RISE Urban Nation: Amplifying Black & Pan-African Voices Worldwide

This year we plan to help more entrepreneurs build their businesses and brand through partnerships with  @tailorbrands ! RUN and TailorBrands are helping Pan Africans worldwide bring their dream business idea to life. No more excuses on why you can't create or afford certain essential things your brand needs. Tailor Brands offers you everything your brand needs to stand out in the competition in 2...

ABOUT DIANE SKAI STROUD We should all strive to live a long healthy life, filled with love, abundance and service to others.  Nourishing each part of who we are as physical, mental, emotional & spiritual beings is essential to our overall well being. Planning, discipline and execution make it happen. Essential to every financial portfolio and estate planning is affordable life insurance that inclu...

About: At least twice, teachers tried to deny the power of voice to Ewane Masango. They tried and failed. He went on to win public speaking competitions and now is an entertainer and public speaker with a side of entrepreneur. He's building a new digital space for people to build connections, improve health and empower their community. The Society, a new online platform, is in development and comi...

Bio: Adesola Akindele is a 20-year international serial entrepreneur and novice angel investor who believes that entrepreneurship is the key to economic prosperity, especially for underestimated and under-represented economic groups. As an economist, she is never shy of looking ahead or at the bigger picture, examining key metrics that differentiate success and failure in business ownership and le...

About Dr. Pamela Ellis I founded Compass College Advisory because it felt good to do so. It’s truly my calling. When we meet, you’ll discover my two passions: 1. Learning 2. Helping kids thrive into successful, happy adults I’ve been in education long enough to know that it can fuel or fizzle a spirit that wants to go to college to create a successful career and life. Competition, application essa...

About Karl:  I am a man on a mission to create more profitable partnerships between black-owned businesses and large corporate brands. As a first-generation immigrant from Cameroon, I grew up having to always be different versions of myself. Whether it was under my parent's roof where I had to adhere to cultural standards, or out in the world having to connect with my white and black peers. Initia...

BIO: Sip & Share Wines is a boutique winery producing a diversity of handcrafted vegan wines. We're passionate about creating community with wine, especially for wine lovers often overlooked and underrepresented by the wine industry. Our wines are approachable to all palates, fun and made to sip and share. Purchase a bottle or join the wine club at sipandsharewines.com . In January 2019, Sip & Sha...

For the SD for Haiti Project, people can get more info about the event and tickets at:  https://us.patronbase.com/_TheHoldingCompany/Productions/K7/Performances   Kofi Andoh: Kofi was born and raised in Ghana. He came to the US as a teen and received multiple engineering and fine arts degrees at Boston, Columbia, and Wayne State University. Over the years, Kofi has proven himself to be a passionat...

Bio : Sacha Walton has graced the physical and virtual stage nationally and internationally, providing a fresh take on entrepreneurship through a holistic approach to business. This multi-dimensional Woman of Inspiration Award winner is not only a speaker, but is a business strategist, podcast host, author, and event producer. She inspires her audience with captivating topics that empower and tran...

BIO: LaToria Pierce is an engagement specialist, entrepreneur, and the CEO/Founder of future of work/tech startup Handoff. Prior to launching Handoff, Her work spanned public engagement, marketing, and fintech areas. LaToria has led social impact initiatives and managed engagement strategies for both local and national nonprofits in domestic violence outreach and policy, as well as in financial he...

Bio: Trisha Leconte is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, masterful teacher, and top-ranked executive strategist. She is also one of the nation’s go-to experts on branding and design.  “Find your message and turn it into a movement” is what Trisha does best. She helps individuals, brands and corporations create engaging content that gets noticed. She also works with these brands to help them a...

ILLUSTRATED BLACK HISTORY By George McCalman   ~ A Compelling Collection of 145 Original Portraits and Profiles Celebrating Black Pioneers, Created and Curated by an Award-Winning Graphic Designer ~   “This vivid survey of Black history leaps off the page.” —Publishers Weekly   “A unique and engaging entry point into Black history.” —Booklist   From determining the subjects, to the design of the p...

