Keith Weaver and his wife Fawn Weaver have taken the spirits industry by storm, proving that Black consumers are not driving premium spirits growth as customers but as founders. In this fireside chat, we will discuss how Uncle Nearest has gone from boutique bourbon brand to full blown spirits industry unicorn, surpassing 1 billion dollars in valuation. Keith will share how Uncle Nearest cracked the code and what’s next for the power house duo, who are set to take over the spirits industry.

John Hope Bryant is an author and economist focused on helping underserved communities close the wealth inequality gap. In this fireside chat moderated by Nicky Sparrow, Multicultural Sales at iHeart Media, both will outline the current state of Black America, the economic crisis John is fighting hard to eliminate, and what the Black community needs to do to ensure it can economically survive in a world that is becoming more financially polarizing.

Jonathan Mildenhall will sit down with his first boss Cindy Gallop to discuss how a kid from Leeds has overcome adversity to become one of the most influential CMOs and marketers in the advertising industry. This candid conversation will unpack the challenges that marketers of color face in an industry where politics, cronyism, and other factors impact the objectivity necessary for diversity to thrive. He will also talk about the big plans he has to help level the playing field in an industry that needs more bravery!

Award-winning author of the book Stamped From The Beginning that became a must-watch documentary on Netflix, Ibram X. Kendi will take Blackweek attendees on a historical rollercoaster ride of the history of racism and bias in America. Moderated by journalist and podcaster Touré, this fireside chat, will seek to uncover the origin of bias in America and how it consciously and sub consciously impacts the opportunities people of color are afforded.

In today’s marketplace, diversity isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a financial one. Reflecting the diverse tapestry of global audiences that brands and businesses serve is a crucial asset for the bottom line. This lively and insightful session brings together brand leaders and marketers to explore how to make an impact, find innovation, and achieve lucrative results. Learn how cutting-edge companies are building diverse teams and leveraging their impact to spark innovation, foster creativity, and drive growth.

Understand your audience: Dive deep into how a diverse team provides unparalleled insights into Black and Brown demographics.

Building high-performing and inclusive teams: Unpack the strategies and best practices for assembling teams that are not only diverse but also bring a multitude of perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table.

Creating spaces that foster belonging: Discover how to cultivate a work environment where every team member feels valued, heard, and integral to the organization’s success. It’s not just about hiring; it’s about nurturing an inclusive culture to retain talent and enhance productivity and impact over the long term.

Decades of data bias and the lack of diverse data professionals has left the data available to advertisers absent of the cultural insights necessary to give advertisers the full picture. In this panel moderated by Amy Lanzi of Digitas, we will unpack the extent of this problem and what we need to do to create greater representation in the data necessary for brands to achieve greater relevancy and impact when targeting diverse audiences. Join John Pasmore, Larry Adams, Danisha Lomax, and Zekeera Belton to discuss how generative AI and machine learning will finally bridge the cultural understanding gap for advertisers.