders. We are building a team.
Ajamu, my brother, your nearly two decades of leadership in M&A, Venture Capital, and operations, including successful stints at Google and Harman/Samsung, have been instrumental in getting us to this point. Your unwavering commitment to enabling opportunities in underserved communities, exemplified by your co-founding of the Chicago Pre-College Science & Engineering Program, resonates deeply with the core of our mission. Building this future alongside you, rooted in our shared foundation on that Little Red Clay Hill, is truly a full-circle moment, solidifying our commitment to building from the ground up in the South.
At The Biltmore, our Deal Team SIXX and LA Executive 9 Group brought this vision to life, curating four dynamic panels that dove deep into the intersection of innovation, community, and technology, all with a distinct Atlanta imprint and lemon pepper flavor:
Smart Cities kicked us off, a critical conversation moderated by ATW 2025 MVP, Joe Lewis. We explored how innovation will unlock value for communities through smart infrastructure, public transit, workforce development, and sustainability. This session highlighted Atlanta’s forward-thinking approach to urban development and its commitment to building smarter, more equitable communities. Atlanta is at the forefront of smart city developments!
Next, Ajamu and I had the privilege of moderating “AI Agency: Building the Future in Atlanta" with Marlon Williams of Quant AI. We explored the burgeoning world of AI agents, discussing the practicalities of building sophisticated AI agents, the evolving landscape of AI policy, and Atlanta’s unique position as a hub for these transformative technologies. This conversation was vital in showcasing how Atlanta is not just adopting but also actively shaping and building the future of AI.
Then, Aaron Neal (DT6/The Polymath) hosted “Gerald Keys: Exploring AI Music Production," a live demo with Grammy-nominated producer Gerald Keys. He masterfully showcased how AI tools like Suno.AI are reshaping music creation and delivery, democratizing access to production capabilities and sparking new forms of artistic expression. This demonstrated the tangible, creative applications of AI that are accessible to everyday entrepreneurs, proving that innovation is being built for everyone, everywhere.
We wrapped up with a live recording of The Polymath Episode: "Community-Driven Innovation: Leveraging History & Technology." Joined by Dr. Glen Spencer of Legacy Collective and Curtis Valentine of the Progressive Policy Institute, we discussed how technology can bridge the past and future to empower communities. This included exploring Dr. Spencer's micro-learning platform and strategies for the future of education, particularly concerning HBCUs, artificial intelligence, and national education policy. This podcast panel underscored the vital role of education and historical context in leveraging new technologies for social good, emphasizing how we are building upon our rich Southern heritage.
This live podcast concept was masterfully executed, Tiarran-Shari. Thank you!! #Channel13
To Joe Lewis, Matthew Schenider, Travis Sherman, Tamara Szulc, Vandale Callendar, Marlon Williams, Gerald Keys, Aaron Neal, Dr. Glen Spencer, and Curtis Valentine – thank you for your invaluable insights and for making our Biltmore events so impactful. Your expertise and willingness to share made these sessions a true highlight of the week, offering practical, actionable insights for all attendees, all of whom are part of the movement to build something great.
A special thank you to first, all the Morehouse College crew who came out to support us and those who flew in for Atlanta Tech Week. Your presence and enthusiasm truly embody the spirit of brotherhood and the shared vision that drives us forward to build a better future. Second, let me thank my Atlanta Blockchain Center family. The #BlockchainBoyz and #BlockchainGirlz are really out here moving like the #Web3Avengers.
As I've often said, we need to translate the promise of this technology into tangible opportunities for connection, growth, and empowerment. Atlanta Tech Week was a powerful demonstration of this principle in action. It's a place where the concepts I write about come to life, where you can meet the people building the future and find your place in this movement.
The South, and our entire community, has more than just something to say – we have something profound to BUILD. The digital asset revolution is here, and it's happening now. We're committed to translating its promise into tangible opportunities for connection, growth, and empowerment right here in Georgia and beyond. Let's keep building it together.
