
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!









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
Agenda – To Be Announced
Day 1
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
2023-05-18 AllOpening 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 AllRegistration
—9:00 am - 9:10 am
2023-05-19 AllWelcome Address from BWTT Team and Host
Regina Gwynn, Esosa Ighodaro Johnson, DeDe McGuire9:10 am - 9:25 am
2023-05-19 AllRise Up - Morning Dance Party
—9:30 am - 10:10 am
2023-05-19 AllIts 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 AllReshaping the Wealth Management Ecosystem
Morgan Stanley Sponsor Moment
Tasha García, Jeffery Kennerly10:30 am - 11:10 am
2023-05-19 AllAbout 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 Sims10:30 am - 11:10 am
2023-05-19 AllVisit Booths
—11:20 am - 12:00 pm
2023-05-19 AllBig 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 Foy12:10 pm - 12:50 pm
2023-05-19 AllBet 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 Bowman12:10 pm - 12:50 pm
2023-05-19 AllFuel 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 Cook1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
2023-05-19 AllLunch & 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 AllKeynote: 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 Hill2:40 pm - 3:20 pm
2023-05-19 AllWhy Civic Tech with Presidential Innovation Fellows
Natasha Bansgopaul, Elise Nelson Leary, Regina Green2:40 pm - 3:20 pm
2023-05-19 AllFounder 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 Ifill3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
2023-05-19 AllVetting 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 Asala3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
2023-05-19 AllThe 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 Lopez4:00pm - 4:05pm
2023-05-19 AllAudible Sponsor Moment
—4:05 pm - 5:10 pm
2023-05-19 AllPitch 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 Keith5:10 pm - 6:00 pm
2023-05-19 AllClosing 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 Johnson6:05 pm - 6:15 pm
2023-05-19 AllClosing Address from BWTT Team
Regina Gwynn, Esosa Ighodaro Johnson6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
2023-05-19 AllNetworking
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 AllInvestor Reception hosted by New York Ventures
Private post-conference mixer. Invite only.
—Day 3
11:00 am - 11:10 am
2023-05-20 AllWelcome Address
Esosa Ighodaro Johnson, Regina Gwynn11:10 am - 11:40 am
2023-05-20 AllOpening 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 Morales11:45 am - 12:30 pm
2023-05-20 AllYour Roadmap Intuit
Tanisha Barnett12:35 pm - 1:25 pm
2023-05-20 AllRising 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.
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
2023-05-20 AllNetworking
—WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Founders/Aspiring Founders
Join us in Brooklyn!
- Opening Night Reception
- Empower yourself with 2 Full Days of live workshops and panels
- Network in-person with over 1,500 speakers, founders, investors
- Demo new and upcoming tech solutions from our sponsors
- Sign up for Investor Office Hours
- Connect face-to-face with like-minded founders
- Does Not Include: Annual Digital Membership that features Conference Replays & Bonus Streaming Content
Aspiring Founders
- Want to know what it takes to build the next billion-dollar business? Are you ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship and need guidance on what to expect? Grab this ticket if you're in position to transition from a Side-Hustle samurai to a Full-time Founder + CEO.
Upgrade to VIP for Membership Access + a Swag Bag
- Includes Access to:
- All Perks in General Admission Ticket
- Annual Digital Membership that features Conference Replays & Bonus Streaming Content
- Investor Reception
- VIP Gift
- VIP Lounge On-Site
Investors/Aspiring Investors
Join us in Brooklyn!
- Empower yourself with 2 Full Days of live workshops and panels
- Network in-person with over 1,500 speakers, founders, investors
- Get matched with Investor-Ready Founders
- Live access to Investor-only sessions
- Demo new and upcoming tech solutions from our sponsors
- Does Not Include: Annual Digital Membership that features Conference Replays & Bonus Streaming Content
Aspiring Investors
- Want to know what it takes to spot the next billion-dollar business? Looking to invest in early-stage founders but not sure where to start? Need help developing your investor thesis? If you're ready to get in the game and want to learn how to determine a company's investor-readiness, this ticket is for you!
Upgrade to VIP for Membership Access + a Swag Bag
- Includes Access to:
- All Perks in General Admission Ticket
- Annual Digital Membership that features Conference Replays & Bonus Streaming Content
- VIP Gift
- Investor Reception
- VIP Lounge On-Site
PROFESSIONALS
Join us in Brooklyn!
- General Admission - Experience the fullness of Roadmap to Billions including keynotes, panels, and workshops
- Day 3 [Only] - Gain access to tailored professional topics and recruiting opportunities
- Learn about the latest tech solutions to take your tech career to the next level
- Hear from leading tech companies looking to hire diverse talent
- Connect with Founders and Investors to grow your network and build strategic partnerships.
Tech Enthusiasts
- There’s something to being in the room. Meet high-level tech founders, investors, sponsors, and professionals. Meet your next co-founder or CTO, find your next software platform, and learn about the latest trending tech topics.
Allies
- Black women can move mountains, but the momentum is greater with the support of our allies. We welcome the presence and partnership our Tech allies to join us at Roadmap to Billions as the journey to a billion-dollar venture is not one-dimensional.
Students
- Mark Zuckerberg got his start largely by accident while he was still in college. Student founders and entrepreneurs, we're looking at you! It's time to put your business classes to good use and learn what it takes to successfully launch and grow your tech startup. Attend online or in-person, but act fast - in-person Student tickets are limited!
- Must register with an .edu email address and show proof of current status.
2023 Speakers


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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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.
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Community Partner


























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Founders

Esosa Ighodaro, Co-founder

Regina Gwynn, Co-founder
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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