Detria Williamson
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Mara Brock Akil
Mara
Brock Akil
Brock Akil
Speaker 2025
MARA BROCK AKIL has written and produced over 400 episodes of television, leaving her mark on Hollywood. She’s received Essence Magazine’s Visionary Award and the prestigious Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award by NATPE, and has been named in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter’s Showrunner Power Lists, as well as The Hollywood Reporter’s “Women in Entertainment Power100” multiple times. In 2020, Brock Akil entered into a deal with Netflix to exclusively produce television shows for the streaming platform under her new banner, story27 Productions. In 2021, she launched her own digital Dézine (i.e. digital magazine), InTheLandOfMara. Her credits include writing and producing the hit show Girlfriends (2000-2008), The Game (2006-2015), Being Mary Jane (2013-2019), and executive producing Netflix’s STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING which was on the Academy Awards® Documentary Feature Shortlist. Brock Akil’s most recent project was the critically acclaimed Netflix series adaptation of the 1975 Judy Blume novel FOREVER, starring Karen Pittman, Wood Harris, Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., and more. The series was renewed for a season 2 and premiered to rave reviews.
In 2021, Mara expanded her passion for non-profit work and started her very own non-profit writing residency in Los Angeles, the Writers’ Colony. The mission is to support up-and-coming underrepresented writers/creatives. The impact of the Writer’s Colony is something Mara’s very proud of. She is delighted to continue the colony’s commitment to nurturing emerging writers, and providing them with exposure, access, and the tools they need to continue on their journeys.


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Mathew Knowles
Mathew
Knowles
Knowles
Speaker 2025
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
Speaker 2025
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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Bethann Hardison
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AF Cortés
AF
Cortés
Cortés
Speaker 2025
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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Godfrey
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Charlamagne Tha God
Charlamagne
Tha God
Tha God
Speaker 2025
Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey is an entertainment mogul known as one of the most authentic voices in media. As a Radio Hall of Fame inductee, best-selling author, in-demand TV personality, and producer, he is a singular shaper of culture.
An innovator in audio, he is the co-host of iHeartMedia’s The Breakfast Club morning show, which drives millions of listeners and viewers daily. Charlamagne expanded his collaboration with iHeart to create The Black Effect Podcast Network, home to multiple chart-topping podcasts and the first podcast network built explicitly for Black listeners.
Alongside Kevin Hart, he is also the executive producer of scripted podcasts like Brokedown Prophets, Finding Tamika, Unleash for Love, and Summer of ‘85, which have won an Audie, Webby, and the prestigious duPont award. He is also the co-creator and host of the popular podcast The Brilliant Idiots with comedian Andrew Schulz. He recently launched the political podcast network Reasoned Choice Media alongside Angela Rye and Chris Morrow. The network’s debut show is the chart topping Native Land Podcast featuring Rye, Tiffany Cross and Andrew Gillium. The Hollywood Reporter recently named him one of podcasting’s most powerful executives.
Recently seen on the cover of Variety, Charlamagne is the author of The New York Times Best Seller Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and best-sellers: Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me, and Get Honest or Die Lying. He has also partnered with Simon & Schuster Publishing for his imprint Black Privilege Publishing, which his home to New York Times best-sellers including Uncommon Favor by Dawn Staley and No Holes Barred by authors Mandii B and Weezy WTF.
Charlamagne is an Emmy-winning producer through his production company, CThaGod World and has hosted several network TV programs and appears as a frequent correspondent on The Daily Show. Most recently, he teamed up with producer Basil Iwanyk to launch Southland Stories, a production company focusing on Southern voices.
Acting on his passion for mental health awareness, Charlamagne founded the Mental Wealth Alliance. The foundation works to destigmatize mental health in the Black community by expanding the pool of professionals in the health and wellness space. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Food Bank for New York City.


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Tanyka Renee Henry
Tanyka Renee
Henry
Henry
Speaker 2025
Tanyka Renee Henry is a global brand strategist, cultural innovator, and tech advocate, shaping the future at the intersection of culture, technology, and commerce. As the founder of AI to the World, she is dedicated to democratizing artificial intelligence while safeguarding Black and Brown identities, intellectual property, and likeness. Her mission is to ensure underrepresented communities have access to ethical, inclusive innovation that protects cultural integrity and drives economic power.
With over a decade of experience in brand strategy and content creation, Tanyka has collaborated with world-leading companies, including Google, Canva, Delta Air Lines, Amazon, and American Express, to develop campaigns that inspire engagement and cultural impact. A dynamic entrepreneur and travel creator who has explored 111 countries, she also leads Trips by Renee, curating immersive experiences that celebrate cultural heritage and economic empowerment. Tanyka believes that Black and Brown creators must tell Black and Brown stories and culture to ensure authenticity and ownership.


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Daniel Porter
Daniel
Porter
Porter
Speaker 2025
Dan Porter is the CEO of Overtime, a creator of disruptive sports IP and the leading sports brand and community for the next generation of fans. Porter has previously built companies in mobile gaming, education, media and marketplaces and has generated multiple exits for his investors over the course of his career.
Before Overtime, Porter served as Head of Digital at William Morris Endeavor (WME) where he built out the first and leading digital talent arm representing hundreds of top creators. Porter also founded and led numerous startups including OMGPOP, a gaming company that sold for $200MM and TicketWeb, a ticketing company that sold for $40MM. Additionally, he was also the creator of Draw Something, a mobile gaming app which was downloaded 250 million times.
Porter spent his early career in education as a public school teacher in Brooklyn, and as a member of the early team of Teach For America and eventually as its President.
Porter graduated from Princeton University and has a master’s degree from New York University where he is also currently an adjunct associate professor.


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