- Schedule-at-a-Glance
- Sun., Sept. 22nd
- Mon., Sept. 23rd
- Tues., Sept. 24th
- Wed., Sept. 25th
- Thurs., Sept. 26th
- Fri., Sept. 27th
- Sat., Sept. 28th
DATE | FUNCTION |
Sunday, Sept. 22nd | |
8:00am - 5:00pm | CertifiNOWTM PMP®/CAPM® Prep Course |
8:00am - 5:00pm | Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Certificate Course: Recognizing and Disrupting Unconscious Bias - Presented by the National Diversity Council |
Monday, Sept. 23rd | |
8:00am - 5:00pm | CertifiNOWTM PMP®/CAPM® Prep Course |
8:00am - 5:00pm | Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Certificate Course: Cultural Competence in a Global Workplace - Presented by the National Diversity Council |
9:00am - 5:00pm | Chapter Leadership Retreat (Invitation Only) - Sponsored by Key Bank and Nationwide |
Tuesday, Sept. 24th | |
8:00am - 5:00pm | CertifiNOWTM PMP®/CAPM® Prep Course |
8:00am - 5:00pm | Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Certificate Course: Engaging White Males in D&I Efforts - Presented by the National Diversity Council |
9:00am - 5:00pm | Chapter Leadership Retreat (Invitation Only) - Sponsored by Key Bank and Nationwide |
2:00pm - 7:00pm | Main Registration Opens |
6:00pm - 8:00pm | CEO Reception (Invitation Only) - Sponsored by Courvoisier and Walmart |
Wednesday, Sept. 25th | |
7:00am - 6:00pm | Main Registration Opens |
8:00am - 9:30am | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® Kick-Off Breakfast - Sponsored by Marriott International |
8:00am - 6:00pm | National Black MBA Case Competition® - Graduate - Sponsored by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles |
9:45am - 11:00am | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute®: How to Go From An Idea to MVP to Customers to Real Business |
9:45am - 11:00am | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Leader Track: Emotional Intelligence: Doing the Hard Work of “Soft” Skills Sponsored by Deloitte |
9:45am - 11:00am | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Executives Track: Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Understanding Nonverbal Communication - Sponsored by Marriott International |
10:00am - 2:00pm | Higher Ed Expo & College Fair |
11:15am - 12:30pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute®: More than Social Media: Using Content Marketing to Grow Your Business |
11:15am - 12:30pm | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Leaders Track: Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Understanding Nonverbal Communication Sponsored by Marriott International |
11:15am - 12:30pm | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Executives Track: Leader as Coach - Sponsored by Coca-Cola and Deloitte |
12:45pm - 2:00pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® Luncheon |
2:00pm - 5:00pm | Scale-Up Pitch Challenge Semi-Finals Sponsored by FedEx Corporation |
2:15pm - 3:30pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute®: Keeping it 100: What No One Tells You About Entrepreneurship |
2:15pm - 3:30pm | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Leaders Track: Great Leaders Know How to Follow: The Art of Managing Up - Sponsored by Marriott International |
2:15pm - 3:30pm | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Executives Track: Leading and Inspiring Change - Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance |
3:30pm - 5:00pm | Academic Advisory Council Meeting (Invitation Only) |
3:45pm - 5:00pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® Reception |
5:00pm - 7:30pm | NBMBAA Gold Key Access® Networking (Invitation Only) - Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Walmart |
5:05pm – 6:00pm | NBMBAA Gold Key Access® What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How to Break Through to Senior Leadership (Invitation Only) - Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Walmart |
6:00pm - 8:00pm | NBMBAA® Collegiate Reception (Invitation Only) |
6:00pm - 8:00pm | Consortium Reception (Invitation Only) |
8:00pm - 11:00pm | Welcome Reception: School Daze - Sponsored by Maker’s Mark |
Thursday, Sept. 26th | |
7:00am - 6:00pm | Main Registration Opens |
7:00am - 7:45am | Fitting In Fitness: Anytime Anywhere Total Body Workout - Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson |
8:00am - 6:00pm | National Black MBA Case Competition® - Undergraduate - Sponsored by Walmart |
8:00am - 6:00pm | Career Success Network® Center |
8:45am - 9:00am | Career Expo Ribbon Cutting |
9:00am - 11:00am | Career Expo Opening (Members Only) |
9:00am - 10:00am | Breakout Session: Business Chemistry: Using Science to Improve the Art of Relationships - Sponsored by Deloitte |
9:00am - 10:00am | Breakout Session: Proactively Elevating and Retaining Women Leaders - Sponsored by Accenture, BlackRock, Inc., Comcast NBCUniversal and SunRun |
9:00am - 10:30am | Leadership Studio: Unbox Yourself! Discover the Power Tools To Help You Explode Through the Glass Ceiling - Sponsored by FedEx Corporation |
9:00am - 1:00pm | Membership Engagement |
10:00am - 5:00pm | National Black MBA Case Competition® - Graduate - Sponsored by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles |
10:15am - 11:30am | Meet the Experts: Work in the World of Luxury Retail- Sponsored by LVMH |
10:15am - 11:30am | Meet the Experts: The State of Black Wealth/African Americans in Finance: A Panel Discussion - Sponsored by Bank of America |
11:00am - 5:00pm | Career Expo Opening (All Registrants) |
12:00pm - 2:00pm | Thursday Luncheon: Transcend: The Power of You! - Sponsored by Nationwide |
2:15pm - 3:30pm | Meet The Experts: Living On and In Purpose - Sponsored by Nationwide |
