The Second Annual BLACK COMMERCE CONFERENCE
A JUNETEENTH YOU WON'T FORGET!
The Future of Entrepreneurship
The Second Annual “Black Commerce: The Future of Entrepreneurship” Conference will be hosted June 19th-22nd at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD!
This unique conference experience unites entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, HBCU students, leaders and scholars to foster collaboration, share best practices and build support for one another. Attendees are able to learn skills, gain resources, and get connected to grow Black-owned businesses, build wealth, and empower our communities! This convening includes workshops, expert panels, certification learning opportunities, entertainment, an awards gala and so much more!
Learn about the venue and book your room today!
HIGHLIGHT EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Black Commerce Concert
June 19th
Doors Open at 6:00 pm
Food Served From 6:00 pm to 7:00pm
Concert Starts At 7:00 pm
A celebration of our cultural and creative excellence. This opening conference kickoff will feature live music, food, a curated pop-up shop of local Black-owned businesses showcasing and selling various products, and so much more! Performing live will be Howard University alum, Grammy Nominated, and 2024 Black Commerce Creative Genius Award recipient Eric Roberson, More performers to be announced.
Panels & Workshops
June 20th and June 21st
A variety of panels, workshops, and discussions for attendees to learn skills, gain resources, and share best practices to grow Black-owned businesses, build wealth, and empower our communities! These workshops follow within six tracks of content: Research & Policy, Investing & Impact, Empowering the Ecosystem, the HBCU Entrepreneurship Education Institute, the Dreams to Dollars Academy, and Elevating Emerging Entrepreneurs.
Mainstage Series
June 20th and June 21st
A 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. This year’s highlight speakers include Honeypot founder Bea Dixon, former NBA All-Star entrepreneur and investor Baron Davis, The Gathering Spot Founder Ryan Wilson and more…
Entrepreneur Resource Fair
June 20th
A showcase of organizations, centers, and companies that provide resources for Black entrepreneurs including incubators, free consulting, funding initiatives, technology & software.
Black Commerce Awards Gala
June 21st, 7 pm-11 pm
A celebration of the Center, and a recognition of the achievements and impact of business leaders around the country.
Use Code: AWARDSGALA through May 31st for $50 off
Black Tech Saturdays
June 22
Join us for an inspiring session of Black Tech Saturdays during the 2024 Black Commerce Conference! This event will be a vibrant conversation centered on building Black Wealth through inclusive economies, fostering innovation and technological advancement.
SIGN UP FOR THE MECCA MARKETPLACE
The Mecca Marketplace is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products at Black Commerce.
Whether a fashion entrepreneur, an app creator with cool technology or a social enterprise that impacts the world, this event welcomes and features a diversity of business ventures. Vendors will have the opportunity to feature their business at The Mecca Marketplace on June 19th during the Juneteenth Celebration and on June 20th during the Resource Fair.
Conference Tracks
Dreams to Dollars Academy
A guided program to empower and guide aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and knowledge to launch a business venture.
Elevating Emerging Entrepreneurs
Workshops and panels to provide entrepreneurs with resources, skills, and knowledge to revisit their business model, scale, and grow their existing business ventures.
Empowering the Ecosystem
A convening of ecosystem builders to share programmatic best practices and resources that help build more robust opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
HBCU Entrepreneurship Education Institute
A convening to share pedagogy best practices and train HBCU faculty in implementing entrepreneurship education across disciplines. Note: Exclusive to college/university faculty.
Investing & Impact
Workshops and training focused on leveraging and learning strategies that fund, finance, and grow Black-owned businesses as well as Black communities.
Research and Policy
A convening of policymakers, academic scholars, researchers, and other experts discussing unique challenges, policy, and political issues that can impact opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
Speakers
Main Stage
Bea Dixon
CEO, Co-Founder, and Chief Innovation Officer of The Honey Pot Company
Main Stage Moderator
Ebony Flake
Careers, Money, & Entrepreneurship Reporter, Essence Communications
Main Stage Moderator
Joshua Rodgers
Writer for Blavity, AfroTech, & Buzzfeed Co-Host of The Jig Saw Podcast
Main Stage Moderator
Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins
Emmy Award-winning journalist, President of the Society of Professional Journalists
Mainstage
Renee Montgomery
Co-Owner/VP of the Atlanta Dream, WNBA Champion & All Star
Mainstage
Michael Phillips
Chief Operating Officer of T.D. Jakes Enterprises
Mainstage
Erin Horne McKinney
National Executive Director, Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
Mainstage
Rashidi Hendrix
Independent Artists Media/ Partner - Talent Manager/Producer
Mainstage
Dr. Dwayne Edwards
Pensole Lewis (PLC Detroit) founder & president
PricING
Student Admission
REGISTRATION WITH UNIVERSITY EMAIL ADDRESS REQUIRED. -
Opening Juneteenth celebration
-
All Main Stage
-
Workshop/Panels
-
Resource Fair Access
-
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner (June 20th)
-
Breakfast, Lunch (June 21st)
-
Note: Does not included Gala
Faculty/Staff General Admission
REGISTRATION WITH UNIVERSITY EMAIL ADDRESS REQUIRED. -
Opening Juneteenth celebration
-
All Main Stage
-
Workshop/Panels
-
Resource Fair Access
-
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner (June 20th)
-
Breakfast, Lunch (June 21st)
-
Note: Does not included Gala
Faculty/Staff All-Access Admission
REGISTRATION WITH UNIVERSITY EMAIL ADDRESS REQUIRED. -
Opening Juneteenth celebration
-
All Main Stage
-
Workshop/Panels
-
Resource Fair Access
-
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner (June 20th)
-
Breakfast, Lunch (June 21st)
-
Note: Does not included Gala
General Admission
-
Opening Juneteenth celebration
-
All Main Stage
-
Workshop/Panels
-
Resource Fair Access
-
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner (June 20th)
-
Breakfast, Lunch (June 21st)
-
Note: Does not included Gala
All-Access
-
Opening Juneteenth celebration
-
All Main Stage
-
Workshop/Panels
-
Resource Fair Access
-
VIP Bag
-
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner (June 20th)
-
Breakfast, Lunch (June 21st)
Corporate
-
Opening Juneteenth celebration
-
All Main Stage
-
Workshop/Panels
-
Resource Fair Access
-
VIP Bag
-
CURATED Corporate Meetups & Receptions
-
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner (June 20th)
-
Breakfast, Lunch (June 21st)
About the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
The Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship is a leading advocate and resource hub for Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurship education at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) around the country. The National Center enhances the success and growth of Black-owned businesses through providing programming, capital, curriculum, research, and other resources in collaboration with HBCUs and their surrounding communities. This includes partnering with Black-owned businesses to increase access to funding and to improve credit, supporting student-run and faculty-run enterprises, providing students hands-on experience working with Black-owned businesses, providing access to technologies that can increase success and much more.
