About this Event
West Palm Beach, get ready for a night where powerful stories, big ideas about tech, hip-hop, R&B, and culture come together.
Join BobbyD at The Studio 1016 on December 12 as he brings his memoir, Breaking Barriers: My Journey to the Top in Tech, to life.
A first-generation Haitian-American originally from downtown West Palm Beach, BobbyD is a Lake Worth High School graduate, Class of ’00. He did not attend a four-year college, but built a path from the help desk to engineering systems at global scale at Twitter. His story brings resilience, identity, and opportunity home to West Palm Beach, reminding the next generation that their starting point doesn't define their possibilities.
This showcase kicks off BobbyD's book tour, and we're bringing that story to the stage.
Come early for appetizers, beverages, and networking as the DJ sets the mood. Then settle in for three acts that move from laughter and conversation to possibility and personal transformation.
Whether you're building a business, exploring a career in tech, chasing a dream, or simply looking for an inspiring night out in West Palm Beach, there's a place for you in this room. No technical background required.
Your Host: Melanie Torres-Dixon
Melanie guides the evening as our emcee, connecting the conversations, introducing the speakers, and keeping the room's energy flowing from the opening welcome to the closing celebration.
Act 1: The Conversation — #TheTechHustle Podcast Live
#1 Black voices in AI, tech & culture.
With over 100 recorded episodes and more than 15,000 subscribers, #TheTechHustle has built a community around technology, artificial intelligence, culture, and the conversations shaping our future.
Now, BobbyD, D-Hustle, and Raymond "don't call him Ray Ray" are bringing that same energy from the podcast studio to the main stage.
Known for their authentic perspectives, humor, and ability to break down complex technology into real-world conversations, the crew will explore AI, innovation, ambition, and what it truly means to break barriers.
No scripts. No filters. Just real conversations, real perspectives, and a whole lot of culture.
Act 2: The Possibilities — Lisa Pratt-Sanchez
Lights, Camera, Action: Bringing Your Full Self into Focus
What happens when you stop questioning whether you're capable and start stepping confidently into who you're meant to become?
Featured speaker Lisa Pratt-Sanchez is an author, executive leader, certified professional coach, and Managing Partner of Jorions LLC, with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations and people navigate transformation.
Known as an "around-the-way executive," Lisa brings an authentic, relatable approach to leadership, personal growth, and purposeful living.
In this interactive, TED-style talk, inspired by her Working on a Project Called LIFE books, Lisa challenges us to move from "Can I?" to "Yes, I can!"
Through stories, reflection, and practical insights, she'll explore what it means to bring your full self into focus, define progress on your own terms, and take intentional action toward your next chapter.
Come ready to reflect, refocus, and recognize what's possible when you choose to move forward.
Act 3: The Journey — BobbyD's Closing Keynote
The evening's headliner, J. Bobby Dorlus (BobbyD), takes us inside the story behind Breaking Barriers: My Journey to the Top in Tech, sharing the hard-earned lessons that shaped his path and what those lessons can mean for your next move.
Through personal storytelling, Bobby explores resilience, identity, and opportunity: how we keep moving, bring who we are into the work, and make room for others to follow.
A live look at AI brings that conversation into the present, connecting the journey in the memoir with the possibilities opening up now.
Come ready to think about the barriers in your own life and the next step you want to take.
Stay for the Connection
After the show, the evening continues with a reception, music, photos, and conversation.
Meet fellow builders, creatives, professionals, and people ready to take their next step, with hip-hop and R&B carrying the vibe.
Because the right conversation can open a door you didn't even know existed.
Event Details
Saturday, December 12, 2026
- 7:00 PM: Doors, refreshments, and networking
- 8:00 PM: Showtime
- 10:30 PM: Evening concludes
The Studio 1016
1016 Clare Avenue, Suite 5
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Come for the experience. Leave with a story, a connection, and a reminder of what's possible.
Bring a friend, secure your tickets, and be part of the room.
Breaking Barriers isn't just about how far one person has come. It's about who gets to go next.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Studio 1016 - Private Offices & Coworking in West Palm Beach, 1016 Clare Avenue, West Palm Beach, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.