2:15pm - 3:15pm | Breakout Session: The Crossroads Intersection of Diversity Sponsored by Albemarle, Capco, HP, Microsoft and Walmart |
2:15pm - 3:30pm | Breakout Session: Identifying and Addressing Blindspots: The Value of Assessment and Coaching - Sponsored by Danaher |
3:30pm - 5:00pm | Scale-Up Pitch Challenge Finals Sponsored by FedEx Corporation |
4:30pm - 6:00pm | Marriott Ownership Session: Opportunities in the Hotel Industry (Invitation Only) - Sponsored by Marriott International |
6:00pm - 9:00pm | Corporate Hospitality Receptions |
9:00pm - 12:00am | MBA Live® - Sponsored by Ciroc and Crown Royal |
Friday, Sept. 27th | |
7:00am - 2:00pm | Main Registration Opens |
7:00am - 7:45am | Fitting In Fitness: Yoga for Everyone |
9:00am - 10:00am | Breakout Session: Being Black in the Tech Industry - Sponsored by FCA, Lockheed Martin and Microsoft |
9:00am - 10:00am | Breakout Session: Authentically Showing Up for Black Consumers Sponsored by NFL (Pre-Registration Required) |
10:15am - 11:45am | Membership Meeting (Members Only) |
9:00am - 1:00pm | Membership Engagement |
9:00am - 3:00pm | Career Expo |
9:00am - 4:00pm | Career Success Network® Center |
10:15am - 11:30am | Meet The Experts: Culture of Consulting - Sponsored by Deloitte |
10:15am - 11:30am | Meet The Experts: How to Transform Your Brand, Network, and Expand Your Influence via LinkedIn - Sponsored by LinkedIn |
12:00pm - 2:00pm | Luncheon: Succeeding While Black: The Dangers of Truth & Perceptions in Corporate America |
2:15pm - 3:15pm | Breakout Session: Intrapreneurship: The Art of Behaving Like an Entrepreneur While Working for a Large Corporation - Sponsored by CBRE |
2:15pm - 3:15pm | Breakout Session: Wellness in the Workplace - Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson |
3:30pm - 5:00pm | Leadership Studio: Empowering Leadership: Scaling Your Leadership Through Transformation and Digital Disruption- Sponsored by Microsoft |
6:00pm – 7:00pm | NBMBAA® Impact Awards Cocktail Reception Sponsored by Courvoisier |
7:00pm - 9:00pm | NBMBAA® Impact Awards - Sponsored by Courvoisier |
8:30pm - 9:30pm | NBMBAA® Impact Awards Cocktail/Dessert Reception Sponsored by Courvoisier |
10:00pm - 2:00am | MBA Live® - Sponsored by Ciroc and Crown Royal |
Saturday, Sept. 28th | |
2:00pm to 7:00pm | Houston Chapter Day Party |
Time | Description |
8:00am to 5:00pm | CertifiNOWTM PMP®/CAPM® Prep (Day 1)Professional Training, Pre-registration requiredThis project management program provides the best learning experience in a condensed amount of time, while also satisfying most of your professional certification, education, and training needs. The CertifiNOWTM certification course reduces exam preparation time from an average of nine to twelve months, down to 3 days of classroom instruction.Presenter: Floyd Trotman III, MBA, MS/MoIS, PMP®, CertifiNOWTM |
8:00am to 5:00pm | Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Certificate Course: Recognizing and Disrupting Unconscious Bias - Presented by the National Diversity CouncilThis workshop will help participants make the connection between neuroscience and diversity while exploring how unconscious bias impacts individuals, teams, and organizations. It will include key concepts, tools, models, and experiential exercises to help participants reflect and apply information in their personal and professional lives. At the completion of the 3-day training, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion of the Training, presented by the National Diversity Council. Learning Objectives
Facilitator: Al Sullivan, MSOD, CPC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Inspirus Consulting Inc. |
Time | Description |
8:00am to 5:00pm | CertifiNOWTM PMP®/CAPM® Prep (Day 2)Professional Training, Pre-registration requiredThis project management program provides the best learning experience in a condensed amount of time, while also satisfying most of your professional certification, education, and training needs. The CertifiNOWTM certification course reduces exam preparation time from an average of nine to twelve months, down to 3 days of classroom instruction.Presenter: Floyd Trotman III, MBA, MS/MoIS, PMP®, CertifiNOWTM |
8:00am to 5:00pm | Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Certificate Course: Cultural Competence in a Global Workplace - Presented by the National Diversity CouncilThis workshop will equip participants to better understand and navigate a global organization and society. It will explore relevant data, concepts, and tools to enhance self-awareness and understanding of others in a global context. Current day realities will be included in the discussion. Practical models, templates and activities will allow participants to consider their own personal and professional situations and prepare for next-step action. At the completion of the 3-day training, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion of the Training, presented by the National Diversity Council. Learning Objectives
Facilitator: Al Sullivan, MSOD, CPC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Inspirus Consulting Inc. |
Time | Description |
8:00am to 5:00pm | CertifiNOWTM PMP®/CAPM® Prep (Day 3)Professional Training, Pre-registration requiredThis project management program provides the best learning experience in a condensed amount of time, while also satisfying most of your professional certification, education, and training needs. The CertifiNOWTM certification course reduces exam preparation time from an average of nine to twelve months, down to 3 days of classroom instruction.Presenter: Floyd Trotman III, MBA, MS/MoIS, PMP®, CertifiNOWTM |
