Session:
Breakout Session: "The Creator Economy: Turning Content into Currency"
With over 10 years of big tech experience, LaToya is currently the Head of Creator Community at TikTok Shop. In this role, LaToya leads a team of people that empower and enable diverse creator profiles to step into their purpose, develop their personal brand and monetize their content. While the creator economy is a relatively recent concept, LaToya has been supporting brands and creators for over a decade. Starting her journey at Amazon, then moving over to Meta, then Twitch and now TikTok Shop, LaToya has a strong passion for building programs and processes that democratize the social media space, and a mission to bridge the gap between the communities with the most representation and the communities that deserve for their voices to be amplified.
Session:
Breakout Session: Building Empires: From Side Hustle to Generational Wealth
Jay Bailey serves as the President & CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, where he leads the world's largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to growing, scaling, & developing Black businesses. He and his team have transformed RICE into an economic empowerment and innovation powerhouse.
Jay is an Atlanta native, three-time TED Talker, and die-hard Georgia Bulldog. He has been recognized with the prestigious National Point of Light Award, named one of Atlanta's "Most Admired CEOs" by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, ranked on Atlanta Magazine's "POWER 100" list of the most dynamic leaders in the city, and honored by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential” leaders in the State. His leadership and commitment to the community have been recognized by three U.S. Presidents. In 2012, he was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a "Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
Jay shares his life's journey with his wife, Dateline NBC correspondent Blayne Alexander, & their cherished daughters, Sage & Skylar.
Session:
Identifying and Addressing Blindspots
Known as The Leadership Strategist®: Galen is a certified Executive Coach and acclaimed facilitator who offers insight from 30 years of operating experience with Fortune 500 companies. He has led in industry-leading corporations like Kraft Foods, Imperial Sugar, and The Coca-Cola Company. He also has 6 years’ experience as a brick-and-mortar retail franchise owner. Galen is consistently sought to advise or serve on premiere non-profit boards where he provides oversight in governance, board development, CEO selection and organizational leadership. Galen has worked with, coached, or advised over 975 executives in leading brands such as Microsoft, Cisco, Merck, Capital One, W.W. Grainger Inc., KPMG, Deloitte and over 70 others.
Session:
NBMBAA® Leadership Institute: The Story Way: How to Impact, Influence, and Inspire More through your Lore
Olu Burrell truly exemplifies a multipotentialite. As the President & CEO of Spoken IV Solutions LLC, he has over two decades of experience working in various industries including local and federal government, secondary and higher education, non-profit, the private sector as well as startups. By focusing on the power and potential of story, Olu guides his clients--individual, team, and organizations, towards the intentional ownership and authorship of their legends.
Mark Twain once said, "The two most important days of your life are the day that you are born and the day you figure out why." Olu was born on May 19th (sometime in the late 1900s. The day he figured out why was on February 14, 2011, for it was on that day that he discovered that his whole first name- Olutosin--is a perfect anagram for the word "Solution." Since that discovery he has dedicated his life to optimizing his gifting.
In addition to 17 certifications, Olu holds a B.A. in English from Howard University, a M.S. in Organization Development from American University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University. A recent transplant from D.C., he resides in Indianapolis, IN.
Session:
Scale Up Pitch Challenge Finals Experience (Host)
If you’ve ever heard Sherhara speak, you’ve likely been captivated by her rare ability to connect, challenge, and command the room. As a magnetic keynote speaker and trusted Communication Advisor, she helps ambitious voices, thought leaders, visionaries, and emerging leaders bridge the gap between self-reflection and self-expression. Sherhara equips people to turn inner clarity into outer confidence so they can lead with conviction and speak with purpose. Her work combines lived experience, sharp insight, and practical frameworks that inspire self-trust, clear action, and real change. With over 17 years of experience coaching and facilitating for companies like Under Armour, Capital One, Toyota, and Comcast, Sherhara empowers people to speak up and stand out. Whether it’s on stage, in strategy sessions, or during workshops, she brings energy, warmth, and wisdom that linger long after the mic is off.
Session:
Future Forward: Navigating the Tech Driven Business Landscape
Angle Bush is a visionary, innovator, and advocate shaping the future of AI. In 2020, she founded Black Women In Artificial Intelligence with a mission to Educate, Engage, Embrace, and Empower. Under her leadership, BWIAI has grown into a global movement across five continents, partnering with Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Amazon to drive opportunity and inclusion. A thought leader and sought-after speaker, Angle challenges the tech world to innovate with purpose. She's an alumna of Central Michigan University, with studies at Harvard, and now serves as a Visiting Fellow at the University of Miami and sits on CMU’s College of Science and Engineering Advisory Board. Her work has been recognized by TEDx, NPR, Bloomberg, Forbes, National Urban League Conference,Inc.Magazine, and more.
Session:
Future Forward: Navigating the TechDriven Business Landscape
Kimberly Bryant is a visionary technologist, founder, author, and cultural architect whose work bridges racial justice, innovation, and narrative transformation. She is the founder and CEO of the Black Innovation Lab by Ascend Ventures, a new model for a collective venture ecosystem focused on economic development in the U.S. South. Through this initiative, she supports and invests in startup founders building technologies for social impact, equity, and generational wealth reimagining what inclusive innovation looks like across the region and beyond.
This work builds on her foundational impact as the founder of Black Girls CODE, where she pioneered the first program of its kind centering girls from underrepresented communities. Under her leadership, Black Girls CODE became one of the most impactful STEM movements of the last decade introducing over 100,000 girls of color to coding, creativity, and community through a global network of learning spaces. Students from the program have gone on to speak at global venues including the United Nations.
Kimberly is currently completing her memoir, Ascending: Black Women and the Power Paradox (forthcoming from Penguin Random House in 2026).
Kimberly holds a degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in computer science from Vanderbilt University. She lives in Oakland, California, where she tends her garden, writes in longform, and cultivates spaces where new futures for Black women can take root.
Session:
Marvin Ellison Session
Marvin Ellison is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lowe’s Companies, Inc., a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company with over 1,700 stores and approximately 300,000 associates.
With more than 35 years of retail leadership and operational experience, Marvin has the unique distinction of being the only African American to serve as Chairman and CEO of two Fortune 500 companies. Prior to Lowe’s, Marvin served as Chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Co.
Marvin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from The University of Memphis, where he currently serves on the board of trustees. He also holds an MBA from Emory University. He also serves on the board of directors for FedEx Corporation.
Session:
Fireside Chat
Widely known as the “queen of the war room,” Ashley Etienne is one of the nation’s top communications strategists, with over 15 years advising leaders including Presidents Obama and Biden, Vice President Harris, and Speaker Pelosi. She served as Deputy Assistant to President Biden and Communications Director to Vice President Harris, and led Pelosi’s strategy during the 2018 midterms and Trump’s first impeachment. Etienne also held senior roles under Obama and in Congress with Elijah Cummings. Now founder of Etienne & Saint and senior advisor at Weber Shandwick, she helps leaders navigate political and societal disruption. A CBS News contributor and former Georgetown fellow, Etienne brings powerful insights on leadership, policy, and media shaped by her experience at the center of U.S. politics. She holds degrees from Johns Hopkins and Sam Houston State University.
Session:
Future Forward: Navigating the Tech Driven Business Landscape
James Francis | Architect of Capital, Culture, and Code
James Francis is a visionary builder across AI, finance, and media. As founder and CEO of Paradigm Asset Management, he pioneered Collective Intelligence, a data-driven investment approach that has managed over $7 billion for institutional investors globally. His career bridges three domains—Capital, Culture, and Code—driven by a mission to shape a more ethical, intelligent future.
Francis is the creator of Artificial Integrity, a groundbreaking framework—and the subject of his forthcoming book—designed to ensure AI aligns with human dignity, ethical principles, and contextual intelligence. Through this work, he advances a new standard for AI, one that prioritizes trust, innovation, and cultural alignment with the people it’s meant to serve.
He also leads Sole.ai, the first Living Intelligence System (LIS) built on the Artificial Integrity framework. Sole.ai is a modular, multi-agent platform that powers dynamic, culturally attuned systems for content creation, knowledge delivery, and human-AI interaction. Designed to protect voice, center context, and scale trust, the system enables adaptive, multi-format tools that learn, respond, and evolve with stakeholders’ needs. Sole.ai opens a new frontier for equitable and responsive AI.
A Morehouse graduate and serial entrepreneur, Francis previously founded Raptor Vision, a computer vision startup. He began his career at the IBM Corporation before joining Shearson and Oppenheimer & Co. He serves on the board of the Francis Foundation, is Chair Emeritus of the Council of Urban Professionals, and is a member of Black in AI, Partnership on AI, and the Council of Institutional Investors.
