State of Black America
Month: August 2025
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
11:00AM – 11:45AM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Diversity Media Strategy & Investment, General Motors

Mike Tresvant
TBD
Nothing found.
What does it mean to be Black in America during one of the most polarizing political moments in modern history? In this candid fireside chat, journalist Don Lemon sits down with NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson to examine the state of Black America in the Trump era. Together, they’ll unpack the political, cultural, and social realities facing Black communities—from civil rights rollbacks to rising activism—and explore how resilience, advocacy, and collective power can shape a more just future.
This Blackweek discussion is proudly sponsored by Shipt. We’re grateful for their generous support and commitment to right-sizing industries to help create more opportunity for equity and ownership.
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
11:00AM – 11:45AM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Africa Rising
Month: August 2025
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
10:00AM – 10:45AM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Nothing found.
With a young, dynamic population and rapid urbanization, Africa is on track to become the world’s fastest-growing economy. In this panel, Caralene Robinson, CMO of Global Citizen, joins leaders in business and culture to unpack the economic and social trends fueling the continent’s rise. From innovation and entrepreneurship to the creative industries driving global influence, the discussion will explore how Africa’s growth story is reshaping markets worldwide—and why brands, investors, and changemakers can’t afford to overlook it.
This Blackweek discussion is proudly sponsored by Shipt. We’re grateful for their generous support and commitment to right-sizing industries to help create more opportunity for equity and ownership.
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
10:00AM – 10:45AM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
JoJo Simmons
JoJo
Simmons
Simmons
Month: August 2025
Joseph “JoJo” Simmons, Chief Brand Officer of 3isFor, is a cultural influencer, entrepreneur, and advocate transforming storytelling for social good. The son of hip-hop icon Rev Run of Run DMC, Simmons rose to fame on MTV’s Run’s House (2005-2009), an NAACP Image Award-winning reality series, and later starred in Growing Up Hip Hop (2019-2023). Transitioning from reality TV to purpose-driven leadership, he hosts 3isFor’s For Good Podcast, featured by Amazon Music and Spotify for its candid conversations on mental health and growth in Black and Brown communities, engaging listeners worldwide. As a Last Prisoner Project ambassador and advocate for community empowerment, he earned the 2023 Phoenix Arising Award from the Black Mental Health Alliance. With 552,000 Instagram followers, Simmons leads a global team crafting authentic brand experiences for purpose-driven brands spanning culture, community, and impact, leveraging his audio engineering studies at the Institute of Audio Research to ensure top-tier production quality. A devoted husband and father of two, he inspires action through his global platform.
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Monique Rodriquez
Monique
Rodriguez
Rodriguez
Month: August 2025
Monique Rodriguez, founder of Mielle, leads the fastest-growing Black-founded and woman-led beauty brand, celebrated globally for its quality, natural products catering to textured hair consumers. With a presence in over 90 countries, Mielle’s products are available in over 100,000 U.S. stores including Sally Beauty, Ulta, Target, and Walmart. Boasting a social media following of over 1 million Mielle Mavens, Monique’s strategic approach secured a groundbreaking non-controlling nine-figure investment from Berkshire Partners in 2021. In 2023, Mielle marked history with a significant partnership with P&G Beauty.
Monique’s industry impact is underscored by accolades such as the Glossy 50, WWD’s Power Players, and Fast Company Brands That Matter. Acknowledged for her leadership, she serves on Executive Leadership Advisory Boards for Hope Chicago and Building Better Futures. Her commitment to empowerment extends through the nonprofit Mielle Cares. Driven by faith and purpose, Monique imparts wisdom, education, and financial resources to support Black and brown communities.
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Dreka Gates
Dreka
Gates
Gates
Month: August 2025
Dreka Gates is an entrepreneur advocating for love and wellness who is converging culture, technology and intentional living. With over 3.2 million Instagram followers and 40+ million monthly views through her social media and including gaming. She’s cultivated a global audience drawn to her authenticity, empowering lifestyle content and commitment to holistic self-care.
As the founder of ventures spanning into Dreka wellness, eyewear and gaming into Fortnite with Envy, the Reality Tycoon Fashion game, she is pioneering new experiences that inspire balance, creativity and sustainable success. Her projects have sparked collaborations and product launches with musicians, celebrities and influencers.
