Lunch curated by 8it, NYC’s app for food pop-ups, drops and industry recos. 8it’s bringing Black culinary magic to Blackweek; today featuring Chef Chris Martin from Cmarty’s Jerk, known for a modern take on Caribbean cuisine. Download 8it to find where CMarty’s Jerk is poppin’ up next.

Jerk Chicken Sandwich:
Jerk Chicken, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, on 6-inch roll.

Caribbean Veggie Sandwich:
Cabbage, Carrot, Mixed Peppers, Jerk Scallion Cream Cheese spread, Tomato Lettuce on a 6-inch roll.

In this important conversation, our panelists will explore the future of diverse-owned media. Topics of discussion will include challenges in securing a fair share of RFPs, balancing scale versus impact, the impact of ad blockers, data bias, rising benchmarks for competition, and the double standards that limit the operational scope of diverse-owned companies. This conversation will address the challenges, biases, and obstacles that must be confronted to ensure the survival and growth of the media industry’s diverse segment.

Anyone with a check book can invest. And they do. And it helps. But being invested means more than that. It takes consistency, care, and concern for how that investment is used and for those that investment impacts. In this candid conversation, Tarshena Armstrong, Director of Diversity Marketing & Development at General Motors, firesides with REVOLT CEO Detavio Samuels on the necessity of supporting sustainable growth and fostering equitable representation for diverse-owned media and marketing companies.

In this session, we will host a conversation with platforms, communities, and brands that have become driving forces of change through innovation in Gaming, AI, and the intersection of the two. We will touch on the importance of representation within emerging virtual arenas to ensure diverse audiences are not only reached, but thoughtfully represented.

Over the past few decades, we have seen very little movement in TV and Hollywood to embrace storytelling that depicts the Black experience in a modern context, free from tropes and stereotypes. While there have been breakthroughs and an increased frequency of Black content, are we truly making progress relative to our profound impact on pop and world culture? This panel, moderated by Chief Brand Officer of MACRO, Stacey Walker King, will feature filmmakers Coodie and Chike as they discuss the future of Black storytelling, what defines a Black story, and the steps needed to move beyond the stereotypes that continue to shape Black entertainment.

We all are aware of the incredible legacy of music icon Bob Marley. One of the world’s most well-known musicians, humanitarians, and activists, Bob Marley wasn’t just an artist, he was a unifier of people. In this fireside chat, moderated by Chris Foster, CEO of Omnicom PR Group,  Bob Marley’s son, Rohan Marley, will discuss the unifying power of Black Culture, Black Music, and Black People. It will touch on what inspired the Marley family to commit so much of their expression to the upliftment of humanity through music, and the ongoing development of the Marley brand.

Technology, social media, and the democratization of self-distribution platforms have enabled artists and musicians to be more self-sustained than ever before. What does this mean for the future of artistry, particularity Black music and its influence on other genres and society overall?

The discussion centers on the role of Black leaders in the boardrooms of agency holding companies and their influence on long-term corporate strategies. Black representation is no longer a nice-to-have; it is essential for corporate performance, good governance, and sustainability. We are honored to bring together leading Black Board Directors to discuss how they are driving change in the corporate boardroom.

America is diversifying at a rapid pace, and as a result, it’s becoming increasingly harder for brands to communicate authentically to everyone. How can culture, and brand’s command of culture, help build equity with all consumers in a way that is authentic and impactful? In this fireside chat, Alia Kemet, CMO of Shipt, and Dabo Ché, CEO/CCO of CHÉ Creative, will discuss the principles of what it takes to build a culture-first brand, why it’s important, how to activate a brand in culture, and most importantly, how to measure its impact!

DE&I is undergoing a significant transition. Driven by political agendas that seek to downplay or diminish the need for a level playing field for individuals from diverse backgrounds, we are witnessing a troubling reduction in corporate America’s commitments to maintaining vital DE&I roles and programs. DE&I departments are being downsized or eliminated, and supplier diversity programs are also facing scrutiny under this new wave of opposition. In this panel we will examine the forces impacting DE&I and explore how it must evolve to endure and thrive.