Session:
TBA
Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Ed Gordon is known for his stellar interactions with newsmakers from the worlds of politics, entertainment, and sports; the veteran journalist is the president of Ed Gordon Media, a multi-service production company.
Gordon is a CBS News contributor covered the 2024 presidential election for the network. He also served as a special correspondent for the BET/CBS News program, America in Black. The newsmagazine premiered in February of 2023. In July of 2024. Gordon conducted a headline-making interview with embattled President Joe Biden. Five days after the interview, Biden would announce he would not seek a second term.
In 2020, Gordon authored his first book, Conversations in Black. In the best-selling book, Gordon interviewed over 40 leaders and influencers for a “virtual” conversation about the state of Black America. He also hosts the nationally syndicated radio program, Weekend with Ed Gordon.
Gordon became well-known and critically-acclaimed during two stints at BET. He had many roles at the network, including: anchor of BET News, and host of BET Tonight.
He’s also been a contributing correspondent for the CBS News show 60 Minutes II, a contributor for NBC’s Today Show and Dateline, and an MSNBC anchor.
Some of Gordon’s other notable works include: the infamous O. J. Simpson interview; an exclusive sit-down with embattled singer R.Kelly and the critically acclaimed one-on-one with Tupac Shakur.
In addition to receiving an Emmy for his work, Gordon is the recipient of many other awards recognizing his talent and professionalism, including the NAACP Image Award and the prestigious Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalists.
Session:
Honorary Co Chair
L.P. Green II is the Founder & Managing Partner of Savoy Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in the Enterprise, Consumer, Health, Supply Chain/Logistics and Fintech sectors.
Savoy Venture Partners is dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs, investors, executives, engineers, academics, industry experts, and other key players within the technology ecosystem. We leverage this network as part of our commitment to helping our portfolio companies thrive.
Savoy Venture Partners provides entrepreneurs with unparalleled access to expertise and insights across all aspects of building and scaling a business, ensuring they have the support needed to succeed at every stage.
Green serves as a life member of the Council of Foreign Relations and the President Society of the Aspen Institute.
Green earned an MBA from the University of Oxford Said School of Business, a MPA degree from Harvard Kennedy School, M.S. degree from Columbia University and a B.A. degree in Sociology from the University of South Carolina-AIken.
Session:
Town Hall
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is one of the nation’s most respected intellectual voices, known for his work as a scholar, journalist, author, and activist. He is the host of BET News, Al Jazeera’s UpFront, the Night School YouTube series, and a contributor to the Joe Budden Podcast. An award-winning journalist, he has received honors from the National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Dr. Hill is a Presidential Professor at the CUNY Graduate Center and has held faculty positions at Morehouse, Temple, and Columbia. He is also the founder of The People’s Education Center and the owner of Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books. Since his youth in Philadelphia, he has worked on issues including prison abolition, political prisoner release, and global human rights. Named one of Ebony’s 100 most influential Black leaders, he is the author or co-author of eight books, including Nobody and Except for Palestine.
Session:
TBA
“Worldwide Exchange” Anchor, Transports & Tech Correspondent
Frank Holland is anchor of CNBC’s “Worldwide Exchange” (M-F, 5AM-6AM ET), which broadcasts from CNBC Global Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
He is also a Transports & Tech Correspondent for the network. Holland focuses on reporting and executive interviews for cloud computing, enterprise software and cybersecurity companies in the technology sector as well as trucking, e-commerce and shipping companies in the supply chain sector. Previously, he was a general assignment reporter for CNBC starting in September 2018.
During his time at the network, Holland has covered a wide range of national stories including: the first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine, the death of George Floyd, Hurricane Ida and the first Kentucky Derby after the pandemic.
Holland also contributes to CNBC Expanding Opportunity and has reported on the 100th Anniversary of Black Wall Street, diversity in tech and has hosted various network specials.
Before joining CNBC, Holland was an anchor and reporter at NBC Boston and WCVB in Boston covering national stories and major local news including the famous “28-3” Patriots Super Bowl victory, The “Texting-Suicide” trial and the Boston Marathon. Holland also enterprise original series and hosted live events, including “Black in Boston”, a weekly business segment and the NBC Education Town Hall in Boston.
Prior to Boston, Holland spent three years as an anchor/reporter at WGN-TV in Chicago, where he covered the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, the Republican and Democratic national conventions, as well as the National College Football Championship. He also held positions at NBC Affiliate WDIV in Detroit, News 12 in New York, and spent several years in television news in both the Virgin Islands and Alaska.
Holland holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Bentley University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Urban League and the National Association of Black Journalists.
Session:
Future Forward: Navigating the Tech- Driven Business Landscape
Brandeis Marshall is Founder and CEO of DataedX Group, a data ethics learning and development agency for educators, scholars and practitioners to counteract automated oppression efforts with culturally-responsive instruction and strategies.
Trained as a computer scientist and as a former college professor, Brandeis teaches, speaks and writes about the racial, gender, socioeconomic and socio-technical impact of data operations on technology and society. She wrote Data Conscience: Algorithmic Siege on our Humanity (Wiley, 2022) as a counter-argument reference for tech’s move fast and break things philosophy. She pinpoints, guides and recommends paths to moving slower and building more responsible human-centered AI approaches.
Brandeis centers her work and impact on making data and AI concepts snackable to understand for practical implementation from the classroom to the boardroom.
Brandeis’s thought leadership has appeared in Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Medium, OneZero, The Moguldom Nation, and on CNN. Brandeis has spoken to audience across the AI and justice sectors including ACLU, Harvard, Kapor Center, Stanford, Truist, Urban League and Visa.
Brandeis holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Rochester. She has been a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Stanford PACS Practitioner Fellow and Partner Research Fellow at Siegel Family Endowment. She has served as an assistant professor at Purdue University and then associate and full professor at Spelman College.
Session:
Breakout Session: Unlocking Access: Tech as a Catalyst for Career Advancement
Adrion Porter is a keynote speaker, advisor, LinkedIn Top Voice, and the founder of Mid-Career Mastery®, a personal and professional growth company for today’s ever-changing world of work.
A former marketing executive, Adrion is now on a mission to reframe the "middle" not as a messy season of stagnation, but as your most magical and meaningful chapter of reinvention and transformation. Adrion is the creator of The Mastery Map®, a story-centered framework grounded in neuroscience and narrative psychology that's designed to be your personal roadmap of transformation. It's goal is to help you get unstuck, navigate, and thrive in their career—at any age or stage.
He is a trusted speaker and advisor to top organizations around the world including Fidelity, TIAA, Black Enterprise, NBMBAA, Humana, AARP, Harvard Medical School, and others. Adrion is also the host of the popular podcast Gen X Amplified and the creator of the #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series on LinkedIn. Previously, Adrion led brand development and marketing initiatives for HBO, Cartoon Network, Citi, and served as CMO for a tech and media non-profit. Adrion holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a BBA from the University of Memphis.
Session:
The Black Economic Renaissance: Leading the Next Era of Influence
Killer Mike gets recognized for many things - being an Outkast protege, a member of rap powerhouse Run The Jewels, one of Atlanta’s biggest advocates, a Bernie Sanders whisperer, and, perhaps most importantly, a voice of reason in an increasingly insane world. Some might know one or two of those sides of Mike, but with his 2023 three-time Grammy Award winning album MICHAEL he finally introduced the world to the totality of Michael Render, a lifelong rap fiend whose consciousness is seeped in the sounds of the family and community that raised him - multiple eras of southern rap flows, Sunday church service, and barbershop discourse.
Mike is also the founder of the S.W.A.G. Shop Babershop which has 3 locations in Atlanta and is launching it's own line of men's care products this year. He also opened up Bankhead Seafood in his childhood neighborhood earlier this year. And his band Run The Jewels continues to expand their beverage business recently opening distributon in more states.
Session:
Wealthmoves: The Pivot from Pro Ball to Corporate America
Jalen Rose is one of the few professional athletes to maintain a high profile post retirement. Long known for his post-game quotes and great relationship with the media, he continues to show his versatility in the multi-media space, entertainment world and as a philanthropist. Jalen was born and raised in Detroit where he was part of the University of Michigan’s legendary “Fab Five” who revolutionized the sports world. In 1994, he was drafted in the first round and went on to have a successful 13-year NBA career. Since then, he spent 16-years as a lead ABC/ESPN analyst for a variety of network shows including the popular radio and television show “Jalen and Jacoby.” Jalen partnered with the New York Post on Renaissance Man, a weekly column and podcast series and in 2015, he released a New York Times Bestseller, Got to Give the People What They Want. Jalen is currently a regular NBA contributor on TNT/NBATV. His most substantial outreach initiative to date is the establishment of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA), an open enrollment, tuition free, public charter high school in the zip code where he grew up.
