Chinedu Echeruo is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Beloved Ecosystem, building AI-powered startups to co-create inclusive wealth at global scale. At the heart of this ecosystem is DICE, an innovative organizational model that leverages human intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock collective innovation and problem-solving. With a passion for using technology to create positive social change, Echeruo is dedicated to empowering economically distressed communities and fostering inclusive economic growth.

His ambitious goal is to build a $25 billion ecosystem in 10 years, starting with 10 AI-powered startups in Newark, New Jersey, and expanding to 50 startups across major Northeast cities and then nationwide. Talented, the first startup, will use Agentic AI to autonomously match youth with apprenticeships, adapt training programs in real-time, and collaborate with employers to create pathways out of poverty. The ecosystem aims to create 5,000 local jobs, with at least 35% hired from distressed communities, and generate $5 billion in community wealth through 20% resident-employee ownership.

Echeruo’s entrepreneurial journey began with a deeply personal challenge—a fear of getting lost that stemmed from his childhood in Nigeria and early days navigating New York City. This frustration led him to create HopStop, a pioneering navigation app used in over 350 cities worldwide, which was acquired by Apple in 2013. He also founded Tripology, a lead-generation service for the travel industry, later acquired by Rand McNally and subsequently owned by USA Today.

Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Echeruo was a key member of the investment team at AM Investment Partners, a $500 million hedge fund focused on convertible bond arbitrage. He began his career at J.P. Morgan Chase, working in the Mergers and Acquisitions and Leveraged Finance groups, where he was involved in various M&A, financing, and private equity transactions.

Echeruo holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated with honors from Syracuse University. Through his work and vision, he aims to build vibrant ecosystems that optimize for the collective good.

Coco is a designer and entrepreneur with a passion for the future of cities, currently leading operations and design at Itana (www.itana.africa), Africa’s first Digital Zone. A graduate from University of California, Los Angeles, she has worked in interdisciplinary fields spanning entertainment and technology, collaborating with some of the largest consumer brands in business partnerships. In her career, she had crafted web experiences at Google, built the brand and product of a home-sharing platform for the web3 community, and engaged in product marketing for an ecosystem of products combining hardware, software, and media content. After extensive travels – what she refers to as a “self-taught Masters in Modern Humanity”, she founded Socialhaus, an offline space with the goal of transforming the social landscape in the modern era by curating urban living rooms for cities. In the process, she ran over 100 analog and digital events and created thousands of meaningful connections.

Coco grew up straddling between two cultures: China and the United States. Her background and experience of adapting to both cultures at an early age enabled her to be highly empathetic and creative. Passionate about how the built world affects the way we connect, she is ready to build the next model city and reimagine the environment we live in.

Allen T. Lamb, Global Head of AFROPUNK (AP), joined the AFROPUNK brand in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and General Manager. Allen has extensive experience as an early/growth stage investor, media/sports/entertainment investment banker, and serial entrepreneur. He drives AFROPUNK’s US-based and global footprint, while nurturing AP’s cultural positioning centered in innovation, discovery, empowerment, artistry, and social change. Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University, a master’s degree in computer science from Cornell University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Channing Martin is IPG’s Global Chief Diversity and Social Impact Officer. In this role, she is responsible for advancing IPG’s diversity, equity and inclusion objectives and continuing to strengthen the company’s progress to being one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies.

Reporting to the CEO, Channing leads IPG’s strategy on all diversity-related matters, including the continued diversification of IPG’s senior ranks and talent pipeline, collaboration and partnership with IPG’s full network of agency brands, CEOs and DE&I leadership community. In her role, she also supports the advancement of social impact strategies and practices in partnership with the leadership of IPG’s integrated ESG team.

Prior to joining IPG, Channing was Chief Diversity and Social Responsibility Officer of CSG, a global provider of consumer engagement and digital experience solutions. In this role, she worked across the company to promote and build effective strategies for equity, diversity and inclusion. She was also responsible for environmental, societal and governance (ESG) initiatives, recommending investments, activities and programs focused on sustainable, socially aware business practices that incorporate diverse people and perspectives, voices and ideas.

Channing previously held the positions of Diversity and Inclusion Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Diversity Lead and Strategic Planner for the US Department of State and the Diversity Recruitment and Assessment Manager for the US Office of Personnel Management.

Throughout her career, Channing has developed and executed measurable diversity initiatives that amplify employee voices, build diverse pipelines of talent, mitigate bias in hiring and performance reviews and strengthen community partnerships to reach new audiences.

Channing holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Heinz College at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Lynnwood Bibbens’ visionary spirit and entrepreneurial prowess have illuminated a path of success that few can rival. As the dedicated CEO & Founder of ReachTV, he has not only shattered records but transformed an industry. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, ReachTV has blossomed under his leadership into the preeminent black-owned MBE certified airport television network in the United States.

