Melvin Rodriguez is a visionary entrepreneur and investor with leadership in beauty, wellness, tech, and community development. As Co-Founder and COO of Mielle Organics, he helped grow the company from a single product in 2014 to a major beauty brand empowering women of color. With over 20 years of engineering experience at UPS, Melvin brings operational excellence and strategic insight, which he applies to serve underserved communities through philanthropic efforts like Mielle Cares and the 'More Than a Strand' program. He also invests, mentors, and shares his insights via multimedia ventures such as Stay Blessed Studios and The Blessed Code podcast, focusing on mental health, faith, and purpose. Melvin’s authentic leadership, blending business success with community impact, makes him a celebrated speaker and thought leader committed to fostering opportunities and inspiring others to live purposefully.
Jessica Hurley is the Founder of EPYC, LLC, a premium video podcast production company dedicated to elevating marginalized narratives and amplifying underrepresented voices in media. With expertise in strategic planning, business development, and partnership cultivation, Jessica has established EPYC as a pivotal platform where diversity meets creativity, creating space for entrepreneurs and change-makers to share their stories and connect authentically with their audiences. Through her leadership, EPYC has become a beacon for quality, inclusive storytelling that drives meaningful conversations and demonstrates the transformative power of media to foster connection and empowerment across communities.Retry
John Onwuchekwa is a renowned author, entrepreneur, and speaker based in Atlanta. He's dedicated to helping people navigate the complex emotions of grief and hope. His work includes the book "We Go On” and his upcoming release, “Grief is a language: finding the right words when there are none.” A graduate of Emory University with a Doctorate, John is also the curator of the immersive "We Go On Tour," which has performed across the country. His life’s mission is rooted in exploring the themes of grief, storytelling, and virtue. John firmly believes that tragedy itself doesn’t destroy people, but rather hopelessness does. As a co-founder of Portrait Coffee in Atlanta's Historic West End, he's also passionate about community building.
Dr. Charlie Dates is a prominent preacher and Senior Pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. He is known for his engaging sermons and leadership within the Black church tradition, heavily influenced by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and W.E.B. Du Bois. He also holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Ross Mac is a Ivy League educated entrepreneur, TV personality, and best selling author, who has dedicated his life to democratizing access to financial education. He graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, leading him to a career on Wall Street, where he honed his expertise on Morgan Stanley's coveted sales and trading desk. His career journey brought him back home to Chicago, where he joined GCM Grosvenor, a leader in alternative asset management with over $75 billion in assets.
Clifton Addison
Founder and CEO of (UGW)
Woody Remy
Co-Founder, VP & COO of (UGW)
Urban Golf Weekend (UGW) exists to create impactful and engaging experiences that celebrate culture, build community, and introduce more people to the game of golf. Their mission is to make golf more accessible, more inclusive, and more reflective of the world we live in.
Titus O'Neil is an American retired WWE star, former football player, author, and founder of the Bullard Family Foundation.
Delatorro L. McNeal II is a professional speaker, successful entrepreneur, and television personality. Affectionately known as "The Greatness Guy," Delatorro takes audiences by storm with his powerful, practical, and paradigm-shifting keynotes and seminars. He earned BS and MS degrees with honors from Florida State University and resides in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Nova, and daughters, Miracle and Hope.
Travis Holoway is the Co-Founder and CEO of SoLo (SoLo Funds), a leading financial service company for everyday Americans, enabling community banking and lending solutions. Travis is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and has been recognized with awards such as 2020 Startup of the Year, Inclusive Fintech 50, and Forbes 1000. He has been quoted in various publications and websites, including CNBC, Forbes, American Banker, TechCrunch, and Crunchbase.
Louis Carr has been with BET for 36 years, serving as the President of Media Sales for the last 21 years. During his tenure with the company, Carr has transformed the multicultural space for some of the world's biggest brands and stimulated over $9B in advertising sales. Through strategic partnerships with corporations like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, McDonald's, General Motors, Facebook, Apple, and many more, he has been a guide and a consultant on opportunities that exist within black and brown communities. Through his deep understanding of linear TV, digital and social platforms, he has made BET Networks the number one brand and choice for Black consumers.
Quinnes “Q” Parker is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist best known as a founding member of the iconic R&B group 112. With a career spanning decades in entertainment, Q has successfully navigated reinvention, using his platform to inspire and uplift others beyond music. His deep commitment to faith, family, and community has shaped his mission of purpose-driven leadership, guiding men to embrace their divine calling. Through his philanthropic work and mentorship, Q empowers the next generation to build lasting legacies rooted in integrity and service. His journey is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and using one’s gifts to create impact.
Mike Vick was the first Black quarterback to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. This historic moment shattered ceilings and opened doors for generations of athletes to come. Vick electrified the league with his unparalleled speed, arm strength, and unshakable confidence, cementing himself as a true legend. Since leaving the NFL, Vick served as an analyst for Fox Sports and most recently was appointed as head coach at Norfolk State University.
Monique Rodriguez is the published author of "The Glory In Your Story" and the founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, one of the fastest-growing textured hair care brands. Previously a registered nurse, Monique shifted her career path after experiencing a devastating personal loss. From that place of grief, Mielle Organics was born, and Monique has since broken glass ceilings and barriers for female and Black founders, notably securing the largest exit ever for a Black female beauty founder. She is a wife, a mother of two girls, and a devout Christian. She has dedicated her life to uplifting God’s Kingdom and moving in His purpose. Her journey serves as an inspiration to countless individuals, demonstrating the power of passion, perseverance, and community.
Omar Goff has been the President of Mielle Organics LLC since 2023. From 2004 to 2023, he was employed at Procter & Gamble, where he held several positions, including Mielle Organics Integration Leader, Brand Director for Old Spice in both North America and globally, Senior Brand Manager for Old Spice in North America, and Director of Purchasing for North America involving Trial and In-Store Merchandising & Advertising, among others. Prior to his time at Procter & Gamble, Omar Goff served as an Assistant Product Manager at Pfizer in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 2002 to 2003.
Lanny Smith is the founder and CEO of Active Faith Sports, a faith-based sports apparel brand he launched in 2012. As a former professional basketball player, he has experience in the NBA, the NBA Development League, and has played internationally in China, Korea, and the Philippines. Lanny’s vision for Active Faith Sports has materialized, as the brand is now worn by over 100 athletes from the NBA, NFL, and MLB, and it has customers in more than 40 countries.
Mike is an American former professional football safety and cornerback in the National Football League. He is currently an Ambassador for the Miami Hurricanes football team.A
