Asians Got Next
Sponsored by
boon
Details
Date
Wed, Oct 8
Time
11:15PM – 12:00PM
Stage
Impact stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Chef, writer, and cultural provocateur Eddie Huang has never shied away from challenging stereotypes or pushing boundaries. From his groundbreaking work as a host on Vice TV to his storytelling across food, film, and television, Huang has helped carve space for Asian voices in mainstream culture. In this candid fireside chat, he reflects on his journey, the shifting landscape of representation, and why Asians are claiming their rightful place at the center of pop culture’s next chapter.
Rise of Citizen Journalism
Sponsored by
boon
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
10:15AM – 11:00AM
Stage
Impact stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Journalist, Author, Documentary Film Producer
CEO, Omnicom PR Group
In an era where anyone with a smartphone can break news, traditional media and grassroots voices are colliding in powerful ways. MSNBC’s Joy Reid sits down with Chris Foster, CEO of OPRG, to explore how citizen journalism is reshaping public discourse, challenging institutions, and redefining trust in information. Together, they’ll unpack the opportunities and risks of this shift—and what it means for the future of storytelling, accountability, and democracy.
From the Block to Broadcast: Holding on to Your Voice While Scaling Your Reach
Sponsored by
boon
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
3:30PM – 4:15PM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
From neighborhood stages to Saturday Night Live’s iconic platform, Kenan Thompson has built a career defined by both longevity and authenticity. In this inspiring talk, he reflects on how Black creatives can expand their influence without losing the essence of where they come from. With warmth and wit, Kenan shares lessons from his journey—how to navigate bigger stages, balance mainstream success with cultural responsibility, and ensure your voice remains your own. This is a story about resilience, ownership, and the power of staying true to your roots while speaking to the world.
Amplifying the Culture: The Power of the Black Effect
Sponsored by
boon
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
11:15AM – 12:00PM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Cohost of The Breakfast Club, Co-Founder of The Black Effect Podcast Network & Southland Stories, and Founder of Black Privilege Publishing
Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of aWLCo
The microphone is no longer reserved for the few—it belongs to everyone. In this provocative talk, cultural commentator Charlamagne Tha God unpacks the explosive rise of podcasting and the democratization of media, where everyday voices compete with legacy institutions for our attention. What happens when everyone becomes a pundit, a personality, a platform? With humor and sharp insight, Charlamagne explores the power and pitfalls of this new ecosystem—how it’s amplifying diverse perspectives, reshaping influence, and redefining truth in real time.
Navigating Today's Changes & Challenges
Sponsored by
boon
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
10:15AM – 11:00AM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
C-Suite Executive • Board Director • Author • Founder
C-Suite Executive, Investor and Board Director
CEO, M&C Saatchi
Vice President, Global Marketing & Media, The Procter & Gamble Co.
Corporate Board Director and Former Teradata CMO Jacqueline Woods, C-Suite Executive, Investor and Board Director Kimberly Paige, M&C Saatchi CEO Nadja Bellan-White, and VP of Global Marketing & Media at The Procter & Gamble Co. Eric Austin join Jerri DeVard, Founder and CEO of BECA, for a candid conversation on driving growth in a climate where language is shifting, DE&I is under fire, and the corporate lexicon itself can become a battleground. How can today’s leaders stay authentic, resilient, and impactful while navigating these high-stakes changes?
Telling the Truth in an Age of Misinformation
Sponsored by
boon
Details
Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
9:15AM – 10:00AM
Stage
Breakthrough stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Aaron Walton
CEO, Walton Isaacson
In a world where headlines travel faster than facts and algorithms often reward outrage over accuracy, how do we hold onto truth? Journalist Don Lemon takes the stage to explore the urgent challenge of navigating misinformation in our hyperconnected era. Drawing from his own experiences covering pivotal moments in history and confronting falsehoods in real time, Lemon reveals why truth-telling is both more difficult—and more necessary—than ever.
