Opening Night Reception
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Details
Date
Tue, Oct 15
Time
6:00PM – 9:00PM
Speakers & Moderators
Jonathan Mildenhall
CMO, Rocket Companies
Founder & CEO, MakeLoveNotPorn
Aaron Walton
CEO, Walton Isaacson
Blackweek will begin with a bang! Our opening night reception will be a place for all registrants to convene, network, hear opening remarks and experience some incredible live entertainment.
As we’ve received overwhelming interest in the event, we want to ensure that everyone has the best experience possible. RSVP is required. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis due to venue capacity limits. To guarantee your entry, we encourage you to arrive early, as we may not be able to accommodate additional attendees once we reach capacity. We truly appreciate your understanding and are looking forward to a fantastic event with you!
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 15
Time
6:00PM – 9:00PM
From #1 Pick to Nil, the Business of Athletes as Brands & the Future of Athletes as Businesses
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Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
3:50PM – 4:10PM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Aaron Walton
CEO, Walton Isaacson
The landscape of sports is changing faster than ever. This is reshaping the influence, opportunity, and pressures of athletes as both brands and businesses, especially as live sports surges ahead in the media landscape on and off the field. As the industry of the game transforms, athletes need to be more proactive in their brand-building and business-building than ever. What does the world around the next generation of athletes look like, and how do they get ready for it today?
Join former NBA #1 pick Greg Oden, Larry Hall, a seven-year veteran in Global Brand Communications at adidas, and Andre Gray, Chief Creative Officer, as they explore the evolving business of sports and the future of athletes as brands and business networks.
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
3:50PM – 4:10PM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
How To Fix Democracy—The Black and Brown Democratic Dilemma
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Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
5:00PM – 5:45PM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Humanitarian Founder & Board Chairman, The Black Wall Street Holdings Inc.
Former Apple, Nubank, NBA, Nike, Board Member Estee Lauder & Abercrombie & Fitch
We are living in the most polarizing time in modern history, where it seems like we are in a perpetual political cycle, where campaign narratives are focused on division not unification. In this 45 minute fireside chat moderated by Arturo Nuñez, Senatorial candidate Hill Harper will discuss the current state of democracy, the challenges with the democratic party, how diversity impacts election results, and how being in a perpetual political cycle will continue to be a challenge in unifying our country.
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
5:00PM – 5:45PM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Putting the "G" in Golf- How Black Culture is Reinventing Golf
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Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
12:00PM – 12:35PM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
In a sport that has long been associated with exclusivity, Eastside Golf is bringing a fresh, modern approach that reflects the spirit of Black culture. The founders, Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, have successfully merged golf with street culture, creating a lifestyle brand that resonates with a new generation of golfers. This panel will examine the broader impact of Black culture on the sport, from fashion and media representation to grassroots efforts aimed at increasing accessibility. The conversation will also touch on how cultural movements can create lasting change in traditionally exclusive spaces, highlighting the role that Black entrepreneurs play in reinventing industries.
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16
Time
12:00PM – 12:35PM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Greg Oden
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Damian Benders
Damian
Benders
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Damian Benders is a multicultural digital media veteran with over 20 years of professional experience. As General Manager of B Code, a modern media company that specializes in multicultural marketing and advertising, he works to create real impact across the cultural media landscape and increase the scale, efficacy and authenticity of spend targeting Black Americans.
Previously, Damian spent three years building the digital video business at iONE Digital where he was responsible for driving video programming, production, and revenue across a portfolio of 70 brands as the Vice President of Video & Business Development. Damian has a rich media, marketing and strategy background having worked across digital publishing, film and television with companies including Moguldom Media Group, SnagFilms, FilmBuff, Metro International, American Express and Knight Ridder.
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Kai Deveraux Lawson
Kai
Deveraux Lawson
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Lauded as one of Media, Marketing & Tech’s 50 “Most Indispensable Behind The Scenes Stars”, Kai Deveraux Lawson is a thought leader, innovator, and advocate for truth-telling in marketing. With over 13 years experience in the industry, she’s helped shape strategies for Advertising’s most recognizable agencies and brands.