Session:
From Challenge to Change: Transforming Setbacks into Success
Andre W. Thornton is a CEO, Speaker, and Coach who brings a fresh perspective to the leadership development arena. Having lived his life as an example of how someone can pursue their purpose while in the corporate world, he now inspires and teaches the principles of leadership through the art and science of the human experience. His solutions transform leaders from the inside out.
Prior to becoming CEO, Andre performed on some of the most advanced aircraft programs and technologies in the world. He co-led the capture of over $1B in new business, led technical organizations as large as 2,000 employees, and numerous innovations over the course of a nearly 2-decade career at a global government contracting company.
Andre holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute, and Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Georgia State University Robinson School of Business. He is a founding board member of the non-profit Promaji Alumni Impact. He and his family reside in Maryland.
Session:
Redefining Equity The State of the Black Professional
Guylaine Saint Juste is a transformational CEO and strategic leader who brings 30+ years of executive experience driving sustainable growth through cultural transformation, strategic vision, and financial acumen. As President and CEO of NABA, Inc., she leads a national organization representing more than 200,000 Black business professionals in accounting, finance, and related fields.
Saint Juste's unique value to boards stems from her exceptional ability to identify market shifts before they occur — what Harvard calls “perceptual acuity” — and position organizations to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Her leadership philosophy centers on creating cultures of accountability, excellence, and purpose that deliver measurable results for all stakeholders.
Session:
Wealthmoves: The Pivot, from Corporate America to Private Equity: A discussion with Don Thompson & Orlando Ashford
As a distinguished global speaker, coveted thought influencer, and friend to many, Thompson brings people together through a shared vision of nurturing and advancing innovative brands worldwide.
Thompson is also at the intersection of potential and purpose by cultivating a culture that stays true to his foundations of faith, family, service, philanthropy, diversity, and inclusion. Thompson is a member of the Commercial and Economic Clubs of Chicago, World Business Chicago, the Arthur M. Brazier Foundation, and serves on the National Football League (NFL) Diversity Advisory Committee as well as is a Trustee of The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education.
In addition to Footprint, Thompson lends his expertise to high-profile boards as a Director at Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, The Northern Trust Corporation, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, and BIA (a Latin American food company). He formerly served on the boards as a Director at Beyond Meat, Exelon, McDonald’s Corporation, as an Advisory Board Member with DocuSign, and as a Purdue University Board Trustee.
Thompson received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Excelsior College. In 2021, Thompson received the Dreamer Award from his alma mater, Purdue University, for his service and impact on the lives of millions of Boilermakers across the country throughout his career. Additionally, Mr. Thompson has been honored with the National Black MBA Association's Outstanding Leadership Award, been inducted into the Chicago Innovation Hall of Fame, and received 1871's Momentum Chicagoness Award.
Session:
Navigating the Unknown: Risk Management and Crisis Leadership
Ranieka Weston is a seasoned executive coach and talent strategist with 20+ years of experience helping leaders navigate complexity, strengthen self-awareness, and drive organizational performance. Her background spans operations, sales, and talent development, with leadership roles at Chubb, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, and United Therapeutics.
Ranieka coaches C-suite executives, directors, and high-potential managers across healthcare, tech, media, insurance, and mission-driven sectors. She integrates emotional agility, inclusive leadership, and adult development principles to help leaders set priorities, delegate effectively, and lead with impact.
Ranieka holds a BA from Florida A&M University, an MS from Seton Hall University, and a PCC from the International Coaching Federation. She completed coach training at Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership.
Session:
NBMBAA 2025: Redefining Equity Town Hall
Pratt Wiley is President & CEO of The Partnership, Inc. As an executive and board leader, Pratt is a trusted strategic advisor to CEOs at some of the word's most respected companies, hospitals, and civic institutions. As CEO of The Partnership, Inc., Pratt has driven unprecedented operational and financial growth, with the organization's enrollment doubling, clients tripling and net assets nearly quadrupling. The organization's more than 7,000 alumni are some of the most prominent leaders of color in business, government and philanthropy. Prior to joining the Partnership, Pratt served in the Obama administration as the Democratic National Commitee's National Voter Expansion Director. A corporate lawyer by training, he practiced law at Nutter, McClennen & Fish LLP in Boston and represented a wide range of public and private sector clients in mergers and acquisitions, venture finance, and public finance. He currently sits on the boards of Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston Public Market, Massachusetts Hospital Association, and the Shady Hill School. Pratt was appointed by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey to the Governor's Advisory Council on Black Empowerment. Pratt received his bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and his JD from Boston College Law School. He lives in Boston with his puppy, Mia.
Session:
Redefining Equity – The State of the Black Professional
Janeen Uzzell is CEO of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the largest Black STEM community impacting society and industry. Formerly COO at the Wikimedia Foundation, she co-created the Wikimedia Knowledge Equity Fund. She spent nearly two decades at GE in global roles across healthcare technology and equity, including Director roles in Africa and Women in Technology. A UN Global Leadership Award winner and one of ADWEEK’s Top Black Women Trailblazers in Tech, Janeen holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina A&T and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has served on President Biden’s HBCU Board of Advisors and currently serves on the boards of Mercy Ships, dFree Global, and is a venture capital investor. In 2025, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. A social justice advocate and thought leader, Janeen is passionate about equity, innovation, and creating pathways for others.
Session:
The Ultimate Power Play: Leveraging Your Brand for Reinvention
Moderator: Jalen Rose
Panelists: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, J.R. Smith, T.J. Ford
Earl Joseph “JR” Smith III is a retired professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and an NCAA collegiate golfer who currently plays for North Carolina A&T State Aggies. JR Smith was born September 9, 1985 in Freehold Borough, New Jersey. Smith played high school basketball at New Jersey basketball powerhouse Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark. He was also an outstanding football and baseball player.
He entered the NBA directly out of high school after being selected in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft with the 18th overall pick by the New Orleans Hornets. JR played 16 seasons in the NBA for the New Orleans Hornets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. He played a total of 977 games with a career scoring average of 12.4 points per game. He won two NBA championships, with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. In 2010-11, JR played one season in Chinese Basketball Association with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.
In August 2021, JR Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University, working towards a degree in liberal studies. He also joined the Aggies men's golf team. In October 2021, Smith qualified to play in his first collegiate golf tournament, the Phoenix Invitational. Smith’s time with the men's golf team was the focus of the 2023 docuseries titled Redefined: J.R. Smith. JR was named the North Carolina A&T Academic Athlete of the Year for 2021–22 with a 4.0 GPA. JR Smith has three brothers, two sisters and five children (4 daughters and a son). He enjoys playing golf and traveling.
Session:
Breakout Session: "The Creator Economy: Turning Content into Currency"
With over 10 years of big tech experience, LaToya is currently the Head of Creator Community at TikTok Shop. In this role, LaToya leads a team of people that empower and enable diverse creator profiles to step into their purpose, develop their personal brand and monetize their content. While the creator economy is a relatively recent concept, LaToya has been supporting brands and creators for over a decade. Starting her journey at Amazon, then moving over to Meta, then Twitch and now TikTok Shop, LaToya has a strong passion for building programs and processes that democratize the social media space, and a mission to bridge the gap between the communities with the most representation and the communities that deserve for their voices to be amplified.
Session:
Future Forward: Navigating the Tech Driven Business Landscape
Panelists: Angle Bush, Kimberly Bryant, Dr. Brandies Marshall, James Francis, Charlotte Jones, and Dr. Tan Morales
Charlotte Lewis Jones is the Founder & CEO of Grey AI (greyai.ai), a firm that helps companies and individuals measure and accelerate their AI maturity and literacy. Grey AI is the architect of the GREY Score™ and SPARK Score™—research-backed assessments that serve as both diagnostic tools and educational frameworks.
These assessments anchor Grey AI’s broader offerings, including SPARK X, a dashboard that tracks team AI literacy; the SPARK Path, an on-demand, customized AI training curriculum; as well as executive AI coaching, bespoke automation services, custom GPT development, and enterprise AI implementation.
