Black Wall Street (BWS), a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of minority entrepreneurs who successfully grow scalable businesses, today announced the return of its signature event, Black Wall Street: Homecoming. The three-day series of conference programming and networking events will take place October 12-14 at various venues in Downtown Durham, on and around Parrish Street, home of Durham’s historic Black Wall Street district.
BWS: Homecoming brings together black founders, investors and members of the larger technology/venture capital ecosystem in a unique and intimate setting. Designed to provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers and subject matter experts, plus connect with angel and institutional investors through non-stop networking, the three-day event includes a pitch competition, panel discussions, fireside chats, keynote speeches, office hours and parties.
“Durham is a special place with a rich history of entrepreneurship and community,” said Talib Graves-Manns, BWS co-founder and CODE2040 alumni. “We are excited to build on the history of the original Black Wall Street, taking the same principles that made the area successful – innovation, community, entrepreneurship – and applying them to today’s conversation around diversity to help future generations of ethnically diverse entrepreneurs. We are in a great position to get the right people in the room to help move things forward, and hopefully get some deals done.”
BWS: Homecoming features top speakers who will discuss key issues and topics of interest to early-stage entrepreneurs. In addition to panel participants, speakers include Chaucer Barnes, SVP + executive director, Context Strategy of Translation; Diishan Imira, CEO of Mayvenn; Marlon Nichols, founder and general partner of Cross Culture Ventures; Phil Freelon, managing and design director at Perkins+Will and the architect behind the National Museum of African American History and Culture; Rodney Williams, CEO of LISNR; and Tiffany Norwood, Georgetown University Entrepreneur-in-Residence and founder of Tribetan.
Marlon Nichols, founder and general partner of Cross Culture Ventures, added, “When I visited Durham last year for Black Wall Street: Homecoming, I didn’t know what to expect. I was pleased to see and experience first-hand the area’s creative approach to driving entrepreneurship, innovation and inclusion – a mission that closely aligns with my desire to support and invest in diverse entrepreneurial talent. I’m excited to make the trip again this year, and look forward to meeting talented entrepreneurs and learning more about the young companies and technologies they are building.”
In addition to content and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and the community, BWS is also pleased to present its first Black Wall Street: Tech Futures event, a Virtual Reality experience for youth, in partnership with Google Fiber, Moogfest, Life on Autopilot, BlackSpace, Village of Wisdom and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Durham. Focused on education and experience, the afternoon mini-session will introduce Durham youth to virtual reality technology and career path opportunities.
To register, and for more information on the event, speakers, agenda and BWS, visit bwshomecoming.com.
BWS: Homecoming is sponsored by Google Fiber, Translation, Square 1 Bank, North Carolina Central University, American Underground, Kompleks Creative, Mechanics & Farmers Bank and North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company.
About Black Wall Street
Black Wall Street (BWS) celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship within diverse, multicultural communities. Created in honor and as an extension of what was built during the heyday of Durham, NC’s Parrish Street, BWS creates conversations and promotes thought leadership around diversity, technology and entrepreneurship. No matter the city or decade, the spirit of Black Wall Street remains the same – building communities and wealth through business ownership. BWS is the remix. Same vision. New day.