Black Brilliance Unleashed: Empowering Professional Communities with Technology

Event Details

June 18, 2024 | 1 PM EST | Online Event

Are you ready to explore how technology is transforming African-American professional communities? Join us for an insightful online discussion that delves into the vital role of tech in community development and association management.

Why Attend?

Engage with Experts: Hear from top thought leaders, industry professionals, and community members about the latest trends at the intersection of technology and community empowerment.
Discover Innovations: Learn how cutting-edge technologies like AI are revolutionizing community engagement, member experiences, and association management.
Get Inspired: Listen to success stories from African-American-led associations and community groups that showcase the transformative power of technology.

Special Feature: Speed Networking Session

Following the discussion, participate in a dynamic 30-minute speed networking session. Connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and discover new opportunities.

Key Takeaways

Innovative Technology Solutions: Understand how to leverage advanced technologies to enhance your community and streamline processes.
Digital Empowerment: Discover digital tools that empower advocacy, networking, and professional development within your communities.
Real-World Success: Gain insights from inspirational success stories and best practices that demonstrate the impact of technology.

Don't Miss Out!

This is your chance to engage in meaningful conversations and connect with a diverse group of professionals. Mark your calendar for June 18, 2024, at 1 PM EST. Register now and be part of the future of African-American professional communities!

Register Now and Secure Your Spot!

Agenda

June 18, 2024

Main Schedule

1:00 PM - 1:05 PM

Opening Remarks

1:05 PM - 1:55 PM

Panel Disscussion

1:55 PM - 2:25 PM

Speed Networking

2:25 PM - 2:30 PM

Closing

Speakers

Monica Pemberton

Vice President and Chief Information Officer at American Council on Education

Alisa Joseph

COO/Director of US Black Chamber

Ron Busby

President, Chief Executive Officer & Founder of U.S. Black Chambers Inc.

Christopher Harris

Executive Director of Unhyphenated America

Marilyn Hemingway

CEO/President and Founder of Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce

Mervin Whea

Senior Sales Manager at Glue Up

Monica Pemberton is the Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the American Council on Education (ACE), where she drives technological advancements and ensures secure system functioning. Before joining ACE, Monica served as the Chief Technology Officer at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), leading pivotal technology initiatives.

Monica brings a wealth of experience to her current position. She holds a BS and MS degrees from the University of Maryland Global Campus and is committed to continuous professional development, with certificates in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace and Inclusive and Ethical Leadership.

Monica is actively involved in various professional organizations, serving on the Technology Professionals Advisory Council of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), board member for the Association of Women Technology Champions (AWTC), and President of Blacks in Technology (BIT) Alexandria, Virginia chapter.

Her dedication to promoting diversity in technology careers earned her the 2023 Diversity Women Media Elite 100 award. Monica extends her impact through mentoring black and brown students in technology. Passionate about leveraging technology for organizational success and fostering inclusivity, Monica continues to make valuable contributions at the intersection of information technology, higher education, and associations.

Ms. Joseph has a proven record of accomplishment in leadership, strategic planning, grant writing, marketing communications and program design strategies and implementation. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge in financial products including those providing access to capital, supply chain management, diversity initiatives, multicultural marketing, and management. She has leveraged her expertise to help for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations achieve their goals and objectives to scale for growth, stability, and wealth, creating initiativesthat connect and leveragegovernment contracting opportunities, certification, operations management, financing, and communications.

She currently serves as the Director of Programs for the US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), leading with counsel, guidance, andmanagement expertise indesigning and implementing programs for Black and minority businesses to help them scale and grow. Her work has enabled USBC to serve thousands of Black businesses with digital/virtual programs and support Black chambers in the past two years. Ms. Joseph launched specialized programs like the USBC credit card, emerging loan/grant programs and financial education programs. She manages key relationships with corporate partners like American Express, Google, Facebook, JP Morgan Chase, Truist, Wells Fargo and government agencies including the US Small Business Administration (SBA), Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Businesses (OSDBU) divisions in federal government agencies.

Ms. Joseph is a graduate of Fordham University with a B.S. degree in Psychology and received her M.S. degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and has served on nonprofit boards. She is married and has three children

As the President and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), Ron Busby Sr. stands as a paragon of leadership and dedication to the progress of Black business and community advancement. His career, characterized by significant achievements as both a successful entrepreneur and an active community leader, reflects his deep commitment to these causes.

