THE SCHEDULE
Three days. One star-studded lineup of founders, investors, and ecosystem builders taking the stage for high-energy panels, hands-on workshops, and can’t-miss breakout sessions across three powerhouse tracks. Add in the marketplace, electric networking receptions, and a show-stopping Awards Dinner finale, and you’ve got a summit built for momentum. Dive into the schedule below and map out your can’t-miss moments.
Wednesday, June 24th
2:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Registration
Check in, grab your badge and materials, and get oriented for three days of programming, networking, and connection at the summit.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Student Social & Welcome
Students connect with peers, mentors, and founders to kick off the summit and set the tone for the days ahead.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Conference Welcome Reception & Pitch Competition
A high-energy reception paired with HBCU founders pitching their ventures to a packed house.
Pitch Competition Finalists
- Amara Onwukaeme, Femigist
- Arion Long,Sagera Health
- Archie Karpeh, MelaninMD
- Kirsten Tucker, ItinAFairy
- Jeremy Lawson, Salynt
6:00 PM | Mecca Marketplace Opens
An ongoing curated pop-up shop and showcase of HBCU alum owned businesses and organizations that provide resources for entrepreneurs including incubators, free consulting, funding initiatives, technology & software.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Breakfast
Start the day with a morning meal and casual networking before sessions begin.
9:00 AM - 10:20 AM | Welcome & Opening Plenary Panel
Technology and the Future of Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship has long been a powerful pathway for innovation, economic mobility, and community impact. As industries evolve and new technologies reshape the business landscape, how can business owners be uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of opportunity and wealth creation.
This panel will explore key trends in technology that will impact how entrepreneurs are building companies, leveraging networks, accessing capital, and creating solutions that address both global markets and community needs. Panelists will share insights on emerging industries, the role of technology and AI, and the future outlook on capital.
Panelists Include:
- Asia Alexander, Journalist (moderator)
- Shardé Simpson, Founder & Managing Attorney of The Simpson Group, PLLC
- Nasir Qadree, Founder & Managing Partner, Zeal Capital Partners
- Marie Clark, Executive Director, New Voices Foundation
- Noah Adeyeye, Co-Founder, Tree Technologies-recent Howard Alum
- Chinedu Okorafor, Chief Information Office, Enterprise Technology, PNC Bank
- Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Founder & CEO, Goodr
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Breakout Sessions #1
- The Entrepreneurs Advantage: How IP Ownership Can Protect Your Brand & Increase Your Revenue
Amanda Gayle, ESQ - From Workforce to Business Ownership: Applying Skills to A Venture Antwon Foreman
- AI Technology in Grant Writing: Pros and Cons Dr. Tracee Seals
- Panel: Enterprise and VC Readiness Jean’ Austin, Shila Burkes-Nieves, Mac Conwell
11:40 AM - 12:40 PM | Breakout Sessions #2
- Increasing Impact and Scale through Technology
Jae Henderson - Corporate & Government Funding Pathways for HBCUs
Rod Chappell - Automations for Non-Tech Founders
Ethan King - How Businesses Maintain and Use Credit
Emmyrich Vicente
12:40 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch & Mainstage Plenary Panel
Staying Steady in an Evolving Business Environment
In today’s fast-changing business environment, entrepreneurs must navigate shifting markets, emerging technologies, and economic uncertainty while continuing to build sustainable companies. This panel examines how founders and business leaders can stay focused and disciplined amid constant change—without losing momentum or compromising their vision.
Panelists will share practical strategies for adapting business models, managing risk, and making clear-headed decisions in ever-changing conditions.
Panelists Include:
- Samantha Jones Regional President, Georgia at PNC (moderator)
- Jasmine Hudson, Co-Founder, Black Paper Party
- Cornell McBride Jr., President, McBride Research Laboratories/Design Essentials
- Shaina Rainford, Founder, Bask & Lather Co.
- Dex Robinson, Co-Founder, Diallo
- Nicholas Perkins, Chairman, President, and CEO
- Black Titan Investment Corporation, The Parent Company of Fuddruckers “Worlds Greatest Hamburgers”
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Breakout Sessions #3
- The Entrepreneurship Education Institute
Dr. JoAnn Rolle - Pathways to Procurement
Moderator: Hana Scott
Tanya Penny Woods, Victor Holt, LaToya Staten, Alexander Swayne - Score a Better Future: Personal Credit Fundamentals (with FICO)
Keon Haley - Panel: HBCU Talent Development
Michael Hoggard, Will Moss, Jahlessa Phelps, Miranda Perez
3:10 PM - 4:10 PM | Breakout Sessions #4
- Risk Management for Startups
Sylvia K. Alston - Digital Marketing and Brand Growth
Shanel Evans - HBCUs as Community Economic Development Hubs
Ty Smith - Faculty Fellows Research Presentations #1
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Entrepreneur Office Hours
Attendees will also participate in dedicated office hours with experts and partners, gaining practical guidance and insights to help strengthen and advance their ventures.
