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< Back To Speakers Irfan Khan Innovator | Angel Investor and Board Member | CEO and President of CLOUDSUFI | Author Contact For Booking Irfan Khan has more than twenty years of leadership experience in large- and medium- sized organizations. In 2014 Irfan was named president and chief executive officer of Bristlecome, a United States based start-up that provides supply chain consulting and implementation services on the systems, applications, and products (SAP) platform. During his tenure he has engineered partnerships with MIT and guided Bristlecome to create high performance ecosystems and foster innovation via Bristlecome Labs and has successfully led organizational changes and process improvements in markets across the Americans, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. A Microsoft alum sought after guest speaker, and recognized thought leader, Irfan’s insights on technology and the future of business have been featured in Forbes, the Huffington Post, and Inc. Magazine. He has successfully led organizational changes and process improvement in market across multiple continents. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Discover The Human Behind The Person In The World Of Al • Product-Centric Anti-Fragility: The Consumers Will Be Machines. • Instinctive Innovation: Key Strategies To Transform Enterprises. • Building A Socially Responsible Al World • Generative Al: When To Pause

< Back To Speakers Devon Drew Founder & CEO, DFD Partners Contact For Booking As a global leader in developing NextGen fintech solutions, Devon Drew is founder of Diligence Fund Distributors, a fintech platform that connects financial advisors to prospective clients and investment solutions. The firm is dedicated to maintaining its status as a cutting edge platform in the industry. DFD Partners leverages data and AI to provide asset managers with innovative and data driven solutions. Drew has worked as a senior executive at the internationally renowned Vanguard Group, JP Morgan Chase and Merrill Lynch and American Century and Alger. At Vanguard, Drew led efforts in the financial advisor services business to raise assets in Vanguard's proprietary ETFs and mutual funds within Texas where he raised over $20 billion from private wealth advisors. At American Century Investments and Alger, he raised over $2 billion from institutional and intermediary investors. At JP Morgan Chase and Merrill Lynch, he managed the financial well-being of his clients and received exposure to traditional investment products, including alternatives such as private equity, hedge, and real estate funds.

< Back To Speakers Jonathan Ferguson Preacher | Author Contact For Booking Jonathan is a renowned international preacher and author of eight books. He and his wife Amanda are two of the first African American millennial faith based leaders to officially brief the White House on various faith based related issues. He’s been featured live on multiple international TV networks and is sought out for his revelatory teaching & preaching. His ministry is marked by the evident demonstration of the supernatural presence and power of God, merging its reality in everyday practical living.

< Back To Speakers Thomas E. Smith Entrepreneur | President and Co-Founder of The Thomas E. Smith Foundation | Keynote Speaker Contact For Booking Thomas Smith is a highly sought after speaker. The power of Thomas’s story, combined with the actionable strategies he presents for overcoming adversity of all types, has resulted in Thomas being invited to speak for numerous corporations, professional and amateur sports teams, colleges and universities, hospitals, as well as public and private high schools around the country. The same energy, drive, and passion enabled Thomas to beat paralysis three times energize and inspire audiences at Thomas’s speaking events. Those in attendance leave both inspired and better equipped to overcome their challenges — whether in the workplace, sporting arena, classroom, or personal life. Thomas Smith’s life has been filled with challenges that few people can begin to comprehend. However, his ability to not only overcome adversity but reconfigure his obstacles as opportunities is genuinely awe-inspiring. His speeches are designed with careful cognizance of the specific audience’s unique qualities and needs. What remains constant is Thomas’s ability to be personal, vulnerable, and honest with audiences, thus creating an unforgettable and enlightening experience. Since his second accident, helping people overcome adversity has been and continues to be his purpose. Thomas is most fulfilled when speaking to audiences about his ongoing journey and describing the lessons he has learned in a manner that empowers people to overcome adversity, both personally and professionally. KEYNOTE TOPICS: • Overcoming Adversity • Leadership And Controlling Your Own Destiny • Turning Hardships Into Opportunities • Changing Cultures That Are Resistant To Change • The Power Of Self Confidence To Achieve Success

< Back To Speakers Sheeba Forbes Thought Leader | Inspirational Keynote Speaker | Author Contact For Booking For the past 15 years Sheeba as an Executive Life Coach and Principal of Forward Focus Inc. has been focused on CEO's and Senior Executives globally. Using proprietary psychometric technology to inform the process scientifically and objectively, her process is unique, and results focused. Her organization provides extensive, high level insights into the most strategic part of any business, its people. Sheeba's experience in Training & Development with Dale Carnegie™, and the Sandler Sales Institute, along with her own success in Sales, feeds her drive to always annihilate goals. Ms. Forbes has been profiled by Regional and National Media. Her involvement as a Member of the Prime Minister of Canada's Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs, allows her to use her innovative skill base to champion change and progress. She is fearless in helping her clients confront the "tough issues" and is not shy in challenging beliefs, motives, and perceived barriers to goals that most people naturally hide from. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Inside Out: 5 Keys To Profound Self-Awareness To Spur Career Growth • You First: Strategies For Realizing Career Success On Your Own Terms, Without Compromise • Helping Male Leaders Get It Right: Lessons Learned From Tony Robbins Debacle • Personal Potential: How To Identify & Leverage Your Strengths, Blindspots & Values • Self Care: How To Effectively Determine What You Really Want & Develop A Plan To Get It • Ways To Have A Career That Makes The World A Better Place

