The Forum Presents Two-Day Event On Black Liberation Through AI and Cannabis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Radical Black Futures Series: Rewriting Liberation with Codes and Cannabis” Debuts at the Walker Art Center February 24-25

Minneapolis, MN—January 27, 2025—TThe African American Leadership Forum proudly announces Radical Black Futures Series: Rewriting Liberation with Codes and Cannabis, a groundbreaking two-day summit exploring the transformative intersections of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cannabis in advancing Black liberation. Scheduled for February 24-25 at the Walker Art Center, this event is part of The Forum’s acclaimed Radical Black Futures’ series, a movement reimagining Black empowerment through bold, forward-thinking solutions.

Adair Mosley, CEO of The Forum, underscores the urgency of the moment:
“Afrofuturism demands that we dream beyond survival. AI and cannabis are not just tools—they are landscapes of possibility, weapons against inequity, and the soil where Black futures can thrive. The moment we’re in not only requires radical thinking, it requires a reimagining of the narratives empowered to shape our liberation.”

Why AI and Cannabis?

AI is poised to contribute over $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, yet African Americans remain disproportionately underrepresented in this rapidly growing field. Only 5% of the tech workforce at major companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft is Black, and less than 2.5% of AI researchers globally are African American. Structural barriers, including disparities in STEM education—predominantly Black high schools are 2.5 times less likely to offer AP computer science courses—and the digital divide, where 34% of Black households lack broadband internet, have perpetuated this exclusion.

Furthermore, algorithmic bias continues to harm Black communities. AI-driven facial recognition is up to 100 times more likely to misidentify Black faces, while healthcare algorithms have deprioritized Black patients by 46% compared to white patients with similar medical needs.

In response, The Forum is not only advocating for greater representation but also exploring innovative solutions that leverage the power of AI to serve Black communities in Minnesota. As part of its commitment to equitable systems change, The Forum is currently building data-driven tools to inform and advance policies that positively impact Black lives.


In the cannabis industry, African Americans face another set of barriers. Despite similar usage rates, Black people are 3.64 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white individuals. This disproportionate enforcement is mirrored by underrepresentation in the legal cannabis industry—Black entrepreneurs own less than 2% of the 30,000 cannabis businesses nationwide. Licensing fees and capital requirements, which often exceed $250,000, remain significant obstacles to entry.

However, the economic potential of cannabis is undeniable. With annual sales projected to surpass $41 billion in 2025 alone, the industry is a vehicle for reparative justice, economic security, and community reinvestment. States like Illinois have set a precedent, allocating 25% of cannabis tax revenue to communities harmed by the War on Drugs.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SUMMIT

  • Dialogue with Erin Reddick: Founder of BlackChatGPT, Reddick will engage in a thought-provoking discussion on “Coding Liberation: Centering Black Voices in the Algorithmic Age.”
  • Interactive conversation & idea sharing: A communal exploration of how AI regulations and cannabis policies can prioritize racial equity, ensure ethical compliance, amplify Black cultural perspectives for inclusive innovation, and address data ownership to protect and empower communities.
  • Afrofuturist Showcase: A celebration of Black art, performances, businesses, and immersive storytelling reimagining black futures through the intersecting lenses of AI and cannabis.
  • Policy and Economic Justice Strategies: Visionary discussions exploring transformative solutions to systemic barriers, from amplifying Black representation on AI ethics boards to reimagining equity programs in cannabis licensing—shaping futures where technology and policy drive liberation and justice

This summit reflects The Forum’s Black Agenda for Change and its 2025 policy priorities, addressing economic security, generational wealth, and education. By advocating for solutions like automatic expungements for cannabis-related convictions, expanding social equity programs, and closing the racial equity gap in AI, this event offers a roadmap to systemic change.

“If we don’t claim these industries for liberation, someone else will claim them for control,” reminds Mosley. “We are unapologetically designing our future in real time.”

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN FOR RADICAL ACCESSIBILITY

To ensure inclusivity, this summit follows a pay-what-you can model, inviting participation from all members of the community.

EVENT DETAILS

  • Dates: February 24-25, 2025
  • Location: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN

Tickets are available now at Eventbrite. Join us in reclaiming the narratives, economies, and technologies that shape Black futures.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Dara Beevas
dara@aalftc.org