Maximillian L. Hamilton is the CEO & Founder of Rogue Media Group, LLC (RMG), a U.S. Veteran Owned & Operated Company. RMG is the premier multicultural advertising, marketing and media agency that leverage the power of business data, virtual & live experiences, digital media, social media, original content, advertisement and network affiliates to connect brands to an affluent, educated and influential target audience.

Headquartered in New York City, with operations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit and Houston, RMG maintains a list of esteemed clients. Today, this list includes AARP, Belvedere Vodka; a LVMH Company, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Legal & General America, Lee Hecht Harrison, Lexus Automotive, Manulife Insurance , MetLife, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Square, Inc., and Toyota Motor North America. As one of the country’s leading multicultural agencies, RMG services its clients with General Market, Black, Hispanic, Asian and LGBT marketing & advertising, digital & traditional advertising, experiential marketing, diversity & inclusion and corporate social responsibility consulting. Additionally, Hamilton established partnerships with Asia American Business Development Center, Bloomberg, LP, Corporate Corporate Counsel Women of Color and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners & Operators.

Hamilton founded RMG in 2013 under the influence of Earl G. Graves Sr., (Founder & Publisher of Earl G. Graves Publishing Co./Black Enterprise and Richard “Dick” Parsons former chairman of Citigroup and the former chairman and CEO of Time Warner Communications). Hamilton brings more than two decades of experience in media, technology, marketing, strategy, business development and executive management experience to his role with the company. Under his leadership, Hamilton created these agency franchise programs: Arena Football Association Carrier Cup, iLeadership DEI Summit, FUEL; The Ultimate Men’s Summit, Harlem Whiskey Festival, TechCast; The Future of Cybersecurity Summit; Women of Influence Brunch Series; and the Business of Medicine Summit.

Prior to Rogue Media Group, LLC, Hamilton served as Director of Multimedia Sales of Earl G. Graves Publishing Co./Black Enterprise. Hamilton was responsible for all global sales and marketing activities within the beverage, government, military, technology and telecommunications categories. Hamilton brought Bacardi USA, BASF, CIA, Goldman Sachs & Co., IBM, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines, and a portfolio of other enterprises to the company as roster clients to the publication. His focus was on Fortune 500 customer acquisitions, custom integrated media programs, improved operational efficiency, and execution, which led to significant company growth in excess of $30 million dollars during his tenure.

From 2002–2007, Hamilton was the Director of Advertising Sales for The Network Journal (TNJ). During his tenure, he spearheaded TNJ’s “25 Influential Women in Business” and “40 Under Forty” awards recognition programs. Additional, Hamilton created TNJ’s Top Black Lawyers and Top Black Doctors Forums. His client roster there included IBM, FedEx, GE, and Major League Baseball, Macy’s, to name a few.

Hamilton is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Reserve where he served with honors during tours of duty in England, Germany, Turkey and Panama. He held dual careers both in the aviation and healthcare industries. He was honorably discharged.

Today, Hamilton leadership extends beyond his C-suite at RMG. He contributes to many organizations and charities. Hamilton served as a senior advisory board member for Keep Rising for the Stars (KR3T), the National Association of African American in Human Resources, and ScottCare Foundation. He is a member of the Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce, the Cincinnati African American Chamber, Advertising Club of New York, the Financial Communications Society and the National Black MBA Association. Hamilton earned his A.A.S. from Air University in 2007. In 2018, he received the Made Man Award, presented to him by Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Representative for New York's 8th congressional district.

Background Quinton Alston-Spratt serves as the Head of Advisor Practice Management at Franklin Templeton. He has spent the past 16 years honing his expertise in coaching Financial Advisors, Services Teams, and Leaders, focusing on communication skills that enhance internal team dynamics and client interactions. Since joining Franklin Templeton, Quinton has been at the forefront of transforming teams and individuals through his engaging speaking engagements and coaching sessions. His dynamic presentations at major industry conferences have left a lasting impression on participants across the country. Quinton’s impact is not confined to the stage; he's a recognized thought leader featured in blogs, articles, and podcasts as well. His driving force is helping people have better conversations. Quinton believes better conversations lead to better relationships, and better relationships lead to better outcomes. Personal Beyond the financial world, Quinton resides in Baltimore, Maryland. In his spare time, he channels his creativity into photography, working on his personal project to capture the beauty of all 63 US National Parks.

