Maybe it’s the alluring lineup–a compilation of brand barons, company founders, and other business executives–that has us amped for this year’s Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel on May 22-25. The speakers, panel members, and conference attendees are young movers and shakers blazing paths in each of their respective fields. Although this group of intellectuals is at the top of their game, they stand to learn a great deal–how to use social media effectively, raise capital for their business or gain stake in an emerging green economy. BlackEnterprise.com is highlighting 10 dynamic business leaders who will be in attendance, providing even more reasons why you should be at this year’s conference. –Janel Martinez
Marvett Britto (@MarvetBritto)
She went from working odd jobs as a waitress to molding the brands of heavyweight clients such as award-winning actors (Angela Basset and Hill Harper), TV personalities (Star Jones and Judge Glenda Hatchett), professional athletes (NBA-All Star Stephon Marbury and NFL defensive end Dwight Freeney) and musicians (Mariah Carey and Estelle). Britto fuses the worlds of entertainment, sports, fashion and events with her own public relations firm, The Britto Agency, which she founded in 1994. Since then “the ultimate brand architect†has raised her clientele to new heights, while also lending her skills to other efforts, producing films such as The Woodsman, Shadowboxer and Mama, I Want to Sing. She’s received the NV Award for Women in Business and Ebony magazine’s Women in Communications Award for her outstanding work in the industry.
- Are you looking to break into the entertainment business? Catch Britto and other entertainment execs at the “Access Granted: Money Making Opportunities in Entertainment†panel, moderated by BlackEnterprise.com‘s Executive Editor Elayne Fluker.
James Andrews (@keyinfluencer)
The digital thought leader is the founder of SocialPeople.tv, a communications agency that works to teach brands and individuals how to better connect with their audiences through social web, particularly online/mobile web tools and social media. Andrews has been working in new media for 15 years, holding executive positions with diverse companies ranging from Ketchum Digital to Columbia Records. He also blogs at Fastcompany.com and The Huffington Post.
See what Andrews has to share at “Go Digital or Die Trying: Building Your Business Through Social Mediaâ€, moderated by our Digital Marketing and Public Relations Manager Patricia Cesaire.
Adria Richards (@adriarichards)
With nearly 12 years of tech experience under her belt, Richards serves as an organic technology consultant; helping companies decipher complex technology and its many uses. The founder of Freshworkshops has been asked to share her expertise at several conferences and presented at Blogworld, BlogHer, Blogalicous, SXSW, and Wordcamp Atlanta, Boston and NYC.
Richards will be on hand to share her knowledge of technology, so if you’re ready to expand your business’ online presence, drop into the “Rethink the Web!: Innovative Ways to Grow Your Online Presence†discussion, hosted by American Express Open
.
Wayne Sutton (@waynesutton)
Sutton is widely-known for his social media and tech heavy blog, Social Wayne, but the social media guru is the founder of CoverTechNews and co-founder of TriOut; he also manages business development for gokit.me. The social media guru will discuss the importance of communicating your brand on various social media platforms at “Go Digital or Die Trying.†He has spoken at various conferences and events, including Blog World, SXSW, Social Media Breakfast, Triangle American Marketing Association, PRSA, FutureM/GEOM and Pubcon Austin.
Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi)
Author of Gimme My Money Back: Your Guide to Beating the Financial Crisis, Velshi is educating an international audience on all things financial. He’s CNN’s chief business correspondent and anchor of CNN Newsroom, host of Your Money, as well as host of the Ali V podcast. He’s covered a range of topics from business and politics to global issues and education. Velshi is moderator of the “Opportunities Abroad: How to Give Your Business a Global Reach” panel.
Chris Lighty (@clighty)
The influential talent manager is founder and CEO of Violator Management and Records–the powerhouse behind hip-hop superstars, including LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, Sean “Diddy†Combs, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott and, most notably, Curtis “50 Cent†Jackson. He’s responsible for
turning 50 Cent’s career into a multi-million dollar empire growing his brand to encompass G-Unit Records, G-Unit Clothing, Power by Fifty cologne and his unprecedented $100 million Vitamin Water deal. In 2007, Lighty branched out to establish Brand Asset Group (BAG) where he provides strategic entertainment-based solutions at Fortune 500 companies. Lighty joins a conglomerate of other entertainment professionals at “Access Granted.â€
Lisa Price (@Carols_Daughter)
Price is proof that you can rebound and turn a favorite pastime into a multi-million dollar beauty business, officially establishing Carol’s Daughter in 1994. She’s garnered several awards for her contribution to hair care, from the National Black MBA Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year (2000) and the Working Woman magazine’s Entrepreneurial Excellence Award (2001) to the FFAWN I’m Power — I’m Beauty Award (2010) and the Cosmetic Executive Women Achiever Award (2010). The Brooklyn, New York native also penned her own memoir, Success Never Smelled So Sweet.
She will divulge her empowering story and secrets to making it in business during “Daughter of Destiny: How Lisa Price Became One of the Most Envied Entrepreneurs in America†with Black Enterprise Business Report host and Executive Editor Caroline Clarke.
Marshawn Evans (@marshawnevans)
The owner of Me Unlimited and founder of Me UniversityLive.com authored SKIRTS in the Boardroom: A woman’s Survival Guide in Business & Life. In addition to Evans being a well-known attorney, media personality and reinvention strategist, she writes a weekly column on BlackEnterprise.com
and will lend her expertise to the “Go Digital or Die Trying†panel.
MC Hammer (@MCHammer)
After ascending the record charts with “Let’s Get It Started,†“Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em,†and “Too Legit to Quit,†Stanley “MC Hammer” Burrell entered a different chapter in his life; becoming a digital influencer and researching all things tech. After 10 years of research, Hammer carved a space for himself in the tech field–co-founding DanceJam, a community for dancers, and executive producing Hammertime, a short-lived new real-life family show he created for A&E. Burrell will address the Small Business Awards Luncheon attendees during the “one-on-one†conversation with Multimedia Editorial Director Sonia Alleyne.
Alan Hughes
Black Enterprise‘s multimedia editorial director is spearheading the “Open House! Turning Property into Profit†panel, which will delve into ways consumers can invest in property despite the current economic situation. The award-winning journalist has over 20 years covering the business and entrepreneurship fields.
- Meet us in Atlanta at Black Enterprise’s Entrepreneurs Conference May 22-25, 2011. Visit blackenterprise.com/ec for more details.