8:00am to 5:00pm | Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Certificate Course: Engaging White Males in D&I Efforts - Presented by the National Diversity CouncilThis workshop will enhance participants’ capability to increase awareness and to engage people of difference, especially white males, in conversations and efforts related to diversity and inclusion. We will explore opportunities and methods to grow beyond potential limiting beliefs about groups that may be different than your own. We will also engage a panel of diverse leaders, including white men, in a real conversation about diversity and inclusion and their role as leaders in this work. At the completion of the 3-day training, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion of the Training, presented by the National Diversity Council. Learning Objectives
Facilitator: Al Sullivan, MSOD, CPC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Inspirus Consulting Inc. |
2:00pm to 7:00pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® Registration Opens CONFERENCE ATTIREDaytime: Business Wednesday and Thursday Evenings: Business Casual Friday Evening: NBMBAA® Impact Awards: Red Carpet Chic Friday Evening: MBA Live: Casual Saturday: Casual |
6:00pm to 8:00pm | CEO Reception Invitation Only event Sponsored by NBMBAA® President & CEO Jesse Tyson welcomes guests to Houston for the NBMBAA’s 41st Annual Conference & Exposition. |
Time | Description |
7:00am to 12:00pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® Registration Opens CONFERENCE ATTIREDaytime: Business Wednesday and Thursday Evenings: Business Casual Friday Evening: NBMBAA® Impact Awards: Red Carpet Chic Friday Evening: MBA Live: Casual Saturday: Casual |
8:00am to 9:30am | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® Kick-Off Breakfast Sponsored by Participants of the NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® will take part in this keynote breakfast to level set the day and prepare for the sessions immediately following. NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute®—offering professional development and networking opportunities to aspiring and current business owners, though a series of workshops, panel discussions, and networking forums. NBMBAA Leadership Institute®—an executive development program with courses for experienced managers and high potential employees taught by credentialed and experienced professionals.Keynote Speaker: Shawn A. Taylor, Private Investor and Philanthropist |
8:00am to 6:00pm | Main Registration Opens CONFERENCE ATTIREDaytime: Business Wednesday and Thursday Evenings: Business Casual Friday Evening: NBMBAA® Impact Awards: Red Carpet Chic Friday Evening: MBA Live: Casual Saturday: Casual |
8:00am to 6:00pm | National Black MBA Case Competition® - Graduate Sponsored by Pre-registration required. Graduate students from the nation’s leading business schools strive to develop the best solution to a business-related case study for top ranking cash prizes and employment opportunities. |
9:45am to 11:00am | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute®: How to Go From an Idea to MVP to Customers to Real Business This session provides new entrepreneurs with a step-by-step process to navigate the complex journey of starting a new company from an idea. Get action steps and a game plan. Attendees will learn:
Presenter: Heath Butler, CEO, Gestalt Theory Venture Partners, LLC |
9:45am to 11:00am | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Leaders Track: Emotional Intelligence: Doing the Hard Work of “Soft” Skills Sponsored by There is no such thing as an individual contributor anymore. Regardless of our job descriptions, very few of us have the luxury of working alone. We usually need to consult, collaborate, and negotiate with people both inside and outside of our organizations to deliver results. This is why leaders with high emotional intelligence are consistently identified to be top performers – they understand how to manage their own emotions, read signals, and respond appropriately. It’s no wonder that The World Economic Forum listed emotional intelligence as one of the top 10 skills to help you thrive in the future. This session will give you the tools to raise your emotional intelligence to stand out from the crowd. Attendees will learn:
Presenter: Darryl A. Spivey Ph.D. (Candidate), M.B.A., The Center for Creative Leadership |
9:45am to 11:00am | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Executives Track: Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Understanding Nonverbal Communication Sponsored by Ever wondered why you seem to hit it off right away with some people, while with others it takes more time? Explore the secrets you need to understand why you respond intuitively to the natural chemistry, or lack thereof in addition to various personality/temperament styles. Clear, practical and fun, this topic teaches you how to immediately decipher your communication style and that of others. Attendees will learn:
Presenter: Jan Hargrave, Body Language Expert, Jan Hargrave & Associates |
10:00am to 2:00pm | Higher Ed Expo & College Fair The 3rd Annual NBMBAA® Higher Education Expo will bring together colleges, universities, and post-secondary organizations from across the country to provide attendees with the opportunity to gain valuable exposure to resources that will place them on the path to post-secondary success. |
11:15am to 12:30pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute®: More than Social Media: Using Content Marketing to Grow Your Business Traditional marketing is becoming less effective as savvy customers tune out and turn away from overt product and service pitches. If you are looking to build brand awareness and drive sales, you must start creating relevant and useful content that catches the attention of your target audience. With a little planning and the right tools, content marketing will help you launch your business without breaking the bank. Attendees will learn:
