RTB 2024 - Roadmap to Billions
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May 16-18, 2024

Roadmap to Billions is back for the 8th year, offering a wealth of resources and support to help Black women tech founders turn their dreams into billion-dollar realities.

You could win $20K for your business in the Roadmap To Billions 2023 Pitch Competition.

 

Deadline extended: May 5th!

 
“If you are a Black woman founder or aspiring founder, this conference is a must-go.”
What Makes the RTB Experience Different?
Blended IRL & Virtual Year-Round experiences
What Makes the RTB Experience Different?
Live interactions with titans of industry
What Makes the RTB Experience Different?
Dynamic roadmap to your goals and growth
What Makes the RTB Experience Different?
Snag a Job To Fund Your Startup
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About Roadmap to Billions

Roadmap to Billions 2024 returns to Brooklyn, NY on May 16th – 18th, 2024.

Unlock the tools to empower your tech journey. Join us at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for an immersive experience with more than 1,500 founders. Our annual tech conference is dedicated to providing workshops, resources, and tactical strategies for Black female entrepreneurs and their supporters. It is the largest gathering of Black female tech founders created by and for Black female tech founders in the world.

 

A conference built from the perspective of women, the goal is to showcase the brilliance of Black women in tech, create a stage for our experiences, foster deep connections, and create real funding opportunities. Don’t just attend a conference – be part of a transformative experience that’s shaping the future of tech for Black women founders. Join us at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and be a part of something revolutionary!

 

What can you expect from Roadmap to Billions?

Immerse yourself in a conference that goes beyond inspiration. We believe in equipping you with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the tech industry.

  • Gain access to hands-on workshops, valuable resources, and practical strategies specifically tailored to help you build and scale your business.
  • Connect with investors, industry experts, and fellow founders who understand the challenges you face.
  • Discover actionable insights from investors, tech evangelists, and founders who have been in the game for years to fuel your own success.

This is the ultimate gathering of Black women tech entrepreneurs, where you’ll find the support and guidance you need to take your business to new heights. Don’t miss out on this unparalleled opportunity to network, learn, and access the workshops, resources, and tactical strategies that will empower you on your entrepreneurial journey. Join us and be part of a community that is driving change and reshaping the future of the tech industry.

Host Hotel – Aloft Brooklyn New York

Celebrate your style at Aloft New York Brooklyn, steps from Metrotech, Borough Hall, and the courthouse. Breeze into one of our Aloft rooms, featuring our ultra-comfortable signature bed, walk-in shower, custom amenities by Bliss® Spa, and more. Our plug & play connectivity station charges all your electronics and links to the 42” LCD TV to maximize work and play.

Your ticket gives you access to

8 years in – We’re not new to this. We’re true to this.

Roadmap to Billions 2024 is designed for you, by women like you. Full of tactical topics, strategic sessions, and enlightening experiences, you’ll leave the conference feeling equipped, educated, and ready to take action on the next steps of your journey.

KEY BUSINESS LEARNING

4 KEYNOTE SESSIONS

EXPERT SPEAKERS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TAILORED

WORKSHOPS

MEETUPS & BREAKOUTS
RECRUITING
& MUCH MORE!

Agenda – To Be Announced

Day 1

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

2023-05-18 All

Opening Mixer at RollerWave

Join us as we kick off the 7th Annual Roadmap to Billions conference at RollerWave NYC! Grab your skates and join your fellow female founders in the rink for an opening party the way only we can do it. Get ready to have a great time!

RollerWave NYC 

625 Atlantic Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11217


Day 2

8:30 am

2023-05-19 All

Registration


9:00 am - 9:10 am

2023-05-19 All

Welcome Address from BWTT Team and Host

Regina Gwynn, Esosa Ighodaro Johnson, DeDe McGuire

9:10 am - 9:25 am

2023-05-19 All

Rise Up - Morning Dance Party


9:30 am - 10:10 am

2023-05-19 All

Its Givin' Boss - Opening Keynote

A celebrity founder shares their journey to success and their companies they have built over the years.


10:10am -10:30am

2023-05-19 All

Reshaping the Wealth Management Ecosystem

Morgan Stanley Sponsor Moment

Tasha García, Jeffery Kennerly

10:30 am - 11:10 am

2023-05-19 All

About Damn Time

A conversation with Arlan Hamilton and her mother on how they came from humble beginnings including homelessness to now building multiple businesses.

