June 15-17, 2022
Join more than 2,500 tech founders, investors, professionals, and enthusiasts virtually and IRL for our 6th Annual Roadmap to Billions!
Pitch Competition Applications are Open!
Register now to enter for a chance win $25K
Blended IRL & Virtual Conference experiences
Live interactions with titans of industry
Dynamic roadmap to your goals and growth
Snag a Job To Fund Your StartupAbout Roadmap to Billions
Roadmap to Billions returns IRL to Brooklyn, NY June 15th – 17th.
Kickoff your Juneteenth Weekend with Black Women Talk Tech and 2,000 founders at the Brooklyn Navy Yard! Join us for the only annual tech conference created exclusively by Black women founders for Black female founders and their supporters.
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. We believe in learning from those who are paving the way. Through their successes, (and failures), gain insight and valuable lessons to inspire and guide you on your path to success.
Join investors, tech evangelists, and founders who are just starting out and those who have been in the game for years at the largest gathering of black women tech founders in the world.
Your ticket gives you access to
It’s our 6th year and we’ve
pulled out all the stops.
Roadmap to Billions 2022 is designed for you, by women like you. Full of exciting, engaging, and enlightening experiences, you’ll leave the conference feeling powerful, motivated and ready to take the next steps on your journey.
4 KEYNOTE SESSIONS
EXPERT SPEAKERS
25K CASH PRIZES
LIVE CROWD
FUNDING
Agenda
Day 1 – May 17
9:30-10:10
2024-05-17 AllMorning Keynote
To Be Announced10:15-10:45
2024-05-17 AllBuilding a Sustainable Funding Path: Strategies for Startups
Ensuring access to the right capital is critical for startup success. This workshop presents a comparative analysis of various funding mechanisms. We'll break down the pros and cons of loans, accelerators, and venture capital. Learn how to craft a compelling case for investment & secure resources for your venture's long-term success.
Kange Kaneene, Richard Odior, Ashlee Wisdom, Nelly Yusupova10:15 - 10:45
2024-05-17 AllBuilding Products that Break Through: The Art of Product Development
This workshop equips you to transform your innovative ideas into groundbreaking products. Navigate the journey from initial concept to market leader, diving deep into product development, achieving market fit, and crafting winning strategies. Learn practical strategies to refine your concept, validate its potential, and build a product that users love.
Lajuanda M. Asemota, Alexandra Raymond10:50 - 11:20
2024-05-17 AllDecode the Code: Acing the Technical Interview
Land your dream tech job with confidence! This interactive workshop equips you with the skills and strategies to conquer technical interviews. We'll break down the technical interview into manageable steps, equip you with problem-solving strategies, and help you translate your coding skills into clear, confident communication.This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to confidently navigate the technical interview and land their dream tech job.
To Be Announced10:50 - 11:20
2024-05-17 AllUnleash the Power of Data: Making Data-Decisions That Drive Growth
Learn how to leverage data analytics to make smarter decisions, understand what metrics truly matter, and propel your tech venture to new heights. This session will equip you with the tools and frameworks to transform raw data into actionable insights that drive real business growth. Gain access to exclusive resources and templates to jumpstart your data-driven decision making journey!
To Be Announced11:25 - 12:05
2024-05-17 AllNext Level Career Moves: Rising through the ranks
This interactive roundtable cracks the code for navigating the hiring process, equipping you with strategies for both technical and non-technical roles for mid-senior level career professionals. Join industry experts for a candid discussion on what recruiters look for, how to showcase your skills, and land your dream tech job.
Rachel Serwetz11:25 - 12:05 pm
2024-05-17 AllPublic Private Partnerships/WOCSTAR Fund
This session will explore the intersection of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and the WOCSTAR Fund, a venture capital fund focused on women of color entrepreneurs.
Gayle Jennings12:10 - 12:40
2024-05-17 AllOptimizing Efficiency: AI-Powered Strategies for the Productive Entrepreneur
This workshop equips you with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI tools to their full potential. Get ready to optimize your workflow, boost your performance, and stay ahead of the curve.