5:30 - 8:00 pm | Faculty Reception in partnership with AAAS (Invitation Only)
Faculty, researchers, and academic leaders gather alongside AAAS to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate the scholarship fueling HBCU entrepreneurship.
6:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Dreams to Dollars: Night Marketplace & Art Gallery
An evening celebration where HBCU founders showcase their products and regional networks come together to shop, sample, and spotlight the entrepreneurs powering local economies.
Friday, June 26th
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Breakfast
Refuel with a morning meal and connect with fellow attendees before the final day’s sessions.
9:30 AM - 10:20 AM | Mainstage Plenary Panel
Building & Maintaining Multi-Generational Wealth
This panel explores the historical foundations of wealth-building through family-owned businesses and the lessons today’s entrepreneurs can draw from that legacy. Designed to be both reflective and forward-looking, this session connects past to present, honoring the ingenuity of HBCU alumni entrepreneurs while equipping today’s leaders with practical insights to build businesses that endure.
Panelists Include
Dr. LaTanya White, National Associate Director & Mid-Atlantic Regional Director (moderator)
Rukiya Kelly, Global Head of Corporate Impact, FICO
Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher The Washington Informer
Stacie Lee Banks,Co-Owner Lee’s Flower and Card Shop
Gregory Brown, Vegan Soul Entrepreneur
Hailey Holt, Health Program Manager @ V-Tech Solutions
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Breakout Sessions #5
- Fintech Solutions for Entrepreneurs
Casey Ariel Dike - Cybersecurity Solutions for Business
Jon Exume - Acquisition Readiness
Hanif Omar - AI Media and content automation to scale
Kirk Gimenez - Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Programming for Impact
Paul Wilson Jr., Dr. Malcolm Muhammad, Grant Warner, Tiffany Bussey, Juanita Darden
11:40 AM - 12:40 PM | Breakout Sessions #6
- Strategic Planning, Operations & HR for Startups
Christina D. Lynch - Code Switch the Code: AI, Authentic Voice, and the Brands We Build
Jason Lorne Giles - Faculty Fellows Research Presentations #2
- From Prompt To Prototype
Dr. Jason William Johnson - Ask the Banker: Capital, Cash Flow, and Growth
Amber Bell, Lauren Synk, Emmyrich “Richie” Vicente
Moderator: Nicolette Harris
12:40 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch & Mainstage Plenary Panel
Collective Economics: Models to Build Community and Support Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs do not succeed in isolation. This panel explores collective economics, strategies to build community, reduce risk, and expand access to resources for entrepreneurs. Panelists will examine practical, real-world models and ecosystems that prioritize shared resources, cooperation, and mutual support for entrepreneurship. Through case examples and lived experience, speakers will highlight how partnership and collective approaches can strengthen local economies, foster resilience, and create sustainable pathways to business growth.
Panelists Include
- Dr. Johnny Graham, National Executive Director Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
- Natalie Madeira Cofield, President & CEO, Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
- Robert Greene, National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Breakout Sessions #7
- Building Your Personal Advisory Board
Keith Chaney - Eliminating Burnout & Turnover
Christi Venable - Developing Social Enterprises for the Future
Dr. Rasheda Weaver - Integrating Emerging Tech & AI for Growth Hacking and Scaling
Howard Jean, Jerone Tyler, Deondra Randle
3:10 PM - 4:10 PM | Breakout Sessions #8
- Access to Capital for Growth
Lyndsae Peale - Immersive storytelling and gamified learning
Dedreen Sneed - The Art of the Pitch: Business Storytelling
Eric Marshall - AI Strategies & Financial Fitness for Startups
Dr. Rashada Houston-Turner
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | HBCU EMPOWER Awards Dinner
The summit closes with a celebration honoring founders, partners, and program participants whose work embodies the mission and impact of the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship.
Honored Awardees Include:
- Marcus Davis, Chief Steward of The Breakfast Klub
- Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, CEO and Founder, Author
- Shannan Herbert, CEO of WAICF
- Luke Lawal Jr., Founder of HBCUBuzz
- Kim Roxie, Founder of Lamik Beauty
- Richard K. Bynum, former Chief Corporate Responsibility Office, PNC
Pricing
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