Jodi Brockington embodies the term “multi-hyphenate.” Many of her colleagues know her to be a Master Networker, Super Connector, and “Diversity Disruptor”, creating seamless and authentic interactions within the workplace, marketplace, and community. As the founder of NIARA Consulting, Jodi has developed a solid global network leading strategic and major accounts defining strategies creating innovative solutions for non-profit organizations and Fortune 500 companies. She truly enjoys connecting people as her professional expertise lies within the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)space.

NIARA Consulting, a full-service DEIB Strategy, Advisement, and Project Development firm that provides complete consulting services for individuals, nonprofits, small businesses, and corporations. In 2022, Jodi was honored by Diversity Plus Magazine as one the Top 25 Women in Diversity. She was honored as one of America’s Leaders of Change and a DEIB Advisor to Paragon One and their Social Impact Lab’s favorite moderator.

Her latest entrepreneurial endeavor is BLENDiD, a real-time information platform enabling people with biracial and multiracial backgrounds everywhere to connect through personalized content and community. A proud native New Yorker, Jodi has been highly educated on both coasts of the US and is a self proclaimed foodie that also helps to elevate representation in the culinary industry. In her spare time, Jodi is an author, speaker, traveler and fitness enthusiast.

FINRA
Greg Jones oversees technologies and strategies FINRA leverages to ensure fair financial markets for investors. He also directs engineering solutions that provide valuable insights into FINRA’s rulemaking initiatives and regulatory actions.

As an avid advocate of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ), Greg was honored in 2020 to become a member of FINRA’s inaugural Racial Justice Task Force, created to advance racial justice, foster greater inclusiveness and eliminate prejudice within the organization, communities and the securities industry. Greg also serves on the planning committee for FINRA’s Diversity Leadership Summit, an annual forum to promote innovative ideas and practices to business leaders in the securities industry and beyond. A husband and father of two, Greg works with his family to advance DEIJ throughout their communities.

Mr. Jones holds an undergraduate degree in computer science from Hofstra University and a Master of Science in technology management from New York University. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for an independent school in his region.

Bilal is a native of Cleveland, Ohio but he considers himself a “global citizen”. Born November 20, 1958, to Rasool and Doris, he is a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor and friend to many. Professionally, he is a retired and decorated Cleveland Firefighter, having the honor of serving the citizens of Cleveland for 33 years. The last 7 years, serving in the capacity as the Director of EAP (Employee Assistance Program). The experience of counseling his fellow public safety brothers and sisters profoundly changed his life and inspired him to create the CODE MEDIA GROUP LLC and begin to publish CODE M Magazine. He realized there was no media outlets speaking to “men of color” about the issues of life. The journey began on Feb. 2017 and now, almost 6 years and 34 published issues later, CODE M Magazine is becoming a go to source for men of color and changing the narrative and imagery of men, globally! CODE MEDIA GROUP LLC is the umbrella company for CODE M Magazine, CODE M Cigars, the CODE M Foundation (a 501(c)3 non-profit), CODE M Radio and on the horizon, CODE M Conversations and CODE M Clothing. CODE M Magazine has garnered media partnerships with the United States Black Chambers of Commerce, The Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland, Tri-C College, Step Forward, MetroParks and by the 1st quarter of 2023, Major League Soccer. Bilal also owns Platinum Transportation CLE LLC since 2008. A black car service. He has serviced a wide variety of individuals including Tom Hamks, Hill Harper, Al Sharpton, Rich Paul and many other high profile individuals, music groups pastors, etc. Bilal enjoys traveling, reading, attending concerts and meeting people. He has traveled to more than 15 foreign countries, had 2 apartments in Shenzhen, China and has personal and business contacts all over the globe. Bilal obtained both his Bachelors (BA) in religious studies and master’s in psychology (MA) with specialization Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) from Cleveland State University. He has an Associate Chaplain certificate from One Accord Ministries, CEAP certificate from the Employee Assistance Professional Association. He is a member of the 100 Black Men (Cleveland chapter).