Ben Yurcisin2:40 - 3:20
2024-05-17 AllRecruiting Insights for Tech Newbies
This interactive roundtable cracks the code for navigating the hiring process, equipping you with strategies for both technical and non-technical roles for mid-senior level professionals. Join industry experts for a candid discussion on what recruiters look for, how to showcase your skills, and land your dream tech job.
To Be Announced2:40 - 3:20 pm
2024-05-17 AllEffective Go to Market Strategies for Tech Startups
This session equips founders/startups with the knowledge and tools to develop and execute winning go-to-market (GTM) strategies specifically tailored for SaaS and tech products. Learn how to identify your ideal customer, craft a powerful value proposition, and navigate the launch process for explosive growth. Walk away ready to confidently navigate the market and achieve explosive growth for your tech venture.l customer, craft a powerful value proposition, and navigate the launch process for explosive growth. Walk away ready to confidently navigate the market and achieve explosive growth for your tech venture.
Gary J. Nix3:30 - 4:00
2024-05-17 AllThe Art of Customer Success in Tech
This panel discussion dives into the art of cultivating thriving customer relationships in the tech industry. Hear tech leaders share their insights on crafting exceptional customer experiences, fostering loyalty, and implementing winning retention strategies. This session is designed to empower attendees to transform their customer base into a powerful engine for growth.
Chantel George, Andrew Frazier Jr.5:10 - 5:55
2024-05-17 AllPitch Competition
To Be AnnouncedDay 2 – May 18
10:15 - 10:45
2024-05-18 AllThe Future of Tech is Melanin: Are You Ready? (Opening Keynote)
To Be Announced10:50 - 11:30
2024-05-18 AllCybersecurity Tips to Secure The Bag
Building a billion-dollar tech empire requires a rock-solid foundation. This workshop equips you with knowledge and tools to fortify their businesses against cyber threats. Explore encryption strategies, data protection best practices, and building a secure online presence. Walk away with the knowledge to build your tech empire with confidence, knowing your crown jewels (data) are safeguarded.
Dr. Mona Lisa Pickney, Lowenstein Sadler (Legal), Jessica Robinson11:35 -12:15
2024-05-18 AllFrom Disrupt to Deliver: Big Tech Energy for Untapped Markets
Go beyond the usual suspects. This workshop dives into the vast potential of overlooked tech markets like manufacturing, government contracts, and supply chains. Discover how Big Tech companies are leveraging these hidden gems and learn how to adapt their strategies for your own growth. This workshop equips you with the strategies and insights to conquer new territories and propel your business to the next level.
Donnell Baird, Brian Laung Aoeah, Chante Harris11:35 - 12:15
2024-05-18 AllEmpowerHER: Black Women in Technology Leadership
This session explores the unique journey of Black women in tech leadership. We'll delve into navigating challenges, fostering allyship, and building a fulfilling career path. Gain insights, share experiences, and leave empowered to shape the future of tech.
To Be Announced2:00 - 2:30
2024-05-18 AllHack Your Resume: Insider Tips & Tricks
Join us for a dynamic workshop where we'll dive deep into the art of crafting a killer resume that gets you noticed by top tech companies.
Led by seasoned industry professionals, this workshop will uncover insider tips and tricks to make your resume stand out from the crowd. From formatting hacks to keyword optimization strategies, we'll equip you with the tools you need to land your dream job.
Jarrett Albritton2:00 - 2:30
2024-05-18 AllWhat Investors Really Want: Masterclass in Investor Expectations
This masterclass peels back the layers of investor decision-making. Gain a strategic understanding of the key criteria venture capitalists and angel investors prioritize when evaluating tech startups. This session equips you with actionable insights to refine your pitch and confidently navigate the funding landscape.
Jill Johnson2:35 - 3:15
2024-05-18 AllBuilding Your A-Team: Strategies for Founders & Managers
Founding a startup or leading a team? This session dives deep into building effective teams, no matter your stage. Learn how to define your ideal candidate profile and craft a compelling vision to attract top talent. We'll explore best practices for sourcing, screening, and onboarding, ensuring your team aligns with your goals and drives long-term success. Founders will gain insights on building a founding team, while managers will discover strategies for building a high-performing unit within an established company.