JAMES DUBOSE  James DuBose is an innovative, visionary, and thought leader known for producing culture-shaping content and sharing the voice and lived experiences of Black people around the globe. DuBose built his entire career with his focus on four fundamental pillars, which are to inspire, educate, uplift, and entertain Black audiences. He experienced a rapid rise through the ranks and currentl...

Biography: Desmond started his career as a chemical engineer and quickly realized he did not experience being fulfilled in this line of work. Instead, he decided to follow his dream of being in sales, even though he had zero experience and failed at his first door to door sales job. Desmond didn’t give up on his sales career and ultimately closing millions of dollars in revenue. Desmond now trains...

Bio: Ms. Doleman is the principal and founder of SEAS Community Partners, LLC. Ms. Doleman has over 25 years of experience as an innovative solution provider and leader in developing strategic solutions for nonprofit organizations, small businesses, commercial organizations, and government agencies. Ms. Doleman began her professional career in computer and professional training for government and...

Jason Roberts Bio  Family Background: Born August 5, 1975 in Bryan TX to Mary and George Roberts Two brothers Michael (8 yrs older) and John (1 year younger) Dad (George) was a college professor at Prairie View A&M University HBCU for many years Mom (Mary) was a high school teacher George was the first black to receive a PhD in Mathematics from the Texas A&M University George was a twin (brother R...

Bio: Adesola Akindele is a 20-year international serial entrepreneur and novice angel investor who believes that entrepreneurship is the key to economic prosperity, especially for underestimated and under-represented economic groups. As an economist, she is never shy of looking ahead or at the bigger picture, examining key metrics that differentiate success and failure in business ownership and le...

Bio Ginny was most recently Director, Executive Recruiting at Google from August 2016 until November 2020. In this role, she led the Diversity, Non-tech Recruiting, and the Leadership Internal Mobility teams. Before Google, Ginny was a Partner at Spencer Stuart, the global executive search firm, where she co-founded and led the firm’s Global Diversity Practice.  Currently, Ginny runs Ginny Clarke,...

Bio  ALA Public Relations was founded by Angela Lewis, a former professional basketball player, championship winning coach and author. Angela garnered significant media attention through her high level sports experiences. She has been interviewed on every type of media platform while rising to the top to become a professional athlete. With a desire to inspire youth, Angela has published four books...

Jerome Myers Jerome Myers aka “J” is a developer of people and places. He is the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of DreamCatchers and The Myers Development Group. Through these entities he gets to live out his childhood dreams of helping people manifest the things they imagine and create social proof that dreams should be real. Since leaving corporate America after building a 20MM division a...

Short Bio  Entrepreneurs need resources, training, and a realistic approach to launching their businesses – that’s where I come in.  I’m the Director of Economic Development & Innovation at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation , where one of my primary functions is running San Diego’s first low-to-moderate income and diversity focused accelerator program. Prior to this role, I was a part...

Quick Bio: Devin Wilkins, Founder of Meeting Where You Are (MYWA). Devin Wilkins is a native of Baltimore, MD, a graduate of Delaware State University, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and a proud father. Post college, Devin has been actively involved doing community outreach for "troubled" youth. He works with many organizations such as the Baltimore Youth Arts (BYA), and he visits th...

Bio:  Vernon Beckford is the CEO of Diversified Lending Solutions. Mr. Beckford has fifteen years of experience and leadership in investment management, debt and equity joint ventures, commercial mortgage origination, and distressed loan workouts.  Concurrent with his roles at large companies, he had made early-stage investments in tech and operating businesses as well as commercial real estate. P...

Bio: Ed is a native of Washington, D.C., now residing in Broward County, FL. Focused, hardworking, selfless, and determined is how many who know him would describe him, but he credits much of his success and development thus far to the powerful network he’s established. Ed is a graduate of Delaware State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in social work, and Towson University, where...

Deidra Mayberry Bio: Deidra Mayberry is the Executive Director and Co-Founder at Reading to New Heights nonprofit. Deidra holds a Bachelor's in Communications from UTSA (2009) with a concentration in Public Relations with a Business (minor). Deidra  is a modern Thought Leader in the new era. She has created an environment where adult learners can thrive, and tomorrow's career professionals are doi...