Panelist

Ralph Farquhar is currently an Executive Producer for Disney TV Animation. He began his career writing for the classic ABC television series Happy Days. After which he quickly advanced into the producing ranks as supervising producer for Fox’s iconic Married With Children and from there moved on to develop, executive produce and create several award…

Bill Duke is an Actor, Director and Producer in Hollywood with more than 40 years of experience on screen and behind the camera. His acting credits include recent television and feature film roles in shows like Black Lightning, the critically acclaimed new film, Mandy, and the highly anticipated Stephen Soderbergh film, High Flying Bird. He…

Award-winning financial journalist and author Stacey Tisdale is the CEO of Mind Money Media, and a pioneer in behavioral finance.  Stacey’s more than 20 year broadcast journalism career has included reporting for CBS, CNN, PBS, the Today Show, as well as being a contributor for the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and CNBC. Stacey…

Since 1998, Anthony has served his clients’ financial interests through hard work and a common-sense approach to investing. This extensive experience — throughout major shifts in stock and bond market cycles — enables him to help his clients structure balanced portfolios to help meet their specific financial objectives. Before attending the University of North Carolina…

Sterling Lane is a Branch Manager at Wells Fargo Advisors.  With over 20 years of experience in the areas of the financial services industry, Sterling has concentrated on expanding his industry knowledge and leveraging that knowledge to continuously add value to clients and Financial Advisors. Sterling joined Wells Fargo in 2003, where he swiftly rose…

Ranking as the first female president and CEO of the historic Huston-Tillotson University, Austin’s oldest institution of higher learning and only historically black college and university (HBCU), Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette has proven to be a successful educational leader. This year alone, Dr. Burnette has been named an Innovator by the New Leaders Council –…

Dr. Ruben G. Alexander, M.D. is a board-certified anesthesiologist and fellowship-trained interventional pain management physician practicing in Las Vegas. Dr. Alexander graduated as the valedictorian from Morehouse College with a perfect 4.0 GPA. After college, he completed his medical school training and internship in general surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in…

Ashla Lane is a Business Initiatives Consultant on the newly formed enterprise Performance Management and Recognition team. She is the Recognition Lead Consultant for Wells Fargo Advisors (WFA), a line of business within Wealth Investment Management (WIM). She is responsible for leading the WFA recognition program strategy, processes, design and annual events. In addition, Ashla…

Dr. Neville Campbell is a board-certified anesthesiologist and a board-certified interventional pain management physician. He completed both his medical training and his anesthesiology residency in New York City at renowned Mount Sinai School of Medicine and State University of New York at Downstate respectively. After completion of residency training, he returned to Mount Sinai Hospital…

Alexander Smalls was the visionary co-owner of former restaurants, The Cecil and Minton’s. In their time, both were critically acclaimed restaurants and were located in the heart of NYC’s Harlem. Minton’s, the sexy supper club with live jazz, was praised for its Low Country cuisine inspired by Smalls’ childhood, as well as for the world-class…

Mr. Edwards is the author of the Life-Changing Guide for Athletes, Coaches, and Parents entitled, So You Want to be a Professional Athlete A guide for Raising, Being and Coaching the World’s next SUPERSTAR. As Chairman and Founder of the Rory T. Edwards Group, Rory is dedicated to developing programs and providing services that deliver…

Chris is an internationally-known sports analyst and commentator for the FOX Sports 1 television network and FOX Sports Radio. He has shared the screen with some of the NBA’s legendary figures, including Magic Johnson, with whom he co-starred on the “KIA NBA Countdown Show” during the 2011-2012 season. He can be seen regularly on FS1’s…

Mayor Bill Campbell became the 57th Mayor of Atlanta and the city’s third African-American mayor in a landslide victory in 1993. Under his leadership, the city leveraged the Olympic legacy into tangible benefits for the people of Atlanta. During his second term, Mayor Campbell’s vision of a New Atlanta for the 21st Century drove the…

A former juvenile court judge, Karen B. Baynes-Dunning has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged children, youth and families. Over the past 25 years, she has served in numerous leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors to help improve the public policies and services that affect the lives of…

Renaissance woman Mashonda Tifrere is a portrait of courage and a change agent. Singer, songwriter, artist and mother, Mashonda has fulfilled her calling to combat gender bias by empowering female artists and curators from around the world. From an early age, growing up in Harlem, Mashonda was captivated by the mosaic of arts, music, photography,…

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins is a seasoned principal attorney at the law firm of B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, PC, concentrating in the areas of Entertainment, Media Technology, Licensing, Copyright, Trademark, Business Transactions, Litigation, and Corporate Formations. Her clients include Grammy® Award-winning music producers, artists, and songwriters, some of who have sold over 10 million units in…

Anne-Marie Burton is the Vice President of Programs at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF). Ms. Burton oversees the strategic development and implementation of all CBCF program functions for existing and new program areas, including public health. Prior to joining CBCF, Ms. Burton led Aspire Solutions, LLC, a leading public health leadership development company….

