As technology and artificial intelligence are continuous and evolving factors in our world, with emerging AI tools, the LeMoyne-Owen College Department of Information Technology engaged the college and the city in exploring tech solutions and conversations at the Next in Tech: Cybersecurity and AI Conference.
The conference welcomed nearly 150 attendees to the Little Theatre on Friday to hear from local and national professionals, participate in workshops, networking, and a hackathon for judging and awards. Gerald Keys, Chief Music Officer at The Ludacris Foundation and founder of the Prompt Haus, presented practical ways to dream and execute big with AI in his keynote address.
Kimberly Bailey, Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, said the conference aimed to engage the community in learning more about cybersecurity and AI.
“We don’t want people to fear either topic, so bringing it to the campus in this way keeps it at the forefront of everyone’s minds,” Bailey said.
Breakout sessions were offered in areas on cybersecurity basics, AI in everyday life, cyber lab, careers in technology, and SmartAI for seniors.
The hackathon, in partnership with CodeCrew in Memphis, invited students and other attendees to develop teams and pitch tech ideas to a panel of judges for an opportunity to win a cash prize and showcase their skills.
“It’s a way of bringing amazing ideas together, and I think that’s what makes Memphis a pivotal area in this tech space, because we foster, invite, and welcome bright ideas from people and help them layer it with tech to advance it and make it more transformative and innovative,” Bailey said.
The event also invited high school students from Hollis F. Price Middle College High School, Trezevant High School, Cordova High School, and The Soulsville Charter School to learn more about the tech field and LeMoyne-Owen College. Bailey said the event was intentional in advancing education in the field and gathering individuals in Memphis and beyond to experience the college’s great efforts and programs.
“I’m hoping that everyone will look at what’s happening here,” she said. “There are a lot of amazing things occurring under President Davis’ leadership, and I look forward to how this will continue in other ways for the college.”
LeMoyne-Owen College, the source of Black excellence, continues its legacy in preparing students for success and becoming the next generation of leaders in their chosen fields. From opportunities like the Next in Tech conference to internships in IT, Bailey and her team work to amplify LeMoyne-Owen College and its contributions in the tech space.
Bailey is a renowned leader in the information technology field with nearly 30 years of experience. Before serving at LeMoyne-Owen College, Bailey became the first Black woman appointed as Chief Information Officer for the City of Memphis.
In 2025, Bailey was honored with the MEMTech Trailblazer Award in recognition of her innovation and dedication in the tech industry.
“I want this to be a place where people can have a launching pad into the tech field. I’ve been in it for 30 years, and was given those opportunities to learn, grow, fail, or start over, and you have to have that to advance,” she said. “We want the next group of leaders to be challenged because they have exposure to every aspect, so that if and when they want to become a CIO or a related position, they are well prepared and have the innovation to amplify what they are doing every day.”