Floyd W. Green, III is a philanthropist and founder of What a Concept LLC, a company focused on creating wow moments through strategic philanthropy. In 2021, he retired from Aetna, a CVS Health company, as Vice President of Community Affairs. Since 2004, his teams developed grassroots community-based strategies to assist in new business development, customer retention, and strategic partnerships. Because of his work, he speaks nationally on Strategic Philanthropy, Cultural Consciousness, Localization, How to Go to Market, and Marketing to Diverse Consumers. He also spends time advocating nationally the importance of STEAM vs STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math). Floyd is the recipient of many professional and civic awards. Most recent include Black Doctors.org and Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions 45 most influential Blacks in Healthcare, The National Action Network’s National Merit Award, and the Martin Luther King National Service Award by the Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural and Minority Medicine (IAMMM) both in Washington, DC. He is a recipient of the CT Governor’s Patron of the Arts award, the National Council of Community and Justice’s (NCCJ) Human Relations award, the 2022 Bushnell’s Yandow Award for Arts Education, and the OnCon Icon 2020, 2021, and 2022 Top Marketer Award recognizing the top marketers in the world. He is a trained actor and a member of Actor’s Equity Association. He is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), and lifetime members of the National Black MBA and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Floyd graduated from Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania, with a B.S. degree in History/Public Affairs. He received his MBA in Marketing/Strategy from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, Malibu, California. Currently, a doctoral student at the University of Hartford focusing on Arts Education. Born in Newport News, Virginia, Floyd now resides in Hartford, Connecticut. 

Bill St. Louis Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement Bill St. Louis is an Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement. In this role, Mr. St. Louis manages and directs FINRA’s Enforcement national operations. He also leads the development of FINRA’s national enforcement policies and procedures, and oversees the prosecution of firms and individuals for disciplinary action. Before his appointment as Head of Enforcement, Mr. St. Louis led FINRA’s National Cause and Financial Crimes Detection Program (NCFC) within Member Supervision. In that role, he oversaw FINRA’s National Cause Program, Financial Crimes Surveillance, and specialized investigative units covering anti-money laundering, cybersecurity, crypto-assets, high-risk representatives, and vulnerable adults and seniors. He also oversaw FINRA’s Membership Application Program. Prior to leading NCFC, Mr. St. Louis was Senior Vice President and Firm Group Leader for FINRA member firms assigned to the Retail and Capital Markets firm groupings. In that capacity, he was responsible for managing the Risk Monitoring Program teams for these firms, which includes the assessment of business conduct, financial, operational and trading risks. Mr. St. Louis was previously the Regional Director of FINRA’s Northeast Region and Director of FINRA’s New York District Office. He also held senior roles in FINRA’s Enforcement Department, including serving as the Regional Chief Counsel for FINRA’s North Region. Mr. St. Louis earned an undergraduate degree from Baruch College and a law degree from New York University School of Law. Prior to law school, he worked for several years in the compliance department of a New York-based broker-dealer.

Vu H. Tran Director of Capital Markets Fund Launch Partners Vu H. Tran boasts over two decades of expertise across business development, real estate, and entrepreneurship. His rich tapestry of experiences includes 9 years in the military, focusing on aeronautical supply chain and leadership, and has been recognized with 5 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for outstanding leadership. A certified Lean Six Sigma professional, Vu has trained numerous US Marines and Sailors and underwent specialized training in Human Intelligence and Counterintelligence. Vu Tran ran a $25+ million AUM family office In the real estate sector and food and beverage industry, dedicated over 7 years to diverse investments, from single-family homes to commercial spaces. His entrepreneurial journey, spanning 8 years, ranges from importing/exporting to business consulting and construction. A passionate mentor, Vu has globally coached countless individuals on business strategies, personal branding, negotiation techniques, and investment strategies. Beyond his professional endeavors, he serves on the board of GlobalMindED, a non-profit championing equity, opportunity, and diversity, in collaboration with notable partners like Hewlett Packard, Sam's Club, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Amazon.