Servant leader, educator, goodwill ambassador, mentor, and friend are just a few of the divine assignments that Omarosa Manigault Newman has embraced in her life. An ordained Baptist minister, Reverend Omarosa currently serves as head of the Faith and Family ministries at the Sanctuary at Mt. Calvary Church in Jacksonville, Florida. In this role, she…

Regina A. Petty is the Chief Diversity Officer and a partner in the San Diego and Los Angeles offices of Fisher & Phillips LLP, a national labor and employment law firm. Ms. Petty’s practice combines counseling employers, workplace investigations, and defense of employment and business litigation. She practices in state and federal courts at the…

Dynamic, highly respected, public servant and community leader. All these words and more describe Virginia W. Harris. She retired from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in July 2006, as County Auditor after 20 years of service. Other professional positions included Accounting Director & Financial Management Analyst, Gwinnett County, Audit Manager, State of Georgia, Comptroller,…

Reed LoRenzo Shannon, {SAG-AFTRA; AEA; ASCAP}, dreamed of becoming a professional actor, singer and dancer since the age of 4, when he began studying musical theatre at North Carolina Conservatory in Raleigh, NC. Reed’s dreams turned into reality at the age of 13, when he was cast in the roles of Young Berry Gordy, Young…

Dr. Rolle currently serves as the Chief of Staff at Alabama State University. He serves as an ambassador for the president by providing specialized services and support. In addition to setting the tone for communications emanating from the President’s Office, he provides leadership, direction and executive oversight in accordance with all accreditation, regulatory, and governmental…

Quinnie Jenkins is a communications and aviation professional who serves as Community Outreach Manager of National Relationships at Southwest Airlines. In her position, she leads the team responsible for establishing and strengthening national nonprofit and business relationships in the communities served by Southwest Airlines. Prior to joining Southwest Airlines, Quinnie spent six years on the…

Dr. Omar K. Danner, a native of Birmingham, AL, is the Chief of Surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital, Director of Trauma and an Associate Professor of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. He is the founder Surgery for the Morehouse School of and Program Director of the renowned Reach One Each One Youth Mentoring and Medical Exposure…

As a nationally syndicated radio personality, actor, social media influencer, activist, musician, Husband and father of four awesome children, Willie Moore Jr. has proven that innate charisma, abundant creativity, and a passion for empowerment can translate in the faith-based community and the general market. Whether you know him as the Grammy recognized R&B artist “Pretty…

James E.K. Hildreth, Ph.D., M.D. is the 12th president and chief executive officer of Meharry Medical College, the nation’s largest private, independent historically black academic health sciences center. A native of Camden, Arkansas, Dr. Hildreth began his undergraduate studies in 1975 at Harvard University and was selected as the first African-American Rhodes Scholar from Arkansas…

Dr. Lester C. Newman assumed duties as the 12th president of Jarvis Christian College (JCC) on April 2, 2012. A native of Shreveport, LA, Dr. Newman received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from Atlanta University, now Clark Atlanta…

Amir Windom is regarded as one of the nation’s top rising young leaders and creative minds of his generation. Over the last decade, by having a knack for creativity, brand marketing and simply matching brilliant ideas with a relentless work ethic; he has garnered much success in the world of entertainment by asserting his skills…

I am Gaybriel Payton a Junior sociology major at Jackson State University. I am from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I currently serve as the charter president of The Jackson State Chapter of Collegiate 100. Our chapter was chartered on April 12, 2018. I blame my thirst for excellence, passionate for mentorship, and natural leadership fully on the…

Quentin Roach is Chief Procurement Officer & Senior Vice President –Global Supplier Management Group and Global Workplace & Enterprise Services for Merck & Co., Inc. He oversees companywide expenditures; leadership of contract manufacturing; M&A integration, JV & alliance management; enterprise externalization strategies; and productivity & working capital initiatives. He oversees Economic Inclusion & Supplier Diversity…

Susan L. Taylor, best-selling author of four books, and editor of eight others, is a fourth-generation entrepreneur, who grew up in Harlem working in her father’s clothing store. At 24, she founded her own cosmetics company, which led to the beauty editor’s position at Essence, the publication she would go on to shape into a world-renown brand…

Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton is founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN).  NAN is a not-for-profit civil rights organization that was formed in 1991 and has over 100 chapters nationwide that includes a Washington, DC Bureau and regional offices across the US.  Rev. Sharpton has been identified as one of the nation’s most renowned civil rights leaders,…

William F. Pickard, PhD is Chairman and Founder of GAA Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, GAA New Ventures, Co-Managing Partner MGM Grand Detroit Casino, CEO of Bearwood Management McDonald’s and co-owner of five black-owned newspapers. Pickard’s Forty-seven-year entrepreneurial career began as a McDonald’s franchisee in Detroit,Michigan. Since its founding in 1989, GAA has generated more…

Curt Battles is immediate past President of the 100 Black Men of Stamford (CT).  Active throughout his tenure with the chapter, he’s held numerous leadership roles including 1stVice President/VP Programs/VP Development and Mentoring Coordinator.   Most recently he led the successful execution of the “Fulfilling Your Dream” Youth Summitusing social media to get young Black males to participate….

Shanae D. Hill is the Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Premier Choice Group, LLC, a global consulting firm specializing in public relations and marketing, capital management, and event planning and production services. For over 18 years, Hill has worked in the private and non-profit sectors and has extensive experience in fiscal management, executive coaching,…

Shantae D. Gilmer is the Managing Partner of Premier Choice Group, LLC, a global consulting firm specializing in capital management, public relations and marketing, and event planning and production services. For over 18 years, Gilmer has worked in non-profit and government sectors and has extensive experience in contract management, organizational development, leadership development, program design…

Selby Artis is employed with Nephron Pharmaceutical Corporation, a privately owned global leader in the manufacturing of generic drug products, over-the-counter (OTC) drug products and medical devices.  Mr. Artis manages all aspects of the production and quality control processes.  Prior to joining Nephron, Mr. Artis worked for the United States Department of Agriculture in Miami,…

Larry Robinson, Ph.D., is Florida A&M University’s (FAMU’s) 12th president and a distinguished professor and researcher in the School of the Environment at FAMU. Previously, he served as the interim president of FAMU from September 2016 to November 2017, from July 2012 to March 2014 and in 2007. He also served as director of FAMU’s Environmental…

Paul A. Jones, Ph.D. was appointed to serve as the 10th president of Fort Valley State University in December 2015. His higher education career spans more than three decades in Colorado, Maryland, Utah and Georgia. Before joining FVSU, Dr. Jones served two years as interim president at Darton State College in Albany, Georgia. Prior to…

Jessica Johnson is a summa cum laude Howard University graduate and recipient of over $200,000 in scholarships. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Scholarship Academy, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income/first-generation families create 4- year college funding plans. She has spent the last decade serving as a national scholarship expert for organizations…

Harry L. Williams made history when he became the first sitting university president to serve as President & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. During his eight-year tenure leading Delaware State University (DSU), Williams proved himself to be a prolific fundraiser, passionate advocate, and strategic planner for the school. He increased student enrollment every…

Rhyan LaMarr, a graduate of Columbia University, has a wealth of tangible experience in the Music and Film business world, as well as being a consultant to major corporations and record labels such as Universal, Igloo Music, Gravitas Ventures, Clear Channel and Masters Media Group LLC. Having a strong belief system has enabled him stay…

Marcel Anderson is a proud native of Spartanburg, South Carolina. After graduating high school, Marcel went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Saint Augustine University, and received his Special Education License from North Carolina Central University. Marcel also received a Master of Science in Human Behavior from Capella University, and…

Mark Godoy, Jr. grew up in Queens, NY, where he lived until attending boarding school in Simsbury, Connecticut—an opportunity provided through the A Better Chance program. Mark went on to receive his B.F.A in Illustration and Printmaking from the University of Connecticut, where he was also a member of the Men’s Track and Field team….

Reggie Walker is a former NFL linebacker who began his career playing for Kansas State University before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2013. After a six-year career, he decided to retire from football, returning to Kansas State University as a student to complete his undergraduate degree. Reggie currently lives in Kansas City…

Darnell Joseph is Senior Academic officer at Texas Southern University. In addition to directing academic support for technology in the classrooms he concentrates on being a disruptor by researching and bringing new technology and partnerships to the University with the attention of making sure our youth have the latest technology knowledge. Darnell is involved in…

Thomas A. Parham, Ph.D., is a family man who resides in the Southern California area with his wife, Davida.  Dr. Parham is the 11thpresident of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), a highly diverse, metropolitan university primarily serving the South Central and South Bay areas of Los Angeles County. Established in 1960, CSUDH is one…