Kim Blue, Prathan Powell2:35 - 3:15
2024-05-18 AllBoss Mamas, Zen Minds: Fostering Mental Wellness While Building Your Empire
You can't pour from an empty cup.
This workshop is your roadmap to becoming a boss mama with zen vibes. We'll explore practical strategies for prioritizing your mental wellness, fostering resilience, and building a support system that empowers you to reach your full potential. Discover effective strategies for managing stress, combating burnout, and creating healthy habits that fit your busy schedule. Whether you're a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, or somewhere in between, this workshop offers a supportive space to prioritize your well-being and thrive in the dynamic world of tech.
Imani Samuel, Simmone Taitt, Nijiama Smalls3:20 - 4:00
2024-05-18 AllSaturday Afternoon: Founder Fireside chat
To Be AnnouncedTicket TYpes
Founders/Aspiring Founders
Join us IRL!
- Opening Night Pajama Jammy Jam
- Empower yourself with 2 Full Days of live workshops and panels
- Network in-person with over 1,000 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
Join us Online
- Participate in 2 Full Days of workshops, panels, and keynotes
- Network virtually with over 1,000 speakers, founders, investors
- Sign up for Investor Office Hours
- Missing the in-person experience? Membership is included!
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 IRL!
- Empower yourself with 2 Full Days of live workshops and panels
- Network in-person with over 1,000 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
Join us Online
- Participate in 2 Full Days of workshops, panels, and keynotes
- Network virtually with over 1,000 speakers, founders, investors
- Livestream access to Investor-only sessions
- Missing the in-person experience? Membership is included!
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 IRL!
- Day 1 [Virtual Only]] - Interact in our Roadmap to Billions Virtual experience
- Day 2 [IRL/Virtual] - In-person Access to Keynote, panel, and workshop sessions
- 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
- Get access to our Professional Membership Community
- Connect one-on-one in our Virtual Marketplace
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.
Meet Our 2022 Speakers
Jewel Burks Solomon
Google for Startups
Kezia Williams
The Black upStart
Evan Hamilton
Upfront Ventures
Parfait
Crystal Berger
EBO
Mandy Bynum McLaughlin
BLCK VC
AT&T
Maveron
Carla Harris
Morgan Stanley
Kelly Ifill
Guava
PayPal
19th and Park
Renita D Young
Bloomberg Black Business Beat
Janis Bowdler
US Department of the Treasury
Tonna Obaze
Harlem Capital
Vettdeck
Lisa G
You Are Tech
Kenneth Ebie
NYC Dept of Small Business Services
Pauleanna Reid
WritersBlok
Connie S. Falls
Systems B.A.E.
Eunique Jones Gibson
Culture Brands
Cinneah El-Amin
Flynanced
Tiffany Kelly
Curastory
Amber Allen
Double A Labs
David Smith
Keepingly
Shellye Archambeau
Former CEO, Board Director, Author
Alex Hill
Home Cook & Recipe Developer
DJ Olivia Dope
Khadijah Adams
Founder of Khadijah Adams, LLC dba Girl Get That Money
Jon Fortt
Tech Check Anchor, CNBC
Jazmyn W
Comedian & Content Creator
Danielle Young
Journalist, Producer, Content Queen
Terrance Gaines
Tech Consultant
Kandi Burruss
Founder, Entrepreneur
With nearly three decades of experience under her belt, Kandi Burruss has remained one of music’s most steadfast and prolific songwriters. The Atlanta native has added a number of hats throughout her career, including businesswoman, entrepreneur, actress, TV personality and proud mother of four.