Dr. Jean Accius is an accomplished leader and innovator in health equity, longevity, health systems transformation, and building equitable systems so that every person in every community can live a longer, healthier, and more productive life. As President & CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, Jean leads a high-performing team that is dedicated to breaking down the barriers to health and empowering communities to thrive. With business acumen and deep experience across sectors, Dr. Accius understands how to develop creative and actionable solutions, policies, and programs that uncover the economic advantages of addressing disparities. He has a proven track record of collaborating across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to accelerate the pace of change. Prior to CHC, Dr. Accius was a member of the policy team for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and spent more than 15 years at AARP, the nation’s largest nonprofit, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of International Affairs and Global Thought Leadership. At AARP, Jean led his team in creating a business case for diversity in the workforce and conducting seminal research on the contributions of the aging population to the global economy. Dr. Accius has been widely recognized for his transformational leadership—from Next Avenue’s Influencer in Aging Award (2020) to Black Enterprise magazine’s Modern Man of Distinction (2018) to Florida State University’s Distinguished Black Alumni of the Year (2021). He has also been a member of the Fast Company Impact Council since 2021. He is a sought-after author and speaker, and is regularly featured in outlets, including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Forbes, TIME Magazine and Politico. He has facilitated sessions at the World Economic Forum in Davos and has engaged hundreds of leaders across industries and sectors at the United Nations. Under his leadership, his previous team’s signature program, Growing with Age, was recognized as part of the Fast Company World Changing Ideas program. Dr. Accius has long been passionate about equity, the contributions of women to society, and improving the world around him—he was raised from infancy to age four by his grandmother in Haiti. Her hard work and dedication has inspired his career path to this day. Dr. Accius is a certified director with the National Association of Corporate Directors, a fellow with the Executive Leadership Council, a graduate of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Program on Health Reform, and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business Corporate Innovation Program. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Florida State University and a Ph.D. from American University School of Public Affairs.

Biography of Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq. Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq. is the executive director of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Foundation (APA Foundation) an affiliated charity of the APA with an annual operating budget of nearly $15 million and an endowment exceeding $65 million. Rawle held various leadership positions with AARP over 15 years, including vice president. He was in the private practice of law for 16 years before joining AARP. Rawle holds a JD, with honors, from the Howard University School of Law, a BA in Psychology from Texas Southern University, and an executive leadership certificate from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. Rawle’s honors for social impact include: the 2023 Star of the Bar Award for the Women's Bar Association of DC; a 2022 U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service; the 2022 Charles Hamilton Houston Legal Services Award from the DC Courts; a 2018 Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE); the 2016 National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS) National Humanitarian Award; and the DC Bar’s 2006 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award. Rawle is a 2-term President in the 153 year history of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC); a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation; a member of the Thurgood Marshall Center Trust Board of Directors; the national public policy chair of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; a life member of Leadership Maryland; and a member of the Rotary International - District 7620.

Kevin Henry  EVP & Chief People Officer Pulte Group Named by SAVOY Magazine as one of the most influential Black Corporate Directors and as one of the most influential Blacks in corporate America, Kevin A. Henry is a multi-faceted and proven leader having served as a public company C-suite executive for over 27 years with several well-known and successful companies. In 2023, Kevin was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer of PulteGroup. Kevin’s career encompasses executive positions of increasing responsibility in operations, human Resources, customer service, marketing and other business leadership roles in consumer- PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in more than 40 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup’s purpose is building incredible places where people can live their dreams.

Dana Jackson is Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer at Franklin Templeton. He leads the firm’s global technology organization and is responsible for developing and driving the technology strategy, which includes cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data & analytics, automation, applications development, infrastructure, voice/data network, and program management functions.

He is also a member of Franklin Templeton’s Executive Committee, Management Committee, Enterprise Risk Committee, and Operating Committee.

Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, Dana served as the Senior Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer for Legg Mason. He was responsible for leading the firm’s Legg Mason Technology (LMT) organization and developing and driving the IT strategy which included the firm’s applications development, data & analytics, automation, cloud, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and program management activities.

