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518 Black Restaurant Week is Albany's premier celebration of Black culinary excellence, cultural heritage, and entrepreneurial spirit — running June 15–21, 2026, and bringing our community together around the table to support and uplift Black-owned restaurants across the Capital Region. This year, we are proud to return with our signature event Cocktails & Conversations, a community-centered dialogue space where every voice belongs and every issue matters — first brought to life by the vision of Tabetha Wilson, Natarsha Waklatsi, Alicia Evadne, and Eva Bass, myself. Join us as we nourish not just our bodies, but our community — one conversation and one meal at a time. This year the topic is:Cocktails & Conversations: NOT IN MY BACKYARD: Understanding How Environmental and Community Burdens Shape Neighborhood Health, Opportunity, and Quality of Life
Artificial intelligence is transforming the world faster than most communities can fully understand.
But behind every AI platform, chatbot, and automated system lies a massive physical infrastructure — data centers, energy systems, surveillance technology, labor shifts, and policy decisions that directly impact our neighborhoods, economies, and future.
Join us for an evening of elevated conversation, networking, cocktails, and community dialogue as we explore the real-world impact of AI infrastructure and the growing presence of data centers in New York and beyond.
Topics Include:
Shifting from Reactivity to Proactivity
Civic Readiness and Preparedness
AI data centers and energy consumption
Environmental and community impact
Labor displacement and workforce concerns
Surveillance and privacy
Public policy and transparency
Economic development vs. Community Cost
This event brings together professionals, policymakers, entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, students, and residents for an informed and balanced discussion about one of the defining issues of our time.
Enjoy cocktails, meaningful networking, and a thought-provoking panel conversation in a sophisticated social atmosphere.
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Event Venue
Love Albany NY, 8 Kate St,Albany, New York, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