Burruss entered the music industry at age 14 when she co-founded the all-female R&B group Xscape. They’ve released three Platinum-selling albums (1993’s Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha, 1995’s Off the Hook, 1998’s Traces of My Lipstick) and have sold over 7 million albums worldwide, while simultaneously putting Atlanta’s musical creativity and talent on the map. After achieving success with Xscape, the group members decided to take a hiatus to pursue various ventures. From there, Burruss solidified her legendary status in music as a songwriter, solo singer (she’s released her debut Hey Kandi… in 2000 and followed up with Kandi Koated in 2010), and producer.
Her credits include Destiny’s Child’s GRAMMY-nominated “Bills, Bills, Bills,” Pink’s “There You Go,” Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You”, Ariana Grande’s “Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored”, *NSYNC (“It Makes Me Ill), and TLC’s GRAMMY-winning “No Scrubs”. In 2000, she became the first woman to be honored with ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Music Award for Songwriter of the Year.
But Burruss had her eyes set on expanding her empire beyond an unpredictable music industry. “We started our career when I was 16 when we signed our deal with So So Def. My mom put this in my head: ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!’” Burruss recalls. “So I used to read all these books about finances. The main thing they always say is you need to have multiple sources of income in order to become and stay a millionaire.”
Since 2009 she’s starred in 12 seasons of Bravo’s pop culture juggernaut The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where she used the reality TV franchise to not only transform into a household name but to showcase her musical accolades as well as a platform to launch her ever-growing businesses.
“It’s more personal. Fans feel more connected. They’ve been able to see inside my life for the last ten years. Now, though, I do think that people learned to respect me for what I’ve done as a songwriter,” Burruss previously said of joining the series as an artist. “They’ve witnessed what I have written and produced for some of the other people on the show. From there, they figured out what else I have done, be it Xscape or TLC or other artists I’ve worked with.”
Burruss has since launched two restaurants with husband Todd Tucker (Old Lady Gang and Blaze Steak & Seafood Restaurant), made her Broadway debut in the long-running, Tony Award-winning revival of Chicago in 2018, landed a recurring role on Showtime’s acclaimed drama series The Chi in 2020 and scored her first feature film role in Lifetime’s Envy: A Seven Deadly Sins Story that is based on Bishop TD Jakes’ “Seven Deadly Sins” series of books.
As she continues to blossom as a businesswoman, Burruss’ love for music is never too far behind. In 2020, she won the third season of the Fox competition series The Masked Singer. And in 2021, Xscape participated in the Verzuz series alongside fellow popular ‘90s girl group SWV.
Ariel Investments
Managing Partner & Founder, Precursor Venture
Peggy Alford
EVP Global Sales, PayPal
As Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Peggy Alford leads all of PayPal’s Commercial, Customer Success and Go-to-Market teams worldwide. In this role, Peggy brings extensive experience leading high performing teams across product development, finance and growth strategy.
Peggy has thrived throughout her career by building and leading experienced and diverse teams. She fosters a culture of collaboration that allows teams to develop scalable and effective solutions.
Peggy has held numerous senior leadership roles at PayPal, including Senior Vice President, Core Markets; Senior Vice President of People Operations; Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific Region and Global Cross Border Trade; and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Americas Region. In March 2019, Peggy returned to PayPal after two years as Chief Financial Officer and Head of Operations at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization.
Prior to joining PayPal in 2011, Peggy worked at Rent.com, a national internet real estate listing service and former subsidiary of eBay Inc., where she served in positions of increasing responsibility, including President, General Manager and Chief Financial Officer.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) and Macerich (NYSE:MAC).
Driven by her passion to help others succeed, Peggy serves as an advocate for children, women, and minorities. Peggy was an honoree at the 2018 Culture Shifting Awards which recognizes leaders and pioneers of diversity.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Timnit Gebru
Computer Scientist
Timnit Gebru is founder of the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research (DAIR) Institute. Prior to that she was a co-lead of the Ethical AI research team at Google Brain, from which she was fired for raising issues of workplace discrimination. She received her PhD from the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and did a postdcast Microsoft Research, New York City in the FATE (Fairness Accountability Transparency and Ethics in AI) group, where she studied algorithmic bias and the ethical implications underlying projects aiming to gain insights from data. Timnit also co-founded Black in AI, a nonprofit that works to increase the presence, inclusion, visibility and health of Black people in the field of AI.