Dana’s prior experience also includes leading the Enterprise Data Management practice at a boutique consulting firm. As a consultant, he developed a comprehensive data management strategy for a global asset manager.

Dana earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Dana is a member of the Cristo Rey Jesuit School Board of Trustees, The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland Board of Trustees, and a graduate of the Greater Baltimore Committee’s “The Leadership” program. Dana is committed to supporting underserved youth through various mentoring and internship programs.

Shani Hosten is the Vice President of Audience Strategy Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI) at AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. Since the beginning of her career, Shani has been associated with initiatives that have the potential to change the world. Her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DE&I, also stems from her desire to positively impact the lives of people. At AARP, she influences all aspects of DE&I and implements programs to make the organization more equitable and its teams more inclusive. Under her leadership, her team’s efforts are helping move AARP from “good to great” when it comes to DE&I practices. Shani along with their EVP & Chief Diversity Officer and full ODEI Team is now aiming to drive “greater” diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. She wants to continue to contribute in her small way, leveraging her insights, leadership, her passion for DE&I work at AARP, helping change the lives of all and continue to live out the dream of the organization’s founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus ‘What we do for one, we do for all’.” And “servant leader” is how Shani likes to describe her leadership style. Over the years, Shani has received a number of awards, including diversity recognition awards, Black leadership awards, and community awards. She considers recognition by community partners, the Black Press, and the National Newspaper Publisher Association’s “Saluting Courageous Leadership” Award as her most prized recognition. However, she believes that her “greatest accomplishment” is being a wife and a mother – she is a mother to two children. It brings her “great joy” seeing her family and children thrive and succeed.

Kevin Hicks is a Partner with Blackman and Associates; a franchise consulting firm, which provides franchise advisory and acquisition services for individuals and companies. Blackman and Associates identifies the most viable and lucrative franchise opportunities for its clients, with both start-up and existing businesses. The firm provides market research; marketing strategies; business plan development; franchise management recruitment; due diligence assistance, deal searches; acquisition of both debt and equity financing; and strategic franchise growth planning. For the last twenty-five years, Mr. Hicks has been a leading advocate for minority franchising. He has worked with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business, U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, U.S. Senate Committee On Small Business and Entrepreneurship, National Federation of Independent Business, The National Small Business Advocate; U.S. Chamber Of Commerce, and the International Franchise Association (IFA), the largest trade association in franchise industry, to increase the number of African American, Latino, and women entrepreneurs through franchising. He has participated in IFA and leading franchise industry panel discussions, forums, and conferences on start-up franchises, multi-unit franchises, and the raising of capital for minorities to purchase franchise businesses. Mr. Hicks and his partners are responsible for increased minority ownership of many leading national brands which include; Popeye’s Fried Chicken; Subway; Papa John’s Pizza; The UPS Store; General Nutrition Center (GNC); The International House of Pancakes (IHOP); Burger King; ExxonMobil; The Coffee Beanery; Firehouse Subs; FastSigns; Midas Muffler Shop; KFC; The Athlete’s Foot; Quiznos ; Anytime Fitness; Auntie Anne’s; Batteries Plus Bulbs; Massage Envy; FedEx Delivery Routes; Two Men And A Truck; Church’s Chicken; Dunkin Donuts ;Baskin Robbins; Marriott Hotels; Golden Corral Buffet and Grill; T.G.I. Fridays; ServiceMaster, and Coverall Cleaning Concepts…to name a few. Not only a consultant, Mr. Hicks also has owned five different franchise concepts. A few examples would be;. Mr. Hicks was part of an ownership group which operated sixteen (16) Church’s Chicken restaurants in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area, which when they were sold at a substantial profit, employed over three hundred (300) people and had sales which placed them in the top ten performers of Church’s restaurants nationwide. He is currently part of a group that owns several Subway restaurants and another group that owns a Marriott hotel. Now, due to the explosion of E-Commerce, Blackman & Associates has recently embarked on a new initiative to increase the number of African American owners of FedEx Delivery route businesses. A home based business concept with 30% margins.