Arlan Hamilton, Earline Sims

10:30 am - 11:10 am

2023-05-19 All

Visit Booths


11:20 am - 12:00 pm

2023-05-19 All

Big Energy: Boosting Productivity and Work-Life Flow

Are you looking to level up your productivity within your business, achieve a better work-life flow, and hit your professional and personal self-care goals? In this workshop, Alice will explore enhancing productivity and balancing work and personal life. She will discuss strategies and tools for maximizing efficiency, reducing stress, and achieving your goals. From time management and task automation to virtual assistants and self-care apps, this talk will provide valuable insights and tips for leveraging tools to boost your Big Energy and achieve your full potential both professionally and personally.

Alice Foy

12:10 pm - 12:50 pm

2023-05-19 All

Bet on Yourself

Join Andrea Donkor, SVP of Global Regulatory Relations and Consumer Practices at PayPal, and Mandy Bowman, Founder, and CEO of Official Black Wall Street, to discuss how to create a network of mentors and allies that can support you in your journey to take ownership of your career – and to recognize and leverage your potential. Whether you’re in the corporate world or an entrepreneur, learn these skillsets that will help you follow your passions and pursue any career path.

Andrea Donkor, Mandy Bowman

12:10 pm - 12:50 pm

2023-05-19 All

Fuel your startup's growth with a masterful fundraising strategy!

Develop a solid fundraising strategy by creating a timeline, identifying target investors, and creating a plan to reach them. Research each target investor to understand their criteria and tailor your pitch accordingly. Focus on building relationships through networking and personalized communication. Increase chances of securing investment and scaling your business with a well-crafted fundraising strategy.

Katleen Francois, Yemi Adewunmi, Tani Chambers, Kelauni Jasmyn Cook

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

2023-05-19 All

Lunch & Expo Booths

Grab a bite to eat with a new colleague and learn about the products and offerings at our corporate partner booths. Join us back promptly at 2 pm to kick off the afternoon sessions!


2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

2023-05-19 All

Keynote: Journey to a Billion

The Black Unicorns have arrived! We all know that becoming a Unicorn startup is rare and what's even more rare is a black unicorn. How did they do it? What are the challenges? How do they overcome everyday obstacles? What's their favorite food? Join us for a conversation with Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins Founder & CEO of Promise, Beatrice Dixon Founder of Honeypot, and Selena Hill Deputy Digital Editor of Black Enterprise and learn about their Journey to a Billion.

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Beatrice Dixon, Selena Hill

2:40 pm - 3:20 pm

2023-05-19 All

Why Civic Tech with Presidential Innovation Fellows

Natasha Bansgopaul, Elise Nelson Leary, Regina Green

2:40 pm - 3:20 pm

2023-05-19 All

Founder Power: Funding Beyond VC

Did you know there are a variety of ways to get funded beyond traditional banks and investors? This panel will share where and how you can secure alternative funding startup funding to kick-start your business. Whether you are just starting out with your business or looking to take it to the next level, this session can provide valuable insights and support to help you secure the funding you need to succeed.

Kalish Nesbitt, Oliver Libby, Pat Keegan, Kelly Ifill

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

2023-05-19 All

Vetting and Evaluating Startup Ideas - A Framework for Success at any Stage

Are you considering starting a company, or have you already started and want to ensure that your idea is on the right track? This panel discussion, will provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating and vetting startup ideas. Participants will hear real-life examples of that have turned innovative ideas into billion-dollar businesses. Whether you're just starting out or looking to pivot your existing idea, this talk will give you the tools and insights you need to validate your concept and set yourself up for success.

Cordelro Brown, Ekwutozia Nwabuzor, Charlotte Newman, Michaela Keady, Spectra Asala

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

2023-05-19 All

The AI Advantage: Unraveling the Benefits and Challenges for Tech Entrepreneurs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a ubiquitous technology in the world of business, and particularly in the tech industry. This panel discussion will examine the current state of AI and its impact on tech companies. Experts will debate the question, "Can a tech company be built today without using some form of AI?" They will explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of building a tech company without AI, and whether it is even possible to do so in today's technology-driven landscape. The panel will also discuss the implications of this for startups, established tech companies, and the future of technology.

Michael Brown, Corey White, Mutale Nkonde, Ariel Lopez

4:00pm - 4:05pm

2023-05-19 All

Audible Sponsor Moment


4:05 pm - 5:10 pm

2023-05-19 All

Pitch Competition Sponsored by Walmart Connect

Watch as 4 startup founders Pitch their businesses to established investors for a chance to win $20,000 in cash and prizes for their startups.

