Washington – On June 19th of this year, Howard University and the PNC National Entrepreneurship Center will host their second annual Black Commerce Conference, bringing together hundreds of HBCU students, faculty, and aspiring and established Black entrepreneurs. The theme is “Black Commerce: The Future of Entrepreneurship,“The event was designed to embody the essence of Juneteenth and celebrate the momentum of Black entrepreneurs around the world. This year’s event, which will be held at the renowned Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland from June 19-22, promises to be a beacon of inspiration. The conference will feature luminaries and pioneers such as: U.S. Representative Nikema Williams (Georgia’s 5th Congressional District)the former NBA All-Star and sports entrepreneur Baron Davis, Honeypot Founder Bea Dixon, Artist Eric Roberson, former WNBA player and Atlanta Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery; more.
“We look forward to bringing together innovators, thought leaders, change makers and allies for a truly transformative experience. This conference will be a guiding light that shows the path to prosperity and celebrates the limitless potential of Black entrepreneurs.” Erin Horne McKinney“It’s an honor to lead this effort and foster an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas develop, and networks grow,” said , National Executive Director of HUxPNC. “We are committed to working with our advocates to lay the foundation for a future where Black economic empowerment is unrestricted.”
The conference will feature an array of engaging, interactive and fun panels and sessions featuring nationally-renowned leaders, facilitators and talent to foster intergenerational dialogue about Black entrepreneurship and lift the spirits of notable HBCU alumni in business, technology, entertainment and education. Highlights from the kickoff event include:
- Juneteenth Music Festival featuring singer-songwriter Eric Roberson
- Howard University Graduate and Recording Artist Eric Roberson In addition to captivating performances by live bands, there will also be special performances by recording artists. Elle Varner and Kevin Ross.
“We are proud to continue our support of the Center and its important work, including its cornerstone annual Black Commerce Conference,” said Richard Bynum, chief corporate responsibility officer for The PNC Financial Services Group. “This event demonstrates our shared dedication to advancing economic equality and developing the next generation of Black entrepreneurs. By fostering collaboration and innovation with HBCUs, we further our efforts to create impactful change in communities across the country.”
Other highlights from the conference included:
- Opening Reception and Juneteenth Celebration
- Expert-led workshops
- Celebrity Fireside Chats
- Resource Fair
- HBCU Student Exchange Event
- Black Commerce Gala
- Black Tech Saturday
Summary of sessions and workshops include:
- AI: Supporting Black AI Founders for the Future
- For Culture: Creating Space for Black Entrepreneurs in Media
- Fireside Chat: Building a Wealth Plan: Lessons in Investing, Technology, and Entrepreneurship
- More than Independent: Building Your Own Business as a Creative Entrepreneur Panel
- Building public-private partnerships for the economic empowerment of communities
- From Startup to Exit: Growing to Acquisition
- From NIL to Ownership: Controlling your destiny outside the playing field
Registration Applications are now open for the 2024 Black Commerce Conference. To learn more about this initiative, Black Commerce.
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About Howard University and the PNC National Entrepreneurship Center
The Howard University and PNC National Entrepreneurship Center was established in 2021 through a five-year, $16.8 million grant from the PNC Foundation as part of PNC’s $88 billion Community Benefit Plan, which focuses on strengthening economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals, communities and people of color. The Center’s mission is to help expand entrepreneurial opportunities for Black people by providing education, leadership and development resources and programs across the country and sharing resources through four regional hub schools and a network of more than 100 HBCUs nationwide. For more information, visit https://hupnccenter.howard.edu/.
About The PNC Foundation
Funded primarily by The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), The PNC Foundation actively supports organizations that serve the communities in which it serves. The Foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education, including arts and culture, and community and economic development. Through the Foundation’s signature initiative, PNC Grow Up Great®, which began in 2004, PNC launched a multi-year, $500 million bilingual initiative to prepare children from birth to age five for success in school and life. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com.
About Howard University
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private research university with 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The university is committed to excellence in truth and service. It has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright Scholars. Howard University has also produced more African-American doctoral students on its campus than any other university in the United States. For more information about Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.