Nkrumah Pierre Partner, PKF O’Connor Davies Advisory LLC Nkrumah Pierre has nearly 20 years of experience in client relationship management and most recently served as the Managing Director of Business Development at one of the nation's largest full-service advisory and accounting firms. There, he prospected and secured engagements across a spectrum of services, including tax, audit, transaction advisory, consulting, outsourced accounting, outsourced IT, forensics, litigation and valuation. Nkrumah has worked with clients across a broad range of industries, including financial services, private equity, family office, alternative investments, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and manufacturing and distribution.

Earlier in his career, Nkrumah was the founder and CEO of a boutique consulting firm that offered executive business development and strategy guidance, thought leadership event curation, diversity and inclusion advisory and career coaching consulting. He has worked for national executive search firms and built an expertise in matching qualified candidates with hiring organizations.

He is a frequent speaker for professional organizations, including the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), colleges and universities. Nkrumah has presented at the Accounting Finance Show, a major conference and exhibition in New York City. Additionally, he is a past honoree of The Network Journal’s “40 Under Forty” Professionals of Color.

Billie Business/Professional Bio Billie Welchman, CEO of Core Solutions Group, LLC, is a visionary leader integrating AI technologies with traditional business optimization strategies. With over 25 years of expertise in process optimization, project management, and government contracting, Billie empowers organizations to thrive in the digital age. Billie's diverse background includes Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, extensive project management experience, and a key role supporting the Wyoming Army National Guard as a government-contracted employee, providing her with a strong foundation in leadership and organizational management. Committed to continuous improvement, she excels in enhancing operational efficiency and driving strategic growth. Billie is currently pursuing her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification while actively expanding her knowledge of rapidly evolving AI technologies, ensuring her expertise remains at the cutting edge of business optimization. Billie's innovative approach combines time-tested methodologies with cutting-edge AI solutions to streamline operations and boost efficiency. She applies these same principles in the services she provides to her clients, tailoring solutions to their unique needs and challenges. Through workshops, webinars, and one-on-one sessions, Billie has trained over 100 business owners on synergizing traditional optimization techniques with emerging technologies. Her hands-on approach ensures clients not only understand these concepts but can effectively implement them in their own operations. Her expertise in government contracting and AI integration helps clients navigate complex landscapes efficiently. Billie offers guidance on leveraging technology for market research, proposal preparation, capability statement development, and more, making government contracting more accessible for small businesses. Billie Welchman's career exemplifies leadership in technological complexity and innovative business solutions. Her knowledge and passion for mentorship position her as an influential thought leader at the intersection of traditional business practices and technology-driven innovation.

Vennard Wright, author of the book, Cracking the C-Code, is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder of PerVista, an AI-weapons detection firm headquartered in National Harbor, MD. Prior to founding PerVista, his professional experience was comprised of multiple executive leadership roles including serving as President & CEO for Wave Welcome, serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Vice President of Operations for Iron Bow Technologies, CIO for WSSC Water, CIO for Prince George’s County Government (MD), and Director of Technology for Hillary Clinton during her successful United States Senate re-election campaign and subsequent 2008 Presidential Campaign. In addition, he held the distinction of being the Chief Technology Officer and Technical Organization Delivery Manager for Electronic Data Systems (EDS), which was subsequently acquired by Hewlett Packard (HP). Because of his leadership in the technology industry, he has received numerous awards, authored dozens of articles, and spoken publicly on many topics, ranging from the importance of experiential learning in educational systems to the changing role that artificial intelligence and automation plays in future career prospects. As a proud alumnus of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland College Park, and in acknowledgement of his efforts to align educational curriculum with the needs of industry, he has served on the advisory boards for the Prince George’s County Public School System, Prince George’s Community College, Bowie State University, and the Universities at Shady Grove. He is also a Board Trustee for Capitol Technology University, Faculty Contributor for Boise State University, and Co-Founder of the Prince George’s County Tech Council. Vennard has an equal amount of hands-on experience in working with young people through myriad avenues. His volunteer experience includes mentoring students in hybrid settings, and, as a Roadrunners Club of America (RRCA) and USA Track & Field (USATF) certified coach, he has coached a host of young athletes into NCAA scholarships. Vennard Wright resides in Clinton, MD as husband to his beautiful wife, Janelle, with whom he shares four amazing children.