Previously, Charlotte held senior AI-focused roles at large tech companies, including Meta and X, where she built scalable playbooks and systems to guide internal teams, customers, and external stakeholders. A strategic builder by nature, she has designed and operationalized processes that drive efficiency and impact across complex organizations.
Charlotte is a frequent speaker on AI and data topics, including inclusive AI development, AI governance, data quality and preparation, the value of our personal data, and the risks of consumer invisibility. For her leadership advancing inclusive AI at Facebook, she was named a California Woman Leader in Tech Law. Charlotte is also the author of Brainy Billy Builds a Bot, a children’s book that introduces the fundamentals of AI in an inclusive, empowering way—sparking curiosity in the next generation of builders.
Session:
The Ultimate Power Play: Leveraging Your Brand for Reinvention
Moderator: Jalen Rose & Paula Fontana
Panelists: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, J.R. Smith, T.J. Ford
A Texas native and one of the most electrifying point guards in college basketball history, TJ Ford made headlines as the 2003 Naismith College Player of the Year at the University of Texas. Selected 8th overall in the legendary 2003 NBA Draft, he entered the league with a fearless spirit and unmatched determination. But when a career-threatening spinal injury challenged everything, he had worked for, he fought back. His comeback wasn’t just about returning to the game; it was about proving that setbacks are setups for comebacks and that true greatness is defined by how you rise during adversity.
After his 9-year career in the NBA, TJ shifted his focus to building a legacy beyond basketball. He founded the TJ Ford Basketball Academy, where he mentors and inspires young athletes to pursue excellence in life, not just sports. His academy teaches more than basketball fundamentals — it instills values like discipline, accountability, and perseverance, preparing young people to win in the game of life.
At his core, he is a man of faith, integrity, and family. A devoted husband, father, son, and brother who believes that success starts at home and that leadership begins by serving others. His mission is simple: inspire others, overcome obstacles, and leave a legacy of impact.
Today, TJ continues to inspire the next generation of leaders, investing his time and resources into creating opportunities for youth and fostering a culture of excellence, leadership, and purpose. His story is proof that the true measure of success is not what you achieve, but how many lives you impact along the way. For TJ, the game is far from over — the mission to inspire, uplift, and make a difference has only just begun.
Session:
Meet the Experts: From Entry-Level to Influential: Leadership Development Programs Empowering Early Career Professionals in Pharma Presented by AstraZeneca
Wide range of commercial experiences in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and start up biotechnology industries. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State Smeal College of Business, Josh leads leadership/management development for the oncology business unit of AstraZeneca as their Global Director.
Session:
Meet the Experts: From Entry-Level to Influential: Leadership Development Programs Empowering Early Career Professionals in Pharma Presented by AstraZeneca
Cheryl Chia is a Director of Oncology Market Access Strategy at AstraZeneca, where she leads access readiness, value strategy, and pricing for innovative oncology therapies. With a strong background in market access, marketing, and cross-functional leadership, Cheryl has driven successful product launches and several market access initiatives across the oncology portfolio. Before joining AstraZeneca, Cheryl completed her postdoctoral research in Immunology, and later served as a Project Manager for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda. She holds an MBA and MPH from Johns Hopkins University, and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Melbourne. Cheryl is deeply passionate about mentorship and is an avid supporter of numerous talent development programs for AstraZeneca and her alma mater.
Session:
From Entry-Level to Influential: Leadership Development Programs Empowering Early Career Professionals in Pharma Presented by AstraZeneca
Elizabeth Bush, MBA is Workforce Optimization Lead for US Commercial Oncology at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, where she drives strategic capability building aligned to the company’s Future of Work plan. With 20+ years’ experience in communications, project management, and organizational effectiveness, she partners across functions to design development pathways, enhance workforce agility, and deliver impactful learning solutions. A champion for early talent, Elizabeth leads programs that accelerate emerging leaders and fosters collaboration through innovative events and communication campaigns. Known for leading without authority, she brings a practical, people-first approach to building skills and driving organizational transformation.
Session:
Meet the Experts: From Entry-Level to Influential: Leadership Development Programs Empowering Early Career Professionals in Pharma Presented by AstraZeneca
With a foundation in clinical nursing and a dual master's degree in business and healthcare administration, I bring a patient-centered perspective to my role in AstraZeneca's Commercial Leadership Development Program. My work in the Oncology Business unit focuses on bridging real-world clinical insights with innovative commercial strategies, shaping initiatives that help bring transformative cancer therapies to patients. Driven by a passion for patient care and advancing science, I am dedicated to ensuring that meaningful innovations reach those who need them the most.
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Breakout Session: Building Empires: From Side Hustle to Generational Wealth
As a financial advisor with Edward Jones, I focus in working with high-net-worth individuals, executives and professionals in the sports and entertainment industry, helping them navigate complex financial landscapes and build lasting wealth. Holding the Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™, or SE-AWMA™, designation, I provide tailored strategies that align with my clients’ unique career trajectories — whether maximizing earnings, preserving wealth or creating a multi-generational financial legacy. By collaborating closely with CPAs, attorneys and other professionals, I help ensure a comprehensive approach to wealth management, tax efficiency and legacy planning.
Before joining Edward Jones in 2017, I built a strong foundation in finance, leadership and business. I earned my bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University, where I was also a wide receiver for the FSU football team. My career began as a district finance manager at Ferguson Enterprises, where I was recognized with the Best Leadership Award for the Northeastern Region. While working full time, I pursued my MBA from the University of Maryland, balancing my studies with co-founding and managing my family’s restaurant and catering business. These experiences reinforced my ability to manage financial complexity, make strategic decisions and guide others in building sustainable success.
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Real talk with Chase Home Lending: Join the conversation on homeownership and building generational wealth
Jeremy Luke is an accomplished banking executive and community advocate with over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector. Jeremy serves as an Executive Director and Senior Lending Manager for Home Lending, overseeing field sales throughout Texas and specializing in retail banking and mortgage services.
Recognized for his people-oriented leadership style, Jeremy excels in leading high-performing teams and developing talent. He believes in the immense value of an engaged and inclusive team, where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a passionate champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Jeremy is dedicated to fostering an environment where every voice is acknowledged and respected, empowering team members to reach their full potential and contribute to the organization’s success.
Jeremy's achievements include being named a National Achiever and a recipient of the Champions of Chase award, alongside the Patriotic Employer Award. He has played an active role on the Houston Market Leadership Team, leads the National Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion Council for Home Lending, participates in the Mentoring Circles Program, and serves on the board of Guardianship Services Incorporated.
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Share: The Power of Partnerships: Effective Community and Corporate Collaborations
Phillip is a licensed and practicing attorney in the State of Texas and the Southern District of the United States. He has extensive experience in corporate law, commercial litigation, and bankruptcy related matters. A substantial portion of his practice involves providing legal representation to corporations, including publicly traded companies, startups and small businesses. Phillip has represented over fifty (50) corporations as general counsel, and served on the board for several not for profit organizations, including the following: Lone Star Justice Alliance, Foundation for Teen Health, League of Women Voters, and served as General Counsel for the Business Angel Minority Association (baMa), 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, and currently serves as Chairman of Impact Hub Houston, which connects and empowers people working to solve social problems in our city and around the world.
Prior to becoming an Attorney, Phillip helped stand-up a pre-venture business incubator for Blacks and other minorities at the Houston Area Urban League Entrepreneurship Center. In this role, he focused on identifying key resources to assist startups and early-stage entrepreneurs with opportunities to scale. Since its inception, this program has helped over 15,000 entrepreneurs join the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Meet the Experts: Capital One: Investing In Your Future: Building your Career Board of Directors
Hayseworth Hylton is a risk professional with over 20 years of expertise in Banking and Capital Markets. He currently serves as Head of Risk for Capital One Commercial Banking where he manages operational, regulatory, reputational and other non-credit risks for the commercial business.
Before joining Commercial Risk, Hayseworth was Vice President of Commercial and Retail Bank Audit at Capital One. Prior to Capital One, he served as the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Banking and Markets Internal Audit at HSBC for the US, Canada, and Latin America. As a key member of HSBC's senior management team, he reported directly to the Chief Audit Executive for the US and played a significant role in revitalizing the audit function and enhancing control environments within the US entities.
Before HSBC, Hayseworth served as a Vice President and London Audit Markets Lead at UniCredit Group, and prior to UniCredit Group, Hayseworth was a member of the Internal Audit Leadership team at MUFG and at Ernst & Young’s Advisory Services in London, UK.
Hayseworth holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BSc in Accounting from Oxford Brookes University in the UK. He is also a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA).