Presenter: Ramon Ray, Founder, Smart Hustle Media |
11:15am to 12:30pm | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Leaders Track: Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Understanding Nonverbal Communication Sponsored by Ever wondered why you seem to hit it off right away with some people, while with others it takes more time? Explore the secrets you need to understand why you respond intuitively to the natural chemistry, or lack thereof in addition to various personality/temperament styles. Clear, practical and fun, this topic teaches you how to immediately decipher your communication style and that of others. Attendees will learn:
Presenter: Jan Hargrave, Body Language Expert, Jan Hargrave & Associates |
11:15am to 12:30pm | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Executives Track: Leader as Coach Sponsored by “Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance. It is helping them learn rather than teaching them.” - John Whitmore, Coaching for Performance Coaching is one of the most powerful tools you have to develop and grow your team. As a leader, you can use coaching for career development conversations, providing feedback and improving performance, along with driving innovation. Level up your coaching skills and watch your team thrive. Attendees will learn:
Presenter: Fredrick Russell, Principal, True North Leadership Group |
12:45pm to 2:00pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® Luncheon Participants of the NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® will take part in this keynote lunch to refresh and motivate participants for the remaining sessions, immediately following. Keynote Speaker: Darrin DeWitt Henson, D&E Workshop, Inc. |
2:00pm to 5:00pm | Scale-Up Pitch Challenge Semi-Finals Sponsored by The three regional competitions will ladder up into a national pitch competition at Conference with entrepreneurs pitching business ideas to judges for cash prizes. | 2:15pm to 3:30pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute®: Keeping it 100: What No One Tells You About Entrepreneurship Join a power packed, no-holds barred panel discussion that explores the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur. Our panel of distinguished entrepreneurs will share with you their personal journeys while providing you with strategies and tactics to help you overcome unexpected challenges, avoid common pitfalls, and take advantage of wisdom that can only be learned through years of experience. Moderator: Maggie Anderson, Author, OUR BLACK YEAR Panelists: Crystal Love, Founder & CEO, Dutch Uncle Marc Davenport, CEO, RMI Capital LLC Nathan Hale Williams, Esq., President, iN-Hale Entertainment LLC | 2:15pm to 3:30pm | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Leaders Track: Great Leaders Know How to Follow: The Art of Managing Up Sponsored by Your relationship with your manager can make or break your career. Do you know what it takes to be considered indispensable? Learn how to set expectations, anticipate your manager’s needs, and advocate for yourself. Attendees will learn:
Presenter: Fredrick Russell, Principal, True North Leadership Group |
2:15pm to 3:30pm | NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Emerging Executives Track: Leading and Inspiring Change Sponsored by Organizations in every industry are facing an unprecedented amount of internal and external change. Now, more than ever, the most successful leaders are the ones who can embrace uncertainty, create buy-in, and push through resistance to deliver on change initiatives. This session will give you practical tools to prepare yourself and your team to harness the power of change. Attendees will learn:
Presenter: Dr. Tiffany Dotson, Vice President, Global Talent, Leadership and Learning, Liberty Mutual Insurance |
3:30pm to 5:00pm | Academic Advisory Council Meeting Invitation Only event The Academic Advisory Council was established to provide academic program guidance and recommendations to help NBMBAA® deliver more valuable products to serve our members. This meeting of the minds will consist of a roundtable discussion with the intent to provide invaluable guidance and feedback on academic program accountability while serving as partners in research and collaboration. |
3:45pm to 5:00pm | NBMBAA Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes® Reception You've spent the day working hard, now it's time to play hard. Finish a great day of learning by networking with your fellow NBMBAA® Entrepreneurial & Leadership Institutes attendees. |
5:00pm to 7:30pm | NBMBAA Gold Key Access® Networking Invitation Only event Sponsored by Experienced professionals will access Fortune 500 companies who are seeking talent, director level and above. This invitation only event will offer cross-functional access with two hours of superior programming to advance your career. You do not want to miss this opportunity. To qualify, you must be a NBMBAA® member with 15+ years of work experience. Setup your member profile today on the NBMBAA Career Success Network®, to be selected for this great opportunity. After uploading your resume to the NBMBAA Career Success Network®, please email GoldKey@nbmbaa.org. NOTE: You must meet the criteria for consideration. Interested in attending? Please sign up to be a member of the organization to receive more information about the program. |