The figures speak volumes: over 2.5k screens, an astonishing 50M+ monthly viewers, and a network that spans 500k hotel rooms across 90+ US airports. Lynnwood’s strategic brilliance has positioned ReachTV as the trusted choice for premium travelers, a testament to his keen understanding of market dynamics.

Yet, it is not just numbers that define Lynnwood’s legacy. His ability to cultivate partnerships and drive innovation has been instrumental in forging groundbreaking agreements. ReachTV’s pivotal 7-year distribution contract with the NFL, the broadcasting alliance with LIV Golf, and the content partnership with TikTok are just some of the milestones that underscore Lynnwood’s exceptional insights and influence.

Lynnwood’s impact reverberates across media and entertainment. Original premium content like “Where Chefs Eat” and “Cultural Eats” bear his signature touch, captivating audiences with every frame. Beyond ReachTV, Lynnwood’s sagacious leadership guides the boards of esteemed public and private firms, a testament to his exceptional acumen.

His expertise is in high demand, with appearances on platforms like CNBC, Bloomberg, TD Ameritrade, and the Cheddar network. Lynnwood Bibbens stands as more than a CEO; he is a luminary, a trailblazer who continues to redefine what’s possible. In an industry where boundaries are tested and norms are shattered, Lynnwood’s name is synonymous with innovation, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to leaving an indelible mark on the world of media and entertainment.

Bio coming soon.

Shenan Reed was appointed global chief media officer in January 2024.

As GM’s global chief media officer, Shenan will be responsible for building a leading-edge global media team that accelerates GM’s media approach into the future.

Reed joined GM from L’Oréal where she was senior vice president and head of Media and was responsible for elevating the quality of consumer connections for the L’Oréal USA brands.

She has over 20 years’ experience in the digital media, advertising, analytics, and entrepreneurial space and is a highly sought-after thought leader, regularly presenting at major advertising and digital media industry conferences. Her insights and opinions have been cited in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, AdAge, MediaPost, Huffington Post, AdWeek and Women’s Wear Daily. Her deep understanding of advertising, media and analytics has mandated her inclusion on several advisory boards including Pinterest, ANA Media Council, ANA Board, MMA, IAB, VOX, SeeHer and others.

She previously led the GSK and Verizon Power of One solutions for Publicis and lead the L’Oréal business and Digital Practice at Wavemaker. Prior to her tenure at Wavemaker, Shenan founded the digital marketing agency Morpheus Media, which became renowned for its work with premier luxury, fashion and retail clients. Over the course of her career, Shenan has also worked across a wide variety of brands including The New York Times, Neiman Marcus, LVMH, Net-A-Porter, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, A&E Networks, Vimeo, IFC, Sundance and The Economist.

A strong advocate for developing the next generation of female leaders in her industry, Shenan was a 2023 212NYC Thought Leadership Honoree, selected by AWNY as a Changing the Game Winner in 2016 and an AWNY Working Mother of the Year Honoree 2015. She has been a judge for the Stevie Awards for Women in Business as well as an award recipient.

Shenan resides in Bronxville, New York with her husband, two children and their beagle Pebbles, named for the Flintstones character who grows up to be an advertising executive.

Bio coming soon.

Nicky Sparrow is a gifted marketing executive whose business instincts and vision in the field of broadcast marketing have been recognized throughout the industry. Durning her 25-year span with iHeart Media (formally Clear Channel), Nicky has held several senior leadership roles. Nicky is now the Senior Vice President of Multicultural Sales at iHeart Media.

In her role, Sparrow is responsible for leading multicultural ad sales revenue leveraging iHeartMedia’s unparalleled assets including radio, digital, podcasting and events. This includes The Steve Harvey Show, The Breakfast Club, Way Up With Angela Yee, Mi Cultura, Enrique Santos Show, Pride Radio, The Black Effect, The Black Information Network, and more. Sparrow applies her deep knowledge of multicultural audiences and strong relationships with multicultural ad agencies and brands to build, drive, influence and execute strategic multicultural initiatives across the iHeartMedia sales organization.

Nicky is distinguished by her passion for business, her focus on collaborative team building, and her commitment to meeting customer and market demands. Her contagious enthusiasm instills her and her team members with extraordinary energy and dedication in an environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged. Nicky does not just set these ambitious goals … she motivates people to deliver.

Nicky’s passion for the industry has extended outside of the walls of iHeart Media. She has been a major contributed for the Media Sales Institute since 2005. M.S.I. is geared to college graduates and career changers interested in the media industry. Nicky also serves on the Florida Association of Broadcasters and Radio Advertising Bureau boards.

Nicky Sparrow’s passion for giving back runs deep. She serves on the board of St Jude (fighting childhood cancer) and First Tee of North Florida (teaching core values through the game of golf).