Meet The Changing the Game: Uncovering the World of Black Leaders in Gaming Panel

Are you interested in entering the gaming industry but is scared or second-guessing because you do not see someone like you, Black? Black Leaders in Technology presents Changing the Game: Uncovering the World of Black Leaders in Gaming, is a panel to not miss. The panel features some of the most well renowned Black Leaders in Gaming to learn from.

Black Leaders in Tech is a non-profit organization that celebrates, elevates, and supports black people in the Houston Metropolitan Area who work in a wide range of roles in technology at startups and corporations.

Panelists for the “Changing the Game” event include:

Keisha Howard, Founder of Sugar Gamers

Founded as a community for female gamers, Sugar Gamers has evolved into a diverse group of trendsetters and aficionados within the worlds of technology, gaming, and the arts. Sugar Gamers was founded in 2009 when Keisha Howard went on a quest to find other women with geeky interests and ideas similar to her own. After developing a community for gals like her, Keisha found that Sugar Gamers appealed to underrepresented geeks and gamers from all walks of life. Though our community isn’t one of hardcore pro-gamers, we have been recognized by prestigious companies such as Twin Galaxies, HTC, and more, and have received awards for our innovations and positive contributions to the gaming and technology communities. The approach that Sugar Gamers takes to this industry sets us worlds apart from our peers. More importantly, we value real-life interactions just as much as our online community. We create content and experiences that make the fun and fast-paced world of geek culture come alive through our group of remarkable and unique individuals. – Sugar Gamers

Sean Christian Bellinger, Lead 3D Modeler at Electronic Arts

Creative professional with experience in 3D modeling/animation, game development, and interactive media development, possessing a strong work ethic in visual communication
My ability to conceptualize and complete projects within deadline requirements makes it so that I’m able to take concepts rapidly to the prototyping phase and then on to completion within game design, engine, and platform constraints.
Additionally, I excel in the use of the latest 3D art, 3D animation, motion graphic, video editing, graphic design, motion capture, and game design/simulation technologies.
I also possess a deep understanding of the optimization of 2D & 3D assets in relation to high performance, real-time systems, game engines, and simulations as well as the ability to develop physically based materials and shaders that are optimized to use high quality/high resolution textures in both pre-rendered and real-time applications. – Sean Christian Bellinger

Brandon Smith, IGDA Chapter Leader – Houston

The Founder of Darkshot Studios, an indie game studio and the curator of the Houston Game Dev Meetup.

Geneva Heyward, Video Game Developer and Music Composer

Hello! My name’s Geneva.

I’m a student at NYU’s Game Center trying to put more inclusive games into the world!

​I make all the assets for my games

(minus the fonts!) unless otherwise stated.

Dennis Mathews, CEO of Revelation Interactive

Black Leaders in Technology is a non-profit, membership-based, organization that celebrates, elevates, and supports black people in the Houston Metropolitan Area who work in the wide range of roles in technology at startups and corporations. BLIT exists as an affiliate chapter of the national Blacks in Technology “BIT” organization.

Stay tuned for the recorded panel and recap coming soon.