5:05pm to 6:00pm | NBMBAA Gold Key Access® What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How to Break Through to Senior Leadership Invitation Only Sponsored by During this session, panelists will discuss the challenges of breaking into senior leadership and offer advice for anyone interested in joining the executive ranks. At the conclusion of this discussion, attendees will better understand how to position themselves to be considered for larger opportunities and be successful once they achieve the roles. Moderator: Valerie Love, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, North America, The Coca-Cola Company Panelists: Brett Biggs, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Walmart Timothy M. Sweeney Executive Vice President, President, Global Retail Markets, Liberty Mutual Group |
6:00pm to 8:00pm | NBMBAA® Collegiate Reception Invitation Only Invitation only event will allow NBMBAA® Collegiate Partners and HBCU Alumni the opportunity to network with their peers. We will also recognize our 2019 NBMBAA® Scholarship recipients and newest Collegiate Partners. All faculty, staff and students from the partner institutions and HBCU Alumni are invited to attend |
6:00pm to 8:00pm | Consortium Reception Invitation Only event This invitation only event will allow NBMBAA® members and Consortium alumni the opportunity to network with their peers. All members and alumni are invited to attend. |
8:00pm to 11:00pm | Welcome Reception: School Daze Sponsored by Kick off the NBMBAA® 41st Annual Conference & Exposition. Come meet your fellow conference attendees in your favorite school or Greek gear. Enjoy the hottest sounds by DJ E-Clazz. Must have conference badge for entry. Performer: DJ E-Clazz, E-Clazz Entertainment |
Time | Description |
7:00am to 6:00pm | Main Registration Opens CONFERENCE ATTIRE |
7:00am to 7:45am | Fitting In Fitness: Anytime Anywhere Total Body Workout Sponsored by Start your day with an energetic 40 minute total body workout session with one of Hollywood’s most sought after trainers Jeanette Jenkins. This workout is designed for all levels of fitness from beginner to advanced. She has designed a workout that is safe, fun and effective for all levels! Her mission is to make you smile and to help you all tap into the athlete that lives inside of you! Instructor: Jeanette Jenkins, President, The Hollywood Trainer, LLC |
8:00am to 6:00pm | National Black MBA Case Competition® - Undergraduate Sponsored by ![]() Pre-registration required. Undergraduate students from the nation’s leading business schools strive to develop the best solution to a business-related case study for top ranking cash prizes and employment opportunities. |
8:00am to 6:00pm | Career Success Network® Center NBMBAA’s year-round online career resource is now made available for an one-one-one experience. Attendees have the opportunity to access career development resources such as resume reviews with onsite printing for guided resume revision, coaching sessions for interview technique tips and best practices. Sessions are by appointment only. |
8:45am to 9:00am | Career Expo Ribbon Cutting The National Black MBA Association® Annual Conference and Career Exposition is one of the largest career recruitment and professional development events in the United States. The President & CEO along with the NBMBAA® Board of Directors open the Career Exposition with the ribbon cutting ceremony. |
9:00am to 11:00am | Career Expo Opening (Members Only) Exposition Halls C & D Approximately 300 corporations will have representatives on the Career Expo floor. Gather information, book interviews and network with exhibitors. **To take full advantage of the Career Expo, please upload your resume to the NBMBAA Career Success Network® website as soon as possible. Employers begin reviewing resumes over the summer to book interviews.** |
9:00am to 10:00am | Breakout Session: Business Chemistry: Using Science to Improve the Art of Relationships Sponsored by Expressly designed for use in a business context, business chemistry draws upon the latest analytics technologies to reveal four scientifically based patterns of behavior. The system is designed to provide insights about individuals and teams based on observable traits and preferences. It helps you understand your own styles and how those compare to the business population. Presenters: Brandon Artis, Manager, Government and Public Sector (GPS) Human Capital Workforce Transformation, Deloitte Consulting LLP Laurin Wallace, Specialist Leader, Government and Public Sector (GPS) Human Capital, Organization Transformation, Deloitte Consulting LLP |
9:00am to 10:00am | Breakout Session: Proactively Elevating and Retaining Women Leaders Sponsored by As we continue to see the rise of women in forward-facing and previously male-dominated roles, the fight for promotion and retention of women leaders at the same or comparable rate of their male counterparts is still a shortfall. During this session, explore how to cultivate talent, promote into high levels of leadership, and retain the positioning of women leaders. Moderator: Michele Thornton Ghee, EVP, Business Development, Endeavor Global Marketing Panelists: Kelly Apple, Director, BlackRock Chris Dawson, Chief Operating Officer, Sunrun Inc. Kelli Hill, Regional Vice President Customer Care, Comcast Kara Kelly, Managing Director, Accenture |
9:00am to 10:30am | Leadership Studio: Unbox Yourself! Discover the Power Tools To Help You Explode Through the Glass Ceiling Sponsored by Why is it that you can’t secure the job or promotion you’ve been going after for months or even years? You have the degree(s), network of contacts, intelligence and experience, yet doors continue to close with no sign of a ‘yes’ in sight. During this session, uncover what may be holding you back from your desired job or promotion. Learn four strategies that are key to putting you on the fast track to a promotion. Presenter: Chris L. Winton, Vice President of Human Resources, FedEx Services |