Deidra Suber, Simone Jordan, Kofi Ampadu, Brenda Darden Wilkerson, Benjamin Keith

5:10 pm - 6:00 pm

2023-05-19 All

Closing Keynote: Build & Scale: Scaling Brand Partnerships for Growth

Brand partnerships are a crucial aspect of growing a business, but scaling them can be a challenging process. In this panel discussion, experts will share their insights and strategies for effectively scaling brand partnerships to drive growth. From understanding target audiences to clear communication and adaptability, the panelists will explore the key factors that are essential for success. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your brand partnerships to the next level, this talk will provide valuable insights and tips for building and scaling relationships that drive business results.

Bonin Bough, Esosa Ighodaro Johnson

6:05 pm - 6:15 pm

2023-05-19 All

Closing Address from BWTT Team

Regina Gwynn, Esosa Ighodaro Johnson

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

2023-05-19 All

Networking

Stick around for a post-conference drink or two with your fellow colleagues and conference attendees.


7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

2023-05-19 All

Investor Reception hosted by New York Ventures

Private post-conference mixer. Invite only.


Day 3

11:00 am - 11:10 am

2023-05-20 All

Welcome Address

Esosa Ighodaro Johnson, Regina Gwynn

11:10 am - 11:40 am

2023-05-20 All

Opening Keynote: Amplifying Our Voice: Elevating Diverse Talent Within in the Tech Industry

Bias, micro-aggressions, and lack of advancement are no mystery to diverse talent. These challenges can create unnecessary barriers to success for ambitious & goal-oriented professionals across industries. Thankfully, alongside any obstacle, there is opportunity: Brenda Wilkerson (President, anitab.org) and Shannon Morales (Founder, tribaja.co) are dedicated to the mission of closing the gap between opportunities and qualified talent in the tech industry. Join us in conversation with two trailblazing leaders in talent acquisition and learn about the importance of advocating & supporting diverse talent in the workplace.

Brenda Darden Wilkerson, Shannon Morales

11:45 am - 12:30 pm

2023-05-20 All

Your Roadmap Intuit

Tanisha Barnett

12:35 pm - 1:25 pm

2023-05-20 All

Rising up the Ranks Panel

Are you a technical professional looking to take your career to the next level? Whether you are a software developer, data analyst, or cybersecurity expert, we’ll be dropping valuable knowledge for mid-level technical talent across all sectors. Join us to learn from industry leaders and gain insights into what it takes to advance to a leadership position.
Our panel of experts will discuss topics such as the skills and qualities required to move up the career ladder, strategies for building a strong professional network, and tips for navigating the recruitment process. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and network with other mid-level technical professionals.

Niani Tolbert, Rashida Mark, Nicole Pierre-Louis, Rosedel Davies-Adewebi, Marlo Wilson

1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

2023-05-20 All

Networking


WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Founders/Aspiring Founders

Join us in Brooklyn!

Aspiring Founders

Upgrade to VIP for Membership Access + a Swag Bag

Investors/Aspiring Investors

Join us in Brooklyn!

Aspiring Investors

Upgrade to VIP for Membership Access + a Swag Bag

PROFESSIONALS

Join us in Brooklyn!

Tech Enthusiasts

Allies

Students

2023 Speakers

 
Felecia Hatcher Roadmap to Billions 2023 speaker
Felecia Hatcher
CEO, Black Ambition Opportunity Fund
Felecia Hatcher Roadmap to Billions 2023 speaker
Felecia Hatcher
CEO, Black Ambition Opportunity Fund

Felecia is the CEO of Pharrell William’s Black Ambition Opportunity Fund. Felecia is an innovative
powerhouse, personal transformation speaker, entrepreneur and author, who’s work shapes the way
individuals show up, are valued, and financially benefit from playing full out in the innovation
economy. Companies like, Google, Spotify, Door Dash, Target, Samsung, and Etsy call on Felecia to help them empower their teams and shape their inclusive innovation strategies and empower their team to step into their Zone of Genius. Felecia has been featured on the NBC Today Show, MSNBC, The Cooking Channel, Wall Street Journal, and White House Champion of Change Honoree.