Coming soon …
Ayo Suber
UI Engineer and Design Technologist, Square
Ayo Suber is a UI Engineer and Design Technologist at Square, working with the Developers and APIs team.
Her passion for all things tech stems from her experience creating digital presences for small businesses, working at various tech companies, and creating art that integrates technology.
All of these things require different types of tech stacks, which is the basis for Tech Stack 101. Ayo enjoys making complex concepts as accessible as possible, and being a resource to increase our representation in tech. She is an avid traveler, writer, and arts advocate.
Shila Burney
Founder & Managing Partner, Zane Venture Fund
Shila Nieves Burney has spent a 20+ year professional career working closely with leading organizations and exceptional talents to create solutions that address disparities through investment in human capital. Her super-power is connecting!
After spending a year sourcing investors for a startup that culminated in a $5M term sheet, mentoring and advising founders of color, Shila was able to see first hand challenges diverse entrepreneurs face getting access to capital and the resources they needed to grow and scale their companies.
She founded ZANE Venture Fund, a seed fund that would invest in underrepresented founders with the goal of closing the funding gap and generating high returns for investors, thereby closing the gap to generational wealth, and Zane Access which provides early-stage companies led by diverse teams access to cross-functional experts, resources, best practices and customized content critical to accelerating growth.
Nichole Jordan
SVP Global Partner Success, Via Transportation
Nichole Jordan is the Senior Vice President, Global Partner Success at Via Transportation, Inc. Formerly, she was the Chief Operating Officer at Remix Software, which was acquired by Via in March 2021.
She currently manages executive account relationships and ensures customer satisfaction and retention for over 400 cities across five continents.
A dedicated customer advocate for over 15 years, Nichole previously led Customer Success for Fond, C3.ai and Contact Center Operations for Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). At PG&E she amassed over ten years of experience in customer care, human resources and information technology. Nichole is an active volunteer and leader for several non-profit entities. She currently serves as the International Technology Chairman for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®.
Nichole is a former president of the Twenty Pearls Foundation in Oakland. In her final year as president, the organization awarded over $25,000 in scholarships and grants to deserving students and organizations. She was initiated into the San Francisco chapter of the Links, Incorporated in 2016and served as President of the board of directors for the African American Art and Culture Complex in San Francisco from 2011-2016.
Nichole has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from U.C. Davis and an M.B.A. from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. She was the first African-American female to matriculate in the Wharton West Executive MBA program. Her proudest accomplishments include receiving PG&E’s 2008 President’s Diversity Champion Award and launching the MBA Fellowship program at PG&E–which provides full tuition sponsorship for high potential employees.
In her free time, she actively volunteers with her sorority and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, wine tasting and reading. Nichole is also passionate about mentoring women of color and has served as an executive mentor for Sequoia Capital’s Ascent Mentoring program, designed to support emerging women leaders in tech.
Henry Bolden
Inclusive Recruiting Lead, Spotify
Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.”
As the global leader of inclusive recruiting and development at Spotify, Henry leverages his passion for people to develop strategies that educate, empower and ensure inclusion.
Prior to joining Spotify, Henry worked across talent acquisition and diversity, inclusion and belonging teams, industry sectors, and geographies to create spaces that invite, reward, and celebrate individual differences
Jon Fortt
Tech Check Anchor, CNBC
Jon Fortt is co-anchor of CNBC’s bi-coastal tech-focused program “TechCheck”. Previously, he co-anchored CNBC’s “Squawk Alley” and prior served as an on-air editor based at CNBC’s global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Fortt joined CNBC as technology correspondent in July 2010, working from CNBC’s Silicon Valley bureau where he covered the companies, start-ups and trends that are driving innovation in the industry
Danielle Young
Journalist, Producer, Content Queen
Danielle Young is the content queen. You may know her from her candid and viral red carpet clips, her powerful sit-down interviews, from her way-too-funny and honest pop culture commentary, from her matter-of-fact opinion video series on The Grio, “Opinionated,” from her hilarious and Webby-honored “Judge of Characters” series videos from The Root, her often viral interview series, “Real Quick,” or what Forbes calls a viral hit show, “The Danielle Young Show.”