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Meet the Experts: Capital One: Investing In Your Future: Building your Career Board of Directors
Cleo Belmonte leads the Governance and Securities team within the Capital One Legal Department where she provides legal and strategic advice to the company’s board of directors and senior executives, including the company’s CEO and CFO regarding all aspects of corporate governance, public disclosure, investor relations, executive compensation matters, and compliance with federal and state corporate and securities laws and NYSE regulations.
Cleo joined Capital One in 2015 and has served in roles of increasing responsibility since that time. Before Capital One, she was the Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of EchoStar Corporation and Hughes Communications, Inc., where she led the Corporate Law Group of the company’s legal department and was responsible for the oversight of securities, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, employment, and data privacy and security for the companies and their more than 100 domestic and international subsidiaries.
Prior to EchoStar and Hughes, Cleo was an associate in the law firms of Squire Patton Boggs LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop LLP.
In 2019, Cleo was named to the Lawyers of Color inaugural Nation’s Best List. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center and Bachelor of Science degrees in Multinational Business Operations, Marketing, and Business Management from Florida State University.
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Meet the Experts: Capital One: Investing In Your Future: Building your Career Board of Directors
Maia Davis-Singleton is the Director of Strategic Client Management at Discover, where she leads a team focused on cultivating and nurturing relationships for the company’s most strategic clients. With a robust background in financial services, Maia has successfully managed teams across operations, marketing, government relations and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Prior to joining Discover, Maia’s career Included key roles at Capital One, HSBC and Household Finance where she honed, her expertise in driving innovation and meaningful change. Maia obtained her Bachelor of Science from Florida A&M University and an MBA from Loyola University. Outside of professional work, Maia is dedicated to community service, holding positions on the Board of Directors for CASA Lake County and serving as the Enterprise Chair for the Black Organizational Leadership at Discover (BOLD) group. She is also an active member of the North Shore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America.
Maia and Husband Steven have 1 son named Evan and reside in the Chicagoland area.
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Meet the Experts: Capital One: Investing In Your Future: Building your Career Board of Directors
Markus Hearn is a seasoned operations leader with over a decade of experience at Discover. Starting on the front lines and holding various roles, he has made a lasting impact by innovating processes, coaching future leaders, and ensuring exceptional customer experiences. As a key contributor, he helped deliver 1,000 jobs to the South Side community of Chatham through the Discover ShineBright Community Center & Customer Care Hub, bringing opportunity to a talented but often disinvested community.
Markus holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership, a foundation that fuels his strategic approach to people, performance, and culture. He is passionate about creating a sense of belonging and community, helping others achieve their dreams—an analogy for his leadership system, which stands for development, building relationships, increasing earning potential, living a life of adventure, and leaving a legacy of meaning.
Session:
The Growth Audit: Identifying and Addressing Blind Spots
Ramien R. Pierre, Ed.D., CPTD, is a workforce development expert with more than twenty-five years of experience designing systems where people and organizations thrive. Known for blending credibility, clarity, and care, he helps leaders and teams shift behavior in ways that last. His career reflects a clear arc: builder, innovator, strategist, and now integrator and voice.
As a builder, he launched four global leadership programs at The Kennedy Center, administered 300+ technical and leadership courses at NASA, and guided The Dance Institute of Washington through a successful building campaign. As an innovator, he embedded equity into organizational frameworks at Careerstone Group and UNCF Special Programs, where he also revived a major research project that advanced financial literacy for HBCU students. As a strategist, he strengthened leadership pipelines at NASA and The Executive Leadership Council, where he introduced new evaluation frameworks and advanced equity in senior talent pipelines.
Today, as Chief Learning Officer at Break the Norm Leadership (BtNL), Ramien integrates research, facilitation, and consulting into solutions like Care Forward, which reimagines workforce development for senior-care professionals. Based in Baltimore, he lives with his husband of ten years and is a grateful organ recipient. Ask him why his BtNL nickname is "Dr. Sorbet".
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Chapter Leadership Retreat speaker
Pam McElvane is a nationally recognized CEO, publisher, and master-certified executive coach focused on inclusive leadership and workforce strategy. As CEO & Group Publisher of P&L Group, she leads Diversity MBA Magazine, the 50 Out Front Best Places to Work rankings, and the Diversity Business Review. Marking 30 years as an entrepreneur, Pam founded the Inclusive Leadership Index, which houses 100,000+ insights used to set targets, align incentives, and measure outcomes. Through DLS Learning events and trainings, she has engaged 50,000+ professionals; more than 1,700 large employers—including many Fortune 500,benchmark with her research. Through the Top 100 and Top 25 platforms, she has recognized 2,000+ leaders. Her multimedia ecosystem reaches 8M+ across radio, publishing, newsletters, events, and social. She hosts The Inclusive Voice radio show. A board-governance expert, she has served on 45 boards; she currently serves on the Gamaliel Foundation Board and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and advises National Civic Coalitions and global think-tank efforts. A few honors include the President’s Award (SF NBMBAA), Power 50 Most Influential (2025), and Crain’s Notable Leaders in DEI. Honorary Doctorate in Ethical DEI & Strategic Leadership (Oct 2025). MBA, Haas; executive study, Tuck; contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. Her book, The SkiNy on Inclusion, publishes Oct. 16, 2025. Proud mom of three; spouse of 28 years. Pam holds MBA, Hass School of Business, UC Berkeley & Executive Entrep. Certifcate Tufts School of Business, Dartmouth.
Session:
Share: The Investing Circle: Building Wealth Together
Sidnee Michelle Douyon began her media career at The Source Magazine after her time at Howard University, quickly rising to on-camera personality.
She later made history at Forbes as the first Black woman to report on-camera, creating content spotlighting people of color—coverage the platform lacked at the time.
After over a year and a half, she joined Complex Media as the lead anchor for its finance, culture, and business channel, becoming only the second female Black on-air anchor in the company’s history.
She then became Deputy Editor at Travel Noire, the world’s largest Black travel outlet, further blending culture and storytelling.
Now based in LA, she serves as Senior Digital Editor and host at Black Enterprise, continuing her work in entertainment as a celebrity journalist. She’s interviewed major names like Michelle Obama, Oprah, Dwayne Johnson, Halle Berry, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Regina King and more.
Sidnee also mentors through Howard University’s Entertainment Group, backed by Amazon Studios. Her career reflects a mission to break barriers, amplify diverse voices, and push culture forward across major media platforms.
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TBreakout Session: The Creator Economy: Turning Content into Currency
Cherilyn Williams is the Global Lead of Purpose Driven Marketing at Marriott International. In this role, she leads a team dedicated to connecting with consumers around the company’s commitments to welcoming all, social impact, and sustainability.
During her tenure at Marriott she has been recognized as a change agent for developing the company’s strategic approach to purpose driven marketing.
Prior to joining Marriott, Cherilyn held several roles in Sales & Marketing with Hilton Hotels, including Director of Corporate Sales at The Waldorf Astoria in New York.
Cherilyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
A native of Washington, DC, where she attended the National Cathedral School, Cherilyn returned to the area to continue building her career and pursue her long-term goal of hotel ownership.
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Meet the Experts: Merck: Demystifying Pharma: From Molecule to Market
Conrod Kelly is a global pharmaceutical executive with 20+ years of experience leading strategy, innovation, and growth across diverse markets. As Associate Vice President and US Commercial Lead for Merck’s HIV portfolio, he oversees in-market brands and pipeline assets, advancing innovation in one of healthcare’s most critical areas. Previously, he served as Managing Director of MSD Chile, guiding the subsidiary through cultural transformation and double-digit growth, and has held senior roles spanning health equity, diabetes, neuroscience, and hospital products.
A graduate of Florida A&M University (BS, MBA) with executive education at Wharton, Duke, Cambridge, UVA, and Harvard, Conrod is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and the author of STAGED, RESTAGED, and Because You Do Not Ask. He has been recognized by Medical Marketing & Media’s “40 Under 40,” the UN SDG Media Award, and George Washington University’s Milken Institute as a “Top Black in Healthcare.”
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Meet the Experts: Merck: Demystifying Pharma: From Molecule to Market
Rashid Beyah is the Chief of Staff of Merck’s Global Supply Chain and Value Chain Management organization. He’s just completed his 17th year at Merck, where he’s held various leadership roles across its Manufacturing Division. As a certified Project Management Professional with a mechanical engineering background, Rashid combines technical expertise with proven program leadership to optimize processes, reduce risk, and deliver value across complex, cross-functional initiatives.