9:00am to 1:00pm | Membership Engagement Visit the NBMBAA® Member Engagement Area where you can take advantage of an exclusive conference membership enrollment discount. Also, buy a limited supply of NBMBAA® merchandise. |
10:00am to 5:00pm | National Black MBA Case Competition® - Graduate Sponsored by Pre-registration required. Teams of students analyze a complex business case to demonstrate their problem-solving skills. Teams present their findings before a panel of executives from leading corporations and academic institutions from across the country. |
10:15am to 11:30am | Meet the Experts: Work in the World of Luxury Retail Sponsored by From Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fresh, Sephora and Moet Hennessy, learn what it’s like to work in the world of Luxury retail. Learn from senior leaders within LVMH about their career paths, how diversity shapes their business and what trends they are seeing. Panelists: Jack T. Gaffaney, Vice President Men's, Christian Dior Couture Americas Tressan Garcia, Senior Manager, Global Brand Marketing, Fresh Christina Jefferson, Manager Inclusion and Diversity, SEPHORA Carmen Mayali, Senior Director, Talent & Organizational Development, SEPHORA Christopher Venegas, Boutique Director, Houston River Oaks Christian Dior Couture Deon Harris, Sr. Brand Director, Hennessy VS, Moet Hennessy |
10:15am to 11:30am | Meet the Experts: The State of Black Wealth/African Americans in Finance: A Panel Discussion Sponsored by Explore current facts and statistics on the state of wealth in the Black/African American community, while delving into the various roles within finance both from a career opportunity standpoint as well as from a client/investor standpoint and sharing perspectives on being Black/African American in the finance industry. Presenter: Tiffany Eubanks-Saunders, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Corporation |
11:00am to 5:00pm | Career Expo Opening (All Registrants) Exposition Halls C & D The Career Expo offers attendees access to a premier employment recruiting expo where approximately 300 Fortune 1000 corporations participate to recruit top talent for employment and internship opportunities. Gather information, book interviews, and network with exhibitors. **To take full advantage of the Career Expo, please upload your resume to the NBMBAA Career Success Network® website as soon as possible. Employers begin reviewing resumes over the summer to book interviews.** |
12:00pm to 2:00pm | Thursday Luncheon: Transcend: The Power of You! Sponsored by The power YOU possess has the ability to change the trajectory of your career, your life, and shape the world. Discover how to unlock the power that is within YOU in order create the destiny YOU imagine. Fireside Chat: Doug McMillon, Chief Executive Officer, Walmart Cynt Marshall, CEO, Dallas Mavericks |
2:15pm to 3:30pm | Meet The Experts: Living On and In Purpose Sponsored by Are you living the life you are meant to live? Everyone has a purpose in life, and within that purpose is a unique talent waiting to be expressed and shared with the world. For some, the vision is clear and for others, the path may seem unclear. This powerful conversation will inspire you to maximize your potential and align in your purpose. Panelists: Sevetri M. Wilson, Founder and CEO, Resilia Lu Yarbrough III, Associate Vice President, Enterprise Diverse and Cause Marketing, Nationwide Lamar Tyler, Founder, Traffic, Sales & Profit |
2:15pm to 3:15pm | Breakout Session: The Crossroads Intersection of Diversity Sponsored by Many of us exist within diverse subgroups of innumerable racial, ethnic and cultural workplaces and communities. As we continue to see a rise in diversity conversations and positions aimed at inclusion, there is still a disconnect as entities continue to lack the aptitude to execute on diversity initiatives. Although the makeup of diversity is constantly changing as association and orientation is evolving, how do we create intersectionality? Moderator: Pamela Culpepper, Founding Partner, Have Her Back Consulting Panelists: Sydney M. Brunson, Global Engagement, Multicultural Communities and Outreach Leader, Microsoft Raphael Crawford, President, Catalysts at Albemarle Corporation Ben-Saba Hasan, SVP and Chief Global Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Walmart Adrienne Massie, HP Americas Employee Engagement Management, HP Inc. Randall Sawyer, Executive Director, CAPCO |
2:15pm to 3:30pm | Breakout Session: Identifying and Addressing Blindspots: The Value of Assessment and Coaching Sponsored by Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Did your dream job become available, and on paper, you were a perfect match, but the offer was not made? Perhaps there are some underdeveloped skills that need refining. Coaching and assessments are no longer just for novices in the workforce trying to discover the right job for their personality, but for serious professionals desiring growth, want to secure longevity, and looking to propel their career to the next level. The benefits of coaching and assessments are vast, but how can it benefit you? Moderator: Dr. Nicole LaBeach, President & CEO, Volition Enterprises, Inc. Panelists: Yvette Hollingsworth Clark, Executive Vice President & Regulatory Innovation Officer, Wells Fargo & Company Dr. Joe Johnson, Keynote Speaker & Peak Performance Coach, Joe Johnson Group Denise M. Thomas, Founder/Owner, The Effective Communication Coach, LLC Nicole Wormley, Director, Employment Branding and University Recruitment, Danaher Corporation |
