Black Professionals Summit 2023

Nov. 2023

South Florida

JOIN US

A LEGACY BUILDERS CONFERENCE 

The Black Professionals Summit is jammed packed with sessions and experiences for your goals in mind. Make great connections, get clear on your goals and map out the legacy plan of your dreams.   

RECAP 2021 SUMMIT

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PAST SPEAKERS

2022 SCHEDULE

Thursday
November 10, 2022
8:00 am - 9:20 am
Seminole Ballrooms

Chairman's Breakfast Reception

Jim Allen
Chairman, Hard Rock International

Presented by Becker Lawyers

9:20 am - 9:30 am
Seminole Ballrooms

Opening Remarks

Kenasha Paul
Founder and CEO, Black Professionals Network

Behind the Title: A Conversation with Company Leaders

Dexter Bridgeman
Moderator, CEO and founder of M•I•A Media Group LLC
Vania Laguerre
Senior Vice President, Miami Market Executive, Bank of America
Matthew Beatty
COO of Carrie P. Meek Foundation
Roche Whittle
Senior Brand Manager, TradeStation
Leon Williamson
Vice President of Sales, iHeart Media
Cindy Williams-Johnson
Director, Global Talent Attraction, Royal Caribbean

No matter the industry, every major company has these roles, and these black professionals are heading up these positions at some of the top-performing companies in the nation. Hear from our company leaders sharing their perspectives on how they have built their careers and navigated the journey to where they are today. Get lessons on leadership from behind the titles.

Founders of the Future

Udochi Igbokwe
Moderator, Founder and Global Business Leader
Victor Demesmin Jr.
Founder & Managing Partner, Demesmin & Dover Firm
Sherrell Dorsey
Founder and CEO of The Plug
Ja’dan Johnson
Founder, Miami Hack Week
David Castro
Founder and CEO of Complex Apparel
AJ Yawn
Founder and CEO of ByteChek

Leading a team at a company is tough but imagine leading a company when you have to create everything from scratch?! Hear from founders leading the charge of creating scalable companies and providing their lessons on leadership, tenacity, and innovation.

11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Seminole Room I

Landing Your 6-Figure Role

Latesha Byrd
Career Coach and CEO of Perfeqta

You have big dreams and goals all shaping the legacy you want to have for your life. Achieving it will be costly. You can fund your legacy plan through a profession, but it has to be in the roles or industries that will pay top dollar. But are you positioned to be the ideal candidate to land the role? Hear from our speaker Latesha Byrd as she provides the tips and strategies needed to pivot or land high-earning roles in any industry.

"It's All in the Network" Panel

Whitney Watkins Ed.D
Moderator, Vice President of Miami Chapter
Alechia Reese
Corporate Coach
Dr. Errol L. Pierre
Executive and Author
Suzan McDowell
Founder & CEO of Circle of One Marketing
Jude Charles
Filmmaker, Author, and Consultant

No one truly on a legacy-building journey can make it on their own. The impact you want to create, the wealth you want to leave for your family and/or philanthropies needs you to first build up social capital. In this session hear from our panelist who will break down how to craft your personal story, build relationships, and tap into your network to assist with your goals.

11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Seminole Room D

Who's Coaching You?

Rhapsodi Pierre-Jacques
Social-Organizational Psychologist

You have the business, or the job and you have the network, but do you have the team of advisors who can sharpen you to be an elite level leader? In this session, learn how an Executive Coach will empower you to lead the future and bolster your results and performance. Hear from Principal Consultant, Rhapsodi Pierre-Jacques of Career Swag as she details what coaching can do for your goals.

Go Pro Session: Representing Athletes

Orlando Arnold
Moderator, President & CEO, Pyramid Sports Group
Arlesha Amazan
Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development at SC30,Inc
Taryn Bushrod
Money Mindset Coach
Brandon Dean
Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association
Lindsay Pinckney
Head of Athlete Relations, House of Athlete
Tiffany D. Tucker
Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington

Supporting the journey of a professional athlete is no easy task. You need to sharpen your leadership skills and be laser focus to guide them to victory. In this session get a holistic perspective about what representing an athlete entails and equip yourself with the tools to successfully lead their off-the-field team.