John L. Green III Bio After spending over twenty plus years in business-to-business sales and marketing or business development roles generating tens of millions in sales with companies such as Xerox, Raytheon, Kaiser-Permanente and Humana, John realized the way to have meaningful impact in business was solving actual client problems; not selling products. So he shifted his focus to working with business owners, individuals and families personally. In 2017, he launched TGC Agency®, a full-service all lines super regional independent insurance agency headquartered in Columbia, MD. Where the tagline is “We don’t sell insurance. We help you buy it.” The agency has industry knowledge and experience in commercial insurance, surety, employee benefits, personal property & casualty insurance and personal financial planning. As the principal general agent, the agency represents some of the nation’s top-rated carriers in the life and health space, standard, non-standard, specialty and excess & surplus property & casualty markets while operating in more than twenty states. The agency is also an authorized agent of the SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program In addition to John’s commitment to his agency, he is actively involved in the Baltimore/Washington business community and the insurance industry. Presently, he is President of the National African-American Insurance Association – Metro D.C. (NAAIA- Metro DC) Chapter. He is also a Board Member and the Marketing Chairperson of the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, John is a member of the Howard County (MD) Estate Planning Council, the Association of Black Estate Planning Professionals, the Association of Insurance Professionals (AIP) and the National Association of Professional Agents (NAPA). John was born in Baltimore, Maryland and currently resides in the Greater Baltimore area today with his wife, Mavis. Through their blended family, he is the father to four: Sinclaire & Benee’ (daughters) and Jack & Zach (sons). Along with a granddaughter, Aneyah (4). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Hampton University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing Management along with a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Development for Minority Managers and an Executive Certificate in Business Communication from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School (JHCBS). He is also active in both university alumni associations. At present, he serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council, he is a founding member and the national president of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School’s Black Alumni Network (the school’s first affinity group) and a member of JHCBS’s Under Represented Groups Advisory Board. Additionally, John is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. And in his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his kids, playing golf, reading personal development and leadership books or autobiographies written about business luminaries, listening to jazz, discovering new wines at The City Club of Washington in the nation’s capital and at The Center Club Baltimore as a member of their respective wine societies or cheering for his hometown Baltimore Ravens

As a consultant, Omari focuses on portfolio and individual transaction advisory across the country. He has transacted over 240 hotels, including limited and full-service assets.

While working full-time as a hospitality manager, he began teaching at Prince George Community College and found a love for higher education through hospitality. Omari currently serves as the Executive Director for the Marriott Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership at Howard University. Omari has served as a speaker for the National Association of Black Hotel Owners Operators and Developers (“NABHOOD”) and Latino Hotel Association. He has also been an invited speaker for Cornell University, Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, and American Hotel Lodging Association.

With roots on the Southside of Chicago, His family has deeper hospitality roots, with his great grandmother working as a housekeeper downtown Chicago. Like many industries, wealth and growth are achieved with the labor and sacrifices of people of color. However, there continue to be few Black or Latino / Latinx-owned hotels. This led to the formation of the National Institute of Lodging Education. The nonprofit's focus is to share information and disseminate education related to hotel ownership targeted at these populations.

Omari holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is the Founder of the National Institute of Lodging Education and co-founder of NextGen in Lodging, a Lifetime member of NABHOOD and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Omari has served as a contributor for Hotel News Now and IHMRS SmartBrief. He was recognized by Washington DC radio station WKYS and Hotel Management Magazine as a top young professional. He resides in Washington DC with his partner and their two children.

Brandon Thompson Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion Brandon Thompson is Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, leading NASCAR’s strategy for diversity and inclusion as well as programs and initiatives designed to champion and enhance diversity across the NASCAR industry. Under Thompson’s leadership, NASCAR is expanding the sanctioning body’s current diversity and inclusion platform with new strategies that will position the sport to attract top diverse talent – on and off the track. Thompson oversees a department responsible for multicultural programs including the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program and strategic alliances with the Institute for Sport and Social Justice and Diversity and Inclusion Sports Consortium, among others.