3:30pm to 5:00pm | Scale-Up Pitch Challenge Finals Sponsored by Competition across three regions (Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles) with entrepreneurs pitching business ideas to judges for cash prizes. The final three competitors will ladder up for a chance at winning a total prize pool of $50K. Host: Mathew Knowles, PhD, Founder & CEO, Music World Entertainment. |
4:30pm to 6:00pm | Marriott Ownership Session: Opportunities in the Hotel Industry Invitation Only event Sponsored by Are you interested in owning a Marriott hotel? If you answered yes, attend Marriott’s hotel industry presentation, where Marriott representatives will discuss the hotel industry and strategies on how to build long-term wealth through hotel ownership. Key highlights include: an overview of the Marriott business, the Marriott hotel ownership structure, financial commitment, how to get started and what’s important to succeed in the hotel industry. Its hotel industry 101, hosted by a leading hospitality company with more than 4,300 properties and 19 brands. Presenters: Brian Bronson, Director Field Performance and New Solutions, Marriott International Teresa Chao, Senior Director, Asset Management, Feasibility & Analysis – Americas, Marriott International |
6:00pm to 9:00pm | Corporate Hospitality Receptions Join NBMBAA® Corporate Partners for intimate receptions, as they explore the soft skills of the conference attendees. Remember, you are always on. Do you have what it takes? |
9:00pm to 12:00am | MBA Live® Sponsored by This lifestyle event allows our attendees to unwind and balance their focused and aligned week of exploration and innovation with fun and excitement during a Thursday night party. Host: Kenny Burns, The Lifestyle Specialist, Studio 43 Performers: DJ E-Clazz, E-Clazz Entertainment |
Time | Description |
7:00am to 2:00pm | Main Registration Opens CONFERENCE ATTIRE |
7:00am to 7:45am | Fitting In Fitness: Yoga for Everyone This yoga session will start with deep breathing & meditation to set the tone and then flow through various yoga poses with modifications for all levels. Throughout each flow, poses will be held with added breathing and meditations and always the option to rest in child’s pose for additional recovery. The class will then finish with seated stretches to give much needed love to the hips & lower back and finish with an optional inversion and final mediation. It doesn’t matter if this is your very first yoga class or if you have been practicing yoga for years. All levels are welcome. We can’t wait to share the light and positive energy with you! Instructor: Jeanette Jenkins, President, The Hollywood Trainer, LLC |
9:00am to 10:00am | Breakout Session: Being Black in the Tech Industry Sponsored by Although there is a rise in the light of Blacks in tech with conferences such as Black Tech Week and Afro Tech, the number of Blacks in C-suite positions in Fortune 1000 companies are low, but the number of Blacks in tech is even more scarce. Blacks in tech positions in major companies represent less than 1% of the industry. But why? Are we being shut out or is there a lack of qualified Blacks ready to penetrate the industry? Moderator: Andrea Hargrave, Global Director, IT Operations, Cushman & Wakefield Panelists: Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President, F-35 Training Systems, Lockheed Martin Peter Rivera, Senior Managing Director, Defense Advisory Services, Microsoft Corporation Marvin Washington, Director and Head of Electrical and Electronic Mobility Systems Purchasing, FCA |
9:00am to 10:00am | Breakout Session: Authentically Showing Up for Black Consumers Pre-Registration Required Sponsored by In this Think Tank, NFL departments will be able to engage with Black MBA candidates, industry leaders, and higher education professionals to learn more about the consumer perception of various elements of league operations. Topics will range from how player stories are told, the effectiveness of league + partner campaigns and influencer work, and more. This discussion will allow the league to leave with a deeper understanding of how we resonate and provide opportunities for connections with a diverse group of thought leaders and students. |
9:00am to 1:00pm | Membership Engagement Visit the NBMBAA® Member Engagement Area where you can take advantage of an exclusive conference membership enrollment discount. Also, buy a limited supply of NBMBAA® merchandise. |
9:00am to 3:00pm | Career Expo Exposition Halls C & D The Career Expo offers attendees access to a premier employment recruiting expo where approximately 300 Fortune 1000 corporations participate to recruit top talent for employment and internship opportunities. Gather information, book interviews and network with exhibitors. **To take full advantage of the Career Expo, please upload your resume to the NBMBAA Career Success Network® website as soon as possible. Employers begin reviewing resumes over the summer to book interviews.** |
9:00am to 3:00pm | Career Success Network® Center NBMBAA’s year-round online career resource is now made available for a one-one-one experience. Attendees have the opportunity to access career development resources such as resume reviews with onsite printing for guided resume revision, coaching sessions for interview technique tips and best practices. |
