From Ideas to Impact: Building with AI at LA Tech Week

During LA Tech Week, I had the honor of co-hosting a powerhouse panel in partnership with ForbesBLK LA—and let me tell you, the room was electric.

Titled “Grow Your Business & Brand with AI,” this event brought together some of the sharpest minds in innovation:
✨ Kelly Marble, founder of Ocean AI, who’s reimagining the future of wellness and technology
✨ Sana Kibz, founder of UBiika Co., who's using AI to elevate storytelling and brand strategy
✨ And our fearless moderator, Shawn Zanotti, who guided the conversation with warmth and precision

We gathered at The Gathering Spot in West Adams (because where else would you talk AI and authenticity?) and unpacked the real-life ways entrepreneurs are using AI to grow intentionally—not just fast.

We didn’t talk hype. We talked strategy, sustainability, and systems that scale.
How do you use AI without losing your voice?
How do you grow your brand without burning out?
And how can we, as Black women in tech and business, stay rooted in community while building for the future?

"AI isn’t a replacement—it’s a resource. It should amplify your creativity, not erase it."
— a sentiment we echoed throughout the night.

This wasn’t just a panel—it was a moment. A reminder that tech doesn’t have to be cold. When built with intention, it can feel like home.