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.

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.

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.

Creative leader Adan Romero spearheads breakthrough work for clients like Verizon, Audi, and more. Born in Honduras, raised in Brooklyn, Adan’s achievements include the Cannes Creative Effectiveness Lion for American Express “Small Business gets an Official Day,” and advocating for POC in the industry.

Walter T. Geer is Chief Experience Design Officer at VMLY&R Health. Honored by WSJ, Adweek, Savoy and more, Walter co-founded Diverse Creatives and has been outspoken
in the charge for creating a diverse and inclusive culture for Black and brown creatives in advertising.

Kanene Ayo Holder is a multi-award-winning educator, AI strategist, and comedian helping global organizations—including the United Nations, Shutterstock, and The American Red Cross—navigate ethical AI, innovation, and inclusive branding. She manages data and AI transparency for the GenAI chatbot EMPWRD and guest lectures at MIT’s AI for Digital Transformation course.

Known for blending emotional intelligence with tech insights, Kanene has given keynotes or workshops at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, ADWEEK, SXSW EDU, and more. She serves on the advisory boards for The Hive at UNHCR and The Alliance for Women in Media, where she champions responsible AI strategies that center humanity, creativity, and purpose.

Will Lucas is an entrepreneur with holdings in the hospitality and restaurant, marketing technology, real estate, and software industries. He is founder and CEO at aWLCo, a holdings company with ownership interests in ventures including Creadio, a marketing technology and production agency, and TolHouse, a private social club located in his hometown of Toledo, OH. He also serves as Brand Manager for both AfroTech and Black Tech Green Money, where he leads brand strategy.

TolHouse is a 25,000 sq ft riverfront social club which features amenities like multiple bars and lounges, Lucille’s Jazz Lounge, Earth Coffeehouse, Panda Workspace, Commons Pizza and Cinnamon Rolls, and more.

AfroTech is the largest Black tech digital platform and conference globally, bringing together over 18,000 technologists, founders, and investors annually. Black Tech Green Money, an imprint of AfroTech, delves into creating wealth and legacy in tech, media, and business through its podcast, which received an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2023.

Will is personally committed to revitalizing his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, and enhancing its appeal to emerging talent and entrepreneurs. To this end, he has purchased and is actively developing four properties totaling more than 60,000 sq. ft. of real estate along the downtown waterfront corridor. These developments aim to boost the local economy and attract new businesses and residents to the area.

Outside of his business endeavors, Will was named Co-Chair of President Obama’s Ohio Small Business Committee in 2012. In 2013, Governor John Kasich appointed Will to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the state-wide regulatory body for casino gaming, and reappointed him for a second four-year term in 2017. He was then renamed to the commission for a third (and final) four-year term by Governor Mike Dewine in 2021, and last served as Vice Chair of the commission. He was also named to serve on the University of Toledo Board of Trustees by Governor John Kasich in February 2016, and served as the Chair of the Board from 2023 to 2024, holding the distinction of being the youngest Chairman in the history of the University. Will was honored with the University of Toledo Blue Key for his personal and professional contributions and achievements. Governor Kasich also appointed Lucas to the Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission in 2014, and placed him as Chair of the commission in 2016. In 2019, Will was appointed to InnovateOhio Executive Advisory Board by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, where the mission is to make Ohio more innovative and entrepreneur-friendly.

Will also served as a co-chair on the transition team of Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz in 2017.

He is a songwriter and is listed as a co-writer on the track “How ‘Bout It”, found on the second studio album, Special Occasion, from R&B artist Bobby Valentino. The album, certified Gold by the RIAA, has sold over 500,000 copies.

TechFunnel – Top 14 Black Entrepreneurs in Technology (2019)

TechCrunch – 40 Diverse People In Tech Who Made Big Moves In 2015 (2015)

Business Insider – The 46 Most Important African-Americans In Technology (2014)

NBC New’s ‘The Grio’ – Top 10 Blacks in tech to look out for in 2013 (2013)

Business Insider – The 25 Most Influential African-Americans in Tech (2013)