12:45 pm - 1:00 pm
Seminole Ballrooms

Luncheon Presentations

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Seminole Ballrooms

Luncheon

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Seminole Ballroom

Fireside Chat with Pinky Cole

Pinky Cole, Founder of Slutty Vegan
Founder and Operator of Slutty Vegan
2:15 pm - 3:00 pm
Seminole Room E

Seed Fund Your Legacy Panel

Pete Kennedy
Moderator, Author and Leadership Coach
Dominique Broadway
Financial Advisor and Money Magnet
Bilal Little
Head of Advisor Engagement, DFD Partners
Stanley Leconte

We hate to break it to you but even if you own a profitable business or have a top-paying career role, that's not enough to create the generational impact fit for your legacy goals. You need to set aside some of those earnings and channel them into asset-producing financial tools. Hear from our panelists about how to leverage your income into strategic income-generating assets that can be the seed funding for your legacy-building goals.

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm
Seminole Room D

HumanBn Strategies

Brooke N. Collins
Fractional Chief Wellbeing Officer

When it comes to career fulfillment, understanding what wellbeing means to individuals could set an organization apart in thought leadership and innovation. Whether large corporations or small businesses, executives or entrepreneurs, Boomers or Gen Z, grasping the concept of lifestyle management can guide an upward trajectory of success within any brand---personally or professionally. Join, Fractional Chief Wellbeing Officer, Brooke Collins in a conversation about defining your personal wellbeing, the recent shift in the wellbeing industry, and opportunities to introduce lifestyle management as a key component of your legacy.

Check Writers: Early Stage Investing Panel

De’Havia Stewart
Fund Manager, Anthemis
Ted Lucas
Investor, Businessman and Community Leader
Ali Aly
Investor at the Black Venture Capital Consortium’s Venture Fund
Chandler Malone
Investor, Underground Ventures
Jeanine Suah
Founding Partner at Rezilyent Capital

Becoming an angel investor can be an essential strategy to increasing your wealth portfolio while powering up the next major corporation and creating multiple millionaires in the process. During this session, learn from investors focused on early-stage investing, hear their perspective on how they got into angel and venture capital investing and what shapes their investing decisions.

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm
VIP Room

BPN Members-Only

Black Professionals Network
Host

A members-only workshop and experience

Go Pro Session: Front Office Leaders

Kevin Johnson
Moderator, President of Black Sports Professionals Miami
Kim Miller
Vice President of HR Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium
Andre Luck
Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service, Miami Marlins
Marques Jackson
Senior Level Executive, Miami Dolphins
Thomas Eugene, Jr.
Sr. Director of DEI & Multicultural Affairs, Florida Panthers FLA LIVE Arena

Part of Black Sports Professionals: Uncommon Faces in Uncommon Places

They are the uncommon faces of sport’s front offices. Navigating the game of business and sports, hear from these sports industry leaders sharing their perspectives on how they have built their careers and navigated the journey through the high-pace world of sports.

Building an Influence

Brittani Millington
Moderator, Brand strategist and designer + founder of the BM Design
Brittany Hennessy
Influencer Marketer and Author
Dr. Nishan Pressley
Optometrist and Eye Care Influencer
Dr. Wilton L. Triggs
Plastic Surgery Chief Resident
Ashley France
Web 3 Social Media Influencer
Tayvion Payton
Senior Security Engineer, Content Creator

Social media, when used intentionally can be a secret weapon for your goals. Hear from our panelists as they share details about how to build and monetize a brand within their profession or industry. Speakers will share how to identify a market, garner brand support and most importantly build up an engaged audience.

Certified Legacy Builders Panel

Dreema Stokes
Moderator, BPN Miami Chapter President
Shevrin Jones
Florida State Senator
Jeanine Suah
Founding Partner at Rezilyent Capital
Mario J. Bailey
Vice President of Public Affairs, Inedible
Roshell Rinkins
Philanthropist and Vice President for Grants Administration
Josiah Graham
Founding Partner, Graham Injury Firm

"There's a million ways to get it -- choose one." There are different ways to leave a legacy. Whether you are on a journey to impact your family, your community, or the world. Hear from our multi-hyphenated professionals explain their passions and pursuits, what is required and the challenges they are facing to lead their future.

4:50 pm - 5:00 pm
Seminole Ballroom

Closing Remarks and Toast

Black Professionals Network
Host
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Hard Rock

VIP & Speakers Mixer

Black Professionals Network
Host
Friday
November 11, 2022
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
iPic North Miami Beach

Wakanda Forever Movie Screening

Black Professionals Network
Host

Wear all white for this luxe movie screening experience with fellow conference attendees and guests. The ticket includes a movie ticket, appetizer, entre, unlimited popcorn, and a non-alcoholic drink. Enjoy the opening release of Black Panther II with reclined seats and great company!

Saturday
November 12, 2022
12:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Top Golf Miami Gardens

Legacy Building Ventures Forum presented by Vice Chair Oliver Gilbert III

Vice Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III
Miami-Dade County, District 1

The Legacy Building Ventures Forum is a full-day of sessions for investors and entrepreneurs to learn about key business verticals and investments they can add to their legacy building plans.

