October 25 & 26, 2023
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
415 Summer Street
Bostom, MA 02210
Agenda
Join us on October 6 - 8!
Click on the session to learn more!
October 25, 2023
9:30
AM ET
Opening Ceremony
Kick off the Mass Black Expo with remarks from Gov. Maura Healy, Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll and BECMA President Nicole Obi
Nicole Obi
President & CEO
Black Economic Council of Massachusetts
10:00
AM ET
#BOSS Women in Entrepreneurship
A conversation with leading women entrepreneurs and CEOs about the critical tools and strategies they utilize to break barriers to success. Panelists will discuss their vision for equity within their businesses, and how other women entrepreneurs can capitalize on current advancement opportunities.
Charran Fisher
Fisher Contracting Corporation
10:05
AM ET
Wealth in Black Boston: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
The Black population in Greater Boston is more diverse than ever before, with a rising percentage of immigrant communities. Tracing settlements across the African diaspora, from the Great Migration to now, we'll discuss recent studies and findings that explain how Great Boston's wealth has evolved over time and the startling and widening socioeconomic disparities among Black ethnic groups in Massachusetts.
Lee Pelton
President
The Boston Foundation
Building a Winning Team
Businesses need a team dedicated, skilled advisors to thrive and reach their full potential. Surrounding yourself with a team of advisors who can help you to make strategic decisions or manage key risks is essential in achieving and sustaining positive outcomes for your enterprise
Jason Solomon
Eastern Bank
Health is Wealth: Health Equity in the Commonwealth
Health is the foundation for prosperity, yet residents of colors in Massachusetts lack equitable access to healthcare. the magnification of health inequities during the pandemic, and recent assessments of the implications on the overall state economy has led to increased urgency in closing health disparities.
Rachel Felix
Chief Marketing & Growth Officer
Boston Medical Center Health System
11:05
AM ET
Growth Through Acquisition
There is a "silver tsunami" underway in which Baby Boomer business owners are transitioning away from their firms over the next decade, which presents opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to grow their businesses through acquisition.
Joseph Charles
Owner
Rock City Pizza
Black Investments: Equity and Accredited Investors
A conversation amongst investors of color in Massachusetts, their requirements for investing, existing opportunities for investment, the importance of accreditation, and how they are working to change the landscape of equity in investment sector
Nia Evans
Executive Director
Boston Ujima Project
Expanding Equity & Wealth Through Nightlife & Events
A discussion of economic opportunities in the tourism and events industry and the work of local leaders to invigorate Boston's and Massachusetts's nightlife, including allowing restaurants to open later, extend live music hours, and streamlining the liquor license process.
Sheena Collier
Founder & CEO
The Collier Connection (TCC)
Don't Go It Alone: Joint Ventures, Partnerships, Cooperatives
Joint ventures, partnerships, and cooperatives are ways for businesses to align around specific project or business activity. They're also avenues to turn sole proprietorships and small employers firms into stronger competitors in their markets. A discussion about the benefits of scaling opportunities, including leveraging resources, reducing assets, and combining expertise
Chandra Smart
CEO
OnyxGroup Realty & Development LLC
Climate: Black Futures
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Kerry Bowie
President & Executive Director
Browning the Green Space (BGS)
12:05
PM ET
Keynote Address: Andre Perry
Dr. Andre M. Perry, a Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro, scholar-in-residence at American University, and Professor of Practice of Economics at Washington university, will present the kick-off keynote address on October 6. A nationally known and respected commentator on race, structural inequality, and education, Perry is also the author of "Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities". His research focuses on race and structural inequity, education, and economic inclusion, and analyzes Black- majority cities and institutions in America, focusing on valuable assets worthy of increased investments.
Andre Perry
9:29
AM ET
Summit Kick-Off
Kick off the Mass Black Expo with remarks BECMA Board Chair Teri Williams, and BECMA President Nicole Obi
Teri Williams
President & COO
One United Bank
10:00
AM ET
Generational Wealth: A Conversation with Representative Ayanna Presley
Representative Ayana Presley will kick-off our day-2 Mass Speaker Summit with a keynote address and conversation regarding Generational Wealth in the Black community.
Ayanna Presley
U.S. Representative for Massachusetts
United States Federal Government
11:05
AM ET
Building Generational Wealth: Trusts, Life, Insurance & L...
Entrepreneurs and financial advisors discuss the ways to build and protect generational wealth, from starting your investments early, developing multiple streams of income, and having a will or living trust in place to ensure a smooth transfer of assets.
Patience Noah
Owner
Patience Noah Insurance
October 26, 2023
Access to Capital: Getting What You Need to Grow
A classic conundrums for growing firms is that they are awarded a contract or land a new location but don't have access to working capital they need to gain or sustain momentum for their business. A panel discussion featuring small business owners and banking professionals with tips and tricks for landing the funds needed to help your business thrive.
Glynn Lloyd
Mill Cities Community Investments​
Inform and Influence Decision Making: Boards and Commissions
Serving on a board or commission is a critical way to influence and inform decisions that impact your community. This session will detail what's expected on board and commission service, including governance models and best practices, and the importance of diverse, inclusive memebership to affect community impact .
April English
Office of Massachusetts Governor
Artificial Intelligence: Threat or Opportunity?
Rapid advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have changed the business landscape across industries. Local entrepreneurs who have adopted AI discuss the benefits and challenges of the technology, how it is shifting business practices, and what it means of the workforce going forward.
Gary Evee
Founder & CEO
Evee Security Consulting Group
12:05
PM ET
Future of Housing: Boston and Beyond
In the face of high interest rates, low supply of affordable housing and transportation issues, what's being done to enable wealth vis homeownership? A discussion of housing stock in Boston and neighboring communities efforts to expand affordable housing, and the difference between renting to own, and homeownership.
Kenzy Bok
Boston housing Authority
12:05
PM ET
Young, Black & Political
Profiling emerging young voices in Massachusetts Politics as they discuss their path to career in government and politics, how they stay in touch with community issues, and the importance of using social media and other technology in youth and community engagement.
Eddie Rupia
Deputy District Director/Political Dir...
Massachusetts House of Representatives..
12:05
PM ET
Internet Capital: From Influencer to Small Business Owner
the prevalence and impact of "influencers" has risen considerably in recent years. Panelists will discuss using content creation and a social media following to generate revenue, and the business practices to sustain multiple revenue streams.
Claudane Philippe
Nail the Cocktail
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