Ron’s journey in entrepreneurship is highlighted by his tremendous success with USA Superclean, transforming it from a modest beginning with $150,000 in annual revenue to a robust $15 million in just ten years. This success not only demonstrates his exceptional business skills but also his capacity to generate significant economic impact. His leadership roles, including as Chairman of the Board and President of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, further exemplify his commitment to uplifting and empowering Black businesses.

During his tenure of over 14 years leading USBC, Ron has guided the organization to become an influential global network of independent Black Chambers and business associations. He has played a crucial role in building strategic partnerships, delivering a range of services, and offering vital resources to Black businesses around the world.

Ron’s influence and contributions reach far beyond USBC. He holds positions on numerous esteemed boards such as the MBDA Business Advisory Board, Bowie State Board, Alabama A&M Sports Council Board, Bayou Classic Board, Pfizer Small Business Council, National Newspapers Publishers Association Foundation Board of Directors, and the White House African American Leadership Council. His previous involvement with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities also highlights his dedication to promoting economic empowerment.

Recognized as one of the nation’s foremost CEOs, Ron has rightly earned the title of the “Global Voice of Black Businesses.” Under his stewardship, USBC has expanded to represent over 300,000 Black-owned businesses and 162 Black Chambers across Africa, Canada, Colombia, and Puerto Rico.

Christopher Harris is the Executive Director of Unhyphenated America and brings over 20 years of executive IT experience to his role. He has amassed over a decade of institutional knowledge with the General Services Administration (GSA), where he was solely responsible for all levels of IT support and customer relationship management for over 300 federal employees and government contractors, maintaining the security and integrity of the White House Center IT network. His support extended to the Secret Service, the Central Office of GSA, and the Navy Hill Complex of the U.S. Department of State. He was also one of only two Operations Engineers selected for the 2008-09 GSA Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) Support Team.

Christopher relocated from Colorado to Washington D.C. to serve as a Congressional Intern for U.S. Representative Joel Hefley (CO-5th). He has volunteered on multiple political campaigns at both state and national levels.

Christopher has made numerous appearances on prominent media platforms, including “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” “Fox & Friends,” “Deep Dive” on Fox Nation, and “The Megyn Kelly Show.” He has been a guest panelist on “CNN Tonight with Don Lemon,” Russian Television (RT), China Global Television Network (CGTN), and has provided election coverage on the Turkish Radio & Television Network (TRT). Additionally, he has co-hosted several radio shows in the U.S. and the U.K. and has been invited as a guest speaker at GOP events in Maryland and Virginia.

Christopher is a proud "Air Force Brat" who spent his formative years overseas in Europe and Asia. He holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is an accomplished entrepreneur. He and his wife reside in Fairfax County, VA.

Marilyn L. Hemingway is founder and president of the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce, the Gullah Geechee Chamber Foundation Inc and The Hemingway Group, a communications firm.

A native of Georgetown, SC, Marilyn’s Gullah Geechee roots extend along the entire coast of South Carolina from Horry to Beaufort counties and includes a long line of family civic, business, education, and political engagement.

An advocate for environmental justice and green, renewable energy, Marilyn created the annual Gullah Geechee Environmental & Energy Conference hosted in South Carolina and Georgia with plans to expand to North Carolina and Florida.

As a civic leader and entrepreneur, Marilyn leads the Gullah Geechee Seafood Trail, celebrating and promoting the Gullah Geechee Maritime Heritage, seafood businesses and creators launching in January 2024 as a global tourism destination marketing tool through the Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Ms. Hemingway earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of South Carolina and is a certified Impact Economics Consultant (College of Charleston), and in 2020 completed Sea Level Rising and Energy certifications through the NAACP. She is currently completing Economic Development certification through the SC Department of Commerce/SC Economic Development Association.

Marilyn was recognized in 2020 by the Post and Courier as “12 African American Leaders to know in South Carolina.” She is a recipient of the 2020 Conservation Voters of South Carolina Harriet Keyserling Community Advocate Award, the Georgetown NAACP Branch #5520 Leadership Award and the SC African American Heritage Commission 2021 Herbert A DeCosta Trailblazer award.

In 2022, Marilyn received the Brookgreen Gardens Huntington Exemplary Service Award for working to improve race relations and a presidential appointment to the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission National Heritage Area.

In 2023, she completed the Riley Institute’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion cohort through Furman University and was recognized by SCBizNews magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential People in South Carolina.

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