Fred Smith is a seasoned HR Practitioner, Business Consultant, and DEIB Facilitator with over three decades of experience. In addition to being a business and community leader he’s a known Rainmaker and advisor to a variety of industries from oil and gas, academia, retail, distribution, transportation, healthcare, and media. At Global Ascent Consulting Corporation, he drives systemic and intentional organizational results through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), human resources, and labor relations.

He understands that in order to spread key competencies across the organization, inclusive leadership skills are essential at a professional level. Fred is often called on to design, deliver, and facilitate curriculum to drive business outcomes and leverages intersectionality to achieve results. He believes in investing in the development of people, building with purpose and inclusivity, as well as accountability and measurability.

Being able to infuse his entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial spirit into his work makes him unique. Fred grew up in the trenches of the retail, grocery and consumer goods space moving from mid-management to senior management and taking on increasing responsibility quickly at Kroger. He was even charged with leading DEIB decades before anyone had a formal name for it at H-E-B. As his career progressed, he became a skilled business developer. Then he had the honor of serving Veterans that were transitioning from military to civilian life and opportunities with resume writing and interview preparation services at the University of Houston. Fred has been simulating growth and generating revenue and overseeing operations at Uniworld Group Inc., a WPP company, for the last few years.

He's served on multiple Boards spanning a twenty year plus period including LaRosa, Serve Houston, Employee Credit Union, and Houston Community College and served as Chairman at the Houston area United Way. Fred is no stranger to the physical and virtual stage and is often called on to speak or facilitate thought provoking conversations in the DEIB space.

Because, he says, "God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things;' Kevin Wayne Johnson has taken up the task of developing individual and organizational operating excellence as his life's ministry. He trains, mentors and coaches in order to coax audiences to live out their gifts, and in the words of his national best-selling book series, to then "Give God the Glory!"This series of eight books has earned the current radio and former television co-host some 19 literary awards, since 2001. Gayle King, an editor-at-large for 0, The Oprah Magazine, praised his work, writing to him that "Your book, Kevin, touched me:'

Johnson is the Founder & CEO of The Johnson Leadership Group, LLC, and an independent certified coach, trainer, mentor and speaker with the internationally recognized John Maxwell Team, where he leads learning experiences that are tailored to meet the specific needs of the audience to help maximize efficiency, growth, awareness and effectiveness. He provides organizations, and the people who work within them, with the tools to forge effective personal and interpersonal communication and delivers training on the elements of dynamic relationships, to equip teams with the attitudes and attributes needed to develop individuals into leaders. He does so through motivating workshops, seminars, insightful keynote speeches and compassionate coaching - all to encourage personal and professional growth.

Johnson enjoyed a 34-year career (retired) in government and private industry as a frontline, mid-level and senior -level leader. He led workforce development, training, organizational change, acquisition/procurement, customer service, client relationships, budget, security, records management, property administration, facilities and human resources organizations during his tenure. He was a key leader on the National Performance Review for Procurement and Customer Service Reform, under the first Clinton Administration, has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee on Procurement Reform and wrote testimony that was presented before the District of Columbia's Committee for Government Operations.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Johnson earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Business and completed course work towards an M.B.A. at both Marymount University and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He earned the Master's Certification in Government Contracting from The George Washington University, Washington, DC.

He is an ordained Church of God Ministries, Inc. (Anderson, IN) minister and has served in a myriad of leadership positions over the past 23 years in the local church, to include Senior Pastor, as well as regionally, nationally and internationally in Kenya Africa, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos, and London England. His latest books - Leadership with a Servant's Heart - are an Amazon.com best-seller in two categories and earned literary 16 awards from 2020 to 2024. Johnson is currently serving a second 4-year team as Faith Community Commissioner for Suicide Prevention under Maryland from Governor Larry Hogan and Wes Moore.

He lives in Clarksville, Maryland with his wife of 31 years, Gail, and raised three sons. He has one God daughter and two God granddaughters.