10:15am to 11:30am | Meet The Experts: Culture of Consulting Sponsored by We invite you to learn more about the Culture of Consulting at Deloitte, where we lead by building culture through commitment and mutual accountability. A culture where all our people, feel like they belong, understand inclusion is core to who we are, do important and enriching work, have opportunities to advance, feel free to live and work openly, have the flexibility to manage the integration of work and life, reflect the diversity expected and valued by our clients, are provided the opportunity to lead and thrive! Speakers: Adama Fall, Sr. Manager, Government and Public Sector, Customer and Marketing, Deloitte Consulting, LLC Tony Oguamanam, Manager, Finance and Enterprise Performance, Deloitte Consulting, LLC Monique Plenty, Senior Manager, Government and Public Sector (GPS) Customer and Marketing, Digital Customer, Deloitte Consulting, LLC Maria Wright, Senior Consultant, Deloitte Digital Sharolyn Wynter, Financial Services Manager, Deloitte Consulting, LLC |
10:15am to 11:30am | Meet The Experts: How to Transform Your Brand, Network, and Expand Your Influence via LinkedIn Sponsored by Join us for a discussion featuring experts from LinkedIn on how to optimize your brand and actively engage others on the “world’s largest professional network” Panelists: Catherine Hurley, Director, Sales Solutions, North America, LinkedIn Juliana Jaoud, Sr Director, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions LaRon Johnson, Head of LinkedIn Detroit Nicole Wallace Ardiet, Account Executive, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions |
10:15am to 11:45am | Membership Meeting Members Only Members only annual meeting to cover the association's order of business for the current and upcoming year. |
12:00pm to 2:00pm | Luncheon: Succeeding While Black: The Dangers of Truth & Perceptions in Corporate America The rise of successful Black males and females in Corporate America is on a leisurely rise. For those who do climb the towering ladder to the Executive and C-Suite levels, the journey was anything but easy. Black representation in any hampered industry is extremely vital, but what is the cost of Black success in Corporate America? Moderator: Lynn Richardson, Financial Expert & Entertainment Executive, Sunni Gyrl, Inc. Panelists: Andrew Gillum, Chairman, Forward Florida L.P. Green, II, CEO & Founder, Savoy Venture Partners |
2:15pm to 3:15pm | Breakout Session: Intrapreneurship: The Art of Behaving Like an Entrepreneur While Working for a Large Corporation Sponsored by The term “intrapreneurship” has been popping up quite frequently and is a relatively new concept – but what is it; is it a fad and does it really benefit the company the intrapreneur is supplanted in? Join this session for a deep dive into intrapreneurialism. Moderator: Joi Brown, SVP, Marketing and Brand Partnerships, Atlantic Records Panelist: Tim Dismond, Division President, Global Workplace Solutions, CBRE Tarra R. Jackson, DUALpreneur, LLC Nigel Smith, Director, AARP Innovation Labs, AARP |
2:15pm to 3:15pm | Breakout Session: Wellness in the Workplace Sponsored by When wellness comes to mind, one is usually thinking of physical health; however, wellness in the workplace goes beyond the basic line of health of the individual physically. HR professionals are buzzing around workplace wellness to access the satisfaction (health) of their employees in relation to workplace policies and culture. Moderator: Jeanette Jenkins, President, The Hollywood Trainer, LLC Panelists: Marion E. Brooks, MBA, Internationally Certified Executive coach, Professional Speaker and Best-selling Author, Marion E. Brooks and Associates Craig Palmer, Global Marketing Director, Johnson & Johnson Vision Justin Michael Williams, Author, Spiritual Activist, Meditation Teacher, Motivation for Black People |
3:30pm to 5:00pm | Leadership Studio: Empowering Leadership: Scaling Your Leadership Through Transformation and Digital Disruption Sponsored by ![]() What does leadership mean when everyone is leader? How should you develop your leadership as organizations become less hierarchical and more dynamic? Come and learn about Microsoft’s Leadership Principles and the leadership approaches that scale in both classic hierarchies and emerging technology-centered, network organizations. Presenter: Carl B. Watson, Senior Director, Organizational Development, Microsoft |
6:00pm to 7:00pm | NBMBAA® Impact Awards Cocktail Reception Sponsored by As a pre-cursor to the highly-regarded Impact Awards, join us as we offer pre-congratulatory energy to the evening’s esteemed honorees. Raise a glass and indulge in hors d’oeuvres. A celebration awaits! |
7:00pm to 9:00pm | NBMBAA® Impact Awards Sponsored by Join the association at its culminating conference event, highlighting the achievements of those outstanding students, corporate partners, and individuals in the business and education community who best reflect the association’s mission. This red-carpet award experience supports the fundraising efforts of our Leaders of Tomorrow® Endowment, enabling the creation of a high school to college pipeline. Attire is “Red Carpet Chic.” Host: MC Lyte, Actress, Entertainer & Philanthropist, Sunni Gyrl, Inc. Performers: MAJOR., Purple Rope Ent. DJ E-Clazz, E-Clazz Entertainment |
8:30pm to 9:30pm | NBMBAA® Impact Awards Cocktail/Dessert Reception Sponsored by And the winners are! Raise another glass, or two, and end the night on a sweet note at the post-ceremony reception. Cocktails and desserts will lead to decadent dreams! |
10:00pm to 2:00am | MBA Live® Sponsored by This lifestyle event allows our attendees to unwind and balance their focused and aligned week of exploration and innovation with fun and excitement during a Friday night party. Host & Talent: MC Lyte, Actress, Entertainer & Philanthropist, Sunni Gyrl, Inc. Performers: DJ E-Clazz, E-Clazz Entertainment |
Time | Description |
2:00pm to 7:00pm | Houston Chapter Day Party The conference close-out event hosted by the Houston Chapter. |