By Edmond Ortiz
The San Antonio Spurs and a number of local educators and musicians are participating at this year’s South by Southwest conference in Austin.
The education-centric portion of the event, called SXSW EDU, runs March 9-11 and includes a range of presentations, panel discussions and special events concentrated on the state of education. The main SXSW festival, which delves into innovation, music and film, takes place March 12-18.
Local SXSW EDU participants
San Antonio native Christina Almaraz Ortiz will take part in a March 10 panel, “Reimagining Learning by Building AI Support for Your Context.” Currently interim principal of the Austin-based Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Almaraz Ortiz previously taught math and Spanish in the San Antonio Independent School District.
San Antonian Clay Richey, managing director of Pearson Clinical Assessments, will be part of a March 10 panel “Innovation at Work: Learning Science and AI Driving Solutions.”
Having earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Richet was a prime contributor in the conceptualization and development of Pearson’s Q-interactive Digital Assessment offering. He also helped to oversee Pearson’s recent acquisition of wearable technology, Revibe, which assists individuals who are struggling with focus and attention.
University of Texas at San Antonio Professor Langston Clark will be part of a March 10 panel, “Advancing the Educational Attainment of Boys and Men.”
According to his biography, Clark leads UTSA’s efforts to increase the number of men of color in teaching. He also founded Entrepreneurial Appetite, a podcast and event series supporting Black businesses and intellectualism.
San Antonian Viridiana Carrizales will take part in a March 10 conversation, “Storytelling for Language and Immigration Justice.” Carrizales is the co-founder and CEO of Dallas-based ImmSchools, an immigrant-led nonprofit that partners with grade schools to develop safe and welcoming environments for immigrant students and families.
Local SXSW participants
While the Spurs basketball team continues to be one of the hottest squads in the NBA, representatives from the organization’s front office will be visible throughout the main SXSW festival.
The Spurs will co-present the Ledger Trading Post, involving technology company and the team’s jersey sponsor, Ledger, from March 12-15 at Brazos Hall. The venue is dubbed the innovative clubhouse during the conference.
Festival badgeholders can visit the Ledger Trading Post and test their skills on an outdoor basketball court for a chance to win Spurs tickets or other swag. Guests can also learn more about Ledger’s products and services.
A March 14 panel will feature three Spurs Sports and Entertainment executives: chief impact and inclusion officer Patricia Mejia, innovation and strategy director Charlie Kurian, and Jordan Kolosey, vice president of business strategy, innovation and data operations.
Kolosey, Kurian and Meija will be joined by head of OpenAI Forum Natalie Cone in the panel “OpenAI and Spurs: Building Human-Centered AI for Fans, Partners, and Communities,” a discussion about using AI to craft meaningful experiences for fans, partners, and communities.
Elsewhere, the SXSW music festival will feature official showcases with the following San Antonio musical acts, who perform an array of genres, from hip-hop, Cumbia and indie rock to reggae and pop: DeShaunJay, Vanita Leo, La Coreañera, mypilotis, Dub Gideon, and Ryley Hall.
Only badgeholders are allowed admission to official SXSW and SXSW EDU events, but numerous unofficial concerts and activations also take place across Austin during the festival.