Kofi Ampadu Partner, Talent x Opportunity
Kofi Ampadu
Partner, Talent x Opportunity, Andreessen Horowitz
Kofi Ampadu Partner, Talent x Opportunity
Kofi Ampadu
Partner, Talent x Opportunity, Andreessen Horowitz

Kofi Ampadu is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz where he leads the Talent x Opportunity Initiative (TxO). TxO aims to identify entrepreneurs who have the talent, drive, and ideas to build great businesses, but lack the typical network and resources to do so. Prior to joining a16z, Kofi founded SKU’d Ventures, a venture fund focused on investing in consumer packaged goods companies, and also served as a venture advisor with Yale University’s Tsai Center of Innovative Thinking. Before getting into the world of venture capital and entrepreneurship, he was a strategy consultant and engineer. Kofi earned a BS from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. Kofi was born in Ghana, so in his spare time he stays in tune with how innovation can drastically improve the continent of Africa.

Mandy Bowman Official Black Wall Street Roadmap to Billions 2023 speaker
Mandy Bowman
Founder and CEO, Official Black Wall Street
Mandy Bowman Official Black Wall Street Roadmap to Billions 2023 speaker
Mandy Bowman
Founder and CEO, Official Black Wall Street

Mandy Bowman is the Founder and CEO of Official Black Wall Street. After studying Entrepreneurship and Global Business Management at Babson College, she set out to empower the Black community through economics and ownership. Since 2014 Mandy has been at the forefront of the #BuyBlack movement, making it easier for others to find and support Black-owned businesses through her digital platform and global Black business directory, Official Black Wall Street. In 2017 Mandy was invited to TEDx Dover, the first TED event held at an HBCU, to give a TED talk on ownership and long-term wealth in the Black community. She was also chosen to present her business pitch to a panel of celebrity entrepreneur judges on BET’s series ‘Queen Boss.’

The highly anticipated app version of Official Black Wall Street launched in October of 2017 and made headlines as the first app to alert users when they are near a Black business. During her professional career, Mandy has worked at Atlantic Records, Complex Magazine, and Essence Magazine in social media and digital marketing. When she isn’t working to fuel Black businesses, she is volunteering as a mentor to inner-city students and creating social strategies for small businesses.

 

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Promise - 2023 Roadmap to Billions NYC speaker
Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins
Founder & CEO, Promise
Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Promise - 2023 Roadmap to Billions NYC speaker
Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins
Founder & CEO, Promise

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins is an American social justice advocate and businesswoman. Phaedra is the founder and CEO of Promise, a payment technology platform that simplifies government debt. Prior to Promise, Phaedra ran revenue and operations at Honor, a home care technology company. Before Honor, Phaedra worked with the musician Prince and led the effort to secure ownership of his masters. She is a labor and community organizer by trade who is committed to making measurable change.

Earlier in her career, Phaedra was the Executive Officer of the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, an organized labor federation representing more than 100 unions and more than 110,000 members in California. She was also Executive Director of Working Partnerships USA, a coalition of community groups, and labor and faith organizations working to address economic disparities in California’s Silicon Valley. She also served as the CEO of the anti-poverty organization Green For All.

Over the course of her career, Phaedra has been recognized for her leadership. She was honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, Essence for their 25 Most Influential African Americans, Ebony for their Power 150, The Grio for their 100 History Makers in the Making, Black Enterprise for their 40 Next: Emerging Leaders for Our Future and San Jose Magazine named her one of the 100 most powerful people in Silicon Valley. Phaedra serves on the boards of Honor and Tipping Point.

Arlan Hamilton headshot crop - it's about damn time sweatshirt cropped
Arlan Hamilton
Founder, Backstage Capital and Runner
Arlan Hamilton headshot crop - it's about damn time sweatshirt cropped
Arlan Hamilton
Founder, Backstage Capital and Runner

Arlan Hamilton, founder at Backstage Capital and Runner, is a serial entrepreneur, author and master multi-tasker.

She founded Backstage Capital in 2015 to invest in founders who are people of color, women and/or LGBTQ. Since its founding, Backstage has raised nearly $30 million and invested in 200 startups led by underestimated founders. Arlan is also the founder of Runner, a startup that connects outstanding operations talent with inclusive companies.

Arlan published her book, “It’s About Damn Time,” in 2020, detailing her journey from homelessness to venture capital. Arlan also hosts podcasts “Your First Million” and “Demystifying Faith,” and is the executive producer on “The Valley,” a daily soap opera that is like “General Hospital” but for the tech industry.

