Community. Culture. Commerce.
2025 HBCU Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit
The Future of Entrepreneurship
For generations, HBCUs have served as laboratories of ingenuity, resilience, and leadership — producing entrepreneurs and institution builders who created opportunity even when systems weren’t designed to support them.
Today we stand at another pivotal moment. AI is transforming the global economy, reshaping industries, and redefining how businesses are built. The 2026 HBCU Empower Conference convenes founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders to explore how today’s founders can plant seeds for prosperity and ownership that extend far beyond a single generation.
SCHEDULE OF CONFERENCE EVENTS
Welcome Reception
The opening kickoff to the conference will feature food, music, game activities, various content activations and a curated pop-up shop of businesses showcasing and selling HBCU-themed products. Accomplishments of key programs will also be highlighted.`
Panels & Workshops
A variety of panels, workshops, and discussions for attendees to learn skills, gain resources, and share best practices to grow businesses, build wealth, and empower communities! These workshops follow three tracks of content-Emerging Entrepreneurs, Investing & Impact, Empowering the Ecosystem– and include current topics related to digital marketing, technological innovation, funding, finance, business acquisition, franchising, product development, social impact, and more!
Mainstage Series
Curated keynote discussions of top business leaders and industry experts sharing keys to their success, challenges and pitfalls in their journey, and best practices for impact.
THE MECCA MARKETPLACE & RESOURCE FAIR
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.
South Reception
Convenings for networking, engagement, and fun featuring food, music, competitions, and more to celebrate and highlight the accomplishments of the Southeast (Clark Atlanta University) and Southwest (Texas Southern) regions.
Future Innovators Brunch
A curated gathering featuring emerging leaders and next-generation changemakers who are shaping the future through innovation, creativity, and community impact.
Attendees will enjoy thought-provoking conversations, fireside chats with trailblazers, and interactive networking opportunities.
HBCU EMPOWER AWARDS CELEBRATION
A celebration of the Center, and a recognition of the achievements and impact of business leaders around the country. Acknowledgements and awards are given to the Center’s major program participants and to business leaders and organizations who symbolize the values and vision of the Center.
MEET THE 2025 HBCU EMPOWER SPEAKERS
Nicholas M. Perkins
President & CEO | Perkins Management Services Company and Fuddruckers
Angel Gregorio
Founder & CEO | The Spice Suite, Something Suite & Black and Forth
Dr. Johnny Graham
Interim National Executive Director | Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
Mainstage
Alexandre Swayne
Associate Director, Capital Programs Global Partnerships & Business Services | National Minority Supplier Development Council
Conference Details
DATES
June 19-21, 2025
Conference Location
Marriott Marquis
901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Room Block Rate: $219 per night
REGISTRATION PRICING
Conference Tracks
Empowering the Ecosystem
A convening to share best practices and resources that help build more robust entrepreneurship programs at college institutions and beyond.
Elevating Emerging Entrepreneurs
Workshops and panels to provide entrepreneurs with resources, skills, and knowledge to launch and scale their business ventures.
Investing & Impact
Workshops focused on leveraging and learning strategies that fund and grow both businesses and communities.
About the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
The Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship is a national consortium & resource hub focused on enhancing entrepreneurship education at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and empowering entrepreneurs around the country. The National Center for Entrepreneurship enhances the success and growth of businesses through providing programming, capital, curriculum, research, and other resources in collaboration with HBCUs and their surrounding communities.
Contact Us
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