< Back To Speakers Jeff Pegues CBS News | Chief Justice and Homeland Security Correspondent | Author | Three-Time Emmy Winner Contact For Booking Jeff Pegues is the CBS News Chief Justice and Homeland Security Correspondent based in Washington, D.C. He joined CBS News in July 2013 and reports for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms. Since joining CBS News, Pegues has led the Network's coverage of some of the last decade's biggest stories. From the Russia investigation to recent terrorist attacks, Pegues is often at the CBS Evening News's top. Jeff has also become one of the most visible and informed journalists on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Jeff Pegues has also become one of the most informed voices on the conflict between the black community and police. Not only has he reported extensively on recent police actions and Justice Department investigations in Baltimore and Ferguson, but he has also authored a book on the issue. Pegues is the recipient of three Emmy Awards, numerous local and national Emmy Award nominations, the Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, and in 2017 was part of the CBS News team that earned an Edward R. Murrow Award. Pegues has more than two decades of experience covering national and international magnitude stories, including presidential elections, Hurricane Sandy, and its aftermath. His breadth of experience covering the news of the day is often called upon for radio interviews and speaking engagements.

Our Speakers Abhi Golhar National Radio Host | Speaker | Entrepreneur Abhi Golhar is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, 3x nationally syndicated radio show host on the Wall Street Business Radio Network, and media figure, whose experience encompasses print, podcasting, radio, and television appearances. As a much-sought-after voice in real estate investment and entrepreneurship, Abhi has written for a variety of publications including Forbes, Inc., Huffington Post, and industry-specific magazines like Inman and Think Realty. With a passion for entrepreneurship and reforming healthcare education, Abhi has grown 4 startups with the most recent being NPHub. This startup launched in Q3 2017 and now serves 1,000+ nurse practitioner students with yearly revenues exceeding $3M+ with no venture, angel, or equity/debt investment. He currently is the principal at Meridian 84 and Blue Apple Labs, an Atlanta business acquisition and investment firm and venture studio, respectively. Read More Adi Y. Segal Healthcare Executive | CEO Adi Y. Segal is a distinguished healthcare executive and CEO of Hapi, a platform pioneering the extension of mental health care by offering "Active Listening as a Service" (ALaaS) and emotionally intelligent AI. With his visionary leadership, Hapi aims to alleviate the ever-growing unmet need for mental health care and loneliness, the world’s largest epidemic. Read More Alexia Vernon Founder and President, Step into Your Moxie | Keynote Speaker and Author | Women's Leadership and Communication Skills Expert ​ Read More Andrẻ Swanston Founder | DynamicTech Innovator Media Magnet ​ Read More Andy Wyatt Author of Pro Leadership | Founder & Head Coach Andrew Wyatt Leadership LLC Andy portrays in painstaking honest detail what it takes to handle those stirring moments of success properly, and face the tough decisions all business leaders face, which can often mark the difference between winning and losing. Read More Arndrea Waters King Speaker | Media Guest ​ Read More Bea Wray Co-Founder of Millennial Women Network | Leadership Expert | Author | Keynote Speaker An innovation expert, Bea helps thought leaders share their stories, passions and knowledge as they invent, launch, and promote new products. As the former Chair of the Entrepreneurship Practice Group at Advantage Media Group, ForbesBooks, Bea further leveraged the wisdom and experience of these innovators through branding, visibility, and marketing efforts substantiated by the ForbesBooks brand name. Read More Benny Pough Music Executive | Entrepreneur | Author | CEO of Dverse Media | Real Estate Proprietary Decades of dedication and determination propelled Benny Pough to the forefront of the music industry and made him one of today’s successful and innovative business leaders. Pough has helped shape the sound and culture of music worldwide, having been instrumental in delivering radio hits for superstar artists. Pough’s legacy continues as a master of promotions and marketing, coupled with an unmatched eye and ear for talent. Read More Charisse Lillie Speaker | Author | Consultant | CEO of CRL Consulting LLC Charisse shares her insights for the next generation of attorneys, activists, and authors to make an impact in your career and your industry. Her