Mathew Knowles
Mathew
Knowles
Knowles
boon
Meet Mathew Knowles, the global leader in sales & marketing, brand development, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
With over $5 billion generated across multiple industries, over $100 million in sales and acquisitions, and the development, recording and distribution of some of culture’s most notable careers such as Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, Solange, and many more; Mathew Knowles is widely regarded as the best in the world at what he does and is a sought-after speaker, consultant and trainer for some of the world’s largest organizations and conferences.
He has led some of the most successful marketing campaigns in history, working with organizations like Pepsi, American Express, L’Oréal, Samsung, and House of Deréon Apparel to name a few.
Knowles’s professional insights and expert digital content have been recognized by organizations like LinkedIn, where he’s been named a “LinkedIn Top Voice,” a distinction reserved for the world’s foremost authorities in their fields such as Bill Gates, Arianna Huffington, and Richard Branson. He is also the recipient of the prestigious “Master of Influence Award” from the National Speakers Association, honoring his exceptional impact and excellence in public speaking.
Knowles shares his extensive experience and knowledge, inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators worldwide. Beyond his groundbreaking accomplishments in business and entertainment, he serves as a Global Brand Ambassador for Zero Prostate Cancer, passionately advocating for health awareness and the importance of early detection. His breadth of knowledge and strategic insight have also positioned him as a sought-after advisor to numerous organizations spanning a wide range of industries.
Academically Dr. Knowles has undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Economics from Fisk University, MBA and Ph.D. from Cornerstone Christian Bible College and earned Professional Development Certifications from Harvard University in Ethical Leadership and Developing Cultural Intelligence. Additionally, Dr. Knowles is the author of five books, two of which are best sellers on Amazon and has published a white paper at West Virginia University titled “Strategic Partnerships at Walmart”. Knowles is currently on the faculty at London College of Contemporary Music and Pepperdine University.
Whether he is developing some of the biggest brands in history, inspiring global audiences, or helping businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their goals, Dr. Mathew Knowles’ unmatched talent and experience make him a true business and industry icon.
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Roslyn Young-Daniels
Roslyn
Young-Daniels
Young-Daniels
boon
Roslyn Young-Daniels is the founder and CEO of both the for-profit and foundation arms of Black Health Matters (BHM), the leading platform dedicated to eradicating health disparities and advancing health equity in Black communities. A seasoned health strategist with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural health education, Roslyn has built BHM into a nationally recognized change agent in patient education.
Under her leadership, BHM’s digital platform and signature events reached more than 7 million people in 2024, delivering 1,497 health screenings, 82 education sessions, and impactful programming in partnership with 15 hospital systems, 162 community organizations, and 317 healthcare providers across 28 U.S. markets.
Roslyn’s contributions have earned widespread recognition, including the Community Impact Award from Women of Color in Pharma, the AIMM Gold Award for Black-Focused Media, and honors from The Links, Incorporated and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. The City of New York has also proclaimed April 17th as Black Health Matters Day.
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AF Cortés
AF
Cortés
Cortés
boon
A.F. Cortés is the founder of NEUPLOT, a Brooklyn-based content studio bridging music, film, and brand storytelling. Known for his emotionally driven visual style, Cortés has led award-winning work for clients like Google and Chevrolet, while collaborating with underground legends and labels such as Sub Pop, Ipecac and Sacred Bones.
He is the creator and showrunner of KID PAMBELÉ, an 80-episode scripted drama based on the life of boxing icon Antonio Cervantes, and previously directed the fashion and culture series MANIFESTO! for Turner Television. Earlier in his career, he cofounded The Vox Collective, one of the top multicultural ad agencies in the U.S.
Cortés is a four-time nominee for the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards — the most nominated artist in the award’s history — and has been recognized by American Photography (AIAP), the ADC Awards, and The One Show. He has been featured on the covers of magazines in the U.S. and Europe, and his photography has appeared in editorial features for Rolling Stone, Creem, Revolver, among others. He directed many music videos that bridge underground music and cinematic storytelling. He is currently producing and directing a feature documentary film on Brooklyn’s underground music scene and expanding NEUPLOT’s European presence.
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