Before betting on herself and stepping out on her own, Danielle was a video producer, editor writer and host for ESSENCE, where her video series, “The OverExplainer” and “The OverExplainer Reacts” consistently over-performed. She broke down topics that matter to Black people (and everyone) and offered hilarious hot takes on the internet’s wildest moments, respectively.
Tanya Van Court
Founder & CEO, Goalsetter
Tanya Van Court is the Founder and CEO of Goalsetter. Goalsetter is a family saving, financial literacy and smart spending app that makes it easy for the whole family to go cashless and learn how to be money-smart. Goalsetter is Nickelodeon meets Fintech–it combines the best of Fintech companies like Acorns and CashApp with financial education and gaming that appeals to the whole family. As such, Goalsetter is the first money app for the whole family, giving kids-from cradle to graduation-healthy financial habits that will last a lifetime
Frank Valdivieso
President & CEO, Gryphon Consulting
Frank Valdivieso is the President & CEO of Gryphon Consulting. Gryphon Consulting is an Information Technology Services company specializing in helping small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits deploy and leverage technology in their organizations.
Mr. Valdivieso is a Co-founder of the Black Channel Partner Alliance, an Advisory Board Member for Women In Cloud, and a member of Voices For Innovation.
Dr. Nashlie Sephus
Tech Evangelist, Amazon AI
Dr. Nashlie Sephus is the Tech Evangelist for Amazon AI focusing on fairness and identifying biases at AWS AI. She formerly led the Amazon Visual Search team as an Applied Scientist in Atlanta, which launched visual search for replacement parts on the Amazon Shopping app in June 2018. This technology was a result of former startup Partpic (Atlanta) being acquired by Amazon, for which she was the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Prior to working at Partpic, she received her Ph.D. from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2014 and worked for a year with Exponent technical consulting firm in New York City. Her core research areas were digital signal processing, machine learning, and computer engineering. She received her B.S. in Computer Engineering from Mississippi State University (2007).
Dr. Sephus is a native of Jackson, Mississippi and a 2003 graduate of Murrah High School/Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex (APAC). She’s had several internships and research experiences worldwide with companies such as IBM, Delphi, University of California at Berkeley, GE Research Center, GE Energy, Miller Transporters, and Kwangwoon University in Seoul, South Korea. Recently, Dr. Sephus became founder and CEO of The Bean Path, a non-profit organization based in Jackson, MS, to sow technical expertise and bridge the tech gap in communities by hosting free tech office hours in local libraries, conducting youth coding workshops and giving away grants. She is also developing 12 acres of land in the downtown area deemed the Jackson Tech District for strengthening a community amongst the next generation of technologists.
Dr. Sephus has been featured in AJC, CBS kids’ show Mission Unstoppable, Black Enterprise, Ebony, Amazon Science, AWS re:Invent, Afrotech, Your First Million podcast, along with several others. She also serves on several startup and academic advisory boards along with mentoring others and investing in Atlanta-based startups. During her leisure time, she enjoys playing tennis, playing the piano, listening to music, bargain hunting, biking, and working on do-it-yourself (DIY) projects at home.
Alice Vilma
Managing Director in the Multicultural Client Strategy Group, Morgan Stanley
Alice Vilma is a Managing Director in the Multicultural Client Strategy Group at Morgan Stanley in New York City, where she strengthens Morgan Stanley’s connection to the multicultural business community through development and execution of commercial opportunities with corporate, government, institutional and individual clients. She is also Co-head of the Morgan Stanley Multicultural Innovation Lab, an accelerator that invests in and supports tech and tech-enabled startups with a multicultural or woman founder.