While working on sex and love certifications, VITA Sex, Love & Relationship Coaching Certification, she, alongside her Fr8qu8ncy team and partners, has created her own augentic AI metahuman, DrekAi and is actively integrating her into emerging tech spaces and gaming. DrekAi is the first celebrity agentic AI, a type of autonomous artificial intelligence system designed to emulate, extend, or collaborate with Dreka’s persona, brand, or creative output — often in real time and across multiple platforms.
During Blackweek, Dreka is expected to share her journey of building impact-driven brands and experiences, empowering the next generation to lead with purpose, innovation and emotional intelligence in a rapidly evolving digital world.
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Leveling Up, Not Selling Out
Month: August 2025
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
1:45PM – 2:30PM
Stage
Impact stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Founder & CEO of Mielle Organics
President of Mielle Organics
Nothing found.
When Black beauty founders sell their companies to major corporations, they’re often accused of “selling out.” Meanwhile, white founders making the same moves are praised as savvy entrepreneurs. In this candid conversation, Omar Goff, President of Mielle Organics, and Monique Rodriguez, Founder & CEO of Mielle Organics, unpack the double standards Black founders face, the cultural weight of ownership, and what it really means to scale without losing authenticity. Together, they’ll explore how leveling up through strategic partnerships can empower brands, expand access, and strengthen legacies—challenging the narrative that growth comes at the expense of community.
This Blackweek discussion is proudly sponsored by Mielle Organics. We’re grateful for their generous support and commitment to right-sizing industries to help create more opportunity for equity and ownership.
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
1:45PM – 2:30PM
Stage
Impact stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
How to Prevent a Marketing Misfire
Month: August 2025
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 8
Time
12:00PM – 12:45PM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Author, “Responsible Marketing” & CMO Advisor/Inclusive Marketing Strategist at Be/Co
Diversity Media Strategy & Investment, General Motors

Mike Tresvant
TBD
Nothing found.
From Pepsi’s infamous Kendall Jenner protest ad to American Eagle’s controversial campaign with Sydney Sweeney, brands continue to stumble into cultural landmines that could have been avoided. This talk examines why marketing misfires keep happening—whether it’s arrogance, incompetence, or a lack of diverse perspectives at the table—and what senior marketers must do differently. With the right insights and consultation, campaigns can resonate instead of offend, building trust rather than backlash.
This Blackweek discussion is proudly sponsored by Shipt. We’re grateful for their generous support and commitment to right-sizing industries to help create more opportunity for equity and ownership.
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 8
Time
12:00PM – 12:45PM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Opening Remarks: Blackweek Is
Month: August 2025
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
9:00AM -9:10AM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Nothing found.
Blackweek Co-founder Joe Anthony kicks off the conference with a powerful framing of what Blackweek is: a cultural and economic forum where ideas, creativity, and influence converge. In his opening remarks, Anthony will set the tone for the week ahead—unpacking the mission, the movement, and why Blackweek has become the space where culture meets commerce and shapes the future.
This Blackweek discussion is proudly sponsored by Shipt. We’re grateful for their generous support and commitment to right-sizing industries to help create more opportunity for equity and ownership.
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
9:00AM -9:10AM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Nigel Sylvester
Nigel
Sylvester
Sylvester
Month: August 2025
Nigel Sylvester is a professional BMX athlete, creative visionary, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Queens, New York. Known for pushing boundaries through his progressive riding style and viral content, Nigel made history as the first BMX rider signed to Jordan Brand, with instant classic sneaker collaborations including the March 2025 AJ4 “Brick by Brick” release and August 2025 AJ1 low “Better with Time”. He serves as the Creative Advisor for New Era and has worked with brands like MTA, McDonald’s, Mercedes-Benz, Saratoga, David Yurman, Moncler, and Fendi, where he designed the brand’s first BMX bike. Nigel founded the GO brand, hosts GO Ride, an annual transnational bike ride, and launched the Nigel Sylvester Foundation to empower underserved youth through bikes, recovery spaces, and after-school programs. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Creative Collective, HYPEBEAST 100, Nice Kicks, and featured in ESPN’s Body Issue, his influence spans sports, fashion, and culture, with appearances on the covers of Footwear News, Wonderland, TMRW Magazine, Numéro, and PREME. He has also walked runway shows at Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week for Kid Super, Casablanca, Willy Chavarria, and Hermès.
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Mona Scott Young
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