06/22/2026
Claflin University alum Howard R. Jean, is the Founder and CEO of Black Meta Agency — the nation’s only award-winning technology firm fusing virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and experiential marketing to accelerate workforce development!
Since launching in April 2022, BMA has reached over 250,000 people nationwide. The mission is 1,000,000.
Howard R. Jean does less talking about access because he’s busy engineering it.
She won a trademark fight in 2016. Then opened a law firm so other founders would never have to fight alone. Howard MBA student, Amanda Gayle does it for the people —she built Self Made Law from her own experience — and she is bringing that blueprint to the stage at HBCU Empower 2026! Elevating Emerging Entrepreneurs.
Morgan State alum, Mac Conwell’s path didn’t come with a template. That’s precisely why he backs founders whose paths don’t either. Top-secret clearance. Two startups. One exit. He raised a fund on Twitter. His investor lens is on the stage at HBCU Empower. Investing & Impact. June 24-26, DC.
There is a difference between doing good and doing good business. Dr. Rasheda Weaver literally wrote the first study proving those two things do not have to conflict — then wrote the textbook, then built the institute. Come do good and do business at the Investing & Impact stage. June 24-26, DC.
Two Emmy Awards. Nearly 30 years of broadcasting. Kirk Gimenez refused to stay in the lane they built for him — he founded Xizzle TV, became SVP of Brickell Capital Finance, and now sits at the intersection of media and money. Find him on the Elevating Emerging Entrepreneurs stage. June 24-26.
You’ve never met another like him: Army combat veteran. Mental health tech founder. Youth entrepreneurship program builder. Eric Marshall runs three organizations — Warriors Legacy Care, Psybr Health, and Young Founders Lab — and all three are rooted in the same conviction: that every person deserves access to care, opportunity, and the tools to build. Elevating Emerging Entrepreneurs. June 24-26, DC.
