AfroTech Conference 2026
Vagney Hampshire
Journalist, Writer, & Digital Creator
Track Future of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Future of Work
Biography
Vagney Hampshire is a Houston-based journalist, writer, and digital creator with more than 10 years of experience across print, broadcast, and digital media. She earned her Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and has worked with media organizations including the Houston Chronicle and CBS News, as well as nationally recognized newsletter brands. Beyond journalism, Vagney shares her love of reading and literature across Instagram and TikTok, spotlighting books by Black authors, sharing recommendations, and celebrating stories that deserve to be heard.
Sessions
Building Worlds, Building Confidence
Tue, Nov 3, 1:10 PM – 1:35 PM CT
Track Future of Marketing
Debut author Michael Tinsley on building a Black-led fantasy epic from scratch, and the confidence it takes to go from idea to a published series.
Your Career Is More Than a Job
Tue, Nov 3, 2:25 PM – 2:50 PM CT
Track Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur, speaker, and mentor Chauncéa on The Commission and how to align your career, creativity, and calling with a mission bigger than yourself.
When the Heart Becomes the Empire's Sharpest Blade
Tue, Nov 3, 12:00 PM – 12:25 PM CT
Track Future of Work
Fantasy author J. Elle on building a dystopian world where the heart is the empire's sharpest blade, and what it takes to turn imagination into a career.
Heroes Among Us
Tue, Nov 3, 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM CT
Track Entrepreneurship
Two fantasy authors on imagination, Black representation, and claiming space in genres where we haven't always been centered.