Her experience led her to launch the culturally focused platforms, Mixed Company Podcast and her blog, Mylifeofkai.com. On these platforms, she shares her first hand experiences in life, travel and career.
Kai’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and her innovative approach to marketing, has garnered significant recognition throughout her career. In 2024, Kai was named the Ad Age A List & Creativity Awards Diversity & Inclusion Champion of the Year. Additional honors include The 2022 Adweek50 list and New York Moves Magazine’s 2023 Diversity Award, solidifying her status as a respected trailblazer in her field.
In January of 2024, Kai co-founded Valerie, a Hybrid Agency/Consultancy specializing in developing and executing strategy and creative for brands and businesses rooted in life experiences.
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Onsite Barber Services by Bevel® Grooming Products
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Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16 & Thu, Oct 17
Time
9:00AM – 5:00PM
Location
The Bevel Experience | 1st Floor
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Barbers & Grooming Specialists
Chief Creative Officer, UniWorld Group Inc.
Art Director, VML
Experience crisp lines from BEVEL, the first and only head to toe grooming brand designed for sensitive skin and coarse hair. Our expert Barbers and Grooming Specialists Candice Villafane Ryan and Jomo Kenyatta will be available from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday, October 16th, and Thursday, October 17th.
No need to book—just roll through to get a touch up while enjoying real conversation on our BEVEL Talks stage. Join in on candid discussions led by our expert host about honoring BIPOC men, navigating the world and the weights they carry, supporting their tribes, and normalizing mental health and wellness. Each conversation ties back to economic inclusion and leveling the playing field. Don’t miss this unique blend of grooming services alongside meaningful dialogue!
This Blackweek experience is proudly sponsored by Bevel & P&G. We’re grateful for their generous support and commitment to right-sizing industries to help create more opportunity for equity and ownership.
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 16 & Thu, Oct 17
Time
9:00AM – 5:00PM
Location
The Bevel Experience | 1st Floor
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Ebony Young
Ebony
Young
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Ebony Young boasts an extensive career spanning over 25 years in the Nonprofit, For Profit, and Government sectors, holding executive leadership positions at renowned institutions such as the City of New York, YMCA of Greater New York, TF Cornerstone Real Estate Developers, Incarceration Reform, and the Black Entrepreneur Initiative. Tasked with overseeing, organizing, and operating organizations to peak efficiency, her focus areas encompass leadership, wellbeing, technology, youth development, and social justice reform. She currently holds the role of Queens Deputy Borough President. Notably, she’s credited with establishing New York City’s inaugural fully operational diversity tech hub and collaborating with influencers like LL Cool J to address black male mental health challenges.
Having served on numerous global boards, task forces, and advisory committees, Ebony has made significant contributions to diverse communities, including youth, adults, seniors, athletes, artists, and environmentalists. Her commitment to community enrichment, coupled with her confidence, passion, and innovative spirit, has earned her recognition as a genuine communal builder, connector, and educator.
Ebony’s remarkable ability to captivate audiences, convey powerful messages, translate concepts into tangible outcomes, and leave a lasting impact is truly awe-inspiring. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Indiana State University and furthered her education at Indiana Tech, obtaining a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Beyond her academic achievements, Ebony is a dynamic motivational speaker and certified life coach.
Residing in New York City with her husband and three children, Ebony epitomizes the blend of professional prowess and family values.
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Reginald Cash
Reginald
Cash
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Reginald Cash is CEO and owner of 3BLACKDOT (3BD), a global entertainment company that champions equity and creator empowerment in media. Cash oversees the company’s multi-platform entertainment business, transforming 3BD into a creator-centric media and entertainment powerhouse.Cash has molded the company’s strategy of driving cross media IP creation in partnership with the most diverse, resonant creators inclusive of gaming talent, athletes, and musicians. He also is responsible for creating unique integration points for brand partners such as PepsiCo, Disney, GMC and McDonald’s.Receiving multiple honors which include Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 and Cynopsis’ It List, Cash has spearheaded 3BD’s award-winning work that even earned the company the title of being one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2022.Prior to joining 3BLACKDOT, Cash founded data aggregation company Markers. He also led the Investor Relations groups for Deutsche Bank and UBS. A graduate of Columbia University, Cash currently resides in Los Angeles.