Opening Remarks, Vice Chair Oliver Gilbert III

Vice Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III
Miami-Dade County, District 1
1:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Fireside Chat with Travis Mack

Travis Mack
Chairman & CEO of the Saalex Corporation

Mr. Mack is the Chairman & CEO of the Saalex Corporation, a Federal aerospace and defense contractor generating over $100 million in annual revenues and employing over 800 people nationwide serving the Army, Navy, Air Force, NASA, and Municipal governments. With the federal government's goal to increase federal contracting dollars to small, disadvantaged businesses to 50% of the spending budget, hear from Travis Mack to learn these insights on how to position your company for 8a success.

Building a Real Estate Investment Portfolio

Chad P. Musgrove
Senior Vice President, M&T Realty Capital Corporation
Bryan Chavis
Multifamily Real Estate
Evans Gedeon
Director of Finance, Codina Partners

During this topic, hear from our panelists who will outline the process of entering the world of commercial real estate through multifamily investing. Panelist will go over the advisors and team to have, the financial and legal structures to adhere to maximize your returns and reduce your tax liability while avoiding typical pitfalls they’ve witnessed over the years.

Open for Business

Vice Mayor Reggie Leon
Vice Mayor, Miami Gardens
Erick Gavin
Executive Director of Venture Miami
Joann Milord
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Director for the City of North Miami Beach
Michaeljohn ‘Mj’ Green
Deputy Director of Economic Development for Miami-Dade County

During this topic, hear from our panelists who will outline the opportunities within their respective cities and agencies available for business and investment. Speakers will discuss programs available and what industries are they looking to attract to their zip codes. In addition, speak to what benefits their office is providing whether relocation, government subsidies, grants, or other offerings.

Opportunities in Web3 and Blockchain

Vernon J.
CEO at EquityCoin
Akil Ash
Senior IOS Engineer, Smartsheet
Ashley Caines
Head of Web3 at AfroTech
Mary Pryor
Senior Web3 Strategist at Wasserman

Blockchain is a revolutionary technology disguised as a casino, and it’s important to understand the nuances that make this hot market. The 'Opportunities in Web3 and Blockchain’ panel discussion will explore the emerging opportunities within the blockchain and web3 space as it relates to careers, business development, and investing.

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Creating Bankable Consumer Products

Desha Elliott
Director, Accion Opportunity Fund
Michael Jett
Founder of Yack Shack and Enterprise Ad Planning Analyst, Kroger Account

During this topic, hear from our panelists who will outline the different routes to market with consumer product goods. Whether bringing a product to retail, brick and mortar, e-commerce, or leveraging your own platform there are several supply chain and funding processes to master. Hear from our experts to learn these insights and create a product brand that increase your wealth portfolio.

Closing Remarks and Announcements

Vice Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III
Miami-Dade County, District 1
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Top Golf Miami Gardens

Golf Mixer

Black Professionals Network
Host

Network while playing a friendly game of golf with the South Florida business community

Sunday
November 13, 2022
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wharf Miami

Closing Yacht & Day Social

Black Professionals Network
Host

Join us for the Closing Social, rent a yacht from one of our partners or come hang with us.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR TITLE SPONSORS

BECOME A SPONSOR

Join our esteemed group of sponsors elevating the community forward

PRICING

Pre-sale only, conference registration ends on Nov. 1st. Purchase a package to attend all events and activations during the conference or build your conference experience. Early bird rates end September 30th, 2022.

BPN MEMBERS

$ 795
  •  
  • Opening Reception
  • 2022 Summit
  • Member-Only Experience
  • Black Panther Movie Screening
  • Business & Opportunity Forum
  • Yacht Social
  • Professional Headshot
  • Conference Materials

NON-MEMBERS

$ 995
  •  
  • Opening Reception
  • 2022 Summit
  • Chairman's Breakfast
  • Black Panther Movie Screening
  • Business & Opportunity Forum
  • Yacht Social
  • Professional Headshot
  • Conference Materials

STUDENT
RATES

College students secure your discount.
Complete the form here or E-mail info@mybpn.org

Student admissions will be honored with Student IDs only or University Representative present. 

The
Venue

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
1 Seminole Way, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

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    The Summit is put on by the Black Professionals Netwok (BPN) a 501C3 social learning organization focused on furthering the goals of our professionals. Our mission is simple – reduce the career achievemnet gap for professionals of color by providing them access to resources and opportunities for their overall success.