lessons from mentors, advisers, and leadership on corporate and nonprofit boards highlight the role of diversity in tipping the scales towards balance in the legal profession. Lillie provides audiences with the tools to handle the playing field, pitfalls, and pathways to progress. Read More Charles D. Smith NBA Legend | US Olympian | Head of Sports & Entertainment Mediacom | Fierce Facilitator Charles D. Smith Jr. is Founder/CEO of Urban Icon International focused on developing sports & entertainment districts. With over 25 years of experience as a successful entrepreneur and corporate executive, Smith is highly esteemed for his business insights at the intersection of Sports, Business, Events and Technology. Read More Chinwe Esimai Forbes Contributor | Award-Winning Lawyer | Speaker | Citi Chief Anti-Bribery Officer Chinwe Esimai is a Nigerian-born, Harvard-trained lawyer who is passionate about inspiring generations of immigrant women leaders. Along with her mother, three brothers, and sister, she relocated to the United States in 1995, right before college. Read More Chitra Nawbatt Business Builder / Growth Leader / Media Contributor ​ Read More Curtis Jenkins Entrepreneur | Advisor | Author | Keynote Speaker Curtis Jenkins is the owner of Jenkins & Associates, Inc and specializes in developing strategies with small business owners to grow their companies to 7 & 8 figures with his patented methodology: The Realization Framework Experience(R). His structured program helps small business owners to: Articulate a Vision that's understood by all Organize business operations: People and Cashflow Create, execute and measure their goals to realize their vision Read More Curtis Valentine Founder | Educator | Speaker | Co-Director Curtis Valentine, founder of Real Men Teach, is at the forefront of advocating for the recruitment and retention of male educators of color. His initiative stems from the insights gained during his ten-year tenure as an At-Large School Board Member for Prince George’s County Public Schools, and the subsequent creation of the Male Educator Network. Through Real Men Teach, Curtis collaborates with schools, districts, nonprofits, and universities to champion diversity in teaching. Read More DeeDee Trotter Keynote Speaker | Olympic Champion | Chef ​ Read More Devon Drew Founder & CEO, DFD Partners ​ Read More Dondré Whitfield Actor | Speaker | Social Commentator | Restoration Agent | Author Words possess the power to create a sense of calmness, healing, transformation, and deliverance. When Dondré speaks, his essence releases wisdom, practical strategies, and timeless answers that bring to life relational healing and self-discovery moments among men and women. His message targets a wide array of impactful life and relationship topics related to manhood, leadership, parenting, and spiritual inspiration. He shares from his wealth of life experiences that span across family dynamics, his career, and his inner life. He harnesses the power of these experiences to influence the course of the collective male conscience through his vulnerability and willingness to share. Read More Dorinda Walker Cultural Strategist | Award Winning Marketer | Author | Podcaster | Community Advocate | Change Agent | Content Creator From drug dealer, multiple suicide attempts, and no self-worth, Dorinda has transformed into an acclaimed author, highly praised businesswoman, coach, and influencer. From chaos and dysfunction to peace and purpose, Dorinda Walker is fast becoming a celebrated writer, empowerment speaker and, advocate for positive change. She’s now on a mission to transform the lives of many who are seeking to live a life of purpose as a certified John Maxwell coach, trainer, and speaker! Read More Dr. Argie Allen-Wilson CEO | Speaker | Executive Coach and Relationship Transformationalist | Author With over 25 years’ experience as a Mental Health & Relationship Therapist, Dr. Argie Allen Wilson is a renowned national television and radio personality, often appearing as a mental health & relationship expert. Read More Dr. Britta M. Wilson-Uter Chief Engagement Strategist & Former Pixar Executive | Champion of Authentic Narratives & Inclusive Cultures | Author & Speaker As a former Vice President of Inclusion & Outreach at the renowned Pixar Animation Studios, Britta's legacy lies in amplifying diverse voices to craft universal narratives that resonate deeply and authentically with audiences. Most recently, Britta served as the Vice President, Inclusion & Outreach at the renowned Pixar Animation Studios, where her work was rooted in enabling a workplace and leaders who were committed to belonging and amplifying untapped voices to craft universal narratives that resonate deeply and authentically with audiences. Read More

