Live Heat Pressing x Ancestry x Afrotech

 

The Experience

Ancestry lit up AfroTech 2025 with their incredible Black Tapestry event — a vibrant celebration of Black innovation, culture, and storytelling. The event invited guests to explore their roots through Ancestry’s powerful DNA kits, cutting-edge technology, and personalized services, all while connecting with a community of visionaries. Inspiring voices like LeToya Luckett, the multi-talented singer, songwriter, and actress, and renowned genealogist and documentarian Nicka Sewell-Smith shared stories that moved and motivated the crowd.

We were thrilled to partner with Ancestry to turn up the style — bringing the swag with custom embroidered patches designed by Chukwunoonso Ofili, plus heat-pressed denim totes and hats that every guest was excited to grab. It was a perfect blend of heritage, creativity, and culture coming to life.

The Result

Each guest left not only with a custom creation they made themselves, but also with a deeper appreciation for their heritage — inspired by Ancestry’s passionate brand ambassadors who shared the power of discovering your personal story.

This hands-on, expressive experience perfectly captured the spirit of Ancestry x AfroTech — innovation rooted in identity, creativity fueled by culture, and a celebration that guests will remember long after the final press cooled.

 
Inside of Solarium where keynote speeches were delivered and ancestry products demoed
Line of people outside of merch station where totes and hats we being heat pressed live
Clear Acrylic display for denim tote with example of patches available for live heat pressing
Display case containing Ancestry DNA kits available for attendees
Designer of the patches used for the live heat press activation posing with hat and tote bag of their designs
Display with placard of artist bio and patch selection available to be heat pressed live onto hats and totes
Tables and chairs set up for socializing and networking to the side of the heat press merch activation station
Ancestry brand ambassador showing off denim totes with woven patches heat pressed live on site at afrotech event in houston texas
Signage indoors at solarium indicating where guests could find our heat pressing activation station outdoors
Hat inside display case, patches ready for selection and signage with instructions for guests
Ancestry x AfroTech event attendees show off their totebags hot off the presses
One of the Ancestry staff and leader of this campaign applying her chosen patches to the denim tote
Heat press activation patch bar set up at afro tech Houston ancestry event
Other side of patch bar station with the heat press ready to create hundreds of custom items for guests live on site
One of the stations at this event was a recruitment tent to encourage Black innovators to have a career in genealogy
 
Live Heat PressingMaddie Carrlive heat pressing, brand activation, brand awareness, brand activations, event activation