Ms. Vilma has been with Morgan Stanley for nearly 15 years and has had different roles within the Firm, including Equity Capital Markets and Securitization. She has over 20 years of investment banking, capital markets, structured finance and investing experience, executing over $25Bn of securitization, structured finance and equity transactions. She graduated Cum Laude with a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Miami and received her MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Anthony Egbuniwe
Director of Global Partnerships – Public Sector & Education, Microsoft
Anthony Egbuniwe is a Director at Microsoft leading the global public sector ISV partnership business. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management from Georgia Institute of Technology, Anthony started his career with Microsoft where he put down roots and established himself as a data science expert. He then returned to academia at Southern Methodist University where he’s currently earning his Masters of Science in Data Science.
In his current role as Director of Global Partnership, Anthony uses his mastery of the data science industry to support both government and enterprise corporations in building technical vision, solution development, and data-driven and revenue-generating strategy. His focus is on laying down the groundwork for the data-driven technology industry by providing businesses and individuals a clearer understanding of how and why data drives better business strategy.
Anthony is at the forefront of global business strategy, at a time when data is being used by global government agencies to allow for better decisions for citizens. His vast knowledge of business strategy, strong command of the digital marketplace, and boundless passion for data is what he brings to elevate Microsoft’s global partnerships on a daily.
Marcus Glover
Co-founder and Managing Director, Lockstep Ventures
Marcus Glover is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Lockstep Ventures, a venture capital firm that seeks to address issues that perpetuate racial inequality in the U.S.
Marcus has a mission to reimagine equity for Black America and is dedicated to investing and advising Black and women-led companies that are often overlooked, underfunded and underserved. As a leader of Lockstep Ventures, he has turned his passion into meaningful change while also inspiring and empowering a systematic shift in tandem with delivering investor returns.
In addition to his work with Lockstep Ventures, Marcus serves on the National Board of Directors of Defy Ventures, which advocates for criminal justice reform and lowering recidivism by building on incarcerated men and women’s natural talents through entrepreneurship business ownership. Marcus also serves on the Time 100 Advisory Board.
Nakaiya Turk
Corporate Marketer & Youtuber
Nakaiya Turk is a corporate marketer & Youtuber with roots in Knoxville, Tennessee. After graduating from Spelman in 2012 with a Mathematics degree, she began her professional career at Hewlett Packard Enterprise gaining expertise in data analytics and customer experience. In 2018, she enrolled at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School as a member of the MBA Class of 2020 receiving a full-tuition scholarship through the Consortium. Today, Nakaiya is a Marketing Manager at media powerhouse, Comcast, where she works on the strategy team helping to reach today’s cable and internet consumer.
As a passion project, she is also the host of Kandid Kaiya, a YouTube talk show that highlights millennial black women on their different pathways to success; nearly all of her videos feature Spelman graduates and other HBCU graduates. As a career activist, Nakaiya hopes to empower young black women to go after their dreams while providing them with the tips and skills necessary to WIN! Thus, not only is she a young woman trailblazing through corporate America, she is also a blossoming talk show host.
She is a member of National Black MBA-Atlanta, she serves as the Young Alumnae Chair for the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Atlanta Chapter, and she volunteers at Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta where she helps to further instill confidence and courage into young girls who are already “strong, smart, and bold!”
LaToya Moore
North America Partnership Lead, Facebook
LaToya started her tech journey by way of Amazon where she worked for the Amazon Fashion org and was a key stakeholder in the launch of the exclusive, invite-only Amazon Luxury Experience. From Amazon she made her way over to FB where she is currently focused on the growth and scale of SMB’s through leading North American partnerships for eCommerce.
While “being black in FAANG” is a competency that LaToya is well versed in, her true passion and purpose is helping women of color elevate their lives and career by empowering them to leverage their super powers to maximize their growth and earning potential. Through her work with Her Tech Unicorn (a career mentorship club for WOC) LaToya uses the insights and learnings that she’s gained from her experiences in FAANG to educate her community on tips, tricks, and practical steps they can take to increase their chances of breaking into tech and securing a high paying job that they love.
Sequoia Ramsey
President & CEO, Realistic Computing Inc.
