The Second Annual “Black Commerce: The Future of Entrepreneurship” Conference will be hosted June 19th-22nd at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD! This unique conference experience unites entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, HBCU students and scholars to foster collaboration, share best practices and build support for one another. Attendees are able to learn skills, gain resources, and get connected to grow Black-owned businesses, build wealth, and empower our communities! The convening includes workshops, expert panels, certification learning opportunities, entertainment, an awards gala and so much more! 

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Highlight Events & Activities

Wednesday, June 19th: Opening Celebration
Join us on Juneteenth for a kickoff which acknowledges our journey and celebrates our promise. This event will featured a curated experience including live music, visual art, a business marketplace, food and much more! 

Thursday, June 20th & June 21st: Workshops & Panels
Learn skills, gain resources, and get connected to grow Black-owned businesses, build wealth, and empower our communities through six tracks of workshops and panels.

Thursday, June 20th: Resource Fair
A one stop shop to connect with government agencies, programs, funding opportunities, technology resources that can help grow your business or organization.

Friday, June 21st: Black Commerce Awards Gala
The Black Commerce Awards Gala will be a celebration of Black entrepreneurship and a centerpiece for the entire conference. Acknowledgments and award recognitions will be given and dinner will be served during the awards portion, with music and dancing afterwards.

Workshop & Panel Content Tracks

Dreams to Dollars Academy: A guided program to empower and guide aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and knowledge to launch a business venture.

Elevating Emerging Entrepreneurs: Workshops and panels to provide entrepreneurs with resources, skills, and knowledge to scale, and grow their existing business ventures.

Empowering the Ecosystem: A convening of ecosystem builders to share programmatic best practices and resources that help build more robust opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.

HBCU Entrepreneurship Education Institute: A convening to share pedagogy best practices and train HBCU faculty in implementing entrepreneurship education across disciplines. Note: Exclusive to college/university faculty.

Investing & Impact: Workshops and training focused on leveraging and learning strategies that fund, finance, and grow Black-owned businesses as well as Black communities.

Research & Policy: A convening of policymakers, academic scholars, researchers, and other experts discussing unique challenges, policy, and political issues that can impact opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.