Inside AfroTech with Mykel B Davis: Muscle Up Mommy’s Second-Year Return & What’s Next for the Movement

This month marked another milestone moment for Muscle Up Mommy. We wrapped up our second year at the AfroTech Conference, one of the largest tech gatherings in the world, bringing together over 37,000 innovators, founders, and culture shifters.

In 2024, we were selected to showcase our Muscle Up Mommy wearable breast pumps on the Expo Floor — introducing our cutting-edge femtech innovation to thousands of attendees. This year, Mykel B Davis, Founder and CEO of Muscle Up Mommy, returned to AfroTech as a Founder’s Circle member and insider, building on that incredible momentum and deepening our footprint in the tech and wellness space.

Our AfroTech experience kicked off with the exclusive Founder Summit Track, hosted by Jabari Young, journalist and senior editor at Forbes BLK — which was a full-circle moment following our recent participation in the Forbes BLK Summit in Atlanta.

Throughout the summit and conference programming, we connected with and learned from powerhouse entrepreneurs including Elizabeth Gore, Founder of Hello Alice; Danessa Myricks, Founder and CEO of Danessa Myricks Beauty; Lanny Smith of Actively Black; and Erik Moore of Base Venture Partners and so many more.

We also heard powerful insights from Brad Smith, CNN Headlines Anchor, and Cliff Worley, who shared strategies on how entrepreneurs can leverage AI tools to work smarter. One of the highlights of the week was attending a thought-provoking session on “Shaping the Future of AI” led by Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI. Later, at an invite-only Microsoft event, we had the privilege of meeting Mustafa personally and introducing him to Muscle Up Mommy’s wearable breast pumps — showcasing how technology can truly empower moms.

Before the final session of the summit wrapped, we met Roland Martin, journalist and host of Roland Martin Unfiltered, where we shared our upcoming visit to DC, where he show is headquartered. We introduced him to Muscle Up Mommy's world-class innovation and hinted at scheduling a segment during our visit to headlining a workshop at Techsgiving conference on December 10-13, 2025.

We also met Sheryl Swoopes, 4x WNBA Champion and 3x Gold Medalist During our conversation, we discussed the challenges of balancing motherhood and professional sports — referencing a 21 Ninety article that highlighted Candace Parker’s experience navigating motherhood in the WNBA.

We talked about how Muscle Up Mommy wearable breast pumps could have been a game-changer for athletes like her — enabling them to pump discreetly while traveling or between games without being tied to a wall outlet. These conversations reminded us of our “why”: to make motherhood easier, more flexible, and more empowered, no matter where life takes you.

Our time at AfroTech was filled with unforgettable moments that highlighted the strength of the Black innovation community.

We attended the Microsoft House of Black Techxcellence event, where we met Jodie Taylor and connected with Olamide Olowe, CEO of Topicals. We also joined a live podcast taping for Rich Little Broke Girls by Kimberly Bizu, and the Creator Unplugged event hosted by Charles Beloved, where we networked with Microsoft BAM team members from Houston and Jeanette Reyes, journalist and media personality.

We also participated in Afrotech's HealthStack MedTech Meetup hosted by the NAACP, connecting with Dr. Chris Pernell and Dr. Gerald Onuoha, and other leaders pioneering the future of health equity and technology.

Another special highlight was attending the Women in Tech Reception presented by Yahoo, where attendees ranged from doctors, founders, innovators, technologists, engineers, and other leading professionals shaping the future of tech.

Amid the dynamic energy—soundtracked by DJ Maiya Papaya—I had the opportunity to reconnect again with Danessa Myricks, road mapping our energy from Forbes BLK to Afrotech, and meet Dr. Rachel Gillum, whom earlier led a session at Afrotech outlining a world of using AI Agents to simplifly workflows in Slack and how to prompt with research-backed tips to get the most of AI.

The reception served as another reminder of how representation and innovation intersect—especially in spaces where women’s voices are often the catalyst for change.

During AfroTech week, we proudly launched the MUMFEST Social Mixer, presented by Muscle Up Mommy in partnership with Black Tech Saturdays and Topp Line Visuals.

Hosted at Provare Restaurant, the evening brought together a dynamic mix of women in tech, entrepreneurs, wellness leaders, and media professionals for an intimate night of connection, collaboration, and culture.

The MUMFEST Social Mixer represents the evolution of our mission — to build a community that supports moms, creators, and professionals through curated experiences that blend wellness, innovation, and empowerment.

This night was especially meaningful — it showcased not only the impact we’re making as a brand, but also my personal growth as a founder. In yet another full-circle moment, my very first manager, Dennithia Warner (Dee), from when I worked at Kids Foot Locker in Detroit, flew to Houston to attend the event and celebrate the evolution of Muscle Up Mommy.

It was deeply sentimental and filled my cup beyond belief. I learned so much about inventory tracking, sales goals, and spreadsheet management working under Dee's guidance during my senior year of high school and throughout college — foundational skills that still serve me today as a CEO. To see her visit Houston for her new company and still take time to attend the MUMFEST Social reminded me of how powerful genuine connections are, and how every step in our journey prepares us for the next one.

The MUMFEST brand represents exactly that — the beauty of growth, community, and alignment. It's a celebration of where we’ve been, where we’re going (with development resources and conversations that shape the future), and the people who’ve helped shape the journey along the way (and making new connections in the process).

Following our recent features in AfroTech Digital Publication, Yahoo News, Yahoo Life, and Fox 2 Detroit, the demand for Muscle Up Mommy Wearable Breast Pumps continues to surge.

After nearly a decade of being self-funded, we’re now exploring strategic funding opportunities to expand production, reach more mothers globally, and continue bridging the gap between motherhood and innovation.

As 2026 approaches, our focus remains on growth, community impact, and accessibility — ensuring every mom can experience the freedom, confidence, and autonomy of balancing ambition and motherhood.

We’re expanding our MUMFEST Social series into new cities, continuing to enhance our wearable technology, and gearing up for an exciting holiday season designed to celebrate motherhood, mobility, and impact.

We’re just getting started — and we’re grateful to our community for believing in the mission.

For press, media inquiries or schedule appearances, contact press@muscleupmommy.com