Coming Soon…
Shante Frazier
WellCapped
Shante has spent most of her career as a data analyst and holds her MBA from NYU Stern and BA in Economics from Spelman College. Prior to WellCapped, she worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as a consumer markets consultant and has worked with companies such as Amazon, Wayfair, and Progressive Insurance.
Susan Akkad
Senior Vice President, Local and Cultural Innovation, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Susan Akkad is the Senior Vice President, Local and Cultural Innovation for The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. In her position she collaborates with the ELC’s 25+ brands and across geographies to develop and expand product and commercial innovation relevancy with global skins and cultures color, and Ageless consumers.
Susan began her career in cosmetics at Estée Lauder International in the Public Relations department in 1986. She left the company to work with her husband in his start-up design firm in the fashion industry based in New York and Paris. After spending almost 10 years in fashion, she returned to cosmetics as a Marketing Director at Lancôme. She rejoined The Estée Lauder Companies in 1999 on the Clinique brand. She was Clinique’s Vice President of Global Treatment Marketing, a position she held for six years. Following Clinique, she became Vice President of Global Marketing at Origins. Prior to her current role, Susan was Senior Vice President of Global Communications and Artist Relations at MAC, overseeing communications strategy for MAC Cosmetics and the MAC AIDS Fund.
Susan is a frequent speaker on the subject of Cultural Marketing, Relevancy and Innovation at industry events as well as at universities and business schools including Harvard University, MIT Sloan School of Management, Columbia Business School, University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. Susan was a keynote speaker at the Conde Nast International Luxury Conference in 2019.Susan has been profiled in Vogue, Essence,Moreand Jones. She was the 2012 recipient of the Business Achievement Award from the Black Retail Action Group (BRAG)and named one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s Top Women Executives in Advertising & Marketing in 2013 and 2016. In 2015, Susan was recognized by WWD Beauty Inc as one of the 50 Most Influential in the Multicultural Beauty Market. In 2010 and 2017, she was named one of Ebony’s “Power 100”.
Susan is a native Virginian and grew up near Charlottesville. She holds her undergraduate degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University. She is on the Board of Governors of Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW)and on the Board of Trustees of the East Hampton Library. She lives in East Hampton with her husband and Italian Greyhound.
Oksana Malysheva
Investor, Entrepreneur and Business Executive
Oksana Malysheva is an investor, entrepreneur and business executive based in Austin, TX.
She champions the development of innovative, sustainable, world-changing companies. Committed to igniting and fueling social innovation solutions, Dr. Malysheva’s mission is creating positive social change through education, technology and innovation.
Dr. Malysheva previously held top strategic roles at McKinsey and Motorola. Trained as a PhD physicist, Dr. Malysheva brings scientific inquisitiveness, lateral thinking and mastery of insight through data to all of her business endeavors.
Twitter: @Oksana_ATX
Jumoke K. Dada
Technologist and Social Entrepreneur
Jumoke K. Dada is best described as a visionary and techie whose sweet spot lies at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, goodwill, and girl power.
As an experienced technologist and the principal of Signature RED, she provides technology consulting services to companies and creates tools for women with careers in technology. The Tech Women Network, an online platform for women with technical skills, and the annual HUE Tech Summit for women of color technologists are two of her creations. Presently, she serves as the project manager for the Making Space initiative and CyberBase to ensure that women and minorities are represented in the field of cybersecurity.
As an international speaker, Dada is passionate about empowering women and girls. Her mantra “No More Hidden Figures,” emphasizes her commitment to uplift, spotlight, and inspire those who work behind-the-scenes in STEM fields. She is a contributing writer for ForbesWomen where she covers diversity in tech. Additionally, her forthcoming podcast, Tech is Illmatic, will include music-infused stories about breaking into tech from other industries.
Over the years, she has been recognized in the media for her innovative ideas, leadership skills, and community involvement. Dada holds a B.S. in Computer & Information Sciences, along with real estate and scrum master certifications. She is set to pursue her M.S. in Cybersecurity part-time at Georgia Tech in Fall ‘21.
To learn more about her work, visit her portfolio site dadaverse.org or follow her on Twitter @jumokedada.
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