Throughout his career at Merck, Rashid has been a trusted partner on strategic transformational projects as well as continuous improvement programs—bringing hands-on operational subject-matter expertise, a data-driven mindset, and a focus on scalable, sustainable improvements. He excels at translating strategy into reality with his “get it done” attitude.
A product of Brooklyn New York public schools and a proud graduate of Drexel University, Rashid is committed to advancing diversity in STEM and business leadership. He brings to the panel a practical perspective on building resilient supply chains, developing talent, and leveraging operational excellence to create measurable business impact.
Please join us in welcoming Rashid Beyah as he shares insights from his years leading supply chain transformation at a global pharmaceutical leader.
Session:
Breakout Session: Wealth Moves: Insider Strategies for Smart Investing & Legacy Building
As a Financial Advisor, I am dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses develop financial and investment strategies that help them build, manage, preserve, and transition wealth. Whether you are planning you retirement, interested in life insurance, or looking to establish a retirement plan for your business, I can help. My mission is to provide every client with targeted, comprehensive financial advice and portfolio management-delivered with the highest level of personal service and professional integrity.
Before entering the financial services industry, I graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor's degree in Finance. During my tenure at Tulane I was 3 year letterman as a Cornerback on the football team. I was a member of the 3.0 club each semester as a Tulane student-athlete. Upon graduation I worked as a Credit Analyst for Whitney Bank in downtown New Orleans, LA for two years. I then went into the financial services field as I accepted a Financial Advisor position with Edward Jones Investments. Now a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, I take pride in working with a firm that puts you first.
Away from the office, I enjoy spending time with my family, sports and outdoors activities, and cooking. My wife Danielle and I reside in in Sugar Land with our two children Camden and Karsyn. Danielle is a Transfusion Medicine Nurse Coordinator at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
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Breakout Session: Wealth Moves: Insider Strategies for Smart Investing & Legacy Building
Terrence D. Short is a seasoned corporate leader with more than two decades of management experience. A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for nearly 30 years, he has also dedicated over 10 years mentoring young men through the San Antonio Kappa League. He is a devoted husband and father of four sons, two of whom are current Division I football scholar-athletes at LSU and Furman University. Terrence earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Louisiana and an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Benedictine University in Illinois. He is passionate about financial literacy, investing, and leadership development, with a strong focus on strategies for building generational wealth and leaving a lasting legacy!
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Meet the Experts: Merck: Demystifying Pharma: From Molecule to Market
Gloria Oddoye, Executive Director Finance at Merck has over 20 years of progressive experience in financial planning & analysis, technical accounting and financial management, leading and managing high performing teams and fostering strong cross-functional collaborations.
She serves as the Finance Business Partner to Merck’s Global Facilities, Real Estate, and Supplier Management Organizations, and is the critical link between Finance and these organizations. She supports the development of capital and operational expense budgets, analyses, and portfolio performance of against budgets and forecasts.
She leads global projects supporting facilities strategy development and execution, global footprint optimizations, procurement strategy, financial planning and reporting, and business process improvements.
Prior to her current role, she served as the Finance Director Management Reporting and Office of General Counsel, responsible for the preparation and analysis of the Company’s financial results presented to Executive Management, the Board of Directors, Investor Relations. She collaborated across functions to provide financial guidance and business partnership to C-suite Leadership teams to enable insights, expense prioritization, and decision-making to drive results.
Gloria previously worked in Merck’s Corporate Audit Division; prior to joining Merck, Gloria was an Audit Senior Manager at Deloitte.
Gloria holds an M.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA in Finance from the University of North Florida and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Gloria is a mentor in the Merck Global Finance Mentoring Program.
Gloria enjoys traveling, volunteering, and is enthusiastic about tennis and yoga.
Session:
Meet the Experts: Merck: Demystifying Pharma: From Molecule to Market
Anthony Ferguson is a diverse HR Leader that brings over 30 years of experience from large fortune 500 organizations, including Honeywell, Nissan, Johnson & Johnson and Merck. He is currently the Head of HR for Merck’s Human Health Commercial US where is his responsible for driving strategic HR initiatives and has helped the organization advance its talent capabilities for the future.
As a 15-year Johnson & Johnson HR veteran, he led large scale organizational transformation initiatives for Global Enterprise Finance, Global Supply Chain within Medical Devices and other complex global strategic programs including Acquisitions & Divestitures. This included leading a full-scale HR integration of a $3.6B Acquisition of Auris Health, a robotic surgery business in CA. Prior to that he served as the global HR PMO leader for a $2.4B Manufacturing Transformation in Medical Devices that lead to the strategic collaboration of Jabil Inc. to deliver the internal manufacturing footprint strategy of 15 facilities in 4 countries impacting 12,000 associates. While at Nissan, he served as the NA Lead for Total Rewards/Compensation helping shape the compensation integration of multiple divisions. Anthony also was the Global Compensation lead and HRBP partner for Global Supply Chain for the Transportation & Power division during his tenure at Honeywell.
Overall, Anthony’s diverse and vast professional experience covers all facets of Human Resources through multiple industries such as Consumer Goods, Medical Devices, Automotive and Pharmaceutical.
Anthony holds a B.A. in Political Science from Montana State University and an M.S. in Human Resource Management from Chapman University.
No designated session
Work: Director, Global Accounts at Hilton. My primary focus is to increase meeting and event sales through the lens of diversity, inclusion and equity. Over the last 13 years, I have grown this segment by 65% through developing key strategic partnerships, leveraging solution selling techniques, and collaborating with important minority focused organizations.
Awards:
· Circle of Excellence Award for Hilton Worldwide
· Sales Excellence Award for Hilton
· 40 under 40 by Connect Media & Events - Emerging Leader Award
· Humanitarian of the Year Award for Marcus Hotels and Resorts
· Supplier of the Year Award- National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals
Community Service:
· Founded a mentoring program called “Brother to Brother” at UW -Whitewater.
· Past Board Treasurer for National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals
· Boys and Girls basketball coach 9U in Milwaukee and Menomonee Falls School District
· Corporate Advisory Board for National Association for Bilingual Education
· Co-chair of the YMCA of Greater Milwaukee’s Black Achievers Program
Education/family & Entrepreneurship:
Graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Science. Founder of Heartbeat LLC Trucking Division in 2021. Licensed Residential and Commercial Realtor in Wisconsin. I enjoy exercising, golfing, coaching and spending time with my wife Brittany, son Wyatt and daughter, Elodie.
Session:
Share: The Power of Partnerships: Effective Community and Corporate Collaborations
Cheri Green is a distinguished corporate leader and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the banking industry. As Vice President in Community and Business Development at JPMorgan Chase, Cheri Green makes it her personal mission to build trust within the community by helping bridge the racial wealth gap, hosting meaningful and educational events, and supporting Houston’s most underestimated communities. Throughout Cheri’s 15 year career with Chase, she has served many roles, including Branch Manager, where she opened a Chase branch in 2019, served as Small Business Personal Banker, where she developed her passion to help entrepreneurs, and various leadership roles within the firm. She also created a small, informal mentorship circle where she meets regularly with junior employees across the country to discuss career mobility and opportunities for development.
Outside of her role at JPMorgan Chase, Cheri is the co-founder of a nonprofit in Houston called Mom+Me Journey, the philanthropic arm for Passport Journeys. This organization provides mothers and daughters access to teletherapy with licensed clinicians on a monthly journey to build a closer, more intentional bond. Additionally, she serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Urban Enrichment Institute where she supports their mission to empowers young men to become productive citizens.
When she isn’t actively serving the community, Cheri is featured on a number of podcast and television shows, including a recently featured financial expert/contributor to a new show on Fox 26 called Chattin’ with Chelsea.
Session:
Meet the Experts: Healthcare Means Business: Executive Insights on Business Careers in Healthcare (Presented by Sutter Health)
Richard Leal is Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Sutter Health, one of Northern California’s largest integrated health systems, serving more than three and a half million patients and generating $18 billion in annual revenue. In his role, Richard leads strategic growth initiatives across the Greater Central Valley—Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties—communities that are among the most diverse and economically disadvantaged in California.
A trusted advisor to executive, physician, and board leadership, Richard has led transformative initiatives resulting in double-digit growth in patients served, revenue, and EBITDA. He has stewarded nearly $1 billion in capital and business development projects, spearheaded expansion into high-growth markets, relentlessly pursued strategies that enhance access and differentiation, all while bringing new health care services to underserved and vulnerable communities.