< Back To Speakers Andrẻ Swanston Founder | DynamicTech Innovator Media Magnet Contact For Booking ​ ​ Andrẻ Swanston is a dynamic tech innovator and media magnate whose ability to forecast industry shifts, identify opportunities and take calculated risks, has catapulted him from $9 in his pocket to one of the only 9-figure exits by a Black American. A regular contributor to Bloomberg, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, Swanston was co-founder and CEO of Tru Optik, a data and identity company for streaming media advertising, acquired by TransUnion. As a former Division 1 collegiate track athlete, Swanston’s “need for speed” has transcended the sport to now describe his ability to quickly scale his own entrepreneurial ventures or those in which he invests. Born in the Bronx, Swanston’s first venture was an event promotion and production company, Full Eclipse, that he founded as a junior in college. At the age of 23, he opened one of New England’s largest nightclubs and by 28, Swanston moved on to private wealth management at JP Morgan Chase & Co., becoming one of the youngest Vice Presidents of Investments in the company. Bit by the entrepreneurial bug again at 31, Swanston invested a great deal of his own money, lined up several investors, and exited the investment world to launch Tru Optik. Tru Optik had been considered one of the most relied upon providers of data and identity across connected TV, streaming audio, and gaming at the time of its 2020 acquisition by TransUnion, when Swanston was 39. This exit catapulted Andrẻ into one of the top ten largest acquisitions for any Black American CEO and founder, making him the youngest person on the list. Swanston has received awards for his accomplishments with Tru Optik and was appointed by Governor Ned Lamont to the Board of Connecticut Innovations responsible for the state’s venture fund to promote economic development and innovation. Additionally, Swanston is an active investor in minority- and women- owned businesses around the country and with his wife, generously donates to education and community based initiatives throughout the country. Swanston graduated with a B.A. in economics from the University of Connecticut where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

< Back To Speakers Saana Azzam Motivational Speaker | Peak Performance Coach | MC & Moderator | Public Speaking Trainer Contact For Booking Motivational Speaker | Peak Performance Coach | MC & Moderator | Public Speaking Trainer ​ Looking for more inspiration for your business? Meet the Chief InspirationalvOfficer, Saana Azzam, who is a serial entrepreneur, an international award-winning economist, Forbes contributor, and CEO of The Middle East Leading speaker's bureau, MENA Speakers and a tech platform called Experts Market. Azzam also has distinguished herself as a keynote speaker, _ embracing her passion for impacting the lives of others as a professional speaker since 2010. She has been speaking for the likes of Spotify, The Kellogg's Company, UAE University, and many more across the world. If you are ready to leave with tactics and strategies to grow then you are connecting with the perfect speaker for your event.

< Back To Speakers Dr. Shakeer Abdullah Founder and Principal Consultant for Practical Diversity Associates Contact For Booking ​ ​ Dr. Shakeer Abdullah is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Practical Diversity Associates. Shakeer has spent more than 20 years working in diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. He spent the last decade in higher ed in senior leadership roles as a Vice President at Clayton State University and as an Assistant Vice President at the University of Minnesota.Dr. Abdullah earned a PhD from Auburn University with a focus on multicultural competence, and has expertise in culturally responsive leadership, identity development theory, anti-racism, intersectionality, Implicit Bias, Muslim life, and DEI coaching. His 2012 book, Baptism By FireAn Investigation of the Experiences and Multicultural Competence of Diversity Staff in higher Education is still in print. Dr. Abdullah is a highly respected voice in the DIEB and leadership space. He draws on his experiences as a first-generation college graduate and a collegiate athlete to bring a unique perspective to the field.

< Back To Speakers Dr. Stuart Calvin Lord Motivational Speaker | Educator | Leadership Development Coach | Diversity Equity Inclusion Expert Contact For Booking 'Together we can be the necessary change in the world. - Dr. Lord ​ Stuart Calvin Lord is a renowned motivational speaker, servant leader, educator, and an agent of change. For more than 20-years, he has been a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leader and advocate, an Executive Coach who works with leaders to build and sustain successful organizations, and an Impactful Educator empowering students to find and use their voices for the greater good. Stuart has the heart of a warrior who finds passion in community engagement and advocacy. Executives engage Stuart as THE coach to teach them how to lead their teams through from the heart...a heart of grace and compassion. His personal story has been featured in Ron Howard and Brian Glazer's impactful documentary 'Leave No Trace' and he has spoken to hundreds of students at many universities including Harvard and Texa A&M. Through his personal life’s journey, he has successfully transformed the lives of people of all races, genders, and ages. His mission is to motivate people along their journey by helping them transform their trauma and tragedy into triumph.

< Back To Speakers Arndrea Waters King Speaker | Media Guest Contact For Booking ​ ​ Early in her career, Arndrea Waters King had the unique opportunity to be mentored by Dr. C.T. Vivian, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which shaped her nonviolent approach to activism and ignited her passion for youth activism. Arndrea's contributions to making the world a better place include playing a key role in mobilizing the Georgia Hate Crimes Act, Leading the March On for Voting Rights, digitizing the works of Dr. King in collaboration with JP Morgan Chase and helping build a major multiracial collaboration known as the Southern Coalition Against Racism and Bigotry. A natural-born orator, who speaks with passion and compassion, she has spoken at countless events and marches and always leaves the audience feeling delighted and inspired by her deep thoughts and big ideas. Speaking Topics: • Women's Leadership in the Struggle • One Voice, Many Heroes: Sharing the King Legacy • Dismantling Hate: A Call to Action