Arlan is a big proponent of paying it forward and supporting other underestimated people in the tech industry and beyond. She’s a limited partner in funds at Collab Capital, Ganas Ventures, Lightship Capital, RareBreed Ventures and several others. Meanwhile, Arlan and her mother, Mrs. Earline Butler-Sims, founded a scholarship program for Black students at Oxford University and HBCU Dillard University.

Brenda Darden Wilkerson Headshot - Zakeya Baker Roadmap to Billions 2023 speaker
Brenda Darden Wilkerson
President and CEO, AnitaB.org
Brenda Darden Wilkerson Headshot - Zakeya Baker Roadmap to Billions 2023 speaker
Brenda Darden Wilkerson
President and CEO, AnitaB.org

Brenda Darden Wilkerson is a pioneering thought leader and an advocate for access, opportunity, and social justice for underrepresented communities in technology. She currently serves as the President and CEO of AnitaB.org, a global organization that connects, inspires, and strives for greater equality for women technologists in business, academia, and government. Her work includes connecting communities worldwide to enable women and non-binary technologists to advance and succeed in tech as well as the organizations where they learn, work, invest and gain funding to create cultures conducive to mutual success. Having a passion for education equity, she founded the original Computer Science for All program, building computer science classes into the curriculum for every student in the Chicago Public Schools, and served as the inspiration for the Obama administration’s national CS For All initiatives.

Bonin Bough Group Black Roadmap to Billions 2023
Bonin Bough
Co-Founder and CSO, Group Black
Bonin Bough Group Black Roadmap to Billions 2023
Bonin Bough
Co-Founder and CSO, Group Black

Bonin Bough is co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Group Black, and co-founder of Lockstep Ventures. His work aims to dramatically transform the face of investment and media ownership through his commitment to diversity and inclusion. Bough is one of the foremost-awarded marketing executives in the industry. As one of the youngest C-suite executives at a Fortune 50 company, he has worked for billion-dollar CPG brands including Mondelez and PepsiCo. He has been responsible for some of the most successful organization transformations and the rapid growth of some of the world’s most-loved billion-dollar brands including Oreo, Cadbury’s, Gatorade and Frito-Lay. He has been inducted into the Advertising Hall of Achievement. He can also be found in lists such as Fortune’s “40 under 40”, Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business, Ebony’s Power 100, and The Internationalist’s Internationalists of the Year. He is also an author and a CNBC television host.

Beatrice Dixon Co-Founder & CEO, The Honey Pot Company
Beatrice Dixon
Co-Founder & CEO, The Honey Pot Company
Beatrice Dixon Co-Founder & CEO, The Honey Pot Company
Beatrice Dixon
Co-Founder & CEO, The Honey Pot Company

Beatrice Dixon is the CEO, Co-Founder, and Chief Innovation Officer of The Honey Pot Company, the vulva and vaginal wellness brand “made by humans with vaginas, for humans with vaginas.” Beatrice created The Honey Pot Company in 2014 out of great personal need during an eight month battle with bacterial vaginosis. The constant symptoms and fruitless search for solutions led her to formulate what became The Honey Pot Company’s first product, a vulva-safe wash. From that product, Beatrice has grown The Honey Pot Company into a plant-derived feminine hygiene powerhouse, intent on providing humans with vaginas a healthy alternative to feminine care made with powerful and efficacious ingredients.

Sponsors

first round capital logo white
American Family Insurance Roadmap to Billions 2023 sponsor
PepsiCo RTB 2023
Audible RTB 2023
SheaMoisture
NY Ventures empire state development roadmap to billions 2023 sponsor
Morgan Stanley white
lowenstein sandler white and red logo
ADP
Live Nation
43 North
M&T Bank
MYAVANA
NY Ventures empire state development roadmap to billions 2023 sponsor
citibank logo
balsamiq logo
first round capital logo
lowenstein sandler

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Community Partner

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Meet the

Founders

Esosa Ighodaro, Co-founder

Regina Gwynn, Co-founder

We are a collective of passionate Black women tech founders.

We have a unique understanding of the challenges Black women founders face and the advantages we bring in the industry. We’re here to identify, support and encourage Black women to build the next billion dollar business.

 

We’re unapologetic in our support because we believe Black is worth the investment. It’s time we are heard and seen because we know different perspectives bring new opportunities. We’re building community and profitable, scalable businesses for self-identified Black women in tech, together.

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