Richard brings a deep background in operational execution, having held progressive leadership roles at Sutter Health, including oversight of ambulatory expansion, multi-site strategic alignment, and mergers and acquisition. Earlier in his career, he played a pivotal role in rebuilding Tulane Medical Center’s physician network post-Hurricane Katrina.
Richard holds an MBA from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame. He is also a former board member of Second Harvest Food Bank and an active community volunteer. His blend of strategic acumen, operational rigor, and people-first leadership continues to drive exceptional performance in complex healthcare environments.
Session:
Share: "Find Your Hidden Paycheck -- Turning Benefits into Real Dollars"
Adwowa Afenyi-Annan is a graduate of University of Michigan’s School of Business with a concentration in Accounting and Finance. She is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) as well as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with FINRA Series 7, 66, and 9/10 licenses.
Adwowa serves as the Director of Financial Education at Alight Solutions. In this role, she is responsible for the successful delivery of Alight’s financial education programs including onsite seminars, webinars, 1-1 meetings and online financial education. She leads a team of licensed financial professionals who deliver financial education to the participants in the plans of Alight clients. With over 28 years of financial services experience, Adwowa has deep expertise in how to help move the needle on financial literacy in the large market employer retirement plan space.
Session:
Share: Wealth, Legacy, and Beyond: Advanced Financial Strategies for Professionals
Larry joined Northwestern Mutual as a college intern in 2018 while playing golf at Texas Southern University. After much success in the internship, Larry became a full-time Financial Advisor in 2018. In the effort to serve his clients to the best of his ability, Larry has accomplished a handful of the highest honors at Northwestern Mutual. Larry’s goal is to help his clients meet his clients where they are now and help them get to their goals and dreams in the most efficient way. When he’s not helping his clients reach their financial goals, he looks for new shoes, plays golf and watches Formula 1.
Session:
Meet the Experts: Nationwide: Empowered to Excel: Each One Teach One
Kimberly A. Blackwell is a na<onally recognized brand strategist, entrepreneur, and CEO of PMM Agency, an award-winning marke<ng and communica<ons firm she founded in 1999. Under her leadership, PMM has become a trusted partner for Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, and global brands, delivering innovative solutions across marketing, public relations, and strategic communications.
Named to Ebony’s Power 100, PR News’ Top Women in PR, and Business First’s C-Suite Awards, Blackwell is celebrated as a powerhouse in her field. She served on the National Women’s Business Council, advising the White House and Congress on issues impacting women-owned businesses, and holds board and advisory roles with Gucci’s Changemakers Council, Wag! Group, and Legacy Acquisition Corp.
A certified diversity professional and advocate for equity in business, Blackwell holds degrees from Syracuse University and Xavier University, along with executive credentials from Harvard, Dartmouth, and Northwestern.
Session:
The Ultimate Power Play: Leveraging Your Brand for Reinvention
Kristin Bolton-Keys is a forward-thinking Learning and Development Director with more than a decade of experience at Hilton. She leads teams that build innovative learning strategies that combine agile design, technology, human-centered experiences, and cross-functional enablement to drive enterprise-wide digital adoption for both corporate and frontline employees. Previously, she held leadership roles at Capital One and American Express in digital product management.
A dynamic leader and advocate for inclusion and career mobility, Kristin has launched enterprise-wide professional development programs, championed mentoring initiatives, facilitated leadership workshops, and reimagined onboarding and capability-building experiences.
A proud native of Houston, Texas, she contributes to her community through the Houston Urban League Guild and the National Black MBA Association Houston Chapter. Kristin holds an MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School and a BA in Economics from Spellman College. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Session:
NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Luncheon: The Politics of Power: Leadership Lessons from the Inside
Rhonda Burns serves as the Sr. Associate Vice President of Inclusive Culture, leading initiatives, across learning, programming, strategic partnerships, employee resource groups, diversity councils, and reputational surveys. Her work fosters a culture where associates feel valued and respected, while also building inclusion competency and confidence.
Her experience spans corporate campaign management, strategic opera<ons, direct marketing, regional operations, and leadership development. She is a founding member of the Black women’s associate resource group, underscoring her commitment to community, belonging and allyship.
Rhonda holds a BA in Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Passionate about inclusion, she serves on boards with the Financial Alliance for Representation and Empowerment and Dress for Success Columbus and was featured in the 2024 edition of Who’s Who in Black Columbus.
Session:
Share: AI Hacks & Hustle: Driving Impact and Opportunity in Your Career
Bakary Diarrassouba is a strategist in AI/ML at Google Labs, where he collaborates with research scientists, engineers, and product managers to discover and deliver new AI products. With a background in engineering, storytelling, and human-centered design, he explores the intersection of technology, culture, and empathy.
He is also an Executive Creative Director and filmmaker. Through beSouba, a platform for vulnerable storytelling, he curates a hub where authentic stories are celebrated. In 2020, he wrote and directed the award-winning film The Journey of Souba. Bakary is driven by a passion for building a more equitable world—one where stories unlock opportunity, inspire growth, and fuel innovation.
Session:
Meet the Experts: Healthcare Means Business: Executive Insights on Business Careers in Healthcare (Presented by Sutter Health)
With over 20 years of experience in Talent Acquisition, Keiani has been a driving force in building high-performing, inclusive teams. Her career spans leadership roles at major Bay Area organizations, including Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo, and AAA. She is a servant leader committed to hiring top talent.
Over the past 6 years at Sutter Health, she has led Talent Acquisition across six Bay Area hospitals and foundations, leveraging a results-driven, collaborative approach to optimize recruitment strategies.
A lifelong Northern California professional, Keiani has cultivated deep relationships within the communities Su[er serves. Through partnerships with local schools, workforce programs, and community organizations, she has played a pivotal role in ensuring that Sutter’s workforce reflects the populations of the region. She is committed to furthering Sutter Health’s mission, values, and culture—making it an exceptional place to work and receive care.
In her current role as Director, Talent Attraction and Belonging, Keiani spearheads efforts to attract and retain talent, positioning Sutter Health as a premier employer of choice nationwide.
Beyond her professional impact, Keiani is a dedicated sports mom. Depending on the season, you’ll find her passionately cheering on the American Canyon High School Wolves, whether in the football stadium or the basketball gym.
Session:
NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Luncheon: The Politics of Power: Leadership Lessons from the Inside
Kimelyn Harris is Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy at the Wells Fargo Foundation, one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S. She leads initiatives that expand access to capital, networks, and knowledge for under-resourced small businesses, advancing economic mobility and community vitality. Kimelyn partners across Wells Fargo and with external organizations to drive sustainable, high-impact change.
With over two decades of leadership experience at Bank of America, Kimelyn held roles in philanthropy, risk and compliance, CRA, client services, and operations. She led a five year strategy to promote social equality and economic opportunity across nearly 100 markets, developed metrics for impact, and launched a groundbreaking health equity collaboration. Her work also enhanced employee engagement and streamlined grant-making processes.
Kimelyn’s expertise spans product development and process improvement across Consumer, Small Business, Corporate, and Investment Banking. She lives in Charlotte, NC, and serves on the Board of Advisors for Crittenton, supporting health and social services for women and children.
Session:
Meet the Experts: Nationwide: Empowered to Excel: Each One Teach One
LeToya Luckett-Coles is a two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, actress, and entrepreneur who first rose to fame as a founding member of the R&B group Destiny's Child. Born in Houston, Texas, her career began in the late 1990s as part of the chart topping group before she launched a successful solo career. Her 2006 debut solo album, LeToya, hit number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum.
Beyond her music, Luckett-Coles is an accomplished actress with roles in films like Preacher's Kid and recurring parts on television series such as HBO's Treme and OWN's Greenleaf. She has also appeared on the reality show Friends & Family Hustle. In 2024, she married entrepreneur Taleo Coles.
Session:
NBMBAA Leadership Institute® Luncheon: The Politics of Power: Leadership Lessons from the Inside
Jamey Martin is Chief Global Inclusion Officer and VP, North America HR of Suntory Global Spirits, a world leader in premium spirits with 6,000 employees worldwide. She is responsible for overseeing the company’s global inclusion strategy, working across the business to build and accelerate its long-term vision to foster a culture that turns diversity of thought, experience and culture into insights and capabilities that drive growth and differentiation. She currently also oversees HR for the North America business unit. Jamey leads a global team, providing thought leadership, connectivity and impact, as well as external strategic partnerships that drive Suntory Global Spirit’s employer brand with diverse consumers and prospective employees, and serves as a key advisor to our Executive and Senior Leadership Teams.
A strategic leader with more than 20 years of experience, Jamey has served in multiple senior roles across human resources, change management, team development and talent management. Prior to Suntory Global Spirits, Jamey held roles of increasing responsibility at Mondelēz International, where she served as Senior Director, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, developing and implementing sponsorship programs, leadership development and employee training programs for the global organization. Prior to Mondelēz International, Jamey held HR leadership roles at Anheuser Busch and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Jamey holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology at State University of New York and a master’s degree in human resource management at Rutgers University.
Session:
Share: "Find Your Hidden Paycheck -- Turning Benefits into Real Dollars"
Sia[a Ollison, PMP is a Director within Health Solutions at Alight Solutions, where she leads teams in delivering high-quality health administration services that drive client satisfaction, retention and growth. With over 20 years of experience at Alight, Sia[a has held roles in technology, project management, and operations, supporting Fortune 500 clients across industries including financial services, transportation, non-profit and government.
She is a passionate advocate for inclusion and serves as the Black Professional Network Leader within Alight’s Colleague Led Communities. Siatta is known for her strategic leadership, commitment to operational excellence and dedication to helping clients meet their HR and business goals.
Siatta earned her degree in Electrical Engineering from Clark Atlanta University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Living in Metro Atlanta with her husband and their son, a fellow Clark Atlanta alum, she brings a collaborative spirit and a passion for empowering others, qualities she carries into every client engagement, leadership opportunity and community initiative.
Session:
Share: AI Hacks & Hustle: Driving Impact and Opportunity in Your Career
Nalani Ortiz guides global organizations through large-scale transformation as a Global Program Manager for Culture and Change at Google. Drawing on a diverse background in communications, HR strategy, and education, she partners with senior leaders to help their teams navigate complex shifts, from major reorgs to the rise of AI, translating complexity into clear, human narratives that keep people aligned and inspired in times of change.
Nalani is passionate about embracing storytelling and education to make transformation accessible and meaningful for the people it impacts most. She holds an MBA from Rice University and a Bachelor of Science in Learning and Development from The University of Texas at Austin.
Session:
Breakout Session: From Challenge to Change: Transforming Setbacks into Success
Tiffany Ormon is a Managing Director within the Wells Fargo, Commercial Banking, Technology Finance platform. Based in Boston, Tiffany oversees a portfolio of credit solutions, for companies operating in the software and technology industries.
Tiffany has more than 25 years of experience in leveraged finance. Joining Bank of America N.A., in 1999, as a financial analyst, Tiffany has since held positions in credit operations, underwriting, originations, and relationship and portfolio management. Tiffany possesses extensive domain expertise in transaction execution and structuring specialized financing solutions and is a founding member of both the Wells Fargo Technology Finance and Cambridge Trust Innovation Banking platforms.
Tiffany studied English and African American Studies at Tufs University, in Medford, MA
Tiffany is involved with various community organizations, focused on advocacy for women, combating domestic violence, and servicing under-resourced youth. Tiffany is the Community Service Chair for the Boston Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. and enjoys skiing, art collecting, traveling, and spending time with her daughter, Ivy (14), husband, Rodney and their family dog, Dash.
Session:
Meet the Experts: Nationwide: Empowered to Excel: Each One Teach One
Driven by a mission to use her platform for good, Gia Peppers is a celebrated on-air talent and journalist known for her purposeful and uplifting storytelling. From moderating panels with Vice President Kamala Harris to creating the popular Healed Girl Era Podcast, she uses her voice to empower and inspire. Peppers is also the co-executive producer of the NAACP-nominated show, More Than That with Gia Peppers, and has contributed to major outlets, including the Today Show, while cultivating a career built on integrity and hustle.
Session:
Share: Wealth, Legacy, and Beyond: Advanced Financial Strategies for Professionals
Kervin joined Northwestern Mutual in 2018 as a Financial Advisor after a career at Texas A&M University where he mentored incoming student athletes, being a former student athlete himself. After a few years with Texas A&M University, he soon realized that God had a stronger purpose for him and wanted to directly impact his community through financial planning. Kervin’s mission is to provide clients with the knowledge and resources for financial security today, tomorrow and genera<ons to come. Kervin is now a Wealth Management Advisor and a Growth & Development Director, where he can fulfill his mission with his clients while also mentoring those coming into financial advising.
Session:
Breakout Session: Wealth Moves: Insider Strategies for Smart Investing & Legacy Building
As a senior vice president and a market leader for the PNC Private Bank, Justin oversees a team of professionals striving to achieve the highest level of client satisfaction. His top priority is that the team not only meets, but also exceeds the client's expectations. Through Justin's leadership and commitment, he helps ensure that the client benefits from a full complement of investment, trust, financial planning and private banking services to help them achieve their financial goals.
Prior to leading Georgia’s Private Bank team, Justin was a Regional Manager with responsibilities over a team of Investment Advisors, providing investment specific leadership and expertise to his group. Preceding that role, Justin was an Investment Advisor with PNC in multiple markets. He completed a year-long rotational program for emerging PNC professionals where he acquired essential industry skills and completed rigorous credit training before relocating to Atlanta, GA in 2012. He has regularly been featured on local television, national radio and multiple written publications sharing advice on investments and financial planning and has been recognized and awarded by PNC for consecutive years as a top performing investment professional.
Justin earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance and Economics) degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and is a spokesperson for the CFP® Pro campaign which raises awareness and interest in the CFP® profession. Justyn currently serves as a board member for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and an executive board member of the Midtown Alliance and in his spare <me, he is an avid traveler and scuba diver.
Session:
The Ultimate Power Play: Leveraging Your Brand for Reinvention
Shareef Abdur-Rahim is a former Olympic Gold Medalist, NBA All-Star, and professional basketball player who currently serves as President of the NBA G League. Since 2019, he has led the league’s 31 franchises, overseeing business operations, rule development, strategic planning, officiating, and expansion, including the creation of four new teams—one being the first U.S. sports franchise in Mexico.
Previously, Shareef served as VP of Basketball Operations at the NBA, where he helped shape league rules, supported marquee events like the All-Star Game and Draft, and led the development of internal reporting systems. He also held executive roles with the Sacramento Kings and Reno Bighorns, managing player personnel, scouting, and compliance while advancing both organizations competitively.
Beyond basketball, Shareef is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He founded Abdur-Rahim Enterprises, an investment group focused on real estate and private equity, and launched the Future Foundation, a non-profit supporting youth development programs.
A 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2024 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Shareef also holds an MBA from USC and is a proud husband and father of two.
Session:
Meet the Experts: Merck: Demystifying Pharma: From Molecule to Market
Rashid Beyah is the Chief of Staff of Merck’s Global Supply Chain and Value Chain Management organization. He’s just completed his 17th year at Merck, where he’s held various leadership roles across its Manufacturing Division. As a certified Project Management Professional with a mechanical engineering background, Rashid combines technical expertise with proven program leadership to optimize processes, reduce risk, and deliver value across complex, cross-functional initiatives.
Throughout his career at Merck, Rashid has been a trusted partner on strategic transformational projects as well as continuous improvement programs—bringing hands-on operational subject-matter expertise, a data-driven mindset, and a focus on scalable, sustainable improvements. He excels at translating strategy into reality with his “get it done” attitude.
A product of Brooklyn New York public schools and a proud graduate of Drexel University, Rashid is committed to advancing diversity in STEM and business leadership. He brings to the panel a practical perspective on building resilient supply chains, developing talent, and leveraging operational excellence to create measurable business impact.
Please join us in welcoming Rashid Beyah as he shares insights from his years leading supply chain transformation at a global pharmaceutical leader.
Session:
Share: Wealth, Legacy, and Beyond: Advanced Financial Strategies for Professionals
Sidnee Michelle Douyon began her media career at The Source Magazine after her time at Howard University, quickly rising to on-camera personality.
She later made history at Forbes as the first Black woman to report on-camera, creating content spotlighting people of color—coverage the platform lacked at the time.
After over a year and a half, she joined Complex Media as the lead anchor for its finance, culture, and business channel, becoming only the second female Black on-air anchor in the company’s history.
She then became Deputy Editor at Travel Noire, the world’s largest Black travel outlet, further blending culture and storytelling.
Now based in LA, she serves as Senior Digital Editor and host at Black Enterprise, continuing her work in entertainment as a celebrity journalist. She’s interviewed major names like Michelle Obama, Oprah, Dwayne Johnson, Halle Berry, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Regina King and more.
Sidnee also mentors through Howard University’s Entertainment Group, backed by Amazon Studios. Her career reflects a mission to break barriers, amplify diverse voices, and push culture forward across major media platforms.
